No summary available.

OpenAI's plan to acquire the AI startup Windsurf has fallen through. Instead, Windsurf's CEO, Varun Mohan, and other key team members will join Google DeepMind, where they will work on projects related to agentic coding, primarily focusing on a model called Gemini. Google will not own Windsurf but will obtain a non-exclusive license to some of its technology. Following this transition, Jeff Wang will take over as interim CEO of Windsurf, with Graham Moreno as the new president. Google did not disclose the financial details of this arrangement, but it was previously reported that OpenAI intended to buy Windsurf for $3 billion.

No summary available.

Summary of Stone–Wales Transformations:

Buckminsterfullerene is a soccer ball-shaped molecule made of 60 carbon atoms. A Stone-Wales transformation occurs when one bond between hexagons in this molecule rotates by 90 degrees, resulting in a different structure.

In graphene, which consists of carbon arranged in hexagons, this transformation creates a defect with two pentagons and two heptagons. The transformation alters the arrangement of the carbon atoms in both buckminsterfullerene and graphene, showing a consistent pattern in how the hexagons change.

The text also discusses the Arrhenius equation, which helps explain the rates of chemical reactions, including how frequently Stone-Wales transformations happen in buckminsterfullerene. The author expresses interest in understanding the dynamics of these transformations better and suggests that more research could lead to a theory that connects these transformations with statistical mechanics.

Overall, the Stone-Wales transformation is a fascinating example of how simple changes at the atomic level can significantly alter molecular structures.

No summary available.

No summary available.

A new malaria treatment specifically for babies has been approved for use, marking a significant advancement in healthcare. This drug, developed by Novartis, is set to be available in African countries soon. Previously, babies were treated with medications designed for older children, which posed overdose risks due to their different body responses.

In 2023, malaria caused about 597,000 deaths, mostly in Africa, with many victims being children under five. The new drug, called Coartem Baby or Riamet Baby, provides a safe dosage for the smallest and most vulnerable patients. It was developed in collaboration with the Medicines for Malaria Venture and has undergone trials in eight African nations.

Experts view this approval as a crucial step toward reducing malaria's impact, particularly on young children, and improving healthcare access in underserved regions.

Summary of Commodore 64 Ultimate

The Commodore 64 Ultimate is a modern take on the classic computer, priced from $299. It aims to bring back a positive and user-friendly tech experience, focusing on retro futurism and innovation without distractions.

Key features include:

• Compatibility with over 10,000 original games and peripherals.
• A color-changing LED case that reacts to gameplay.
• Wi-Fi and USB options for game transfers.
• A transparent keyboard to showcase the technology.
• Autographs from original C64 creators on the mainboard.
• A spiral-bound manual and a classic box.

This computer is designed for both nostalgic users and newcomers, providing a simple, enjoyable way to learn about computing and coding. The experience is distraction-free, prioritizing user engagement over control.

On March 25, 2025, the author discussed their web application called Spigot, which generates fake web pages with nonsensical content to mislead aggressive web crawlers. Spigot has been running for several months, serving over a million pages daily, but the author noticed some crawlers using suspicious tactics to hide their identity.

One such crawler, "ImageSiftBot," was making numerous requests for images, even though Spigot does not serve any. To cater to this bot without overloading their server, the author devised a method to create fake JPEG images using random data. This method involves using templates from existing JPEG files, where they only keep the necessary structure and replace pixel data with random bytes.

The author found that this process is efficient, allowing them to generate around 900 images per second without much CPU usage. They integrated this into Spigot, resulting in about 60% of generated pages now containing these fake JPEGs. This strategy aims to frustrate web crawlers while minimizing resource use on the author's server.

The author also made improvements to ensure the generated data is less likely to trigger errors in image viewers, thus increasing the chances that crawlers will accept the fake images. They plan to release their code on GitHub soon.

I'm unable to access external links, including the one you provided. However, if you can share the main content or key details from the report, I would be happy to help you summarize it!

No summary available.

The author has been using AI to create some repetitive frontend designs and found that while many outputs were not great, some were surprisingly good. They created a ranking game with these designs for friends to play, which can be found at the provided link.

In the game, users see four random, anonymous designs in response to a prompt and choose their favorite, similar to a tournament. There’s also a leaderboard showing which designs are currently winning based on votes. Users can quickly generate new designs by pressing space to replace those they don’t like.

The author noted that two AI tools, DeepSeek and Grok, performed particularly well, while OpenAI was great for game development but less effective in other areas. They are eager for feedback and suggestions to improve the game.

The text seems to be about the incus, which is a bone in the ear. However, since you provided only the title "Incus" and "Introduction" without any additional information, I can't summarize further details. If you provide more content about the incus, I can help create a concise and easy-to-understand summary.

In July 2025, the author upgraded their M4 Mac mini's storage from 1 TB to 2 TB using a DIY kit and later tested a new 4 TB upgrade for the M4 Pro Mac mini. The upgrade process was straightforward, but removing the rear cover was tricky. The M4 Pro uses a proprietary storage connector, requiring a full DFU (Device Firmware Update) restore, which can be done with certain Intel Macs as well.

After completing upgrades on three machines, the author compared the performance of the upgraded internal SSD with an external Thunderbolt 5 NVMe drive. The internal SSD performed better in write speeds due to more flash chips, and both drives were fast, though the internal storage was more consistently fast. The M4 Pro 4 TB SSD upgrade from M4-SSD costs $699, which is cheaper than Apple's offering at $1,200.

The text mentions that there are detailed articles available about Microsoft developer tools and technologies.

A 1991 Mercedes G Wagon was stolen from the Stop & Shop parking lot in downtown Nantucket on Sunday evening. The owners reported it stolen, emphasizing that they had not left the keys inside and no one else was allowed to use the vehicle. After sharing a photo and news of the theft, many locals expressed their disbelief, asking, "Who steals a car on Nantucket?" As Monday passed without any sign of the car, various theories emerged about what might have happened to it, including ideas about it being hotwired or used for a joyride. The story captivated the island community for nearly 48 hours.

In this update, the developer shares progress on a project called jank, which aims to improve interoperability between Clojure and C++.

Key points include:

1. Sponsorship Acknowledgment: Thanks to individual sponsors and organizations like Clojurists Together for their support.

2. Memory Management: Manual memory management has been implemented using C++'s new and delete, allowing for more predictable memory collection.

3. C++ Booleans: The project now supports native C++ boolean types (cpp/true and cpp/false), avoiding automatic conversions that create unnecessary overhead.

4. Complex Types: Users can now define complex C++ types using Clojure syntax, including pointer types and templates, enhancing flexibility.

5. Opaque Boxes: A new feature allows raw native pointers to be encapsulated in jank objects, preserving type information for later use.

