Pieces
AI assisted search-based research actually works now
In the first half of 2025, AI systems have crossed the line into being genuinely useful for search-based research tasks. OpenAI's o3 and o4-mini, as well as Google Gemini 2.5 Pro, are highlighted for their ability to provide useful answers grounded in search results without hallucinations. The author shares examples of using these tools for tasks like porting code to a new library version. The rise of AI-assisted search raises questions about the economic model of the web, as users may increasingly rely on chatbots instead of visiting websites directly.
The brain makes lots of waste. Now scientists think they know where it goes
New insights into the brain's waste-removal system could one day help researchers better understand and prevent many brain disorders. The papers, all published in the journal Nature, suggest that during sleep, slow electrical waves push the fluid around cells from deep in the brain to its surface. There, a sophisticated interface allows the waste products in that fluid to be absorbed into the bloodstream, which takes them to the liver and kidneys to be removed from the body.
The Case for Not Sanitizing Fairy Tales by Haley Stewart
Haley Stewart recommends reading classic fairy tales to children without sanitizing them. The article discusses the importance of fairy tales in helping children process dark things, acknowledging evil, death, and violence in the world. It argues that sanitizing fairy tales or removing the possibility of happily ever after can be detrimental to children's understanding of truth and their ability to cope with fears. The author suggests that offering truer stories, steeped in fairy tales that don't gloss over the dark parts of the world, can equip children to face the monsters they fear and find their way back home.
My Life Depends on Playing Chess 40 Times a Day
The author discusses their addiction to chess as a means of coping with depression and suicidal thoughts. They explore the parallels between chess and life, the escapism it provides, and the impact of addiction on their relationships. The article also touches on the suicides of competitive chess players and the challenges of living with suicidal ideation.
No one buys books
This article summarizes the author’s findings from the transcripts of the Penguin Random House vs. DOJ antitrust trial, revealing insights into the publishing industry’s financial realities. It discusses how the industry relies heavily on big celebrity advances, repeat bestsellers, and children’s books, while most books don't generate substantial profit. The article also highlights the challenges faced by authors without significant platforms and the impact of digital platforms like Amazon on the industry.
America's Mad King
The second Trump presidency will likely be defined by his authoritarian desires and ineptitude. His administration is filled with third-rate intellects, conspiracy theorists, and misfits. His actions have led to numerous dangerous and sometimes lethal disruptions. His impulsive, vindictive, and anarchic behavior will likely only worsen as reality continues to collide with his agenda.
Big New Way for Companies to Get Rich: Target Bored Young American Men
A new report shows that young men are increasingly gambling on everything from sports to cryptocurrency. This is a lucrative new market for companies. The article explores the reasons behind this trend, including the normalization of gambling in the US, the accessibility of online gambling platforms, and the influence of marketing.
Would You Give PornHub Your ID?
A new study shows that while search traffic to Pornhub (which complied with a Louisiana law requiring age verification for pornographic websites) dropped by 51 percent, traffic to its noncompliant rival, XVideos, rose by 48.1 percent. This highlights the challenges of regulating online pornography and the unintended consequences of such policies. The episode discusses the complexities of regulating internet content for minors, exploring the limitations of government intervention and the role of technology in circumventing restrictions.
The Constitutional Crisis Is Here
Trump's administration is only pretending to comply with the Supreme Court on the matter of a Maryland man it deported erroneously. The article details the back-and-forth between the Trump administration and El Salvador regarding the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, focusing on the administration's attempts to circumvent the Supreme Court's order. It highlights the bad faith of both sides and their efforts to shift responsibility. The article also criticizes the administration's disregard for due process and the rule of law, raising concerns about its potential to impact American citizens. Ultimately, the piece argues that the administration's defiance represents a serious step toward presidential lawlessness.
Silicon Valley crosswalk buttons apparently hacked to imitate Musk, Zuckerberg voices
Crosswalk buttons in Redwood City, Menlo Park, and Palo Alto were apparently hacked to play voice recordings imitating Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg saying various messages. The city of Palo Alto disabled the voice feature on 12 downtown crosswalks until repairs could be made. The incident is under investigation.
