3d ago

Lorde Fans Are Complaining That Her New Translucent CD Won’t Play on Their CD Players

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Loving this little nugget from the article:
the translucent CD, which was pitched as an environmentally friendly option
Ah yes, the environmentally friendly option of producing thousands of plastic disks that don’t work.
How is that even supposed to work? The laser beam has to be reflected back down to the sensor in order to read the CD.
- Translucent != transparent, but you might be on to something.
  Maybe it works better on slim drives with a lower ceiling. Larger drives with space above the disc might allow the laser to refract and generate garbage.
  Edit: okay, nevermind, it really is completely transparent. Here’s a picture:
  This is actually stupid. At no point during the manufacturing process did anyone mention how CDs work?
  The vinyl being transparent is fine, vinyls work by a needle touching the surface, optical discs work by… optics!
  
  I mean the CD does work. But not with all players... Not sure what makes some work and some not. Laser wavelength?
- CD players use 780 nm light, which is infrared. What is transparent in visible light may be reflective in infrared. Obviously, this material is not sufficiently reflective.
People still buy CDs?
Maybe stick to making vanity records for the superfans / vinyl collectors.
Just buy a new CD player or car you plebs.
Hahahahahaha
Really wasn't into the singles but overall, pretty good album.
- The album really is a transparent reflection on humanity.

12 comments