Loki Review

"Loki Review: A Good Start To A Possibly Great MCU Series"

Slow Motion Simone Biles

"Simone Biles, Mesmerizing in Slow Motion":

In her floor exercise routine on the first day of the competition, Biles absolutely nailed a triple double — that’s three twists while doing two backflips. Timothy Burke took the footage and slowed it down so that we can see exactly what’s going on in the air. 

And, Jesus, I was NOT prepared for what I saw. The two handsprings that set up the final move are beautiful slowed down, leisurely even. 

But then Biles launches herself impossibly high into the air — like absurdly and spectacularly high — and starts twisting and flipping at a speed that seems fast even for slow motion. 

And the landing — it’s like she was standing there all along, waiting for the rest of her spirit to join her. Watching the routine at regular speed makes you appreciate the move even more.

More Monterey Features

"Buried features: There's more to macOS Monterey than the keynote let on"

Meteor Vs. Volcano

"Photographer Captures Shooting Star Falling ‘Into’ Volcano"

While the photo may look like the shooting star fell right into the volcano’s crater, it’s unclear whether that actually happened or whether it fell somewhere behind the mountain. From what’s seen in the security camera footage, however, it does appear that the meteor fell at a very close distance.

 

Spy Gap

USA Today: "The real issue with the COVID-19 lab leak theory? The US isn't spying on China like it used to"

Found Wallet

"Woman recovers wallet lost 46 years ago in California"

“I’m shaking,” Distin told KCAL-TV as she looked through the wallet. It contained poetry and notes, photographs of high school friends, the $5 ticket to a Grateful Dead concert at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and photos of Distin’s mother, who died several years ago.

Direct link to video:

Trojan Shield Sting

"Global sting: FBI-run messaging app tricks organized crime"

More On Ransomware Recovery

Ars Technica: "US seizes $2.3 million Colonial Pipeline paid to ransomware attackers". (Via A.B.)

It's possible that Colonial Pipeline chose to pay the higher ransom at the behest of law enforcement because bitcoin could be tracked and monero—the other currency accepted by DarkSide—is completely untraceable. Even if that is the case, it's not clear how law enforcement gained possession of the cryptographic key needed to empty the wallet.

Skipping Stones And Airplanes

"What the physics of skipping stones can tell us about aircraft water landings". (Via H.R.)

Ransomware Recovered

CNN: "US recovers millions in cryptocurrency paid to Colonial Pipeline ransomware hackers"

Invisible Art

"An Italian Artist Auctioned Off an 'Invisible Sculpture' for $18,300. It's Made Literally of Nothing"

Wow -- I feel fortunate that I only paid $10,000 for one of those!

 

Self-Creating AI

"AI is learning how to create itself". I see no possible way this could go wrong.

AI Trucker

"A Self-Driving Truck Got a Shipment Cross-Country 10 Hours Faster Than a Human Driver"

Changing Team Names

"Why Does Changing A Team's Name Take So Long?"

Venus Missions

"NASA will launch 2 new missions to Venus by 2030 to return to Earth's hellish twin"

You know someone spent a while devising acronyms that would be good for a press release: 

The two missions, called DAVINCI+ and VERITAS were selected from NASA's shortlist...

 

DAVINCI+ (short for Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble Gases, Chemistry and Imaging) will plunge through the thick Venus atmosphere to learn more about it changes over time.

 

Meanwhile, VERITAS (Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography and Spectroscopy) mission will use radar to map Venus' surface in detail from orbit.

 

Rogue Killer Drone

"A rogue killer drone 'hunted down' a human target without being instructed to, UN report says"

Future Of Zoom

"Zoom will stay relevant despite the economy’s massive reopening, two traders suggest". (Via D.M.)

Brave Woman

California woman shoves bear off her fence to protect her dogs. (Via Boing Boing.)

This is crazy af omg pic.twitter.com/Sh14yVD9Eu

— Bria Celest (@55mmbae) June 1, 2021

Hsieh Forbes Column: Perks And Incentives For Covid-19 Vaccination May Backfire

My latest Forbes column is now out: "Perks And Incentives For Covid-19 Vaccination May Backfire".