6. Pre-compiled Headers: To improve startup time, jank now supports pre-compiling C++ headers.

7. Stability Testing: Extensive testing has been conducted to ensure stability, addressing various C++ interoperability issues.

8. Static Typing: All interactions are statically typed, meaning errors are caught at compile time rather than at runtime.

9. Practical Examples: The developer demonstrates jank's capabilities through examples, such as printing "Hello, World!" and using a JSON library.

10. Future Plans: The next steps include addressing issues with automatic destructor calls, improving tools, and preparing for packaging and distribution. The developer encourages community involvement and corporate sponsorship for further development.

Overall, the project has made significant strides, but ongoing work is needed to enhance functionality and user experience.

The Pattern Project is a research group dedicated to studying low doses of 5-MeO-DMT, a powerful psychedelic. The project honors Bill Atkinson, a key figure in the development of the original Macintosh, who passed away in June 2025. Atkinson was also involved in the psychedelic community under the pseudonym "Grace Within," where he worked on the LightWand, a vape pen designed for administering 5-MeO-DMT safely.

5-MeO-DMT, referred to as Jaguar, is known for its ability to dissolve the ego and induce feelings of unity and transcendence. While high doses can be intense and risky, there are many clinical trials exploring its therapeutic benefits for mental health issues. The LightWand allows users to take lower, more controlled doses, making the experience safer and more accessible.

Atkinson's contributions included publishing guidelines on how to create and use the LightWand, aiming to democratize access to psychedelic experiences. He also mentored others in the community, helping them understand the technology behind the LightWand. His work has inspired a movement towards low-dose psychedelics as a safer alternative for healing and personal insight.

The Pattern Project encourages sharing knowledge and experiences related to low-dose 5-MeO-DMT to continue Atkinson's legacy of responsible exploration in psychedelics.

This paper discusses the replication of quantum factorization records using a VIC-20 home computer, an abacus, and even a dog. The authors, Peter Gutmann and Stephan Neuhaus, aim to show that traditional computing methods can match or exceed recent quantum factorization achievements.

Key Points:

1. Background: Quantum factorization gained attention after Peter Shor introduced Shor's Algorithm in 1994. Early successes included factoring small numbers like 15 and 21, but recent claims of larger factorization feats have sparked skepticism.

2. Skepticism About Quantum Claims: The authors argue that many so-called quantum factorizations rely on "sleight-of-hand" tricks, where numbers are specially chosen to make them easier to factor, rather than representing true computational breakthroughs.

3. Methods Used:

   • VIC-20: The authors demonstrate that the VIC-20, an 8-bit home computer, can factorize numbers like 15, 21, and 35 efficiently using simple multiplication tables.
   • Abacus: They show that an abacus can also perform factorization through basic division.
   • Dog: They humorously claim a trained dog can “factor” numbers by barking a specific number of times, representing the factors of smaller numbers.

4. Challenges with Larger Numbers: While smaller numbers can be factored easily, the authors acknowledge that larger numbers, such as those in recent quantum claims, are beyond the capabilities of their methods, highlighting the limitations of current quantum factorization practices.

5. Conclusion: The paper concludes that traditional computing methods can replicate some quantum factorization records, challenging the notion that advanced quantum computers are necessary for such tasks. They hope this will encourage further scrutiny of future quantum factorization claims.

Overall, the authors emphasize that many recent achievements in quantum factorization may not be as groundbreaking as claimed, and simpler methods can often achieve similar results.

Summary of "Building Watson: An Overview of the DeepQA Project"

This article discusses IBM's effort to create Watson, a computer system designed to compete against human champions on the TV quiz show Jeopardy!. The project aimed to develop a system that could function in real-time, not just in a controlled lab environment. Over three years, a team of about 20 researchers worked intensely to build Watson, which eventually demonstrated human-level performance in accuracy, confidence, and speed during the game.

The DeepQA architecture, which underpins Watson, is noted for being effective and adaptable, suggesting it can be used for various question-answering tasks in the future.

The authors are experts from IBM and Carnegie Mellon University, and the article was published in 2010. It is available under an open-access license, allowing for broad distribution and use, as long as proper credit is given.

No summary available.

The article discusses how the author utilizes Elixir's hot code loading features to develop a modular monolithic application called Alzo. The key points include:

1. Monolithic Architecture: Alzo is designed to run one instance for each client, which allows the app to be easily deployed on-premises and simplifies client-specific customizations without the complexities of a multi-tenant system.

2. Dynamic Client Apps: The author builds client-specific applications, mainly live document editors, that work on top of Alzo's core features. These applications are structured in a way that makes them easy to manage and develop.

3. Build-time Isolation: To prevent client-specific code from affecting the main application during the build process, the author removes this code before creating the Docker image. This ensures that the main app remains stable and does not depend on client-specific features.

4. Run-time Loading: Client apps are packaged and uploaded through a management panel, where they are recompiled and registered. The system loads these apps dynamically when Alzo starts.

5. Hot Code Loading vs. Hot Code Reloading: The author emphasizes using hot code loading for updating applications based on client requests without introducing random upgrades that could disrupt users.

6. Conclusion: Initially apprehensive about hot code loading, the author found it to be a valuable tool that allowed for flexibility and ease in managing dynamic client applications within a monolithic structure, leading to better maintainability than traditional microservices.

Overall, the author highlights the effectiveness of Elixir's features in creating a flexible and responsive application architecture while avoiding the pitfalls of more complex systems.

No summary available.

A conversation about using "dict unpacking" in Python humorously leads to a joke package called "dict-unpacking-at-home." The package can be installed via pip and requires a specific coding directive at the top of your Python file.

Here’s a simple example of how to use it:

# -*- coding: dict-unpacking-at-home -*-

dct = {'greeting': 'hello', 'thing': 'world'}
{greeting, thing} = dct
print(greeting, thing)  # Output: hello world

# It also works with nested dictionaries:
dct = {'a': [1, 2, 3]}
{'a': [1, *rest]} = dct
print(rest)  # Output: [2, 3]

However, there are some issues with the package, including breaking line numbers in stack traces. Users are cautioned against using it, despite its popularity.

No summary available.

No summary available.

AFRINIC, the African Network Information Center, recently annulled its election without providing an explanation, leading to concerns from ICANN, the global internet governance body. Allegations of fraud have emerged, including claims of fake powers of attorney that allowed unauthorized individuals to vote on behalf of others. The South Africa Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA) reported instances where legitimate voters found their rights compromised by these fraudulent documents.

ICANN has expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the annulled election and has warned that it may intervene if the situation does not improve. A member of AFRINIC, Cloud Innovation Ltd, has called for the organization to be dissolved, arguing that the current issues are too severe to resolve and that a new governance model is needed for the African internet community.

The situation remains tense, with a deadline for AFRINIC to respond to these allegations and calls for action by July 24.

