Microsoft unveils the world’s first analogue optical computer to solve optimisation problems - This is pretty cool. It's a rack mounted computer that uses streams of photons hitting a grid of modulators to perform basic matrix calculations at light speed. Initially they are using it to solve optimisation problems in bank settlements, but I guess it could be used for many optimizatiom problems. Maybe also AI? There's a lot of matrix calculations in AI as far as I understand. I feel it's worth mentioning, beware of over-optimisation. Technology is inherently deflationary, at a macro level you need to ensure you still have innovation, don't optimise the people away. There's no sense in being the best at shrinking the pie. An optimization mania could cause more problems than it solves. And I think emerging / developing economies are probably most at risk given the pressures they are under. Also worth thinking about: optimization neutrality and equality, because it's the sort if thing that could very well be weaponised. interestingengineering.com #
2023/07/05 #
Today’s links:
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A little experiment inspired by a ghost of parasocial past, so to speak, no animosity intended, quite the opposite in fact. I remembered that a while back I added the ability to make linkblog posts without urls. I know that might seem a little bit ridiculous at first glance, please bear with me. #
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Since adding the url-less links feature, a lot has changed, the biggest thing being full markdown and EJS support in link text, which makes it possible to add hyperlinks and also insert data from various sources like for instance frontmatter, here's the date from this post's frontmatter: 2023-07-05 12:10:00 +07:00.
And this is a second paragraph on this post. It's the thing I'm most curious about. Will it break the page rendering? #
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Well linkless posts are sort of working 1/2 working. There is no url domain link (that's good), but there's also no hash link (not so good), and also paragraphs currently get removed (not so good). I have to think about this a bit more.
Update: I got paragraphs working :) #
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Incidentally I managed to get workflows triggering workflows between repositories. What that means is that the website now gets automatically rebuilt when I merge new content into the main branch. Practically speaking it's pretty huge for me because it aleviates some of the frustration I've been experiencing from really slow github repo interaction, which I think is because there are over 15000 source files and the client is not able to handle it. Hopefully I'll be adding a new entry to my minimals selection soon, the minimal works on private repos, just need to find time to test it on public repos. #
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France riots: 'For the politicians we are nothing' - I've been reading some of the flow of news from the french riots coverage these past few days. It's such a complicated situation. I stand alongside the marginalised, it's crushing to hear that the youth have no prospects, that society has stratisfied. I spent a long time growing up in Belgium which had problems of a similar vibe, so I really feel for the communities. When I moved back to the UK, in London I experienced the british equivalent, first at a distance, then living in Hackney and Whitechappel. Though I very literally feel sad about it, I'm hopeful because I've also experienced what it's like when it works, moments when the communities were well integrated, when we were together, some incredibly magical moments. I think we can overcome the troubles, let's continue to make increadible art about the sometimes difficult realities, that's how we get through this together. We did it in the UK in the 80s with punk rock breaking through a horribly stratosphered society, then reaggae, ska, and later electronic music. Even if you aren't a fan of those genres, think of the importance of integrating the communities for the youth. That's what art does, it finds a way to bring us together. And we can do it again in whatever way we'll find this time. Having said that these past few years I've travelled the world and I've also experienced some bad things, so I know it's not all optimism, there are real concerns on all sides. Here in Vietnam it's an odd mix, because of the history of both french and english speaking influence, but also they have their own generational challenges, combined with relatively recent memories of war. Anyway, we need more innovation, more art, more building things together, and we need to grow the pie for everyone. www.bbc.com #
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France riots: Nanterre rocked by killing and unrest - One more french riots link to say I've felt somewhat self conscious of my use of rocket emojis next to personal links to blog posts, podcasts and newsletters, given how much the riots coverage has been banging on about the prevailing use of rockets by the protestors. The origin story of my rocket emojis is 100% linked to the idea of launching towards orbit, and nothing at all to do with weapons. That thought hadn't even crossed my mind. Honestly I never even thought about it much more than just oh-launching-rockets-into-the-sky-is-cool. When I got online I was really into Rocketboom, still one of the best videoblogs that ever was, which was zero about war, and everything to do with making things, and building online and real life communities. When I think of rockets, I think of Rocketboom, a world of possibilities. Anyway I'm probably being overly paranoid. In any case, I'm gonna keep launching rockets, the ones I use are strickly amazing non violent rockets. www.bbc.com #