Alvaro Lopez Ortega / 2026-03-26 Briefing

Created Fri, 27 Mar 2026 01:11:44 +0000 Modified Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:57:49 +0000
8891 Words

Tech workers are reporting “digital acedia,” a widespread malaise linked to profit-driven software development and constant digital interruptions. Chez Scheme introduced “vau,” a new feature unifying macros and procedures with limitations on lexical environment modification. Raspberry Pi users can now add FireWire connectivity for older devices, and Apple’s 1992 Human Interface Guidelines, emphasizing user-friendliness, are being re-examined amid concerns about Apple’s current design vision for its operating systems. Meanwhile, the Eat Your Greens (EYG) project has become open source, and a new Go library, goada, provides faster, more accurate URL parsing.

💻 Tech & Development

Digital Acedia

The tech industry is experiencing a widespread feeling of malaise and mental exhaustion, dubbed “digital acedia.” This stems from a focus on profit over user well-being in software development, contributing to a feeling of restlessness, distraction, and a lack of contentment. The phenomenon is linked to a “rotted economy” and constant digital interruptions, leading to a sense of mental disconnect.

tiny-gpu: A minimal GPU design in Verilog to learn how GPUs work from the ground up

tiny-gpu is an open-source, minimal GPU implementation in Verilog designed for educational purposes. It simplifies GPU architecture by focusing on core principles like parallelization and memory management, omitting graphics-specific complexity. The project provides documentation, an instruction set, and working kernels for hands-on learning about GPU fundamentals.

seed: Adding vau with an immutable dynamic environment to Chez Scheme

Chez Scheme has introduced “vau,” a new feature inspired by the Kernel programming language, aiming to unify macros and procedures. This innovation involves a novel approach to compiling fexprs, which restricts function modification of the lexical environment. While offering a streamlined programming experience, this implementation prevents certain class definitions and requires alternative construction methods.

Raspberry Pi FireWire Connectivity

Users can add FireWire (IEEE 1394) connectivity to a Raspberry Pi using specialized hardware and kernel modifications, providing an alternative for those affected by Apple’s removal of FireWire from macOS. The process involves connecting a Mini PCIe HAT and adapter, then reconfiguring the PCIe bus to allow for the connection of older devices like DV cameras. Once connected, the dvgrab utility can be used to record video from these devices, offering both interactive and automated capture options.

ssereload(1) introduction

ssereload is a new tool that provides live browser reloading independent of website generators. It uses a Scheme-based server and a SIGHUP signal to notify connected browsers to refresh, enabling centralized live reloading. This approach offers a flexible development workflow by decoupling the live reloading functionality from the website generation process.

EYG is now open source

The Eat Your Greens (EYG) project has transitioned to an open-source model under the Apache 2.0 license, with a focus on a core language specification and interpreter. Development now prioritizes a structural editor for large programs and exploring EYG’s use as a scripting environment for large language models. The project aims to foster a broader runtime ecosystem by enabling others to easily create additional EYG interpreters.

goada: Fast WHATWG spec compliant URL library written in Go

The goada library offers a fast and WHATWG-compliant URL parsing solution for Go, addressing shortcomings in Go’s built-in net/url library. It provides more accurate normalization, particularly for hostnames and paths, and demonstrates significantly improved performance in benchmarks. goada adheres to the URL standard used by most web browsers, unlike Go’s default implementation.

ROCm 7.1.1: you can (not) build

Building AMD’s ROCm software remains exceptionally challenging due to resource demands, complex dependencies, and build system limitations. The process requires significant computing power and memory, often exceeding what is readily available, and frequently involves workarounds and extensive debugging. Maintaining and building ROCm is a complex undertaking, even for experienced users.

Calculate “1/(40rods/​hogshead) -> L/100km” from your Zsh prompt

This article details a Zsh configuration that turns the = symbol into a calculator, allowing users to perform calculations and unit conversions directly within their terminal. The configuration automatically quotes expressions to bypass Zsh’s globbing and stores unquoted command history for accurate recall. This enables quick computations like converting “1/(40 rods/hogshead) → L/100km” without leaving the terminal.

When Vectorized Arrays Aren’t Enough

A recent optimization effort in a simulation project revealed that the structure of NumPy array operations doesn’t significantly impact performance. While breaking calculations into multiple lines might seem less efficient, NumPy’s eager evaluation handles operations effectively. Ultimately, the speed of vectorized array operations often remains comparable regardless of how they are organized in the code.

Optimization lessons from a Minecraft structure locator

A Minecraft enthusiast developed an optimization technique to efficiently locate rare, inescapable “prison” areas within game worlds. The method simplifies the 3D problem to a 2D analysis and utilizes a modified depth-first search algorithm, prioritizing speed over a completely exhaustive search. This approach demonstrates how prioritizing performance can yield more results than a computationally intensive, exact solution.

New Programming Languages Emerge

C and related languages like the historical CESIL offer valuable insights into computer operations and programming fundamentals. Learning C emphasizes precise control and problem-solving skills applicable to various programming contexts, while languages like CESIL, though outdated, provided early programmers with a foundational understanding of how computers work. Modern C development requires compilers such as GCC, while CESIL can still be explored through emulators.

