I create space related content on YouTube, mostly using Kerbal Space Program to demonstrate concepts: https://youtube.com/ShadowZone

  • 0 Posts
  • 22 Comments
Joined 1 year ago
cake
Cake day: July 1st, 2023

help-circle





  • No, no and no. In our country, there’s a loophole in traffic regulation allowing for anything under 25kph on bike paths if it’s electric powered. This resulted in a super dangerous situation for normal cyclists. I commute by normal bike and believe my it’s terrible:

    • food delivery guys switched to electric scooters (think Vespa) and clog bike paths. These things are way too heavy in case of a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist.
    • the 25kph speed limit is not observed! Either the manufacturers don’t care or the drivers tweak their rides.
    • the acceleration is way too sudden. Even a regular E-Bike needs to ramp up to speed. And you see when the driver engages his drivetrain by way of them moving their legs. With a throttle you just have a lump of mass that suddenly jumps forward. Super unpredictable.

    So now we basically have way too big, way too heavy and way too quick objects on bike paths endangering everyone else.

    There needs to be strict mass limits for vehicles allowed on bicycle paths. There need to be acceleration limits. There need to be mandatory checks for pedal-less ebikes. If a bike from a manufacturer is found that can exceed the speed limit, there need to be existentially threatening fines. Because their products are threatening lives!





  • If you like grounded sci-fi that elicits a “it could happen in a few years” vibe firmly rooted on Earth, check out William Gibson. Most of his stuff is excellent, but “The Peripheral” and its followup “Agency” are recent highlights. From his older stuff I very much enjoyed “Virtual Light” the most. More than his acclaimed “Neuromancer” (he invented the word cyberspace in 1982 and popularized it in this 1984 novel) even.

    Neal Stephenson - “Seveneves” One of my all time favorite sci-fi books. It is set mostly in space, but very realistic and never leaves the Earth’s influence. Time setting is basically now or a few years from now.

    Also by Stevenson: “Anathem” Marvellous alternate universe story with a few twists. It’s on Earth, just … different.

    If you wanna go for the classics (1960 roughly), look into Stanislaw Lem. “Solaris”, “Eden” and “Transfer” all left a lasting impression on me.







  • I used my Pixel 5 as a mobile recording rig. Plugged in my audio interface via USB-C (which powered it as well), two wireless XLR receivers and used the app n-track to record an interview with an astronaut at an ESA event (lav mic on myself and the astronaut).

    In that moment, I felt like a pro.

    Unfortunately, the interview didn’t get a lot of views on my YouTube channel haha