PermitFlow, a Y Combinator-backed startup streamlining the construction permitting process, is hiring Senior and Staff Software Engineers in NYC. They're looking for experienced engineers proficient in Python and Django (or similar frameworks) to build and scale their platform. Ideal candidates will have a strong product sense, experience with complex systems, and a passion for improving the construction industry. PermitFlow offers competitive salary and equity, and the opportunity to work on a high-impact product in a fast-paced environment.
"The Moped King" profiles Fly E-Bikes, a New York City business thriving amidst a surge in e-bike and moped usage. The article highlights owner Eric's dominance in the market, fueled by affordable Chinese imports and a brisk repair business driven by battery fires, often caused by cheap or damaged lithium-ion batteries. While acknowledging the convenience and affordability these vehicles provide for delivery workers and other New Yorkers, the piece raises concerns about safety issues stemming from both the batteries themselves and reckless riding habits. This booming, yet unregulated, industry presents a complex challenge for the city as it grapples with traffic congestion and fire safety.
Many Hacker News commenters express concern about the safety of e-bike batteries, particularly those used by delivery workers who often modify or overload them. Several recount personal experiences or link to news stories of e-bike battery fires. Some discuss the underlying technical reasons for these fires, including cheap battery construction and improper charging practices. Others focus on the lack of regulation and oversight, suggesting stricter standards for e-bikes and their batteries. A few commenters mention alternative solutions, like swappable battery stations, and some question the framing of the article, pointing out the inherent dangers of lithium-ion batteries in general, not just in e-bikes. A number of commenters sympathize with delivery drivers, highlighting the economic pressures that lead them to use cheaper, potentially more dangerous e-bikes and modifications.
NYC relies on aging, polluting "peaker plants" to meet electricity demand during peak usage. These plants, often located in disadvantaged communities, burn fossil fuels and contribute significantly to air pollution. While renewable energy sources are growing, they are not yet sufficient to handle peak loads, making these plants, despite their environmental impact, a necessary evil for grid stability in the near future. The city is working to transition away from these plants through initiatives like increasing battery storage and promoting energy efficiency, but a complete phase-out remains a complex challenge.
Hacker News commenters discuss the complexities of NYC's reliance on peaker plants. Several highlight the trade-off between pollution and reliability, acknowledging the necessity of these plants during peak demand, even if undesirable. Some suggest exploring demand-side management and battery storage as alternatives, while others point to the slow pace of transmission upgrades as a hindering factor. The economic incentives for peaker plant operators are also discussed, with some arguing that the current system rewards pollution. A few commenters mention the environmental justice implications, emphasizing the disproportionate impact of these plants on marginalized communities. Finally, the possibility of microgrids and localized power generation is raised as a potential long-term solution.
Converge, a YC S23 startup, is seeking its second engineer to join their New York City team. They are building a platform to automate the creation and management of financial models, primarily for private equity and venture capital. The ideal candidate is a full-stack engineer proficient in Javascript/Typescript and interested in FinTech. Experience with React, Node.js, and cloud platforms like AWS is preferred, but a strong foundation and a desire to learn are highly valued. Converge offers competitive salary and equity, alongside the opportunity to shape the technical direction of a rapidly growing company.
Commenters on Hacker News discuss Converge's early stage and the implications for a potential engineer #2. Several express concerns about joining such a young company, highlighting the risks associated with its unproven business model and the significant influence a single engineer could have, which could be both exciting and potentially overwhelming. Others question the NYC location choice given Converge's focus on construction, a sector not traditionally associated with New York. Some commenters see the posting as a positive sign, suggesting it indicates Converge has secured initial funding and is progressing. A few users express interest in learning more about the company's tech stack. Overall, the sentiment is cautiously curious, with many waiting to see more evidence of Converge's viability before considering it a serious opportunity.
