<rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"><channel><title>Hacker News: SonicScrub</title><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=SonicScrub</link><description>Hacker News RSS</description><docs>https://hnrss.org/</docs><generator>hnrss v2.1.1</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:24:30 +0000</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://hnrss.org/user?id=SonicScrub" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"></atom:link><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "Canada considering charging for road access from USA to Alaska"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>I don't really see how the Highway 17 situation is unique in the context of winter storms though. As per the comment above this, most transit of East and West goods occurs via other means, meaning the Highway 17 bottleneck is hardly some vital artery. A winter storm shutting down Highway 401 for example is much more economically chaotic, and has the practical impact of making travel through its corridor impractical (and in some circumstances just as impossible as if it were a single bottleneck). This scenario does periodically happen, and people manage just fine since the closures are expected to be short-lived.<p>So I don't buy the argument that Canada needs the US because of the threat of transit networks being completely cut off. I am much more amiable to the argument that reciprocal road tolls like this would be stupid because they'd increase the cost of goods for all of us (Canadians and Americans alike). As noted earlier, the fastest route between East and West is through the US due to geography.  But or course things like this are stupid, and I doubt an argument as to why is required here. Maybe we should pull back and stop doing all this nonsense like arbitrary tariffs on close allied nations? Especially those who's explicit purpose as described by the elected head of state is to threaten the sovereignty of the other?</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 20 Mar 2025 18:18:52 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43426924</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43426924</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43426924</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "Canada considering charging for road access from USA to Alaska"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>The parent comment is likely referring to Highway 17, which is the only road connection between Manitoba and Ontario. A boulder once fell on this highway leading to its closure for a period of time.<p><a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/how-crews-cleared-a-massive-boulder-that-blocked-a-highway-near-kenora/" rel="nofollow">https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/how-crews-cleared-a-...</a><p>I've seen this incident be the subject of hyperbolic clickbait articles and YouTube videos discussing the complete cutting off of East and West Canada (conveniently ignoring the realities articulated by your comment). Perhaps the parent comment is vaguely aware of incidents like this and is extrapolating to unfounded conclusions?</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 20 Mar 2025 17:36:39 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43426286</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43426286</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43426286</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "Bald eagles are thriving again after near extinction"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>> before giving up and flying away.<p>Careful! That's not always a given!</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 25 Feb 2025 22:03:36 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43178136</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43178136</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43178136</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "Canada pledges billions for high-speed rail linking Quebec City and Toronto"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>As much as I would love this to happen, a high-speed rail network has been discussed along this corridor for decades at both federal and provincial governments, with no tangible actions to making it actually happen. Given the current Prime Minister is on his way out, and the party likely to follow (barring some large swing in the polls), this is unlikely to go anywhere. I'd love to be wrong though.</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:28:26 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43115047</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43115047</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43115047</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban, but Trump might offer lifeline"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>If your concern is editorial preference, then wouldn't a social media application explicitly controlled by a State apparatus be a concern?<p>I fail to see how anything going on at Twitter is relevant to what I mentioned. Does Twitter shifting its content priorities somehow make the plethora of excellence sources unavailable?</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 17 Jan 2025 16:47:45 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42740065</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42740065</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42740065</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban, but Trump might offer lifeline"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>> The ideal world order isn't the one where Chinese can't find out what happened on Tiananmen square and Americans can't find out what happened in Gaza.<p>I don't see how this law banning a social media site brings us at all closer to a world where Americans cannot get access to accurate information about major global conflicts. This is so far down the imagined "slippery slope" as to be absurd. In fact, I'd strongly argue that this law would achieve the opposite. If you're relying on Tik Tok for accurate information like this, then you are opening yourself to echo chambers, biased takes, and outright propaganda. There are many excellent sources out there in America freely available and easily accessible.</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 17 Jan 2025 16:29:27 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42739760</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42739760</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42739760</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "Books I Loved Reading in 2024"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>Escape into the woods for at least 1 week out of the year with no internet connection. It rekindles my love for reading, and helps keep that fire burning throughout the year.</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jan 2025 15:10:57 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42566451</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42566451</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42566451</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "Casual Viewing – Why Netflix looks like that"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>There used to be a TV channel back in the cable days for this, so this sort of thing is hardly new. It's excellent ambiance for your Christmas party.</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 28 Dec 2024 12:46:36 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42530688</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42530688</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42530688</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "macOS menu bar app that shows how full the ISS urine tank is in real time"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>It's been a while since I've read the book / seen the movie, but I believe the ship intercepted a resupply payload launched from earth as it was performing it's slingshot.</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:51:42 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42512348</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42512348</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42512348</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "The largest open-source dataset of car designs, including their aerodynamics"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>The 2D model alone maybe be sufficient for OPs needs, but I'd advocate for going at least a little further with some form of 3D model. The wing tip effects are significant enough to warrant some form of "next step" after the initial 2D analysis. Although simple algebraic relationships are likely good enough to satisfy this end.