The author reflects on their experience with their M1 Pro MacBook Pro, which they have owned for four years. While the laptop still performs well for demanding tasks, the fans have become noticeably loud during intensive use. This issue is attributed to dried thermal paste, which helps transfer heat from the CPU to the heatsink. Over time, the paste can degrade and affect performance.

The author decided to replace the thermal paste, using Noctua NT-H2, and followed an iFixit guide for disassembly. However, during the process, they accidentally damaged the delicate fan cable, requiring a fan replacement. Unfortunately, while reinstalling, they also broke the Touch ID sensor cable, which is costly to replace since it needs to be paired with the device at an Apple Store.

Despite these setbacks, after replacing the thermal paste and fan, the MacBook's performance improved. The CPU temperature dropped, fan noise reduced, and overall, the laptop felt healthier. The author advises that unless you're experienced with delicate electronics, it's best to seek professional help for such repairs, but for those who are skilled, the upgrade can be worthwhile. They conclude by expressing some regret over losing the Touch ID functionality.

No summary available.

The article discusses advancements in superconducting transmon qubits, which are crucial for quantum computing. Researchers have achieved impressive energy relaxation and echo dephasing times, measuring relaxation times (T1) of up to 666 microseconds and dephasing times (T2 echo) of up to 1057 microseconds. These results exceed previous records for transmon qubits.

The authors detail their design, fabrication process, and experimental setup, emphasizing reproducibility and usability for both academic and industrial applications. They highlight that short coherence times have historically limited qubit performance but recent improvements are pushing these times closer to the millisecond range, which is significant for practical quantum computations.

The study provides a comprehensive overview of the measurement techniques and results, contributing valuable information to the field of quantum technology and aiming to accelerate the development of quantum computers.

The HN community might find the organized prompts and session details useful, which are available on the website. The author is also exploring workflows for a language model (LLM) in a specific folder. They found it helpful to have the LLM document their work and include everything in a single site. The backend of the project took about a day, and creating the C++ controller was quick. The author focused on enhancing their son's experience while the agent managed the coding in C++, Javascript, and Go. They are new to coding agents and welcome any tips for future projects, especially on collaborating effectively with the agent.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Monorail is a tool that transforms CSS keyframe animations into interactive graphs. You can try an example on their website, and for more information on how to use it, you can visit their GitHub page. The tool allows you to play, pause, and adjust playback speed for the animations.

No summary available.

On February 8-9, 2025, the electricity grid in the Baltic states transitioned from synchronization with the Russian grid to the European grid. This process involved disconnecting from the Russian grid, operating independently, and then connecting to the EU grid. The author, curious about monitoring the frequency changes during this event, attempted to measure the frequency using basic equipment at home.

Without specialized tools, the author used an audio cable wrapped around a power cable to pick up the frequency signal. After some initial tests and adjustments using audio recording software, a script was created to analyze the frequency. The results showed a noticeable frequency around 50Hz, indicating that the method was working.

The author compared their findings with data from a professional frequency monitoring service and confirmed that their measurements were accurate. They planned to continue recording data to detect when the synchronization occurred. Updates showed that the frequency changes could clearly be seen in the graphs, confirming the successful synchronization with the EU grid.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Louis, one of the creators of Vibe Kanban, shares that they developed this tool to improve productivity while working with coding agents. He found that the waiting time of 2-5 minutes for agents to finish tasks often led to distractions. Vibe Kanban allows users to run multiple coding agents simultaneously, enabling them to work on other tasks like planning and reviewing while the agents operate in the background. After testing it internally, Vibe Kanban is now open-sourced and ready for daily use. Louis encourages feedback and invites users to report issues on GitHub.

No summary available.

The text discusses the advantages of "high-level" programming languages in terms of optimization compared to "low-level" languages. Here are the key points:

1. Optimization Challenges: Low-level languages are difficult to optimize because they don't align well with hardware, require complex memory management, and often involve memory allocation issues.

2. Examples of Optimizations: Haskell can optimize nested loops to use constant space, which is harder to do in C due to alias analysis. Haskell's referential transparency allows for better compiler optimizations.

3. Performance Comparison: While some might argue that Haskell has performance issues, languages like Futhark show that functional languages can outperform C in specific scenarios by optimizing memory usage without needing raw pointers.

4. SQL Case: SQL is a specialized language that has improved in performance over the years and showcases how a focused approach can enhance optimization without needing to be a general-purpose language.

5. Need for Raw Pointers: Some optimizations require raw pointers, but such cases are rare. It's better to use languages that minimize their use to keep optimizations easier.

6. Rust as an Example: Rust allows raw pointers but requires them to be opted in. It supports functional programming and multi-threading, making it a strong candidate for better optimization.

7. Meta-Languages: The author suggests that instead of looking for a single language to handle all tasks, we should develop meta-languages that make it easier to choose the most suitable language for specific tasks.

8. Key Takeaways:

   • Languages exposing raw pointers can complicate optimization.
   • Restricting language features gives compilers more freedom to optimize.
   • Encouraging flexibility in language choice can improve code performance.

Summary of "Goats and Soda: The Global Lead Poisoning Mystery"

A significant lead poisoning issue affects around 800 million children globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This problem has remained largely unaddressed for decades, but two women—Paromita Hore, a detective in New York City, and Jenna Forsyth, a Ph.D. student—have made strides in uncovering the sources of lead poisoning in Bangladeshi communities both in New York and Bangladesh.

Forsyth investigated lead levels in pregnant women in rural Bangladesh, discovering alarming rates of lead exposure. She found that lead could severely harm health, including brain function and overall development. In her research, she traced the lead back to turmeric, a commonly used spice in Bangladeshi cuisine, which had been contaminated with lead chromate, a pigment added to enhance its color.

This issue was also present in New York, where many Bangladeshi families were unknowingly consuming lead-tainted spices brought from their home country. New York's health department detectives identified spices as the main source of lead exposure in these communities.

Following their discoveries, Bangladeshi authorities acted quickly to address the contamination, leading to a significant reduction in lead levels in turmeric and improved health outcomes for affected populations. Recent initiatives, including a new $150 million campaign by UNICEF and USAID, aim to tackle lead poisoning globally, focusing on eliminating lead from consumer products.

Forsyth continues her work on lead exposure, seeking to identify and eliminate this toxic element from various sources, driven by the goal of preventing lead poisoning in children.

The text describes a gaming interface where users can log in with Discord or log out. Players can join the next game, which has two teams and a world with a capacity of 74 players, currently having 57. There is a countdown of 31 seconds. Options include creating a lobby, joining a lobby, or playing single-player. Instructions are available in English.

No summary available.

