A new study reveals that even wealthy Americans experience higher death rates than their economically disadvantaged European counterparts. Researchers compared mortality rates across different income levels in the US to those in 12 European countries and found that the richest 5% of Americans had similar death rates to the poorest 5% of Europeans. This disparity persists across various causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, and drug overdoses, suggesting systemic issues within the US healthcare system and broader societal factors like access to care, inequality, and lifestyle differences are contributing to the problem. The findings highlight that socioeconomic advantages in the US don't fully offset the elevated mortality risks compared to Europe.
U.S. restaurant productivity has seen a surprising surge since 2019, defying typical economic patterns during recessions. This growth is primarily driven by a substantial increase in real revenue, outpacing the rise in employment costs. The study attributes this phenomenon to a combination of factors: restaurants raising menu prices significantly, a shift in consumer spending towards restaurants from other services like travel and entertainment, and operational adjustments like reduced menus and streamlined services adopted during the pandemic that persisted even as restrictions eased. These changes have effectively raised average revenue generated per worker, resulting in the observed productivity boost.
Several commenters on Hacker News discussed the potential reasons behind the reported productivity surge in US restaurants. Some attributed it to increased automation, such as online ordering and kiosk systems, reducing labor needs. Others pointed to a shift in consumer behavior, with more takeout and delivery orders streamlining operations and requiring fewer front-of-house staff. Skepticism was also expressed, with some suggesting the data might be flawed or that increased productivity came at the expense of worker well-being, through higher workloads and fewer benefits. Several commenters also discussed the limitations of using revenue per worker as a productivity metric, arguing that it doesn't capture changes in food quality, portion sizes, or menu prices. Finally, the impact of the pandemic and resulting labor shortages was mentioned, with some speculating that restaurants were forced to become more efficient out of necessity.
Tangier Island, a small, eroding island in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay, is home to a unique dialect preserved from the 17th century, when settlers from southwest England arrived. This dialect, with its distinctive pronunciation and vocabulary, retains echoes of Elizabethan English, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past. Islanders, largely isolated due to their geographical location and traditional fishing-based economy, have inadvertently maintained this linguistic time capsule, though the island's very existence is threatened by rising sea levels.
Hacker News commenters discuss the BBC article about Tangier Island's unique dialect. Several point out that the dialect isn't truly Elizabethan English, but rather a mix of influences including early colonial English and Cornish, shaped by the island's isolation. Some debate the level of Cornish influence and the accuracy of the "Elizabethan" label. Others discuss the impact of rising sea levels and the islanders' resistance to climate change science, attributing it to religious beliefs and economic dependence on crabbing. A few commenters share personal anecdotes or express interest in visiting. The thread also touches on linguistic preservation, the challenges faced by small island communities, and the role of dialect in shaping identity. One compelling exchange revolves around the island's uncertain future and the potential loss of this unique dialect as residents are forced to relocate.
Contrary to the headline's claim, the US has not ended support for Ukraine receiving F-16 fighter jets. The article, citing Forbes, actually reports that the US has not yet approved the transfer of F-16s from other countries to Ukraine. While US approval is necessary for such transfers, the article suggests France is considering providing Mirage 2000s, which wouldn't require US permission. The piece emphasizes the ongoing debate within the US administration about supplying Ukraine with advanced fighter jets, and highlights the potential role of French Mirages as a viable alternative if US approval for F-16s remains elusive.
Hacker News users expressed skepticism about the linked article's claim that the US ended support for Ukrainian F-16s, pointing out that other reputable sources didn't corroborate this. Several commenters highlighted ongoing US support for training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 platform and the likelihood of future F-16 deliveries, albeit delayed. The discussion also touched on the complexities of integrating Western fighter jets into Ukraine's existing air defense systems and the logistical challenges of maintenance and spare parts. Some questioned the article's framing of French Mirages as "salvation," emphasizing that while helpful, they wouldn't be a game-changer. The overall sentiment leaned towards distrusting the original article's premise and a more nuanced understanding of Western military aid to Ukraine.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world's largest contract chip maker, is expected to announce a massive $100 billion investment in advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the United States over the next three years. This substantial commitment aims to boost domestic chip production and reduce U.S. reliance on foreign suppliers, particularly in light of escalating tensions with China and growing concerns about semiconductor supply chain security. The investment includes plans for multiple new factories, potentially creating thousands of jobs.
