Encrypted Chat Backups

"How Signal, WhatsApp, Apple, and Google Handle Encrypted Chat Backups"

Southwest Bag Fees

"Southwest Airlines ditches free checked bags this week. Here's how much they'll cost"

Non-Tesla EVs

"Want an electric vehicle but not a Tesla? Here are some great alternatives"

Safe Egg Dropping

"The key to a successful egg drop experiment? Drop it on its side." (Via H.R.)

Worthwhile Purchases

Dan Go: "What are some purchases under $300 that will instantly change your life?"

What are some purchases under $300 that will instantly change your life?

— Dan Go (@FitFounder) May 18, 2025

Roman Wooden Pipe

"1,700-year-old exceptional Roman wooden water pipe found in Belgium stuns archaeologists". (Via H.R.)

Romanian President And Mathematician

TIL that the new President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, also won gold medals in the International Mathematical Olympiad in 1987 and 1988 with perfect scores.  More background on the man.

 

AI Not Replacing Radiologists Yet

NYT: "Your AI Radiologist Will Not Be With You Soon"

Rogue Solar Power Inverters

"Rogue communication devices found in Chinese solar power inverters"

U.S. energy officials are reassessing the risk posed by Chinese-made devices that play a critical role in renewable energy infrastructure after unexplained communication equipment was found inside some of them...

Light Posting Notice

Admin note: Posting may be lighter than usual this week and next week due to external obligations.

Pope Vs. AI

Tweet of the day.

Reasoning Revolution

Jon Stokes: "The Reasoning Revolution In AI: How We Got Here & Why It Matters". [Note: Partial paywall.]

Phone Data Security When Travelling

NYT: "How to Secure Your Phone’s Data Before Traveling Abroad"

Rampant Cheating By College Students With AI

New York Magazine: "Everyone Is Cheating Their Way Through College"

Quantum Communication Update

"US researchers achieve 11-mile quantum data link using photon transmission"

Buttons In Cars

"Carmakers Are Embracing Physical Buttons Again"

CRISPR Bacon

"The FDA Just Approved the First CRISPR-Edited Pigs for Food". (Via H.R.)

Tangentially related humorous video:

Has The Quantum Era Begun?

"The Quantum Era Has Already Begun". 

I am not convinced that the Quantum Era has begun. But the quantum hype era definitely has.

Snakebite Man

NYT: "Universal Antivenom May Grow Out of Man Who Let Snakes Bite Him 200 Times"

Satellite Speedometer

"US builds 'spacecraft speedometer' to enhance satellite navigation without GPS". (Via H.R.)

Quantum Computing Update

"MIT engineers advance toward a fault-tolerant quantum computer"

Airline Cabin Secrets

"7 Secrets of Airplane Cabins Most Passengers Don’t Know"

Running Exosuit

Wired: "I Tested A Speedsuit That Makes Anyone Run Faster"

Quantum Algorithm Update

"Quantum Speedup Found for Huge Class of Hard Problems"