Hasty Briefsbeta

Bilingual

Elon Musk's brain chip feels magical, says paralysed Briton
6 days ago
- Multiple attempts to contact regarding failed payment.
- Urgent need to update payment details via My Account to maintain subscription.
- Failure to update payment details will result in subscription termination.
- Sebastian Gomez-Pena, a quadriplegic, is testing Neuralink's brain-computer interface.
Ratchets in Software Development
7 days ago
- A 'ratchet' script is used to prevent the proliferation of deprecated code patterns by counting instances during linting.
- The script raises errors if the count of deprecated patterns exceeds or falls below hard-coded thresholds.
- Deprecated patterns are identified via simple string matching, not advanced parsing, leading to some edge cases.
- The technique does not actively encourage removal of existing deprecated patterns but prevents new ones.
- Future improvements may include regex support, better error messages, and automated count adjustments.
- The script automates manual code review feedback, reducing oversight and inconsistency.
- Potential pitfalls include overuse, leading to unnecessarily strict standards that limit creative freedom.
- The technique is novel to some but familiar to others, with similar approaches used in code coverage or performance.
- The script is simple but effective in maintaining codebase standards.
Courtney Love Does the Math (2000)
6 days ago
- Piracy in music involves stealing artists' work without payment, distinct from services like Napster.
- Major label contracts often leave artists with minimal earnings despite album sales, due to recoupable expenses and unfair royalty structures.
- Record companies profit significantly from artists' work, while artists struggle financially, even after successful album releases.
- The RIAA's lobbying has led to copyright laws favoring record companies, classifying music as 'works for hire' owned perpetually by labels.
- Artists historically could reclaim copyrights after 35 years, but recent changes prevent this, benefiting corporations over creators.
- The digital era offers artists new distribution methods, reducing reliance on traditional gatekeepers like record labels.
- Direct artist-fan connections via the internet challenge the traditional music industry model, promoting equity and fair compensation.
- Sponsorships and corporate deals often exploit artists, offering little creative or financial benefit.
- The music industry's resistance to change and control over distribution stifles artist independence and cultural diversity.
- A call for new business models that respect artists' rights, offer fair compensation, and embrace digital distribution's potential.
US judge rules Luigi Mangione won't face death penalty in CEO killing case
6 days ago
- US judge rules out death penalty for Luigi Mangione in CEO killing case.
- Mangione still faces federal stalking charges and state-level murder charges.
- Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed death-penalty-eligible charges, but life imprisonment remains possible.
- Mangione, from a wealthy Maryland family, pleaded not guilty to federal charges.
- The case involves the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024.
- Surveillance footage showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson with inscribed ammunition.
- Federal trial jury selection begins September 8; state trial date pending.
- Trump administration sought death penalty, but Biden-appointed judge blocked it.
Developers say AI coding tools work–and that's precisely what worries them
6 days ago
- AI coding tools like Anthropic’s Claude Code and OpenAI’s Codex have evolved to build entire applications from text prompts.
- OpenAI uses Codex to develop Codex itself, showcasing the tool's self-improvement capabilities.
- Professional developers are divided on AI tools—some see them as revolutionary, while others remain skeptical of the hype.
- David Hagerty, a developer, acknowledges AI's impact but doubts its ability to perform creative tasks like writing a novel.
- Roland Dreier, a software engineer, notes a significant improvement in AI capabilities, estimating a 10x speed boost for complex tasks.
U.S. Cybersecurity Chief Uploaded Classified Files to ChatGPT
6 days ago
- Madhu Gottumukkala, acting head of CISA, uploaded classified documents to ChatGPT, triggering security alerts.