How does Sidekiq really work?
This article delves into the internals of Sidekiq to highlight its key aspects, design and implementation decisions by diving directly into the source code and following a job through its full lifecycle. It covers booting up, signal handling, queue processing, retrying & scheduling, and job loss potential.
Why do AI company logos look like buttholes?
This article explores the trend of AI company logos resembling buttholes, analyzing the design elements (circular shape, gradient, central opening, radiating elements, soft curves) and psychological reasons behind this design choice. It discusses the unintentional biomimicry and copycat effect contributing to this phenomenon and suggests alternative logo design approaches for AI companies.
Why do some people always get lost?
This article explores the reasons why some people are better at navigation than others. Research suggests that experience plays a more significant role than innate ability, and cultural factors also contribute to navigational skills. Studies involving twins, virtual navigation games, and observations of different cultural groups all highlight the importance of experience and environment in shaping navigation abilities.
The Slotted Counter Pattern
It is a common database pattern to increment an INT column when an event happens, such as a download or page view. You can go far with this pattern until bursts of these types of events happen in parallel and you experience contention on a single row. When multiple transactions are trying to update the counter, you are essentially forcing these transactions to run serially, which is bad for concurrency and can cause deadlocks. You can also see dramatic increases in query time when bursts like this occur.
The moral bankruptcy of Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz
Last week, the founders of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz declared their allegiance to Donald Trump in their customary fashion: talking about money on a podcast. Marc Andreessen and Horowitz insist they voted for Democrats until now. They are friends with liberals. They claim to be nervous about the social blowback they will receive for this, especially because of the historically progressive nature of the tech industry and the Bay Area. But given the general movement among their class toward Trump, I think those claims about being nervous are overblown, if not performative. In venture capital, you are what you fund. Andreessen and Horowitz understand this, even embody it. But they aren't just funding the issues they discuss on their podcast; they are funding Trump and Vance. That means those donations are anti-abortion, anti-immigration, and possibly even anti-democracy because that is what the Trump / Vance ticket stands for. These are not subsidiary issues: these are now what two of Silicon Valley's most prominent figures now stand for, too. Is that a good investment?
The Internet Archive Just Backed Up an Entire Caribbean Island | WIRED
The Internet Archive has partnered with the island nation of Aruba to create a digital archive of its national library, national archives, and other institutions. The collection includes over 100,000 items, including documents, images, and 3D objects. This project is significant because it is the first time the Internet Archive has backed up an entire nation's history. The project was funded entirely by the Internet Archive and highlights the organization's commitment to preserving digital information for posterity.
Someday, Earth Will Have a Final Total Solar Eclipse
The moon is drifting away from Earth, so our nearest celestial neighbor will one day, millions or even billions of years in the future, appear too small in the sky to completely obscure the sun. Calculating the date of the last total solar eclipse is a serious computational challenge involving a variety of scientific disciplines and significant uncertainty.
SLS's Julian Nyarko on Why Large Language Models Like ChatGPT Treat Black and White-Sounding Names Differently
Stanford Law School Professor Julian Nyarko discusses his research on how large language models (LLMs) perpetuate racial and cultural biases. His study uses audit designs to identify and measure bias in various scenarios, such as purchasing items and assessing capabilities. The findings show consistent disparities across different LLMs and prompt templates, with significant biases affecting the perceived value and outcomes associated with Black-sounding names. The article explores the technical challenges of addressing these biases and suggests mitigation strategies.
We Need to Talk About Trader Joe's | TASTE
This article discusses Trader Joe's questionable business practices, particularly their alleged practice of copying products from smaller food brands. Many founders of small food companies share their experiences of Trader Joe's soliciting samples, recipe adjustments, and even wholesale pricing information, before releasing their own similar products at significantly lower prices. The article also explores the ethical implications of Trader Joe's actions and the impact on smaller businesses.
F*ck Run Club, Join Sit Club
This article discusses the phenomenon of run clubs and challenges the notion that everyone enjoys running. The author proposes an alternative, "Sit Club," as a way to combat the perceived negative aspects of run clubs and promote a more relaxed and inclusive social gathering.
