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~ > weeklinks > 001 - Philosophy, grief and macaques
2023-12-03
2 minutes

I read a lot of stuff on the internet. A lot of it I don’t enjoy, or it outright angers me. However, I frequently come across some diamonds in the rough: articles I really enjoy, useful tools and guides, a dearth of blog posts and the ever-present Wikipedia article.

The problem that I face is that all of this consumption is ephemeral. I read an blog post, think to myself Wow that was a really great read and then promptly forget all about it. To resolve this, I am starting (as of right now) a weekly-ish roundup of all the interesting stuff that I’ve read and found. It helps me keep track of all the stuff I have read, and also has the added benefit of sharing it with others.

Without further ado:

A very interesting philosophy paper on the limits of the human mind. Where can the mind actually be said to end? How is a diary any different from your memories? This is especially potent when considered with the possibility of neural implants and the increasingly common cyborg-fetishism of the ultra-rich. I take extensive notes at work, and it is fun to consider whether they are actually a part of me.
A bit less heavy, this blog post about a father who built his daughter her own radar app to spot planes together is both heartwarming and technically interesting. I recommend the HN thread where I came across this too, it has some equally nice stories about technology and parenthood.
This post is in the same vein. A story of family’s beloved app reaching the end of its life, and being manually revived (but only for the family). It has a nice sentiment about software on a small-scale, as something that can be personal, private, and free from corporate interests.
Here is a useful tool for checking how good your browser setup is for blocking ads and fingerprinting. Pretty happy with 99%, but room for improvement.
A fun little rabbit hole of a Wikipedia page about approximate measurements. Apparently dash, pinch, smidgen, drop and hint are all quantifiable!
Another rather techy blog post about why you should write documentation for your house. This currently exists for my partner and I as a couple of binders filled with notes, instruction booklets and takeaway menus, but I am looking forward to a proper setup whenever I get around to it.
This is a very interesting piece on religion and loss, explored through a relationship to a virtual character. Thought-provoking stuff, especially when confonting how we strive for control in our lives even with death always looming over us. I will certainly never play Red Dead Redemption 2 in the same way.
And finally (for a happier ending): enjoy these excellent photos of Japanese macaques in a hot spring. I especially like this almost biblical one.

Thanks for reading!
A.

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