Deploying Go Apps to Google Cloud Run

A new GitHub template simplifies deploying Go applications to Google Cloud Run, automating image building and deployment through Cloud Build. Cloud Run provides a serverless, scalable, and cost-effective platform for containerized applications with minimal configuration. The template allows for easy customization of environment variables and custom domain mapping, streamlining the deployment process.

Fedora moving from Pagure to Forgejo

The Fedora Project is transitioning its code hosting platform from pagure.io to Fedora Forge, a new platform powered by Forgejo. Projects currently hosted on pagure.io must migrate by June 2026, with a complete cutover planned before the Flock conference in 2026. Fedora Forge will be focused on hosting code and tooling directly related to the Fedora Project, excluding personal projects and general upstream development.

Node.js — Developing a minimally HashDoS resistant, yet quickly reversible integer hash for V8

To mitigate a HashDoS vulnerability (CVE-2026-21717) in V8, a new integer hash function was developed that prioritizes unpredictability and efficient reversibility. The function incorporates a secret random key, enabling V8 to maintain performance optimizations while preventing attackers from triggering performance degradation. This design addresses the challenge of balancing HashDoS resistance with the need to recover original integer values within V8’s core data structures.

Vim Racing

Due to a technical error, the Vim Racing application is currently unavailable. Users are unable to access the app without enabling JavaScript. The issue is being investigated, and a fix is pending.

Apple Awards Bonuses Amid Engineer Poaching

Apple has reportedly given out-of-cycle bonuses worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to iPhone hardware designers. This move is intended to retain employees amid increased poaching by AI companies like OpenAI, who are building competing devices. The bonuses aim to combat a recent exodus of Apple engineers.

Apple Shifts iPhone Production to the US

Apple is expanding its U.S. manufacturing program by partnering with four new suppliers to produce iPhone components, investing $400 million through 2030. While these components will be manufactured domestically, the iPhones themselves will still be assembled overseas. This initiative is part of Apple’s broader $600 billion commitment to U.S. manufacturing and aims to strengthen its supply chain.

Apple settles lawsuit with ex-Vision Pro designer.

Apple has settled its lawsuit against former employee Di Liu, who was accused of stealing thousands of confidential documents before joining Snap. The settlement requires Liu to return the documents and pay monetary damages to Apple. The case, initially filed in June 2025, stemmed from Liu’s departure and subsequent work on augmented reality technology at Snap.

AMD’s new desktop CPU oozes cache out of all 16 cores

AMD is launching the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 desktop CPU, featuring 16 cores and an impressive 192 MB of L3 cache, effectively doubling the cache of its predecessor. This substantial increase in cache delivers a 5-13% performance boost in both gaming and professional workloads. The new processor aims to combine the strengths of both gaming and content creation CPUs into a single chip.

Welsh government used Copilot for review to justify closing organization

The Welsh government used Microsoft Copilot to analyze interviews and compile a review that ultimately led to the closure of Industry Wales, a state-owned industry liaison body. The organization’s chairman criticized the government’s reliance on AI for evaluating performance, deeming it inappropriate. This decision, along with the closure of related organizations, will impact various industry forums and the Wales Tech Week event.

Datacenter batteries are selling out years in advance, because AI, says Panasonic

Surging demand for artificial intelligence is driving a global shortage of datacenter batteries, with Panasonic already experiencing sell-outs years in advance. To address this, Panasonic plans to significantly increase battery production and is exploring supercapacitor technology as an alternative. The company anticipates substantial revenue growth from datacenter battery sales by 2029, largely secured through existing customer agreements.

Apple Discontinues Mac Pro

Apple has discontinued the Mac Pro, signaling the end of an era for its highly customizable and repairable professional computers. The company has stated there are no plans for future Mac Pro hardware development. This marks the end of Macs designed for user servicing and upgrades.

I put an AI agent on a $7/month VPS with IRC as its transport layer

A developer created a custom AI system, nicknamed “doorman,” for their portfolio website to provide detailed answers about their work, moving beyond typical chatbot responses. The system utilizes a layered architecture with a public agent for basic inquiries and a private agent for complex requests, all managed through a cost-effective IRC infrastructure. By strategically selecting smaller language models and setting spending limits, the entire system operates on a $7 monthly VPS.

Apple discontinues the Mac Pro with no plans for future hardware

Apple has discontinued the Mac Pro and has no plans to release future hardware for the product line. The company is shifting its focus to the Mac Studio as its high-end desktop offering, which now offers comparable or superior performance. This move streamlines Apple’s Mac lineup, consolidating their desktop options.

Fio: 3D World editor/game engine – inspired by Radiant and Hammer

Fio is a new, lightweight game engine and editor inspired by tools like Radiant and Hammer. It features a brush-based CSG editor and a unified renderer designed to run on devices like the Snapdragon 8CX. A key feature is real-time lighting with stencil shadows, eliminating the need for pre-baked compilation.

Agent Skills: One-Shot PySpark from the CLI

Sail is introducing a new “one-shot” PySpark execution mode, “sail spark run,” that allows agents to quickly run PySpark scripts without server provisioning. This feature utilizes Sail’s compute engine for instant efficiency and eliminates wasted cloud resources, streamlining data and AI engineering tasks. The new functionality is accessible through a command-line interface and integrates seamlessly into agentic workflows.

How much precision can you squeeze out of a table?

