The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the 101 freeway in Los Angeles has reached a major milestone with the completion of its bridge structure. This project, the world's largest wildlife crossing, aims to provide safe passage for mountain lions and other animals, connecting fragmented habitats and promoting genetic diversity. While the bridge itself is finished, significant work remains, including landscaping with native vegetation and installing sound walls and fencing to guide animals toward the crossing. Funding also needs to be secured for ongoing maintenance and monitoring to evaluate the crossing's effectiveness.
This 1993 New Yorker article profiles Abe Green, a man who spent over four decades as a fixture at the Beverly Hills Hotel pool. Green, a self-made millionaire, established a daily ritual of holding court poolside, becoming a peculiar part of the hotel's landscape. The piece explores Green's evolving relationship with the hotel, from his early days as a welcomed guest to his later years marked by increasing eccentricity and strained relations with management. It paints a portrait of a man seeking community and purpose in a glamorous yet ultimately transient environment, capturing a specific era of Hollywood history and the changing dynamics of the legendary hotel.
Hacker News users discuss the intriguing life of Abe Green, the subject of the New Yorker article. Several commenters express fascination with Green's dedication to a singular, seemingly mundane routine, spending decades poolside. Some question his motivations and mental state, pondering whether it represents a life well-lived or a form of obsessive escapism. Others romanticize his existence, viewing it as a unique pursuit of personal happiness, unburdened by societal expectations. A few commenters note the piece's portrayal of a bygone era of Hollywood glamour and the changing face of Los Angeles. There's also a short thread discussing the hotel itself and its history.
Voker, a YC S24 startup building AI-powered video creation tools, is seeking a full-stack engineer in Los Angeles. This role involves developing core features for their platform, working across the entire stack from frontend to backend, and integrating AI models. Ideal candidates are proficient in Python, Javascript/Typescript, and modern web frameworks like React, and have experience with cloud infrastructure like AWS. Experience with AI/ML, particularly in video generation or processing, is a strong plus.
HN commenters were skeptical of the job posting, particularly the required "mastery" of a broad range of technologies. Several suggested it's unrealistic to expect one engineer to be a master of everything from frontend frameworks to backend infrastructure and AI/ML. Some also questioned the need for a full-stack engineer in an AI-focused role, suggesting specialization might be more effective. There was a general sentiment that the job description was a red flag, possibly indicating a disorganized or inexperienced company, despite the YC association. A few commenters defended the posting, arguing that "master" could be interpreted more loosely as "proficient" and that startups often require employees to wear multiple hats. The overall tone, however, was cautious and critical.
Summary of Comments ( 18 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43550072
HN commenters largely praised the wildlife crossing project, viewing it as a positive step towards mitigating human impact on animal populations and ecosystems. Some expressed hope that it would serve as a model for similar projects elsewhere. A few questioned the long-term effectiveness and pointed to the need for more comprehensive habitat restoration, arguing that crossings alone wouldn't fully address the root issues of habitat fragmentation. Some discussion also revolved around the types of animals expected to use the crossing and how its success would be measured. One commenter highlighted the project's funding model, emphasizing the significant private contribution which they found encouraging. There was a brief exchange about the potential for increased roadkill on smaller nearby roads due to animals funneling through the crossing.
The Hacker News post "World's largest wildlife crossing reaches critical milestone. Now what?" generated a moderate number of comments discussing the wildlife crossing and its potential impact. Several commenters expressed excitement about the project and its potential to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity.
Some users questioned the "world's largest" claim, pointing to other existing or planned crossings they believed to be larger, particularly in Europe. This sparked a discussion about different methodologies for measuring size and what constitutes a "wildlife crossing" versus other types of animal passages. One commenter shared a link to a supposedly larger crossing in the Netherlands.
A few commenters raised concerns about the long-term effectiveness and maintenance of such structures. They questioned whether animals would actually use the crossing and whether it would truly mitigate the impact of the highway. One user pointed out the need for ongoing vegetation management on and around the crossing to ensure its attractiveness to wildlife. Another commenter expressed skepticism about the project's overall benefit, suggesting that the funds might have been better spent elsewhere.
Several comments focused on the importance of habitat connectivity and the broader ecological context of the crossing. They discussed the fragmentation of habitats caused by roads and the need for more such projects to mitigate these effects. Some users also mentioned the potential benefits for specific species, such as mountain lions.
A couple of comments delved into the technical aspects of the crossing's design and construction, including the use of different materials and the challenges of building such a large structure. One user asked about the lighting used on the crossing and its potential impact on nocturnal animals.
Finally, some comments addressed the "Now what?" aspect of the title, speculating about future developments and the need for further research and monitoring to assess the crossing's effectiveness. One commenter suggested incorporating technology, such as wildlife tracking, to monitor usage patterns and inform future conservation efforts.