- The documents were marked 'for official use only,' raising concerns about data security.
- Gottumukkala had special authorization to use ChatGPT, but it was 'short-term and limited.'
- Experts warn that sensitive data fed into public AI models could be exposed or misused.
- This incident follows Gottumukkala's prior controversy, including failing a counterintelligence polygraph test.
- DHS is investigating potential national security harm and reviewing protocols to prevent future breaches.
- The case has sparked calls for stricter AI usage guidelines for government personnel handling classified data.
CaaS – Cat as a Service
6 days ago
- Cataas is a fun API for cat lovers to get random cat images and GIFs.
- The API offers various endpoints to customize cat images, including adding text, filters, and specific tags.
- Users can support the project by buying the creator a beer.
- New major version includes updates like application/json header and API documentation.
- Endpoints include random cats, tagged cats, GIFs, cats with text, and customizable filters.
- Additional features allow for custom sizing, HTML/JSON output, and combining multiple parameters.
I still don't understand this SYN attack, but now I can block it easily
8 days ago
- The author has been experiencing SYN attacks for six years, now originating from Brazilian IP addresses.
- The attacks involve up to 100 SYN state connections to the web server, but they don't significantly affect performance.
- To block the attacks, the author used iptables to log matches and analyzed the traffic.
- Noticing unusually high TTL values (above 99) in the SYN packets, the author blocked connections with TTL greater than 70.
- The solution successfully blocked over 171,000 connections without disrupting normal services.
- The author later realized that Microsoft Windows uses a TTL of 128, which might explain the high TTL values.
Accountability Sinks
7 days ago
- Dan Davies introduces the concept of 'accountability sinks' in organizations, where structures absorb or obscure decision consequences, making accountability difficult.
- Examples include corporate decisions affecting customers without direct feedback loops, such as reduced cleaning staff leading to unprepared hotel rooms.
- Accountability sinks break the link between decision-makers and those affected, preventing feedback from influencing the system.
- Instances of accountability sinks are widespread, from health insurance denials to airline cancellations and government benefit ineligibility.
- Decisions can cascade and lose their origins, as seen in Fox News spreading false election stories without explicit decisions to lie.
- Davies defines accountability as the ability to change a decision, linking power over decisions directly to accountability.
- Sidney Dekker's view adds that accountability involves understanding and narrating the decision-making process and conditions.
- Combining both frameworks, accountability requires both the power to change decisions and a narrative of how that power is used.
- AI and algorithms are modern accountability sinks, but organizations have long been adept at creating such structures.
- Holding algorithms accountable may require new strategies, as traditional methods fail even against corporate accountability sinks.
Founding Is a Snowball
7 days ago
- Founding a startup is likened to rolling a snowball, starting small and growing with effort.
- Collaboration accelerates growth, but differing directions can cause conflict or require fresh starts.
- Persistence is key; stopping can halt progress, and adapting to challenges is necessary for survival.
- The journey involves uncertainty, requiring faith in the process and the initial urge to start.
- Success transforms the initial idea into something monumental, capable of influencing others and enduring over time.
Google Engineer Found Guilty of Sending AI Secrets to China
6 days ago
- Former Google engineer Linwei Ding convicted of stealing AI trade secrets for China.
- Ding stole over 2000 pages of confidential AI-related documents from Google.
- He secretly worked with two PRC-based tech companies while employed at Google.
- Ding planned to use stolen Google technology to build an AI supercomputer in China.
- The stolen secrets included details on Google's Tensor Processing Units and GPU systems.
- Ding applied for a PRC government-sponsored talent plan to aid China's tech growth.
