Items of Interest

1919 Dáil Eireann & Usk Prison Break

#143
This week Ireland celebrated the centenary of the first Dáil in 1919. An article on IrishCentral.com tells the remarkable story of the prison break of Joe McGrath TD (a member of the Dáil), Barney Mellows and George Geraghty from Usk prison in Wales on the same day. The three Republicans pretended to be American tourists and tried to head for the ferry in Fishguard but couldn't get a train.
History

Books from 1923

#143
The Internet Archive has released a wealth of scanned books published in 1923, the majority from the University of Toronto Robarts Library. Adding "Ireland" to the search results brings back an interesting collection of books such as The Irish Revolution and How It Came About, Pagan Ireland, and most interestingly, Michael Collins' Own Story.
History

Alias Voice Assistant Parasite

#142
Bjørn Karmann and Tore Knudsen have created Alias, a parasite smart device that can be used to stop your voice assistant device from spying on you. The DIY device deafens the assistant's microphone with white noise, and only stops when alias hears you speak the device's wake word. Alias then cuts the white noise and relays a recording of the wake word to the assistant, allowing it to work as intended. Details on how to build the alias device are available on Instructables.
Innovation
Tech

No Hard Border?

#142
It would appear that some people, particularly in the vicinity of Westminster and Dundela Avenue in Belfast, have forgotten about the 30 years of violence perpetrated at the hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland during the troubles.
Data Vis

Immediate Fossil Fuel Phaseout Needed

#142
A study from the University of Leeds says that there is a 66% chance of keeping temperature increase below a 1.5 degree increase if a fossil fuel phaseout begins immediately. The research assumes a lifespan for powerplants of 40 years, cars 15 years and planes 26 years. It also assumes a rapid end to beef and dairy consumption. If the phaseout doesn't being until 2030, the chances reduce to 33%.
Life
Motivation
Science

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