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Ex-Intel CEOs mission to build Christian AI hasten the coming of Christs return
6 months ago
- Patrick Gelsinger, former Intel CEO, now leads Gloo, a tech company for the 'faith ecosystem'.
- Gloo focuses on AI and chatbots for churches, aligning technology with Christian values.
- Gelsinger aims to advance Christian principles in Silicon Valley and Congress with $110M in funding.
- Gloo serves over 140,000 faith, ministry, and nonprofit leaders, but its user base is smaller than mainstream AI platforms.
- Religiosity, exemplified by figures like Peter Thiel, is shaping Silicon Valley's culture.
- Gelsinger compares AI's impact to the Gutenberg printing press, calling it a 'Gutenberg moment' for the Church.
- Gloo hosted a hackathon with 600 participants, offering $250K in prizes, but faced vulnerabilities in its new LLM.
- Gelsinger engages with conservative political circles and has presented Gloo's work to congressional leaders.
- Gloo maintains an ecumenical approach, avoiding denominational disputes and welcoming diverse users.
- Gelsinger's Flourishing AI initiative evaluates LLMs' impact on human welfare, with mixed results on spiritual support.
China's Green Vehicle Roadmap 3.0: Targets over 80% NEV Penetration by 2040
6 months ago
- Roadmap 3.0 released by China Society of Automotive Engineers on October 23, guiding China's automotive industry towards 2040 with a dual-driver strategy of 'product technology' and 'manufacturing technology'.
- Three major transformation directions: low-carbonization, electrification, and intelligentization.
- Six major goals for 2040: NEV market penetration >80%, carbon emissions peak by 2028 and decrease by 60% by 2040, L4-level intelligent vehicles fully popularized, and L5-level technology entering the market.
- Internal combustion engines to remain important; by 2035, traditional energy passenger vehicles will achieve full hybridization.
- Commercial vehicles to focus on fuel cell applications, with 4-5 million units by 2040.
- Intelligentization goals: vehicles as 'smart mobile spaces', L2+ autonomous driving fully popularized by 2030, and L4 operational vehicle sales reaching hundreds of thousands.
- Smart manufacturing technology cluster introduced, aiming for quality, efficiency, cost, and low-carbon goals by 2040.
- New 'average carbon emission intensity' indicator targets 60% reduction by 2040 compared to 2024.
I Don't Want Ads on My Refrigerator
6 months ago
- English majors often discuss job prospects rather than literature.
- Advertising was once a recommended career for English majors, but it's now more about annoyance than creativity.
- Companies are increasingly inserting ads into digital interfaces, including vehicles and appliances.
- Samsung is introducing ads on smart refrigerators, which has sparked consumer backlash.
- There is a growing trend of avoiding smart appliances due to ads and unnecessary complexity.
- Social media and digital services are not necessities, and many people are choosing to leave them.
'Most of it is good': Tim Berners-Lee on the state of the web now
6 months ago
- Tim Berners-Lee created a map of the internet, highlighting both its positive aspects and harmful elements like Facebook and TikTok.
- The web has grown from a single user to 5.5 billion, revolutionizing communication and daily life, but also bringing problems like misinformation and social media addiction.
- Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web at CERN, combining hyperlinks and the internet to create a free, open system for document sharing.
- Early web optimism centered on collaboration and creativity, exemplified by Wikipedia, but concerns arose with the 2016 elections and social media manipulation.
- Berners-Lee advocates for digital sovereignty and data wallets (pods) to give users control over their personal data, moving away from platform-controlled ecosystems.
- He envisions an 'intention economy' where AI and companies assist users based on their needs, shifting power from big tech back to individuals.
Apple reports fourth quarter results
6 months ago
- Apple reported a record September quarter revenue of $102.5 billion, up 8% year over year.
- Diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $1.85, up 13% year over year on an adjusted basis.
- iPhone revenue and Services revenue both reached all-time highs.
- Apple launched new products including iPhone 17 series, AirPods Pro 3, and updated Apple Watch, MacBook Pro, and iPad Pro with M5 chip.
- Fiscal year revenue reached $416 billion with double-digit EPS growth.
- Apple's installed base of active devices hit a new all-time high across all categories and regions.
- Apple declared a cash dividend of $0.26 per share, payable on November 13, 2025.
- A live stream of the Q4 2025 earnings call will be available on October 30, 2025.
Dating: A Mysterious Constellation of Facts
6 months ago
- Dating apps are popular but widely disliked, leading to a supposed resurgence in alternatives like speed dating.
