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Automated summaries of top Hacker News stories written by a large language model.
Gary Bowser and gaming's most infamous piracy case
Gary Bowser, a 54-year-old programmer, recently served 14 months in prison for his involvement in a notorious international piracy case involving Nintendo games. Bowser's life has always revolved around electronics, and he became the face of Nintendo piracy in the late 2000s. He worked with a group called Team Xecuter, updating their websites and troubleshooting devices used to illegally download and play games. In September 2020, Bowser was arrested in a sting operation and charged with fraud. He was also hit with a civil suit from Nintendo and ordered to pay $14.5 million. Bowser now has limited options and must send Nintendo a portion of any money he has left after paying for necessities. Despite his predicament, Bowser remains optimistic and is looking for job opportunities in retro hardware.
Across the country, houses of worship are going solar
Houses of worship across the United States are increasingly turning to solar energy. As of 2021, about 2 percent of houses of worship in the country have solar systems, a disproportionately high number considering they make up only 0.6 percent of non-residential buildings. However, executing these projects can be challenging due to tight budgets, older buildings, and bureaucratic paperwork. To overcome these obstacles, some houses of worship have worked with third parties through power purchase agreements or have taken advantage of tax credits for renewable projects. The adoption of solar energy by houses of worship is seen as an opportunity to engage communities and promote climate action. However, there are concerns about equity, as houses of worship with solar panels tend to be located in wealthier, predominantly white areas. Despite the challenges, many congregations have successfully installed solar panels, reducing their reliance on traditional energy sources and lowering their energy bills.
Show HN: filippo.io/mlkem768 – Post-Quantum Cryptography for the Go Ecosystem
The web content introduces filippo.io/mlkem768, a pure-Go implementation of ML-KEM-768, a post-quantum key exchange mechanism. The implementation is optimized for correctness and readability, with a focus on high security assurance through ease of review, simplicity, and thorough testing. The code is designed to be upstreamed into the Go standard library and is meant to provide a secure and understandable implementation of ML-KEM. The author emphasizes the importance of readability and testing in ensuring security and highlights the challenges faced during the implementation process. The performance of the implementation is also discussed, with comparisons to other cryptographic algorithms. (Summary based on 63% of story text.)
Russian guy used ChatGPT API to talk with 5239 girls one Tinder and found a wife
In a surprising turn of events, a Russian man recently used the ChatGPT API to strike up conversations with a whopping 5239 girls on Tinder. What's even more astonishing is that he managed to find a wife through this unconventional method. While some may find this controversial, it showcases the power of AI and its potential to connect people in unique ways. This story serves as a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of online dating and the endless possibilities it presents.
IPC – Shared Memory
This article discusses the concept of shared memory as an interprocess communication (IPC) mechanism. It explains the difference between physical and virtual memory addressing and how virtual addressing allows multiple processes to coexist without interfering with each other. Shared memory is a segment of memory that is mapped to each process's virtual memory, allowing them to read and write to the same memory segment. The article also explains how to create and access a shared memory segment using a unique integer key and provides an example in Python using the sysv-ipc library. (Summary based on 89% of story text.)
Obesity drugs have another superpower: taming inflammation
The latest generation of anti-obesity drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have been found to have the ability to suppress inflammation in various parts of the body, including the liver, kidneys, heart, and even the brain. This discovery has led scientists to explore the potential of these drugs in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, which are characterized by brain inflammation. Clinical trials are currently underway to investigate the effectiveness of these drugs in treating these conditions. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties of GLP-1 receptor agonists could also enhance their effectiveness in treating diabetes and obesity.
Rust, a Game Review
In this humorous game review, the author discusses their experience playing the game Rust, which is often confused with the programming language of the same name. They highlight the fact that the game is free to download and play, with no microtransactions or registration required. The author notes that the game has a unique gameplay style, requiring players to create text files and interact with a compiler. They mention encountering various opponents, such as the syntax checker and type checker, which add complexity to the game. The author also mentions the competitive nature of the Rust community and the existence of mods and a central repository for them. They conclude by stating that the game is not for casual players and requires dedication to master.
Meta is the 'single largest market for paedophiles', says New Mexico AG
The New Mexico attorney general, Raúl Torrez, has filed a lawsuit against Meta, claiming that the social media company is the "largest marketplace for predators and paedophiles globally." Torrez believes that his investigation into online child sexual exploitation on Meta's platforms is just the beginning of a much larger problem. Internal company documents obtained during the investigation estimate that about 100,000 children using Facebook and Instagram are subject to online sexual harassment each day. Torrez's lawsuit aims to hold Meta accountable and push for new regulations to prioritize the safety of users, particularly children. Meta has defended its efforts to combat child exploitation and support law enforcement in their efforts.