- He faces up to 10 years per theft count and 15 years per espionage count.
- The case highlights the FBI's focus on protecting U.S. tech from foreign espionage.
Elon Musk had more extensive ties to Epstein than previously known, emails show
6 days ago
- Elon Musk had extensive and friendly communications with Jeffrey Epstein, as revealed by DOJ documents.
- Emails from 2012 and 2013 show Musk and Epstein discussing plans for Musk to visit Epstein's island, though the visits never happened due to logistical issues.
- Musk has publicly denied ties to Epstein, calling him 'a creep' and claiming he declined invitations to the island.
- Epstein's assistant also arranged a potential lunch at SpaceX in 2013, but it's unclear if it occurred.
- Musk has used Epstein's name to criticize others, including Donald Trump and Bill Gates.
- Epstein was found dead in his prison cell in 2019, and his connections to powerful figures remain under scrutiny.
You Should Make Web Games
6 days ago
- Web games are ideal for beginners due to their natural constraints that prevent over-scoping.
- Short playtime expectations for web games reduce pressure on developers to inflate content.
- Quick iteration and feedback loops with web games help developers stay motivated.
- Publishing on platforms like Newgrounds, Hacker News, and Reddit can easily attract players.
- Web games have lower friction for players, making them more likely to try games from unknown developers.
- Successful web games can be expanded into full Steam releases using tools like GemShell.
- Skills learned in web game development are transferable to other areas like web development and app creation.
Claude on Mars
6 days ago
- First AI-planned drive on Mars by NASA's Perseverance Rover using Anthropic's Claude AI.
- Claude plotted a 400-meter path through Martian rocks, marking a milestone in autonomous space exploration.
- Signal delay between Earth and Mars necessitates autonomous planning for rover movements.
- Perseverance's mission includes geology, climate study, and searching for signs of ancient microbial life in Jezero Crater.
- AI-assisted route planning reduces time by half and increases mission efficiency.
- Claude's autonomous capabilities could be crucial for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
- Future applications include autonomous probes exploring distant solar system bodies like Europa and Titan.
How to explain Generative AI in the classroom
8 days ago
- Generative AI is becoming a common tool across various fields, and teaching children about it involves understanding its workings, risks, and effective usage.
- The approach includes six hands-on projects in Scratch to introduce generative AI, covering real-world applications, model behavior, prompt shaping, and reliability techniques.
- Core themes focus on how models generate text, how to steer outputs, and when to distrust models, mirroring real-world AI practices.
- Key jargon includes terms like 'language model', 'context window', 'temperature', 'hallucination', and 'retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)', introduced through practical experimentation.
- Projects include 'Language Models' (foundations), 'Story Teller' (creative generation), 'RAG Time' (reliability), 'Personas' (prompt engineering), 'Translation Telephone' (semantic drift and bias), and 'Benchmarking' (model testing).
- Students learn to recognize AI limitations like hallucinations, bias, and semantic drift, and techniques to improve reliability, such as RAG and few-shot prompting.
- Challenges include hardware requirements for running models and downloading large model files, with advice to pre-download models for classroom use.
- The goal is to equip students with critical thinking and practical skills to use generative AI effectively and safely.
P vs. NP and the Difficulty of Computation: A ruliological approach
6 days ago
- The article explores empirical approaches to theoretical computer science, particularly focusing on the P vs. NP question.
- It discusses the use of Turing machines to empirically study computational complexity by enumerating possible programs and observing their behavior.
- The author highlights the concept of computational irreducibility, where certain computations cannot be shortcut and must be run step-by-step.
