1. Hoard of coins from Norman Conquest is Britain’s most valuable treasure find
Total comment counts : 11
Summary
A significant treasure find in southwestern England, comprising 2,584 Norman-era silver coins, has been purchased for £4.3 million ($5.6 million) by a local heritage trust, making it Britain’s most valuable treasure find to date. Discovered five years ago by a group of seven metal detectorists in the Chew Valley, the coins date back to around 1066-1068, a pivotal time during the Norman Conquest. The hoard features images of King Edward the Confessor and King Harold II, reflecting the turmoil of the era, including Harold’s struggle against William the Conqueror. The coins are believed to have been buried for safekeeping during rebellions against William. The find is significant as it includes twice as many coins from Harold II’s reign than previously discovered. They will be displayed at the British Museum starting November 26 before returning to southwest England museums.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article mentions the nostalgic feelings some people may have when recalling Roald Dahl’s short story, “The Mildenhall Treasure.” This story is based on real events from 1942 involving the discovery of a significant cache of 4th century Roman silverware, which is recognized as one of the notable historical hoards found in modern Britain.
Top 2 Comment Summary
A horde of Norman-era silver coins discovered five years ago in southwestern England has been valued at £4.3 million ($5.6 million), making it Britain’s most significant treasure find. In contrast, the value of the Sutton Hoo treasure remains unknown as it has never been sold; instead, it was donated to the British Museum by Edith and is considered “priceless” due to its historical significance. The items are thought to be worth tens or hundreds of millions of dollars because of their cultural importance.
2. Ask HN: What Are You Working On? (October 2024)
Total comment counts : 524
Summary
The article begins with a playful exchange between a child and her mother about bedtime, highlighting the child’s passion for coloring, specifically a desire to “turn it all orange,” indicating a love for creativity. It then praises a well-designed coloring website that rivals high-end coloring books, expressing gratitude for the creative work involved and anticipating the child’s enjoyment.
Subsequent comments discuss digital tools for coloring, suggestions for content expansion (like adding dinosaurs), and the practicalities of downloading or printing coloring pages. The article shifts focus to a YouTube channel where the author shares concise videos on battery management topics, intending to create a knowledge base with engaging, solution-independent content. Overall, the text reflects creativity in coloring and a commitment to educational content delivery.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author has observed that their son spends excessive time on YouTube and Minecraft, while his only preferred offline activity is coloring. To streamline the process of finding coloring pages, the author created a simple website, Colorango, which offers a collection of coloring books. The creation of the site has brought the author joy and has made the experience enjoyable.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article details the author’s experience building three electric cars between 2018 and 2023, accumulating 20,000 miles driven. Utilizing their own firmware and controllers with an open inverter motor controller, the author has launched a YouTube channel to share knowledge in bite-sized segments. Each video addresses a specific question, such as battery management systems, C-Rate, and battery balancing, aiming for concise, engaging content under five minutes. The videos are designed to be solution-independent, focusing on fundamental concepts for broader applicability. Future plans include developing a knowledge base with curated playlists and interactive features like quizzes. Links to the videos and resources are provided throughout.
3. Becoming physically immune to brute-force attacks (2021)
Total comment counts : 16
Summary
The article explores the relationship between thermal physics, cosmology, and computer science to determine the strength a password must have to make brute-force attacks physically impossible in the future. It introduces the concept of the “Mother of All Computers” (MOAC), which represents the theoretical limit of a computer’s power constrained by the energy available in the observable universe.
The strength of a password is measured by its entropy bits, where a password with n bits of entropy can be cracked with certainty by a brute-force attack executing 2n guesses. The piece emphasizes that advancements in supercomputers necessitate continual updates to password strength recommendations. For current industry standards, AES-256 encryption, a 256-bit key length is used, which represents a strong baseline.
To evaluate password strength against the MOAC, the article defines a function to calculate the probability that the MOAC can guess a password given its entropy and energy used. It indicates that while quantum computing could speed up attacks via Grover’s algorithm, this discussion focuses purely on brute-force attacks without considering the complexities of modern encryption methods.