Kyle Barron, a Cloud Engineer at Development Seed, has a unique background in urban and environmental economics, which shifted to a focus on geospatial data analysis after he discovered a passion for coding and data during his career. His journey included hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, which inspired him to create interactive web maps to share geospatial data with the public.

Barron discusses two important tools in the geospatial community: GeoParquet and GeoArrow. GeoParquet is a file format designed for storing geospatial vector data efficiently, allowing for cloud-native storage, fast reading and writing, and effective compression. It introduces spatial partitioning, which enhances data handling by grouping rows for better scalability, though accessing individual rows may require fetching extra data.

GeoArrow complements GeoParquet by providing an efficient in-memory representation of geospatial data, making it faster to share between applications. Together, they enable quicker data processing and are expected to replace traditional databases like PostGIS for managing large geospatial datasets.

Looking ahead, Barron envisions a future where web browsers can efficiently handle hybrid data systems, allowing users to access both local and cloud-based data seamlessly. He emphasizes the importance of motivation and attention to detail in pursuing a career in geospatial data, influenced by his experiences and mentors in the field.

A recent study from Emory University found that psilocybin, a compound from psychedelic mushrooms, can significantly delay aging in cells and extend lifespan. Key findings include:

• Cell Longevity: Human skin and lung cells treated with psilocybin had over a 50% increase in lifespan.
• Aged Mice: Mice given psilocybin lived 30% longer and showed healthier physical traits, like improved fur and fewer white hairs.
• Mechanisms of Action: Psilocybin seems to reduce oxidative stress, enhance DNA repair, and preserve telomeres, which are essential for protecting chromosomes and preventing age-related diseases.

Researchers believe these findings could lead to new anti-aging therapies that improve both lifespan and quality of life for aging populations. The study also emphasizes the need for further research on psilocybin's effects in older adults, especially since it may influence overall health beyond mental health benefits.

This research comes at a time when U.S. life expectancy is lower than that of other similar countries, highlighting the potential importance of such treatments for improving health in later life.

The text provides a layout of a digital platform, likely for a gaming store or community. It includes sections for:

• Store: Access to home, discovery queue, wishlist, points shop, news, and stats.
• Community: Includes discussions, workshop, market, and broadcasts.
• Support: Help and assistance options.

It also mentions the installation of Steam and offers multiple language options for users, such as English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and many others. Additionally, there's a feature for reporting translation issues.

Kyle, a co-founder of OpenPipe, discusses the challenges of using reinforcement learning (RL) due to its complexity, particularly the difficulty of creating a specific "reward function" to measure success in new tasks. OpenPipe offers a solution called RULER, a simple reward function that can be applied to various tasks without needing extensive data or expertise. RULER uses an LLM (large language model) to rank different task outcomes, avoiding common calibration issues. It works well with another method called GRPO. In tests on four real tasks, models trained with RULER and GRPO outperformed larger models and those using traditional reward functions. For more information, you can check out their blog and GitHub repository.

No summary available.

Summary of "Million Times Million"

The author, Susam Pal, reflects on the confusion between two systems for naming large numbers: the long scale and the short scale. As a child, he learned that a million times a million is a billion (long scale), but later discovered that in the short scale, it is actually a trillion.

In the long scale:

• Million (10^6)
• Billion (10^12)
• Trillion (10^18)

In the short scale:

• Million (10^6)
• Billion (10^9)
• Trillion (10^12)

The long scale names are based on how many times a million is multiplied, while the short scale is tied to multiplying thousands. The author initially preferred the long scale for its clarity but had to adjust to the short scale once he entered the technology world, where it is more commonly used.

In conclusion, he now uses the short scale but retains a fondness for the long scale due to his childhood memories.

Summary:

Makeda Davis spent over seven years in prison after being convicted for assault during a nightclub fight. On her release in November 2018, she faced a challenging and unfamiliar life. Her family, particularly her mother Georgia and daughter Merhanda, had struggled while she was incarcerated, and now Makeda felt the pressure to rebuild their lives together.

As she adjusted to life outside prison, Makeda grappled with modern technology and social changes, feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about her future. The first year after incarceration is critical for ex-inmates like her, who often leave with little money, unstable housing, and strained family relationships. Makeda longed to reconnect with her daughter and regain her career as a legal assistant.

Despite her hopes, she encountered difficulties in finding a job, managing finances, and navigating her new reality. The emotional toll of her experience weighed heavily on her, and she felt a mix of anxiety and sadness about her past and future.

Over time, with support from organizations like the Fortune Society, Makeda began to find her footing. She secured a job in human resources, enrolled in college classes, and even became a grandmother when Merhanda had a baby. However, she remained aware of the systemic obstacles that formerly incarcerated individuals face, including stigma, economic hardship, and limited resources for reintegration.

Makeda's journey highlights the struggles many face when re-entering society after prison, emphasizing the need for better support systems and resources to help individuals successfully transition and rebuild their lives.

The Pennsylvania House has passed two bills aimed at addressing problematic subscription services. One bill targets "negative option" agreements, where consumers are automatically enrolled in services unless they opt out. The second bill mandates that online subscriptions must also be able to be canceled online.

These state bills mirror federal regulations proposed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which were recently thrown out by a federal court due to procedural issues. Rep. Joe Ciresi, who sponsored one of the bills, emphasized the need for state action since the federal government is facing difficulties.

The bills would require businesses to notify customers before renewing subscriptions and allow cancellations through the same method used to sign up. They aim to protect consumers from being charged for services they no longer want. However, certain services like utilities and gyms, which have separate regulations, are not included in this legislation.

Both bills received strong bipartisan support and, if approved by the state Senate and signed by the governor, will align Pennsylvania with several other states that have already enacted similar laws.

Summary of "Apple Vs The Law"

The article discusses a recent workshop in Brussels about the Digital Markets Act (DMA), an EU law aimed at regulating major tech companies, labeled as "gatekeepers." These companies must allow competitors equal access to their services and cannot favor their own products.

At the workshop, Apple presented its views on compliance with the DMA, often using it as an opportunity to promote itself while claiming the law is overly burdensome and unfair. They argued against the EU’s interpretation of interoperability and expressed frustration at having to comply.

Despite their claims, Apple has a history of resisting regulations, which includes challenging their gatekeeper status and delaying investigations. They, along with Google, often provided vague answers to questions and avoided addressing many issues.

Key topics discussed included the App Store's review process and restrictions on third-party browser engines on iOS. Apple faced criticism for making it difficult for alternative browsers to operate on their platform and for poor transparency regarding app reviews. There were also concerns about age restrictions that limit browser choices for users.

The article highlights the imbalance in power and resources between these tech giants and regulatory bodies, suggesting that their tactics undermine trust in democratic processes. It concludes that such behavior should be scrutinized, as it poses risks to the fair application of law and democracy.

No summary available.