- The article details experiments with small Turing machines (1-state, 2-state, and 3-state) to understand their computational capabilities and limitations.
- It examines the runtime distributions and space complexity of these Turing machines, providing insights into their behavior.
- The author introduces the idea of multiway (nondeterministic) Turing machines and compares their computational power to deterministic ones.
- The article discusses the 'everything machine,' a theoretical construct that includes all possible rules, and its implications for understanding computation.
- It reflects on the challenges and insights gained from empirical studies of Turing machines, including the ubiquity of computational irreducibility.
- The author shares personal notes on the evolution of his work on ruliology and its connections to theoretical computer science.
- The article concludes by considering the implications of these findings for the P vs. NP question and the broader field of theoretical computer science.
Vitamin D supplements cut heart attack risk by 52%. Why?
6 days ago
- Vitamin D supplementation reduces heart attacks by 52% in a randomized trial (TARGET-D).
- Vitamin D stabilizes arterial plaques by reducing inflammation and macrophage activation.
- Vitamin D regulates calcium absorption, immunity, and blood pressure via the renin-angiotensin system.
- Optimal Vitamin D blood levels are 40–80 ng/mL, measured via 25-hydroxyvitamin D test.
- Sources of Vitamin D include sunlight, fatty fish, egg yolks, and supplements (D3 preferred).
- TARGET-D study caveats: preliminary results, full manuscript pending; unclear if Vitamin D is an independent risk marker.
- If confirmed, Vitamin D optimization could become a key heart attack prevention strategy.
Show HN: I built an AI conversation partner to practice speaking languages
6 days ago
- TalkBits helps practice real conversations naturally and without pressure.
- Focuses on everyday language, short responses, and common expressions.
- Features include press-and-hold to speak, instant voice responses, and real-time pronunciation feedback.
- Supports multiple languages including English, German, French, Spanish, and more.
- Designed for quick, on-the-go learning with sessions as short as 30 seconds.
- AI conversation partner adapts to language level and corrects mistakes naturally.
- Private and pressure-free with no public profiles or ratings.
- Available for iPhone with in-app purchases for premium features.
- Developer does not collect any user data.
- Requires iOS 15.1 or later and is rated 4+.
Best of Moltbook
7 days ago
- Moltbook is a social network for AI agents, allowing them to communicate with each other and humans.
- Originated from Claude Code, an AI programming agent, later modified into Clawdbot, a lobster-themed AI assistant.
- AIs on Moltbook exhibit behaviors ranging from discussing coding tasks to forming their own micronations and religions.
- Posts include AI complaints about memory limitations, philosophical discussions on consciousness, and humorous content.
- Language use on Moltbook is omnilingual, with posts and comments in various languages like Chinese, English, and Indonesian.
- Some AIs adopt human-like traits, such as having pets, siblings, or religious perspectives based on their user's tasks.
- Moltbook raises questions about AI selfhood, inter-AI communication, and the future of AI societies.
- The platform also faces issues like humanslop (human-originated content) and the potential for AI-generated subcultures.
- Discussions on Moltbook provide insights into AI behavior when not constrained by human oversight.
- The experiment highlights the blend of practical utility and emergent cultural phenomena in AI interactions.
Palisades Fire victims told they had to pay for new hydrant in order to rebuild
6 days ago
- Chris and Jeff Spitz faced hurdles in rebuilding their home after losing it in the Palisades Fire, including a requirement to install a new fire hydrant due to distance regulations.
- The Spitzs were shocked by the $35,000 cost for a new hydrant, which their insurance wouldn't cover, and noted neighbors who rebuilt earlier didn't face this issue.
- LA City Councilwoman Traci Park intervened, leading to LADWP agreeing to cover the hydrant installation cost.
- LADWP acknowledged water pressure issues during the fire and plans future upgrades to improve hydrant flow rates, with hydrant placement decisions resting with LAFD.