I discuss the proliferation of prizes and incentives being offered to get people vaccinated, and how this can sometimes create the opposite effect of making people more suspicious of the vaccine.

Radio Stations Around The World

"The green dots on this Google Earth map represent radio stations all over the world. 

"Turn up the volume and click on any one of the dots and you will immediately hear that station with very good reception. For example, halfway up Ireland's east coast, there is a station playing Irish pub music." (Via H.R.)

Shoddy Research

"Questionable Research Practices I’ve Taken Part In"

Human Vs. AI Chess Understanding

"10 Positions Chess Engines Just Don't Understand"

Raindrop Fate

"When a Raindrop Falls in the US, Where Does It End Up?"

Deepfake Tom Cruise

"This deepfake of Tom Cruise discussing industrial cleaning is too good to be called uncanny"

More Vaccine Targets

"COVID-19 Vaccine Makers Are Looking Beyond the Spike Protein"

Mac OS Update

Forbes: "Update Your Mac Now: Nasty Hack Breaks Apple Security To Take Sneaky Photos"

How Advertisers Track You

Fascinating (and eye-opening) Twitter thread on how advertisers track you.

I highly recommend reading the full thread.  There's also an unrolled version if that's easier.

I'm back from a week at my mom's house and now I'm getting ads for her toothpaste brand, the brand I've been putting in my mouth for a week. We never talked about this brand or googled it or anything like that.

As a privacy tech worker, let me explain why this is happening. 🧵

— Robert G. Reeve (@RobertGReeve) May 25, 2021

Become The Typo

"Why Am I Sp Bad At Typign?"

Mean Board Games

Video: "10 Meanest Board Games Ever Made"

"We accept no responsibility for any friendships ruined after watching this video. "

0:00 #Intro

0:54 #10. Munchkin

2:00 #9. The Estates

3:12 #8. City of Horror

4:16 #7. Survive - Escape From Atlantis

5:12 #6. Citadels

6:22 #5. Spartacus - A Game of Blood & Treachery

7:31 #4. Nemesis

8:48 #3. Lifeboats

10:02 #2. Intrigue

11:29 #1. Diplomacy

Perfect Nap

"How to Take the Perfect Nap"

RSA Hack

"The Full Story of the Stunning RSA Hack Can Finally Be Told"

Fake Meat Taste Test

"Fake Meat Taste Test: Can Trader Joe's Beat Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger?"

Trick Photography

"Snap Judgment: A brief history of trick photography"

Prescription Only Apps?

Alex Tabarrok: "Prescription Only Apps????"

Remote Hacking Of Tesla

"Tesla Car Hacked Remotely From Drone via Zero-Click Exploit"

A hacker who exploits the vulnerabilities can perform any task that a regular user could from the infotainment system. That includes opening doors, changing seat positions, playing music, controlling the air conditioning, and modifying steering and acceleration modes. However, the researchers explained, “This attack does not yield drive control of the car though.”

Beekeeper Challenge

"Watch a beekeeper remove a beehive from a toilet"

Good Reporter, Good Doggie

Sharp-eyed TV reporter spots missing dog while shooting segment about missing dog. 

Update: Person spotted walking the dog charged with theft, he claims it was misunderstanding:

Disguised Cell Phone Towers

"Fauxliage -- Disguised Cell Phone Towers"

Quantum Drums

"Vibrating aluminium membranes provide the first direct evidence of quantum entanglement in macroscopic objects"

Skyborg Flies

"The Air Force's AI Brain Just Flew for the First Time".

The name -- Skyborg -- is perfect. (Via A.B.)

Mind-To-Text

"Using Just His Thoughts, Paralyzed Man Texts at a Record-Breaking 16 Words a Minute". (Via H.R.)

New Propulsion Tech

"A new era of spaceflight? Promising advances in rocket propulsion". (Via D.M.)

Monster Chip

"Cerebras' New Monster AI Chip Adds 1.4 Trillion Transistors"

Anesthesia And Brains

"This Is Your Brain Under Anesthesia"

Alarming Sirens

"Which country's Emergency Alert System siren is the most alarming?"

Morphing Pasta

"Scientists Create 'Flat-Pack' Pasta That Morphs Into Shape Like Moving Organisms". (Via H.R.)

