Kevin Webb
@triangulator.org
Tinkering with semiconductors and copper for ebikes, cargo bikes, and things slightly larger.
Also curious about the pre/post-cloud internet (forecast: 🌤️).
Also curious about the pre/post-cloud internet (forecast: 🌤️).
The transformation that the bike industry is undergoing looks a lot like what’s happening to the automotive sector due to electrification. Very messy and long overdue.
The reckoning was triggered by reverberations from COVID supply shocks, but what’s happening is much larger.
The reckoning was triggered by reverberations from COVID supply shocks, but what’s happening is much larger.
NEW: Rad Power Bikes has told employees it will go out of business in January without new funding.
The company said in a staff email that it had a "very promising" option to stay alive, but whatever that was, it fell apart.
Story with @kirstenkorosec.bsky.social
techcrunch.com/2025/11/10/r...
The company said in a staff email that it had a "very promising" option to stay alive, but whatever that was, it fell apart.
Story with @kirstenkorosec.bsky.social
techcrunch.com/2025/11/10/r...
Rad Power Bikes faces shutdown in January without new funding | TechCrunch
The company is "still fighting to find ways to continue" according to an email viewed by TechCrunch.
techcrunch.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The transformation that the bike industry is undergoing looks a lot like what’s happening to the automotive sector due to electrification. Very messy and long overdue.
The reckoning was triggered by reverberations from COVID supply shocks, but what’s happening is much larger.
The reckoning was triggered by reverberations from COVID supply shocks, but what’s happening is much larger.
Reposted by Kevin Webb
“It is hard to imagine the world deploying $5 trillion of capital without at least some hiccups.” on.ft.com/43S8CiY
‘The global data centre and AI build-out will be an extraordinary and sustained capital markets event’
Inside JPMorgan’s big data centre report
on.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:10 PM
“It is hard to imagine the world deploying $5 trillion of capital without at least some hiccups.” on.ft.com/43S8CiY
While Meta/OpenAI are building city-sized data centers, groundbreaking research is happening on the average gaming PC:
Deep sequence models tend to memorize geometrically; it is unclear why
In sequence modeling, the parametric memory of atomic facts has been predominantly abstracted as a brute-force lookup of co-occurrences between entities. We contrast this associative view against a ge...
arxiv.org
November 9, 2025 at 2:51 PM
While Meta/OpenAI are building city-sized data centers, groundbreaking research is happening on the average gaming PC:
In concept I’m a huge fan of porting infrastructural code to Rust/memory safe languages, but shipping broken code — especially code that causes silent data loss — doesn’t help that cause.
`dd` incorrectly counts partial reads toward `count` limit, causing data loss in pipelines · Issue #9119 · uutils/coreutils
Summary uutils dd has a critical bug where partial reads from pipes are counted toward the count=N limit, causing premature termination and significant data loss. GNU dd correctly only counts full ...
github.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:28 PM
In concept I’m a huge fan of porting infrastructural code to Rust/memory safe languages, but shipping broken code — especially code that causes silent data loss — doesn’t help that cause.
Somebody at the body shop DIY’ed the compact pickup Detroit won’t build.
October 20, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Somebody at the body shop DIY’ed the compact pickup Detroit won’t build.
In large part, this is the difference between how China vs the US are investing in AI. Augmenting existing systems and human capacity and finding incremental value, vs betting everything on a winner takes all LLM godhead.
‘The lessons learned from investing in tech over the last 50 years are not the right ones to apply now. The way to invest in AI is to think through the implications of knowledge workers becoming more efficient, imagine what markets this unlocks, and invest in those.‘ joincolossus.com/article/ai-w...
AI Will Not Make You Rich
The disruption is real. It's also predictable.
joincolossus.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:00 AM
In large part, this is the difference between how China vs the US are investing in AI. Augmenting existing systems and human capacity and finding incremental value, vs betting everything on a winner takes all LLM godhead.
