Top 10 Hacker News posts, summarized
HN discussion
(942 points, 114 comments)
The provided URL leads to a single-page printable calendar for the year 2026. The creator's intent is to allow users to view an entire year at a glance, suitable for printing on any paper size by adjusting print settings to landscape. The calendar is designed to be carried, annotated for note-taking, and used for planning, with an emphasis on observing the passage of time and being kind to others.
Commenters generally found the one-page calendar concept useful and appreciated its clean design for habit tracking and year-long planning. Several users requested or pointed out variations, such as an "aligned-weekdays" layout, options for monthly or quarterly breakdowns to allow for larger writing spaces, and ways to hide interface elements like modals for better print preview. Others shared similar tools they use or have developed, including JavaScript implementations, Google Sheets templates, and even a physical e-ink device calendar. The technical aspect of printable CSS was also highlighted as a valuable web feature.
HN discussion
(669 points, 290 comments)
Unable to access content: The provided URL leads to a Substack post that requires an account or subscription to view. Therefore, the content of the article could not be retrieved.
The discussion primarily revolves around the author's personal memoir of growing up in "Factory 404," a secret nuclear industrial city in China's Gobi Desert. Commenters express fascination with the author's unique and hidden childhood experience, highlighting the surreal aspects such as elite scientists living alongside laborers, a zoo in the desert, and a classified welfare system. Several users share related personal anecdotes, including experiences with closed cities in Russia and a town in Pennsylvania that adopted a factory line number as its name. Some comments touch upon the perceived authoritarian nature of the environment, with one user recalling a story of guards shooting randomly outside an office and another referencing the harsh realities of the One-Child Policy and the dangers of radioactive material containment. There is also a brief, isolated discussion regarding the presence of AI-generated content in the comments section.
HN discussion
(678 points, 254 comments)
This article explores how modern HTML features, alongside CSS, can reduce the reliance on JavaScript for common UI patterns. It highlights the use of `
HN commenters expressed mixed reactions to replacing JavaScript with HTML. While many appreciated the potential for simpler, more performant UIs, some pointed out the limitations of new HTML features. For example, `
HN discussion
(214 points, 96 comments)
Unable to access content: The article URL provided leads to a page that is returning a 404 Not Found error. The content of the article cannot be retrieved.
The discussion largely revolves around the utility and implementation of an application designed to detect thermal throttling on macOS. Several users suggest existing alternatives, such as "brew install stats" and a tool called "Hot," as readily available solutions. The feasibility of taking action against thermal throttling is questioned, with limited options for users to directly influence cooling behavior on Macs. Concerns are also raised about the potential for software to incorrectly identify thermal throttling when other issues, like low-power chargers, are the cause. Some comments express a desire for Apple to integrate such monitoring directly into the operating system. Additionally, the difficulty of developing for macOS and the impact of environmental factors like pet fur on cooling performance are mentioned.
HN discussion
(172 points, 82 comments)
The maintainer of Mockito has announced their intention to step down after nearly 10 years in the role, citing three primary reasons. The first is an "energy drain" caused by a breaking change in Mockito 5, which now requires it to function as a JVM agent due to changes in JVM security and dynamic attachment policies. The maintainer felt the transition was handled poorly, with insufficient collaborative feedback and a perception that Mockito was being pushed to adapt without adequate support. The second reason is the increasing complexity and maintenance burden introduced by Kotlin's unique JVM implementation, which often requires separate, intricate code paths within Mockito. The third reason is the rediscovery of joy in programming through contributions to other open-source projects, like Servo written in Rust, which are now preferred over Mockito due to the aforementioned challenges.
The maintainer emphasizes that this decision is about their personal energy and fulfillment, not a critique of others' potential contributions. They believe a decade is a good milestone for a smooth transition to new maintainers who may have different motivations and enjoy working with Kotlin. They still wholeheartedly recommend engaging in open-source volunteering.