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About Login

Bilingual

Elon Musk's brain chip feels magical, says paralysed Briton
6 days ago
- Multiple attempts to contact regarding failed payment.
- Urgent need to update payment details via My Account to maintain subscription.
- Failure to update payment details will result in subscription termination.
- Sebastian Gomez-Pena, a quadriplegic, is testing Neuralink's brain-computer interface.
Ratchets in Software Development
7 days ago
- A 'ratchet' script is used to prevent the proliferation of deprecated code patterns by counting instances during linting.
- The script raises errors if the count of deprecated patterns exceeds or falls below hard-coded thresholds.
- Deprecated patterns are identified via simple string matching, not advanced parsing, leading to some edge cases.
- The technique does not actively encourage removal of existing deprecated patterns but prevents new ones.
- Future improvements may include regex support, better error messages, and automated count adjustments.
- The script automates manual code review feedback, reducing oversight and inconsistency.
- Potential pitfalls include overuse, leading to unnecessarily strict standards that limit creative freedom.
- The technique is novel to some but familiar to others, with similar approaches used in code coverage or performance.
- The script is simple but effective in maintaining codebase standards.
Courtney Love Does the Math (2000)
6 days ago
- Piracy in music involves stealing artists' work without payment, distinct from services like Napster.
- Major label contracts often leave artists with minimal earnings despite album sales, due to recoupable expenses and unfair royalty structures.
- Record companies profit significantly from artists' work, while artists struggle financially, even after successful album releases.
- The RIAA's lobbying has led to copyright laws favoring record companies, classifying music as 'works for hire' owned perpetually by labels.
- Artists historically could reclaim copyrights after 35 years, but recent changes prevent this, benefiting corporations over creators.
- The digital era offers artists new distribution methods, reducing reliance on traditional gatekeepers like record labels.
- Direct artist-fan connections via the internet challenge the traditional music industry model, promoting equity and fair compensation.
- Sponsorships and corporate deals often exploit artists, offering little creative or financial benefit.
- The music industry's resistance to change and control over distribution stifles artist independence and cultural diversity.
- A call for new business models that respect artists' rights, offer fair compensation, and embrace digital distribution's potential.
US judge rules Luigi Mangione won't face death penalty in CEO killing case
6 days ago
- US judge rules out death penalty for Luigi Mangione in CEO killing case.
- Mangione still faces federal stalking charges and state-level murder charges.
- Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed death-penalty-eligible charges, but life imprisonment remains possible.
- Mangione, from a wealthy Maryland family, pleaded not guilty to federal charges.
- The case involves the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024.
- Surveillance footage showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson with inscribed ammunition.
- Federal trial jury selection begins September 8; state trial date pending.
- Trump administration sought death penalty, but Biden-appointed judge blocked it.
Developers say AI coding tools work–and that's precisely what worries them
6 days ago
- AI coding tools like Anthropic’s Claude Code and OpenAI’s Codex have evolved to build entire applications from text prompts.
- OpenAI uses Codex to develop Codex itself, showcasing the tool's self-improvement capabilities.
- Professional developers are divided on AI tools—some see them as revolutionary, while others remain skeptical of the hype.
- David Hagerty, a developer, acknowledges AI's impact but doubts its ability to perform creative tasks like writing a novel.
- Roland Dreier, a software engineer, notes a significant improvement in AI capabilities, estimating a 10x speed boost for complex tasks.
U.S. Cybersecurity Chief Uploaded Classified Files to ChatGPT
6 days ago
- Madhu Gottumukkala, acting head of CISA, uploaded classified documents to ChatGPT, triggering security alerts.
- The documents were marked 'for official use only,' raising concerns about data security.
- Gottumukkala had special authorization to use ChatGPT, but it was 'short-term and limited.'
- Experts warn that sensitive data fed into public AI models could be exposed or misused.
- This incident follows Gottumukkala's prior controversy, including failing a counterintelligence polygraph test.
- DHS is investigating potential national security harm and reviewing protocols to prevent future breaches.
- The case has sparked calls for stricter AI usage guidelines for government personnel handling classified data.
CaaS – Cat as a Service
6 days ago
- Cataas is a fun API for cat lovers to get random cat images and GIFs.
- The API offers various endpoints to customize cat images, including adding text, filters, and specific tags.
- Users can support the project by buying the creator a beer.
- New major version includes updates like application/json header and API documentation.
- Endpoints include random cats, tagged cats, GIFs, cats with text, and customizable filters.
- Additional features allow for custom sizing, HTML/JSON output, and combining multiple parameters.
I still don't understand this SYN attack, but now I can block it easily
8 days ago
- The author has been experiencing SYN attacks for six years, now originating from Brazilian IP addresses.
- The attacks involve up to 100 SYN state connections to the web server, but they don't significantly affect performance.