Germany tests 4-day workweek amid labor shortage
Germany is testing a 4-day workweek in an effort to address the country's labor shortage. 45 companies and organizations will implement the shorter workweek for six months, with employees still receiving their full salary. Advocates argue that a 4-day workweek would increase productivity and help alleviate the skilled labor shortage. Similar experiments in other countries have shown positive results, with participants reporting lower stress levels and decreased sick days. However, skeptics argue that the model may not work for all industries and that measuring productivity gains can be challenging. Despite the controversy, the 4-day workweek remains attractive to some, including the German trade union IG Metall.
The curious case of the disappearing Polish Ś (2015)
The author discusses their personal experience with the disappearing Polish letter "Ś" on the Medium platform. They explain that they were able to fix the issue easily due to their background as a Polish individual who has gone through various changes in technology and keyboard layouts. They mention the fall of Communism in Poland and the advancements in technology since then. The author also notes that while modern computers in Poland fully support the Polish language, the programmer's layout is still commonly used.
PhotoRoom (YC S20) Is Hiring an API Designer in Paris (Node, Rust)
PhotoRoom, a company that allows users to edit images by typing a URL, is hiring an API Designer in Paris. They are looking for a seasoned engineer with experience in building easy-to-use public web APIs using Node.js. The goal is to create a PhotoRoom-in-a-box interface where users can edit images by calling an API. The first version is already live, but there are plans to add text editing, new AI capabilities, and more. The ideal candidate should have a track record of building scalable APIs and experience with Node.js/Typescript. The stack includes Node.js deployed on a serverless stack, with shared rendering code in Rust and C. The full job offer can be found on their website.
Matryoshka Representation Learning
The paper titled "Matryoshka Representation Learning" introduces a flexible representation learning approach called MRL. The authors address the challenge of unknown computational and statistical constraints for downstream tasks by designing a representation that can adapt to different task requirements. MRL encodes information at different granularities, allowing a single embedding to adjust to the computational constraints of various tasks. The authors demonstrate that MRL achieves comparable accuracy and richness to independently trained low-dimensional representations while offering benefits such as smaller embedding size, faster retrieval, and improved few-shot classification accuracy. The MRL approach is shown to be applicable to various modalities, including vision and language. The code and pretrained models for MRL are available as open-source.
Marlon Brando Was a Secret Tech Geek and Photoshop Ace
Marlon Brando, known as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, had a secret passion for technology and special effects. In the late 1980s, Brando became fascinated with a technology called "digital equivalence," which involved creating a photo-realistic digital double of an actor. He partnered with cinematographer and graphics pioneer Scott Billups to perfect this technology. They conducted several tests, including one for the film "Island of Doctor Moreau," but the project ultimately fell apart due to disagreements with producers and financiers. Brando also had a love for consumer-level tech, such as Photoshop, and enjoyed manipulating photos to create alternate realities. He was an early user of CoSa After Effects and was interested in using motion capture and digital equivalence for his role as Jor-El in the original "Superman" movie. Brando was also active in early forms of social media and enjoyed the anonymity and ability to interact with people outside of his skin. The documentary "Listen to Me Marlon" explores Brando's life and will be released in theaters and on Showtime.
Use of AI for Reactor Safety and Power Generation Optimization by North Korea
The article discusses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for reactor safety and power generation optimization in North Korea. The author highlights the importance of solving scientific and technological problems related to the construction of power plants in the country. The article focuses on the loading pattern optimization (LPO) for nuclear reactors, which is a complex optimization problem. The author introduces the use of genetic algorithms (GAs) for LPO and proposes a new adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) to improve the convergence rate. The AGA is applied to optimize the first cycle pattern for a pressurized water reactor (PWR) with a power rating of 1000MW. The results show that the proposed AGA is effective in improving the convergence rate and achieving better results compared to conventional GAs. The research findings were published in the "Annals of Nuclear Energy" journal.
House restores immediate R&D deduction in new tax bill
The House has passed a bipartisan tax bill that aims to cut taxes for working families and restore certain corporate tax breaks. The bill expands eligibility for the child tax credit for low-income families and adjusts payments for inflation. It also strengthens business tax credits, including deductions for research and development. However, the bill faces challenges in the Senate, where Republicans can block it with a filibuster. Some Republican senators have criticized the bill, with Sen. Chuck Grassley expressing concerns that it could help President Biden's reelection campaign. On the left, Rep. Rosa DeLauro voted against the bill, stating that it did not go far enough to balance families' interests with corporate tax relief. The bill also risks losing support from liberal lawmakers who believe it does not go far enough in expanding the child tax credit. The child tax credit expansion aims to help more low-income families qualify for assistance and reduce child poverty rates. The bill faces controversy over disputes among House Republicans, with some threatening to block the legislation over the deduction cap for state and local taxes. There have also been false claims circulating on social media that the bill would enable undocumented immigrants to claim the child tax credit, which is not true. Despite challenges, the bill has gained support from outside groups and the business lobby. The National Association of Evangelicals has expressed support for the child tax credit expansion, stating that it will make abortion less thinkable. The bill's passage in the House was seen as a win for small businesses and working families. The fate of the bill now rests in the Senate, where its future remains uncertain.
