Ask HN: Help find an old post about someone analysing geolocation data

#1

Post by eligg » Wed, Nov 15, 2023, 9:55 AM UTC

hello, I just remembered reading a blog post on HN with someone analysing geolocation data from his phone and his wife's phone to check if they had ever bumped into each other before actually meeting and getting married.

I know it is very vague and highly improbable, I tried to use the search feature but had no success so far. does someone happen to know what I am talking about ? thanks !

Re: Ask HN: Help find an old post about someone analysing geolocation data

#2

Post by splike » Wed, Nov 15, 2023, 1:53 PM UTC

I don't have the link, but I also remember reading this story. I tried googling but didn't have any luck either. I just wanted to let you know that you're not misremembering!

Re: Ask HN: Help find an old post about someone analysing geolocation data

#3

Post by solardev » Wed, Nov 15, 2023, 2:16 PM UTC

This one?

https://chan.co.za/how-fateful

From https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33077473

(edit: sorry, wrong link at first)

Re: Ask HN: Help find an old post about someone analysing geolocation data

#4

Post by eligg » Wed, Nov 15, 2023, 4:34 PM UTC

solardev wrote: post #3

This one? https://chan.co.za/how-fateful From https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33077473 (edit: sorry, wrong link at first)

omg yes ! exactly that one. thank you so much

Re: Ask HN: Help find an old post about someone analysing geolocation data

#5

Post by eligg » Wed, Nov 15, 2023, 4:36 PM UTC

splike wrote: post #2

I don't have the link, but I also remember reading this story. I tried googling but didn't have any luck either. I just wanted to let you know that you're not misremembering!

I searched through HN for hours trying every keyword I could think of including 'wife', 'husband', 'dating' etc.

the title of the post was 'How fateful?'. I would have never found it lol

Re: Ask HN: Help find an old post about someone analysing geolocation data

#6

Post by solardev » Wed, Nov 15, 2023, 4:43 PM UTC

eligg wrote: post #4

solardev wrote: post #3

This one? https://chan.co.za/how-fateful From https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33077473 (edit: sorry, wrong link at first)

omg yes ! exactly that one. thank you so much

Np! HN search isn't great. I googled "hackernews wife geolocation" instead and it was the second result.

Also, cool story, thanks for bringing it up :)

Re: Ask HN: Help find an old post about someone analysing geolocation data

#7

Post by solardev » Wed, Nov 15, 2023, 4:57 PM UTC

eligg wrote: post #5

splike wrote: post #2

I don't have the link, but I also remember reading this story. I tried googling but didn't have any luck either. I just wanted to let you know that you're not misremembering!

I searched through HN for hours trying every keyword I could think of including 'wife', 'husband', 'dating' etc. the title of the post was 'How fateful?'. I would have never found it lol

IMO the HN search isn't even worth using -- it's way too strict. Google's a lot better at finding relevance without the exact keywords.

And also, HN's title policy is unfortunate :( I wish we had the editorial freedom to give articles better, more meaningful titles... but the guidelines actively discourage that.