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China retrieves booster in reusable rocket breakthrough
3 hours ago
- China successfully recovered a Long March 10B rocket booster for the first time, marking a breakthrough in reusable rocket technology.
- The booster was captured by a net-based retrieval system on an offshore platform, differing from the leg-landing approach used by SpaceX and Blue Origin.
- This method simplifies onboard structure, reduces weight, potentially increases payload capacity, and is adaptable to landing deviations.
- The development aims to cut launch costs and support China's expanding commercial satellite networks and future crewed lunar missions.
- Shares in Chinese aerospace companies surged following the successful test, with the Long March 10B compared to SpaceX's Falcon 9 in payload capacity.
The Annotated JEPA
3 hours ago
- JEPA (Joint Embedding Predictive Architecture) is Yann LeCun's self-supervised learning approach for training models to understand the world without labels by predicting in representation space, avoiding trivial solutions and irrelevant details.
- I-JEPA, an image instantiation of JEPA, trains a context encoder to predict representations of masked target regions using a target encoder updated via exponential moving average (EMA) to prevent collapse, with a predictor minimizing MSE in embedding space.
- Key design choices in I-JEPA include patch tokenization, masking strategies with context and target blocks without overlap, and applying masking in the target encoder output to ensure high-level semantic representations.
- V-JEPA extends JEPA to video by masking spatiotemporal 3D blocks, learning representations that capture motion and content without pixel reconstruction, enabling strong performance in video understanding tasks.
- V-JEPA 2 further demonstrates that JEPA can support understanding, prediction, and planning by using the learned representations for classification, future latent state forecasting, and action-conditioned planning in robotics.
- LeJEPA introduces a theoretically grounded variant using Sketched Isotropic Gaussian Regularization (SIGReg) to enforce an isotropic Gaussian embedding distribution, aiming to eliminate heuristics like EMA teachers and provide stable training.
- JEPA is framed as an energy-based model, where prediction error in representation space defines energy, and it serves as a core component for world models that enable planning by searching over abstract latent states rather than pixels.
- The architecture contrasts with autoregressive language models by focusing on raw sensory data (e.g., images, video) to learn physical world structures, positioning JEPA as a foundation for autonomous intelligence systems involving prediction and action.
Computation as a Universal and Fundamental Concept
an hour ago
- Alan Turing's 1936 paper laid the foundations of computer science, introducing the Turing machine and proving unsolvable problems like the halting problem.
- Algorithmic shortcuts like Dijkstra's algorithm and Karatsuba's multiplication allow computers to solve problems quickly without checking every possible solution.
- The Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) is computationally hard, leading to the theory of NP-completeness where many problems are interconnected in difficulty.
- P versus NP is a major open question in computer science, with implications for cryptography, AI, quantum computing, and our understanding of computation.
- Tim Roughgarden is a professor specializing in algorithms, algorithmic game theory, and the connections between computer science and economics.
Garnix Is Joining Shopify
28 minutes ago
- garnix is joining Shopify and the hosted service will shut down on July 15th 2026.
- The garnix codebase is being open-sourced, allowing users to migrate to their own or shared instances.
- All user data, including build artifacts, will be deleted on July 15th, so users should download what they need beforehand.
- The garnix team expresses gratitude for community support and feedback over the years.
- Users interested in operating a public community instance are encouraged to get in touch with the team.
Write code like a human will maintain it
3 hours ago
- LLMs can write code for you, reducing manual effort but leading to duplicated logic.
- Repeated conditional checks in different files create maintenance issues.
- LLMs learn from existing code patterns, reinforcing bad practices if shortcuts are used.
- Duplicated code signals the model to continue the same style.
- Code smells accumulate, making it hard to prompt the LLM to fix issues later.
- LLMs don't operate in a vacuum; they mimic the codebase's patterns.
- Maintenance becomes challenging as bad habits are reinforced.
- Writing maintainable code is crucial because LLMs absorb and replicate what they see.
A Love Letter to Flashcards
an hour ago
- The author initially viewed flashcards negatively, associating them with rote memorization and inefficient learning, especially in STEM fields.
- Their perception changed after taking a 'learning how to learn' course, which emphasized spaced repetition as a valuable tool for deep understanding, not just memorization.