- The paradox: if dating apps are bad, why don't better alternatives emerge? Network effects are often cited as the reason, creating an oligopoly.
- Match Group, owner of major dating apps, shows high profitability, similar to entrenched tech companies.
- Speed dating events, with small numbers, can be effective, raising questions about why dating apps can't replicate this success.
- Three theories explored: Selection (attendees might be better matches), Bandwidth (in-person interactions provide more information), and Behavior (people act differently in person).
- Obscure theories include niche markets, inherent success of certain individuals, and technological difficulty in creating apps.
- Conclusion: In-person interactions' high bandwidth is key, while dating apps' low bandwidth requires large pools, leading to network effects and profit extraction.
- Question remains: Why aren't dating apps improving to provide better information like in-person interactions?
OpenAI Uses Complex and Circular Deals to Fuel Its Multibillion-Dollar Rise
6 months ago
- OpenAI uses complex and circular financial deals to fund its AI ambitions.
- Microsoft invested over $13 billion in OpenAI, which then spent most of it back on Microsoft's cloud computing services.
- OpenAI signed cloud computing contracts with Oracle and CoreWeave, agreeing to pay over $22 billion for computing power.
- SoftBank led a $40 billion investment in OpenAI and is raising $100 billion to help build data centers.
- Oracle is spending $300 billion to build data centers for OpenAI, which OpenAI will pay to use.
- G42, linked to the UAE government, is building a $20 billion data center complex for OpenAI.
- Nvidia plans to invest $100 billion in OpenAI, while OpenAI buys chips from Nvidia.
- OpenAI signed a deal with AMD to buy up to 160 million shares at a penny per share, potentially giving it a 10% stake.
- OpenAI generates billions in revenue but still operates at a loss, relying on future AI advancements to become profitable.
- If AI progress stalls, OpenAI and its partners could face significant financial losses, with smaller companies like CoreWeave at risk of bankruptcy.
Xkcd: Shielding Chart
6 months ago
- xkcd.com recommends viewing with outdated software and hardware configurations.
- Users are humorously advised to enable ad blockers and adjust device settings for 'security'.
- The instructions include using Boat Mode instead of Airplane Mode and keeping caps lock on.
The Suppliers Behind the Apple Pencil Pro
6 months ago
- The Apple Pencil Pro, launched in May 2024, is popular among artists and professionals.
- Apple collaborates with key suppliers like TSMC, Bosch, and Texas Instruments for components.
- Outsourcing is a strategic necessity for Apple, allowing it to focus on design and user experience.
- Key suppliers include Texas Instruments (power management ICs), Bosch (sensors), and SiTime (timing solutions).
- Apple's shift from Samsung to TSMC for chip manufacturing was a pivotal moment in its success.
- Apple's reliance on third-party suppliers is unlikely to change due to the complexity and cost of in-house production.
- The company's success is built on collaboration with specialized partners, ensuring high-performance and proprietary components.
- Future innovations in AR, AI, and health tech will deepen Apple's dependence on advanced supplier components.
Using FreeBSD to make self-hosting fun again
6 months ago
- The author needed a fresh start in their relationship with technology and found it in BSD operating systems.
- OpenBSD was already part of their workflow for single-purpose VMs but couldn't meet multi-purpose needs, unlike FreeBSD.
- The author committed to using FreeBSD, purchasing a server from Hetzner, and began setting it up with BastilleBSD and vm-bhyve.
- Despite initial confusion, the author enjoyed the learning process and excitement of self-hosting again.
- FreeBSD's simplicity, good documentation, and long-term compatibility were highly appreciated.
- The BSD community was supportive and helpful, making the learning experience enjoyable.
- The author is uncertain about long-term usage but values the current fun and learning experience.
Paris Had a Moving Sidewalk in 1900, and a Thomas Edison Film Captured It
6 months ago
- Moving walkways, now common in places like airports, were once a marvel, especially at the Paris Exposition of 1900.
- Thomas Edison sent a producer to film the Paris Exposition, capturing footage of the moving sidewalk, including playful interactions with the technology.
- The Paris Exposition's moving sidewalk featured three platforms at different speeds, offering both efficiency and entertainment to visitors.
- The concept of moving walkways predates Paris, with an earlier version at Chicago's 1893 Columbian Exposition, though it was less reliable.
- Early moving walkways, while seen as novelties, hold potential for future public transit, combining utility with enjoyment.
- The Paris Exposition's moving sidewalk was described as an 'endless floor,' a technological spectacle that left a lasting impression.