Helvetica is ubiquitous in New York City's signage, especially in the subway system. Originally designed as a neutral, legible typeface, it became the standard for wayfinding and official communications, conveying authority and efficiency. The post explores this pervasiveness, showcasing numerous examples of Helvetica's use across various applications from street signs to building names. Its widespread adoption, though intended to create a unified and clear urban environment, has arguably led to a homogenized visual landscape. The essay ultimately suggests that while functional, Helvetica's dominance potentially diminishes the city's unique visual character.
HN commenters largely appreciate the deep dive into Helvetica's use in NYC signage, particularly its historical context and evolution. Some debate the merits of Helvetica versus other sans-serif fonts, with a few suggesting alternatives like Franklin Gothic or Akzidenz-Grotesk would be better choices. Others highlight the importance of considering the overall design, not just the font, pointing out that even Helvetica can be used poorly. A couple of commenters offer additional examples of Helvetica's pervasiveness, referencing its use in government and transportation systems. One compelling observation notes the shift away from Helvetica in newer signage, suggesting a changing aesthetic landscape in the city.
Empirical Health, a YC S23 startup building AI-powered tools for faster medical diagnoses, is hiring Design Engineers in NYC. They're looking for experienced engineers proficient in frontend development (React, Typescript) and familiar with design tools like Figma, with a passion for improving healthcare. Successful candidates will contribute to building intuitive interfaces for complex medical data, collaborating closely with clinicians and researchers to translate research into user-friendly products.
Hacker News users discussed the high salary ($200k-$250k) offered by Empirical Health for a Design Engineer, questioning its justification. Some argued the role seemed more like a traditional mechanical or manufacturing engineer focused on medical devices, not warranting the "Design Engineer" title often associated with software. Others pointed out the increasing prevalence of high salaries in the medical device field due to its demanding nature and regulatory hurdles. Several commenters debated the value of a Master's degree for the position, some suggesting experience might be more valuable, while others emphasized the importance of a strong theoretical foundation for medical device design. A few comments also mentioned the potential impact of YC funding on inflated salaries. Finally, some users highlighted the overall growth and opportunity within the medical device sector.
The New Yorker article discusses the ongoing legal battle surrounding 432 Park Avenue, a supertall luxury skyscraper in Manhattan. The building suffers from numerous, serious structural defects, including swaying, creaking noises, and malfunctioning elevators, all stemming from its slender design and cost-cutting measures during construction. Residents, some of whom paid tens of millions for their apartments, are embroiled in a lawsuit against the developers, CIM Group and Macklowe Properties, alleging fraud and breach of contract. The article highlights the clash between the aspirational symbolism of these supertall structures and the flawed reality of their construction, raising questions about the future of such ambitious architectural projects.
HN commenters discuss the precarious financial situation of many supertall, luxury skyscrapers in New York City, echoing the article's concerns. Several highlight the inherent risk in developing these buildings, citing the long timelines, high costs, and dependence on fickle global markets. Some point to the broader issue of overbuilding and the potential for a real estate bubble burst, while others criticize the tax breaks given to developers and the lack of affordable housing options being created. The design of 432 Park Avenue, the building focused on in the article, is also discussed, with some finding its slenderness aesthetically displeasing and others speculating on the engineering challenges it presented. A few commenters expressed skepticism about the severity of the problems outlined in the article, suggesting that the issues are either overblown or typical of high-end construction.
Trevor Traynor's photo series "Newsstands, 2012-2019" documents the disappearing presence of New York City newsstands over seven years. The photos capture the diverse and often cluttered character of these small businesses, showcasing their role as a microcosm of city life. The project subtly highlights the changing urban landscape and the decline of print media as many of the featured stands eventually vanish, leaving behind empty sidewalks. The series serves as a visual elegy for a fading piece of New York's cultural fabric.
Hacker News users generally praised the photography and nostalgic feel of the "Newsstands" project. Several commenters shared personal anecdotes about their experiences with newsstands, highlighting their role as community hubs and lamenting their decline. Some discussed the changing media landscape and the impact of digital news on print publications, which contributed to the disappearance of these businesses. A few users pointed out technical aspects of the photographs, like the consistent framing and lighting, while others appreciated the project's focus on a specific, vanishing piece of urban life. A couple of New Yorkers offered insights into the continued existence (albeit diminished) of newsstands in the city, noting their evolution towards selling snacks and beverages.
