Harvey Silverglate's book, "Three Felonies a Day," argues that the average American unknowingly commits three felonies daily due to the vast and often vague nature of federal criminal law. The proliferation of broadly worded statutes, coupled with expansive interpretations by prosecutors, allows for the criminalization of acts that individuals wouldn't perceive as illegal. This creates a system where selective prosecution becomes easy, allowing the government to target almost anyone they choose. Silverglate illustrates this with examples of seemingly innocuous actions that could be construed as felonies, highlighting the potential for abuse and the erosion of due process. The book serves as a cautionary tale about the overreach of federal power and the dangers of an overly complex and opaque legal system.
This 2013 Cell Reports study investigated brain connectivity in children with autism. Using fMRI, researchers found increased local connectivity in the posterior insula and reduced long-range connectivity between the insula and other brain regions, specifically visual and default mode network areas, in autistic children compared to typically developing children. This atypical connectivity pattern correlated with social deficits, suggesting that over-connected local circuits within the insula may disrupt its ability to integrate information from other brain areas crucial for social cognition. This local overconnectivity could potentially lead to an internally focused processing style, contributing to the social challenges observed in autism.
HN users discuss the study's methodology and implications. Some express skepticism about fMRI's ability to accurately measure "hyperconnectivity" and question whether the observed differences are causative or merely correlated with autism. Others point out the small sample size and the difficulty of controlling for comorbidities like ADHD. The most compelling comments highlight the need for longitudinal studies to understand how brain connectivity changes over time in autistic individuals and whether these changes influence social development. Several commenters also caution against interpreting the findings as inherently negative, suggesting that "hyperconnectivity" could represent a different, not necessarily deficient, way of processing information. A few personal anecdotes from autistic individuals offer valuable perspectives on the lived experience of autism and the diversity within the autistic community.
This blog post presents a simple bookmarklet designed to remove fixed position headers on websites. The author, frustrated by obstructive sticky headers, created a JavaScript snippet that can be saved as a bookmark. When clicked, this bookmarklet iterates through all elements on the current page, identifies those with a fixed position (typically headers), and sets their position to static, effectively removing the sticky behavior. The post highlights the bookmarklet's effectiveness in reclaiming screen real estate and improving the browsing experience. It also includes the code snippet for easy copying and implementation.
Hacker News users generally praised the bookmarklet for its simplicity and effectiveness in removing annoying sticky headers. Some users expressed concerns about potential website breakage, while others offered alternative solutions like browser extensions (e.g., uBlock Origin) or Stylish. A few commenters suggested improvements to the bookmarklet's code, such as handling elements with position: fixed differently or providing an option to restore the original header. The discussion also touched upon the broader issue of intrusive web design and the ongoing battle between users and websites trying to maximize ad revenue. One commenter even shared a personal anecdote about creating a similar tool years prior, highlighting the long-standing frustration with sticky headers.
This study examines the prohibition of purple clothing for non-imperial family members in ancient China, arguing it wasn't a consistent, empire-wide ban but rather a series of evolving regulations with varying degrees of enforcement. The authors analyze historical texts, including legal codes and anecdotal evidence, to demonstrate that while purple dye was indeed associated with imperial authority, the restrictions on its use fluctuated across different dynasties and were often targeted at specific ranks or social groups. Factors influencing these prohibitions included the availability and cost of purple dye, the desire to maintain social hierarchy, and the evolving symbolic significance of purple itself. The study concludes that understanding the “purple prohibition” requires a nuanced approach that considers the specific historical context rather than assuming a blanket ban across all of ancient Chinese history.
Hacker News users discussed the historical and cultural context of the prohibition of purple dyes in ancient China. Some highlighted the sumptuary laws' role in maintaining social hierarchies by restricting access to luxury goods like purple dye, often reserved for the emperor. Others questioned the paper's assertions, pointing to potential mistranslations and a lack of clarity around which specific "purple" dyes were prohibited. Several commenters noted the difficulty of determining the exact shades of historical colors and suggested that the forbidden dye might have been a specific, expensive shade, rather than all purple hues. The practicality of enforcing such a ban and the potential for black markets were also debated. Finally, a few users shared anecdotes and additional resources regarding historical dye production and the symbolic significance of colors in different cultures.
