Hacker News: grigri907

New comment by grigri907 in "Source code of the Estonian online voting system"

grigri907 — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 03:59:51 +0000

I've always wondered why we don't publish all ballots online, accessible via some anonymous key given to each voter when they vote. Then anyone could go online to see their own ballot and confirm it was tallied as they intended.

I'm sure this is overly naive, but what am I missing?

New comment by grigri907 in "Butlerian Jihad"

grigri907 — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 02:55:47 +0000

This isn't from the first book, is it?

New comment by grigri907 in "Hackers activate automatic defrosting in supermarket fridges across Europe"

grigri907 — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 17:34:22 +0000

...until you're a refrigeration vendor or corporate facilities manager responsible for more than a single location.

New comment by grigri907 in "Hackers activate automatic defrosting in supermarket fridges across Europe"

grigri907 — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 17:33:14 +0000

Defrost cycles do not require someone to be physically present. These are happening multiple times per day, per evaporate, per cold box. A moderate grocery store or cold storage warehouse will have dozens, it not hundreds, of defrosts per day. They NEED central dispatching and/or remote controls. Controls engineers have already thought of these things. They DO depend on rudimentary signals to schedule these events and coordinate defrosts so that only a selection of evaps defrost at a time and the box can maintain cold temps. It also promotes temperature stability, energy efficiency, and keeps equipment from being overloaded.

New comment by grigri907 in "Hackers activate automatic defrosting in supermarket fridges across Europe"

grigri907 — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 07:35:08 +0000

Controlling the defrost was the issue here. The only way a cooler or freezer gets to 120F is by running the defrost overnight. And networked communication for sequencing defrost cycles IS essential so you don't run out of compressor capacity and/or run up outrageous electric demand charges. With the same communications you can sequence compressors and evaporators to get more stable temperature control, longer product shelf life, and may cut down on the compressor capacity you have to buy up front.

Then there is refrigerant leak detection, and automated calls and remote troubleshooting for the refrigeration vendor.

But since we've already got off-site access, why not throw in temperature controls so you can implement demand-based setpoints, schedules, and so the corporate facilities and product quality teams can keep an eye on things. They are required to keep detailed logs of each refrigerated space after all.

Any vendor selling grocery equipment without network communication is going to have a hard time staying in business.

New comment by grigri907 in "Wendell Berry has died"

grigri907 — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:28:09 +0000

I mean, he was a career farmer (and writer and teacher) not a homesteader. He had his pet issues with technology but he never advocated for isolating oneself from society.

I wouldn't call it LARPing if someone just figures out the life he wants to live and then does it for 90 some-odd years.

New comment by grigri907 in "Wendell Berry has died"

grigri907 — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:17:56 +0000

I think he'd be offended by the title of celebrity, but I know exactly what you mean. There was a documentary done on him several years ago, in part driven by Nick Offerman, in which Berry agreed to participate only if they didn't show his face.

New comment by grigri907 in "Gloomberb"

grigri907 — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 16:53:29 +0000

I assumed they were referring to market crashes caused by irresponsible levels of risks and deceptive practices like we saw in 2008, and/or government-funded bailouts

New comment by grigri907 in "Managing AI Coding Costs at Scale"

grigri907 — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:44:12 +0000

I appreciate this non-judgmental description of what it's like to approach a topic/technology from a newcomer's perspective. Thanks!

New comment by grigri907 in "How to Exist"

grigri907 — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 02:30:12 +0000

My experience as well. Out of curiosity, do you experience endorphins after heavy exercises?

New comment by grigri907 in "How to Exist"

grigri907 — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 02:09:03 +0000

I don't know shit about farming but I still don't think there is a single true statement in what you've said. Why would a farmer not be expected to work a 40 hour week? What farmer doesn't have targets, goals, deadlines, constraints, expectations? You think agricultural workers don't depend on, use, and abuse drugs?!

This reads like, "My job is very complicated, yours is very simple."

New comment by grigri907 in "I'm 38 and I Can't Support Myself Anymore"

grigri907 — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:59:36 +0000

That's awesome! Love that stubborn boldness.

New comment by grigri907 in "I'm 38 and I Can't Support Myself Anymore"

grigri907 — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:55:55 +0000

Agreed. I believe the special sauce Calvinism added was equating those values with moral success/failure, and therefore spiritual salvation. It gave "not working hard enough" an eternal consequence. It may not have been the first, but Calvinism certainly made it mainstream in the west. See also: how frequently critiques of the poor slide into moral judgements.

New comment by grigri907 in "The Life and Times of Maxis, Part 1: SimEverything"

grigri907 — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:33:22 +0000

Oh what I wouldn't give for a copy of simfarm...

New comment by grigri907 in "High-Entropy Alloy"

grigri907 — Sun, 17 May 2026 20:42:58 +0000

And while you're at it, #2

New comment by grigri907 in "We've raised $17M to build what comes after Git"

grigri907 — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:21:17 +0000

Might want to change that username before you make your pitch

New comment by grigri907 in "US cities are axing Flock Safety surveillance technology"

grigri907 — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:30:17 +0000

The "same or substantially-similar policing job" is the key to this argument. Which it can't. A drone can't de-escalate a tense conflict between neighbors, it can't provide traffic redirection after an accident, or even rescue a kitten from a tree.

It can't be a calm, reassuring presence, offer a kind smile, or give directions. It only disconnects the police force from the policed community. Its presence will only raise tensions and paranoia. And that's with unarmed drones!

New comment by grigri907 in "Ask HN: Any interesting niche hobbies?"

grigri907 — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:14:53 +0000

Women's pro soccer. If you're in the US, we have access to some of the world's greatest athletes with World Cup champions and Olympic gold medalists in nearly every match. Even if you're not in the US, yeah you probably do too.

I never feel more connected to my community than when I'm at a game. Supporters groups are welcoming and politically/socially engaged and regularly sponsor community service events. The league is still young and fanbases are small, but it's a really critical point in history to support pro women's sports.

It's definitely worth throwing some of that tech salary at. Bonus: it has none of the drama of the men's game!

New comment by grigri907 in "What young workers are doing to AI-proof themselves"

grigri907 — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:49:00 +0000

I agree, we can - and should - produce enough food for everyone on earth to be happy and healthy.

But nobody is saying "people shouldn't eat for free, therefore I won't grow crops."

You said it yourself: farms are left fallow because the revenue doesn't justify the cost for the farmer. That, my friend, is basic economics, not artificial scarcity.

New comment by grigri907 in "Willingness to look stupid"

grigri907 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:04:55 +0000

I think you gotta define where you're drawing the box. Depending on the context, "society" might be your nation, your office, or just a 1:1 relationship with your coworker.