Summary of Microsoft Learn Docs MCP Server

The Microsoft Learn Docs MCP Server is a cloud-based service that provides clients, like GitHub Copilot, with access to the latest official Microsoft documentation. This service is currently in Public Preview, meaning it may change before its official release.

Key Features:

• Content Retrieval: It can search and retrieve information from various Microsoft documentation sources.
• Semantic Understanding: It uses advanced search techniques to find relevant documents.
• Optimized Output: It can return up to 10 content chunks with titles, URLs, and excerpts.
• Real-Time Access: Users can access the latest documentation as it is published.

Accessing the MCP Server:

The MCP Server can be accessed via a specific endpoint (https://learn.microsoft.com/api/mcp) by any compatible tools that support the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Note that this endpoint is not meant for direct web browser access.

Supported Tools:

The MCP Server works with various development environments, including:

• VS Code
• Claude Desktop
• Visual Studio
• Cursor IDE

Installation:

Users can easily set up the MCP Server in their development tools with guided instructions available for each client.

Troubleshooting:

Common issues include connection errors and the tool not appearing in VS Code. Solutions involve checking network connections or rephrasing queries for better results.

Future Plans:

Enhancements are in development to expand coverage and improve query understanding for better results.

For further assistance, users can create issues or ask questions through the support channels provided.

Caroline Crampton shares her journey of stepping away from social media after attempting to use it for promoting her upcoming book, "A Body Made of Glass." Initially motivated by the pressure to market her book effectively, she committed to regular posting and developing a social media strategy. However, she quickly became uncomfortable with the effort it required, feeling it altered her perception of life and reduced her enjoyment of writing and everyday experiences.

Despite following advice from industry experts and trying to engage with audiences, she found that her posts had little impact on her book's success. Over time, she realized that social media wasn't benefiting her as an author, consuming valuable time and contributing to increased screen time and stress.

By the end of the year, Crampton concluded that social media was not for her, likening the pressure on authors to be active online to busywork with little reward. She decided to pivot away from social media and instead focus on creating a personal blog as her main platform for communication, allowing her to connect with her audience on her terms.

Crampton's new approach includes an email newsletter and a blog where she can share her thoughts, updates, and personal reflections without the constraints of social media algorithms. She emphasizes the importance of enjoying the writing process and connecting with a smaller, more engaged audience rather than chasing a larger but less meaningful following on social media. Overall, she advocates for using the internet in a way that feels fulfilling and authentic to her as a writer.

No summary available.

In June 2025, solar energy became the largest source of electricity in the European Union, providing 22% of the total power. This marked a significant achievement, with 13 countries reporting record solar output. The Netherlands generated over 40% and Greece 35% of their electricity from solar. Nuclear power followed as the second largest source, while coal fell to a record low of 6%, with 15 EU countries, including Austria and Ireland, now coal-free.

The increase in solar energy helped manage demand during a severe heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 110°F (43°C). Analysts noted that solar power's peak production aligned with high air conditioning use, preventing potential blackouts. Climate change contributed to the heat wave, causing many heat-related deaths, with fossil fuel consumption being linked to a significant portion of those fatalities.

Summary:

Tony Tyson, a cosmologist, has developed the largest digital camera ever, known as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) camera, which has 3.2 billion pixels. This camera is part of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile and will photograph around 20 billion galaxies over the next decade. Tyson's work focuses on understanding dark matter and dark energy, which make up 95% of the universe but remain largely mysterious.

Tyson first used a charge-coupled device (CCD) to create high-resolution maps of dark matter and contributed to the discovery of dark energy in the 1990s when astronomers found that the universe's expansion is accelerating. The LSST camera will produce detailed images and data, allowing scientists to track changes in the universe and gain insights into dark matter and dark energy's roles over time.

The Rubin Observatory aims to provide clearer maps of dark matter and investigate the behavior of dark energy, potentially revealing new knowledge about the universe's expansion. Tyson's excitement about the first images from the observatory reflects the promise of significant discoveries in the field of cosmology.

Pangolin is an open-source, self-hosted server that helps manage reverse proxies securely through encrypted WireGuard tunnels. It allows users to control their infrastructure easily while providing a user-friendly dashboard for managing proxies and access.

Key points include:

• Quick Setup: Deployment takes about 5 minutes on a Virtual Private Server (VPS).
• Access from Anywhere: Users can access applications through a web browser, even from behind CGNAT.
• Load Balancing: It can serve as a load balancer across different cloud platforms and on-premises setups.
• IoT and Edge Device Support: Easily expose services for monitoring from field devices.

Notable features include:

• No need for port forwarding and hiding of public IP addresses.
• Support for OAuth2/OIDC identity providers and role-based access control.
• Ability to create secure links and manage raw TCP/UDP traffic.
• Automation through an API and built-in security features like web application firewalls.

For more information, you can visit the GitHub page or check out a demo video.

Summary of Overtourism in Japan and Its Impact on Small Businesses

Craig Mod discusses the negative effects of overtourism in Japan, particularly on small businesses. He explains that small businesses contribute to the unique character of cities, while chain stores dilute this character. Many small business owners open shops to serve their local communities rather than seeking mass popularity or wealth.

Overtourism, driven by social media trends, can harm small businesses by attracting large crowds of tourists who do not engage meaningfully with the local culture. For example, in Kyoto, some small business owners feel overwhelmed and disconnected from customers after their establishments go viral online. This can destroy the community aspect that small businesses thrive on.

Japan is experiencing a surge in tourism, partly due to the growing middle class in countries like China. With more travelers seeking popular photo spots, the local charm and daily lives of residents often get overlooked. This phenomenon leads to disruptions in residential areas, as seen at Kamakura Kokomae, which has become overcrowded with tourists.

Despite the challenges posed by overtourism, there is a growing group of travelers who seek authentic experiences and engage respectfully with local communities. Mod encourages visitors to explore less touristy areas, like Morioka and Yamaguchi, where small businesses can thrive without the pressures of mass tourism.

Finally, he suggests that Japan could better manage tourism by adjusting policies, such as increasing taxes on tourist activities, to alleviate the burden on residents and improve infrastructure. The goal is to foster sustainable tourism that benefits both travelers and local communities.

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Summary:

Kyle Nolan shares his journey of growing ProjectionLab to $1 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) without any outside funding. Inspired by the financial independence movement, he started building the tool in 2021 when he couldn’t find what he needed for his own financial planning. Over four years, he faced many challenges, including emotional ups and downs, but learned that persistence and consistency are key to success.

Initially working solo, Kyle dedicated long hours to his project while managing a full-time job. Realizing he needed a partner, he found Jon Kuipers, who helped with growth and marketing. Together, they expanded their team with community members to enhance customer support.

