Pieces
edward-snowden
This article on Wired.com discusses the story of Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor who leaked classified documents in 2013, exposing the extent of mass surveillance by the US government. It provides a detailed account of Snowden's background, his motivations for whistleblowing, and the repercussions he faced after revealing the information. The article explores the impact of Snowden's actions on national security, privacy rights, and the debate surrounding government surveillance. It also highlights the role of technology companies and their involvement in government surveillance programs. Overall, the article offers an in-depth look into one of the most significant whistleblowing cases in recent history and its implications for civil liberties and security.
The Most Fascinating Profile You'll Ever Read About a Guy and His Boring Startup
This article from Wired provides an in-depth profile of a startup called Nylas, which on the surface appears to be a fairly mundane company that focuses on email and calendar syncing. However, the article delves into the fascinating story of the founder, Michael Grinich, and his unusual approach to building his business. It explores Grinich's philosophy of embracing boredom and simplicity in a world obsessed with constant excitement and complexity. The article showcases Grinich's unconventional management style and sheds light on the challenges and successes he has faced while navigating the competitive tech industry. Overall, it offers a thought-provoking perspective on entrepreneurship and the pursuit of a seemingly simple idea in a world that craves innovation and disruption.
Money in the Bank
This article from Jacobin Magazine discusses the role and significance of banks in the modern capitalist economy. It argues that banks, far from being neutral intermediaries, play a crucial role in the creation and allocation of money within the financial system. The article examines how banks create money through the process of lending and highlights the power dynamics inherent in this process. It also explores the impact of bank lending practices on economic inequality and discusses alternative models of banking that prioritize public interest over profit. Overall, the article provides a critical analysis of the role of banks in shaping the economy and calls for a more democratic and accountable financial system.
Corporate America Hasn’t Been Disrupted
This article from FiveThirtyEight discusses the idea that despite claims of disruption and innovation in various industries, corporate America as a whole has not experienced significant disruption. The article argues that despite the success stories of some startups, the vast majority of major corporations have not been displaced or replaced by new, disruptive companies. It examines various reasons for this, including the barriers to entry in many industries, the tendency for large companies to acquire or absorb potential disruptors, and the advantages of scale and resources that established corporations possess. The article concludes that while individual companies may face disruption, the overall landscape of corporate America remains largely unchanged.
What is type safety?
This blog post discusses the concept of type safety in programming languages. It explains that type safety refers to the ability of a programming language to catch and prevent type-related errors during compile-time or runtime. The post explores the benefits of type safety, such as increased reliability and reduced debugging time. It also highlights the trade-offs of type safety, including potentially increased development time and reduced flexibility. The author concludes by discussing different approaches to achieving type safety in programming languages and encourages programmers to consider the importance of type safety in their projects.
When Workers Own Their Companies, Everyone Wins
This article discusses the economic benefits of cooperatives (co-ops) as an alternative business model. It highlights how co-ops can provide numerous advantages, such as better job security, higher wages, and increased employee satisfaction. The article argues that co-ops empower workers by giving them a stake in the company and a say in decision-making processes. It also emphasizes how co-ops tend to prioritize the well-being of their communities, rather than solely focusing on maximizing profits. The author concludes that promoting and supporting the cooperative model could lead to a more equitable and sustainable economy.
Personal Privacy Is Only One of the Costs of NSA Surveillance
This article from Wired discusses the costs and consequences of NSA surveillance that are often overlooked in the public discourse. It highlights the financial burden of massive surveillance programs, which require extensive infrastructure and resources. The article also delves into the potential economic impacts, such as undermining trust in American technology companies and hindering international trade. Additionally, it explores the chilling effect on free speech and innovation, as individuals and businesses may self-censor to avoid scrutiny. The author argues that these hidden costs and implications of NSA surveillance deserve more attention and consideration in the ongoing debate.
