Unofficial Off Topic Thread

[HoosierDaddy]

I admit I have done sone really bone head things in my life but I cannot for any reason, other than high on drugs, see how anyone can leave a kid in a car unknowingly.

The amazing thing is I'll wager over 90% of the ones that do would say the same thing and pass a polygraph. But deaths are exceedingly rare. Its just that with billions of drivers, even a tiny fraction of a percent is way too many.

As an aside, I often just leave the AC running if I'm only being out of the Tesla parked in AZ sun for ~an hour. I do that because I sometimes forgot to manually turn AC on 10 minutes before I get back to the car when it will be mid 160s inside in AZ summer. Turns out the AC uses about 50-60 cents for that hour to keep the temp 90 degrees lower (72f). But turning on AC 10 minutes before entering can't be automated until they implement mind reading. What can be automated is over-temp protection that will automatically keep the temp from ever going over 95 with AC as needed. But that's over kill if you forget to turn it off and it runs 24/7. I don't know how long it takes to kill a kid with 95 degree temp.

Tesla should consider making an option for the automatic child protection feature to run the AC in addition to alarm and notifying the driver and passers-by. They make changes like that all the time with the ~weekly/monthly updates. Its easy when everything is inhouse. Many updates are response to owner input.

But updates can be confusing if you accept without reading notes. Latest confusion was full implementation of the matrix headlights that have been installed for years but dumbed down by govt red tape. Now some think their headlights aren't working because they don't seem to auto-dim not realizing now just the pixels that are aimed at a vehicle are muted.

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[K4fxd]

The amazing thing is I'll wager over 90% of the ones that do would say the same thing and pass a polygraph.

Sorry not giving them a pass. Polygraphs are easy to beat.

 

[K4fxd]

I can think of nothing more horrendous than being strapped into a seat and subjected to heat so high and for so long that I die from it.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I can think of nothing more horrendous than being strapped into a seat and subjected to heat so high and for so long that I die from it.

Then join @sk47 in his quest to make Tesla ownership mandatory for parents of young children.

But thankfully, it may not be as painful as you think. This video shows Kevin succumbing peacefully.

 

[sk47]

Then join @sk47 in his quest to make Tesla ownership mandatory for parents of young children.

Hello; Not going to suggest you lay off the Tesla stuff or even the other odd stuff. I can see it for what it is. Seems the last week or two i see so many stories of kids dying in hot cars. Even one nine year old left with water and the windows at least partially down.
As K4fxd says this has to be a horrible way for a helpless baby to die. Has to horrible for the parent to do such a dumb thing and try to live with it.
Guess this forum is not the place to air my wish for some smart tech person to come up with some app or something. I do not have a smart phone but ride with those who do. There is an app which can listen to a song on the radio and tell who is singing it. I do not quite understand why some sort of thing cannot be had for car seats or baby clothes.

 

[K4fxd]

Seems to me an easy solution is to let car seats be placed in the front seat of a car.

Tesla, yea that EV mandate is dead. That's why Elon is acting like a 2 year old. Oh wait.....

As to SK47 there is no reason a pressure sensor couldn't be placed in the rear seat.

 

[sk47]

Pastor leaves toddler alone in car while he drinks at bar

Hello; Here is one which at least is not a tragedy for the child.

 

[sk47]

6-year-old calls 911 to help mom after two pit bulls attacked: ‘She definitely saved her mom’s life’
Hello; I hope all parents show children how to call 911.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

https://reason.com/2025/08/12/brickbat-catch-your-breath/

How long before bars have you fill a balloon when you arrive to use for your drive home?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

https://www.popsci.com/science/strongest-teeth-animal-mollusk/

If their teeth really are "harder and stiffer than human tooth enamel and stainless steel, but also wear-resistant", why do they need to grow a new set every few days? Are they only eating diamonds?

 

[sk47]

Hello; I was watching a movie on Roku. An ad caught my attention. It was about helping pay other folks medical bills. Called REDEEM I think. Not insurance. I am curious about this. Sounds like a do a good deed thing. Also could be a scam I guess.

