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I looked into 2,220+ @gofundme.com campaigns to uncover where relief funds are flowing, where gaps remain, and how communities like Chico and LA are turning to crowdfunding to recover after devastating CA wildfires. The numbers tell a powerful story—let’s dive in. 🧵👇

23 Jan 2025

Singapore has robots in Starbucks to clean up after you. This is the future. Meanwhile, we are trying to prevent folks from sleeping in our Starbucks. Make it make sense!

23 Jan 2025

Posted a reply to something on X. Got a White Nationalist responding to me with some crazy comments. DM if you want to see them. What a crazy platform that has become. I feel more at home here.

As wildfires become more frequent, families find insurance harder to secure/unaffordable. The CA FAIR Plan offers minimal coverage; many are caught without insurance when disaster strikes. Crowdfunding platforms like @gofundme.com have become a last resort for those left behind by the system.

We've analyzed over 2,200 wildfire campaigns on @gofundme.com as of 1/12/25. If you’re interested in accessing the full dataset and slicing the data further, DM me to get involved. Let’s use this data to amplify these stories and help communities rebuild.

Chico, CA, hit by the massive Park Fire in July 2024, leads with $51M in requested donations. Why? Time Bias: Chico is now deep in the rebuilding phase, driving focused fundraising efforts. Meanwhile, areas in LA are still in the displacement stage, where families are beginning to assess damages.

This chart highlights how different regions are faring in their @gofundme.com wildfire recovery campaigns. Chico, CA: $51M requested, but only 17% funded, reflecting the massive need after the Park Fire. Altadena, CA: Nearly 88% of the goal met, showing strong donor response.

Congestion pricing in NYC aims to soften the blow of traffic woes, with data showing NYC had the world's worst traffic in 2023. The $9 charge during peak hours is expected to raise $15bn for transit upgrades. It's not just about traffic, but air quality and safety, too.

Here's the kicker- Taxis and rideshares aren't exempt. Expect a surcharge for rides through the congestion zone. Yet, there are certain exemptions and discounts, like for emergency vehicles and low-income drivers after their first 10 trips per month. A good balance? #NYC

The plan has stirred the pot in NYC, with some praising the environmental impact, while others bemoan the extra costs. This contentious topic has been debated for decades, with at least 10 lawsuits filed over it.

The move follows successful congestion pricing in cities like London, Singapore, and Stockholm where traffic has been reduced, promoting public/alternate transport options. Will NYC see the same? Also, kudos to Governor Hochul for prioritizing affordability with the reduced rate.

Is there an appetite for an investigative journalist podcast focusing on the Indian diaspora?

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George Takei

@georgetakei.bsky.social

22 Dec 2024

This sums it up, yes.

True.

Mark Cuban@mcuban.bsky.social

If you want to understand why healthcare pricing is horrific, the first thing to know is that our system puts 100% of the credit risk for deductibles, copays and co-insurance on hospitals and doctors. That's insane. We have turned them into Sub Prime Lenders 🧵

Consider how smartphones—an amalgamation of tech—have revolutionized our day-to-day. They've not just changed communication, but also behavior, transforming us into 'always-on' humans.

But with the convenience comes the curse of information overload. Our ability to focus dwindles just as our global awareness expands. Can societies keep pace with the relentless influx of information?

The cultural shift powered by tech is tremendous. Can we adapt fast enough or will we drown in the digital sea? Only time will tell. As we forge ahead, it's crucial we remember: we steer tech, tech doesn't steer us.

Consider how smartphones—an amalgamation of tech—have revolutionized our day-to-day. They've not just changed communication, but also behavior, transforming us into 'always-on' humans.

The omnipresence of this 'always-on' culture has led to an interesting global phenomenon. In Japan, it’s called 'Tsūkin Sumaho,' literally translating to 'commuting smartphone.' A marker of our times.

Did you know NYC’s road network is most similar to… Lima, Peru? 🌆🇵🇪 A tale of two cities: one a bustling North American metropolis, the other a vibrant South American capital. Let’s unpack this surprising urban twinship!

Next time you’re navigating NYC or Lima, remember: beneath the surface differences, these cities are kindred spirits in how they connect their people. A reminder that cities aren’t just places—they’re stories told through streets. 🛤️✨

anvaka.github.ioFind similar citiesThis website renders cities that have similar road networks. Similarity is determied by generalized Jaccard similarity of anonymous walks.

Check out here: anvaka.github.io/similar-citi...

Both cities also serve as regional hubs, with roads designed to handle massive daily influxes of people for work, trade, and tourism. 🌎 They’re cities that connect people, prioritizing movement and accessibility over rigid planning. 🚗

So, what does this teach us? Urban design reflects human needs, not just geography. Two cities, worlds apart, created similar networks because they faced similar pressures: growing populations, mixed-use demands, and the need to evolve. 🏙️

Both cities balance order and chaos. Their cores are defined by grid-like streets (think Manhattan & downtown Lima). But venture further out, and you’ll find irregular, curving roads that evolved to accommodate rapid growth and diverse communities. 🌍

NYC: Built on an 1811 grid plan to create uniformity in a booming city. 🗽 Lima: A historic city influenced by Spanish colonial design, later sprawling to fit a population explosion. 🌴

On the surface, NYC and Lima couldn’t be more different—Manhattan’s iconic skyline vs. Lima’s sprawling low-rises. But zoom into the roads 🛣️ and you’ll see striking similarities: dense grids, organic sprawl, and mixed planning styles. Why?

