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A Programmer's Loss of Identity
3 months ago
- The author reflects on their loss of identity as a 'computer programmer' due to shifts in the industry's culture and values.
- They express disillusionment with the current state of programming, which they feel has moved away from craftsmanship towards surveillance and corporate control.
- The author discusses how their social identity as a programmer influenced their life, from friendships to career choices, but now feels alienated from the broader programming community.
- They criticize the trend towards boilerplate code and lack of focus on language design and software maintenance, contrasting it with their values of learning and craftsmanship.
- Despite their loss of identity, the author finds solace in other interests like art, books, and music, and remains committed to creating and sharing technical content for like-minded individuals.
Amazon, Google Unwittingly Reveal the Severity of the U.S. Surveillance State
3 months ago
- Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest highlight the growing ubiquity of the U.S. surveillance state.
- Amazon's 'Search Party' feature for Ring cameras sparked backlash by revealing invasive neighborhood-wide surveillance capabilities.
- Google's Nest stored footage of unsubscribed users, contradicting common understanding and raising privacy concerns.
- Facial recognition and AI advancements are eroding privacy, with data collection becoming more intrusive.
- Public reaction to privacy invasions remains muted, possibly due to a lack of awareness or prioritization of material concerns over abstract rights.
- Edward Snowden's revelations a decade ago led to temporary outrage but failed to halt the expansion of state-corporate surveillance.
The singularity won't be gentle
3 months ago
- AI's potential impact on politics is profound and unpredictable, especially if it transforms work and daily life as Silicon Valley expects.
- The concept of a 'gentle singularity' is dismissed as unrealistic, with skepticism about AI's rapid self-improvement leading to universally positive outcomes.
- Public trust in large technology companies has declined, reflecting broader skepticism about the benefits of technological progress.
- Silicon Valley's political influence is questioned, with concerns about its insularity and potential to exacerbate inequality.
- The left's initial dismissal of AI's significance may lead to stronger political backlash once its impacts become undeniable.
- Creative classes, including writers and artists, face significant job displacement risks, potentially leading to political unrest.
- AI's advancement could mirror globalization's effects, benefiting some while causing widespread societal and economic disruption for others.
- The potential for violent political ramifications is highlighted, given the historical precedent of technological upheaval leading to social unrest.
China's dancing robots: how worried should we be?
3 months ago
- Dancing humanoid robots showcased at China's Spring Festival Gala, performing intricate stunts like kung fu and choreographed dances.
- Experts debate the robots' capabilities, with some viewing the display as state propaganda highlighting China's technological advancements.
- Comparisons made to last year's simpler robot performances, indicating progress in synchronized movements and stability.
- China's robotics industry is booming, with 451,700 registered companies and significant government backing through initiatives like Made in China 2025.
- Projections suggest China's humanoid robot sales will exceed 28,000 units by 2026, with Elon Musk noting Chinese companies as major competitors.
- The showcase signals China's shift towards high-end smart manufacturing, with robotics playing a central role.
Microsoft team creates 'revolutionary' data storage system that lasts millennia
3 months ago
- Microsoft researchers developed a long-term data storage system using glass that can last for millennia.
- The system uses a high-energy laser to imprint data into borosilicate glass, encoding information in deformations.
- A 12cm wide, 2mm thick glass square can store 4.8 terabytes, equivalent to 2 million printed books.
- Data is read using a microscope that detects light shifts through the glass deformations.
- The glass storage method is immutable, requiring no maintenance or temperature control once written.
- The technology improves upon previous methods by using cheaper borosilicate glass and faster, more reliable data encoding.
- Microsoft's Project Silica demonstrates a practical, deployable archival system with potential to revolutionize data storage.
Forget DeepSeek, dying alone is China's latest tech obsession
3 months ago