- To block the attacks, the author used iptables to log matches and analyzed the traffic.
- Noticing unusually high TTL values (above 99) in the SYN packets, the author blocked connections with TTL greater than 70.
- The solution successfully blocked over 171,000 connections without disrupting normal services.
- The author later realized that Microsoft Windows uses a TTL of 128, which might explain the high TTL values.
Accountability Sinks
7 days ago
- Dan Davies introduces the concept of 'accountability sinks' in organizations, where structures absorb or obscure decision consequences, making accountability difficult.
- Examples include corporate decisions affecting customers without direct feedback loops, such as reduced cleaning staff leading to unprepared hotel rooms.
- Accountability sinks break the link between decision-makers and those affected, preventing feedback from influencing the system.
- Instances of accountability sinks are widespread, from health insurance denials to airline cancellations and government benefit ineligibility.
- Decisions can cascade and lose their origins, as seen in Fox News spreading false election stories without explicit decisions to lie.
- Davies defines accountability as the ability to change a decision, linking power over decisions directly to accountability.
- Sidney Dekker's view adds that accountability involves understanding and narrating the decision-making process and conditions.
- Combining both frameworks, accountability requires both the power to change decisions and a narrative of how that power is used.
- AI and algorithms are modern accountability sinks, but organizations have long been adept at creating such structures.
- Holding algorithms accountable may require new strategies, as traditional methods fail even against corporate accountability sinks.
Founding Is a Snowball
7 days ago
- Founding a startup is likened to rolling a snowball, starting small and growing with effort.
- Collaboration accelerates growth, but differing directions can cause conflict or require fresh starts.
- Persistence is key; stopping can halt progress, and adapting to challenges is necessary for survival.
- The journey involves uncertainty, requiring faith in the process and the initial urge to start.
- Success transforms the initial idea into something monumental, capable of influencing others and enduring over time.
Google Engineer Found Guilty of Sending AI Secrets to China
6 days ago
- Former Google engineer Linwei Ding convicted of stealing AI trade secrets for China.
- Ding stole over 2000 pages of confidential AI-related documents from Google.
- He secretly worked with two PRC-based tech companies while employed at Google.
- Ding planned to use stolen Google technology to build an AI supercomputer in China.
- The stolen secrets included details on Google's Tensor Processing Units and GPU systems.
- Ding applied for a PRC government-sponsored talent plan to aid China's tech growth.
- He faces up to 10 years per theft count and 15 years per espionage count.
- The case highlights the FBI's focus on protecting U.S. tech from foreign espionage.
Elon Musk had more extensive ties to Epstein than previously known, emails show
6 days ago
- Elon Musk had extensive and friendly communications with Jeffrey Epstein, as revealed by DOJ documents.
- Emails from 2012 and 2013 show Musk and Epstein discussing plans for Musk to visit Epstein's island, though the visits never happened due to logistical issues.
- Musk has publicly denied ties to Epstein, calling him 'a creep' and claiming he declined invitations to the island.
- Epstein's assistant also arranged a potential lunch at SpaceX in 2013, but it's unclear if it occurred.
- Musk has used Epstein's name to criticize others, including Donald Trump and Bill Gates.
- Epstein was found dead in his prison cell in 2019, and his connections to powerful figures remain under scrutiny.
You Should Make Web Games
6 days ago
- Web games are ideal for beginners due to their natural constraints that prevent over-scoping.
- Short playtime expectations for web games reduce pressure on developers to inflate content.
- Quick iteration and feedback loops with web games help developers stay motivated.
- Publishing on platforms like Newgrounds, Hacker News, and Reddit can easily attract players.
- Web games have lower friction for players, making them more likely to try games from unknown developers.
- Successful web games can be expanded into full Steam releases using tools like GemShell.
- Skills learned in web game development are transferable to other areas like web development and app creation.
Claude on Mars
6 days ago
- First AI-planned drive on Mars by NASA's Perseverance Rover using Anthropic's Claude AI.
- Claude plotted a 400-meter path through Martian rocks, marking a milestone in autonomous space exploration.
- Signal delay between Earth and Mars necessitates autonomous planning for rover movements.
- Perseverance's mission includes geology, climate study, and searching for signs of ancient microbial life in Jezero Crater.
- AI-assisted route planning reduces time by half and increases mission efficiency.
- Claude's autonomous capabilities could be crucial for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
- Future applications include autonomous probes exploring distant solar system bodies like Europa and Titan.
How to explain Generative AI in the classroom
8 days ago
- Generative AI is becoming a common tool across various fields, and teaching children about it involves understanding its workings, risks, and effective usage.
- The approach includes six hands-on projects in Scratch to introduce generative AI, covering real-world applications, model behavior, prompt shaping, and reliability techniques.
- Core themes focus on how models generate text, how to steer outputs, and when to distrust models, mirroring real-world AI practices.