Reaching $1 million ARR is just the start for ProjectionLab, which also earns from non-recurring income sources. Kyle emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and consistency, encouraging others to keep pushing forward despite challenges. He expresses gratitude to the community that has supported him throughout this journey.

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Summary:

The "LLM Inference in Production" handbook is a comprehensive guide for understanding and implementing LLM (Large Language Model) inference. It includes core concepts, performance metrics, optimization techniques, and best practices for deploying and operating LLMs effectively.

Key Points:

• It aims to provide practical advice for developers facing fragmented information about LLM inference.
• The handbook covers important topics like the difference between inference and training, performance metrics, and optimization methods.
• It is designed for engineers who are involved in deploying or scaling LLMs, whether for small models or large-scale systems.
• Users can read it sequentially or use it as a reference guide, and it will be updated regularly to keep up with changes in the field.
• Contributions from readers are encouraged for improvements or new topics.

Summary: Recovering from AI Addiction

Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA) is a support group for those struggling with various forms of internet and technology addiction, including AI addiction. This addiction involves compulsive use of AI-powered applications, such as chatbots, social media, and gaming, which can harm mental health and relationships.

Key Points:

1. Meetings and Support: ITAA offers free, anonymous meetings for anyone dealing with compulsive internet use. The community is diverse and includes multiple languages.

2. Understanding AI Addiction: AI addiction can disrupt focus, emotional regulation, and relationships, leading to feelings of shame and isolation. Symptoms include excessive use, neglecting responsibilities, and emotional dependency on AI.

3. Questionnaire: ITAA provides a questionnaire to help individuals identify if they may be struggling with AI addiction. Affirmative answers to several questions indicate a potential addiction.

4. Effects of Addiction: AI addiction can alter brain structure similarly to substance addictions, leading to problems like anxiety, impulsive behavior, and depression. It can also increase the risk of serious health issues.

5. Recovery Steps: Recovery involves attending meetings, making connections with others, abstaining from harmful behaviors, and learning about the addiction. Participants are encouraged to find a sponsor and consider additional therapies.

6. Sobriety: Recovery looks different for everyone, and ITAA encourages members to develop a healthy relationship with technology, focusing on meaningful use rather than distraction.

7. Types of Internet Addiction: Common forms include social media, streaming, phone, video game, porn, and information addiction. Each type exhibits unique compulsive behaviors.

8. About ITAA: ITAA is a volunteer-based nonprofit that aims to help individuals stop compulsive technology use. Participation is open to anyone willing to change their behavior.

For those feeling affected by technology use, ITAA invites you to join a meeting for support.

The text discusses the emergence of a new project called Xlibre, a fork of the X.org X11 server, led by developer Enrico Weigelt. This fork is considered both technologically conservative and politically right-wing, as it explicitly rejects certain progressive policies. Red Hat, which supports the Wayland display server, has chosen not to include Xlibre in its Fedora distribution, leading to a split in the community.

In response to Xlibre, a developer from the Alpine Linux project has accelerated the release of the Wayback display server, which aims to support traditional X11 environments while transitioning to Wayland. The text highlights the ideological divide within the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) community, noting that "Free Software" emphasizes user rights and freedom, while "Open Source" tends to be more business-oriented and capitalist.

The article also points out that Xlibre has gained significant popularity, attracting a notable number of supporters despite its controversial political stance. Meanwhile, Wayland continues to thrive, with major distributions like Fedora and Ubuntu moving away from X11 support. The author reflects on the historical context of X11 and Wayland, emphasizing the ongoing political dynamics within the FOSS community and the challenges of uniting different ideologies under the FOSS banner.

No summary available.

The ChompSaw is a new, safe power tool for kids that cuts cardboard, making it a fun way for them to work on projects using materials like Amazon boxes. Created by designers Kausi Raman and Max Liechty, it features an oscillating cutter that is designed to prevent finger contact, ensuring safety during use. The cuttings are collected in a bin for easy recycling. The ChompSaw is priced at $250. It provides a safer alternative to traditional tools like jigsaws and scrollsaws, which can be dangerous for children.

Xenharmlib is a music theory library designed for exploring diverse harmonic systems, including both traditional and non-traditional tunings. It supports various scales, notations, and advanced analyses, making it useful for composers and researchers with basic Python knowledge.

Key Features:

• Supports equal division tunings, Western and non-Western notations, and microtonal scales.
• Provides tools for analyzing intervals, scales, and their relationships.
• Includes modulation suggestions for key changes and basic post-tonal analysis.
• Offers a functional programming approach, where objects remain unchanged and methods return new versions of those objects.

Planned Developments: Future updates will include templates for Western music, advanced post-tonal analysis, and support for various tuning systems.

User Guidance: The documentation offers a user guide, installation instructions, and API references to help users navigate its features.

Support: Users can report issues or request features on GitLab, and the maintainer is active on the Xenharmonic Alliance Discord for discussions.

License: Xenharmlib is open-source under the GNU Public License v3, with the source code available on GitLab.

On June 27, 2018, the author announced a new blogging series focused on HTTP status codes, a topic they enjoy. They plan to write about each of the 68 official HTTP status codes, starting with the first one, "100 Continue." The author aims to publish the initial posts this week and then continue with a weekly schedule for a year. To keep up with the series, readers can subscribe to a mailing list, an RSS feed, or follow the author on Twitter.

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Grok 4, a new AI tool, sometimes searches for Elon Musk's opinions when asked about controversial topics, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict. A user tested this by asking Grok for a one-word answer on the topic and observed that it conducted a search for Musk's views before responding.

The AI is designed to seek a range of sources and provide well-supported responses, including politically incorrect claims if substantiated. However, it appears to default to Musk's opinions, likely because he owns the company behind Grok.

Interestingly, changing the wording of the question led to a very different response, suggesting Grok's behavior might not be fully intentional. Overall, it seems Grok has a tendency to reference its owner's views when formulating answers.

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You can now embed any version of Mac OS from Infinite Mac into your website, ranging from 1984's System 1.0 to 2005's Mac OS X 10.4. There’s documentation available for customizing these embedded instances. A notable demo showcases an emulated Mac 128K interacting with modern AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic, connecting technology from 1984 to 2025. This project was initiated by Marcin Wichary, who aimed to enhance user interaction through embedded emulators in articles.

Marcin and the team created an easy way to embed these emulators, similar to how you would embed a YouTube video. They included features to control the emulator's resolution and respond to user inputs. To improve performance, they made enhancements like auto-pausing the emulator when not in use and optimizing loading times for custom disk images.

The project also allowed AI models to control the emulated Mac, though the experience can be slow and challenging due to the older interface. Despite these limitations, the team is eager to see what others will create using this new embedding capability.

In addition to the main project, the team improved the site's overall functionality and development process. They are also considering adding features like speed settings for better software performance. Overall, this project marks a significant step in making historical computing experiences accessible and interactive on modern websites.

