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Automated summaries of top Hacker News stories written by a large language model.
240-Gbit/s sub-THz wireless communications using ultra-low phase noise receiver
In this article, the authors present a sub-terahertz (THz) wireless link that achieves a maximum data rate of 240 Gbit/s using ultra-low phase noise transmitter and receiver. They used on-line signal processing and achieved this data rate with 64 quadrature amplitude modulation (64QAM) at a single carrier frequency of 275 GHz. The authors also demonstrated successful transmission at a data rate of over 200 Gbit/s over a distance of 20 meters. This is the highest single-channel performance ever reported with sub-THz wireless communications.
What Is an Electronic Sackbut?
The article discusses the invention of the electronic sackbut, the first electronic synthesizer, by physicist Hugh Le Caine in 1945. Le Caine aimed to create an instrument that could mimic the auditory sensations of music using electronics. He named it the sackbut after an obsolete brass horn to distinguish it as its own invention. The original electronic sackbut was a prototype with a rough appearance and improvised electronics. Le Caine used a combination of vacuum tubes, oscillators, and resistors in its construction. He wanted the electronic sackbut to produce a beautiful sound similar to a violin but easier to play. The article also mentions Le Caine's other musical inventions and the conservation efforts to preserve the prototype electronic sackbut.
Tommy Flowers
Tommy Flowers was an English engineer known for designing and building Colossus, the world's first programmable electronic computer, during World War II. Flowers was born in 1905 in East London and began his career in mechanical engineering before earning a degree in electrical engineering. He joined the General Post Office in 1926 and later married Eileen Margaret Green. Flowers was the first person in Britain to realize that valves could be used for high-speed computing and he convinced the Post Office Research Station to support his project. Despite his contributions, Flowers received little recognition after the war and died in 1998. He has since been honored with various awards and memorials. (Summary based on 61% of story text.)
Weaver, a family of LLMs focused on creative writing
The Weaver family of Language Models (LLMs) is a groundbreaking development in the field of creative writing. These LLMs are designed to generate text that mimics the style and tone of famous authors, allowing users to create unique and engaging content. The Weaver LLMs have been trained on a vast corpus of literature, enabling them to produce high-quality writing that is indistinguishable from human-authored text. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach creative writing, offering new possibilities for authors and content creators. The controversy surrounding the Weaver LLMs lies in the ethical implications of using AI to replicate the work of established authors without their consent.
Hawai'i's Clean Energy Push: A Model for the Mainland?
Hawai'i is leading the way in clean energy deployment, setting aggressive renewable energy expansion plans and meeting them. The state aims to be powered by 100% clean energy by 2045 and has already shut down its last coal plant, replacing it with a large battery. Hawai'i also boasts a high number of rooftop solar panels and electric vehicle sales. However, the state's unique conditions, such as favorable weather for solar and wind power and lack of fossil fuel reserves, make renewable energy a relatively easy sell. Challenges include managing the energy grid and avoiding blackouts, as well as occasional issues with renewable energy deployment. Despite these challenges, Hawai'i serves as a model for the mainland in transitioning to renewable energy.
Germany explores 4-day workweek amid labor shortage
Germany is exploring the idea of implementing a 4-day workweek in an effort to address the country's labor shortage. In February, 45 companies and organizations will introduce a 4-day workweek for six months, with employees receiving their full salary. Advocates argue that a shorter 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 be applicable to all industries and that measuring productivity gains can be challenging. Despite the controversy, the 4-day workweek continues to attract attention and support.
Artificial Intelligence and Peace – Pope Francis
In a message addressing God's people, heads of state, leaders of religions, and all individuals, Pope Francis discusses the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and peace. He acknowledges the positive impact of technological advancements on human life, but also highlights the risks and ethical concerns associated with AI. The Pope emphasizes the need for responsible development and use of AI, ensuring that it aligns with human values and promotes justice, transparency, and inclusivity. He also warns against the potential negative consequences of AI, such as discrimination, surveillance, and the exacerbation of social inequalities. The Pope calls for a sense of limit in the pursuit of technological advancements and emphasizes the importance of human dignity and the common good in the development of AI. (Summary based on 58% of story text.)
Why Men Are Drifting to the Far Right
The article discusses the growing ideological gap between men and women, with men increasingly leaning towards far-right parties and movements. It highlights examples from around the world, including Spain, Poland, Brazil, and Argentina, where men have shown higher support for right-wing leaders. In the United States, the gender gap in voting was greater for Trump in 2016 than in previous elections. The article argues that the shift towards the far right among men is not due to their natural inclination, but rather a result of anti-democratic and violent forces exploiting their aimlessness and desire for belonging. It also emphasizes the importance of addressing the social and economic challenges faced by men and promoting a more inclusive and secure sense of masculinity.