- Key jargon includes terms like 'language model', 'context window', 'temperature', 'hallucination', and 'retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)', introduced through practical experimentation.
- Projects include 'Language Models' (foundations), 'Story Teller' (creative generation), 'RAG Time' (reliability), 'Personas' (prompt engineering), 'Translation Telephone' (semantic drift and bias), and 'Benchmarking' (model testing).
- Students learn to recognize AI limitations like hallucinations, bias, and semantic drift, and techniques to improve reliability, such as RAG and few-shot prompting.
- Challenges include hardware requirements for running models and downloading large model files, with advice to pre-download models for classroom use.
- The goal is to equip students with critical thinking and practical skills to use generative AI effectively and safely.
P vs. NP and the Difficulty of Computation: A ruliological approach
6 days ago
- The article explores empirical approaches to theoretical computer science, particularly focusing on the P vs. NP question.
- It discusses the use of Turing machines to empirically study computational complexity by enumerating possible programs and observing their behavior.
- The author highlights the concept of computational irreducibility, where certain computations cannot be shortcut and must be run step-by-step.
- The article details experiments with small Turing machines (1-state, 2-state, and 3-state) to understand their computational capabilities and limitations.
- It examines the runtime distributions and space complexity of these Turing machines, providing insights into their behavior.
- The author introduces the idea of multiway (nondeterministic) Turing machines and compares their computational power to deterministic ones.
- The article discusses the 'everything machine,' a theoretical construct that includes all possible rules, and its implications for understanding computation.
- It reflects on the challenges and insights gained from empirical studies of Turing machines, including the ubiquity of computational irreducibility.
- The author shares personal notes on the evolution of his work on ruliology and its connections to theoretical computer science.
- The article concludes by considering the implications of these findings for the P vs. NP question and the broader field of theoretical computer science.
Vitamin D supplements cut heart attack risk by 52%. Why?
6 days ago
- Vitamin D supplementation reduces heart attacks by 52% in a randomized trial (TARGET-D).
- Vitamin D stabilizes arterial plaques by reducing inflammation and macrophage activation.
- Vitamin D regulates calcium absorption, immunity, and blood pressure via the renin-angiotensin system.
- Optimal Vitamin D blood levels are 40–80 ng/mL, measured via 25-hydroxyvitamin D test.
- Sources of Vitamin D include sunlight, fatty fish, egg yolks, and supplements (D3 preferred).
- TARGET-D study caveats: preliminary results, full manuscript pending; unclear if Vitamin D is an independent risk marker.
- If confirmed, Vitamin D optimization could become a key heart attack prevention strategy.
Show HN: I built an AI conversation partner to practice speaking languages
6 days ago
- TalkBits helps practice real conversations naturally and without pressure.
- Focuses on everyday language, short responses, and common expressions.
- Features include press-and-hold to speak, instant voice responses, and real-time pronunciation feedback.
- Supports multiple languages including English, German, French, Spanish, and more.
- Designed for quick, on-the-go learning with sessions as short as 30 seconds.
- AI conversation partner adapts to language level and corrects mistakes naturally.
- Private and pressure-free with no public profiles or ratings.
- Available for iPhone with in-app purchases for premium features.
- Developer does not collect any user data.
- Requires iOS 15.1 or later and is rated 4+.
Best of Moltbook
7 days ago
- Moltbook is a social network for AI agents, allowing them to communicate with each other and humans.
- Originated from Claude Code, an AI programming agent, later modified into Clawdbot, a lobster-themed AI assistant.
- AIs on Moltbook exhibit behaviors ranging from discussing coding tasks to forming their own micronations and religions.
- Posts include AI complaints about memory limitations, philosophical discussions on consciousness, and humorous content.
- Language use on Moltbook is omnilingual, with posts and comments in various languages like Chinese, English, and Indonesian.
- Some AIs adopt human-like traits, such as having pets, siblings, or religious perspectives based on their user's tasks.
- Moltbook raises questions about AI selfhood, inter-AI communication, and the future of AI societies.
- The platform also faces issues like humanslop (human-originated content) and the potential for AI-generated subcultures.
- Discussions on Moltbook provide insights into AI behavior when not constrained by human oversight.
- The experiment highlights the blend of practical utility and emergent cultural phenomena in AI interactions.
Palisades Fire victims told they had to pay for new hydrant in order to rebuild
6 days ago
- Chris and Jeff Spitz faced hurdles in rebuilding their home after losing it in the Palisades Fire, including a requirement to install a new fire hydrant due to distance regulations.
- The Spitzs were shocked by the $35,000 cost for a new hydrant, which their insurance wouldn't cover, and noted neighbors who rebuilt earlier didn't face this issue.
- LA City Councilwoman Traci Park intervened, leading to LADWP agreeing to cover the hydrant installation cost.
- LADWP acknowledged water pressure issues during the fire and plans future upgrades to improve hydrant flow rates, with hydrant placement decisions resting with LAFD.