 

[sk47]

Hello; I was watching a movie on Roku. An ad caught my attention. It was about helping pay other folks medical bills. Called REDEEM I think. Not insurance. I am curious about this. Sounds like a do a good deed thing. Also could be a scam I guess.

Submitting a medical bill

 

[Skye]

Called REDEEM I think. Not insurance.

Insurance: a practice or arrangement by which a company or government agency provides a guarantee of compensation for specified loss, damage, illness, or death in return for payment of a premium.

REDEEM specifically states it is not an insurance company; it is a Christian foundation, the mission of which is to facilitate Members helping pay other Members medical bills.

To join REDEEM, the person must be a confirmed member of a Christian church. There are other requirements as well.

As part of the enrollment process, the individual selects a plan. The plans offer specified amounts of assistance. To gain that assistance, the member will pay in, to help others. I plugged in my date of birth at their calculator site. For $500 a month, I'd get assistance, up to an annual limit. There are lifetime limits as well. If I need assistance, I might get it. If I don't need assistance, I am required to continue to pay in.

The foundation works like insurance, but it is not insurance. It does not meet any of the regulatory requirements for insurance.

Their financials? None disclosed on their web site.

Size of organization? Cannot be determined.

As expensive as private or public (federal or state-sponsored) polices are, there's at least some assurances what will be paid, what's to be expected. Organizations like REDEEM, not so much.

1. A health care sharing ministry conforms with the Federal Government's statutory definition of a qualifying Health Care Sharing Ministry (HCSM) as written in 26 USC § 5000A(d)(2)(B)(ii) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
2. A health care sharing ministry organizes and operates in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code's definition of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. As a 501(c)(3), the ministry shall annually file a 990 form with the IRS.
3. A health care sharing ministry should be governed by an independent Board of Directors, the majority of whom are selected by the membership. The Board shall meet regularly to assist the executive team in the execution of the health care sharing ministry’s mission in service to its members.

For those looking to contribute to pay down peoples' medical debt, Undue Medical Debt is one charity; this organization receives donations, then goes out on the open market and buys medical debt from collection agencies, often for pennies on the dollar. The debt is then retired. Situations like this, the debt is bundled like a package. If $X of debt is on offer and the charity works a deal, they then own then own the debt and cancel it. Undue works on the scale of private equity firms.

https://unduemedicaldebt.org/

Disclosure: I donate to Undue Medical Debt.

Modest Needs is another charity, more personalized.

https://www.modestneeds.org/

At Modest Needs, people in need request assistance. Could be anything. Money for a set of tires, a new roof, root canal, whatever. Cases are verified and later posted at their site. It's like GoFundMe, but a charity. People can contribute as little or as much to specific cases as they like.

Disclosure: While I've donated to Modest Needs in the past, I have not in some time. No specific reason. Just found other charities. You gotta spread it around.

Edit,

Continuing on the topic of healthcare and medical bills, another charity: Remote Area Medical.

https://www.ramusa.org/

Disclosure: I donate to RAM.

RAM is a charity which provides healthcare services. Often, the working poor make to much to qualify for Medicaid, but cannot afford a policy, even if one is available. Or maybe they have some form of coverage, but it's very limited. RAM travels the country, targeting areas or populations of people that have fallen through the cracks.

 

[sk47]

Continuing on the topic of healthcare and medical bills, another charity: Remote Area Medical.

https://www.ramusa.org/

Disclosure: I donate to RAM.

RAM is a charity which provides healthcare services. Often, the working poor make to much to qualify for Medicaid, but cannot afford a policy, even if one is available. Or maybe they have some form of coverage, but it's very limited. RAM travels the country, targeting areas or populations of people that have fallen through the cracks.

Hello; I like RAM. Here in TN the law allows doctors licensed from other states can practice medicine. RAM holds several open clinics each year in my area. Anyone can come in for treatment including medical, vision & dental. They set up in any venue they can get. Folks will get in line and wait a long time.

 

[sk47]

Video: Leno's Law Comes Crashing Down For Californian Classic Car Lovers | Watch
Hello; Not a big surprise since it is California.

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