Cats And Boxes

"What cats' love of boxes and squares can tell us about their visual perception"

Powerful Laser

"Scientists Create Record-Breaking Laser With Mind Blowing Power". (Via H.R.)

Advice From Technium

"99 Additional Bits of Unsolicited Advice"

Zcash Bull

"My bull case for ZEC: Follow the brains. Follow the institutions. Follow the economics. If you're reading this, congratulations. You are lucky to have a chance to buy ZEC, because mainstream investors have not caught on yet."

(Disclaimer: I'm sharing this out of general interest. This is not financial advice on my part.)

Old Guardian

"How the Guardian website might have looked 200 years ago"

Zooming While Driving

Ohio politician attends government Zoom meeting while driving, using fake background of his home office to attempt to disguise the fact he's in a moving car.

Free Will Revisited

"The clockwork universe: Is free will an illusion?"

I never knew that philosophers who take that position have received death threats. I might not agree with that view, but death threats seem a bit extreme.

Tetris Innovation

"A Revolutionary NES Tetris Technique Gaining Steam":

The NES version of Tetris has been out in the world for more than 30 years now. Somehow, using the same controllers and human hands that have been in use all this time, a new technique has been invented that’s resulting in scores and maneuvers that no one using The Old Ways could have dreamed of.

 

Amazing Optical Illusion

"Nothing is moving in this illusion by @jagarikin".  

(Except the grey arrow in the center, of course.)  Via Rand Simberg.

Nothing is moving in this illusion by @jagarikin
pic.twitter.com/oN049SpE8S

— World of Engineering (@engineers_feed) May 1, 2021

Best Pizza

"The Best Pizza in Every State"

Jet Pack Update

"Jet packin' Royal Marines board a ship like Iron Man"

Fastest Probe

"NASA solar probe becomes fastest object ever built as it 'touches the sun'".

 Speed is reportedly 330,000 mph (532,000 km/h)! (Via D.M.)

Granny Knots

"Granny Knot Info"

Big Bridge

"Stomach-churning pedestrian bridge opens in Portugal". (Via H.R.)

[Off Topic] Hsieh Forbes Column On Vaccination And Freedom Of Choice

[Off topic] My latest Forbes column is now out: "Not Everyone Wants To Be Vaccinated. I’m OK With That"

Brain Implants And Identity

"Do Brain Implants Change Your Identity?"

More Toothpaste

"Colgate's New High-Tech Nonstick Toothpaste Tubes Help You Squeeze Out Every Drop". (Via H.R.)

Vagus Nerve Hacking

"A new crop of medical devices are trying to hack the vagus nerve to treat disease"

iOS 14.5 Privacy

"Why the new iOS update is such a big deal"

Liquid Metal Update

"Shape Shifting Liquid Metal Could Revolutionize Robotics"

Knitting Roads

"Weaving traffic: how to knit a road"

Origami Structures For Building

"Large-scale origami locks into place under pressure"

High-Tech Letter Reading

"Algorithm Virtually Unfolds a Historical Letter without Unsealing It"

21st Century Headline Of The Day

Today's 21st century headline: "'I just became a dogecoin millionaire': This 33-year-old invested his savings in the meme cryptocurrency with inspiration from Elon Musk"

Monkey-Human Hybrids

"First monkey–human embryos reignite debate over hybrid animals"

Solar Winds Details

"How Russia Used SolarWinds To Hack Microsoft, Intel, Pentagon, Other Networks"

The USPS Is Watching You

"The Postal Service is running a 'covert operations program' that monitors Americans' social media posts"

[C]ivil liberties experts expressed alarm at the post office's surveillance program. "It's a mystery," said University of Chicago law professor Geoffrey Stone, whom President Barack Obama appointed to review the National Security Agency’s bulk data collection in the wake of the Edward Snowden leaks. "I don’t understand why the government would go to the Postal Service for examining the internet for security issues." ...

[Rachel Levinson-Waldman, deputy director of the Brennan Center for Justice's liberty and national security program] also questioned the legal authority of the Postal Service to monitor social media activity. "If the individuals they're monitoring are carrying out or planning criminal activity, that should be the purview of the FBI," she said. "If they're simply engaging in lawfully protected speech, even if it's odious or objectionable, then monitoring them on that basis raises serious constitutional concerns."