HN commenters are skeptical of TSMC's purported $100B investment, questioning whether it will fully materialize and expressing concern over the high cost of US chip fabrication. Several point out that TSMC's Arizona fabs are smaller and less advanced than their Taiwanese counterparts, suggesting the investment figure may include long-term operational costs rather than solely construction. Others discuss the geopolitical motivations behind the move, viewing it as a US strategy to secure its chip supply chain amidst rising tensions with China. Some highlight the challenges TSMC faces in the US, including higher labor and operating expenses, and potential difficulties attracting and retaining skilled talent. Finally, a few commenters raise concerns about the environmental impact of these large-scale fabs and the potential strain on local resources.
Apple announced a plan to invest over $500 billion in the US economy over the next four years. This builds on the $430 billion contributed over the previous five years and includes direct spending with US suppliers, data center expansions, capital expenditures in US manufacturing, and investments in American jobs and innovation. The company highlights key areas like 5G innovation and silicon engineering, as well as supporting emerging technologies. Apple's commitment extends beyond its own operations to include investments in next-generation manufacturing and renewable energy projects across the country.
Hacker News commenters generally expressed skepticism about Apple's announced $500B investment. Several pointed out that this is not new spending, but a continuation of existing trends, repackaged as a large number for PR purposes. Some questioned the actual impact of this spending, suggesting much of it will go towards stock buybacks and dividends rather than job creation or meaningful technological advancement. Others discussed the potential influence of government incentives and tax breaks on Apple's decision. A few commenters highlighted Apple's reliance on Asian manufacturing, arguing that true investment in the US would involve more domestic production. Overall, the sentiment leaned towards viewing the announcement as primarily a public relations move rather than a substantial shift in Apple's business strategy.
Apple announced a plan to invest $430 billion in the US economy over five years, creating 20,000 new jobs. This investment will focus on American-made components for its products, including a new line of AI servers. The company also highlighted its commitment to renewable energy and its growing investments in silicon engineering, 5G innovation, and manufacturing.
Hacker News users discuss Apple's announcement with skepticism. Several question the feasibility of Apple producing their own AI servers at scale, given their lack of experience in this area and the existing dominance of Nvidia. Commenters also point out the vagueness of the announcement, lacking concrete details on the types of jobs created or the specific AI applications Apple intends to pursue. The large $500 billion figure is also met with suspicion, with some speculating it includes existing R&D spending repackaged for a press release. Finally, some express cynicism about the announcement being driven by political motivations related to onshoring and subsidies, rather than genuine technological advancement.
The dataset linked lists every active .gov domain name, providing a comprehensive view of US federal, state, local, and tribal government online presence. Each entry includes the domain name itself, the organization's name, city, state, and relevant contact information including email and phone number. This data offers a valuable resource for researchers, journalists, and the public seeking to understand and interact with government entities online.
Hacker News users discussed the potential usefulness and limitations of the linked .gov domain list. Some highlighted its value for security research, identifying potential phishing targets, and understanding government agency organization. Others pointed out the incompleteness of the list, noting the absence of many subdomains and the inclusion of defunct domains. The discussion also touched on the challenges of maintaining such a list, with suggestions for improving its accuracy and completeness through crowdsourcing or automated updates. Some users expressed interest in using the data for various projects, including DNS analysis and website monitoring. A few comments focused on the technical aspects of the data format and its potential integration with other tools.
TSMC is reportedly in talks with Intel to potentially manufacture chips for Intel's GPU division using TSMC's advanced 3nm process. This presents a dilemma for TSMC, as accepting Intel's business would mean allocating valuable 3nm capacity away from existing customers like Apple and Nvidia, potentially impacting their product roadmaps. Further complicating matters is the geopolitical pressure TSMC faces to reduce its reliance on China, with the US CHIPS Act incentivizing domestic production. While taking on Intel's business could strengthen TSMC's US presence and potentially secure government subsidies, it risks alienating key clients and diverting resources from crucial internal development. TSMC must carefully weigh the benefits of this collaboration against the potential disruption to its existing business and long-term strategic goals.