- DeepSeek's AI model was the hottest Chinese tech product last year.
- In 2026, the trending app is 'Are You Dead?', designed for people worried about dying alone.
- The app allows users to confirm they are alive; missing two consecutive days alerts an emergency contact.
- The app went viral globally without advertising, coinciding with China's record-low birth rate and rising divorce rates.
5.25-inch floppy disks expected to help run San Francisco trains until 2030 (2024)
3 months ago
- SFMTA uses 5¼-inch floppy disks to load software for Muni Metro's Automatic Train Control System (ATCS).
- The ATCS, installed in 1998, includes onboard train computers, servers, and communication systems.
- Trains operate automatically in the subway, supervised by operators, and switch to manual mode on streets.
- Plans to overhaul the ATCS and move away from floppy disks began in 2018, with completion expected by 2029-2030.
- SFMTA aims to implement a unified train control system for the entire rail network.
Mirfield man's tears of joy after lost voicemail of wife retrieved (2015)
3 months ago
- Stan Beaton had kept a voicemail of his late wife Ruby's voice since her death in 2003.
- The voicemail was accidentally deleted during technical work by Virgin Media, leaving Stan devastated.
- Virgin Media engineers successfully recovered the voicemail after a three-day search involving 11 engineers.
- Stan described hearing his wife's voice again as 'wonderful' and expressed immense gratitude to Virgin Media.
- The recovered voicemail has been permanently saved for Stan to cherish.
The End of AI Tourism: Tools vs. Toys
2 months ago
- The text discusses the dichotomy between established companies like Adobe integrating AI as a tool versus startups that rely on AI as their sole product.
- It highlights the issue of 'AI tourists'—users who engage with AI apps for entertainment but lack long-term commitment, leading to high churn rates.
- The author uses the example of Suno, an AI music generator, to illustrate how companies built on novelty struggle to retain users and pivot to professional markets.
- Adobe and Google are presented as examples of companies that successfully integrate AI into existing workflows, making AI a feature rather than the product.
- The conclusion suggests that the best investment opportunities lie in established firms that innovate within their ecosystems rather than in flashy but unsustainable AI startups.
We installed a single turnstile to feel secure
2 months ago
- Security became a top priority after acquisition by a larger company.
- Key card readers were installed everywhere, including elevators and parking lots.
- Employees faced issues like forgetting key cards and getting locked out.
- Turnstiles were introduced, causing long lines and delays.
- Elevator key card readers added to the chaos, making commutes take over an hour.
- A software engineer identified a security flaw with Jira credentials stored in cookies.
- Real security measures like proper authentication were overlooked in favor of visible but ineffective security theater.
- Management celebrated turnstile installations while ignoring critical vulnerabilities.
Hacker News.love – 22 projects Hacker News didn't love
2 months ago
- Dropbox was initially dismissed but IPO'd in 2018 at a $12B valuation.
- GitHub, perceived as just a git host, was acquired by Microsoft for $7.5B in 2018.
- Bitcoin, with minimal initial interest, grew to a $2 trillion asset class.
- DuckDuckGo overcame name criticism to reach 100M+ daily queries and a $600M valuation.
- Uber faced skepticism and legal challenges but IPO'd in 2019 at a $160B valuation.
- Airbnb, doubted for scalability and trust issues, IPO'd in 2020 at a $100B+ valuation.
- Stripe, compared unfavorably to PayPal, reached a $106B+ valuation.
- Instacart, seen as non-scalable, IPO'd in 2023 at a $12B valuation.
- Segment was acquired by Twilio for $3.2B in 2020.
- TypeScript became the most impactful programming language of the 2010s.
- React, criticized for mixing markup and logic, became the most popular UI library.
- Product Hunt became the go-to platform for launching tech products.
- Airtable created a new product category and reached an $11B valuation.
- Figma, initially met with 'MEH', was valued at $20B and IPO'd at $60B+.
- Tailwind CSS became the most-downloaded CSS framework.
- Warp, criticized for being VC-backed, became the most popular modern terminal.
- Bun became a legitimate Node.js alternative with 80,000+ GitHub stars.
- ChatGPT became the fastest-growing consumer app in history.
- Cursor IDE, initially unnoticed, was valued at $10B by 2025.
- Windsurf was acquired in a $2.4B deal.
- Claude Code hit $1B in annualized revenue within 6 months.
- An AI agent project surpassed 145,000+ GitHub stars and spawned an ecosystem.