Several commenters expressed their appreciation for the outgoing maintainer's decade of work and acknowledged the often-unsustainable reliance of open-source projects on a few individuals, as highlighted by the XKCD reference. A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the JVM agent change, with users questioning the necessity of dynamic attachment, the impact of breaking changes on enterprise adoption, and seeking clarification on the specifics of the JVM's "Integrity by Default" policy, which aims to prevent components from violating invariants established by others.
There was also a notable discussion about the challenges of supporting Kotlin within Mockito. Some commenters agreed that Kotlin's distinct JVM behavior creates maintenance difficulties and suggested that Kotlin users might be better served by Kotlin-specific mocking frameworks. Others defended Mockito's utility even in Kotlin projects and noted that the decision to support Kotlin in the first place was a deliberate choice. A few users shared negative experiences with mocking in general, suggesting that it can lead to brittle tests and bad development habits, advocating for "fakes" or simpler dummy implementations instead.
HN discussion
(158 points, 19 comments)
Scratchapixel.com offers free, beginner-friendly computer graphics lessons structured to prioritize hands-on results before delving into theoretical explanations. The site's mathematical section serves as a reference for concepts introduced in other lessons. The primary goal is to provide accessible education in computer graphics, aiming to demystify complex topics for aspiring graphics programmers.
Commenters expressed strong appreciation for the free and open educational resource, highlighting the need for such content given the traditional scarcity of accessible graphics knowledge. Several users resonated with the struggle of learning modern graphics APIs like Vulkan without a solid foundation in fundamentals, suggesting that starting with software rasterizers and ray tracers is a valuable approach. There was also feedback regarding the website's user experience, with suggestions for improving donation visibility and contact methods beyond Discord. The author's responsiveness to previous feedback, specifically regarding AI thumbnails, was also positively noted.
HN discussion
(147 points, 27 comments)
The article "What an unprocessed photo looks like" explains the complex processing that occurs between a camera's sensor capturing light and a viewable image appearing on a screen. Initially, a camera sensor captures raw data as a grayscale image because each pixel is covered by a single color filter (red, green, or blue). To reconstruct color, a process called demosaicing is used, which interpolates color information from neighboring pixels. This raw data is also not directly displayable due to its wide dynamic range and linear light representation, which appears too dark on standard monitors. Adjustments for brightness, gamma correction, and white balance are necessary to make the image appear as humans perceive it, similar to post-processing adjustments made by photographers.
The author emphasizes that the final image produced by a camera is not an "unedited" photo but a heavily processed representation of the raw sensor data. The camera's internal algorithms perform many of the same operations as manual editing software, such as contrast and white balance adjustments. Replicating human visual perception on display technology is challenging, and the camera's automated processing aims to create a pleasing and accurate rendition of the scene.
Commenters found the explanation of raw photo processing to be insightful and valuable, particularly for those who request "unprocessed" photos without fully understanding the technical requirements. Some noted that the author's choice of a Christmas tree under artificial light was a challenging example but appreciated the detailed breakdown of steps like demosaicing and gamma correction. The discussion touched upon the limitations of monitor display technology and the role of gamma correction in presenting linear data, with some users pointing out that advanced algorithms already handle the "green cast" by prioritizing green for luminance data due to human visual sensitivity. The comparison to video color grading and the push towards AI-driven image generation also emerged as relevant points.
HN discussion
(91 points, 71 comments)
The article argues that software engineers, particularly those in large tech companies, should adopt a "little bit of cynicism" to navigate their work effectively and avoid falling into traps of excessive idealism or cynicism. The author posits that a moderate dose of cynicism is necessary for clear thinking about organizational dynamics, preventing engineers from being overly trusting or overly disillusioned. He contends that much of what is perceived as "idealist" writing in software engineering actually presents a highly cynical view of the world and human motivations.
