I built a new plugin for my sqlite-utils CLI tool that lets you ask human-language questions directly of SQLite databases and CSV/JSON files on your computer. It's called sqlite-utils-ask. Here's how you install it: sqlite-utils install sqlite-utils-ask It picks up API keys from … | Continue reading
Our minds favor simple explanations and efficient actions, according to new research. Researchers found that simplicity in explanations and task execution is highly valued due to its efficiency. Over 2,800 participants demonstrated a clear preference for simpler, more reliable me … | Continue reading
From first World Climate Conference in 1979 to COP29 in 2024, the journey of Climate Conferences has been a source of hope. While the conferences have been successful in bringing entire humanity together annually on a regular basis for a common cause of limiting global warming an … | Continue reading
Suppose we agree that we are here to love anyway — to love even though the work is almost unbearably difficult, even though we know that everything alive is dying, that everything beautiful is perishable, that everything we love will eventually be taken from us by one form of ent … | Continue reading
TL;DR: You don't really need a reason to grab this grade-A refurb Lenovo Chromebook for just $54.99 (reg. $328). Finding a deal that makes you do a double-take is a rarity. That's why we're reeling over this pre-holiday offer. You can get a grade-A refurbished Lenovo 11.6" 100e C … | Continue reading
Dinner done, football off. Winding down early. Collecting and thinking, or trying. Mind everywhere and distracted. Waking at […] | Continue reading
"If humanity’s first foray into energy was the discovery of fire, harnessing fusion will be its culmination" Energy company claims its new fusion technology can power a major US city — using just 'three soda cans' worth of fuel first appeared on The Cool Down. | Continue reading
"We are really excited for the difference we can make together." Company announces plans to solve major issue with festival camping: 'People can ... have a guilt-free festival' first appeared on The Cool Down. | Continue reading
The looming shadow Quote of the Day “The best photographers know what not to photograph.” Bill Jay Musical alternative to the morning’s radio news Eric Clapton | Wonderful Tonight Link Long Read of the Day What If Echo Chambers Work? … Continue reading → | Continue reading
University of Groningen scientist Klaus Hubacek investigates planetary boundaries. With a global population of eight billion, humanity places immense demands on the Earth’s resources, often in unsustainable ways. Klaus Hubacek, a Professor of Science, Technology, and Society at t … | Continue reading
The body has a remarkable ability to heal itself when injured, but of course it has its limits. Now scientists at the University of Nottingham have developed a way to improve on the natural process, making implants created from a patient’s own blood to regenerate injuries, even r … | Continue reading
In alignment with thoughbot’s commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in all aspects of our work, we have added Design best practices from a DEI perspective to our Playbook. We believe that designing with empathy and equity - from ideation to final implemen … | Continue reading
For anyone using a 100% electric car for the first time, it's not unusual to be pleasantly surprised. Driver 'blown away' after taking Nissan's latest EV model for a test drive: 'The ultimate ride for tech lovers' first appeared on The Cool Down. | Continue reading
On a dark and snowy Christmas evening at the mountaintop cabin in the woods, you are enjoying the holiday vacation. After putting the children to bed, you decide it’s time to read. The holidays have been filled with so much glitter and joy that you want to immerse yourself in som … | Continue reading
"That's like being angry at a Toyota Camry." Tesla owner stunned by dash cam footage after leaving car unattended in parking lot: 'I don't understand these people' first appeared on The Cool Down. | Continue reading
Today we are making a gratitude tree out of paper! Kids of all ages will love, and can benefit, from… The post Paper Gratitude Tree Craft For Kids appeared first on Kids Activities Blog. | Continue reading
The Guinness Book of World Records became famous when I was a kid. I don't know how many times I read it fro cover to cover, but it was a lot. The things we curious types could read about back in the 70s were much more exciting than what books kids can get a hold of today. Aside … | Continue reading
"This looks like my absolute perfect day." Traveler shares day-in-the-life at 'bucket list' destination with stunning features: 'It's such a unique experience' first appeared on The Cool Down. | Continue reading
Welcome to Hotline Rewind, the weekly series where we gather up your questions from the week (and pepper in some from the Hotline archives) about a specific culinary topic. Because it’s almost Thanksgiving—and in the time honored tradition of that other hotline—we asked our Insta … | Continue reading
Cosmonauts aboard the Russian segment of the station donned protective equipment. | Continue reading
A still from the latest A Minecraft Movie trailer. | Screenshot: YouTube This week, I went to a theater to watch a showing of the black-and-white version of Johnny Mnemonic, starring Keanu Reeves. Old-heads like me may recall it as a bad mid-90s cyberpunk film (written by William … | Continue reading
(Lord's day). Up early, and by appointment to St. Clement lanes to church, and there to meet Captain Cocke, who had often commended Mr. Alsopp, their minister, to me, who is indeed an able man, but as all things else did not come up to my... | Continue reading
"We estimate that weather events from 2014 to 2023 created economic costs of $2 trillion." New study highlights top nations bearing the brunt of extreme weather — and the results might surprise you first appeared on The Cool Down. | Continue reading