<p>However, the 3D tools above give you a little bit more, that I feel warrant their consideration by the op. These models can yield performance of wing-tail-body configurations that include wake effects. They also can give stability analysis in both longitudinal/lateral axes. The stability effects being especially important if OP wants to design a flying-wing, which are a tad more challenging to get right than just slapping a "good-enough" sized tail on a classic config plane.</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 07 Dec 2024 22:23:48 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42353323</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42353323</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42353323</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "The largest open-source dataset of car designs, including their aerodynamics"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>Using a computational fluids model like OpenFOAM is overkill for reasonable estimates of aerodynamic performance and stability, provided you stick to normal-ish designs. The term you want to Google is "vortex lattice" and/or "potential flow" solvers, of which there are many open source softwares available specifically geared towards typical aircraft configurations, with simple, easy to use interfaces.<p>Some good ones to look at to get started with nice guis<p>- VSP Aero<p>- XFOIL (for 2D airfoil analysis only, also generates inputs for 3D VLM solvers)<p>- AVL<p>And some others if you want perhaps a little higher fidelity, and don't mind text/code interfaces:<p>-FreeWake<p>- Datcom (not technically a potential flow models, but a database)<p>To get the most value out of these softwares, you will need some background in aeronautics. You need to have an understanding of what a potential flow models can and cannot accurately model. It also helps to have knowledge about what forms aircraft stability/control and performance data is typically communicated in, as these softwares will use that terminology.</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 07 Dec 2024 20:14:03 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42352531</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42352531</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42352531</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "The Birmingham Blade: geographically tailored urban wind turbine designed by AI"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>Cool stuff for sure! But cheeky comments like this (and others I personally have made in this thread) are to do with the "AI" branding aspect of a thing that is just bog standard mechanical engineering work. Hooking up optimizers to simulation work is far from new. But that's being called "AI" now to drive news article clicks (and presumably to fish for investor capital).</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 07 Dec 2024 10:47:29 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42348851</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42348851</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42348851</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "The Birmingham Blade: geographically tailored urban wind turbine designed by AI"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>The definition of AI changes depending on what I am trying to sell you today.</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 07 Dec 2024 10:40:13 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42348827</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42348827</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42348827</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "The Birmingham Blade: geographically tailored urban wind turbine designed by AI"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>Probably some sort of optimization algorithm that's been defined for centuries, and comes standard with any mathematical computing tool. The kind of thing used every day by engineers as routine, but I guess that's "AI" now.<p>> import scipy.optimize<p>Look ma! I made an AI!</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 07 Dec 2024 10:39:44 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42348821</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42348821</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42348821</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "Show HN: Bike route planner that follows almost only official bike trails"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>This is phenomenal! As an avid bike packer, I've always wanted this. Eagerly awaiting the expansion to North America. Please don't forget about Canada when building ;)</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 21 Nov 2024 16:24:36 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42205893</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42205893</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42205893</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that kept flying"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>> Planes are obsolete technologies, should have invested in drones/loitering munitions. In 10 years, its all going to be drones.<p>This is speculation on what the future will be, not our current reality. In the War in Ukraine, reliance on cheap drones has more to do neither sides ability to achieve air superiority due to AA systems. Introduce stealth and/or effective SEAD tactics (suppression of enemy air defense) into that mix, and the situation changes very quickly. For a recent example, see the Israeli strikes on Iranian air defense systems.<p>The future is more likely to be hybrid, where drones, and "loyal wingman" data-linked with manned systems are used to get the best of both worlds. The F35's sensor suite and data-link capability are designed for that.</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:51:24 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42115102</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42115102</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42115102</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "The online sports gambling experiment"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>Just my two cents, but I think the appropriate compromise with highly addictive activities that we know can be harmful is to pass regulation surrounding advertisement/marketing. Particularly on advertisement/marketing to children. That way we allow freedom of choice while also assisting those who are more vulnerable to addiction.<p>I do not think it's appropriate to be constantly bombarded with ads for gambling when attempting to participate in sports culture. As of right now, it is unavoidable, whether watching on TV, going to the stadium, at the stadium, listening to sports commentary, or in the wider fan ecosystem (podcasts, YouTube, etc).</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 11 Nov 2024 22:31:35 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42111041</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42111041</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42111041</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "Boeing Ends Crippling Strike as Workers Accept Latest Offer"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>You can do this with your own salary through a 401k in the US or an RRSP in Canada.</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 05 Nov 2024 16:33:48 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42052899</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42052899</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42052899</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "NASA's Europa Clipper Launch"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>Lightweight enough to be recovered via parachute system, unlike the big heavy boosters which need thrust!</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 14 Oct 2024 16:57:46 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41839393</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41839393</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41839393</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[New comment by SonicScrub in "All I want for Christmas is a negative leap second"]]></title><description><![CDATA[
<p>The codebase does pretty much exactly that, yes. Still causes the occasional hiccup though when new data is inevitably not labelled appropriately.<p>Not exactly the kind of thing that causes catastrophic failure. More so the kind of thing that periodically pops up to be annoying.</p>
]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 06 Jul 2024 02:53:07 +0000</pubDate><link>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40887862</link><dc:creator>SonicScrub</dc:creator><comments>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40887862</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40887862</guid></item></channel></rss>