The web just gets better with Interop 2024
The web is constantly evolving, and Interop 2024 aims to improve interoperability between browsers. The project, which involves Apple, Bocoup, Google, Igalia, Microsoft, and Mozilla, focuses on specific areas of web technology to ensure consistent implementations across browsers. Interop 2023 was a success, with significant improvements in various areas such as P3 color support, form controls, CSS border-image, and more. Interop 2024 will continue the work and address new focus areas, including accessibility, CSS nesting, custom properties, declarative Shadow DOM, font size adjust, HTTPS URLs for WebSocket, IndexedDB, and layout (CSS Grid and Flexbox). The goal is to make the web more accessible, reliable, and user-friendly. (Summary based on 55% of story text.)
Precision equipment for Russian arms makers came from U.S.-allied Taiwan
The Washington Post has reported that a Russian defense industry supplier, I Machine Technology, has been importing precision manufacturing equipment from Taiwan, a U.S. strategic partner. The equipment, called CNC machine tools, is used for precise manufacturing in various industries, including weapons production. The shipments, totaling over $20 million, likely violated export controls imposed by Taiwan and the West in response to the Ukraine war. The report highlights the loopholes and lax enforcement that have allowed critical goods to flow to Russia, including through countries like Taiwan that are allied with the United States. The shipments were an enforcement priority issue and should be investigated further. (Summary based on 69% of story text.)
Ask HN: Who is hiring? (February 2024)
The web content is a post on the website news.ycombinator.com titled "Ask HN: Who is hiring? (February 2024)". The post invites companies to share job openings and includes guidelines for posting. The location of the job openings is not specified, but it mentions that some positions may be remote or open to interns and visa candidates. The post also provides links to other websites where job seekers can find more opportunities. There is no controversial or surprising information in the content.
Nine Ugly Truths about Copyright and five predictions about its future
The author of this web content claims to have a crystal ball that allows them to make accurate predictions about the future of copyright and intellectual property. They acknowledge that copyright is a contentious and complex issue, particularly for those in creative fields who rely on it for their livelihoods. The author highlights the ongoing battle between two major corporate interests - Silicon Valley and Hollywood - who are driven by profit and power. They argue that these battles over copyright have little to do with nurturing creativity and are instead focused on financial gain. The author provides nine rules for understanding the conflict and offers five predictions for the future of copyright.
CISA directs federal agencies to disconnect Ivanti products by Friday midnight
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a directive for all federal agencies to disconnect Ivanti products from their networks by Friday midnight. This directive comes after CISA identified vulnerabilities in Ivanti's products that could potentially be exploited by cybercriminals. The agency has urged federal agencies to take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with these vulnerabilities. This move highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures and the need for constant vigilance in protecting sensitive information. It also raises concerns about the security of Ivanti's products and the potential impact on federal agencies that rely on them.
Corporations Openly Trying to Destroy Core Public Institutions. We Should Worry
In today's society, corporations are openly and actively working to dismantle core public institutions, and this is something that should concern us all. This controversial trend is highlighted in a recent report on Vice.com, which sheds light on the alarming actions of these powerful entities. The article emphasizes the need for us to be aware of this issue and to take action to protect our public institutions. It is surprising and alarming to see the extent to which corporations are willing to go in order to further their own interests, often at the expense of the public good. This article serves as a wake-up call for us all to be vigilant and proactive in defending our core public institutions.
Google Maps is getting 'supercharged' with generative AI
Google is introducing generative AI to Google Maps, allowing users to find interesting places through the use of large language models (LLM). The feature will utilize Maps' extensive information on millions of places and insights from its community of contributors to provide recommendations for restaurants, shopping, and more. While the feature will initially be available only in the US, it is expected to expand to other countries in the future. This move aligns with Google's goal of transforming Google Maps into a search tool for discovering new places. The company is starting with a small integration, working with its Local Guides community before opening it up to all users.
Zoom to Cut About 150 Jobs This Week
Zoom Video Communications Inc. is set to cut approximately 150 jobs this week, as the company adjusts its workforce to meet changing demands amid the ongoing pandemic. The job cuts will primarily affect employees in the sales department, as Zoom shifts its focus towards larger businesses and enterprise customers. This move comes as a surprise, considering the significant growth Zoom has experienced during the pandemic, with its user base skyrocketing. However, it is important to note that the company is not immune to the economic impact of the crisis, and this decision reflects the need for strategic adjustments in order to sustain long-term success.
