Earlier quoted context omitted.
Isn't it 5 persons per can?
right, oops
I think the number you were shooting for is 15k cans/second = roughly one can every 5 days for each person on the planet.
Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention?
521–530 of 583 posts
Re: Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention?
#522Printing press. Without it, spread of knowledge would've been dwarfed and it put the industrial revolution in its full swing.
Re: Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention?
#523Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don’t get it, front forks seem very optimal to me. Could hardly be any simpler.
They're simple, but from the article: > The main problem with conventional forks is that they can’t separate bump forces from braking forces. > As a result, a conventional fork dives under hard braking. As weight’s transferred to the front wheel, the fork springs compress. This uses up fork travel that would otherwise be available for bumps, which is bad enough. But wait, it gets worse... > Brake dive also shortens t…
This seems like it’s talking about front forks with suspension though? Only mountain bikes have that, and in the terrain they are made for it works well. On the road mountainbikes are terrible in numerous ways.
Re: Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention?
#524Earlier quoted context omitted.
How do you learn writing? In Germany, as far as I know, everyone learns writing with foundation pens. You can search for images with „Schreiblernfüller“ to get an idea how they look.
In the US ive never used or even seen anyone use a fountain pen, although ive heard of enthusiasts for them here.
I'm in the UK. They're not common, but you do occasionally see them. I have one that I mostly use because I was taught to write in the italic style [0] of cursive, so mine has an Italic squared-off nib. I don't use it every day, however.
It cost me about £40, uses cartridges, and still manages to leak (blue, washable) ink on my fingers.
Re: Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention?
#525The telegraph and the telephone. The enabled economies of scale and speed of decision making that were not possible before.
This. This is what enabled our modern world. None of what the other mentions would be possible without communications.
Re: Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention?
#526I'd have to say cunnilingus and fellatio. Fewer greater joys exist. Closely followed by the water-heater and air-conditioner. Hot water and temperature-control are under-appreciated.
> I'd have to say cunnilingus and fellatio. Fewer greater joys exist.
Neither are modern.
Re: Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention?
#527Re: Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention?
#528Earlier quoted context omitted.
I disagree: http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2010/03/history-of-human-powe... > "There is no limit to the weight that humans can lift by sheer muscle power. Nor is there a limit to the height to which this weight can be lifted. The only advantage that [powered] cranes have brought us is a higher lifting speed." We moved to engines because they were cheaper, not because we were anywhere near the limits of muscle power.
The history of the industrial revolution since the advent of the steam engine amply makes my point.
Just because history played out one way doesn’t mean it could only have played out that way.
Re: Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention?
#529Pads and tampons. Some argue these are environmentally unfriendly and produce too much waste, but you have to think, not everyone is privileged enough to own a washing machine in their own home, particularly those in 2nd and 3rd world countries. I genuinely believed pads and tampons allowed women to be more productive in the work force and eventually lead to more equality, just hearing my mom and grandma's story of h…
Menstrual cups are a step up from this! They produce much less waste, are much less messy (almost never leak), and don't need to be changed as often (once every 6 - 12 hours and without the TSS risks that tampons have). It's better to use running water to wash them out, but simply wiping them with tissue paper can work too (albeit a little messily), if water is scarce. A downside that I've read about however is that…
> without the TSS risks that tampons have
consumer reports disagrees with you
[1] https://www.consumerreports.org/women-s-health/menstrual-cup...
Re: Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention?
#530Earlier quoted context omitted.
> ... safer and more healthy ... Not for that dead child. > I think the most important prerequisite to being a parent is the desire to be a parent. I don’t disagree with this. Thankfully adoption exists.
Not surprised you're getting downvoted around here for saying the abortion isn't healthcare. Techies can bury their heads in the sand about it because of their political correctness, but it doesn't change the fact that the procedure does not extend a child's life but ends it.
The crux of the debate is on whether a fetus is a child. Your ‘fact’ calls it that, but it’s one that is rooted in your beliefs rather than some larger truth.