Landlines are ringing in homes again. Why parents are happy about that
2 months ago
- Kara Alaimo, a communication professor, advocates for managing screen time and discusses the toxicity of social media for women and girls in her 2024 book.
- Alison Lundberg reintroduced a landline to her home to ensure her 4-year-old daughter could call 911 in emergencies, sparking joy and nostalgia.
- Landlines help children like Ava maintain relationships with out-of-state grandparents independently, fostering communication skills.
- Parents like Lundberg and Eliza Bianco report that landlines teach kids phone etiquette and delay social media exposure.
- Landlines facilitate genuine, distraction-free conversations among kids, aiding social development, as seen in a case where two boys resolved a conflict over the phone.
- Dr. Shayl Griffith suggests creating a media plan tailored to family needs before opting for a landline, emphasizing the importance of preparing kids for online safety.
- Landlines can promote independence and reduce early social media use but require coordination with other parents to be effective for social connections.
- Alternatives to smartphones, like landlines, encourage meaningful family discussions about technology use and safety.
Disappointing Phones
2 months ago
- The author's OnePlus 5T will become unusable for calls in 2026 due to the 3G shutdown in New Zealand.
- Key requirements for a new phone include: good cameras, customizable software, local availability for repairs, manageable size, and a headphone jack.
- After research, the author found no locally available phones with headphone jacks, forcing them to compromise on that requirement.
- Shortlisted phones include the Samsung S24/S25 and Xiaomi 15, both meeting some but not all requirements.
- The Asus Zenfone 10 offers a headphone jack and compact size but lacks local availability and has outdated updates.
- Apple's iPhone mini is considered but dismissed due to software limitations and ecosystem incompatibility.
- The author expresses disappointment with current phone options, feeling they are compromises compared to their OnePlus 5T.
Aesthetics of single threading
2 months ago
- Human multitasking is a misconception; the brain operates like a single-core processor, switching tasks rapidly.
- Context switching in humans, similar to computers, causes significant energy waste and mental exhaustion.
- Excessive task-switching leads to burnout, akin to computer thrashing where resources are wasted on swapping tasks.
- Modern life's asynchronous processing leads to packed schedules, but true immersion comes from focusing on one task at a time.
- Single-threading moments, like making espresso or truly listening, create deep, meaningful experiences.
- Despite awareness, people often revert to multitasking due to societal pressures for efficiency.
What Happened to Fry's Electronics
2 months ago
- Fry’s Electronics was a major computer store chain, known for its large selection and low prices, but also for poor customer service.
- Founded in 1985 by former supermarket owners, Fry’s initially sold groceries alongside electronics and computer components.
- Each Fry’s store had a unique theme, aiming to be a destination like IKEA, with some locations even featuring cafes.
- The rise of online shopping significantly impacted Fry’s, as they were slow to establish an online presence, launching frys.com only in 2006.
- An embezzlement scandal in 2008 involving a VP led to lawsuits and financial losses, though the chain continued operating for another 12 years.
- Fry’s decline was marked by empty shelves, supplier reluctance, and store closures, culminating in the closure of all remaining stores in 2021, citing COVID-19 as a factor.
- Customer experiences at Fry’s were mixed, with complaints about aggressive commission-based sales tactics and inconsistent merchandise quality.
- Despite its flaws, Fry’s held a nostalgic place for many tech enthusiasts, though not everyone mourned its closure.
Even the Mars Rover Uses Zip Ties (2021)
2 months ago
- NASA's Perseverance rover landed on Mars after 10 years of development and a 7-month journey.
- The rover uses high-performance Ty-Rap zip ties made of Tefzel ETFE resins to secure wires and equipment.
- Ty-Rap ties are durable, radiation-resistant, and can withstand extreme temperatures, making them ideal for space missions.
- These ties have been used in previous NASA missions, including the Curiosity, Spirit, and Opportunity rovers.
- ABB, the manufacturer, has supplied NASA with these ties since 1973.
- The aquamarine-colored ties on Perseverance can handle 2,000 times more radiation than nylon.
- Ty-Rap ties are available commercially, with a pack of 100 costing less than $30 at Home Depot.
The AI Bubble Is Bursting