Overall, the article invites readers to contemplate the future of password security through a scientific lens, recognizing that password strength must evolve alongside technological advancements.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses a conversation between two individuals, Vidyasagar and Hatt, regarding the complexity of predicting the future of computer technology. Vidyasagar emphasizes the futility of making statements about future advancements in computing, pointing out that any attempt to speculate on the most powerful computer that will ever exist will inevitably sound foolish. Hatt struggles to respond to the vastness of the question, illustrating the challenges of foreseeing technological progress. Overall, the piece highlights the unpredictability of advancements in technology.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article references an older argument from Bruce Schneier’s “Applied Cryptography” (1996), where he asserts that a 256-bit key is secure until we develop computers using different materials or energies. It notes that while algorithms like Ed25519 use 512-bit curve points to ensure 256-bit security, they would be significantly weakened by the future existence of quantum computers utilizing Shor’s algorithm. Additionally, it highlights that the password “123456” remains the most popular, illustrating ongoing issues with password security.
4. NotebookLlama: An open source version of NotebookLM
Total comment counts : 15
Summary
The article outlines a guided series of tutorials designed to help users create a PDF to Podcast workflow. It is beginner-friendly, assuming no prior knowledge of language models (LLMs), prompting, or audio models.
The process involves several steps:
- Text Cleaning: Using the 1B model to clean text from PDFs without summarizing it.
- Transcript Generation: Utilizing the Llama-3.1-70B-Instruct model to convert cleaned text into a creative podcast transcript. Users are encouraged to experiment with different available models.
- Dramatization: Enhancing transcripts with conversation dynamics, using the 8B model.
- Text-to-Speech (TTS): Implementing various TTS models to generate audio, with prompts tailored for specific speakers.
Users are advised on hardware requirements, needing a GPU server for optimal performance, and are encouraged to experiment with different models and prompts throughout the process. Additionally, instructions for obtaining access tokens for Hugging Face to download necessary models are provided. Overall, the article emphasizes experimentation and adaptation of the process to suit individual needs.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses a project that is not open source, highlighted by the absence of a LICENSE file. It indicates that the code can only be used for reference purposes. A link to the relevant GitHub repository is provided for further inspection.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author discusses their observations of NotebookLM’s podcast-like episodes, believing that Google has developed a model that simulates a two-speaker podcast conversation using existing multimodal data. The speakers mimic natural human-like interruptions and overlap effectively. The author theorizes that this model was fine-tuned using a large collection of actual podcast transcripts and perhaps synthetic inputs generated from these transcripts. They suggest a potential workflow where a podcast episode is summarized by a language model, which is then fed into the two-speaker model to produce a transcript, allowing for analysis of alignment between the two. The author expresses curiosity about how the model achieves its natural sound, suspecting it cannot solely originate from text transcripts.
5. For the strongest disc golf throws, it’s all in the thumbs
Total comment counts : 8
Summary
Zachary Lindsey, a physicist at Berry College in Georgia, conducted an experiment to optimize thumb placement for improving speed and torque in disc golf throws. By recruiting 24 participants, the study found that amateur players achieved the best results with their thumbs positioned about 3 centimeters from the disc’s outer edge. The research, published in AIP Advances, highlights the significance of grip in disc golf, which has seen increasing popularity since the 1960s, with over 107,000 registered members in the Professional Disc Golf Association as of 2023. The team focused on backhand throws, measuring spin rate, launch speed, and torque with various thumb positions. Results indicated a strong correlation between spin rate and launch speed, suggesting the 3 cm thumb placement as a good starting point for amateur players.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author expresses a long-standing interest in disc golf form and appreciates the increasing scientific analysis of it. However, they note that the article overlooks the importance of nose angle in disc flight, which is crucial for professionals who manipulate it to achieve different shot behaviors depending on course demands. They emphasize that discs thrown at an upward angle, despite high speed, will not travel as far as those thrown at a neutral or slightly downward angle. Additionally, they highlight the achievements of good amateurs and professionals in throwing distances, noting a fascination with “form” in the sport.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article humorously compares disc golf discussions to the complexities of achieving distance in the sport. It highlights various aspects of throwing techniques—such as the reach back, power pocket, elbow angle, and follow-through—emphasizing that there is no single method to gain distance. Instead, it underscores that different players utilize a wide range of athletic motions to achieve their individual throwing styles.