The Terrible Costs of a Phone-Based Childhood
This article discusses the negative impacts of smartphones and social media on adolescent development and mental health. It argues that the combination of increased screen time and reduced opportunities for unstructured play, risk-taking, and real-world social interaction has led to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among young people. The author suggests that these negative trends began to emerge around 2010, coinciding with the rise of smartphones and social media, and offers several potential solutions to address this problem.
A dramatic Einstein ring seen by Webb
One of the first verified predictions of general relativity is the gravitational deflection of starlight. The effect was first observed in 1919 during a total solar eclipse. Since stars appear as points of light, the effect is seen as an apparent shift in the position of stars near the eclipse. But the effect happens more generally. If a distant galaxy is obscured by a closer one, some of the distant light is gravitationally lensed around the closer galaxy, making its light appear brighter, and we have used this effect to observe some of the most distant stars in the universe. But perhaps the most beautiful effect of gravitational lensing is what's known as an Einstein Ring. This is where the distant galaxy is so perfectly centered behind the closer galaxy that its light is distorted into a circle of light. Einstein was aware of the effect but said in 1936 that "there is no hope of observing this phenomenon directly." But as brilliant as Einstein was, he couldn't imagine the power of modern telescopes. We have now found dozens of Einstein rings, and one of the more beautiful examples was recently found by JWST. The close galaxy in the foreground is an elliptical galaxy that's part of a large cluster known as SMACS J0028.2-7537. The more colorful galaxy warped around it is a spiral galaxy similar to the Milky Way. It is billions of years more distant, but perfectly aligned to create the almost perfect ring.
We Can, Must, and Will Simulate Nematode Brains
Scientists have been trying to simulate the C. elegans brain for over 25 years. Recent advances in microscopy and machine learning have made it possible to collect and analyze data needed for a more realistic simulation. The author discusses the challenges and progress made, along with the potential implications of successfully simulating a nematode brain, and how this would help to pave the way for the simulation of more complex organisms like humans.
Cory Booker's Senate floor speech warning against Trump passes record 24-hour mark
Sen. Cory Booker delivered a record-breaking 24-hour speech on the Senate floor to protest the Trump administration's policies. The speech covered a wide range of topics and included portions of letters from constituents and comments from world leaders. Other Democrats joined Booker in speaking, and the event was livestreamed on YouTube, garnering over 115,000 views.
Madison Square Garden's surveillance system banned this fan over his T-shirt design
A New York man was banned from Madison Square Garden and other MSG properties after being identified via facial recognition for designing a shirt critical of the company's owner, James Dolan. The ban occurred years after the shirt's creation and after the man hadn't attended an event in almost two decades. The article discusses the use of facial recognition technology by MSG and the implications of such surveillance.
Giant, fungus-like organism may be a completely unknown branch of life
Researchers studied fossilized remains of Prototaxites taiti, a species of this organism. They found that its anatomy was fundamentally distinct from all known fungi. They suggest it may belong to a completely different kingdom of life, separate from fungi, plants, animals and protists. More research is needed to determine if they were fungi or a completely different type of life.
Trash from the International Space Station may have hit a house in Florida
A cylindrical object fell through the roof of Alejandro Otero's home in Florida. NASA believes it came from the International Space Station and was part of a cargo pallet of depleted batteries that were jettisoned in 2021. The object tore through the roof and both floors of his two-story house. NASA has recovered the debris and will analyze it to determine its origin.
The Great Barefoot Running Hysteria of 2010
The article explores the history of barefoot running, from its ancient origins to the "Great Barefoot Running Hysteria" of 2010. It discusses the factors that contributed to the movement's popularity, including the publication of Christopher McDougall's "Born to Run" and the introduction of minimalist running shoes. The article also examines the backlash against barefoot running, highlighting concerns about injuries and the lack of scientific evidence to support its claims. Finally, it assesses the lasting impact of the barefoot running trend on the running shoe industry and running culture.