Reposted by Kevin Webb
If the federal show of force in Washington has had a deterrent effect on crime, it appears to have deterred entirely normal aspects of city life, too.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/u...
September 11, 2025 at 11:21 PM
If the federal show of force in Washington has had a deterrent effect on crime, it appears to have deterred entirely normal aspects of city life, too.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/u...
The NYC battery fire crisis is an employment classification problem. If Uber et al were liable for the destruction caused by their use of illegal bikes this problem would go away. Instead they’ve lobbied to shift responsibility on to workers making subsistence wages.
The Ire This Time: City Seeks the Power To Confiscate Unsafe E-Bike Batteries From Poor Delivery Workers - Streetsblog New York City
Uncertified batteries can no longer legally be sold in the city, but many workers are still using them because they are less expensive.
nyc.streetsblog.org
September 9, 2025 at 12:53 PM
The NYC battery fire crisis is an employment classification problem. If Uber et al were liable for the destruction caused by their use of illegal bikes this problem would go away. Instead they’ve lobbied to shift responsibility on to workers making subsistence wages.
Reposted by Kevin Webb
Glad to chat with Alex Roy and Joel Johnson on Tool Or Die last week;
China's car game is solid -- I can understand why some are blindsided and taken aback, but others....I don't know how they didn't see it coming. Give it a listen.
www.toolordie.com/p/why-does-k...
China's car game is solid -- I can understand why some are blindsided and taken aback, but others....I don't know how they didn't see it coming. Give it a listen.
www.toolordie.com/p/why-does-k...
Why Does Kevin Williams Keep Getting Static For Saying That Chinese Cars Are Good?
Western car makers keep thanking him for saying the things their bosses won't believe. Ep. 28
www.toolordie.com
July 15, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Glad to chat with Alex Roy and Joel Johnson on Tool Or Die last week;
China's car game is solid -- I can understand why some are blindsided and taken aback, but others....I don't know how they didn't see it coming. Give it a listen.
www.toolordie.com/p/why-does-k...
China's car game is solid -- I can understand why some are blindsided and taken aback, but others....I don't know how they didn't see it coming. Give it a listen.
www.toolordie.com/p/why-does-k...
Sinophobic petrostate fusionism
New: Trump has issued a new executive order targeting the solar and wind industries, instructing the Treasury Department to limit how many renewable energy projects can still claim clean electricity credits under OBBA
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Ending Market Distorting Subsidies for Unreliable, Foreign‑Controlled Energy Sources
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1.
www.whitehouse.gov
July 7, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Sinophobic petrostate fusionism
Hadn't seen this happen before: Claude dropped into Mandarin to explain that I was attempting to mix (混合) two different ideas in my request.
July 3, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Hadn't seen this happen before: Claude dropped into Mandarin to explain that I was attempting to mix (混合) two different ideas in my request.
Just posted a first draft of something I've been working on. Geoceiver began as part of an IoT project looking at ways to improve GNSS precision in urban environments. Turned out the data infrastructure powering GNSS is mostly text files shared on FTP sites, and it's holding back lots of R&D.
GitHub - geoceiver/ground-control: A high-performance GNSS data processing and archiving system
A high-performance GNSS data processing and archiving system - geoceiver/ground-control
github.com
July 2, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Just posted a first draft of something I've been working on. Geoceiver began as part of an IoT project looking at ways to improve GNSS precision in urban environments. Turned out the data infrastructure powering GNSS is mostly text files shared on FTP sites, and it's holding back lots of R&D.
This is such an important conversation and mirrors where I'm at on LLM use/value.
The critique got frozen in amber a 1-2 years ago, and is fueled by (valid) structural issues like energy, copyright, deepfakes, etc. But the tech continues to evolve in ways that are unrelated to these problems.
The critique got frozen in amber a 1-2 years ago, and is fueled by (valid) structural issues like energy, copyright, deepfakes, etc. But the tech continues to evolve in ways that are unrelated to these problems.
