3 ms·

It seems crazy to me how often these alert systems are apparently used in the US, for apparently mundane stuff. I've seen it used once while I was in Australia

by xmodem 4y ago

It seems crazy to me how often these alert systems are apparently used in the US, for apparently mundane stuff. I've seen it used once while I was in Australia - while we were travelling and there were bushfires nearby - and never here in Europe.

Mo3 4y ago
It’s being used during massive storms and other serious emergencies in the Netherlands. There was a big 100mph+ storm a few months ago and they sent out an alert telling everyone to stay inside as there were literally trees getting ripped out of the ground and hitting people. That was the first time I ever saw my phone use this functionality, scared the crap out of me. Amber alerts specifically I have indeed never seen, ever.
- mdrzn 4y ago
  Literally never received a single warning on my phone in Italy since smartphone exists.
  - Mo3 4y ago
    Regarding the storm I mentioned; https://twitter.com/laurencomiteau/status/1494707003125649410 https://twitter.com/laurencomiteau/status/149470700312564941... But yes, I've never seen it being used in any other country aside of the Netherlands either. On the other hand, in Germany not even the sirens are working properly, so that's not very surprising to me.
- SOLAR_FIELDS 4y ago
  I unfortunately had to turn them off because they aren’t properly geographically bound in Texas. I would get alerts to look for cars many hundreds of km away multiple times per week. Needs a better implementation here.
  - jjtheblunt 4y ago
    (i bet that's some agency misusing the system)
  - gs17 4y ago
    I thought that was intentional. If they've been driving for a few hours and their direction isn't known, that range makes sense. It's still an awful system, but the boundary probably isn't really a mistake.
millzlane 4y ago
We had one the other day because of a girl kidnapped an hour's drive away. Fortunately the kidnapper was quickly apprehended and the girl found safe. I don't hardly see them ever. So, I'm not sure how often they are used. What's crazy to me is how a device that claims to be 110DB at max volume could tear apart someones ear drum and damage their cochlea. I've been around many race cars on Dyno's literally right next to them at times with or without earplugs and I don't think this has ever happened to me. I'm curious of the medical science behind this.
- jdashg 4y ago
  Ears self-protect in the presence of consistent loud noises. Going from 30db to 110db is probably worse than 80->110. Different frequencies also have different properties, as well. IIRC low frequencies are less painful and less hazardous than mid and higher frequencies.
- EricE 4y ago
  Airpods tend to seal - lots of pressure in a confined space. In your dyno example your ears are open to the environment. Not hard to imagine, really (and rather frightening!)

by xmodem 4y ago

Mo3 4y ago

It’s being used during massive storms and other serious emergencies in the Netherlands. There was a big 100mph+ storm a few months ago and they sent out an alert telling everyone to stay inside as there were literally trees getting ripped out of the ground and hitting people. That was the first time I ever saw my phone use this functionality, scared the crap out of me. Amber alerts specifically I have indeed never seen, ever.

mdrzn 4y ago
Literally never received a single warning on my phone in Italy since smartphone exists.
- Mo3 4y ago
  Regarding the storm I mentioned; https://twitter.com/laurencomiteau/status/1494707003125649410 https://twitter.com/laurencomiteau/status/149470700312564941... But yes, I've never seen it being used in any other country aside of the Netherlands either. On the other hand, in Germany not even the sirens are working properly, so that's not very surprising to me.
SOLAR_FIELDS 4y ago
I unfortunately had to turn them off because they aren’t properly geographically bound in Texas. I would get alerts to look for cars many hundreds of km away multiple times per week. Needs a better implementation here.
- jjtheblunt 4y ago
  (i bet that's some agency misusing the system)
- gs17 4y ago
  I thought that was intentional. If they've been driving for a few hours and their direction isn't known, that range makes sense. It's still an awful system, but the boundary probably isn't really a mistake.

millzlane 4y ago

We had one the other day because of a girl kidnapped an hour's drive away. Fortunately the kidnapper was quickly apprehended and the girl found safe. I don't hardly see them ever. So, I'm not sure how often they are used. What's crazy to me is how a device that claims to be 110DB at max volume could tear apart someones ear drum and damage their cochlea. I've been around many race cars on Dyno's literally right next to them at times with or without earplugs and I don't think this has ever happened to me. I'm curious of the medical science behind this.

jdashg 4y ago
Ears self-protect in the presence of consistent loud noises. Going from 30db to 110db is probably worse than 80->110. Different frequencies also have different properties, as well. IIRC low frequencies are less painful and less hazardous than mid and higher frequencies.
EricE 4y ago
Airpods tend to seal - lots of pressure in a confined space. In your dyno example your ears are open to the environment. Not hard to imagine, really (and rather frightening!)