A 2013 study suggests that the introduction of iodized salt in the US during the early 20th century played a significant role in raising IQ levels, particularly in iodine-deficient regions. Researchers found a correlation between iodine levels in soil (and thus food) and IQ scores, demonstrating higher IQs in areas with more iodine and a notable increase in cognitive abilities in iodine-deficient areas after iodization programs were implemented. This suggests that a simple public health intervention like iodizing salt can have a profound impact on population-level cognitive performance.
Hacker News users discuss the complexities of attributing IQ gains solely to iodine. Several commenters highlight other potential contributing factors during the same period, such as improved nutrition, education, and reduced exposure to lead. Some express skepticism about the methodology used in the study, questioning the reliability of historical IQ data and the potential for confounding variables. Others point out the importance of iodine for overall health, especially for pregnant women and developing fetuses, regardless of its impact on IQ. The genetic component of intelligence is also raised, with some arguing that iodine supplementation primarily benefits those with pre-existing iodine deficiency, rather than boosting IQ across the board. A few users share anecdotes about the noticeable cognitive improvements they experienced after addressing their own iodine deficiencies.
Summary of Comments ( 24 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43742859
HN commenters discuss Harvey Silverglate's book and the idea that the average American unknowingly commits three felonies daily due to the overabundance and complexity of laws. Several express concern about the erosion of mens rea (criminal intent) in many laws, leading to situations where individuals can be prosecuted for actions they didn't realize were illegal. Some debate the accuracy of Silverglate's "three felonies" claim, viewing it as hyperbole, while others find it plausible given the vastness of the legal code. A few commenters point out the potential for selective enforcement and abuse of power this legal complexity creates, while others highlight the difficulty of proving intent even in cases where it exists. The discussion also touches on the expansion of regulatory offenses, victimless crimes, and the contrast between the public perception of crime and the realities of the legal system. Some share personal anecdotes of encountering obscure or complex regulations, reinforcing the idea that everyday actions can unintentionally violate laws.
The Hacker News post titled "You Commit Three Felonies a Day (2013)" has generated a substantial discussion with over 100 comments. Many of the comments revolve around the overcriminalization of everyday life and the expansion of vague and broadly interpretable laws, echoing the article's main point.
Several commenters highlight the potential for selective enforcement and the disproportionate impact these laws can have on certain demographics. One compelling comment emphasizes the danger of such broad laws being used to target specific individuals or groups, even if they haven't committed any real harm. They express concern that these laws can be exploited for political purposes or to silence dissent.
Another recurring theme is the erosion of trust in authority and the legal system. Commenters argue that the sheer number of obscure and potentially applicable felonies creates an environment where everyone is technically a criminal, undermining respect for the law. This, some suggest, leads to a sense of apathy and disengagement from civic duty.
Several commenters discuss specific examples of laws they find particularly absurd or problematic. Some mention regulations related to software, online activities, and intellectual property. Others bring up instances of seemingly minor infractions leading to severe penalties.
A few commenters offer a more nuanced perspective, acknowledging the need for some regulations but emphasizing the importance of clarity and proportionality in the legal system. They argue that overly complex and broad laws make it difficult for individuals and businesses to comply, creating a system where ignorance is no defense.
Some of the most compelling comments delve into the historical context of this legal expansion, linking it to various factors like lobbying by special interest groups, the "war on drugs," and the increasing digitization of life. These commenters suggest that the proliferation of felonies is not accidental but rather a consequence of specific policy choices and societal trends.
Finally, a handful of commenters offer practical advice, suggesting strategies for navigating this complex legal landscape. These include staying informed about relevant laws, being cautious about online activities, and consulting with legal professionals when necessary. However, the overall tone of the discussion remains one of concern and skepticism about the current state of the legal system.