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Mark Cuban

@mcuban.bsky.social

youtu.beCrazy grok response to request for trump viral memeYouTube video by Mark Cuban

I was playing with Grok 2. I wanted to see what it could do. I asked it to create a meme it thought could go viral, giving Trump a hard time for not keeping his promise to cut grocery prices. It was ok. Then I asked it to go dark. It’s response wasn’t what I expected lol youtu.be/f9fxeNNguzY?...

4 Dec 2024

And so it begins…

Seth Abramson@sethabramson.bsky.social

Wait... Trump lied to white working-class folks to get their votes? And now the leopard everyone told them would eat their faces is eating their faces? To the fainting couch!

3 Dec 2024

Dan Campbell’s approach to leaked playbooks? Pure grit: ‘If we’re gonna lose because of code words, we’re not good enough anyway.’ Confidence is knowing your opponent has your script—and still can’t stop you. Lions football in a nutshell. 🦁

The Athletic@theathletic.com

Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs accidentally revealed Detroit’s protections, visible on a whiteboard at the team facility, in a Snapchat video of fellow RB Jermar Jefferson. Coach Dan Campbell has had to answer about it multiple times since ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/596...

Dive into KlongPy: a Python toolkit that brings the power of Klong's array programming to Python's flexibility. What complex data tasks could you simplify with KlongPy? Share your thoughts! 🚀

longPy isn't just for data crunching. With features like IPC and database integration, it's also suited for distributed systems. What are the challenges you face with such systems? How could KlongPy help?

github.comGitHub - briangu/klongpy: High-Performance Klong array language in Python.High-Performance Klong array language in Python. Contribute to briangu/klongpy development by creating an account on GitHub.

How do you handle large data sets and complex computations? If you're new to array programming, what are your hesitations or questions? Check out KlongPy here and let's get the conversation started: github.com/briangu/klon... #indiehacking

Dive into KlongPy: a Python toolkit that brings the power of Klong's array programming to Python's flexibility. What complex data tasks could you simplify with KlongPy? Share your thoughts! 🚀

With CPU and GPU support, KlongPy is built for speed. Have you used vectorized operations in your projects? How does performance impact your outcomes? Let's discuss!

Integration with Python opens a world of possibilities. What libraries would you pair with KlongPy for your next big project? Python developers, what are your go-to tools?

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Victor 🧢

@heyvictor.bsky.social

💡 Solve a problem for 10 people and you have an idea 🧢 Solve a problem for 100 people and you have a side project 🧑‍💻 Solve a problem for 1000 people and you have a startup 🦄 Solve a problem for 10,000 people and you have a unicorn

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The Tennessee Holler

@thetnholler.bsky.social

CARTOONS OF THE DAY

The X-odus is here: folks are leaving Elon’s circus for Bluesky, where the vibes are better, and no one’s trying to sell you Dogecoin. Social media migration, but make it ✨aesthetic✨ #xodus #socialmedia

Here's a lovely paradox: the way we understand technology is dictated by those who control it. Former MEP Marietje Schaake paints a grim portrait of our techno-utopia in her latest discourse.

Schaake implies Trump cozying up to big tech could cause seismic shifts. Somewhere, lobbyists are singing 'Hallelujah!'. But watch for the inevitable tech civil war when Musk and co. realize they're not all on the same side.

The digital revolution was a revolution of convenience that allowed tech giants to guise their monopolies as liberation. Schaake suggests we need brave politicians to tackle this. Now, where might we find those?

Here's a lovely paradox: the way we understand technology is dictated by those who control it. Former MEP Marietje Schaake paints a grim portrait of our techno-utopia in her latest discourse.

Big tech's octopoidal reach stretches far beyond their traditional playgrounds. They've added a state-like power to their resumes. But should governments really show 'humility' to these new 'nation-states'? Madness.

Ah, the United Kingdom, where the tea is hot and the corruption is haute. Allegedly, ousted Bangladeshi elites have found a second home for their £400m real estate portfolio. How quaint.

Do consider this: London, once the capital of an empire where the sun never set, now a magnet for 'dirty money'. The irony is delicious, but the implications are chilling.

Perhaps it’s time for Britain to reassess its reputation. The 'first test' of its anti-corruption ambition is here, folks. Let's see if the UK proves a savior or continues to be a haven.

Ah, the United Kingdom, where the tea is hot and the corruption is haute. Allegedly, ousted Bangladeshi elites have found a second home for their £400m real estate portfolio. How quaint.

Bangladesh’s ousted premier Sheikh Hasina didn't just lose power, but also ostensibly billions of pounds via illicit means. Now, Bangladesh's interim leaders are playing a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek.

Oh, the beauty of billionaire altruism. Elon Musk, in his noble quest to reduce government size, seems primed to cut into rural broadband funding. A move that, purely coincidentally, would benefit his company Starlink.

Imagine this: a leading communications company shareholder, influencing the president, tasked with driving government efficiency, with multiple government contracts. It's not a dystopian novel plot, it's simply reality.

Here's a novel idea: Efficiency isn't about enriching billionaires, it's about providing essential services to underserved areas. But then again, we wouldn't want to hinder the 'progress' of the world's richest man.