### Issue 2237 - Friday 13th December, 2024

## In Today's Issue

- SA premier sucked in by Jonathan Haidt's weak science on child social media use
- Android XR is Google's version of Apple's visionOS
- LG ends production of Blu-ray players
- Chart Your Fart, for science
- Friday Forum Update
- Cheap Shure mic, Optus pre-paid, IKEA speaker, Sonos Ray soundbar, Command & Conquer remastered

## The News

### SA premier sucked in by Jonathan Haidt's weak science on child social media use

Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation book is probably the biggest reason why we have a law to ban kids under 16 from social media. The book managed to capture a certain part of society that then managed to influence the government and here we are. If it was a good book with solid evidence and lots of research that wouldn't be so bad - the problem is this book sucks and many academics who study this stuff agree. Cam Wilson over at Crikey (I know that guy!) managed to get some emails between Haidt and the South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas via an FoI where Haidt calls out certain researchers as "sceptics" and claims to have "a ton of evidence" (that wasn't in the book, lol). Cam then contacted those researchers, showed them what Haidt said about them and got their responses.

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### Android XR is Google's version of Apple's visionOS

Android XR is "a new operating system built for this next generation of computing" that Google created with Samsung and Qualcomm that will "transform how you watch, work and explore" - it's essentially Google's answer to Apple's visionOS. Here's a little hype video Google cooked up for developers. There's no new hardware but the announcement blog post mentions that "Android XR will also support glasses for all-day help in the future. We want there to be lots of choices of stylish, comfortable glasses you'll love to wear every day and that work seamlessly with your other Android devices". If I have to wear glasses anyways because of my shit eyes, I may as well make them a bit more useful. The Verge got to try out a prototype and they're quite positive about it.

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### LG ends production of Blu-ray players

LG is ending production of Blu-ray players so when stock runs out that's it. LG is still producing Blu-ray mechanisms so they can make new players should the market pick up again but what are the chances of that? I think LG hasn't sold any in Australia for years, plus Sony and Panasonic still make excellent units so it's not like you can't buy new players, but it still stings a little as Blu-ray is the best way to watch a movie at home and I won't be convinced otherwise. I pirate movies like crazy but if I watch something really good I'll buy a copy of it on Blu-ray just so I know nobody can ever take that away from me. I'll be very sad when/if physical media for new movies stops being a thing.

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## Something I Saw On The Internet

### Chart Your Fart, for science

Andy let me know about an app from the CSIRO called Chart Your Fart. As the press release explains: "people aged 14 or older are being asked to track their flatulence for at least three days in total, using the free Chart Your Fart phone app. Participants will track the quantity and quality of their outputs, including attributes such as stench, loudness, duration, linger and detectability. By sharing their fluffs, people will help to create a chart of what ‘normal’ wind may look like in different groups of Australians". Thank you Andy, I hope your farts assist in the progress of medical science.

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## Friday Forum Update

Here's five interesting discussions over on The Sizzle's paid subscriber forum for you to enjoy over the weekend. If you are not a paid subscriber but want to get involved, visit https://thesizzle.com.au/payme to get onboard.

- netizen asks about the ideal RAID config for a 4-bay NAS
- petecohen is after a new multimeter for some hobby work
- An old thread about usenet server recommendations got a bit of action this week
- As did a thread about bags, with LiamJM nerding out about em
- Bit of chatter about Google's quantum computing announcement you might find interesting

## Bargains

- Shure SM7DB microphone - $635 from Videopro
- Optus 365-day pre-paid SIM with 280GB data, unlimited calls & SMS - $130 after cashback via Cashrewards
- IKEA SYMFONISK bookshelf smart speaker (2nd gen) - $150 at IKEA
- Sonos Ray soundbar - $206 at The Good Guys
- Command & Conquer Remastered Collection for PC - $2.99 via Steam

## Image Of The Day

Temporary Telstra base set up at Duffy shopping centre after the Canberra bushfires, 27 January 2003 (Tony Miller / National Library of Australia)

## The End

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The Sizzle is created on Wathaurong land and acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, recognising their continuing connection to land, water and community. I pay my respect to them and their cultures and to elders both past and present.