Amber J. Hu (they/them)
@amberjhu.bsky.social
Interdisciplinary scholar and educator writing about computers, education, and society.
Currently a Lecturer at UW CSE. Posts are my own thoughts and opinions.
Currently a Lecturer at UW CSE. Posts are my own thoughts and opinions.
Reposted by Amber J. Hu (they/them)
“Flock’s Condor cameras are pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras designed to record and track people, not vehicles. Condor cameras can be set to automatically zoom in on people’s faces as they walk through a parking lot, down a public street, or play on a playground, or they can be controlled manually”
SCOOP: Flock left at least 60 of its AI-powered, people-tracking surveillance cameras exposed and livestreaming to the open internet. We tracked ourselves. The exposure highlights the power of these cameras and types of things they're tracking. Not just cars.
www.404media.co/flock-expose...
www.404media.co/flock-expose...
Flock Exposed Its AI-Powered Cameras to the Internet. We Tracked Ourselves.
Flock left at least 60 of its people-tracking Condor PTZ cameras live streaming and exposed to the open internet.
www.404media.co
December 22, 2025 at 5:38 PM
“Flock’s Condor cameras are pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras designed to record and track people, not vehicles. Condor cameras can be set to automatically zoom in on people’s faces as they walk through a parking lot, down a public street, or play on a playground, or they can be controlled manually”
The Green River leveee in Tukwila has broken and is experiencing flash floods. Southcenter mall, Valley Medical Center, the Interurban trail south...
forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatx...
forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatx...
National Weather Service Watch Warning Advisory Summary
The National Weather Service is your best source for complete weather forecast and weather related information on the web!
forecast.weather.gov
December 15, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The Green River leveee in Tukwila has broken and is experiencing flash floods. Southcenter mall, Valley Medical Center, the Interurban trail south...
forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatx...
forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatx...
Minnesota AG Keith Ellison understands how hard it is for working young adults to buy literally any home.
Freezing zoning as it was 50 years ago when the economic mobility from 50 years ago has evaporated mean excluding even the children who grew up in that neighborhood.
Freezing zoning as it was 50 years ago when the economic mobility from 50 years ago has evaporated mean excluding even the children who grew up in that neighborhood.
December 14, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Minnesota AG Keith Ellison understands how hard it is for working young adults to buy literally any home.
Freezing zoning as it was 50 years ago when the economic mobility from 50 years ago has evaporated mean excluding even the children who grew up in that neighborhood.
Freezing zoning as it was 50 years ago when the economic mobility from 50 years ago has evaporated mean excluding even the children who grew up in that neighborhood.
Reposted by Amber J. Hu (they/them)
This is my favorite recurring Seattle theater event and it's not even close.
A one-night production of It's a Wonderful Life where no one knows who is in the cast– including the cast. They enter with the audience and say their first line from their seat. There's not really anything else like it.
A one-night production of It's a Wonderful Life where no one knows who is in the cast– including the cast. They enter with the audience and say their first line from their seat. There's not really anything else like it.
December 14, 2025 at 3:36 AM
This is my favorite recurring Seattle theater event and it's not even close.
A one-night production of It's a Wonderful Life where no one knows who is in the cast– including the cast. They enter with the audience and say their first line from their seat. There's not really anything else like it.
A one-night production of It's a Wonderful Life where no one knows who is in the cast– including the cast. They enter with the audience and say their first line from their seat. There's not really anything else like it.
Another aspect of these river floods that breaks my heart is the salmon nests that will be totally destroyed. My dad, who fishes for salmon every year, predicts that we'll see a significantly lower yield of salmon in the Sound because most of the salmon eggs in these rivers will never be born.
December 13, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Another aspect of these river floods that breaks my heart is the salmon nests that will be totally destroyed. My dad, who fishes for salmon every year, predicts that we'll see a significantly lower yield of salmon in the Sound because most of the salmon eggs in these rivers will never be born.
While I am very worried about the flooding and lack of snowpack from this atmospheric river in Western WA, I'm trying to find a silver lining in our reservoir levels.
Unfortunately, even after massive amounts of rain, we're still in the bottom 25% of reservoir levels in the 1950-2025 record 😬
Unfortunately, even after massive amounts of rain, we're still in the bottom 25% of reservoir levels in the 1950-2025 record 😬
December 13, 2025 at 11:47 PM
While I am very worried about the flooding and lack of snowpack from this atmospheric river in Western WA, I'm trying to find a silver lining in our reservoir levels.
Unfortunately, even after massive amounts of rain, we're still in the bottom 25% of reservoir levels in the 1950-2025 record 😬
Unfortunately, even after massive amounts of rain, we're still in the bottom 25% of reservoir levels in the 1950-2025 record 😬
Reposted by Amber J. Hu (they/them)
I spent way too much time on a Saturday analyzing snowfall trends in Washington, but it does appear that the start to snow season in the WA Cascades has trended later in recent decades. Check out my post to learn more...