- Due to poor memory, especially in math, the author adopted Anki for spaced repetition to retain knowledge over long periods, recognizing that deep fields like math require strong memory foundations.
- Flashcards are used complementarily with traditional learning, focusing on creating personal cards for intuition and insights rather than relying on low-quality shared decks.
- The author integrates flashcards with note-taking, adds images and source links, and uses them for recurrent tasks like reviewing past math mistakes to maintain a lightweight, sustainable habit.
- Despite limited empirical evidence on Anki in STEM, the author finds the practice worthwhile, enabling continuity in learning projects after breaks and reducing forgetting.
Pearson's Anti-Piracy Vendor Takes Down Best-Selling Author's Own GitHub Repo
4 hours ago
- Paul Deitel's educational code repository on GitHub was taken down due to a mistaken DMCA notice from Pearson's anti-piracy vendor Link-Busters.
- The repository contained official example code for programming textbooks, not pirated book copies, and its removal hinders access for students and developers worldwide.
- Deitel filed a counternotice on July 9, requesting GitHub restore the repository, highlighting the critical need for these supporting materials.
- Link-Busters, known for sending billions of DMCA notices, caused collateral damage here, with the error rate showing risks even when protecting copyright.
- GitHub must restore the repository within 10–14 business days unless Pearson or Link-Busters sues, but restoration is likely given the clear mistake.
Ryanair passenger almost sucked out of shattered window during flight
4 hours ago
- A Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany returned to Thessaloniki after a window shattered mid-air.
- A 61-year-old passenger was partially sucked out of the window but saved by his wife holding his legs.
- The incident caused cabin depressurization, oxygen masks deployment, and the passenger suffered shock and burns.
- The flight, operated by Malta Air, descended from 16,000ft and landed normally; a replacement aircraft was arranged.
- The report references a similar 2024 Alaska Airlines incident involving a Boeing 737 Max 9 door plug blowout.
Java 27: What's New?
7 hours ago
- G1 becomes the default garbage collector in all environments, having been improved to match or exceed the performance of Serial GC.
- Post-quantum hybrid key exchange for TLS 1.3 is introduced to enhance security against future quantum computing threats.
- Compact object headers are enabled by default, reducing memory usage and improving performance.
- JFR now includes in-process data redaction to mask sensitive information by default, with configurable filters.
- No features moved out of preview in this release, while several features remain in preview or incubator modules.
- New APIs and methods are added, including inverse hyperbolic functions in Math and StrictMath, and enhanced string and BigDecimal operations.
- Performance improvements include optimizations for HashMap.putAll() and binary search via AVX2 intrinsics.
- Security updates include TLS certificate compression support and additional certificates in the JVM truststore.
- The experimental JVM Compiler Interface (JVMCI) has been removed, affecting projects like GraalVM.
How RCA Victor sold Sound Service to classrooms in 1939
20 hours ago
- The blog discusses a retro poster from the March 6, 1939 LIFE magazine advertisement by RCA Victor, promoting 'Sound Service for Schools' to modernize education using radio and records.
- RCA's history is traced back to its founding in 1919, its merger with Victor Talking Machine Company in 1929, and its consolidation into RCA-Victor Corporation in 1930 to streamline operations during the Great Depression.
- The poster highlights educational products like the 'School Sound System' and 'Recorder' for announcements, lessons, and language practice, paralleling later internet-based education waves like MOOCs.
- Research references a 1939-1940 Victor catalog emphasizing music records for schools, but notes the lack of non-musical educational content, speculating on music's commercial appeal over lectures.
- The blog mentions ERPI Classroom Films (later Encyclopædia Britannica Films) as an early educational film initiative, drawing parallels to today's 'AI in Education' era and reflecting on technological evolution in learning.
Europe's Largest Unions Demand Right to Cancel Work on Days Above 30C
4 hours ago
- Unions in Europe are demanding laws to protect workers from extreme heat, prompted by the hottest June on record in western Europe.
- Three major trade unions representing 12.6 million workers are urging the European Commission to set maximum working temperatures based on scientific metrics, such as 30°C for demanding jobs and 32.5°C for low-intensity work, with sanctions for non-compliance.
- Research indicates that around 130 million European workers face heat stress annually, leading to approximately 277,000 injuries and 230 deaths.