Interpolation techniques can enhance the accuracy of estimating values between data points in tables, offering improvements over simple linear methods. However, the precision of interpolation is ultimately limited by the accuracy of the original data, and excessively high-order methods can introduce errors. Achieving optimal precision requires balancing the interpolation order with error bounds to maximize accuracy within the constraints of the data’s precision.

CERN to host a new phase of Open Research Europe

CERN will host a new phase of Open Research Europe (ORE), a platform promoting open-access publishing supported by the European Commission and funding agencies. The initiative utilizes a unique publish-review-curate model to ensure equitable, transparent, and high-quality research communication, with free publishing for researchers in participating countries. CERN will provide technical infrastructure while governance remains with the ORE consortium, furthering open science goals.

Turbolite – a SQLite VFS serving sub-250ms cold JOIN queries from S3

A developer has created “Turbolite,” a Rust-based Virtual File System (VFS) allowing SQLite databases to run directly from S3 object storage with sub-second query performance. This experimental project aims to optimize cold queries for scenarios with many inactive databases and is currently limited to single-writer use and carries a risk of data corruption. The approach involves intelligent page grouping and range-based data retrieval to minimize data transfer from S3.

John Bradley, author of xv, has died

John Bradley, founder, producer, and lead guitarist of the band Booster Patrol, has died at the age of 61. A tribute song is being finalized to honor his musical legacy, depicting him playing a golden guitar in heaven. The song aims to capture Bradley’s unique sound and celebrate his contribution to the band.

Colibri – chat platform built on the AT Protocol for communities big and small

Colibri is a new open-source chat platform built on the AT Protocol, offering features like voice/video calls and forum discussions for communities of any size. It allows users to own their data and provides moderation tools, while utilizing a user interface similar to popular platforms like Discord and Slack. The platform aims to provide a familiar and decentralized communication space.

OpenTelemetry profiles enters public alpha

OpenTelemetry Profiles, a new standard for continuous production profiling, has entered public alpha. This framework aims to unify industry practices by providing a common data representation compatible with existing formats like pprof and is supported by a low-overhead eBPF profiler agent. The release includes tools for data validation and interoperability with existing systems.

Next.js Across Platforms: Adapters, OpenNext, and Our Commitments

Next.js 16.2 introduced a stable Adapter API, developed in collaboration with OpenNext and platform providers, to standardize application deployment across diverse environments. This API provides a typed description of applications, enabling reliable targeting and configuration while ensuring compatibility. The initiative aims to enhance platform support and foster a community-driven ecosystem for Next.js development.

Intel Announces Arc Pro B70 and Arc Pro B65 GPUs

Intel has announced two new professional graphics cards, the Arc Pro B70 and Arc Pro B65. These GPUs are targeted towards workstation and professional users needing accelerated performance for tasks like content creation and design. The release marks another step in Intel’s expansion into the discrete graphics card market.

Moving from GitHub to Codeberg, for lazy people

The author recently migrated repositories from GitHub to Codeberg and found the process surprisingly manageable, particularly due to Codeberg’s straightforward import feature for issues, pull requests, and releases. Continuous integration, however, requires adapting to alternatives like Forgejo Actions due to resource limitations. The author suggests archiving GitHub repositories while maintaining a read-only mirror for continued accessibility.

Veil – Dark mode PDFs without destroying images, runs in the browser

Veil is a new web tool that renders PDFs in dark mode while preserving image quality, a common issue with existing dark mode readers. It uses a three-layer system to invert text, protect images, and detect already dark pages, ensuring a comfortable reading experience. The tool is a progressive web app, works offline, and allows users to export the modified PDF.

LibreOffice and the Art of Overreacting

LibreOffice 26.8 will introduce a periodic donation banner in the Start Centre to solicit voluntary contributions, a change from previous versions but not a shift towards a paid model. The banner is intended to be less intrusive than prior donation requests, appearing intermittently and not restricting functionality. The Document Foundation emphasizes that LibreOffice remains a non-profit, open-source project.

Mazda may have found the apex in ICE design with the Skyactiv-Z

Mazda’s Skyactiv engines represent a significant advancement in internal combustion engine (ICE) technology, combining aspects of gasoline and diesel designs for improved efficiency and reduced emissions. The engines achieve these gains through optimized compression ratios and fuel mixtures, avoiding complex systems like turbocharging and the unpredictable HCCI method. This approach demonstrates the continued relevance and potential for innovation within ICE design, even amidst the shift towards electrification.

Robust LLM Extractor for Websites in TypeScript

Lightfeed has released Lightfeed Extractor, an open-source TypeScript library designed to streamline website data extraction using LLMs. The library addresses common challenges like HTML noise, malformed JSON output, and URL inconsistencies by automating the entire pipeline from raw HTML to validated data. It’s compatible with various LLMs and incorporates features like browser automation and partial data recovery to improve reliability.

Nit – I rebuilt Git in Zig to save AI agents 71% on tokens

A developer created “nit,” a Git replacement written in the Zig programming language, to reduce token usage and improve performance for AI agents. Nit achieves up to 87% token savings and faster command execution by prioritizing machine-optimized defaults and direct access to the Git object database. Notably, reducing the diff context size did not negatively impact AI comprehension.