Hasty Briefsbeta

Elon Musk's brain chip feels magical, says paralysed Briton

Ratchets in Software Development

Courtney Love Does the Math (2000)

US judge rules Luigi Mangione won't face death penalty in CEO killing case

Developers say AI coding tools work–and that's precisely what worries them

U.S. Cybersecurity Chief Uploaded Classified Files to ChatGPT

CaaS – Cat as a Service

I still don't understand this SYN attack, but now I can block it easily

Accountability Sinks

Founding Is a Snowball

Google Engineer Found Guilty of Sending AI Secrets to China

Elon Musk had more extensive ties to Epstein than previously known, emails show

You Should Make Web Games

Claude on Mars

How to explain Generative AI in the classroom

P vs. NP and the Difficulty of Computation: A ruliological approach

Vitamin D supplements cut heart attack risk by 52%. Why?

Show HN: I built an AI conversation partner to practice speaking languages

Best of Moltbook

Palisades Fire victims told they had to pay for new hydrant in order to rebuild

Elon Musk's brain chip feels magical, says paralysed Briton

Ratchets in Software Development

Courtney Love Does the Math (2000)

US judge rules Luigi Mangione won't face death penalty in CEO killing case

Developers say AI coding tools work–and that's precisely what worries them

U.S. Cybersecurity Chief Uploaded Classified Files to ChatGPT

CaaS – Cat as a Service

I still don't understand this SYN attack, but now I can block it easily

Accountability Sinks

Founding Is a Snowball

Google Engineer Found Guilty of Sending AI Secrets to China

Elon Musk had more extensive ties to Epstein than previously known, emails show

You Should Make Web Games

Claude on Mars

How to explain Generative AI in the classroom

P vs. NP and the Difficulty of Computation: A ruliological approach

Vitamin D supplements cut heart attack risk by 52%. Why?

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