Bye, Google Search
6 months ago
- The blog previously used Google for search but switched to Pagefind due to Google's inability to reliably find pages.
- Pagefind is a static search library that works efficiently with static file sites, requiring minimal setup.
- The indexing process for Pagefind took about a minute for 2.5 million words on a VPS, raising questions about scalability for larger datasets.
- Pagefind's index is client-side, fetching necessary pieces via HTTP GETs, making it fully static.
- Customization of Pagefind's UI involved some CSS tweaking and adding specific data attributes for metadata.
- The blog contains unpublished content, requiring manual cleanup to prevent it from appearing in search results.
- Pagefind supports advanced search features like matching across verb forms and singular/plural, with exact match options using quotes.
- The author appreciates Pagefind's multilingual capabilities, though they primarily write in English.
- A cron job is set up to re-run the Pagefind indexer daily for updated search results.
- The transition to Pagefind was smooth, with the author expressing satisfaction with its performance and features.
AI's Dial-Up Era
6 months ago
- The internet in 1995 was slow, unreliable, and had very few websites, leading to skepticism about its future.
- Optimists predicted rapid digital transformation, while pessimists dismissed the internet as a fad.
- AI today is in a similar phase, with debates about its potential to replace jobs or create new ones.
- Jevons Paradox explains why AI may increase demand for certain jobs, like radiology, rather than eliminate them.
- Employment outcomes depend on whether demand growth outpaces productivity improvements from automation.
- The dotcom bubble of the 1990s led to overbuilding but also laid the foundation for future technologies.
- Today's AI boom shows signs of both irrational exuberance and real, transformative potential.
- Different industries will experience varied impacts from AI, depending on demand saturation and automation potential.
- AI will unlock new markets by reducing costs, enabling products and services previously too expensive to create.
- The future of AI is unpredictable, with new job categories and industries likely to emerge.
How AGI became the most consequential conspiracy theory of our time
6 months ago
- AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) is described as a consequential conspiracy theory of our time, likened to other grand narratives like the Second Coming or UFO abductions.
- The concept of AGI has evolved from a fringe idea to a dominant narrative in the tech industry, influencing major companies and investments.
- Key figures like Ilya Sutskever, Ben Goertzel, and Eliezer Yudkowsky have played significant roles in popularizing AGI, with mixed motivations ranging from utopian visions to apocalyptic fears.
- AGI lacks a clear definition, making it a flexible and debatable concept that resists debunking, similar to conspiracy theories.
- The belief in AGI has led to significant resource allocation, with companies like OpenAI and Nvidia investing billions in data centers and infrastructure.
- Critics argue that the focus on AGI distracts from solving immediate, practical problems and could have negative policy and societal impacts.
- The narrative around AGI serves the interests of tech elites, who benefit from the hype and investment it generates, potentially at the expense of broader societal needs.
- AGI is compared to a religious belief, with technology seen as a savior or destroyer, reflecting deep-seated human desires for transcendence and purpose.
- The article questions the feasibility and ethics of pursuing AGI, suggesting it may be a myth that distorts our understanding of intelligence and technology.
NY Smartphone Ban Has Made Lunch Loud Again
6 months ago
- Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Queens has implemented a smartphone ban, making lunchtimes louder and more interactive.
- Students now engage in board games like Jenga, chess, and Scrabble, donated by faculty to ease the transition.
- The ban prohibits internet-enabled devices, with exceptions for students with disabilities or those needing translation apps.
- Schools have flexibility in storage plans; Cardozo uses magnetic pouches to block internet access.
- Teachers report improved classroom environments, with 89% noting better engagement and focus among students.
- New York is among 31 states banning smartphones in schools, aligning with national trends.
- Students adapt by reading physical books more and engaging in analog activities like passing notes and playing cards.
- Some students oppose the ban, citing a lack of trust between students and teachers.
- Rule-breakers face escalating punishments, but schools cannot suspend students solely for smartphone violations.
- Analog technologies like Polaroid cameras and clocks are making a comeback among students.
Prefer Boring Technology
6 months ago