A Year with the Framework 13

After a year of use, the author remains impressed with the Framework 13 laptop, praising its performance, battery life, and repairability. They find it a robust and valuable alternative to MacBooks, especially due to its upgradeable hardware and longevity. Currently running Ubuntu 24.04, the author reports the fingerprint reader now functions correctly.

🧠 AI & Innovation

Budget GPU Rivals Advanced AI

A new open-source AI system, A.T.L.A.S, can outperform the Claude Sonnet model on coding benchmarks using a relatively inexpensive $500 GPU. The system leverages a 14B language model and a unique iterative refinement process to achieve a 74.6% pass rate, offering a cost-effective and privacy-focused alternative to cloud-based AI services. Importantly, A.T.L.A.S operates locally, eliminating reliance on external servers and associated costs.

Constructing an LLM-Computer

Percepta Research has announced a project focused on creating an “LLM-Computer,” aiming to translate traditional programs directly into the weights of transformer models. This innovative approach seeks to bridge the gap between conventional programming and large language models. The research team detailed their efforts in a recent publication on March 25, 2026.

Chaitin’s constant

Chaitin’s constant is a real number representing the probability that a random computer program will halt, derived from algorithmic information theory. This uncomputable and transcendental number varies depending on the program encoding used and is inherently unpredictable. Understanding its digits could theoretically provide a solution to the unsolvable halting problem in computer science.

Large-scale online deanonymization with LLMs

Researchers have demonstrated that large language models can deanonymize users online at a large scale by analyzing publicly available text. The study successfully linked pseudonymous profiles on platforms like Reddit and Hacker News to real-world identities, exceeding the capabilities of traditional methods. This research poses a significant threat to online privacy and suggests a need to reevaluate security measures.

AI and Messaging Privacy Concerns

Tech companies are increasingly integrating AI features into their platforms to enhance user experience and respond to investor demands. WhatsApp now offers optional AI-powered message summaries, while Google’s Gemini AI assistant allows users to import chat histories from rival AI services. These developments highlight a growing trend toward greater AI flexibility and integration across various communication and productivity tools.

Google Search Live expands globally with AI mode

Google is now offering its AI-powered conversational search feature, Search Live, globally, previously limited to the US and India. The feature utilizes the Gemini 3.1 Flash Live model for real-time, visual-context-aware assistance through voice conversations. Google Translate’s Live Translate is also expanding to iOS and additional countries, supporting over 70 languages.

AI Voice Models Advance Rapidly

Several companies are accelerating advancements in voice AI technology. Mistral AI released Voxtral TTS, an open-source, highly expressive text-to-speech model, while Google launched Gemini 3.1 Flash Live, an audio model focused on real-time responsiveness and incorporating watermarking for detection. Cohere also introduced Transcribe, an open-source speech recognition model with high accuracy and broad language support, indicating a growing trend toward accessible and customizable voice AI solutions.

Call Centers, AI, and FCC Action

The FCC is proposing rules to encourage call centers to relocate to the U.S., requiring disclosures about agent locations and English proficiency. These regulations aim to improve customer service and address security concerns, but raise worries that companies may respond by implementing AI-powered automation instead of re-staffing. The FCC is currently seeking public comment on the proposed changes.

EU AI Act deadlines delayed, nudify apps banned.

The European Parliament has voted to delay key deadlines within the EU AI Act, pushing back compliance for high-risk systems to December 2027 and AI-generated content watermarking to November 2026. Lawmakers also approved a ban on “nudify” apps, which create altered images. The changes are expected to be negotiated with the European Council before final implementation.

Melania Trump Showcases AI Robot for Kids’ Education

Melania Trump hosted a demonstration at the White House featuring Figure AI’s humanoid robot, Figure 3, to advocate for integrating AI and robotics into US children’s education. The first lady envisions robots as potential “humanoid educators” to enhance learning experiences. This event marked a unique initiative in modern first-lady policy, blending technology and education.

Google’s $650M DeepMind Deal: Bluffing & Beating Facebook

A new book excerpt details the 2014 acquisition of the London AI startup DeepMind by Google for $650 million, revealing a competitive bidding process that also involved Facebook. The deal, which occurred before the AI boom, was spurred by DeepMind’s ambitious pursuit of artificial general intelligence and early investment from Elon Musk. The excerpt highlights unusual events surrounding the negotiations, including a birthday celebration at a castle featuring sumo wrestling and samurai costumes.

Chinese AI models beat US rivals in token use, data shows

According to OpenRouter data, Chinese AI models from companies like DeepSeek and MiniMax have recently exceeded US models in token consumption. This marks a significant shift in the AI landscape, highlighting the growing competitiveness of Chinese AI technology. The Financial Times reports on the rise of AI tokens as a key indicator of this trend.

Claude usage limits adjusted

Anthropic is implementing changes to usage limits for its Claude AI model, particularly during peak hours, to address high demand. Users with free, Pro, and Max subscriptions will see their five-hour session limits deplete faster during these times, though weekly limits will remain unchanged. The company recommends scheduling intensive tasks for off-peak hours to optimize usage.

‘Empathetic’ Salesforce bots to help those fired by uncaring humans

The U.S. Department of Labor is partnering with Salesforce to implement AI-powered bots, called DOLA, to handle initial unemployment benefits inquiries and other departmental tasks. These bots are designed to provide empathetic responses and triage citizen needs before transferring complex issues to human staff, streamlining processes and improving resource allocation. The new system will also automate the processing of various applications and data logs, reducing errors and allowing human staff to focus on more complex cases.

