This 2021 blog post argues against prematurely optimizing code for performance, using the analogy of a free diver holding their pee to dive deeper. While holding your pee might offer a tiny perceived advantage in the short term, it's ultimately detrimental to your overall performance and can even be harmful. Similarly, micro-optimizations early in a project often add complexity, make the code harder to understand and maintain, and ultimately hinder progress toward larger, more impactful optimizations later on. Focus on writing clean, clear code first and address performance bottlenecks only when they become a proven problem, allowing for more effective and impactful optimization strategies when they are actually needed.
Ocean bacteria, previously thought to exist primarily as free-floating cells, are surprisingly interconnected through vast, intricate networks facilitated by microscopic protein filaments. These networks allow bacteria to share resources, coordinate activities like bioluminescence, and potentially even exchange genetic material. This discovery challenges existing understanding of marine microbial communities and highlights a complex level of social interaction among bacteria, with significant implications for understanding ocean ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. The interconnected nature of these networks allows bacteria to access nutrients more efficiently and withstand environmental stresses, hinting at a more robust and resilient bacterial community than previously recognized.
Hacker News users discussed the implications of bacteria forming interconnected networks in the ocean. Some questioned the novelty of the finding, pointing out that biofilms and quorum sensing are already well-established concepts. Others highlighted the potential of these networks for bioremediation or as a source of novel compounds. The complexity and scale of these networks were also noted, with some emphasizing the vastness of the ocean and the difficulty in studying these microscopic interactions. Several commenters expressed excitement about the research and its potential to reveal more about the interconnectedness of life in the ocean. Some also discussed the role of viruses in regulating these bacterial communities.
Divers trapped aboard a burning Red Sea liveaboard dive boat for 35 hours recounted harrowing escapes. Some jumped from the upper decks into the darkness, while others waited for rescue boats, navigating through smoke and flames. The fire, believed to have started in the engine room, rapidly engulfed the Hurricane dive boat, forcing passengers and crew to abandon ship with little warning. While all 55 passengers and crew survived, some suffered burns and other injuries. Egyptian authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
HN commenters discuss the harrowing experience of the divers, with several focusing on the psychological impact of being trapped in the dark for so long. Some question the decision-making of the dive operator, particularly the lack of readily available emergency communication and the delay in rescue efforts. Others praise the divers' resilience and resourcefulness in escaping the sinking boat, highlighting the importance of dive training and maintaining composure in emergencies. A few commenters share personal anecdotes of similar close calls while diving, emphasizing the inherent risks involved in the activity. The discussion also touches on the potential legal ramifications for the dive operator and the need for stricter safety regulations in the diving industry.
Summary of Comments ( 38 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43149648
Hacker News users discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of intentionally dehydrating for freediving, as described in the linked article. Some express skepticism about the practice, citing potential health risks and questioning the claimed performance gains. Others share anecdotes of unintentionally experiencing similar effects due to pre-dive nervousness or limited access to fluids. The validity of the "mammalian diving reflex" and its role in freediving is also debated, with some users pointing out its limitations and emphasizing the importance of proper training and safety precautions. A few commenters highlight the ethical considerations of promoting potentially dangerous practices, particularly to novice freedivers. Overall, the discussion reveals a mixed reception to the article's central premise.
The Hacker News post titled "Pee If You Want to Go Deeper (2021)" has generated a number of comments discussing the linked article about freediving and the mammalian diving reflex. Several commenters focus on the physiological aspects discussed in the article.
One commenter questions the article's assertion that holding one's breath triggers the mammalian diving reflex, stating that other stimuli, such as cold water immersion on the face, are the primary triggers. They further explain that apnea (breath-holding) itself only causes a minor peripheral vasoconstriction, a small part of the overall diving reflex. This commenter also highlights the importance of distinguishing between the diving response and the urge to urinate, suggesting they are separate but possibly coincidentally related phenomena. They also mention freediving training often involves suppressing the urge to breathe, which may coincidentally reduce the urge to urinate.
Another commenter, seemingly a freediver, offers their personal experience, noting that they rarely feel the urge to urinate during shallow dives, but the urge becomes pronounced during deeper dives, especially around 30 meters. They link this to increased pressure and diaphragmatic compression. They also mention the necessity of wearing a wetsuit for thermal protection at such depths, which may also influence urination urges by restricting bodily functions somewhat.
Another commenter points out that many mammals, including humans, possess a voluntary sphincter muscle allowing conscious control over urination, suggesting that the urge doesn't automatically result in urination. They emphasize the importance of this control for hygiene and social reasons.
Other comments touch upon related topics such as the usefulness of exhaling before a dive to reduce buoyancy and the potential risks of shallow water blackouts. One commenter questions the article's claim that divers can "access an air pocket in their stomachs" during emergencies, explaining that no such air pocket exists and that the phenomenon being referenced is likely related to changes in lung volume due to pressure differences. This commenter also mentions the dangers of "lung squeeze" at deeper depths, even while performing the valsalva maneuver to equalize pressure.
Several shorter comments express general agreement with the article's premise or offer anecdotal evidence about experiencing the urge to urinate while swimming or diving.