- The author recently replaced their problematic Framework laptop with a Dell Latitude 5450, a common corporate laptop.
- They define 'boring technology' as well-tested, reliable, and produced by established companies—not startups or version 1 products.
- Boring technology lacks hype, has a reputation for reliability, and is used in industries where consistency matters.
- Key criteria for boring tech: used by professionals, no hype, reliability-focused, not from startups, not version 1, community support, spare parts availability, and no standout 'wow' features.
- Benefits of boring tech: lower risk of failure, affordability (often available second-hand), and proven reliability.
- Exciting tech has its place but should be limited to peripherals, noncritical software, or toys—not core tools.
Magnetic Core Memory
6 months ago
- Magnetic core memory revolutionized computer memory by using tiny magnetic donuts as bits.
- Jay Forrester developed the 'coincident current' method, crucial for reading and writing in core memory.
- Early cores were 1/16” in diameter, costing about $1 per bit, but later became smaller, faster, and cheaper.
- An Wang sold his core memory patent to IBM for $500,000, founding Wang Laboratories.
- Multiple inventors, including Frederick Viehe, An Wang, Jan Rajchman, and Jay Forrester, contributed to core memory's development.
- IBM paid MIT $13 million for rights to Forrester’s patent, the largest settlement at the time.
- Core memory manufacturing was delicate, often performed by women using microscopes and steady hands.
- BIAX memory cores, though fast, were expensive and used primarily in military and aerospace applications.
Transparent computer monitor designed to protect your vision
6 months ago
- Phantom is the first transparent computer monitor, merging digital and physical worlds.
- Adjustable transparency allows it to convert into a regular monitor when needed.
- Compatible with computers, gaming consoles, and mobile devices via USB-C or HDMI.
- Enables users to look through the screen, reducing eye strain instantly.
- Designed to protect vision health without compromising performance.
Consider a Burner Phone for Your Holiday Travel This Year
6 months ago
- US border agents are increasing searches of travelers' personal devices, including copying or analyzing phone contents.
- Nearly 15,000 device searches occurred between April and June, with over 1,000 using advanced tools.
- A burner phone is recommended for privacy, allowing travelers to stay connected without exposing personal data.
- Burner phones are cheap, prepaid, and disposable, making them untraceable and appealing for privacy-conscious users.
- They can be used for various purposes, including avoiding spam, two-factor authentication, or roaming charges.
- Burner phones differ from prepaid smartphones as they require no personal information and are designed for short-term use.
- Available at major retailers, convenience stores, and gas stations, burner phones cost between $10 and $50.
- Burner SIMs offer an alternative to buying a new phone, providing prepaid service without a contract.
- Apps like Google Fi and Burner offer secondary numbers but may not provide complete anonymity.
Samsung Family Hub fridges will start showing adds to "Elevate" Home Ecosystem
6 months ago
- Samsung's Family Hub™ 2025 software update enhances smart home ecosystem with unified UI, AI Vision Inside™, and Knox Security.
- New One UI design extends to 2024 Family Hub™ models for seamless experience across Samsung devices.
- AI Vision Inside™ now recognizes 37 fresh foods and 50 packaged items to reduce waste and save money.
- Bixby's Voice ID personalizes user experience by recognizing voices and syncing with Samsung accounts.
- New widget pilot for Cover screens displays news, weather, and ads, with options to disable ads.
- Knox Matrix expands security to more appliances, monitoring device statuses for a safer home network.
- Update notification will appear on eligible fridges, requiring user acceptance to install.

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#technology

Ex-Intel CEOs mission to build Christian AI hasten the coming of Christs return

China's Green Vehicle Roadmap 3.0: Targets over 80% NEV Penetration by 2040

I Don't Want Ads on My Refrigerator

'Most of it is good': Tim Berners-Lee on the state of the web now

Apple reports fourth quarter results

Dating: A Mysterious Constellation of Facts

OpenAI Uses Complex and Circular Deals to Fuel Its Multibillion-Dollar Rise

Xkcd: Shielding Chart

The Suppliers Behind the Apple Pencil Pro

Using FreeBSD to make self-hosting fun again

Paris Had a Moving Sidewalk in 1900, and a Thomas Edison Film Captured It

Bye, Google Search

AI's Dial-Up Era

How AGI became the most consequential conspiracy theory of our time

NY Smartphone Ban Has Made Lunch Loud Again

Prefer Boring Technology

Magnetic Core Memory

Transparent computer monitor designed to protect your vision

Consider a Burner Phone for Your Holiday Travel This Year

Samsung Family Hub fridges will start showing adds to "Elevate" Home Ecosystem