2 make || ! 2 make Hi , Few software tools survive for decades almost unchanged. A build tool named make is one of these. Is it a good fit for Go? In this week's Spotlight, I focus on one particular aspect of make and make-like tools: How file changes are detected. A quick announ … | Continue reading
“The…icon who inspired folk singer Arlo Guthrie’s epic, anti-establishment song “Alice’s Restaurant” has died. Alice Brock…was 83.” Radio stations traditionally play Alice’s Restaurant on Thanksgiving. 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org → | Continue reading
Michael Liedtke, Associated Press: The proposed breakup floated in a 23-page document filed late Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Justice calls for sweeping punishments that would include a sale of Google’s industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions to prevent … | Continue reading
New research reveals the identification of a newly discovered compound resulting from the breakdown of inorganic chloramine disinfectants in drinking water. A team of researchers from the United States and Switzerland has reported the discovery of a previously unknown compound in … | Continue reading
He's seeking $997,000 for pain and suffering, along with payment for medical bills. Cyclist files lawsuit after receiving transport bill from the same ambulance that struck him: 'Couldn't imagine that happening anywhere else in the world' first appeared on The Cool Down. | Continue reading
"Has anyone else seen this [before]?" Homeowner concerned after noticing troubling detail in landscaper's yard work: 'Is this normal?' first appeared on The Cool Down. | Continue reading
This week on Mac Power Users, David and I start our annual tour through Apple’s products, talking about hardware and software, and our feelings about both. | Continue reading
Our deepest anxieties are laid bare — when mom is in the room. | Continue reading
"Is there a local ordinance on [this]? Gather the evidence and file a complaint." Resident shares photo after obnoxious sign gets installed right outside street-view window: 'Guess I'll get curtains' first appeared on The Cool Down. | Continue reading
Often, you are told to do this by treating AI like an intern. In retrospect, however, I think that this particular analogy ends up making people use AI in very constrained ways. To put it bluntly, any recent frontier model (by which I mean Claude 3.5, ChatGPT-4o, Grok 2, Llama 3. … | Continue reading
Some thoughts about Bluesky, many thoughts about Glass Series, loving using the iPad on the plane, and many more digital tidbits. Plus, a tweaking visual styling of this newsletter. | Continue reading
The first direct visualization of the shape of a photon has been created. These particles of light are impossible to photograph, but physicists at the University of Birmingham have now calculated their wave function to produce an accurate image of a photon as it’s emitted. Contin … | Continue reading
TL;DR: This open-box Beats Pill+ Portable Bluetooth Speaker for $109.99 (reg. $149) delivers big sound, deep bass, and all-day battery life, which you can enjoy right away by heading straight to checkout. It's that time of year when Mariah Carey deserves to be on repeat, and the … | Continue reading
"You're in their space, and whatever happens in their space, stays in their space!" Heart-pounding footage catches parents letting children play near crocodile-infested waters: 'We've got to stop [behavior] like this' first appeared on The Cool Down. | Continue reading
I think routine and repetition are scaffolds we build around ourselves to climb higher. The post Repetition appeared first on thejaymo. | Continue reading
iReader has introduced a significant update for its e-reader and e-note devices. The update, which brings the operating system to version SmartOS 2.4, boosts the device performance while introducing new features and other enhancements. For instance, the new Fast Refresh Mode ensu … | Continue reading
It’s been a long day of driving around Ireland, scrambling through forests, navigating to a hashpoint, exploring a medieval castle, dodging the rain, finding a series of geocaches, getting lost up a hill in the dark, and generally having a kickass time with one of my very favouri … | Continue reading
I'm running to HomeGoods! READ MORE... | Continue reading
They are seeking "potentially millions of dollars in damages" to cover medical costs and loss of property value. Poultry giant Perdue faces class-action lawsuit after facility's neighbors make toxic discovery: 'This is very much an emerging issue' first appeared on The Cool Down. | Continue reading
I updated my /now page - What I’m reading and watching, plus links to this week’s blog posts, the week’s best purchase, and the links I added to my personal bookmarks. | Continue reading
Tim Cook and then-President Donald Trump, speaking to the Press in Austin, Texas in 2019. | Photo: Mandel Ngan / AFP via Getty Images Apple CEO Tim Cook managed to forge a personal relationship with Donald Trump during his first Presidential term that other tech firms struggled t … | Continue reading
Sam Wilson may be just a guy, but Brave New World will show why he's the right guy to pick up Steve's mantle. | Continue reading
A busy week in all senses: It's been hecking cold this week - we had some significant snow on Monday night that impacted Anna's work trip to Birmingham on Wednesday, and left the week as mostly indoors - although this weekend it's been back to ~15 degrees Cookie's done very well … | Continue reading
💻My work laptop was super slow and crashing a lot, especially after the company installed a zero-trust service called Zscaler on all computers. After complaining with IT, they said I was due for a laptop update anyway, because my current one was 3 years old. They issued m … | Continue reading