Is the slow start to snowpack season in Washington State part of a declining snowfall trend?
Summary: YES, early season snowpack has declined recently, even as season total snowfall and melt out dates remain essentially unchanged. Read on to learn more… In my previous post I showed t…
theconvergencezone.com
December 13, 2025 at 10:54 PM
I spent way too much time on a Saturday analyzing snowfall trends in Washington, but it does appear that the start to snow season in the WA Cascades has trended later in recent decades. Check out my post to learn more...
At my local tea shop today there is a bible study group (totally fine) talking about how cyclists are horrible people making the roads unsafe (infurating!)
The fact that people can pivot so fast from radical kindness and love to contempt for their neighbors gives me whiplash
The fact that people can pivot so fast from radical kindness and love to contempt for their neighbors gives me whiplash
December 13, 2025 at 9:31 PM
At my local tea shop today there is a bible study group (totally fine) talking about how cyclists are horrible people making the roads unsafe (infurating!)
The fact that people can pivot so fast from radical kindness and love to contempt for their neighbors gives me whiplash
The fact that people can pivot so fast from radical kindness and love to contempt for their neighbors gives me whiplash
Wikipedia is the greatest achievement in the history of the internet. AI chatbots are just pale imitations of knowledge oracles riding on the coattails of hard-working volunteer Wikipedia editors.
December 10, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Wikipedia is the greatest achievement in the history of the internet. AI chatbots are just pale imitations of knowledge oracles riding on the coattails of hard-working volunteer Wikipedia editors.
Some Chinese American who loves hot pot should name their daughter Heidi Lau
December 7, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Some Chinese American who loves hot pot should name their daughter Heidi Lau
Reposted by Amber J. Hu (they/them)
"Pines on Pike," not to be confused with medieval weapons pop-up "Pikes on Pine" a block north.
December 6, 2025 at 1:39 AM
"Pines on Pike," not to be confused with medieval weapons pop-up "Pikes on Pine" a block north.
As someone with a background in educational psychology, it actually seems crazy how stringent some of the time requirements are (<2hr for an 8 page exam). Yes, some people get lower scores if you give them less time, but that just means you have selected for people who are good at answering fast!
The administration is extorting universities for billions of dollars and attempting to destroy free speech, academic freedom, and independent thought but the Atlantic talked to a few professors at elite universities who think the problem is that some students need a little extra time on exams
December 2, 2025 at 3:46 PM
As someone with a background in educational psychology, it actually seems crazy how stringent some of the time requirements are (<2hr for an 8 page exam). Yes, some people get lower scores if you give them less time, but that just means you have selected for people who are good at answering fast!
So... is deep learning just dynamic programming with some continuous variables?
December 2, 2025 at 3:33 AM
So... is deep learning just dynamic programming with some continuous variables?
As the author of the Wikipedia page for WA's Climate Commitment Act, this is very exciting!
This morning's top headline, from @conorswanson.bsky.social @seattletimes.com: A new dashboard of the 3,600+ projects funded by WA's CCA.
(Subscribe to News Picks here: sightline.org/newsletters/)
(Subscribe to News Picks here: sightline.org/newsletters/)
WA releases detailed list of projects funded by Climate Commitment Act
A new state report shows how some of the $3 billion raised so far in CCA funds is being used in more than 3,600 projects around the state.
www.seattletimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:41 PM
As the author of the Wikipedia page for WA's Climate Commitment Act, this is very exciting!
Woohoo! This is my friend Charlie from Liveable Kirkland 😁
"When Charlie Liban rides his e-bike through Kirkland, he doesn't avoid the hazards of leaf-covered bike lanes. He rides right through them, picking up slippery leaves as he goes. Liban presses a button on his handlebars and whir-whir-whir: a circular, horizontal brush starts spinning behind him."
Cleaning leaf-clogged bikes lanes on Seattle’s Eastside — using bike power
Fall in the Seattle area means lots of leaves in bike lanes. Slippery, soggy leaves can be dangerous on two wheels. Now, volunteers in Kirkland have a clever, new tool to clean bike lanes from the sea...
www.kuow.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Woohoo! This is my friend Charlie from Liveable Kirkland 😁
Chatbots acting like they scared to report grain production numbers to an autocrat
Not wanting to disappoint you so much that it lies is the last quality I want in a computer.
November 28, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Chatbots acting like they scared to report grain production numbers to an autocrat
Yes, programming can be really satisfying when you find an elegant solution to a thorny problem, but my body is slowly starting to remember that the best thing I ever did for my health was quit programming.
Long hours, hunched over at a screen, chewing my fingernails, yeah...
Long hours, hunched over at a screen, chewing my fingernails, yeah...
