FluentSubs offers a Duolingo-like language learning experience using real-world content sourced from news articles and podcasts. Users complete interactive exercises, including fill-in-the-blanks, multiple-choice, and listening comprehension, based on authentic materials. This approach aims to provide more engaging and relevant practice with contemporary language and real-world contexts than traditional language learning methods. The platform currently offers exercises in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Japanese.
A massive power outage plunged 14 of Chile's 16 regions into darkness, impacting millions and prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. The blackout, attributed to a technical failure at a key substation, disrupted essential services including hospitals, transportation, and communications. Authorities worked to restore power, prioritizing critical infrastructure, while investigating the cause of the widespread failure.
Hacker News users discuss potential causes for the widespread blackout in Chile, including aging infrastructure, lack of investment in the grid, and the strain of increasing demand. Some speculate about cyberattacks, though no evidence is presented to support this theory. Others highlight the vulnerability of modern societies to such outages and the potential for cascading failures. A few commenters point out the irony of a blackout occurring in a country with significant renewable energy resources, suggesting a need for improved grid management and energy storage solutions. Several commenters from Chile offer firsthand accounts, describing the situation on the ground and correcting some of the initial reports in the linked article.
The Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea, nicknamed the "Hotel of Doom," remains unfinished and unopened despite decades of construction. Recent photos offer a glimpse inside the colossal 105-story pyramid-shaped structure, revealing bare concrete interiors and a lack of fixtures or furnishings. Although exterior lighting and some window panes have been installed, suggesting intermittent progress, the building's interior appears far from completion. Originally envisioned as a symbol of North Korean ingenuity and a luxury hotel, the Ryugyong Hotel has become a notorious symbol of the country's economic struggles and broken promises.
HN commenters discuss the Ryugyong Hotel's history, noting its construction coincided with the fall of the Soviet Union and subsequent economic hardship for North Korea, halting progress. Some express skepticism about its true "emptiness," suggesting possible internal use by the regime or as a surveillance hub. Others point to the hotel as a symbol of North Korean propaganda and failed ambitions. The practicality of its pyramid shape is questioned, with comments suggesting its form was chosen for symbolic, not functional, reasons. The discussion also touches on the challenges and ethical considerations of tourism in North Korea. Several users highlight the difficulty of verifying information coming out of the country.
A US judge ruled in favor of Thomson Reuters, establishing a significant precedent in AI copyright law. The ruling affirmed that Westlaw, Reuters' legal research platform, doesn't infringe copyright by using data from rival legal databases like Casetext to train its generative AI models. The judge found the copied material constituted fair use because the AI uses the data differently than the original databases, transforming the information into new formats and features. This decision indicates that using copyrighted data for AI training might be permissible if the resulting AI product offers a distinct and transformative function compared to the original source material.
HN commenters generally agree that Westlaw's terms of service likely prohibit scraping, regardless of copyright implications. Several point out that training data is generally considered fair use, and question whether the judge's decision will hold up on appeal. Some suggest the ruling might create a chilling effect on open-source LLMs, while others argue that large companies will simply absorb the licensing costs. A few commenters see this as a positive outcome, forcing AI companies to pay for the data they use. The discussion also touches upon the potential for increased competition and innovation if smaller players can access data more affordably than licensing Westlaw's content.
Summary of Comments ( 105 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43543235
HN users generally praised the idea and execution of FluentSubs, particularly its use of real-world content like news clips for language learning. Some expressed interest in adding support for additional languages beyond the currently offered Spanish, French, and German. Several commenters discussed the challenges of acquiring and licensing copyrighted news material. One user pointed out potential accessibility issues for deaf or hard-of-hearing learners. Others suggested improvements like slowing down audio, adding visual aids, and incorporating spaced repetition. There was also a discussion about the effectiveness of Duolingo's gamified approach versus more traditional language learning methods.
The Hacker News post "Show HN: Duolingo-style exercises but with real-world content like the news" linking to https://app.fluentsubs.com/exercises/daily sparked a discussion with several interesting comments.
Many users praised the idea of using real-world content for language learning, finding it more engaging and relevant than traditional textbook exercises. One commenter specifically appreciated the connection to current events, stating it could make learning more motivating. Another echoed this sentiment, adding that using real-world materials allows learners to encounter natural language and colloquialisms they might not find in structured courses.
Several users discussed the technical aspects of the platform. One asked about the source of the transcripts and how accuracy was ensured, highlighting concerns about potential errors in automatically generated transcripts. The creator of the platform, who actively participated in the thread, responded explaining they use a combination of human-created and AI-generated transcripts, with plans to improve accuracy and add features like manual transcript correction. This exchange demonstrated a focus on quality and responsiveness to user feedback.
The pricing model also came under discussion. Some users questioned the subscription-based model, comparing it to free alternatives like Anki. The creator defended the pricing by explaining it covered costs like transcript generation and server maintenance, and also highlighted the value proposition of curated content and a user-friendly interface. This prompted further discussion about the balance between free and paid language learning resources, with some users advocating for open-source solutions.
A few commenters shared their personal experience using the platform, offering both praise and constructive criticism. One user complimented the user interface and the selection of content but suggested adding features like speed control for the audio. Another user appreciated the innovative approach but pointed out the potential difficulty of understanding complex topics in a foreign language.
Finally, the conversation touched upon broader topics related to language acquisition. One commenter emphasized the importance of active recall and spaced repetition, suggesting these techniques could be further integrated into the platform. Another discussed the challenges of learning different language families, highlighting the potential benefits of tailoring the exercises to specific linguistic structures.
Overall, the comments section reflects a generally positive reception to the platform, with users appreciating the innovative approach of using real-world content for language learning. The discussion also highlighted technical considerations, pricing concerns, and user experience feedback, providing valuable insights for the platform's development.