August 2024 Linkpost
Who knew that gearing up for the apocalypse could be as simple as packing a collapsible canteen and a survival blanket? If only surviving family gatherings was this straightforward.
Philosophy & Human Nature
Gay Body Culture Goes Mainstream (nytimes.com)
In this piece, the author dives into the intense scrutiny of male physiques within gay communities, tracing it back through media like the Showtime series “Fellow Travelers” where actors Matt Bomer (46) and Jonathan Bailey (36) sport anachronistic muscle definitions for a 1950s setting. The male-on-male gaze, amplified by Instagram and Hollywood, sets rigid standards—think zero-body-fat ideals—that now influence everyone, leading to a mix of aspiration and insecurity. As the article puts it, “As a gay man, what I had been trying to dodge wasn’t just fitness but an entire universe of body-image issues, decades of them, honed and shaped and sculpted by popular culture, especially the gay version of it.” I would note that this reflects broader societal shifts, where what was once niche pressure now permeates everyday self-perception, making it memorable for how it challenges us to rethink body ideals without the usual tradeoffs.
Academic Research & Science
Alternate Translation Shapes Mammalian Proteomes (biorxiv.org)
This preprint analyzes over 1,000 human samples from 6 cancer types and 26 healthy tissues, identifying 60,024 high-confidence amino acid substitutions at 8,801 unique sites in 1,990 proteins. Using computational methods on proteomic and transcriptomic data, it shows how deviations from the standard genetic code lead to stable, abundant proteins, with mechanisms like protein stability and RNA modifications driving abundance. For instance, substituted proteins include transcription factors and those linked to neurodegeneration, with substitution ratios varying by tissue and cancer type—conserved between humans and mice. The implications? Alternate translation diversifies proteomes, tying into disease and stability, as the authors conclude: “alternate translation contributes to diversifying mammalian proteomes and is associated with protein stability, tissue-specific proteomes, and diseases.” I would observe that this could reshape how we view genetic fidelity, especially in biotech applications.
Ozempic’s Broad Therapeutic Reach (astralcodexten.com)
Scott Alexander’s post unpacks GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic, effective against diabetes, obesity, addiction, and even neurodegenerative diseases. Drawing on studies, it explains brain-mediated effects: for weight loss, it targets the nucleus tractus solitarii and arcuate nucleus to curb hunger, while for addiction, it dampens dopamine in the nucleus accumbens—per a 2013 rat study by Skibicka showing reduced high-fat food preference. In Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, it lowers inflammation via gut-brain signaling, with one experiment injecting drugs into rat brains to confirm pathways. Key data: exenatide lasts 2 hours, semaglutide 1 week; a JCI study used selective receptor rats to prove brain involvement. Implications include revolutionizing treatments for metabolic and addictive disorders, as the post quips, “Modern Westerners eat too much food. This is bad in various ways. So if you give them a drug that makes them eat less food, it’s good in various ways.” I would add that this gut-brain axis insight feels like a game-changer for understanding overconsumption.
Cats Exhibit Grief-Like Behaviors (theguardian.com)
Researchers at Oakland University surveyed caregivers of over 450 cats that lost a companion pet (two-thirds cats, one-third dogs), tracking behaviors like reduced sleeping, eating, and playing, alongside increased attention-seeking and hiding. Published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, findings show stronger bonds predict more pronounced changes—e.g., decreased engagement in daily activities—with about two-thirds of deceased pets being cats. Limitations include possible owner projection, as caregivers with greater grief reported more hiding (specific data: increases in sleep, alone time, hiding). This challenges cats’ antisocial stereotype, implying universal loss responses across species, like in elephants or dolphins. As the study notes, “the psychological experience of loss may be universal.” I would point out how this humanizes our feline friends, making it useful for pet owners navigating bereavement.
Housing First for Homeless with Severe Mental Illness (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
The At Home–Chez soi RCT across five Canadian cities (2009-2013) compared 1,158 Housing First (HF) participants to 990 in treatment as usual (TAU), using mixed methods: structured interviews and qualitative data from 195 subgroups. HF participants spent 73% in stable housing over two years (vs. 32% TAU), with 62% housed full-time in the last six months (vs. 31% TAU). Improvements in quality of life and community functioning were rapid but attenuated by 24 months; qualitative: 61% HF reported positive life changes (vs. 28% TAU). Data: 67% had substance issues, average homelessness 58 months. Conclusions: HF adapts well, ends chronic homelessness, but needs integration for long-term gains. Implications: Policy shifts like Canada’s 65% HF funding allocation show scalable impact. A colleague shared this in a discussion on homelessness vulnerabilities, and I would emphasize its practical call for distinguishing “medically unlucky” from “financially unlucky” cases.