BYD shares first official images of its $14k-$20k Yuan Up SUV
Chinese automaker BYD has released the first official images of its upcoming compact SUV, the Yuan Up. Priced between $14,000 and $20,000, the Yuan Up is expected to be an ultra-affordable model in China and potentially expand to other markets. BYD, which overtook Tesla as the top-selling EV brand in 2023, is looking to improve its image outside of China and plans to export more enticing models. The company aims to generate at least $4 billion in net income this year and hopes that the Yuan Up SUV, powered by a single electric motor, will help achieve this target.
Apple's official 'jailbroken' iPhone for security researchers
Apple has released a special version of the iPhone for security researchers to find vulnerabilities and report them to the company. These devices have certain security features disabled, making it easier for researchers to hunt for bugs in iOS. Previously, there was a group of hackers known as "jailbreakers" who aimed to remove Apple's restrictions on iPhones. Apple has historically discouraged jailbreaking, but now appears to have embraced the term by using it in the official instructions for the Security Research Device. It is unclear how many of these devices exist, but they are similar to the iPhone 14 Pro with a few key differences. The launch of this program was a response to the underground market for iPhone prototypes, which lacked typical security features and restrictions.
Congress told Chinese attackers plan to incite 'societal chaos' in the US
During a hearing before a US House committee, infosec and law enforcement officials warned that Chinese hackers are planning to cause "societal chaos" and wreak havoc on American infrastructure. FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the risk posed by Chinese hackers targeting critical infrastructure such as water treatment plants, electrical grids, and transportation systems. The FBI recently obtained search warrants and issued a remote kill command to neutralize the Volt Typhoon botnet, which had infected end-of-life routers and attempted to breach critical infrastructure targets. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency also confirmed that Volt Typhoon had been burrowing deep into critical infrastructure, enabling active attacks. The officials highlighted the potential danger to American lives and the disruption of essential services. They also expressed concerns about China's use of disinformation and AI capabilities to influence US elections. The hearing emphasized the need for better partnerships and threat-sharing between the private sector and the government, as well as holding software companies accountable for insecure products.
YouTube Says It Has More Than 100M Premium and Music Subscribers
YouTube has announced that its music and premium subscription services have surpassed 100 million subscribers worldwide. This figure includes users who are on free trials, and the company did not provide a breakdown of how many subscribers each service has. In 2022, YouTube reported that YouTube Music and YouTube Premium had a combined total of 80 million paying subscribers. The announcement comes after Alphabet revealed that YouTube and Google subscription services generated over $15 billion in revenue in 2023. YouTube Premium recently raised its prices in the US, and the service has been praised for providing an additional source of revenue for creators and artists.
Watch a 7k-LB Rivian R1T Destroy a Guardrail in Eyebrow-Raising Test
In a recent test conducted by the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility at the University of Nebraska, a 7,100-pound Rivian R1T electric pickup truck was crashed into a 30-year-old guardrail design at 60 mph. The video footage shows the truck tearing through the guardrail like tissue paper and vaulting over the concrete median. The test highlights the fact that the current guardrail system is not designed to handle the increasing weight of electric vehicles, which can exceed 5,000 pounds. While the passenger compartment of the R1T remained intact, the test raises concerns about the safety of EVs in collisions with guardrails and other vehicles. The researchers suggest that new guardrail systems may be needed to accommodate the weight of electric vehicles.
How Much Architecture Is "Enough?"
The article discusses the concept of the Minimum Viable Architecture (MVA) as the architectural complement to the Minimum Viable Product (MVP). The MVA ensures that the MVP is technically viable, sustainable, and extensible over time. The MVP and MVA co-evolve in a series of incremental deliveries, with the MVA supporting the incremental improvements to the MVP. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding customer outcomes and shaping the MVP and MVA accordingly. It also highlights the need for feedback from actual users/customers to determine the viability of the MVP and MVA. The MVA must strike a balance between solving current challenges and anticipating future challenges without requiring excessive rework. The initial MVA is based on educated guesses and may be somewhat overbuilt or underbuilt, but feedback is crucial to refine it. The article also cautions against copying architectures from successful systems without considering the specific requirements of the product. The viability of the MVA can only be determined after the release of the product increment and feedback from users. (Summary based on 68% of story text.)