Converge, a YC S23 startup, is seeking a founding engineer to join their team in NYC. They're building a platform to simplify complex enterprise software procurement, aiming to bring transparency and efficiency to the process. The ideal candidate is a full-stack engineer with strong frontend experience, comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment. Experience with React and Typescript is preferred, and a passion for building impactful products is essential. This is a ground-floor opportunity to shape a company from its early stages and have significant ownership over the product.
Several commenters on Hacker News expressed skepticism about the extremely broad required and "nice-to-have" skills listed in the job posting, finding it unrealistic for a single engineer to possess expertise in such a wide range. Others questioned the high equity offer (0.5-1.5%) for a second engineer, suggesting it might be inflated and not truly representative of the company's stage. The NYC location was also a point of discussion, with some commenters noting the high cost of living and questioning the long-term viability of remaining in the city given potential equity dilution. Finally, several users questioned the core business idea and its differentiation in a crowded market.
Subway Stories is a crowdsourced collection of short, true anecdotes about everyday life on the New York City subway. These vignettes capture the diverse range of human experiences that unfold underground, from chance encounters and acts of kindness to moments of absurdity and quiet observation. The website serves as a digital tapestry of the city's vibrant and often unpredictable subterranean world, offering a glimpse into the lives of the millions who pass through its tunnels each day. It's a testament to the shared humanity and unique character of the NYC subway, presenting a mosaic of moments that are both relatable and distinctly New York.
Hacker News users discuss the "Subway Stories" project, largely praising its nostalgic and artistic value. Some commenters share personal anecdotes of their own subway experiences, echoing the themes of chance encounters and shared humanity found on the site. Others analyze the technical aspects of the project, appreciating its minimalist design and questioning the choice of technology used. A few express skepticism about the authenticity of some submissions, while others lament the decline of similar community art projects in the internet age. The overall sentiment is positive, with many users finding the site to be a refreshing reminder of the unique human tapestry of the New York City subway system.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43504299
HN commenters discuss PermitFlow's high offered salary range ($200k-$300k) for senior/staff engineers, with some expressing skepticism about its legitimacy or sustainability, especially for a Series A company. Others suggest the range might reflect NYC's high cost of living and competitive tech market. Several commenters note the importance of equity in addition to salary, questioning its potential at a company already valued at $80M. Some express interest in the regulatory tech space PermitFlow occupies, while others find the work potentially tedious. A few commenters point out the job posting's emphasis on "impact," a common buzzword they find vague and uninformative. The overall sentiment seems to be cautious interest mixed with pragmatic concerns about compensation and the nature of the work itself.
The Hacker News post titled "PermitFlow (YC W22) Is Hiring Senior/Staff Engineers in NYC" has generated a small number of comments, primarily focused on the company's tech stack and compensation.
One commenter inquired about the specific technologies used at PermitFlow, expressing a preference for avoiding technologies like Ruby on Rails and PHP. A representative from PermitFlow responded, clarifying that their backend is built with Python (Django REST Framework) and their frontend uses TypeScript (React). They also mentioned the use of PostgreSQL and Redis. This exchange provides valuable insight into the company's tech stack for potential applicants.
Another commenter directly asked about the salary range for the advertised senior/staff engineer positions in NYC. While the PermitFlow representative didn't provide concrete numbers, they stated they offer "competitive" salaries and encouraged interested individuals to apply to discuss specifics further. This response, while not providing hard figures, acknowledges the importance of salary considerations for applicants.
Finally, one commenter made a brief, slightly negative remark about the company's name, finding it "odd" and suggesting it doesn't convey much about what the company does. This comment, though subjective, offers a perspective on the company's branding.
The remaining comments are quite brief and express general disinterest in the job posting due to location or focus, or simply acknowledge the information presented. There's no extensive discussion or strongly compelling arguments made beyond the points mentioned above.