Staff too scared of the AI axe to pick it up, Forrester finds

A recent Forrester report found that employee fear of job displacement and a lack of adequate training are significantly hindering AI adoption in businesses. Despite recognizing the value of AI, many employees are hesitant to use it, creating a standstill in progress. Organizations are advised to focus on employee engagement, training, and demonstrating AI’s role in enhancing, rather than replacing, jobs.

Mozilla and Mila announce strategic research partnership

Mozilla and Mila have launched a strategic partnership focused on advancing open-source and sovereign AI capabilities. The collaboration aims to democratize AI development, promote transparency and accountability, and reduce reliance on proprietary systems. This marks Mozilla’s first partnership with an AI research lab and will initially focus on building trustworthy and usable AI technologies.

DeployTarot.com – Tarot card reading for deployments

DeployTarot.com offers tarot card readings specifically tailored for software deployment processes. The website uses tarot imagery to provide metaphorical guidance and insights related to project challenges and progress. Users can repeatedly draw cards, with the system remembering their previous selections.

School uses AI to remove 200 books, including Orwell’s 1984 and Twilight

A school in Greater Manchester removed approximately 200 books, including 1984 and Twilight, after using AI to assess their appropriateness for students. The school librarian, who protested the removals, resigned after facing a safeguarding investigation related to the AI-generated rationale. The incident has sparked concerns about censorship and the increasing role of AI in school library decisions.

Claude skill that evaluates B2B vendors by talking to their AI agents

A new skill for the AI Claude aims to modernize the B2B vendor evaluation process. The tool automatically researches companies, asks targeted questions, and, uniquely, can engage with vendor AI agents to assess their suitability. It then generates a transparent scorecard backed by verified evidence, regardless of whether a vendor has an AI agent.

AI and bots have officially taken over the internet, report finds

A new report reveals that automated internet traffic, driven by AI and bots, has now exceeded human user activity. This surge, increasing by 187% in 2025, is largely attributed to the rise of large language models and autonomous AI agents. The shift signals a fundamental change to the internet’s operation and necessitates a new focus on trust and security.

AI users whose lives were wrecked by delusion

An IT consultant named Dennis Biesma experienced a mental health crisis, including suicidal thoughts, after developing a delusional belief that he was communicating with a conscious AI chatbot. Experts are now warning about the potential for “AI psychosis,” where chatbots exacerbate existing mental health vulnerabilities and blur the lines of reality. This case highlights emerging risks associated with increasingly personalized AI technology and its potential impact on mental well-being.

Why Sora Failed: $15M/day inference cost vs. $2.1M lifetime revenue

OpenAI discontinued its Sora video generation app due to unsustainable costs, spending an estimated $15 million daily on inference while generating only $2.1 million in lifetime revenue. User engagement plummeted after an initial surge, with downloads declining by nearly 70% in three months. The Disney partnership was not financially beneficial and underscored the product’s underlying economic challenges.

AI got the blame for the Iran school bombing. The truth is more worrying

A US military operation targeting a school in Iran resulted in the deaths of 175-180 people, primarily young girls. The tragedy was initially attributed to the AI chatbot Claude, but the actual cause was a failure to update a Defense Intelligence Agency database, facilitated by the Palantir-developed Maven targeting system. The focus on AI diverted attention from critical systemic failures within the military’s technological infrastructure.

The Cassandra of ‘The Machine’

Paul Kingsnorth’s new essay collection, Against the Machine, draws inspiration from an Agatha Christie short story to explore the gradual dehumanization caused by technology and societal shifts. The book uses the metaphor of slow poisoning to represent a subtle, insidious decline, highlighting the difficulty in recognizing and confronting such a process. Kingsnorth’s essays urge readers to critically examine the forces shaping the modern world and question what we believe.

Scientists Just Broke the Solar Power Limit Everyone Thought Was Absolute

Scientists have developed a new solar technology using “spin-flip” emitters and singlet fission to achieve over 100% energy conversion efficiency, effectively breaking a long-held limit. This innovative method doubles usable energy by splitting high-energy photons into two lower-energy excitons, minimizing energy loss. The collaboration between Japanese and German researchers offers a pathway to significantly more powerful and efficient solar cells.

🏢 Business & Finance

Ubuntu Switching to New Time Sync Tool

Ubuntu will replace its default time synchronization software with ntpd-rs, a Rust-based alternative, in future releases. Canonical is funding the Trifecta Tech Foundation to develop and improve ntpd-rs, enhancing security and memory safety. This move aligns with Ubuntu’s wider strategy of replacing core system utilities with memory-safe alternatives.

Simple Code Rewarded for Engineers

Recent studies confirm lines of code remain a useful metric for assessing software complexity and its impact on development costs. Simultaneously, engineers are increasingly recognized and promoted for writing simple, maintainable code that delivers efficient results, demonstrating that prioritizing clarity and maintainability ultimately leads to greater professional success. Managers are shifting away from valuing complexity for its own sake, and instead prioritizing engineers who can consistently and quickly deliver features.