Money Talks
In this New Yorker article, the author examines the role of money in politics, particularly in the United States. They discuss the increasing influence of money in political campaigns, highlighting various examples and the implications for democracy. The article delves into how the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling further opened the floodgates for unlimited spending and the rise of super PACs. It also explores the influence of wealthy donors and corporations on policy decisions and the corrupting effects of money on the political process. Ultimately, the article raises concerns about the impact of money in politics and the need for reform to ensure a more equitable and representative system.
Launching Civilization
This article delves into the highly anticipated game, Civilization: Beyond Earth, which is a science fiction spin-off of the popular Civilization series. It explores the new elements and changes introduced in this standalone game, such as the focus on colonizing other planets and interacting with alien species. The article discusses the different factions and affinities players can choose from, each with their own unique abilities and objectives. It also touches on the game's narrative, technology tree, and diplomatic options. Ultimately, the article paints a comprehensive picture of Civilization: Beyond Earth, highlighting its innovative features and its potential to captivate both longtime fans of the series and newcomers alike.
New Quantum Theory Could Explain the Flow of Time
This article delves into the concept of time and how it is perceived in the framework of quantum theory. It discusses how traditional understanding of time as a linear, unidirectional flow might be challenged by the concept of superposition, which allows for the coexistence of multiple states. The article explains how time, in the realm of quantum physics, could be viewed as a fluid entity that can flow in multiple directions. It explores various theories and experiments that suggest a non-linear nature of time, including the famous double-slit experiment. The author concludes that further research is needed to fully understand the nature of time in the context of quantum theory.
Scientific Data Has Become So Complex, We Have to Invent New Math to Deal With It
This webpage on Wired provides an overview of the importance of topology in data analysis. The article explains that topology is a branch of mathematics that studies the properties of space that are preserved under continuous transformations. It highlights how topology can be applied to data analysis to reveal hidden patterns and structures. The article discusses various examples where topology has been used to analyze complex data sets, including the classification of objects, network analysis, and understanding brain activity. It also touches upon the concept of persistent homology, which allows for the identification of topological features that persist across different scales in a dataset. Overall, the article highlights the significance of applying topology in data analysis to gain deeper insights.
Sultan of scalp
This article profiles Dr. Raja Sivamani, a dermatologist who uses a unique approach to treat skin conditions by peeling back the skin. The article highlights Dr. Sivamani's innovative method, which involves creating controlled wounds on the skin to promote healing and deliver medication directly to the affected area. The article discusses the potential benefits of this technique, such as enhancing drug absorption and reducing side effects. It also explores the challenges and ethical considerations associated with this unconventional approach to dermatology. Overall, the article provides an intriguing insight into Dr. Sivamani's groundbreaking work and its potential to revolutionize the field of dermatology.
MIT at center of political power play
This article discusses how MIT lobbied to influence the restoration of funding for nuclear fusion research after the White House sought to stop it. The article highlights the efforts made by MIT scientists and administrators to gather support from politicians, industry leaders, and other influential figures to convince the government to continue funding nuclear fusion projects. It explores the complex political landscape surrounding nuclear energy and the competing interests involved. The article also touches on the scientific and potential practical implications of nuclear fusion as a clean and abundant energy source. Ultimately, it sheds light on the behind-the-scenes efforts to preserve and advance nuclear fusion research despite political challenges.
Technical debt 101
In this blog post, the author explores the concept of 'Festina Lente,' which translates to 'make haste slowly.' The post discusses the importance of finding a balance between speed and patience in our daily lives, particularly in the context of personal growth and progress. The author emphasizes the need to slow down, reflect, and take deliberate actions rather than rushing through tasks or decisions. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Romans and their philosophy of 'Festina Lente,' the author suggests that by embracing a slower pace, we can cultivate mindfulness, improve our decision-making, and ultimately lead more fulfilling lives.
Productivity And The Education Delusion
In this thought-provoking article, the author challenges the conventional notion of productivity and its relationship to education. The article argues that our current education system places too much emphasis on preparing students for productivity in the workforce, often neglecting important skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence. The author suggests that focusing solely on productivity leads to a narrow definition of success and overlooks the broader development of individuals. Instead, they propose a more holistic approach to education that nurtures a range of skills and attributes, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.