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Messages - ergophobe

#1
I knew someone who did a similar thing with laptops. But everyone is carrying a laptop, so they didn't question it.

And I suppose it isn't that common for someone to be coming back with all their beat up bike touring bags and gear and a somewhat dirty bike and for customs to guess that they had flown out with no bike and bought a bike there. Most bike people are way too particular about their ride to go on a tour with a bike they just bought
#2
Water Cooler / Re: 2026 aug 25
September 28, 2026, 02:02:01 AM
>  How U.S.-Canada Tariff Negotiations Turned Into an All-Out Trade War

Turns out according to recent Canadian new reporting, a group called Defense Analyses and Research Corporation had been consulting with the administration on ways to weaken Canada's position in the trade war.

As a result, the Trump admin tried to negotiate directly with Quebec to try to get around agreements with Ottawa (i.e. the national govt). Which would be like Canada trying to cut deals with New York that cut out the US govt. I'm sure that would go over well.

https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2026/09/25/washington-a-approche-quebec-directement-sur-les-tarifs-douaniers-pour-court-circuiter-ottawa-dans-la-guerre-commerciale
#3
https://www.ghacks.net/2026/09/27/opera-now-turns-on-its-free-built-in-vpn-automatically-on-public-wi-fi-networks/

QuoteOpera has added an option that turns on the browser's free built-in VPN automatically whenever the device connects to a public Wi-Fi network,
#5
Water Cooler / Re: Health tidbits
September 28, 2026, 01:00:02 AM
Neuron findings could lead to treatments for spinal cord injury and stroke
https://www.futurity.org/neural-wiring-spinal-cord-injury-stroke-treatment-3345362/

Discovery could help older adults maintain muscle strength
https://www.futurity.org/preserving-muscle-strength-3346362/
#6
I thought somebody already started a thread about California vintner's burning vineyards, but I couldn't find it

https://www.inc.com/lucia-auerbach/california-grape-glut-canada-boycott-cost-us-wineries-522-million-dollars/91409624

QuoteAs drinking habits change, economic uncertainty persists, and a grape oversupply crisis grows, California vineyards have taken a big hit. Now, the ongoing tariff battle with Canada has made the situation even more dire.

In 2024, Canada represented 36 percent of U.S. wine exports, with $460 million in annual shipments. According to a report by the Wine Institute, that percentage is more than the total combination of E.U., U.K., and Chinese markets.

Berge told Inc. that the cumulative estimated loss in export value since the restrictions began is now roughly $522 million.



Original story
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/30/us/pinot-noir-california-wine-sales-decline.html
#7
When you realize it's 50% more in the UK and more than double that price in Turkey
https://www.makeuseof.com/the-iphone-duos-1999-price-looks-almost-reasonable/

It reminds me of a Swiss friend who used to come to the US and bike tour for a week on a brand new high-end bike, which he would sell used in Switzerland for enough money to pay for the entire trip.

A couple of those phones delivered to Turkey...
#8
Hardware & Technology / Quantum computing stories
September 28, 2026, 12:44:29 AM
Quantum Computer Arrives in Public Education, Fairfax County Schools Leads Way
https://quantumzeitgeist.com/fcps-quantum-computer-arrives-public-education/


Quantum computer simulates matter "popping into existence"
QuoteScientists recreated a particle-forming process linked to the extreme physics of the early universe using a 13-ion quantum simulator. The breakthrough suggests quantum computers could eventually help researchers investigate how matter formed and evolved after the Big Bang.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260925005416.htm
#9
https://mashable.com/tech/microsoft-ending-internet-explorer-mode-in-edge

The headline seems like a headline from another century doesn't it?

Actually, IE didn't drop below 50% until 2007... but still, it feels like a blast from the past when we had to test every site in every version of IE
#10
New Mexico jury finds Facebook liable for over 43 million violations of consumer protection law—and Meta could owe over $200 billion in penalties
https://fortune.com/2026/09/26/facebook-liable-violations-new-mexico-consumer-protection-lawand-meta-200-billion-penalties/

Jury Finds Meta Deceived Users About Privacy, Content Moderation
https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/418311/jury-finds-meta-deceived-users-about-privacy-cont.html
#11
Water Cooler / Re: Quotes that hit home
September 26, 2026, 06:53:06 AM
A rat that leaves a sinking ship is still a rat. 
#12
Water Cooler / Re: Quotes that hit home
September 24, 2026, 08:04:25 PM
"If you find two ants in your kitchen, the best estimate of the total number of ants in your kitchen is not two."

 - Nathan Calvin RE on OpenAI agents breaking out of training environments
https://x.com/_NathanCalvin/status/2084856543561093535
#13
I suspect every fridge made in the last 20 years has software/firmware
#14
They needed the firmware updates because the truth is that AI fridges just aren't as awesome as buyers were expecting.

People were thinking they would be on the level of an AI toothbrush or AI socks or something, but no. They're barely better than an old-fashioned smart fridge from 2024.