- Current heat-protection rules vary across Europe, with some countries relying on employers to adjust working conditions, lacking clear, enforceable protections.
- In the UK, the Trades Union Congress is advocating for maximum working temperatures, including stopping work at 30°C (or 27°C for manual labor), supported by a petition with over 64,000 signatures.
My burner email blocklist blocked me
a day ago
- The author previously created a burner email blocklist tool but now advises against automatically blocking all privacy email services at signup.
- A key distinction is made between public, shared burner inboxes and personal aliases, with the latter being legitimate tools for privacy protection.
- Blocklists are ineffective against determined abusers, who can easily circumvent them, while penalizing privacy-conscious users.
- Email verification alone does not guarantee account authenticity or trustworthiness, and blocklists should only be part of a broader trust assessment.
- The author suggests splitting blocklists into categories for public inboxes and personal aliases and has deprecated their original project, transferring ownership to a maintainer.
Older adults know AI is slop. They just like it
3 hours ago
- AI slop videos of cats and fruits entertain young people, while older people find comfort in AI-generated content that reflects their personal experiences and emotions.
- Older viewers, often from smaller families due to policies like China's one-child policy, connect with AI family videos for direct expressions of love, filial piety, and shared historical topics that real family members may not provide.
- Researchers note that older audiences are aware the content is AI-generated but value the real joy and companionship it offers, embracing the technology while remaining cautious of potential scams and privacy risks.
- AI products, such as robot dolls and smart speakers, are being used in elderly care globally to address aging populations' needs for entertainment and companionship, similar to how young people engage with virtual relationships.
- Uncle Chang, after realizing the singers were AI, still appreciates the videos but finds them less moving, highlighting how emotional engagement with AI content can evolve with awareness.
Trump Pushes Out Members of Bipartisan Election Commission Ahead of Midterms
3 hours ago
- President Trump removed the three remaining members of the Election Assistance Commission, including Democrats Benjamin Hovland and Thomas Hicks (fired) and Republican Christy McCormick (allowed to resign).
- The move leaves the bipartisan commission, established in 2003 to set voting standards and provide funding, in limbo and allows Trump to appoint replacements aligned with his election security agenda.
- Critics, including voter advocacy groups and Democratic state officials, condemned the dismantling as reckless, warning it undermines support for state and local election administration.
- A White House statement emphasized the president's right to remove individuals not fully aligned with securing elections and preventing fraud, especially ahead of the midterms.
- In March 2025, Trump ordered the EAC to change the national voter registration form to require proof of U.S. citizenship, a move pushed by allies but not yet voted on by the commission.
- The commission has faced issues like partisan infighting and underfunding but had recently made progress, such as setting new voting machine standards, often with unanimous decisions despite partisan divides.
'Complex numbers are not needed for quantum mechanics'
6 hours ago
- Physicists have developed a quantum mechanics model that uses only real numbers, challenging the long-held belief that complex numbers are essential.
- The model matches all predictions of standard quantum mechanics, resolving a debate over whether complex numbers are fundamental or just a convenience.
- Previous research in 2021 suggested real-number quantum mechanics would fail in experiments with multiple particles, but this was based on the tensor product rule.
- The new study replaces the tensor product with a different rule that ensures actions on one part of a system do not affect separate parts, using flags to track information.
- Complex numbers are treated as pairs of real numbers with a bookkeeping system, allowing the real-number version to replicate phase kickback and other quantum effects.
- The work does not change experimental predictions or enable new technology but settles a theoretical debate, similar to how complex numbers are used in other physics theories like electromagnetism.
- The model is currently limited to finite-dimensional systems; extending it to infinite dimensions is a next step, while the authors move to other research areas like entanglement.
Man nearly sucked out of window mid-air on Ryanair plane
4 hours ago
- A passenger on a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen was nearly sucked out of a cabin window mid-air after the window dislodged, leaving him hanging head first out up to his shoulders for several minutes.
- The Boeing 737, operated by Ryanair's subsidiary Malta Air and about 18 years old, returned shortly after take-off; passengers reported a loud bang, window breakage, oxygen masks deploying, and a strong smell, with some speculating engine debris caused the incident.
