Swift bricks to be installed on all new buildings in Scotland • Hacker News Board

Re: Swift bricks to be installed on all new buildings in Scotland

#101

Post by cindyllm » Fri, May 15, 2026, 10:44 AM UTC

nephihaha wrote: post #100

pixl97 wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yea, no. "hur de dur, you have to hate yourself and all other humans if you even attempt to recognize the absolute destruction we are causing around us" >t is possible to be pro-nature and pro-humans. No, really it's too late for that in most senses. We the humans fucked up and the vast majority of species are suffering because of it. Now, we the human species are really starting to get our comeuppance from climate c…

When I read phrases like "meat viruses" (see above) then I see self-loathing, because these people are referring to themselves, not just other people. Many people go through a phase of this in their teens, when they are trying to become individuals, but later mature to other viewpoints. There are some extreme environmentalists who advocate for human extinction to save nature. Maybe at some point in the future, there…

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Re: Swift bricks to be installed on all new buildings in Scotland

#102

Post by cindyllm » Fri, May 15, 2026, 10:51 AM UTC

nephihaha wrote: post #100

pixl97 wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yea, no. "hur de dur, you have to hate yourself and all other humans if you even attempt to recognize the absolute destruction we are causing around us" >t is possible to be pro-nature and pro-humans. No, really it's too late for that in most senses. We the humans fucked up and the vast majority of species are suffering because of it. Now, we the human species are really starting to get our comeuppance from climate c…

When I read phrases like "meat viruses" (see above) then I see self-loathing, because these people are referring to themselves, not just other people. Many people go through a phase of this in their teens, when they are trying to become individuals, but later mature to other viewpoints. There are some extreme environmentalists who advocate for human extinction to save nature. Maybe at some point in the future, there…

[dead]

Re: Swift bricks to be installed on all new buildings in Scotland

#103

Post by Liquid_Fire » Fri, May 15, 2026, 12:05 PM UTC

jedberg wrote: post #15

pjc50 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not at the top of a wall, no.

I’ve seen them scale brick walls at my house.

They can climb it, but would they choose to nest in a hole 6-7+ m off the ground if they have alternatives?

Meanwhile the swifts will definitely not choose the ground.

Re: Swift bricks to be installed on all new buildings in Scotland

#104

Post by soneil » Fri, May 15, 2026, 9:56 PM UTC

Nifty3929 wrote: post #98

arjie wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

35 quid, not 35 lbs.

Yes, that's what I meant, but I'm an idiot and just used the word that came to mind: GBP symbol -> "pound" -> "lb". And I don't have a quid (GBP) button on my keyboard. Thanks for the correction.

It may amuse you to know they're both essentially the same thing. GBP is formally Pound Sterling, formerly 1 pound (tower pound / 20 troy ounces) of Sterling Silver. Which is why £ is a stylised L.

Re: Swift bricks to be installed on all new buildings in Scotland

#105

Post by soneil » Fri, May 15, 2026, 10:02 PM UTC

jgraham wrote: post #34

erhserhdfd wrote: post #27

I am frustrated by this article. 1. Why focus on Swifts as opposed to any other species in decline? They state that they are "iconic", so maybe that's the answer? Are they more "iconic" than any other specifies in Scotland? 2. Why are these bricks the best solution? Why not take that money that would be spent on bricks and instead preserve land, or just build them dedicated houses elsewhere? 3. Why does this need to…

> 1. Why focus on Swifts as opposed to any other species in decline? They state that they are "iconic", so maybe that's the answer? Are they more "iconic" than any other specifies in Scotland? They are a red-listed species whose population in the UK has declined by two thirds in 30 years. They are also a species for which there's an obvious measure that can be taken to reverse one of the changes which we know has hap…

I think what really stands out about this, is that having it installed as a pre-made brick is very cost-effective.

But this cost-effective route isn't readily available to most people, as most people don't build homes. Developers build lots, and then sell finished homes. So you need to entice developers. And historically, "the stick" is the only enticement developers remotely pay attention to.

"If you want a swift brick, install one yourself" is much easier said than done - you're talking about removing an existing brick, replacing it, hoping you don't damage the course or the cavity, probably voiding any warranty on a new home, etc. It's certainly not a £35 retrofit.