Last week, our colleague (and frequent Oxide and Friends guest) @steveklabnik.com made some new friends on the Internet with a blog entry on AI discourse. @bcantrill.bsky.social and I were joined by Steve to try to de-polarize the discussion a little.
youtu.be/Rpan3XUT3AE
youtu.be/Rpan3XUT3AE
Oxide and Friends 6/2/2025 -- AI Discourse with Steve Klabnik
YouTube video by Oxide Computer Company
youtu.be
June 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
This is such an important conversation and mirrors where I'm at on LLM use/value.
The critique got frozen in amber a 1-2 years ago, and is fueled by (valid) structural issues like energy, copyright, deepfakes, etc. But the tech continues to evolve in ways that are unrelated to these problems.
The critique got frozen in amber a 1-2 years ago, and is fueled by (valid) structural issues like energy, copyright, deepfakes, etc. But the tech continues to evolve in ways that are unrelated to these problems.
Great piece on BYD's $8,000 EV.
Also, fascinating tidbit about Shanghai banning small/inexpensive cars:
Also, fascinating tidbit about Shanghai banning small/inexpensive cars:
June 2, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Great piece on BYD's $8,000 EV.
Also, fascinating tidbit about Shanghai banning small/inexpensive cars:
Also, fascinating tidbit about Shanghai banning small/inexpensive cars:
"We have entered a feedback loop in which Sinophobia is both a byproduct and a driver of strategic rivalry. It fuels the antagonism, and the antagonism legitimizes the prejudice. And in the meantime, real people — scientists, students, ordinary Asian Americans — are swept up in it..."
We’ve Lost the Plot: Sinophobia and the Collateral Damage of American Primacy
What Visa Bans Teach America About Itself
www.sinicapodcast.com
May 31, 2025 at 11:14 PM
"We have entered a feedback loop in which Sinophobia is both a byproduct and a driver of strategic rivalry. It fuels the antagonism, and the antagonism legitimizes the prejudice. And in the meantime, real people — scientists, students, ordinary Asian Americans — are swept up in it..."
Big lesson from the last several years: 4a law isn't equipped to handle the harms embedded in pervasive surveillance tech like ALPR.
Also, lots of people (who don't support LE dragnets) ended up on the wrong side of the right to privacy in public fight because pervasive surveillance seemed useful.
Also, lots of people (who don't support LE dragnets) ended up on the wrong side of the right to privacy in public fight because pervasive surveillance seemed useful.
New from 404 Media: a cop in Texas performed a nationwide search of license plate reading cameras for a woman who got an abortion, according to multiple sets of data we've reviewed. Included cameras where abortion is legal, like Washington and Illinois www.404media.co/a-texas-cop-...
A Texas Cop Searched License Plate Cameras Nationwide for a Woman Who Got an Abortion
The sheriff said the woman self-administered the abortion and her family were concerned for her safety, so authorities searched through Flock cameras. Experts are still concerned that a cop in a state...
www.404media.co
May 29, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Big lesson from the last several years: 4a law isn't equipped to handle the harms embedded in pervasive surveillance tech like ALPR.
Also, lots of people (who don't support LE dragnets) ended up on the wrong side of the right to privacy in public fight because pervasive surveillance seemed useful.
Also, lots of people (who don't support LE dragnets) ended up on the wrong side of the right to privacy in public fight because pervasive surveillance seemed useful.
Astonishingly, the US bike lobby is attempting to get sectoral tariff relief by blaming a lack of protectionism and "cheap" foreign bike imports in the 1990s for the collapse of US manufacturing.
1) Bonkers logic.
2) US cos failure to respond to 90s trends like MTBs killed the domestic industry.
1) Bonkers logic.
2) US cos failure to respond to 90s trends like MTBs killed the domestic industry.
May 16, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Astonishingly, the US bike lobby is attempting to get sectoral tariff relief by blaming a lack of protectionism and "cheap" foreign bike imports in the 1990s for the collapse of US manufacturing.
1) Bonkers logic.
2) US cos failure to respond to 90s trends like MTBs killed the domestic industry.
