AI bots are being introduced on dating apps to help users with profiles, messages, and photos. However, experts warn that relying on artificial intelligence for relationships can damage authenticity and social skills. Match Group, the company behind popular platforms like Tinder and Hinge, plans to increase AI use, despite concerns about user trust. Academics urge […]
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This web content dives deep into error handling within programming languages, urging practitioners to pay more attention to this crucial aspect often overlooked in favor of advanced type system features. Controversially, it challenges conventional thinking in the database community and offers rich insights into catastrophic system failures caused by trivial errors in error handling logic. […]
The ESP32 microchip, widely used for Wi-Fi + Bluetooth connectivity in IoT devices, has been found to contain 29 undocumented commands that act as a backdoor, allowing for memory manipulation, MAC address spoofing, and packet injection. This backdoor could be exploited for attacks, posing risks of malicious implementations at the OEM level and supply chain […]
The author recounts their experience reporting errors in Donald Knuth’s The Art of Computer Programming volumes and receiving reward checks for their contributions. Knuth responded promptly to their emails, providing handwritten notes in pencil along with checks for their findings. The author highlights errors in Algorithm X and unused variables, with Knuth graciously rewarding them […]
The author uses a simple script to manage accounts each year, making it easy to back up and version control. The script allows for answering unexpected questions and using data in calculations. However, the downside is the tedious process of updating tagging rules manually when handling multiple transactions. The author contemplates the idea of creating […]
Two new AI tools aim to catch errors in research papers, inspired by a mathematical mistake last year regarding flame retardants. The Black Spatula Project and YesNoError use AI to analyze papers for mistakes before submission to journals. The Black Spatula Project has already identified numerous errors but has not made them public yet. YesNoError, […]
New science organizations aim to combine positive aspects of “applied” and “basic” research, which have traditionally been seen as distinct. However, this distinction can be arbitrary, as some projects straddle both categories. Applied research focuses on immediate applications, while basic research is curiosity-driven. The idea of identifying research questions that satisfy both approaches is intriguing. […]
B-Trees have stood the test of time for over 50 years, predating modern hardware. They are efficient for data storage, indexing, and synchronization, especially on modern highly parallel hardware. The cache efficiency of B-Trees benefits from hardware developments and allows for seamless scaling. Lock coupling provides fine-grained synchronization, while optimistic lock coupling reduces contention between […]
The TAKE IT DOWN Act is a controversial bill aimed at removing non-consensual intimate imagery from online platforms. While the goal of protecting victims is commendable, the bill’s notice-and-takedown system poses threats to free expression, user privacy, and due process. The broad definitions in the bill could lead to censorship of lawful speech and create […]
The author is building an app to help people use their phones less, comparing it to speed bumps – annoying but effective. However, translating the site to German proved difficult due to the 18 terms for speed bumps, with Google Translate providing incorrect suggestions. The author lists out the various German terms for speed bumps, […]