6. Mill: A fast JVM build tool for Java and Scala
Total comment counts : 19
Summary
The article informs that the requested page has been moved and provides the new URL for access: https://mill-build.org/mill/0.12.1/index.html.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article introduces a project, highlighting its interesting features, including videos that provide insights from a Java developer and a Build Tool Architect. The project, Mill, currently focuses on the JVM but is designed to be highly extensible, with the author demonstrating the ease of adding a JavaScript toolchain.
To learn more about Mill’s unique design principles that set it apart from other build tools like Maven, Gradle, and Bazel, readers are encouraged to explore the provided links to detailed resources. The author acknowledges that the comparisons with other tools may not be fully accurate and welcomes feedback.
Additionally, the author seeks community involvement by establishing a bounty program to incentivize contributions, offering rewards of $500 to $2000 for significant contributions, and notes that around $10,000 has already been paid out with an additional $20,000 available for new bounties.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author, Li Haoyi, is praised for his significant contributions to the Scala community, including the development of intuitive JSON libraries and an excellent book on Scala, which the writer recommends. The writer expresses nostalgia for working on Scala projects, noting a decline in new projects lately. They also inquire about the functionality of the IntelliJ plugin for Scala 3, referencing past issues with its performance.
7. The Coming Technological Singularity (1993)
Total comment counts : 17
Summary
The article by Vernor Vinge, presented at the VISION-21 Symposium in 1993, discusses the impending development of superhuman intelligence through technological advancements. Vinge posits that within the next thirty years, we will have the means to create entities that possess greater intelligence than humans. This emergence of superhuman intelligence could lead to a rapid acceleration of technological progress, comparable to significant evolutionary changes in Earth’s history.
Vinge explores various methods through which this breakthrough might occur, such as advanced AI, large computer networks becoming conscious, intimate human-computer interfaces, and biological enhancements. He predicts that this event will likely occur between 2005 and 2030 and suggests that it will significantly alter the trajectory of human development, potentially rendering previous models of understanding obsolete. He refers to this transformative point as the “Singularity,” emphasizing the profound and unpredictable changes that may follow. Vinge’s analysis raises questions about whether this progress can be controlled or even avoided, presenting both potential benefits and dangers to humanity.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the idea of superintelligence and the singularity, questioning the assumption that intelligence is the primary limiter of progress. It emphasizes that practical challenges such as building consensus, obtaining funding, and real-world experimentation often hinder progress more than intelligence does. The author argues that while machines may become exponentially more intelligent, the next challenges in innovation could also become exponentially more complex, indicating that increasing intelligence alone may not guarantee advancements.
Top 2 Comment Summary
Vernor Vinge’s sci-fi novel A Fire Upon the Deep explores intriguing concepts, including regions of the universe where faster-than-light travel and heightened intelligence are possible—areas where superintelligent beings reside, contrasting with humanity’s existence in the “slow zone.” It also features a unique form of faster-than-light communication reminiscent of Usenet and introduces a fascinating concept of collective intelligence among multiple beings, such as dogs, that combine their personalities. The author, a real computer science professor, passed away this year at the age of 79.
8. Serious fun
Total comment counts : 8
Summary
The article discusses the misconception that seriousness and fun are opposites, highlighting that ‘being serious’ can have varied meanings. It distinguishes between fun/playfulness versus somberness/solemnity, and also contrasts superficiality with substance and engagement. The author criticizes shallow science and the inadequate responses to significant studies, arguing for critical evaluation over superficial questioning. Additionally, the article emphasizes the importance of separating idea generation from judgment in the creative process. It suggests that a playful environment fosters curiosity and experimentation, which can enhance creativity. The author also notes that a less serious atmosphere at conferences encourages open discussion about ideas and their imperfections, suggesting that maintaining a constant serious demeanor is detrimental to well-being.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses a post that links to an impressive video featuring Janja Garnbret. A URL is provided for viewers to watch the video.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the concept of being serious, highlighting its definition, potential pitfalls to avoid, and actionable steps to embrace seriousness. It links to another post titled “Surely you can be serious,” which elaborates on these themes. For more details, readers are encouraged to visit the linked article.
