Hacker News: speedgeek

New comment by speedgeek in "Show HN: NeedleDrop – Guess the movie from a song"

speedgeek — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 19:43:07 +0000

Yeah i guessed Up in Smoke which did use the tune so seems like it needs to accept any correct answer or provide something that narrows it to a specific movie. But I like the idea.

New comment by speedgeek in "Carousel of Happiness"

speedgeek — Sun, 11 Sep 2022 00:48:17 +0000

My wife and I make road trips here from fort fun. As a jaded old guy it's pretty fun to have such a thing put a smile on my face. Highly recommended if you are a local or traveling to CO.

New comment by speedgeek in "The case against masks at school"

speedgeek — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 22:12:33 +0000

I strongly suspect that playing the piano is banned due to the possibility of social gatherings of people in close proximity to each other listening to the piano - not contracting covid from the piano itself.

New comment by speedgeek in "The case against masks at school"

speedgeek — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 20:56:44 +0000

https://www.tabsynth.com/product/badger-seal-mask-fitter/ I broke my nose playing baseball in high school and have an odd shaped ridge that prevents the metal in the mask from forming a tight seal. I use these to prevent fogging, works great for me.

New comment by speedgeek in "Ask HN: What Happened to Borland?"

speedgeek — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 21:52:02 +0000

"Stock Instead of Real Money" is my new band name. So much meaning in just five words :)

New comment by speedgeek in "Willingness to look stupid"

speedgeek — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 16:00:35 +0000

I have this theory that there is an direct relationship between intellect and doing really stupid things. A genius will sometimes do the most idiotic things. Take comfort the next time you do something really dumb because it indicates you are generally very smart.

New comment by speedgeek in "How to Ride a Motorcycle – 1942 British Military Training Film [video]"

speedgeek — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 18:47:55 +0000

I did mean daytime, I'm not quite that anti-social to ride at night with high beams :)

New comment by speedgeek in "How to Ride a Motorcycle – 1942 British Military Training Film [video]"

speedgeek — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 18:41:51 +0000

I had a driver run a stop sign while making a left turn, then when he saw me, he stopped and stared straight ahead leaving his car blocking the road. Threshold braking brought me to a stop roughly two feet from his car. If I had not been covering the brake I (and my wife who was a passenger) would have been injured, very probably badly injured.

New comment by speedgeek in "How to Ride a Motorcycle – 1942 British Military Training Film [video]"

speedgeek — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 20:28:19 +0000

I am 62 and have ridden since I was 14. Roadraced for a couple of years (only quit because it is so expensive). Here are my thoughts on how to stay safe: 1) ride with one or two fingers on the front brake 2) you are invisible. that person on the side road who is looking right at you - yeah good chance they are looking right through you and will pull out in front of you. 3) ride with your high beam on at all times (see #2) 4) braking is 75-100% front brake. when the tire is skidding you are not braking, release the pressure slightly to get back to braking. 5) learn how to countersteer. it is the only way to maneuver quickly. 6) gear up. a minimum is a properly fitted helmet (most people wear a helmet that is too big), back protector (ask any racer if they work -they do), motorcycle specific leather jacket, roadracing gloves, motorcycle specific boots, denim pants. 7) do not ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 8) don't panic. your bike is far more capable than you think. If you panic and stand it up to brake chances are that will end badly. countersteer and flick it in, worst case you low side and the outcome is better than riding into a tree or ditch. 9) know that the most dangerous time for a new motorcyclist is after six months. they think they have it figured out and exceed their skill. 10) do track days (see #8). if possible get a ride on the back with an instructor - it is eye opening on what is possible.

HTH someone.

New comment by speedgeek in "The best books on assassinations"

speedgeek — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 22:08:20 +0000

Those seem so dry. I would suggest Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell.

New comment by speedgeek in "Freeman Dyson Has Died"

speedgeek — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 22:19:04 +0000

There is a prize winning physicist in my area who was arrested for starting a major brush fire. He plugged multiple extension cords together to power an electric fence and the overheating of the cords started the fire. Intelligence does not apply to every possible topic. Trusting the consensus of people trained in an area is always better than discounting that consensus because someone with little to no expertise on the subject challenges their ideas.

New comment by speedgeek in "Motel 6 to Pay $12M after Improperly Giving Guest Lists to ICE"

speedgeek — Sat, 06 Apr 2019 00:28:03 +0000

$12M plus roughly a few hundred since I will never ever stay in a Motel 6 or invest in anything Blackstone Group ever again. Even if they leave every freaking light on.

New comment by speedgeek in "Comcast Has Always Opposed Internet Freedom"

speedgeek — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 17:53:15 +0000

In other news, Exxon Mobil opposes the use of non fossil fuels and water is wet.

New comment by speedgeek in "The Far Right Has a New Digital Safe Space"

speedgeek — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 19:44:57 +0000

Or an Echo Chamber ;)