this post was submitted on 10 Feb 2025
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[–] [email protected] 76 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Industrial diamonds are pretty useful for cutting.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 4 days ago (2 children)

I think they also have applications in the scientific field, although I'm not sure exactly how.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

Ringwoodite inclusions in a diamond recently (last decade or so) revealed that water exists in equilibrium with the deep mantle, far deeper than previously thought possible. This has completely changed our understanding of the chemistry of the deep interior of the earth.

[–] [email protected] 33 points 3 days ago

Diamond anvils

Scribes, cutting and polishing

Coatings for high durability and wear resistance

Windows and containers for laser experiments

Semiconductor research

Physics experiments

[–] [email protected] 17 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Diamonds are cool. Not as engagement rings, but as ultra-dense carbon.

They're arguably the hardest known substance in the universe. The only things that might be harder are so rare that their hardness can only be tested in simulations. That makes diamond unequaled for cutting. They also have amazing thermal conductivity. All that from a transparent rock is awesome.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Don't forget the perfect octahedral cleavage and unique lustre!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

To each their own, I don't really care how they look (other than being transparent), I just think it's cool that something that looks like glass is stronger than steel.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Carbon in general is dope. Nanotubes? Graphene? And it's not even hard to come by? Gtfo.

[–] UnrepententProcrastinator 4 points 3 days ago

Yeah but Genghis Khan was also made of carbon and he wasn't cool.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 4 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (4 children)

This is deeper than it may seem.

Maybe an unpopular take:

Although we have basic needs, of course, like food, housing, and some entertainment, there is no true need for luxury or riches that go beyond our needs and some reasonable wants. The only reason we accumulate stuff is because there's the notion that success can be measured by our net worth. Yet, this pursuit of material wealth leaves people feeling empty and unfulfilled. It's a never-ending race for more, with no finish line in sight.

Riches are for those who do not see more meaning in life than being able to measure themselves against someone else's numbers or having the feeling of "power", which turns many into unlikeable, bitter jerks.

This proverbial diamond is nice. But it isn't more than that. /rant

[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 days ago

Not shitting ya here. Your comment actually made me think about what useless luxuries I am chasing and what are gimmics or targets that might actually make me more happy in the long run.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

Some people don't even have access to basic needs. This planet is worse than a prison due to that. at least in prison everyone gets basic needs.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

I think that tale is much older than modern society.
Everything that's rare is valuable.
Even experiences are valued that way.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 4 days ago

The dumbest person in stereotypical movies is always the one easily distracted by pretty, shiny things.