9. Cheap light transformed civilization
Total comment counts : 11
Summary
The article discusses the evolution of artificial light throughout human history, emphasizing how fire was the only source of light for millennia and illustrating the challenges of its production and maintenance. Initially, artificial light was an expensive luxury, particularly for the poor. For example, in 1302 CE, the cost of artificial light in the UK was equivalent to over £40,000 for a million-lumen hours. High-quality candles, like beeswax ones, were out of reach for most due to their cost and labor-intensive production.
The article highlights key milestones in lighting technology, showing how significant improvements occurred over time—from sesame oil lamps in 1750 BC to modern compact fluorescent bulbs, where an hour of labor today produces more light than an entire day’s worth in the past.
Whale oil emerged during the Industrial Revolution as a bright and portable light source, although it was expensive and led to overhunting of whales. The introduction of paraffin wax and other oil-based lighting significantly reduced the cost of artificial light. Gas lighting also appeared but was costly and problematic to maintain.
Overall, the article illustrates the dramatic changes in lighting access and technology, showcasing how industrial advancements transformed what was once an arduous and privileged source of illumination into the ubiquitous convenience we enjoy today.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the risks associated with our dependence on electrical power, particularly in relation to solar events like coronal mass ejections (CMEs). It highlights the potential for significant disruptions to electrical grids, communication systems, and the internet, using the Carrington Event of 1859 as a historical example of the dangers posed by solar storms. Experts warn that such solar events, which may occur every century, could lead to widespread blackouts and severe societal disruptions. Despite the risks, many remain unaware of the consequences of a grid failure. The article emphasizes the need for increased awareness and preparation, including developing resilience strategies and investing in infrastructure to withstand solar threats, as our civilization’s stability may depend on it.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author expresses skepticism about the article’s main argument, specifically criticizing the central metric of “cost per lumen-hour.” They point out that this metric is flawed because it assumes a linear relationship, while human vision operates logarithmically.
10. New iMac with M4
Total comment counts : 60
Summary
Apple has announced the new iMac featuring the powerful M4 chip and Apple Intelligence, showcasing an ultra-thin design and enhanced performance. The M4 chip significantly boosts productivity by making the iMac up to 1.7 times faster for everyday tasks and up to 2.1 times faster for resource-intensive activities such as photo editing and gaming compared to the previous M1 version. Key features include a 12MP Center Stage camera, Thunderbolt 4 ports, a new nano-texture display option, and a choice of seven vibrant colors.
With the introduction of Apple Intelligence, the iMac aims to revolutionize how users work and communicate while ensuring privacy. It integrates advanced writing tools and enhanced Siri capabilities, including the ability to use ChatGPT for assistance. Additionally, users can enjoy a customizable experience with options for color-matched accessories. The new iMac starts at $1,299 and is available for pre-order, with in-store availability starting November 8, 2024.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the limitations of the 2017 iMac 27", the first 5k model that cannot function as a monitor once the internal hardware becomes outdated or unsupported. The author expresses a desire for the EU to legislate that all-in-one computers should have a monitor-only mode when the internal components fail. They appreciate the quality of the 5k screen but find the outdated CPU insufficient for modern photo and video editing, leading to the potential waste of the screen once the iMac becomes obsolete. The writer criticizes Apple’s environmental claims, suggesting the company prioritizes sales over sustainability.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses niche requests from pro users regarding a product aimed at casual users. The author expresses a desire for a larger, specifically an ultrawide 8k screen integrated into an iMac Pro, highlighting the productivity benefits of ultrawide displays. They appreciate Apple’s “it just works” hardware approach and would consider purchasing immediately if such a product were available. Currently, they use a 49" CRG9 monitor but find its setup to be somewhat complex.