Conversely, the author suggests that a more pragmatic, "cynical" approach of understanding and engaging with the political realities of large organizations is, in fact, more idealistic in its pursuit of positive impact. He believes that meaningful change in large systems is achieved through navigating organizational structures and influencing direction, rather than through isolated acts of purity. This perspective views engaging in the "messy, political process" as a way to steer large companies towards better outcomes for users, akin to public service ideals but with greater potential for individual leverage.
Commenters largely agreed with the author's core premise that a balanced, pragmatic view is essential for navigating corporate environments, with some finding his writings more realistic than typical online discussions. However, a significant portion of the discussion focused on the extent to which engineers should compromise their principles for organizational alignment. Several users expressed skepticism about the ability of large tech companies' leadership to prioritize user value over shareholder interests, suggesting that even "good software" is secondary.
A strong theme emerged regarding the potential for engineers to transcend traditional employment, with some advocating for consultancy or leadership roles to gain autonomy. Others highlighted the inherent conflicts within large corporations, referencing antitrust litigation and moral compromises made by employees, questioning the author's portrayal of leadership's intentions and the feasibility of positive change through internal influence alone. The definition of "cynical" and "idealistic" was also debated, with some suggesting the author was advocating for stoicism rather than cynicism.
HN discussion
(72 points, 44 comments)
This article questions the necessity and cost of CEO roles in light of escalating executive pay, particularly in comparison to average employee wages and government aid received by companies. It uses examples like Foxtons and Ocado to highlight significant pay disparities and suggests that if an executive assistant can perform a substantial portion of a CEO's duties, and given the increasing trend of automation, the role of the CEO itself might be automatable. The piece argues that human decision-making is prone to biases, making strategic roles expensive and potentially suitable for software-driven "decision intelligence."
The article acknowledges the risks of automation, citing failures in AI applications, but posits that top-level strategic decisions, often debated and scrutinized, are different from these past failures. It points to the success of automated scheduling in Hong Kong's transit system as an example of effective automated management. Ultimately, it proposes that companies and investors should consider whether machines could perform CEO duties effectively and cost-efficiently, questioning the current high expense associated with the role.
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the perceived non-automatable nature of the CEO role, emphasizing "soft skills," human connection, networking, and leadership as key components that AI currently cannot replicate. Commenters argue that the job is fundamentally about human interaction, vision selling, and managing complex interpersonal dynamics, rather than purely data-driven decision-making. There's also skepticism about AI's current capabilities, with some stating AI is not "remotely competitive" at such complex tasks or that building "psychopathic AI's" (necessary for potentially ruthless executive decisions) is still frowned upon.
Another theme is the potential for automation to simply shift the "surplus" to those who provide the automation, rather than eliminating it entirely. Concerns are also raised about the ethical implications of potentially more ruthless AI executives and the legal responsibilities that current CEOs hold, questioning whether these can be delegated to automation. Some comments note the article's age, suggesting the discussion might be outdated given the rapid advancements in AI, while others point out that AI lacks the clear reward functions and feedback loops inherent in executive decision-making.
HN discussion
(56 points, 26 comments)
Unable to access content: The provided URL leads to a newsroom article that is dated December 28, 2025. As of the current date, this article is in the future and thus inaccessible.
Comments generally reflect on Lou Gerstner's significant impact on IBM during a critical period. Many attribute the company's survival and turnaround to his leadership, noting his role in shifting IBM's focus towards services and business automation, particularly in response to the rise of the internet. His tenure is characterized by radical changes, including substantial layoffs and a move away from the company's traditional lifetime employment practice. There is also acknowledgment of his blunt communication style and the cultural changes he enacted. Some comments also highlight specific strategic decisions, such as investment in Linux and the divestiture of real estate holdings, which are seen as crucial to IBM's financial stability and eventual reinvention. However, one comment also points out a perceived lack of technical leadership during his turnaround, suggesting it was a missed opportunity for deeper transformation. A separate comment expresses disapproval of his past role as CEO of a tobacco company.
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