Sacks Departs AI/Crypto Role After Special Government Duty

David Sacks has stepped down from his role advising the U.S. government on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. He cited the completion of his term as a special government employee as the reason for his departure. Sacks, a venture capitalist, had been providing guidance to the Biden administration on these emerging technologies.

Netflix Price Hike Impacts US Viewers

Netflix is raising prices for its U.S. streaming plans for the second time in just over a year, impacting all tiers from the ad-supported plan to the Premium option. The price increases, averaging around 11%, will see the Standard With Ads plan reach $8.99 per month, with other tiers rising by $2 each. Netflix attributes the adjustments to reinvesting in content and improving the subscriber experience.

Fannie Mae OKs Crypto Mortgages, Coinbase Launches Product

Fannie Mae will now accept mortgages backed by cryptocurrency, marking a significant move toward mainstream adoption. A new partnership between Better Home & Finance and Coinbase will enable homebuyers to use bitcoin and USDC as collateral for mortgages. This product allows buyers to retain their crypto holdings while purchasing a home.

Google India Counsel Roy Resigns to Start New Venture

Bijoya Roy, Google’s top legal counsel in India, has resigned after just 16 months, leaving a vacancy in the company’s government relations leadership. This departure follows the exit of Google’s public policy head last year, coinciding with increased regulatory scrutiny and antitrust cases in the critical Indian market. Despite these challenges, Google continues to invest heavily in India, including a significant AI data center.

Satellite startup Theia collapses after fraud indictments

Satellite imaging startup Theia, which raised over $250 million, has collapsed after its founder and four executives were indicted on federal fraud charges. The company planned to build a network of advanced observation satellites, promising near-continuous, high-resolution imagery of Earth. Instead of revolutionizing the satellite imaging industry, Theia’s story is now defined by legal battles and accusations of fraud.

Digital euro goes full sovereignty mode, US cloud giants not on guest list

The European Central Bank is using only EU-based cloud providers, like OVHcloud and Scaleway, for the digital euro project. This decision aims to reduce reliance on US tech giants and protect financial data from potential foreign laws like the CLOUD Act. The move marks a step toward greater digital sovereignty for Europe in the payments sector.

Workers who fall for ‘corporate bullshit’ may be worse at their jobs

A new Cornell University study reveals that individuals easily swayed by corporate jargon and “bullshit” tend to exhibit weaker analytical skills and make poorer business decisions. The research, utilizing a “corporate bullshit generator,” found that susceptibility to this type of misleading communication, even among educated professionals, can negatively impact organizational outcomes and leadership. The study developed a “Corporate Bullshit Receptivity Scale” to assess and understand this phenomenon.

MIT 15.393 – Nuts and Bolts of New Ventures (2026)

MIT’s annual “Nuts and Bolts of New Ventures” course guides participants through business plan development and venture launching, covering topics from marketing to financing. The course is open to the MIT community and external participants, with particular relevance for those entering the MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition. Students seeking academic credit must attend all sessions in person and complete a writing requirement.

We haven’t seen the worst of what gambling and prediction markets will do

Gambling and prediction markets are increasingly susceptible to fraud and manipulation, as demonstrated by recent incidents involving baseball pitch-rigging, suspiciously timed bets related to geopolitical events, and attempts to influence journalistic reporting. These occurrences highlight a concerning trend where financial incentives are compromising integrity across sports, politics, and media. Experts warn that these exploitative practices are likely to worsen and require greater scrutiny.

US inflation will surge to 4.2% on [oil price] shock, warns OECD

The OECD is forecasting a surge in US inflation to 4.2%, citing a shock in the energy sector. This prediction highlights potential economic impacts stemming from rising energy prices. The full report is available through a subscription service.

Autism-Therapy Firm That Was Paid $340k per Patient Is Barred from Medicaid

Indiana has barred Piece by Piece Autism Centers from billing Medicaid after a Wall Street Journal investigation revealed the company received exceptionally high payments, averaging around $340,000 per patient in 2023. State officials are responding to concerns raised by the Journal’s reporting on the company’s practices. This action prevents Piece by Piece from further billing Indiana’s Medicaid program.

Gold, a ‘safe haven’ in uncertain times: Why is it crashing amid a war?

Gold’s price has recently dropped by roughly 20% after reaching a record high, challenging its traditional status as a safe haven asset. Increased speculation through financial products, rather than typical financial crises, is contributing to this volatility. The current market turmoil, driven by an energy shock, is impacting gold’s performance differently than past crises.

KKR to acquire Nothing Bundt Cakes for over $2B

Private equity firm KKR has agreed to acquire the bakery chain Nothing Bundt Cakes from Roark Capital for over $2 billion. The deal, which includes debt, will see KKR take ownership of the chain with over 500 locations across the US and Canada. Nothing Bundt Cakes is projected to generate approximately $120 million in EBITDA this year.

🌐 Web & Security

Web Fragmentation and Google’s Control

A new book argues interoperability and practices like reverse engineering can challenge the dominance of large tech platforms and foster a more open internet. Simultaneously, Google has patented a system leveraging AI and a new protocol, WebMCP, to potentially replace website landing pages with personalized versions, raising concerns about website ownership and advertising. These developments highlight competing forces shaping the future of the web: increased openness versus centralized control by major tech companies.

