NYC congestion pricing cuts air pollution by a fifth in six months
A study found that New York City's congestion pricing program, which charges drivers for entering the city's central business district, has reduced air pollution by 22% within the first six months of implementation. The program aims to alleviate traffic congestion and improve air quality in the city.
Are the Three Musketeers allergic to muskets? (2014)
The article explores the literary representation of muskets in Alexandre Dumas' novel 'The Three Musketeers', examining how the author portrays the weapons as symbols of power, violence, and masculinity in the context of 17th-century France.
The AI-Education Death Spiral a.k.a. Let the Kids Cheat
The article discusses the potential 'death spiral' facing AI education, where the rapid advancement of AI technology outpaces the ability of educational institutions to adapt. It highlights the challenges of integrating AI into curricula and the need for a collaborative approach between academia, industry, and policymakers to ensure the effective and responsible development of AI education.
Big Tech are the new Soviets
The article argues that big tech companies have become the new Soviets, wielding immense power and influence over society, and posing a threat to individual freedom and democracy. It suggests that these companies have created a dystopian reality where they control the flow of information and shape public discourse.
The iFixit App Is Here
The iFixit app provides users with step-by-step repair guides, troubleshooting advice, and the ability to buy genuine replacement parts for a wide range of electronic devices and appliances, empowering consumers to fix their own products.
Chinese desalination plant makes fresh water cheaper than tap water
The article discusses a desalination plant in China that produces fresh water at a lower cost than tap water, while also generating green hydrogen as a byproduct, making it an environmentally-friendly and economical water solution.
Notepad++ Updater Installed Malware
The article reports that a recent update to the popular Notepad software included malware, potentially compromising user systems. The article warns users to be cautious when installing software updates and to verify the source and authenticity of updates before applying them.
The Z3 Theorem Prover
Z3 is an open-source theorem prover developed by Microsoft Research. It is a high-performance solver for satisfiability modulo theories (SMT) that can be used to check the satisfiability of logical formulas, providing a powerful tool for software verification, optimization, and other applications.
iMessage's Architecture Makes It Hard to Block Without Blocking All Push Notices
The article discusses the challenges with blocking iMessage push notifications, as they can continue to arrive even after users have disabled notifications or deleted the app. This raises privacy concerns and makes it difficult for users to control their notifications effectively.
HuggingFace Skills: Fine-tune any LLM with one sentence for $0.30
The article discusses Hugging Face's approach to skills-based training, emphasizing the importance of developing specialized models for diverse tasks and the challenges of scaling this approach. It highlights the company's efforts to create reusable skills-based models that can be fine-tuned for various applications.
Linus Torvalds is 'a believer' in using AI to maintain code
Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux operating system, has developed an AI tool to assist with maintaining the Linux codebase. The tool helps manage the complexity and volume of Linux code contributions, allowing for more efficient code review and integration.
Michigan man dies of rabies after receiving kidney from infected donor
A Michigan man died from rabies after receiving a kidney transplant from a donor who had been infected after saving a kitten from a skunk. The CDC is investigating this rare case of transmission through organ donation.
Nvidia allowed to sell its H200 chips to China, the gov takes a 25% cut
The article discusses former US President Donald Trump's policy to restrict the export of advanced AI chips from Nvidia to China, a move aimed at limiting China's technological capabilities in the field of artificial intelligence.
Will Calibri leave Pakistan sans Sharif? (2017)
The article examines a forgery case involving the use of the Calibri font in Pakistani government documents, which predated the font's commercial release. It analyzes the technical and political implications of this forgery and the challenges it poses for document authentication.
A renewables-based energy system will save Europe €1.6T
A new report from WindEurope suggests that a renewables-based energy system could save Europe €1.6 trillion by 2050 compared to a fossil fuel-based system, by reducing fuel costs and the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.
A European plan to escape American technology
The article discusses the European Union's efforts to reduce its dependence on American technology companies and develop its own digital ecosystem. It outlines a plan to invest in European technology startups and promote the use of European-made digital infrastructure and services.
Lessons from Building (and Closing) Double Finance (YC W24)
This article explores the challenges and decision-making process behind shutting down a successful business venture, highlighting the emotional toll and practical considerations involved in making such a difficult choice.
Nvidia Isn't Enron – So What Is It?
The article explores the similarities and differences between Nvidia and the infamous Enron scandal, highlighting Nvidia's successful business model and financial performance compared to Enron's fraudulent practices, while cautioning against drawing overly simplistic comparisons between the two companies.
Meesho Goes Public
Meesho, an Indian social commerce platform, has gone public, marking a significant milestone for the company. The article discusses Meesho's journey, its growth, and the implications of its public listing for the Indian startup ecosystem.
NASA loses contact with MAVEN Mars orbiter
NASA has lost contact with its MAVEN Mars orbiter, a crucial spacecraft studying the planet's atmosphere. The agency is working to restore communication and determine the cause of the issue.