I like Mozilla's the most. It's most human-like and thus, easiest to understand

Really? For me it is, together with Emoji One and Twitter, part of the bottom three. It looks like an embarrassed smile. Twitter's version looks even more forced or mechanical than those from FB or Apple, and Emoji One's eyes give an impression of sadness (probably because the arches of the grinning eyes aren't horizontal).

Imho, on a more 3D blob (2.5D or isometric) Google's version would be best. But as they are, Samsung offers the most convincingly, emotionally happy one, but it does not really fit the 'grinning' theme. So the HTC's example is probably best, especially in the usually small format, though it isn't the most artful one.

It's the least "grinny" one though.

This is just a ploy to ensure that George RR Martin doesn't stop writing once the original WordStar stops working!

As with everything else that Stripe does, these books are beautifully designed as well. For me, their design has to be their differentiating factor.

> "Is there a geographical bias in your skepticism? Would you be as skeptical if this kid was from Norway or Sweden or Austria?"

Nothing in the parent comment implies a so-called "geographical bias", yet there you are accusing them of being racist.

"Implies" means it doesn't have to be spelt out -- it can linger below the surface.

And whether implied or not, it's a legitimate question to ask. E.g. if the kid was asian would as many have the same suspicion given the same evidence (or lack thereof)?

Look at everyone in these replies pretending to be race blind. If this kid was Asian, you'd just go "eh, Asian prodigies" and not give it any further attention.

I have the same feeling here. Although I think it's true that scrutiny is advised in all cases, I don't think I've seen such a critical comment section before.

> Would you be as skeptical if this kid was from Norway or Sweden or Austria?

Yes, I would be. I'm sure many people would still be skeptical.

> Prodigies exist in every field As proof you mentioned Mozart who two centuries ago in Europe. I am skeptical on a geographical and time level based on your evidence

What a horrible comment... I hope you're just having a bad morning and will feel guilty about it after you've had your morning coffee :-)

Because everybody is a good soul, and can't possible have a racial bias?

Or what's more, because somebody can not be racist and still have a racial bias?

It's way safer to assume that everyone DOES have a racial bias. That's what our best methods and data support.

Not knocking this effort, but why are all decentralized, open social networks that hope to compete against Facebook and Instagram so...dull?

Their marketing is all the same wholesomeness and positive messaging. There's no "rebellious" streak to it at all.

But wholesomeness didn't help Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram grow. Facebook was the "adults only" social network that required a .edu address when it was challenging MySpace. Snapchat was pretty much a sexting app. Instagram is basically semi-nude models in its search feed.

I get what these people are trying to do, but you're not going to do that by being boring and corporate.

I'd rather have a functioning, 'dull' project than an edgy 2kool4skool meme disappearing in a couple of months because the hipster userbase moved to the next cool socnet.

Diaspora tried being edgy, I don't think it helped them. They're still around thought as far as I know.

Google Drive lost some of my files due to syncing errors early on. Dropbox didn't.

Google Drive might have improved since (and I do use Google Apps for email and documents), but I haven't been able to forget that experience and trust Dropbox.

The idea that venture-backed startups are going to "democratize" finance and wretch it from the hands of big banks is ridiculous.

I would be really interested in an Apple designed car, not exactly an Apple created self-driving tech suite. I trust Apple's design far more than I trust Apple's hard tech chops, especially when it comes to processing massive amounts of data

I've always wondered what percentage of people use coffee for stimulation, and what percentage use it simply to induce the first bowel movement

Actually, I always feel more awake after bowel movements :)

I suspect that's been selected for quite strongly.

When I was slightly younger (I'm 29 right now), I must have tried most nootropics imaginable, including microdosing LSD (slightly pleasant) and modafinil (worthless). I was looking for that "magic bullet" that would make me more focused and productive.

Nothing really worked.

What did work was waking up early and working out regularly. I sleep by 11 and wake up by 6. I get at least two hours of work in before hitting the gym for 45-60 minutes.

I manage to get far, far more work done than any Nootropic I ever tried.

I tried lots of nootropics as a young adult too, with no effect as well.

Coffee doesn't help me focus by itself, quite the opposite actually. I wish it did because I LOVE coffee. I don't know what's wrong with me, since plenty of other people I know can use it to focus, while I just end up feeling inpatient and restless.

I got my first prescription for adderall in 2013. I was started at 30 mg XR and 20 IR, which is kind of ridiculous. I'm still amazed that this is considered a low-average dosage for lots of Americans. I took those a few times only, dumped my pills, then over the next few months worked my way down to 10 XR/5 IR, which I've been at ever since.

I know I'm reducing my lifespan by using them, but it's a deal with the devil that's ultimately worth it for me. I'll take ~5 less years of living as a geriatric in exchange for being able to better provide for a family.

Caffeine + l-theanine is the way to go if you feel "inpatient and restless" on coffee alone!

You could start with an even split then adjust the ratio depending on how you feel.

I've never tried l-theanine at all, so I'll try this. Thanks!

> I'll take ~5 less years of living as a geriatric in exchange for being able to better provide for a family.

Depending on the side-effects you may well end up losing 5 healthy years. Ie, become a geriatric 5 years earlier, effectively spending the exact same amount of time as one.

> I know I'm reducing my lifespan by using them, ...

You are? That's something I've not heard about before. Methamphetamine is neurotoxic, but not dextroamphetamine, which is what Adderall is.

> I'll take ~5 less years of living as a geriatric in exchange for being able to better provide for a family.

Kind of a tradeoff you won't expect to be made in 1st world countries...

Honestly sounds like a net positive to me. Trade some pant-shitting for some ass-kicking.