Whitest White

"Researchers Created the Whitest White Paint Ever"

Naked Zoom

"Canadian lawmaker caught naked during video conference"

"This was an unfortunate error," Amos said in a statement sent by email.  "My video was accidentally turned on as I was changing into my work clothes after going for a jog. I sincerely apologize to my colleagues in the House of Commons for this unintentional distraction. Obviously, it was an honest mistake and it won’t happen again."

 

Reporting Dissent

"China launches app to report people with 'mistaken opinions'".

I'm just glad no one would ever want to implement something similar here in the US!

Surviving An Asteroid

Wired: "How To Survive A Killer Asteroid"

Calebresi's Fable

Calebresi's Fable. (Source NYT, 19 April 2021).

Related link.

 

Skynet Wants To Go On A Date

"Artificial Intelligence Learns To Flirt Thanks To Colorado Scientist Janelle Shane". (Via D.M. and J.S.)

Tell-Tale Tattoos

"A Mafia fugitive hiding out in the Dominican Republic was arrested when investigators found his YouTube cooking channel and identified him by his distinctive arm tattoos." (Via Bruce Schneier.)

Tastes Great, More Filling

"Human Taste Buds Can Tell The Difference Between Normal And 'Heavy' Water". (Via H.R.)

Bad Algorithm

"Life's a Bitche: Facebook says sorry for shutting down town's page"

Life’s a Bitche for one historic town in north-east France that has received an apology from Facebook after its page was shut down for apparently using offensive language.

Bitche in the Moselle, population 5,000 and home to the Bitchois, fell foul of the social network’s algorithm, which deemed it insulting and removed it without explanation last month.

On Tuesday, after reports of the Facebook suspension spread, the social network restored the Ville de Bitche page.

 

FBI Hacking Others' Computers

"The FBI is remotely hacking hundreds of computers to protect them from Hafnium "

Printing Bone

"3D Printing Bone Directly Into the Body". (Via H.R.)

Court Reporter Typewriters

"This Is How A Court Reporter Typewriter Works"

New Map Particles And Forces

"A New Map of All the Particles and Forces"

Algorithm Vs. Heuristic Vs. Machine Learning

"Algorithm Vs. Heuristic Vs. Machine Learning" explained. (Via FB.) 

SCOTUS And APIs

EFF's take on SCOTUS decision on fair use and APIs: "The Supreme Court Reverses the Federal Circuit in Oracle v. Google"

Particle Update

"'Last Hope' Experiment Finds Evidence for Unknown Particles"

Alternatives To Injections

"Scientists have spent nearly 100 years searching for a better way to give vaccines"

Universal Language Traits?

"Alien Languages May Not Be Entirely Alien to Us".

I suspect the author might still be thinking too narrowly about how languages could develop.

Cosmic Rays In Japan

"Cosmic rays causing 30,000 network malfunctions in Japan each year"

Kaku And Aliens

Physicist Michio Kaku: "Reaching out to aliens is a terrible idea"

Synchronization

Video: "The Secret of Synchronization"

Soviet LOTR

"Soviet TV version of Lord of the Rings rediscovered after 30 years"

Lotsa Drones

"Genesis broke a world record for the most drones in the sky"

Fake Sounds For Nature Documentaries

"How Sounds Are Faked For Nature Documentaries: Meet the Artists Who Create the Sounds of Fish, Spiders, Orangutans, Mushrooms & More"

New Spider

"'Cute' new spider species named 'Nemo' after animated fish". (Via H.R.)

Origami House

"This Tiny Prefab Cabin Unfolds Like Origami in Just Three Hours"

Canary Traps 2.0

"Cybersecurity Researchers Build a Better 'Canary Trap'"

The "canary trap" technique in espionage spreads multiple versions of false documents to conceal a secret. Canary traps can be used to sniff out information leaks, or as in WWII, to create distractions that hide valuable information.

WE-FORGE, a new data protection system designed in the Department of Computer Science, uses artificial intelligence to build on the canary trap concept. The system automatically creates false documents to protect intellectual property such as drug design and military technology...