- One passenger received medical assistance on the ground in Thessaloniki, and a replacement aircraft was arranged hours later; investigations are being led by Greek and Maltese authorities, recalling a similar 2018 Southwest Airlines fatality.
Go-Flavored Concurrency in C
3 hours ago
- Go's concurrency model is popular for its lightweight goroutines, channels, and efficient runtime scheduler, but replicating it in C using only POSIX threads presents trade-offs.
- Solod (So) implements a concurrency stack based on pthread primitives: sync.Mutex and sync.Cond wrap pthread_mutex_t and pthread_cond_t, providing basic synchronization.
- Atomic operations in So map directly to C's __atomic built-ins, matching Go's performance for load, store, and compare-and-swap operations without pthread overhead.
- So's conc.Pool uses a fixed number of worker threads with a shared task queue, built with mutexes and condition variables, suitable for coarse-grained workloads but not for thousands of blocked tasks like goroutines.
- Channels in So (conc.Chan[T]) support buffered and unbuffered modes, using mutexes and condition variables for synchronization, with performance close to Go for pooled tasks but slower for fine-grained hand-offs due to kernel wakeup costs.
- Benchmarks show So's pthread-based concurrency is competitive for uncontended locks and atomic operations, but condition variables and channels are significantly slower when threads block, with up to 23x slower unbuffered channel transfers.
- Design decisions include using pthreads instead of fibers for simplicity, keeping concurrency in the standard library for explicit allocations and flexibility, and providing timeouts instead of select for channel operations.
- The approach offers simplicity and performance close to Go for coarse-grained workloads but cannot match Go's efficiency for fine-grained concurrency due to the overhead of kernel thread management.
Guy took Jupiter photo with Game Boy Camera, giant telescope, publishes tutorial
4 hours ago
- Chris Graue used a Game Boy Camera attached via a 3D-printed adapter to the Hooker Telescope to photograph Jupiter.
- Graue released the adapter schematics for free and shared a tutorial video for DIY enthusiasts.
- The adapter fits into a standard 1.25-inch telescope eyepiece, allowing Game Boy Camera use with telescopes.
- The Game Boy Camera has been repurposed for various projects, including mirrorless cameras, webcams, and telephoto lenses.
A 4x4 MIMO SDR tile for spatial RF vision and beamforming
4 hours ago
- QuadRF is a 4x4 MIMO software-defined radio (SDR) tile with an integrated Raspberry Pi 5, functioning as a real-time RF camera.
- It uses four coherent antennas to visualize radio sources (like Wi-Fi devices and drones) in 2D at 30fps via a web GUI on phones or laptops.
- The kit includes everything needed out-of-the-box: antennas, Pi 5, software, and supports full-duplex transmission and beamforming.
- QuadRF is designed for scalability, allowing tiling into larger phased arrays for applications like moon bounce communication or radio telescopes.
- Priced at $499, it offers an affordable alternative to expensive SDRs (e.g., USRP models) by using custom, cost-effective hardware and open-source software.
- Production is backed by automated QA, with global shipping handled by Mouser Electronics, and community support via Discord and open-source resources.
Man nearly sucked out of 'detached' window on Ryanair flight
3 hours ago
- A passenger was nearly sucked out of a Ryanair flight window after it detached mid-air on a route from Greece to Germany.
- Other passengers helped pull him back inside, and he was hospitalized with friction burns but in good condition overall.
- The incident occurred due to a broken window caused by debris from an engine, leading to decompression and oxygen masks deploying.
- The flight returned to Thessaloniki, landed normally, and a replacement aircraft was used to continue the journey to Germany.

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Hasty Briefsbeta

China retrieves booster in reusable rocket breakthrough

The Annotated JEPA

Computation as a Universal and Fundamental Concept

Garnix Is Joining Shopify

Write code like a human will maintain it

A Love Letter to Flashcards

Pearson's Anti-Piracy Vendor Takes Down Best-Selling Author's Own GitHub Repo

Ryanair passenger almost sucked out of shattered window during flight

Java 27: What's New?

How RCA Victor sold Sound Service to classrooms in 1939

Europe's Largest Unions Demand Right to Cancel Work on Days Above 30C

My burner email blocklist blocked me

Older adults know AI is slop. They just like it

Trump Pushes Out Members of Bipartisan Election Commission Ahead of Midterms

'Complex numbers are not needed for quantum mechanics'

Man nearly sucked out of window mid-air on Ryanair plane

Go-Flavored Concurrency in C

Guy took Jupiter photo with Game Boy Camera, giant telescope, publishes tutorial

A 4x4 MIMO SDR tile for spatial RF vision and beamforming

Man nearly sucked out of 'detached' window on Ryanair flight