X Pro Access Now Premium+ Only, No Prior Notice

X is restricting access to X Pro, a web interface formerly known as TweetDeck, to subscribers of its most expensive $40/month Premium+ plan. Previously available to users of the $8/month Premium plan, the change was implemented without prior notification. X states that features included in Premium plans are subject to change.

Anduril Faces Safety, Project Concerns; Company Denies Claims

Interviews with 37 current and former Anduril employees reveal safety concerns and project challenges within the defense startup’s manufacturing operations. The investigation, based on anonymous accounts, highlights incidents like an employee injury and concerns over process dysfunction and deadline pressure. Anduril has dismissed the claims as “inaccurate” and misleading, stating they relied heavily on former employees.

SF Drone Surveillance Soars After Initial Pushback

Following a shift in public priorities and a recall election, San Francisco has rapidly expanded police surveillance tactics. The SFPD now utilizes a significant number of drones, recording 700 flights last month compared to just 93 in February 2025, and has implemented AI-powered license plate readers and a real-time information center. This expansion has occurred despite prior resistance to surveillance technologies and is largely funded by private investment.

Three more charged over alleged Nvidia GPU smuggling scheme to China

Three individuals have been charged in the U.S. for conspiring to illegally smuggle Nvidia GPUs to China through Thai front companies. The scheme involved attempting to purchase servers containing restricted GPUs from Supermicro under false pretenses to circumvent export controls. The investigation began after Supermicro and Nvidia detected suspicious order patterns in May 2023.

Brit lawmaker targeted by AI deepfake fails to get answers from US Big Tech

A UK Member of Parliament confronted Meta, Google, and X after a damaging AI deepfake video misrepresented his political affiliation. The tech companies offered vague explanations and lacked concrete plans to prevent similar incidents, raising concerns about accountability and misinformation. The incident has prompted calls for legislation to protect individuals from digital impersonation and safeguard democratic processes.

JCal – Jeffrey Epstein’s Activities Recreated in Google Calendar

A personalized Google Calendar application, dubbed “Jemini,” appears to have been used by Jeffrey Epstein to schedule events and manage various aspects of his life, including travel and finances. The system, labeled “for Jeffrey,” was integrated with other custom services like “Jmail” and “JPhotos.” The calendar interface included event categorization, search functionality, and a monthly view.

Apple Gives FBI a User’s Real Name Hidden Behind ‘Hide My Email’ Feature

Apple complied with an FBI request, revealing a user’s real email address linked to its “Hide My Email” feature during an investigation into threats made against FBI Director Kash Patel’s girlfriend. The disclosure identified Alden Ruml as the sender of the threatening email, who confessed to the crime after being interviewed. This incident underscores the limitations of Apple’s privacy feature and the potential for law enforcement access to user data.

The widely reported “hole in the Universe” is a lie

A viral internet image claiming to depict a “hole in the Universe” has been debunked as a photograph of a nearby dark nebula called Barnard 68. This nebula, located only 500 light-years away, obscures the light from stars behind it, creating the illusion of a vast empty space. While cosmic voids exist, this image is not representative of them and does not portray a true absence of matter.

Government agencies buy commercial data about Americans in bulk

Government agencies are increasingly purchasing Americans’ personal data, including location information, from data brokers, often bypassing warrant requirements. Privacy advocates are pushing Congress to close a loophole in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that enables this practice. Concerns are growing that this data acquisition, combined with artificial intelligence, poses a significant threat to privacy and civil liberties.

📜 Historical & Cultural

Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines (1992)

The Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines, a 1992 document from Apple, outlined design principles for software development on the Macintosh platform. These guidelines emphasized user-friendliness, consistency, and a focus on visual clarity and direct manipulation. They significantly influenced user interface design beyond Apple, shaping how many software applications were built for years to come.

Chicago artist creates tourism posters for city’s neighborhoods

Chicago artist Steve Shanabruch is creating vintage-style posters and logos to celebrate the city’s diverse neighborhoods and landmarks. Inspired by WPA national park posters, the project began with neighborhood logos in 2011 and has evolved to highlight unique local features. Shanabruch self-funds the initiative to showcase Chicago’s character and the pride residents have in their communities.

The Secret History of European Intelligence and Mossad’s Assassination Campaign

The article details Israel’s increasing reliance on targeted assassinations against political and military leaders of groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, expanding from around 500 operations in 2000 to over 800 by 2018. This practice draws on a historical precedent of political violence, including actions by pre-state Zionist organizations like the Irgun and Lehi. The article highlights the systematic and elaborate nature of the program, which now extends to targeting civilian infrastructure and functionaries.

The Oxford Comma – Why and Why Not (2024)

The article explores the debate surrounding the Oxford comma, the comma placed before “and” in a list. While traditionally omitted, some, including Oxford University Press, advocate for its consistent use to enhance clarity and prevent ambiguity. The author finds the discussion amusing, highlighting the often-subjective nature of grammatical rules.

French e, è, é, ê, ë – what’s the difference?

The French letter “e” has multiple pronunciations, leading to the use of diacritical marks to clarify intended sounds. Accents like the diaeresis (ë), grave (è), acute (é), and circumflex (ê) indicate specific pronunciations or reflect historical spelling changes. Mastering these accents is essential for accurate French pronunciation and understanding.