Hacker News commenters discuss the potential TSMC-Intel collaboration with skepticism. Several doubt Intel's ability to successfully utilize TSMC's advanced nodes, citing Intel's past manufacturing struggles and the potential complexity of integrating different process technologies. Others question the strategic logic for both companies, suggesting that such a partnership could create conflicts of interest and potentially compromise TSMC's competitive advantage. Some commenters also point out the geopolitical implications, noting the US government's desire to strengthen domestic chip production and reduce reliance on Taiwan. A few express concerns about the potential impact on TSMC's capacity and the availability of advanced nodes for other clients. Overall, the sentiment leans towards cautious pessimism about the rumored collaboration.
Production of high-performance rare-earth magnets, crucial for various technologies including electric vehicles and wind turbines, is finally taking root in the United States. NovaTorque, a California-based company, has launched a new facility capable of producing sintered neodymium magnets, marking a significant step toward reducing U.S. dependence on foreign suppliers, primarily China. While the initial output is modest compared to global demand, it represents a crucial starting point for domesticating this critical supply chain. This initiative is supported by the Department of Energy and aims to bolster U.S. competitiveness and national security in the burgeoning clean energy sector.
HN commenters generally express support for domestic magnet production, viewing it as crucial for national security and supply chain resilience, particularly given China's dominance in the rare earth magnet market. Some question the economic viability of US-based production due to higher labor costs, while others argue that the strategic benefits outweigh the expense. Several commenters point out that reclaiming rare earth elements from existing products is also vital, and some highlight the need for continued innovation in magnet materials beyond NdFeB to reduce reliance on specific elements. A few express skepticism about the government's ability to effectively manage such initiatives, citing past failures, and others emphasize the importance of environmentally responsible mining and processing practices. Some also delve into the specifics of different magnet types and their applications.
TikTok reports that service is being restored for U.S. users after a widespread outage on Tuesday evening prevented many from accessing the app, logging in, or refreshing their feeds. The company acknowledged the issue on its social media channels and stated they are working to fully resolve the remaining problems. While the cause of the outage is still unclear, TikTok assures users their data was not compromised during the disruption.
Hacker News users reacted to TikTok's service restoration announcement with skepticism and concern about data security. Several commenters questioned the veracity of TikTok's claim that no user data was compromised, highlighting the company's ties to the Chinese government and expressing distrust. Others discussed the technical aspects of the outage, speculating about the cause and the potential for future disruptions. The overall sentiment leaned toward cautious pessimism, with many users predicting further issues for TikTok in the US. Some expressed indifference or even support for a ban, citing privacy concerns and the potential for misinformation spread through the platform. There was also discussion around the broader implications for internet freedom and the potential for further government intervention in online services.
Esri has released the USA Hydro Network v1.0, the most detailed open map of US surface water ever created. Derived from the 3D Elevation Program's 1-meter resolution data, this hydro network boasts unparalleled accuracy and granularity, providing a much clearer picture of water flow compared to previous datasets. It features over 100 million flowline segments and includes detailed information on flow direction, stream order, and watershed boundaries, offering valuable insights for applications like hydrologic modeling, environmental management, and infrastructure planning. The data is freely available for download and use.
HN commenters generally expressed enthusiasm for the detailed water map, praising its visual appeal and potential uses for conservation, research, and recreation. Some raised concerns about the map's accuracy, particularly regarding ephemeral streams and the potential impact on regulatory determinations. A few commenters discussed the underlying data sources and technical aspects of the map's creation, including its resolution and the challenges of mapping dynamic water systems. Others shared links to related resources like the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) and other mapping tools, comparing and contrasting them to the featured map. Several commenters also highlighted the importance of accurate water data for addressing various environmental challenges.
The Netherlands will further restrict ASML’s exports of advanced chipmaking equipment to China, aligning with US efforts to curb China's technological advancement. The new regulations, expected to be formalized by summer, will specifically target deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography systems, expanding existing restrictions beyond the most advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines. While the exact models affected remain unclear, the move signals a significant escalation in the ongoing tech war between the US and China.