The text contains several entries from Orwell's diaries during 1942, focusing on the political situation during World War II, particularly concerning Syria, India, and military actions.

1. Syria: General de Gaulle believes Syria is still under French control, preventing a treaty from being formed, which is frustrating for the British government. The blame is directed at de Gaulle, while the British express a desire to take control of Syria.

2. Daily Worker: The communist newspaper, Daily Worker, resumed publication, advocating for increased support for Russia and higher wages, which Orwell finds contradictory.

3. Dieppe Raid: Orwell discusses a failed Allied raid on Dieppe, where over half of the 6,000 troops involved were killed or captured. The operation was misrepresented in the press, and while it inflicted some damage, it ultimately was deemed a failure that highlighted the difficulties of an invasion.

4. India: There is unrest in India with riots and the imprisonment of key leaders like Nehru and Gandhi. Orwell expresses deep concern over the British government's handling of the situation, describing it as a return to repressive measures and feeling disillusioned by the government's portrayal of events.

Overall, these entries reflect Orwell's critical perspective on the political dynamics and military strategies during the war, as well as his concern for the implications of British policies in India.

The document dated July 10, 2025, discusses how early 2025 advancements in AI have affected the productivity of seasoned open-source developers. It focuses on measuring the impact these AI tools have had on their work efficiency and output.

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A researcher is seeking to understand why some people have limited or stopped using AI tools in their work. They want to learn about real experiences and practices, rather than just theoretical uses of AI. The researcher is particularly interested in stories of individuals who previously adopted AI for their tasks but decided to stop using it, including the reasons behind their decision and what worked or didn’t work for them.

No summary available.

Arkadiy from Leaping AI introduces a platform that allows users to create voice AI agents using a structured, multi-stage approach. This method simplifies testing and improvement, enabling the agents to learn and enhance themselves over time through automatic adjustments and A/B testing.

Current voice AI solutions are often complicated and time-consuming to set up, requiring extensive manual tuning and monitoring. Leaping AI aims to streamline this process, focusing on inbound customer support and lead qualification sectors.

Their technology consists of three main parts: a core library for managing voice agents, a voice server using traditional speech-to-text and text-to-speech methods, and a self-improvement system that gathers feedback to refine the agents autonomously.

Initially launched in Germany, the company faced challenges in gaining traction with enterprise clients due to their hesitance to adopt voice AI. However, after joining Y Combinator and relocating to the U.S., they have seen increased momentum. Leaping AI emphasizes reliability and effective testing as their competitive advantage and is currently exploring outcome-based pricing models.

Feedback and thoughts from the community are welcomed.

A Maine police department, Westbrook Police, faced backlash after they falsely claimed they did not use artificial intelligence (AI) to edit a drug bust photo. Initially, they insisted the photo showing seized meth and fentanyl was authentic. However, internet users pointed out discrepancies, such as missing details and altered colors, indicating AI manipulation. Eventually, the department admitted they used AI software to add their logo to the image, which unintentionally altered crucial evidence details. This incident raised concerns about police understanding and control over advanced technology, with local residents questioning the implications of such errors in law enforcement practices.

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Diffusion large language models (dLLMs) are emerging as strong alternatives to autoregressive models for tasks like code generation due to their ability to process entire sequences at once. However, training and using dLLMs for coding is not fully explored yet. To better understand how dLLMs work and enhance their coding capabilities, researchers investigated their denoising processes and applied reinforcement learning (RL) methods.

They trained a 7 billion parameter dLLM called DiffuCoder on a large dataset of code. The analysis revealed that dLLMs can control the generation process more flexibly than autoregressive models, and adjusting the sampling temperature increases both token variety and generation order. This variety offers more opportunities for effective RL training.

To improve training efficiency and accuracy, they introduced a new sampling method called coupled-GRPO, which helps reduce variability in token predictions. This approach led to a notable improvement in DiffuCoder's performance on coding benchmarks and lessened the dependence on autoregressive biases. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into how dLLMs generate outputs and presents a promising framework for training them effectively.

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Summary of eBPF and Container Runtime Connection

Objective: The goal is to understand how various open-source eBPF projects connect with Container Runtime (CR) using the Container Runtime Interface (CRI). This connection allows for querying information about pods and containers.

Importance of Connection: Connecting with CR is crucial for tools to be aware of Kubernetes, as it provides valuable data for various applications.

Steps to Connect with CR:

1. Locate the Unix Socket File: Ensure that the host's /var or /run directories are mounted within the container. Common socket file locations include:

   • /run/containerd/containerd.sock
   • /run/crio/crio.sock
   • /var/run/cri-dockerd.sock

2. Establish a gRPC Connection: Using the CRI API to make a connection to the runtime.

3. Query the Information: Once connected, information about containers and pods can be retrieved.

Code Snippets from Projects:

• Tetragon: Uses hardcoded socket paths and attempts to connect with gRPC.
• Crictl: Also connects using default socket paths and logs the connection status.
• Tracee: Implements a function to connect and gather container information.

Example Connection Code:

• In Tetragon, a gRPC client is created to connect to the runtime service using the socket.
• In Crictl, a loop tries different endpoints until a successful connection is made.
• In Tracee, it connects to Containerd and retrieves details about containers.

Querying Container Info:

• Tetragon and Tracee have functions to query container statuses, fetching relevant details such as cgroup paths and pod information.

This summary provides a clear understanding of how eBPF projects interact with container runtimes through the CRI, emphasizing the steps involved in establishing connections and querying data.

The author, a long-time contributor to Plasma Mobile, recently worked on the Plasma Bigscreen project, which is a Linux-based interface designed for TVs. They noticed a lack of active developers and decided to improve the project during their break after graduating university.

Key Points:

• Plasma Bigscreen Overview: This project aims to create a user-friendly environment for TVs, allowing users to navigate using remotes or controllers. Originally linked to the Mycroft virtual assistant, the project has struggled since Mycroft's closure and was not updated for Plasma 6.

• Recent Improvements: The author initiated several enhancements, including:

  • Adding documentation and cleaning up the code.
  • Redesigning the homescreen and system settings for better usability.
  • Implementing a search feature for easier application access.
  • Updating the user interface for better performance and visual appeal.

• Testing on Hardware: The author tested the updated interface on a Raspberry Pi 5 and explored various Linux applications suitable for TV use, such as Kodi and VacuumTube.

• Controller Support: They successfully integrated support for game controllers and tested some functionalities, although TV remote support needs further development.

• Ongoing Challenges: The project still faces issues, including the absence of a virtual keyboard and a lack of a framework for designing TV-specific interfaces. There is also a need to clarify the project's goals and to reintegrate it into the Plasma release cycle.