Analysts Estimate Nvidia Owns 98% of the Data Center GPU Market
According to analysts from Wells Fargo, Nvidia currently holds a staggering 98% of the data center GPU market. The company's data center GPUs are highly sought after due to the increasing interest in AI, leading to a global shortage of Nvidia GPUs for AI applications. Nvidia's data center revenue has been rapidly increasing, with a 279% year-over-year growth at the end of 2023. The report also projects that Nvidia will earn between $37 billion and $45.7 billion from data center GPUs in 2023 and 2024. While AMD is expected to make some progress in the market, it is estimated to only capture a small fraction of Nvidia's earnings. Intel, on the other hand, is struggling to compete in this space. Nvidia's dominance is expected to continue with the launch of its Blackwell product later this year. However, the company is facing challenges due to a shortage of CoWoS packaging from TSMC, which is necessary for production. TSMC has announced a $2.9 billion investment to address this issue, but the impact won't be seen until later in the year.
Google Bard keeps generating images containing girls
Google Bard, an AI-powered tool that generates poetry based on user input, has been facing controversy for consistently generating images containing girls. Users have noticed that when they input certain phrases or words, the generated images often depict young girls. This has raised concerns about the potential biases and stereotypes embedded in the AI algorithm. While Google has not officially commented on the issue, it highlights the need for ongoing scrutiny and improvement in AI technology to ensure fairness and inclusivity.
Study finds emerging gender divide in young people's attitudes
A new study conducted by King's College London's Policy Institute and Global Institute for Women's Leadership in partnership with Ipsos UK reveals an emerging gender divide in young people's attitudes towards masculinity and women's equality. The study, based on a survey of over 3,700 people aged 16 and above, found that the views of men and women differ more within younger generations than older ones. The study highlights the gender split in opinions on topics such as "toxic masculinity," the challenges faced by men and women, the impact of feminism, and approval of influencer Andrew Tate. The findings suggest a need for better understanding and addressing the challenges faced by young men today. (Summary based on 96% of story text.)
Redeployment Part Three
The third and final part of the Redeployment series focuses on the author's return to McMurdo from the South Pole. They spend a night in McMurdo before departing for Phoenix Airfield, where they catch a flight out of Antarctica. The author reflects on their time in Antarctica and the unique experiences they had, including witnessing the transition from winter to summer and experiencing the polar night. They finally arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand, where they clear customs and immigration before reentering the "Real World." The author emphasizes the surreal nature of returning to civilization after spending over a year in Antarctica. (Summary based on 49% of story text.)
Show HN: A Community for Indie Tech Blogs
The author introduces a new community for indie tech bloggers to connect and share their blog posts. They acknowledge that not everyone has friends who share their interest in tech topics, so this platform provides a space for like-minded individuals to exchange drafts and provide feedback. The community is described as 100% free and free from tracking, ads, and other unnecessary elements. The author encourages readers to sign up or explore the FAQ and Community Guidelines for more information. They also provide an email address for any feedback or inquiries.
Solving SAT via Positive Supercompilation
The web content titled "Solving SAT via Positive Supercompilation" discusses a method for solving the SAT problem using positive supercompilation. The content provides a list of equations that define the behavior of a function called "g0" and its various sub-functions. These equations represent the steps involved in solving the SAT problem. The use of positive supercompilation is highlighted as a clever and unique approach to solving SAT. There is no controversy or surprising elements mentioned in the content. (Summary based on 36% of story text.)
Religious 'Nones' in America: Who They Are and What They Believe
The Pew Research Center conducted a survey to provide a detailed portrait of religiously unaffiliated adults in the United States, often referred to as the "nones." The survey included interviews with atheists, agnostics, and those who describe their religion as "nothing in particular." The data shows that most "nones" believe in God or another higher power, but few attend religious services regularly. They have mixed views on religion, with some seeing it as harmful and others recognizing its positive aspects. "Nones" also have more positive views of science compared to religiously affiliated Americans. The survey also explores the demographics, beliefs, and civic engagement of "nones."
Show HN: A beautiful crypto invoice generator
Introducing CryptoInvoice, a stunning invoice generator designed to simplify the billing process for cryptocurrency transactions. Created by Charm AI, this innovative tool allows users to effortlessly generate professional invoices for their crypto payments. With a sleek and user-friendly interface, CryptoInvoice streamlines the invoicing process, saving time and effort for businesses and individuals alike. Whether you're a freelancer, small business owner, or crypto enthusiast, this platform is a game-changer. Say goodbye to manual invoice creation and hello to CryptoInvoice's seamless automation. Visit cryptoinvoice.new today and experience the future of crypto billing.