Technology & Society
Decomposing AI Agency Without Desires (lesswrong.com)
This LessWrong post breaks down agency into components like situational awareness, planning, and execution, minus desires, offering a framework for understanding AI without anthropomorphic goals. It introduces NPC types—autonomous agents sans plans—and ties into broader AI safety discussions. I would note that this clarifies what makes up agency, much like strategy decks build arguments, and it’s akin to dissecting human cognition for better AI alignment. From the conversation, it’s a deep dive into non-player characters in real life, which adds a fun layer to why it’s memorable.
AI Compute Scaling Feasibility to 2030 (epochai.org)
Epoch AI’s analysis projects 2e29 FLOP training runs by 2030, analyzing barriers: power (6 GW for 2e29 FLOP, vs. 27 MW for Llama 3.1), chips (100M H100-equivalents), data (400T-20Q tokens), latency (cap 3e30-1e32 FLOP). Methodology: extrapolative models with metalog distributions, e.g., 30-100% annual GPU growth. Key data: US data centers >20 GW now, potentially 50 GW by 2030; text data exhaust in 5 years without multimodals. Conclusions: Power binds first, but feasible with billions in investment, scaling from GPT-2 to GPT-4 levels. Implications: Enables advanced AI but demands infrastructure; as the post says, “training runs of around 2e29 FLOP are likely feasible by 2030.” I would highlight how this roadmap connects to overcoming current hurdles, making it essential for tech foresight.
Car-Centric Worlds Stifle Play and Community (theatlantic.com)
The Atlantic piece argues car-dominated streets shift play from communal to supervised, isolating adults and kids. Historical: 1920s courts affirmed kids’ street rights, but auto industry reframed blame. Examples: Bristol’s 2009 Greville Road closure sparked Playing Out (1,000+ UK streets, 2-hour sessions); surveys show nonparents forming bonds. Data: ASAP trials boosted graduations 15.6% in Ohio. Implications: Restores “eyes on the street,” enhancing child skills and adult ties—kids as “connective tissue.” Quote: “prior to the automobile, streets had a ton of stationary functions.” I would observe that this hits home for urban living, explaining why neighborhoods feel disconnected and why reviving play streets could rebuild social fabric.
Economics & Development
Community Colleges as Mobility Engines (fas.org)
This FAS brief recommends reorienting curricula to high-ROI fields like nursing (99.7% ROI in 5 years), employer partnerships (e.g., FAME grads earn $100K in 5 years), Pell increases ($500 boost), wraparound services (ASAP raised graduations 55% in CUNY RCT, n=896), and data tracking via College Transparency Act. Data: 30% students over 25, $8,700 funding per FTE vs. $17,500 for four-year; Burning Glass studied 5M grads. Implications: Federal funding shifts could address shortages, boost dynamism. A pal mentioned this in policy chats, and I would stress its granular focus on pruning low-ROI programs for real economic lifts.
Climate & Environment
Geneva’s AC Rules Backfire on Efficiency (lenews.ch)
Strict Geneva regs requiring medical proof or solar power for fixed ACs drive 50% portable unit sales spike (per Interdiscount manager), despite their inefficiency—heating/cooling simultaneously, needing open windows. Installer gets 100 daily calls, many denied. Implications: Unintended eco-harm from polluting mobiles; highlights policy pitfalls. I would remark that this ironic twist shows how good intentions can fuel worse outcomes, useful for thinking through green regs.
Reference & Curiosities
Essential Bug-Out Bag Gear (nytimes.com)
Wirecutter’s guide recommends lightweight 72-hour survival items: Hydro Flask (21 oz, leakproof), Sawyer Mini filter (100K-gallon life), UST blanket (7x5 ft), Bic lighters, tested via drops and compatibility. Methodology: 90+ bottles over 6 years. Implications: Redundancy for evacuations. A buddy shared this amid hiking talks, and I would say it’s a practical toolkit for preparedness, like a “camp set” for uncertain times.