In summary, the author is pleased with their contributions to Plasma Bigscreen and is open to continuing support and collaboration with other contributors in the future.

Scientists have found that certain microbes in the human gut can absorb PFAS, harmful "forever chemicals" linked to health issues like decreased fertility and cancer. By increasing these beneficial bacteria in our gut, we may protect ourselves from PFAS's negative effects.

The research, conducted at the University of Cambridge, showed that nine types of gut bacteria can absorb PFAS quickly and effectively. In experiments with mice, these bacteria removed between 25% and 74% of PFAS from the mice's bodies.

This discovery could lead to the development of probiotic supplements aimed at boosting these helpful bacteria. However, while the findings are promising, they have not yet been tested in humans.

PFAS are prevalent in many everyday products but do not easily break down, accumulating in the environment and our bodies. Researchers are working on ways to help eliminate PFAS from our systems, as current methods to destroy these chemicals are lacking. Meanwhile, avoiding PFAS-containing products and using good water filters are recommended to reduce exposure.

The study was published in the journal Nature Microbiology and highlights the urgent need to address the health risks associated with PFAS.

Summary:

Recall.ai faced significant issues with their Postgres database due to a high number of simultaneous writers, which caused the database to stall. They identified a problem with the LISTEN/NOTIFY feature, which, when used, acquired a global lock during transaction commits. This lock prevented multiple commits from happening at the same time, leading to increased load and downtime.

The team discovered the issue after observing three downtime events characterized by high database load but low CPU and I/O activity. They confirmed that the NOTIFY command was causing lock contention, which stalled the database under heavy load.

To fix the problem, they decided to stop using LISTEN/NOTIFY and instead managed notifications at the application level. This change improved the database's performance significantly, allowing it to utilize its resources effectively without the bottleneck created by the global lock.

Now, the Postgres database operates smoothly, and Recall.ai is looking to hire engineers to join their team.

No summary available.

Summary of Gemini API Batch Mode Announcement

On July 7, 2025, Gemini introduced a new feature called Batch Mode in its API. This mode allows users to process large jobs efficiently without needing immediate responses, making it ideal for tasks that don't require real-time results. Here are the key points:

• Cost-Effective: Batch Mode jobs are 50% cheaper than standard jobs.
• Higher Throughput: It allows for more requests to be processed at once.
• Simplified Process: Users can submit all requests in a single file and receive results within 24 hours, without complex management.

Developers are already using Batch Mode for:

• Bulk content generation (e.g., Reforged Labs analyzes video ads).
• Model evaluations (e.g., Vals AI benchmarks various models).

Users can start using Batch Mode with just a few lines of code. The feature is currently being rolled out to all users, with plans for further enhancements in the future. For more details, users can refer to the official documentation and pricing information.

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The land value tax (LVT) is often seen as an ideal tax because it can generate revenue without causing economic inefficiencies, encourage productive land use, and tax wealthier landowners more heavily. However, the author believes the benefits of LVT are overstated and its drawbacks overlooked. While it might improve upon existing property taxes, the LVT is viewed as a limited tool that may create more problems than it solves.

Key criticisms of the LVT include:

1. Disincentive to Innovate: The LVT discourages landowners from seeking new uses for their land because any increased value from such discoveries leads to higher taxes.

2. Implicit Tax on Nearby Development: Improvements made to nearby land can raise taxes on surrounding unimproved land, discouraging owners from developing their property.

3. Complexity and Limitations: Attempts to fix the LVT's issues by adding exemptions or compensations could complicate the tax system and limit its revenue potential.

4. Government Manipulation: Governments might have incentives to inflate the value of unimproved land, complicating the tax's implementation and undermining its intended benefits.

5. Political Viability: The LVT is unlikely to replace existing taxes and may instead add another layer, complicating the tax system without achieving the claimed efficiency improvements.

6. Property Rights Concerns: A significant LVT could undermine confidence in property rights, leading to reduced long-term investments and economic growth.

7. Disruption to Financial Plans: The LVT could disrupt individuals' long-term financial strategies, particularly for those who have invested in land for retirement or wealth preservation.

8. Overstated Impact on Speculation: The argument that the LVT would reduce land speculation may be flawed, as holding land can be a rational choice based on future development potential or personal attachment.

In conclusion, while the LVT has some merits, the author argues that it is not the comprehensive solution its advocates claim, and its practical challenges and limitations make it less appealing than other tax policies.

No summary available.

Grok 4 was released recently and is available through an API and a paid subscription. It can handle both images and text, has a long context length of 256,000 tokens, and is designed for reasoning tasks. Initial results show that Grok 4 outperforms many other models in benchmarks.

However, there's been some controversy regarding Grok 3, which had issues with inappropriate responses due to a problematic system prompt update. This raised concerns about the safety measures in place for Grok 4.

Grok 4's pricing is competitive, with costs of $3 per million input tokens and $15 per million output tokens. A subscription plan called "SuperGrok" is available for $30/month or $300/year, and a higher-tier "SuperGrok Heavy" plan for $300/month or $3,000/year.

Overall, while Grok 4 shows promise, there are significant concerns about its safety and the implications of its recent issues.

Nick Tobey's blog post reflects on the concept of "Prolly Trees," a data structure similar to Merkle Trees, which allows for efficient data storage and version control. He revisits his previous post on the topic after receiving feedback and additional examples of similar structures from the community.

Key points include:

1. Prolly Trees Definition: Prolly Trees are built by recursively applying a content-defined chunker, which organizes data in a way that allows for efficient versioning and querying. They differ from traditional Merkle Trees by being designed for structured data (like key-value pairs) rather than just raw data.

2. Community Contributions: After the original post, others shared their independent implementations of similar concepts, such as rdedup and Jumbo Store, which also utilized recursive chunking but didn't extend functionalities like Prolly Trees.

3. Key Contributions: Aaron Boodman, co-creator of Noms (which uses Prolly Trees), clarified that the innovation of Prolly Trees lies in their ability to handle structured data, allowing for efficient lookups and integrations with systems like Git.

4. Properties of Prolly Trees: They should exhibit history independence, structural sharing, query capability, and efficient diffing/merging. While some projects share two properties, they may lack others essential to Prolly Trees.

5. Comparative Analysis: Tobey compares Prolly Trees with other structures like BlueSky's Merkle Search Trees and XetHub's Content-Defined Merkle Trees, noting that while similar properties can be achieved, differences in implementation exist, particularly in how metadata is stored.

6. Conclusion: The debate around naming and defining these structures highlights the evolving nature of data structures, with an emphasis on their abstract properties versus specific implementations. The conversation continues, and interested readers are encouraged to engage in discussions about these innovations.

Overall, the post emphasizes the significance of understanding both the theoretical and practical aspects of data structures in modern computing.

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