"The Human Alphabet," published in 1848, presents a whimsical yet structured exploration of letterforms created by contorting the human body. Engraved by artist Edward Lumley, the illustrations depict men, women, and children individually and in groups, painstakingly arranged to mimic each letter of the alphabet. The poses range from simple to complex, demonstrating both the flexibility of the human form and the ingenuity required to achieve these typographic representations. Ultimately, the work serves as a playful intersection of art, anatomy, and typography, offering a unique visual interpretation of the alphabet.
Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving unit, plans to expand its autonomous vehicle testing to over ten new US cities. Focusing on trucking and delivery services, Waymo will leverage its existing experience in Phoenix and San Francisco to gather data and refine its technology in diverse environments. This expansion aims to bolster the development and eventual commercial deployment of their autonomous driving systems for both passenger and freight transport.
HN commenters are generally skeptical of Waymo's expansion plans. Several point out that Waymo's current operational areas are geographically limited and relatively simple to navigate compared to more complex urban environments. Some question the viability of truly driverless technology in the near future, citing the ongoing need for human intervention and the difficulty of handling unpredictable situations. Others express concern about the safety implications of widespread autonomous vehicle deployment, particularly in densely populated areas. There's also discussion of the regulatory hurdles and public acceptance challenges that Waymo and other autonomous vehicle companies face. Finally, some commenters suggest Waymo's announcement is primarily a PR move designed to attract investment and maintain public interest.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43028300
Hacker News users discussed the historical context and artistic merit of human alphabets. Some noted similar formations depicted in older works, like a 15th-century manuscript. Several appreciated the diversity represented by including non-Western alphabets, pointing out examples from Ethiopia and India. There was debate about the practicality and accuracy of the formations, with some questioning how legible or standardized they truly were, particularly for languages with larger character sets. Others found the concept aesthetically pleasing and fascinating, appreciating the ingenuity and creativity of representing language through the human body. A few comments focused on the photographer's skill in capturing these intricate poses. The overall sentiment leaned toward appreciation for the historical curiosity and visual appeal of the human alphabets.
The Hacker News post titled "The Human Alphabet" links to a Public Domain Review collection of images depicting people forming letters of the alphabet. The discussion in the comments section is relatively brief and doesn't delve deeply into any particular theme. There aren't any highly compelling or insightful comments that stand out significantly.
One commenter simply expresses appreciation for the link, stating "This is cool." Another comment mentions a specific instance of this type of alphabet formation being used in a performance, recalling how school children formed the letters "USSR" on a field during a visit by Khrushchev.
A third comment shifts the focus slightly, linking to a Wikipedia article about semaphore, a system of visual signaling using flags or hand-held devices. This comment implies a connection between the human alphabet and other forms of visual communication where body posture conveys information.
The final comment points out the historical aspect of the images, noting they are from the 19th century, and then speculates on their potential use in silent films. This introduces a possible practical application of the human alphabet beyond mere artistic expression.
While these comments provide some additional context and related ideas, they don't constitute a deep or complex discussion of the topic. The overall sentiment is one of mild appreciation for the visual curiosity of the human alphabet.