PDF file is its own original soundtrack
The web content discusses a PDF file that serves as its own original soundtrack and is also a valid CSV file. The PDF file contains a song with a unique title, and it can be played on various modern players. The content explains the technical process of creating this polyglot file, including adjusting the xref table and modifying the binary MOD content. The second part of the content delves into the controversy surrounding CSV files and their lack of standardization. It analyzes RFC 4180, the central text for CSV file format, and questions its strict interpretation. The content concludes by discussing the possibilities and limitations of CSV files. (Summary based on 39% of story text.)
Ask HN: Could we just re-invent original Google?
The author of this post on news.ycombinator.com is expressing their dissatisfaction with the current state of Google, claiming that it has become burdened with search engine optimization (SEO) and unnecessary features. They propose the idea of reinventing the original Google and altering its business model to restore its former quality. While the post does not provide specific details on how this could be achieved, it highlights the author's belief that a return to the simplicity and effectiveness of the original Google could be beneficial.
War destroyed Gaza's neighbourhoods – visual investigation
A Guardian investigation has revealed the extensive destruction caused by Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. Using satellite imagery and open-source evidence, the investigation found damage to numerous residential buildings, schools, mosques, hospitals, cemeteries, and agricultural greenhouses. The destruction has forced 1.9 million people to leave their homes and made it impossible for many to return. Some experts describe this as "domicide," the deliberate destruction of homes to make them uninhabitable. The Israeli military claims its fight is against Hamas and not Gaza, and that its bombardment is proportional to the threat posed by Hamas. The investigation highlights the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and the impact on the sense of belonging and community in Gaza. The article raises questions about how Gaza can be rehabilitated after the war ends.
Show HN: Transcribe Phone Calls, Recruit and Sale Smarter
Phonewise.ai is a revolutionary tool that transcribes phone calls and automatically updates the applicant's CV with all the important information discussed during the call. This saves recruiters valuable time and allows them to focus on more important tasks. With Phonewise, you can talk smarter and recruit faster, freeing up countless hours. This tool is a game-changer in the recruitment process and will help streamline the hiring process.
How paid Wikipedia editors squeeze you dry
The article discusses a scam conducted by a company called "Elite Wiki Writers" or "Wiki Moderator" that targets individuals and businesses looking to have a Wikipedia page created for them. The company charges high fees, but rarely delivers on their promise to create the page. The scam has affected over 100 customers, with less than 5% of them successfully getting an article on Wikipedia. The company uses various names and addresses to deceive their victims. The article provides tips on how to identify paid editing scams and warns against companies that promise to "protect" the article. The scam is similar to previous scams that have occurred on Wikipedia. (Summary based on 55% of story text.)
Study finds that once people use cargo bikes, they like their cars much less
A study conducted in Germany found that once people try cargo bikes, they tend to use their cars less and even consider getting rid of their cars altogether. The study surveyed users of a cargo bike share system and found that 18 percent of respondents either got rid of their car or decided against buying one. The main reasons cited for this change were environmental concerns and financial reasons. The study also found that people who actively signed up to use cargo bikes rated them highly in terms of their motivations for using different forms of transport. While cargo bikes may not be able to replace cars entirely, they can be a viable alternative for certain trips and contribute to lower environmental impact.
UK Wind Farms Are Overstating Their Output
According to market records and interviews with power traders, many wind farms in the UK have been overstating their power output, leading to higher electricity bills for consumers. This is due to the outdated electricity network in the country, which struggles to handle excess wind power on blustery days. The grid operator pays some wind farms not to generate power to prevent overloading the system, costing consumers hundreds of millions of pounds each year. Some wind farm operators have been found to exaggerate their energy production forecasts, leading to higher payments for not generating power they wouldn't have produced anyway. The overestimation has cost consumers an estimated £51 million ($65 million) since 2018. The UK regulator, Ofgem, could impose substantial fines on companies found to be deliberately submitting inaccurate forecasts. (Summary based on 64% of story text.)
Ask HN: What are your thoughts on ChatGPT as a professional?