2 months ago
- AI is here to stay and will become a necessity in daily life, similar to electricity and the internet.
- Current AI tools are not meeting expectations, with minimal productivity gains observed.
- The AI hype is derailing due to lack of significant productivity improvements and the prevalence of 'Fauxtimation' (fake AI powered by human labor).
- Democratization of digital labor through AI poses a profit problem, as widespread access reduces the value of specialized apps and services.
- The AI investment bubble is bursting due to unclear profitability paths and overinvestment, with comparisons to past tech bubbles highlighting unsustainable growth.
- The race for AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) is driving massive investments, but experts doubt current LLM technology can achieve it.
- Existing tech giants like Google and Amazon are integrating AI into their services, making it hard for pure AI companies to compete and profit.
- Consumer attention and spending are already saturated, limiting new revenue streams for AI companies.
- AI will improve lives incrementally but is unlikely to deliver the massive profits anticipated by investors and CEOs.
Dear Time Lords: Freeze Computers in 1993
2 months ago
- The author humorously proposes that computer technology should have stopped evolving in 1993, arguing that the technologies available then were optimal.
- In 1993, CPUs like the MIPS R4000 were simple, efficient, and just complex enough with features like MMU, FPU, and RISC architecture.
- Distributed operating systems like OSF/1 with DCE offered capabilities like distributed filesystems, RPC, and Kerberos, which the author claims haven't been meaningfully improved since.
- Programming languages such as Modula 3, Sather, and Dylan were safe and expressive, unlike later languages like Java and JavaScript.
- The web was still niche in 1993, and the author believes its subsequent explosion was a mistake, preferring alternatives like Gopher, IRC, and FTP.
Washington state hotline callers hear AI voice with Spanish accent – AP News
2 months ago
- Callers to Washington state hotline pressing 2 for Spanish received AI English with a Spanish accent instead.
- The issue persisted for months before being fixed by the Washington Department of Licensing.
- Maya Edwards highlighted the problem after her husband encountered it, leading to widespread attention on TikTok.
- The Department of Licensing apologized, attributing the error to staff and newer AI-driven technology.
- Amazon's platform, specifically the 'Polly' service with the 'Lucia' voice, was identified as the source of the accented English.
- The problem raised concerns about accessibility for non-English speakers.
Have We Forgotten How to Design?
2 months ago
- Waymo partners with DoorDash to manually close car doors left open by passengers.
- Criticism of Waymo's inability to automate door closing despite advanced self-driving technology.
- Comparison to existing technologies like power-sliding doors that can automate door operations.
- Reflection on the tech industry's tendency to overlook obvious solutions in favor of complex implementations.
- Example given of Dropbox's unnecessary network access request for local file syncing.
- Discussion on the shift in designer roles from problem-solving to serving company directives.
- Critique of the 'move-fast-and-break-things' approach leading to suboptimal solutions.
- Irony noted in Waymo's reliance on human intervention despite its automation premise.
- Comparison to scooter companies needing human intervention to redistribute scooters.
- Suggestion to focus on moving people collectively rather than individual vehicles.

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#technology

A Programmer's Loss of Identity

Amazon, Google Unwittingly Reveal the Severity of the U.S. Surveillance State

The singularity won't be gentle

China's dancing robots: how worried should we be?

Microsoft team creates 'revolutionary' data storage system that lasts millennia

Forget DeepSeek, dying alone is China's latest tech obsession

5.25-inch floppy disks expected to help run San Francisco trains until 2030 (2024)

Mirfield man's tears of joy after lost voicemail of wife retrieved (2015)

The End of AI Tourism: Tools vs. Toys

We installed a single turnstile to feel secure

Hacker News.love – 22 projects Hacker News didn't love

Landlines are ringing in homes again. Why parents are happy about that

Disappointing Phones

Aesthetics of single threading

What Happened to Fry's Electronics

Even the Mars Rover Uses Zip Ties (2021)

The AI Bubble Is Bursting

Dear Time Lords: Freeze Computers in 1993

Washington state hotline callers hear AI voice with Spanish accent – AP News

Have We Forgotten How to Design?