Readit News logoReadit News
akashshah87 commented on Quanta to publish popular math and physics books by Terence Tao and David Tong   simonsfoundation.org/2025... · Posted by u/digital55
srean · 16 days ago
I might be unusual in the sense that in my teens I absolutely adored Asimov as a writer of non-fiction rather than as a sci-fi author.

For the current generation, I never miss a chance to mention Gamow's non-fiction.

It's unfortunate that works of great non-fiction writers evaporate away from our cultural consciousness after their death.

It makes me sad that there will be a generation, or maybe it's already upon us, one that has not delighted in Martin Gardner.

akashshah87 · 16 days ago
>> I might be unusual in the sense that in my teens I absolutely adored Asimov as a writer of non-fiction rather than as a sci-fi author.

That's because he was only the second-best sci-fi writer but the best science writer in the world at the time [Clarke-Asimov Treaty of Park Avenue|https://sfandfantasy.co.uk/php/the-big-3.php]

akashshah87 commented on Weighted Selection Process for Those Seeking to File H-1B Petitions [pdf]   public-inspection.federal... · Posted by u/akashshah87
akashshah87 · 3 months ago
Summary from ChatGPT:

- DHS proposes replacing the random H-1B lottery with a weighted system based on wage levels (higher wage = higher chance).

- Weighting scheme: Wage Level I = 1 entry, II = 2, III = 3, IV = 4.

- Goal: favor higher-skilled/higher-paid workers while still leaving a chance for lower wage levels.

- Differs from the 2020 rule (rank-order by wage); this uses probability weighting, not exclusion.

akashshah87 commented on The United States withdraws from UNESCO   state.gov/releases/office... · Posted by u/layer8
akashshah87 · 5 months ago
“The U.S. began defunding UNESCO under Obama after it admitted Palestine as a full member—and then withdrew entirely during Trump’s first term.” — [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/world/europe/us-withdraw-...)

This isn’t just a blip, but part of a long-term downward trajectory in U.S. and UNESCO relations.

akashshah87 commented on Changes since congestion pricing started in New York   nytimes.com/interactive/2... · Posted by u/Vinnl
mcswell · 7 months ago
There was a time when there were no automobiles in New York City, but there was lots of public transportation. (Ok, there were horses and the consequent manure, and the population was way smaller then. But still...)
akashshah87 · 7 months ago
The population of Manhattan peaked in the 1910s. Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographic_history_of_New_Yor...
akashshah87 commented on New York medical school eliminates tuition after $1B gift   bbc.com/news/world-us-can... · Posted by u/verve_rat
Scoundreller · 2 years ago
Does the US let you forego capital gains taxes on unrealized gains when you donate stock, along with whatever benefit you get from donating money?

As a salaryman, I wish I got to donate pre-tax amounts! I get some credits, but if your income is high enough, it doesn’t even cover the taxes already paid.

akashshah87 · 2 years ago
Yes, donating stock means you avoid capital gains. But even more relevant in this case is that she likely inherited the Berkshire stock from her husband which also resets the cost basis which means she wouldn't have had to pay capital gains even if she had sold the portfolio instead of donating.
akashshah87 commented on Goldman Sachs reportedly said Apple Card savings account was a mistake   9to5mac.com/2023/10/16/ap... · Posted by u/ksec
akashshah87 · 2 years ago
>> as all cardholders get their bills on the same date, giving customer service reps a huge peak in workload.

A real world manifestation of the thundering herd problem

u/akashshah87

KarmaCake day193September 11, 2018View Original