The Official Treehouse Articles Thread

[lxskllr]

Like pinball? So does this guy, and he almost singlehandedly keeps all the old machines going. His workshop/parts bins are glorious...

Meet the man keeping hope, and 70-year-old pinball machines, alive

Steve Young’s passion built a business that keeps historic tables running.

arstechnica.com

 

[lxskllr]

Some fun ways the universe may die...

Five ways the universe could end

Heat death, big rip, big crunch? Here are five ways the universe could come to an end.

arstechnica.com

 

[lxskllr]

Your periodic reminder that not every network request on a phone/computer requires a (cr)app. There's a perfectly functional tool for these things called a "web browser", and it doesn't funnel everything you do to some company. This is why you're always being cajoled into installing their bullshit (cr)apps. It allows tracking on a much finer level. Keep your friggin' 50¢ off on a cheeseburger. Shouldn't be eating there anyway. Also, check your permissions. A lot of companies ask for the world. If you must install their garbage, only allow the minimum permissions that give you the results you want. If some functions break, it doesn't matter if you don't use those functions.

Lawsuit: Allstate used GasBuddy and other apps to quietly track driving behavior

With connected cars and revenue-hungry apps, insurers are flush with data.

arstechnica.com

 

[cory]

Wealthy Maine couple accused of killing trees to secure ocean view, poisoning community’s sole public beach in the process

Lisa Gorman, wife of the late LL Bean president Leon Gorman, claims that her neighbor applied herbicide to her oak trees without consent in 2021, The Associated Press reported.

nypost.com

 

[cory]

And this is a bigger article on it

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/llbean-heiress-poisoned-trees-maine?utm_medium=email&utm_source=pocket_hits&utm_campaign=POCKET_HITS-EN-DAILY-SPONSORED&PAVED-2025_01_29=&sponsored=0&position=1&category=fascinating_stories&scheduled_corpus_item_id=bdfcae17-6396-4e82-a4c0-22254305d68b&url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/llbean-heiress-poisoned-trees-maine

 

[Burnham]

This story sounds familiar.

 

[cory]

was it already posted?

 

[Burnham]

I don't think anything recent on that particular situation, Cory.

Just a faint echo in my head ...maybe something similar has happened in the past and one of us has noted it. I don't recall anything specific. I might be completely wrong.

 

[lxskllr]

“More Trees, Less Bullshit.”

Words to live by.

There aren't words to quantify the amount of pissed I'd be if somebody poisoned my trees.

 

[cory]

Mountain top removal begets new hoods

Kentucky’s Mountaintop Mines Are Turned Into Neighborhoods

As the risk of extreme flooding increases with climate change, an effort is underway to relocate hundreds of flood survivors to unique higher ground.

www.nytimes.com

 

[lxskllr]

They mentioned settling. I wonder how many houses are on pile? I also wonder about the dirt quality. Mine tailings are fairly toxic.

 

[cory]

I read they did soil tests and some spots weren't good for building on so green spaces (irony) go there. Re toxicity, idk....maybe they don't either

 

[lxskllr]

Climate warming leads to more frequent beech tree reproduction, at the expense of growth

A new long-term study reveals alarming insights into the impact of climate change on European beech (Fagus sylvatica), one of Europe's most widespread and ecologically important tree species.

www.sciencedaily.com

 

[cory]

I dug this. Wish I was better, way better, at math. Free read.

What’s Best, According to the Italian Mathematician Alessio Figalli

Alessio Figalli studies optimal transport, a field of math that ranges from the movements of clouds to the workings of chatbots.

www.nytimes.com

 

[cory]

Raising the American Weakling

There are two very different interpretations of our dwindling grip strength.

getpocket.com

 

[lxskllr]

I looked up the dynamometer he mentioned, cause I'd consider buying one just to see. It's like $350. I don't care that much :^D

 

[lxskllr]

There aren't enough active members here, but it would be a fun contest to mail the dynamometer around, and see who has the strongest grip. Maybe pay in $20 for the contest. Half goes to the paying the machine, and half goes to the winner. Donate the machine to a clinic or something when it's done. I bet arborists would top the charts. The real oldsters would be at a disadvantage, but it would still provide interesting data.

 

[stikine]

I'd have to cheat probably...

 

[cory]

I have the 25$ one on amazon. Good unit. Fun at some parties

 

[lxskllr]

I have the 25$ one on amazon. Good unit. Fun at some parties

Is that useful for exercise or anything? I might pay $25 just to check it out, and if it provides exercise, all the better. I've gotten wrist problems in the later years. Might be some kind of arthritis, but I wouldn't mind grip exercises, especially if it gives feedback as to whether or not I'm getting better.

 

[Nutball]

Stamina should be a factor worth measuring. I may not be as strong as most, but I tend to hang on longer.

 

[cory]

Meet the Champion Who Memorized 80 Numbers in 13.5 Seconds

This month, Vishvaa Rajakumar won the Memory League World Championship, which tests memorization skills. He shared some of his techniques with The Times.

www.nytimes.com

 

[cory]

Is that useful for exercise or anything?

You could certainly work it for exercise. It seems like a decent unit and has good reviews. I don't regret buying it, I just regret seeing how weak my grip is compared to 30 something year olds

 

[cory]

it would be a fun contest to mail the dynamometer around, and see who has the strongest grip.

The honor system would be crucial.

Idk, I bet we could find 20 interested tree guys here and abouts.

I'm in the low 100s. My climber who is 24 y o and a physical freak of nature and a high level rock climber is 175.

 

[lxskllr]

The honor system would be crucial

Maybe. I'd expect people to act with honor, but I get disappointed daily. Video would prove results. That's still hackable, but I think the effort would exceed the benefit for a dumb game.