markvdb

33 ms·

451.
by markvdb 6y ago
Professional guitar teacher here. One of the many things a good teacher will help you do is avoid technical pitfalls. If you do this on your own unchecked, chances are you will end up blocked somewhere down the road and having to relearn ba
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by markvdb 6y ago
Yes, certainly. Ideally, this would be about all of us humans being responsible custodians of the entire earth during our short passage here. In the mean time, you're free to celebrate this baby step towards humanity in France.
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by markvdb 6y ago
That probably holds true in case they have the same usage patterns. Does your theory still hold if I drive only 2000km/year in an older car versus a Tesla X or e-Hummer? I don't pretend to have the answer to that question, but the
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by markvdb 6y ago
Exhibit 98343553578 of the US healthcare system being a mess people drown in. The open question is how to peacefully, durably and quickly transition from this mess to decent healthcare for all.
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by markvdb 6y ago
Raising fuel taxes to EU levels would not be enough, but it would be a significant start towards environmental improvement, and not necessarily bad for the economy. In a hypothetical future that is where people realise there is only one ear
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by markvdb 6y ago
That depends on the tax rate. The >$4/gallon price delta between most of the EU and the US is entirely taxes. That's quite a bit more significant than pennies on the gallon...
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by markvdb 6y ago
I drive a 2007 station wagon like a grandpa. Average diesel consumption? 4.0l/100km. For those less into SI units, that's over 200 megabarleycorn per rundlet! [0] Back on topic, PHEV's often get preferential tax treatment. My
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by markvdb 6y ago
MTZ [0] of Belarus is probably the most repairable tractor brand. It's better quality than it used to be. Exported all over, and supposedly gaining a foothold in the US too... [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bela
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by markvdb 6y ago
These stats can be fascinating. The naked Hayek quote at the end confines the discussion though. It's a warning light that anything not Austrian school will potentially be frowned upon in the discussion the website author pretends to s
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by markvdb 6y ago
Thank you for that answer. Much appreciated.
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by markvdb 6y ago
As I understand it, whatever gets us to herd immunity more quickly is the best solution. That probably means a mix of both heavily tilted to the Oxford one. This vaccine is cheap, 90% efficient and easy to get people vaccinated. The other o
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by markvdb 6y ago
Why do they sabotaged their own messaging by using the 70% number? Reading further, it looks like the vaccine is 90% efficient. Also, "There were no hospitalised or severe cases in anyone who received the vaccine". Can we infer an
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by markvdb 6y ago
Synthetic diamonds for use in jewellery exist and are quickly gaining in popularity [0]. If buying a diamond ring, you might want to get a synthetic one instead of a mined one [1]. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synt
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by markvdb 6y ago
Something similar, but much more impressive was done in central London with a much larger magnificent monumental nine-story Victorian building over a much larger distance... in 1983! The video shows it all: https://www.dailymotio
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by markvdb 6y ago
If you found this article interesting, watch "Black cat, white cat"[0], by Emir Kusturica [1]. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Cat,_White_Cat [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emi
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by markvdb 6y ago
From the article: "Once used, these could be dumped in landfills with a clear conscience." Naturally biodegradable waste is not landfill material. A well-informed reporter not realising that shows how much work there still is to d
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by markvdb 6y ago
Two random thoughts: - Go to any former Soviet country. Still today, one can see and feel the supply chain problems in so many remaining visible products. Street lights, staircases, trains, ... Overbuilt, modular, repairable. - Negative ext
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by markvdb 6y ago
I certainly hope you didn't perceive my comment as negative towards Soundslice. It's sometimes a bit frustrating to see all the possibilities of technology without being able to use them, just due to the intellectual rights maze.
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by markvdb 6y ago
Thank you Matthew!
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by markvdb 6y ago
> Is there really any common ground? There can be. On an individual level, where there's mutual trust. At the right time, better not in the heat of this moment. I remember having a very fruitful discussion with a Trump/Pence
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by markvdb 6y ago
Looks nice. Won't be able to use it for the foreseeable future unfortunately. Apart from the considerable effort of having to enter the sheet music, there is one problem. At least where I teach, the big no-no prohibiting us from using
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by markvdb 6y ago
Two words unfortunately: parallel construction. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_construction
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by markvdb 6y ago
What I've seen the alimony paying parent do in Belgium on the financial side: - start to work part time as an employee. - formally earn about the relatively high non-impoundable minimum. - pay zero alimony. - start a limited liability
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by markvdb 6y ago
> Earlier this year, when I went from having only Facebook-login [...] to allow registrations with email and password, one of my concerns was how to implement this is a way that protects the data and privacy of my users. Any privacy effo
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by markvdb 6y ago
This reminds me of these crazy load bearing straw catenary [0] arch [1] buildings [2]. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catenary [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catenary_arch [2] http:/&#
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by markvdb 6y ago
For some fresh breath and broader perspective, much of post war western Europe was extremely polarised between religious and non-religiuous (liberals, but especially socialists). You may want to watch https://en.wikipedia.org&#x2
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by markvdb 6y ago
...and for nuclear. Look at how Hinkley point got subsidised.
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by markvdb 6y ago
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072095/ is a not so well known short film starring John Cleese. It's based upon a Chekhov novel. Highly recommended.
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by markvdb 6y ago
As a schoolboy, I had friends whose parents consciously didn't bring broadcast TV into their house. They did have a vcr. They didn't want TV. You won't reach Carol Couchpotato, but there will always be a core of people willin
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by markvdb 6y ago
Regulation could change this equation very very quickly. There might also be unexpected sweet spots for this kind of technology. Things that come to mind: - shorter stretches where speed is a bit less of an issue - promotional value for the

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