November 25, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Yes, programming can be really satisfying when you find an elegant solution to a thorny problem, but my body is slowly starting to remember that the best thing I ever did for my health was quit programming.
Long hours, hunched over at a screen, chewing my fingernails, yeah...
Long hours, hunched over at a screen, chewing my fingernails, yeah...
Reposted by Amber J. Hu (they/them)
November 25, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Reposted by Amber J. Hu (they/them)
Wow again. Ruha Benjamin wrote Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code.
From the blurb: "From everyday apps to complex algorithms, Ruha Benjamin cuts through tech-industry hype to understand how emerging technologies can reinforce White supremacy and deepen social inequity."
From the blurb: "From everyday apps to complex algorithms, Ruha Benjamin cuts through tech-industry hype to understand how emerging technologies can reinforce White supremacy and deepen social inequity."
These Mamdani transition committees are seriously impressive. Hiring @ruha9.bsky.social for the technology committee is very smart. And so many more. www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news...
NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announces transition committees
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Monday the creation of 17 transition advisory committees made up of more than 400 people.
www.cbsnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Wow again. Ruha Benjamin wrote Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code.
From the blurb: "From everyday apps to complex algorithms, Ruha Benjamin cuts through tech-industry hype to understand how emerging technologies can reinforce White supremacy and deepen social inequity."
From the blurb: "From everyday apps to complex algorithms, Ruha Benjamin cuts through tech-industry hype to understand how emerging technologies can reinforce White supremacy and deepen social inequity."
Ahhh f-
"The batteries were sold with the following Rad Power Bikes e-bike models and as replacement batteries: RadWagon 4, RadCity HS 4, RadRover High Step 5, RadCity Step Thru 3, RadRover Step Thru 1, RadRunner 2, RadRunner 1, RadRunner Plus, and RadExpand 5"
November 24, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Ahhh f-
Reposted by Amber J. Hu (they/them)
November 24, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Reposted by Amber J. Hu (they/them)
Last night, I graduated from the Kirkland Initiative, an 8 wk program designed to cultivate future city leaders by making leadership accessible to residents.
I had the opportunity to meet all the City department heads and learn about how their departments function in tandem with the council.
I had the opportunity to meet all the City department heads and learn about how their departments function in tandem with the council.
November 21, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Last night, I graduated from the Kirkland Initiative, an 8 wk program designed to cultivate future city leaders by making leadership accessible to residents.
I had the opportunity to meet all the City department heads and learn about how their departments function in tandem with the council.
I had the opportunity to meet all the City department heads and learn about how their departments function in tandem with the council.
Subscribe to @theurbanist.org ! Some of the best reporting in the Puget Sound. Ryan Packer is constantly on the move, reporting stories, getting photos, and enjoying the urbanism of the PNW.
They are also the only reporter I've run into while ordering popcorn at Cinerama. Beat that, Seattle Times!
They are also the only reporter I've run into while ordering popcorn at Cinerama. Beat that, Seattle Times!
One week on @theurbanist.org:
-Two original Sound Transit stories
-Two fully reported Seattle budget stories
-Dispatches from both Clyde Hill & Kirkland
-One story about Katie Wilson's transition team
And a book review!
I know I'm biased, but I really think we punch above our weight.
-Two original Sound Transit stories
-Two fully reported Seattle budget stories
-Dispatches from both Clyde Hill & Kirkland
-One story about Katie Wilson's transition team
And a book review!
I know I'm biased, but I really think we punch above our weight.
November 22, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Subscribe to @theurbanist.org ! Some of the best reporting in the Puget Sound. Ryan Packer is constantly on the move, reporting stories, getting photos, and enjoying the urbanism of the PNW.
They are also the only reporter I've run into while ordering popcorn at Cinerama. Beat that, Seattle Times!
They are also the only reporter I've run into while ordering popcorn at Cinerama. Beat that, Seattle Times!
Reposted by Amber J. Hu (they/them)
Almost half the Waymos on California streets are driving around empty. They're either waiting for the next customer or en route for a pickup.
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
November 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Almost half the Waymos on California streets are driving around empty. They're either waiting for the next customer or en route for a pickup.
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
First time giving public comment at Kirkland City Council. It's so late in the evening! 😩
Well, at least there is a remote option, but geez starting a meeting at 7:30pm, when it's already pitch black out in the PNW is a choice.
Well, at least there is a remote option, but geez starting a meeting at 7:30pm, when it's already pitch black out in the PNW is a choice.
November 19, 2025 at 5:51 AM
First time giving public comment at Kirkland City Council. It's so late in the evening! 😩
Well, at least there is a remote option, but geez starting a meeting at 7:30pm, when it's already pitch black out in the PNW is a choice.
Well, at least there is a remote option, but geez starting a meeting at 7:30pm, when it's already pitch black out in the PNW is a choice.