The Smithsonian Magazine is seeking help identifying a prolific yet unknown photographer who documented San Francisco street life in the 1960s. Thousands of color slides, discovered in a box at a flea market, offer vibrant snapshots of everyday life, fashion, architecture, and cars of the era. The photographer's identity remains a mystery, and the magazine hopes the public can help shed light on who this individual was and the story behind the remarkable collection.
The 2005 Sony Bravia advertisement, famous for its vibrant depiction of 250,000 bouncing rubber balls cascading down a San Francisco hill, was a significant cultural moment. Shot on location over several days, the ad aimed to showcase the vivid color capabilities of the new Bravia televisions. While digitally enhanced to add more balls and smooth out imperfections, the core of the ad used practical effects, relying on the natural bounce and movement of the balls. Its production involved meticulous planning, street closures, and the collaboration of numerous artists and technicians. The ad became a sensation, boosting Sony's brand and inspiring numerous imitations.
HN commenters largely discuss the effectiveness and memorability of the Bravia ad, with many recalling it vividly years later. Some analyze the technical aspects of its production, noting the lack of CGI and the challenges of shooting with 250,000 bouncy balls. Several compare it favorably to modern advertising, lamenting the perceived decline in creativity and impact. A few users question the practicality and cost of the ad, while others share anecdotes about similar projects or express skepticism about its authenticity. The overall sentiment is one of appreciation for the ad's unique and engaging approach.
Continue, a Y Combinator-backed startup building AI-powered coding tools, is hiring a software engineer in San Francisco. They're looking for a strong engineer with experience in areas like distributed systems, type-safe languages, and developer tooling. The ideal candidate will contribute to building core product features, scaling their infrastructure, and improving the developer experience. This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI technology and shape the future of coding.
HN commenters discuss the unusual job posting format, which presents as a series of challenges and puzzles rather than a traditional description. Several express skepticism, questioning the relevance of the puzzles to actual software engineering work and suggesting they might filter out otherwise qualified candidates. Some suspect the format is driven by a desire to go viral or attract specific personality types. Others appreciate the unconventional approach, viewing it as a way to identify creative problem-solvers and filter out those lacking genuine interest. The discussion also touches on the potentially high cost of living in San Francisco and the apparent focus on recent grads. A few commenters shared their experiences with the application process, with mixed results regarding its difficulty and relevance.
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.
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.
Vincent Woo created an interactive 3D model of San Francisco's Sutro Tower using the Gaussian Splatting technique. This allows users to virtually explore the intricate structure of the tower with impressive detail and smooth performance in a web browser. The model is based on a real-world point cloud captured with lidar, offering a realistic and immersive experience of this iconic landmark.
Hacker News users generally praised the Sutro Tower 3D model, calling it "amazing," "very cool," and "impressive." Several commenters appreciated the technical aspects, noting the clever use of Gaussian Splats and the smooth performance even on mobile devices. Some discussed the model's size and loading time, with one suggesting potential optimizations like level-of-detail rendering. Others compared it to other 3D capture techniques like photogrammetry, pointing out the differences in visual style and data requirements. A few commenters also shared personal anecdotes about Sutro Tower, reflecting on its iconic presence in San Francisco.
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.
Summary of Comments ( 31 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43392753
Hacker News users discussed the mystery photographer's skill, noting the compelling composition and subject matter of the photos. Some speculated on the photographer's possible professional background, suggesting they might have been a photojournalist or worked in advertising given the quality and volume of images. Several commenters focused on the technical aspects, discussing the likely camera and film used, and the challenges of street photography in that era. Others shared personal connections to San Francisco in the 1960s, adding context and reminiscing about the city during that time. A few users also suggested strategies for identifying the photographer, such as examining photo metadata or contacting local historical societies. The overall sentiment was one of appreciation for the discovered photos and a desire to uncover the photographer's identity.
The Hacker News post "Help Identify the Photographer Who Captured Many Images of 1960s San Francisco" has generated a modest number of comments, with a thread of discussion focusing on the potential identity of the photographer and the nature of his work.
One commenter highlights the prevalence of well-dressed individuals in the photographs, contrasting it with the "Summer of Love" stereotype often associated with San Francisco in the 1960s. They propose that the photographer may have been deliberately seeking out these "straights" as subjects, potentially as a form of personal preference or for a specific project. This observation sparks a brief discussion about the changing demographics of San Francisco during this period and the influx of young people seeking alternative lifestyles.
Another commenter focuses on the technical aspects of the photographs, noting the consistent use of a specific camera and lens, possibly a rangefinder. This observation leads to speculation about the photographer's background and the possibility of them being a professional or a serious amateur.
A few commenters share personal anecdotes about their experiences in San Francisco during the 1960s, reflecting on the city's vibrant atmosphere and diverse population. These comments, while not directly related to the photographer's identity, contribute to a broader discussion about the historical context of the images.
A commenter mentions the high quality of the street photography and expresses hope that the photographer's identity will be discovered, allowing for proper attribution and preservation of their work.
One commenter suggests checking local historical societies and archives for clues.
Overall, the comments reflect a genuine interest in the mystery surrounding the photographer and a shared appreciation for the historical value of the photographs. The discussion revolves around speculation about the photographer's motives, technical skills, and background, with some commenters sharing personal experiences that add context to the images. However, no definitive answers regarding the photographer's identity emerge within the comments.