Sutro Tower, a prominent San Francisco landmark, offers a unique and immersive visitor experience through its website. Explore virtual tours of the tower, including 360° panoramic views from the top and detailed looks at its internal structure and broadcast equipment. The site also delves into the history of the tower, from its controversial beginnings to its current role in broadcasting for the Bay Area, highlighting key figures and milestones. Additionally, visitors can access educational resources, technical specifications, and information on the surrounding Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve.
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.
This article profiles Golden Gate Park ranger Lisa Wayne, who takes a compassionate, individualized approach to helping the unhoused people living in the park. Instead of simply enforcing rules, Wayne focuses on building relationships and connecting individuals with resources like housing and mental health services. She recognizes the complex factors contributing to homelessness and emphasizes the importance of treating each person with dignity and understanding, believing that lasting solutions require more than just moving people out of the park. Wayne's work highlights the effectiveness of a more humane approach to addressing homelessness, one focused on personal connection and access to necessary support.
HN commenters generally express skepticism about the effectiveness of the highlighted ranger's approach, questioning its scalability and suggesting it's more performative than impactful given the scope of the homelessness problem. Some doubt the sincerity of the city's efforts, viewing them as public relations moves rather than genuine attempts to address the root causes. Others point to systemic issues like housing costs, mental health support, and addiction treatment as the core problems needing attention, arguing that individualized approaches can't solve such widespread issues. Several commenters criticize the city's policies and spending, advocating for different strategies. A few offer personal anecdotes about similar situations or express sympathy for both the homeless individuals and the ranger.
Starting a city-owned utility is a viable option for municipalities seeking more control over energy prices and reliability. The article uses the example of several Northern California cities exploring the creation of a public power agency, highlighting how it could provide cheaper, cleaner energy than incumbent investor-owned utilities. By leveraging existing infrastructure and focusing on bulk power purchases, cities can significantly reduce costs, potentially offering substantial savings for residents and businesses while facilitating the transition to renewable energy sources. This approach also allows for greater local control over energy policy and priorities, aligning with community goals for sustainability and affordability.
HN commenters generally support the idea of municipally-owned utilities, citing potential benefits like lower costs, greater local control, and faster deployment of renewables. Some raise concerns about the complexities and costs involved in starting a new utility, including navigating regulations and acquiring infrastructure. Several comments highlight existing successful municipal utilities as examples, while others emphasize the need for careful planning and execution to avoid mismanagement. The potential conflict of interest between a city government both regulating and operating a utility is also noted. A few commenters express skepticism about the feasibility and efficiency of such ventures compared to existing private utilities, citing potential bureaucratic inefficiencies. Some suggest that community choice aggregation (CCA) might be a better alternative to starting a completely new utility.
A new report reveals California law enforcement misused state databases over 7,000 times in 2023, a significant increase from previous years. These violations, documented by the California Department of Justice, ranged from unauthorized access for personal reasons to sharing information improperly with third parties. The most frequent abuses involved accessing driver's license information and criminal histories, raising concerns about privacy and potential discrimination. While the report highlights increased reporting and accountability measures, the sheer volume of violations underscores the need for continued oversight and stricter enforcement to prevent future misuse of sensitive personal data.
Hacker News users discuss the implications of California law enforcement's misuse of state databases. Several express concern over the lack of meaningful consequences for officers, suggesting the fines are too small to deter future abuse. Some highlight the potential chilling effect on reporting crimes, particularly domestic violence, if victims fear their information will be improperly accessed. Others call for greater transparency and public access to the audit data, along with stricter penalties for offenders, including termination and criminal charges. The need for stronger oversight and systemic changes within law enforcement agencies is a recurring theme. A few commenters question the scope of permissible searches and the definition of "misuse," suggesting further clarification is needed.
Toyota has slashed the effective price of its Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in California. By combining a $5,050 price reduction with an additional $15,000 worth of free hydrogen fuel, the car's cost to consumers could be as low as just over $15,000, depending on the lease deal. This aggressive pricing strategy aims to increase adoption of hydrogen vehicles and address the limited refueling infrastructure currently available.
Hacker News commenters express skepticism about the viability of hydrogen cars, even with the substantial price reduction and fuel incentive. Several point out the lack of hydrogen fueling infrastructure as a major hurdle, emphasizing the inconvenience compared to readily available EV charging. Others question the "free fuel" claim, suspecting it's baked into the cost and highlighting the ongoing expense after the initial allotment. Some commenters also criticize hydrogen's overall efficiency compared to battery electric vehicles, citing energy losses in production, storage, and transport. A few express interest in the technology, but the overall sentiment leans towards practicality concerns and doubts about hydrogen's future in personal transportation.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43261593
HN users generally enjoyed the Sutro Tower website, praising its interactive elements, detailed information, and overall aesthetic. Several expressed nostalgia for growing up near the tower and appreciated learning more about its history and function. Some technically-minded commenters discussed the types of antennas used, the challenges of broadcasting from the location, and the complexities of maintaining such a structure. A few questioned the actual necessity of Sutro Tower in the modern era of cable and internet streaming, sparking a brief debate about the continued relevance of over-the-air broadcasting for emergency situations and underserved communities. There were also some lighthearted jabs about the tower's appearance, with one commenter comparing it to something out of a dystopian sci-fi film.
The Hacker News post "Explore Sutro Tower" with the ID 43261593 has a modest number of comments, sparking a discussion around the iconic San Francisco landmark and the website created to explore it virtually.
Several commenters express appreciation for the website, praising its detailed model and the ability to "walk around" the structure virtually. One user calls it "pretty awesome," while another describes it as "really cool," highlighting the enjoyment of exploring the tower's intricate details from the comfort of their home. This sentiment is echoed by others who find the virtual exploration satisfying, especially given the real-world tower's inaccessibility to the public.
Some comments shift the focus to the tower's history and impact. One commenter mentions the tower's controversial beginnings and its enduring presence in the San Francisco skyline, becoming a recognizable symbol of the city. Another delves into the technical aspects, discussing the different types of antennas hosted on the tower and their respective functions, offering insight into the structure's role in broadcasting.
A thread develops around the visual impact of Sutro Tower. One user humorously likens it to a "giant robot spider," while another shares a personal anecdote about seeing the fog roll over the tower, creating a captivating visual. This sparks a brief discussion about the tower's aesthetic appeal, with differing opinions on its beauty.
Finally, a few commenters express their interest in learning more about the tower's interior and construction. They propose features for the website, like a "dollhouse" view or cross-sectional diagrams, that would allow for further exploration of the tower's inner workings. This suggests a desire for even more detailed information and a deeper understanding of the structure's engineering.