The far-reaching effects of air conditioning • Hacker News Board

Re: The far-reaching effects of air conditioning

#181

Post by pluma » Wed, Jun 07, 2017, 8:12 AM UTC

Lordarminius wrote: post #121

snarfy wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I recall reading (no ref) that nazi experiments determined the optimal temperature for mental performance was 59F, which coincidentally is the average temperature of the earth.

Optimal for Caucasians maybe. In my office in the tropics, anything below 20C (68F) will generate howls of protest.

We're talking about nazi experiments. I'd assume that the "for Germans" part is implied.

"Caucasians" also seems the wrong abstraction here in either case. If you put a Swede or Brit and a Spaniard or Italian in the same room, they'll likely have different opinions the optimal temperature too, yet all of these are pointlessly grouped as "Caucasian" just because some people like to pretend it sounds less racist than simply saying "white" (which is an equally useless category for most concerns).

Re: The far-reaching effects of air conditioning

#182

Post by exodust » Wed, Jun 07, 2017, 11:47 AM UTC

saint_fiasco wrote: post #139

exodust wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Massive energy consumption to the point of overloading power grids on hot days continues to be a problem in some areas. Massive increase in cost of electricity is due largely to the infrastructure needs of meeting peak demand events caused by sudden widespread AC use. Those who don't use AC in their homes are still paying higher prices in order that the system can cater for the people who use AC.

I think that last one is fair, because we all benefit economically from the productivity increase. Think of it as trickle-sideways economics.

I was referring to residential AC use which is much less efficient than cooling a commercial building in terms of how many people are kept cool. It's a problem here in Australia at least.

Re: The far-reaching effects of air conditioning

#183

Post by fuckemem » Wed, Jun 07, 2017, 10:57 PM UTC

tormeh wrote: post #27

fuckemem wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"cold" is quite broad though. That would cover refrigeration/ freezing which would be a much bigger impact than air con.

They're literally the same thing. Only difference is how big the fridge is and how much power you dedicate.

With the title "The far-reaching effects of air conditioning" I didn't immediately think "Yup ... that's handy: frozen peas" even though the technology underlying them is the same.

Re: The far-reaching effects of air conditioning

#184

Post by Hydraulix989 » Sun, Jun 11, 2017, 7:35 PM UTC

SeoxyS wrote: post #167

Hydraulix989 wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I really liked the weather there when I went in December.

And I really liked the air quality when I was in Beijing two weeks ago. But that was a fluke. Most of the times, things aren't as rosy.

Pretty sure the weather is always the way it was when I was there every December, so not a fluke.