Hacker News users discussed the implications of the Dutch restrictions on ASML chipmaking equipment exports to China. Several commenters saw this as an escalation of the tech war between the US and China, predicting further retaliatory actions from China and a potential acceleration of their domestic chipmaking efforts. Some questioned the long-term effectiveness of these restrictions, arguing that they would only incentivize China to become self-sufficient in chip production. Others highlighted the negative impact on ASML's business, though some downplayed it due to high demand from other markets. A few commenters also pointed out the geopolitical complexities and the potential for these restrictions to reshape the global semiconductor landscape. Some questioned the fairness and legality of the restrictions, viewing them as an attempt to stifle competition and maintain US dominance.
TikTok was reportedly preparing for a potential shutdown in the U.S. on Sunday, January 15, 2025, according to information reviewed by Reuters. This involved discussions with cloud providers about data backup and transfer in case a forced sale or ban materialized. However, a spokesperson for TikTok denied the report, stating the company had no plans to shut down its U.S. operations. The report suggested these preparations were contingency plans and not an indication that a shutdown was imminent or certain.
HN commenters are largely skeptical of a TikTok shutdown actually happening on Sunday. Many believe the Reuters article misrepresented the Sunday deadline as a shutdown deadline when it actually referred to a deadline for ByteDance to divest from TikTok. Several users point out that previous deadlines have come and gone without action, suggesting this one might also be uneventful. Some express cynicism about the US government's motives, suspecting political maneuvering or protectionism for US social media companies. A few also discuss the technical and logistical challenges of a shutdown, and the potential legal battles that would ensue. Finally, some commenters highlight the irony of potential US government restrictions on speech, given its historical stance on free speech.
Summary of Comments ( 10 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43584156
HN commenters discuss potential confounders not addressed in the Ars Technica article about differing death rates. Several suggest that racial disparities within the US are a significant factor, with one user pointing out the vastly different life expectancies between Black and white Americans, even within high-income brackets. Others highlight the potential impact of access to healthcare, with some arguing that even wealthy Americans may face barriers to consistent, quality care compared to Europeans. The role of lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, is also raised. Finally, some question the methodology of comparing wealth across different countries and economic systems, suggesting purchasing power parity (PPP) may be a more accurate metric. A few commenters also mention the US's higher rates of gun violence and car accidents as potential contributors to the mortality difference.
The Hacker News post titled "Wealthy Americans have death rates on par with poor Europeans," linking to an Ars Technica article, has generated a number of comments discussing the complexities of comparing health outcomes across different countries and socioeconomic groups.
Several commenters delve into the potential reasons behind the disparity highlighted in the article. Some point to the fragmented and profit-driven nature of the American healthcare system as a significant contributing factor, arguing that even wealthy Americans may face barriers to timely and effective care due to issues like high costs, insurance complexities, and administrative hurdles. They contrast this with European systems that offer more universal coverage and often emphasize preventative care.
Others discuss the potential influence of lifestyle factors, suggesting that even wealthy Americans might engage in less healthy behaviors compared to their European counterparts, such as consuming less nutritious diets, exercising less frequently, or experiencing higher levels of stress related to work or societal pressures. These commenters acknowledge that while access to healthcare is important, it's not the sole determinant of health outcomes.
The issue of data interpretation and comparison also arises in the discussion. Some users question the methodologies used in such studies, raising concerns about how accurately different countries collect and report health data. They also point to the difficulty of isolating specific factors like wealth when comparing populations across countries with varying cultural norms, social safety nets, and environmental factors. For instance, some commenters suggest that factors like social mobility and income inequality, which differ significantly between the US and many European countries, could play a role in the observed health disparities.
Furthermore, some comments highlight the potential impact of access to social support systems. They argue that stronger social safety nets in European countries, even for the poor, might mitigate some of the negative health consequences of poverty, while the more individualistic American society might leave even wealthy individuals more vulnerable during times of health crisis.
Finally, several commenters offer anecdotal evidence from their personal experiences navigating healthcare systems in the US and Europe, providing real-world illustrations of the challenges and advantages of each. These anecdotes add a personal dimension to the discussion, highlighting the human impact of the statistical trends presented in the article.