Large Language Models' Emergent Abilities Are a Mirage | WIRED
A new study suggests that sudden jumps in LLMs' abilities aren't surprising or unpredictable, but are actually the consequence of how we measure ability in AI. The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. Researchers found that the jump in ability wasn't smooth; performance remained near zero for a while, then jumped. A new paper by researchers at Stanford University posits that the sudden appearance of these abilities is just a consequence of the way researchers measure the LLM's performance. They argue that the abilities are neither unpredictable nor sudden. The size of language models is measured in terms of parameters, roughly analogous to all the ways that words can be connected. The more parameters, the more connections an LLM can find. The Stanford researchers point out that the LLMs were judged only on accuracy; either they could do it perfectly, or they couldn't. They suggest using a metric that awards partial credit.
Have We Reached Peak AI?
This article discusses the limitations of current AI technology and the overhyped expectations surrounding it. The author interviews OpenAI CTO Mira Murati and expresses concerns about the lack of transparency regarding AI training data and the unrealistic promises made by AI executives. The author also questions the value and impact of AI in various industries, citing examples of companies struggling to generate meaningful revenue from their AI products. Overall, the article suggests that the current hype around AI is unsustainable and that the technology is not as revolutionary as it's often portrayed.
Online Gambling Is Changing Sports for the Worse
This article discusses the impact of online gambling on sports. The author talks about the increasing prevalence of sports betting and how it is changing the way people experience sports. The article also discusses the ethical concerns surrounding sports betting, including the potential for match-fixing and other forms of corruption.
Why isn't dental health considered primary medical care?
This article explores the connection between oral health and overall health, highlighting the increasing recognition of the importance of integrating dental care into primary medical care. It discusses the historical separation of dentistry and medicine, the numerous links between oral health and systemic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, and the obstacles to integrating the two fields, including payment structures and training gaps. Despite evidence demonstrating connections, a definitive causal link between oral disease and other systemic illnesses hasn't been fully established.
Is our universe trapped inside a black hole? This James Webb Space Telescope discovery might blow your mind
The James Webb Space Telescope has made a discovery that could change our understanding of the universe. The vast majority of galaxies observed are rotating in the same direction, which is unexpected. This has led some scientists to suggest that our universe might be inside a black hole.
For climate and livelihoods, Africa bets big on solar mini-grids
This article discusses Nigeria's initiative to install solar mini-grids in rural communities to provide reliable electricity. The project has brought many benefits, including improved livelihoods and economic opportunities. However, challenges remain, including securing funding and addressing maintenance issues. The article also explores the broader context of energy access in Africa and the potential of solar mini-grids to contribute to sustainable development.
How ProPublica Uses AI Responsibly in Its Reporting
ProPublica details its responsible use of AI in investigative journalism, including using AI to analyze large datasets, uncover patterns, and transcribe audio and video recordings. The article highlights the importance of human oversight in the AI process and responsible use of AI to aid, but not replace, human investigative journalism.
Florida Just Banned Lab-Grown Meat. I Tried to Find Out Why | The Free Press
Florida recently became the first state to ban lab-grown meat. This article explores the reasons behind the ban, considering economic factors, the culture war, and safety concerns. The Florida Cattlemen's Association's lobbying efforts and their contributions to political campaigns are examined, along with arguments from supporters of the ban who claim it's about consumer safety and the FDA's evolving regulatory process for cultivated meat. The article also discusses the perspectives of those in the cultivated meat industry, who argue it's a matter of protectionism and that the technology is still developing. The role of immortalized cells in cultivated meat and its comparison to GMOs are also considered.
Texas utility rules didn't prevent the Panhandle fires.
The Texas Panhandle experienced its largest wildfire in history, causing significant damage and raising questions about utility company accountability. Melanie McQuiddy's home was destroyed, and she and others are suing Xcel Energy, alleging negligence in maintaining equipment. Investigations point to power lines as the cause of the fire. Experts emphasize the need for utilities to be better prepared for extreme weather, which poses a challenge in Texas due to the climate change discussion being often taboo.