The author of this post on news.ycombinator.com is a new graduate starting an internship and is seeking advice on using ChatGPT in a professional setting. They clarify that they don't use ChatGPT to code for them, but rather as a collaborative tool, similar to Tony Stark's AI assistant Jarvis. They ask if there is any stigma associated with using ChatGPT in the workplace and share their positive experiences with it, stating that it has helped optimize their design, teach them new things, and even assist in debugging. They express a desire to be a strong engineer and seek input on whether their reliance on ChatGPT is healthy or if it could lead to sloppy habits.
A Plea for More Mikado
The author discusses the impact of "The Mikado Method" on their career and how it has influenced their work as a programmer. They explain that the method is a framework for managing large refactoring projects by breaking them down into atomic changes that can be shipped independently. The author provides an example of using the Mikado Method to upgrade a Ruby on Rails application. They also emphasize the importance of having a reliable automated test suite for the method to be effective. The author acknowledges that while they don't follow the method exactly, they believe that understanding its core ideas can make anyone a better developer.
Google inks major new offshore wind deal
Google has announced its largest deal yet to purchase offshore wind energy for its data centers in Europe. The company has signed power purchase agreements with two wind farms off the coast of the Netherlands, as part of its plan to match all of its data center electricity consumption with clean energy generation by 2030. The agreements are with joint ventures between energy companies Shell and Eneco, and the wind farms are expected to supply around 6 percent of the Netherlands' annual electricity consumption. Google is also making smaller deals to purchase renewable energy from onshore wind and solar farms in Italy, Poland, and Belgium. The company's commitment to purchasing carbon-free energy locally and hourly is aimed at increasing the capacity for generating and storing clean energy around the clock. The offshore wind industry is in need of support due to rising costs, and Google's investment could help in that regard.
EU chip goal 'unrealistic' says ASML CEO
The CEO of ASML, Peter Wennink, has stated that the European Union's goal of achieving a 20% market share in the chip industry is "unrealistic." While investments by companies such as TSMC, Bosch, NXP, and Infineon are beneficial for the European car industry, Wennink believes that more needs to be done to reach the desired goal. NXP CEO Kurt Sievers has calculated that €500 billion in investment would be needed to achieve the 20% market share goal. Currently, Europe has approximately 8% of the industry's capacity and market value. To reach 20% by 2030, around a dozen new fabs would need to be built and in full production.
Garry Tan's Tupac Reference Goes Wrong
Garry Tan, the president of Y Combinator, caused a stir on social media with a post on platform X that included explicit language and aggressive remarks. Initially mistaken for a security breach, it was later revealed that Tan was trying to channel Tupac Shakur's song "Hit Em Up." The incident raised questions about Tan's reputation and role at Y Combinator, but also added an element of humor as people recognized the irony of Tan, a figure synonymous with success in the tech world, attempting to embody Tupac's rebellious style. The incident highlights the challenges of conveying intent online and the expectations placed on tech industry leaders regarding online conduct.
Prefer table driven tests (2019)
The author of this web content is discussing the concept of table driven tests in Go programming. They explain that table driven tests are a way to reduce duplication in test cases by using a table structure to hold inputs and expected outputs. The author provides an example of a function that splits strings and demonstrates how to write table driven tests for it. They also mention the importance of code coverage and provide instructions on how to generate coverage reports using the go tool. The author concludes by addressing some challenges with table driven tests, such as naming and indexing test cases. (Summary based on 45% of story text.)
ORMs are nice but they are the wrong abstraction
The author of the web content discusses their experience with using ORMs (Object-Relational Mapping) in database interactions. They explain that while ORMs may seem convenient at first, they are the wrong abstraction because they end up re-implementing SQL in the target language, making it cumbersome to interact with the database and potentially hiding performance issues. The author provides examples using Gorm, an ORM library, to illustrate how querying data with ORMs can be straightforward but also lead to dependencies and difficulties in testing. They argue that databases are their own programmable domain and that SQL is the declarative machine language for databases, while ORMs act as the assembly language. (Summary based on 52% of story text.)
How Boeing Put Profits over Planes
The web content discusses the recent incidents and ongoing issues with Boeing planes, highlighting how the company's focus on profits has compromised safety and quality. It mentions the Alaska Airlines flight incident where the emergency door plug blew out, as well as the previous crashes involving the Boeing 737 Max planes. The article also mentions other problems with Boeing planes, such as faulty systems and manufacturing defects. The author argues that Boeing's cultural downslide can be traced back to the influence of Jack Welch and the adoption of a lean management style that prioritizes cost-cutting over safety. The article also criticizes Boeing's reliance on subcontractors and its treatment of workers and suppliers. Overall, the content suggests that Boeing's corporate culture and cost-cutting measures have negatively impacted the safety and reputation of its planes. (Summary based on 87% of story text.)