TL;DR summary of stories on the internet
In the digital age, shadow libraries are collecting and sharing as many books as possible, prompting questions about visualizing vast volumes of written material. By utilizing ISBNs, a unique 13-digit identifier, the author presents an innovative visualization method called the “Bookshelf-Curve,” transforming ISBNs into coordinates for easy exploration. The author also introduces shaders to render […]
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This paper delves into the dangers of gradual advancements in artificial intelligence, introducing the concept of ‘gradual disempowerment’ that poses a threat to human control over vital societal systems. It explores how even small AI improvements can diminish human influence in economic, cultural, and political domains, potentially leading to outcomes that diverge from human preferences. […]
Large language models like ChatGPT are gaining attention for their ability to understand language and generate text or code. They are valuable tools for many professions, including mathematicians. This paper delves into the transformer model used in these LLMs and discusses how they can benefit mathematicians. It also addresses best practices, potential issues, and the […]
Facebook employees are being blamed for dumping their free bikes in surrounding areas like East Palo Alto, resulting in tensions with locals. The bikes are often found abandoned in dangerous locations or stripped for parts. Some residents are concerned that children, particularly nonwhite kids, are being stopped by the police for riding the discarded bikes. […]
In 2013, I decided to commission a mascot design for $200, inspired by GitHub’s octocat. These $200 tasks, such as professional headshots, transcription, translation, or article writing, require specialized skills and are common in the side hustle ecosystem. AI technology now allows for AI tools to perform $200 tasks effectively, such as transcription, translation, and […]
This site contains the original 1980s source code for the classic space game Elite, meticulously documented and explained. Explore the magic of Elite through over 120 deep dives, play the game, or take things to the next level with Elite hacks. Official versions covered include the BBC Micro, Commodore 64, Apple II, NES, and Elite-A. […]
Over 55 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia, with origins still unknown. Brain organoids, 3D clumps of neuronal tissue, are being used to study the brain and test controversial ideas. A study in Massachusetts found that repeated blows to the head could reactivate a dormant herpes simplex virus in the brain, leading to […]
If you’re fed up with Google’s AI-powered search results providing inaccurate information from unreliable sources, there’s a simple solution: swear in your search query. By adding expletives, Google will skip the AI Overview and present you with a standard list of blue links instead. This controversial method has been discovered by internet sleuths as a […]
Water managers were caught off guard by a sudden decision from the Army Corps of Engineers to dump massive amounts of water from Kaweah and Success lakes, prompting fears of flooding similar to the devastating 2023 floods. Despite limited communication from the Army Corps, managers successfully negotiated for reduced water releases. Speculation arose regarding potential […]
Researchers at Tufts University used a 3D model of the human brain floating in a saline solution to study the impact of concussion-like injuries. The study found that latent infections with the herpes virus, which can lead to Alzheimer’s disease, were triggered by the piston mimicking a concussion. This groundbreaking work connects head injuries, herpes […]