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Joined 2 years ago
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Cake day: June 21st, 2023

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  • So to expand on these, because a lot of people seem to think “it’s because they cared”, that’s only partially it.

    Back before faster travel methods, if you wanted a small bird for any reason and it had to travel any significant distance, you would assume at least a 75% fatality rate from stress, with that increasing to roughly 90% over greater distances.

    So canaries and finches were expensive, and unless your mine was close to a port city, you’d be traveling 3-4 days at least. Need 4 canaries? Better buy 40.







  • Pretty much this. The US will now end up with an automotive ecosystem (including fun things like ambulances, firetrucks, buses, etc) where everything is built as cheaply and dangerously as possibly profitable (see: Pinto et al). Sure, the autos we build here aren’t going to be able to be sold anywhere with a functioning regulatory body, but that’s OK because we managed to save $20 on each car we build by not having to include pesky things like airbags or a steering column that won’t impale you in a crash or a body that won’t telescope into you and crush you.