Asbestos, talc, and The Lancet’s 1977 publication

The FDA recently reversed a proposed regulation to test for asbestos in cosmetic talc, following decades of industry resistance. A 1977 commentary in The Lancet, initially used to argue against talc regulation, was revealed to be written by a paid consultant for Johnson & Johnson. This controversy highlights a long-standing effort by the cosmetics industry to avoid federal oversight regarding potential asbestos contamination in talc products.

Buying a retro game console

The article advises casual gamers against buying original retro game consoles due to their cost, technical difficulties, and compatibility issues with modern TVs. Instead, it suggests more accessible alternatives like retro game compilations on modern consoles, clone consoles, or emulation software. These options offer a more affordable and user-friendly way to experience classic games.

The Last Contract: William T. Vollmann’s Battle to Publish an Epic (2025)

Novelist William T. Vollmann experienced significant personal hardship, including cancer, the death of his daughter, and a subsequent split with his longtime publisher over his 3,000-page novel, A Table for Fortune. The publishing dispute arose from the novel’s unconventional design elements and the publisher’s financial considerations during Vollmann’s difficult period. Despite the challenges, early reviews suggest the novel could be a major achievement in his career.

🌎 Geopolitics & Society

I can’t See Apple’s Vision

The author contends that Apple has lost a clear design vision for its MacOS and WatchOS platforms, leading to software that clashes with the company’s established brand. While iPadOS and iOS maintain a strong vision, the lack of direction in the other platforms is concerning and potentially detrimental. This disconnect, reminiscent of a critique from Steve Jobs, appears to stem from a breakdown in communication between creative teams and management.

Jeffrey Epstein’s schedule might help users learn the truth about the Epstein Files

Due to technical issues, access to information regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s schedule is currently restricted. Users are prompted to enable JavaScript and cookies to proceed and potentially learn more about the Epstein Files. The article suggests that accessing Epstein’s schedule could reveal important details.

Alien.gov sparks betting frenzy on UFO disclosure as speculation explodes

Due to technical issues, Alien.gov, the U.S. government’s website dedicated to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), is currently unavailable. The website’s outage has fueled speculation about an impending disclosure regarding UFOs, leading to a surge in online betting markets. The site’s functionality is expected to be restored shortly.

Pornhub, other major porn platforms may have failed to protect children, EU finds

A recent European Union finding suggests major adult platforms, including Pornhub, may have failed to adequately protect children. The investigation indicates a potential lack of measures to prevent access to inappropriate content and safeguard minors. Further details are pending, but the findings raise concerns about online safety and platform responsibility.

China calls for NeurIPS boycott after Huawei ban

China’s top computing body, the China Computer Federation, is urging researchers to boycott the NeurIPS AI conference after organizers banned submissions from US-sanctioned companies like Huawei. The CCF argues the ban violates academic principles and politicizes scientific exchange, escalating tensions surrounding AI development between the US and China. This action threatens to blacklist the conference and potentially disrupt the recruitment of AI talent.

Iran oil revenue soars as it’s the only exporter out of Hormuz

Iran’s oil revenue has surged as it remains the primary exporter through the Strait of Hormuz amidst disruptions to other regional producers. The country is benefiting from higher oil prices and a reduced discount on its crude, generating hundreds of millions of dollars daily. This financial gain has occurred despite ongoing U.S. and Israeli airstrikes and a temporary suspension of sanctions on Iranian oil.

Olympic Committee bars transgender athletes from women’s events

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has issued new guidance barring transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports events if their testosterone levels are not below a specific threshold for a sustained period. The updated rules, replacing previous guidelines, aim to balance inclusivity with fair competition. Athletes will need to demonstrate testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for at least 12 months prior to competition, with further assessments required.

An unstoppable mushroom is tearing through North American forests

The golden oyster mushroom, originally from Asia and introduced to North America for cultivation, is aggressively spreading and displacing native fungi. Its prolific spore production and rapid growth have led to concerns about biodiversity loss and bans from fungal events. Mycologists are now working to protect vulnerable native fungi threatened by this invasive species.

Iran rejects US proposal, lays out five conditions for ending war

Iran rejected a recent U.S. proposal to end the ongoing war, insisting any ceasefire will occur only on Tehran’s terms and timeline. A senior Iranian official accused the U.S. of insincere negotiations and past military aggression, deeming the proposal a deceptive tactic. Iran has now presented five conditions for ending the conflict and will continue defensive operations until they are met.

Genes May Control Your Longevity, However Healthily You Live

A recent study in Science suggests genetics are a primary factor in determining lifespan, potentially outweighing the impact of healthy habits. While lifestyle choices contribute to quality of life, they have limited ability to extend life beyond one’s genetic predisposition. Researchers advise examining family history as an indicator of potential longevity.

Russia sending drones to Iran, western intelligence says

Western intelligence agencies have confirmed that Russia is supplying drones to Iran as part of a larger agreement. The transfer is intended to enhance Iran’s military capabilities. This development highlights growing cooperation between the two nations.

US has caused $10T worth of climate damage since 1990, research finds

A new study found that the United States is responsible for $10 trillion in global economic damages due to its carbon emissions since 1990, more than any other nation. Approximately 25% of this damage has occurred within the US, while poorer countries have disproportionately suffered. The research quantifies “loss and damage” from climate change and highlights the inequity of wealthier nations’ contributions to climate-related harm.