1) Bonkers logic.
2) US cos failure to respond to 90s trends like MTBs killed the domestic industry.
As funny as this is to watch it looks like it's at least partly caused by the poor over the hood visibility of modern mega trucks. Unfortunately it's not just rocks these trucks run over, and in most crashes, the truck wins.
This video is perfect, especially when you learn it happened as this man was driving his Super Tough Man Truck™ into the parking lot of a business for "Self Reliance and Civilian Tactical Enthusiasts"
www.instagram.com/p/DJc9S_MsXND/
www.instagram.com/p/DJc9S_MsXND/
May 10, 2025 at 10:11 PM
As funny as this is to watch it looks like it's at least partly caused by the poor over the hood visibility of modern mega trucks. Unfortunately it's not just rocks these trucks run over, and in most crashes, the truck wins.
Reposted by Kevin Webb
Tariffs just got real: our first $36K bill with 125% + 20% + 25% markup hits hard 💸. These are upfront costs - due before selling a single unit - causing serious cash flow strain, price increases, read more! 📦 adafruit.com/tariffbill
#tariffs
#tariffs
May 8, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Tariffs just got real: our first $36K bill with 125% + 20% + 25% markup hits hard 💸. These are upfront costs - due before selling a single unit - causing serious cash flow strain, price increases, read more! 📦 adafruit.com/tariffbill
#tariffs
#tariffs
It's hinted at in this conversation, but the retail margins are going to take the brunt of the tariff impacts. I suspect we'll see lots of niche/low volume products go fully DTC as retailers fail and/or brands try to reclaim margins to get above water. Kinda bonkers given % of retail jobs in the US.
NEW ODD LOTS:
The tariff buzzsaw comes to the world of PC gaming.
We talked to @gamersnexus.bsky.social about what the trade war means for the makers of PC gaming rigs and other game peripherals. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The tariff buzzsaw comes to the world of PC gaming.
We talked to @gamersnexus.bsky.social about what the trade war means for the makers of PC gaming rigs and other game peripherals. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Tariff Buzzsaw Is Coming For Hardcore Gamers
Podcast Episode · Odd Lots · 05/07/2025 · 47m
podcasts.apple.com
May 7, 2025 at 6:32 PM
It's hinted at in this conversation, but the retail margins are going to take the brunt of the tariff impacts. I suspect we'll see lots of niche/low volume products go fully DTC as retailers fail and/or brands try to reclaim margins to get above water. Kinda bonkers given % of retail jobs in the US.
I spent a few days in Fly shops last year, bought a Fly 11 Pro, and did a battery teardown. The first battery I bought was broken when it left the store, the second wasn't new. Zero chance it was UL anything.
Caught Again! Fly E-Bike Accused of Lying about Battery Safety - Streetsblog New York City
The company claims its bikes are inspected and comply with the gold standard for safety, but a lawsuit says it does not.
nyc.streetsblog.org
May 2, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I spent a few days in Fly shops last year, bought a Fly 11 Pro, and did a battery teardown. The first battery I bought was broken when it left the store, the second wasn't new. Zero chance it was UL anything.
Reposted by Kevin Webb
pretending that tariffs and immigration are about preventing opioid drug overdoses and then pulling narcan distribution is about as unforgivably evil as it gets
RFK Jr. is ending the federal Narcan distribution program credited with the recent steep decline in overdose deaths. This despite his own past heroin addiction and his own brother dying of a drug overdose in 1984.
RFK Jr. to End 'Godsend' Narcan Program That Helped Reduce Overdose Deaths Despite His Past Heroin Addiction
Despite overcoming heroin addiction himself, RFK Jr. is backing plans to cut a critical Narcan program that helped reduce overdose deaths.
www.latintimes.com
May 1, 2025 at 2:06 PM
pretending that tariffs and immigration are about preventing opioid drug overdoses and then pulling narcan distribution is about as unforgivably evil as it gets
This morning in mobility
April 30, 2025 at 3:21 PM
This morning in mobility