Free Republic

Opinion The scientific community celebrated April 14 as World Quantum Day to raise awareness of quantum science’s impact across diverse fields The world of science is on the cusp of a transformative era driven by the burgeoning field of quantum technology. Quantum science is founded on several key principles that underpin the behaviour of particles and systems at the quantum scale. The term “quantum scale” refers to the realm of physics that deals with phenomena occurring at very small scales, typically at the level of atoms, subatomic particles and fundamental particles. It encompasses the principles of quantum mechanics, which govern...

The creators of PaintCam Eve want it to be a new, rather artistic force in neighborhood watchPaintCam The humble security cam is now ready and willing to choose violence. A big-thinking Slovenian startup has created a curious smart security camera that doesn't just spy on your visitors, but will actively open fire on potential intruders with paintball pellets – or even tear gas rounds – with "ultra high precision." What could possibly go wrong? Do-it-yourself home security systems are commonplace these days. They're clever and simple enough that more or less anyone can install one to keep watch on property...

Demonstration of a LASER cleaning device in an automobile restoration shop.

Ancient Egypt, renowned for its rich culture and enduring legacy, was a civilization of remarkable ingenuity and innovation. From monumental architecture to intricate writing systems, the ancient Egyptians left an indelible mark on human history with their numerous inventions and technological advancements. Here, we explore fifteen of the most significant inventions that exemplify the ingenuity and creativity of this ancient civilization. 1. Papyrus: Among the most enduring contributions of ancient Egypt is the invention of papyrus, a paper-like material made from the papyrus plant. This versatile writing medium revolutionized communication, allowing Egyptians to record their history, literature, and administrative documents...

A team of scientists from the University of Tokyo has revealed a major breakthrough that allows them to create realistic 3D holographic displays using an ordinary iPhone screen. While conventional approaches to holography involve complex and expensive laser emitters that have limited their practical use, the researchers behind this novel approach say their work could lead to dramatic improvements in holographic displays for virtual reality applications, including gaming, training, and even advanced military applications. 3D HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAYS LIMITED BY COST AND COMPLEXITY In science fiction, holograms are used for anything from basic communications to advanced military weaponry. In the real...

Scientists say they have created a new method of testing materials that allows predictions to be made about their ductility, which could lead to the production of virtually “unbreakable” metals for use with components in a variety of applications. Drawing from quantum mechanics principles, the new method allows for significant improvements by enhancing predictions about metals’ ability to be drawn out into thinner shapes while maintaining their strength. According to researchers involved with the discovery, the new method has proven very effective for metals used in high-temperature applications and could help industries like aerospace and other fields perform tests of...

As technology has advanced, AI-generated deepfakes have become more convincing, says disinformation researcher Eileen Culloty.Disinformation caught many people off guard during the 2016 Brexit referendum and US presidential election. Since then, a mini-industry has developed to analyse and counter it. Yet despite that, we have entered 2024 - a year of more than 40 elections worldwide - more fearful than ever about disinformation. In many ways, the problem is more challenging than it was in 2016. Advances in technology since then are one reason for that, in particular the development that has taken place with synthetic media, otherwise known as...

If you pay for car insurance, you’ve probably noticed that rates are really high lately. You’re not alone. Last week’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report — the government’s method for tracking what people are paying for goods and services and how that’s changing over time — noted that the price of car insurance was up more than 20 percent over the same time last year. What’s particularly painful is that rates were already rising: CPI reports have shown that, overall, car insurance rates are up more than 38 percent since January 2020. What’s going on? The big insurance companies have...

Top microchip makers are postponing their expansion into the U.S. and setting up shop in Israel and Russia due to equity caveats that are required for them to receive grants from the U.S. government. The Biden administration promised earlier this year that they would be handing out $39 billion in grants to encourage semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. Shortly after the announcement however, Intel announced they would be holding off on their Columbus factory, while Samsung also delayed their facility in Texas. Despite the billions in subsidies, two experts believe the tech companies' decision to back out of building manufacturing...

<p>On the windowsill above the gas fire sits a surprisingly heavy square box. Its back is dirty, thick plastic; its battered and much-dented front is metallic, with rows of tiny ridges and microscopic holes creating a nubby texture if you run your hand across it. A leather strap is buckled into the top for ease of carry, in front of a retractable metal antenna. When the antenna is fully outstretched above the squat rectangle, it looks comical. In the top third of the box’s face, a vertical orange needle moves across the rows of numbers denoting frequency scales. You move the needle with a metal knob. There are four knobs in total, and a switch, and a few helpful legends: am/fm, volume, and, in neat, raised letters, general electric.</p>

Two developments caught my eye like a fly on arsenic glue paper over the past few weeks. One was the arrival of Sora from Open AI, which generates video from text prompts. This can now create convincing, realistic footage, whether of a woman calmly walking through an idealised urban landscape or some sleepyhead being woken by their impatient, persistent yet affectionate cat. The uncanny valley – that unsettling feeling you get when looking at images with features that are human-like, but slightly off – if not closed entirely, is now barely a crack in the pavement. This leap forward in...

The Biden administration laid out an ambitious new goal for the US: produce 20% of the world’s most advanced semiconductor chips by the end of the decade. It currently makes 0% of the so-called leading edge logic chips that are considerably more powerful than older-generation semiconductors, making them crucial for everything from mobile phones to AI to quantum computing. The legislation allows the White House to spend $50 billion in taxpayer dollars — $39 billion specifically earmarked for manufacturing — to try and help reignite American manufacturing in the years ahead.

The first human patient for Neuralink implanted with a brain chip appears to have made a ‘full recovery,’ according to Elon Musk. “Progress is good and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with neural effects that we are aware of,” Musk said in a Spaces event on X, according to the Daily Mail. “Patient is able to move a mouse around the screen by just thinking,” he reportedly added.

My Sony flat screen TV is old and is rebooting at least once a day. And the pimps at Sony have overridden my "preferences" to hawk their "woke" alerts and advertisements. All this on the home screen. Since I'm going to upgrade anyway, is there a brand that doesn't pimp the Psuedo Cause du jour when it fires up?

Discover how the Yemeni Navy's seizure of the Remus 600 submarine highlights the evolving dynamics of naval power, technological warfare, and regional security in the 21st century. In an event that reads like a narrative torn from the pages of a high-stakes international thriller, the Yemeni Navy's special unit has seized control of the Remus 600, an advanced American unmanned submarine. This recent incident not only underscores the ongoing tensions in the region but also highlights the complexities of modern maritime security and technological warfare. The Strategic Seizure of the Remus 600 The Remus 600, with its sleek design and...

"THE CART IS SO FAR AHEAD OF THE HORSE, IT’S LIKE HOW DO WE REIN IT BACK IN WITHOUT CAREENING OVER THE RAVINE?" You may remember a series of lawyers who have attempted to use AI tools in court — and were subsequently embarrassed and sanctioned when the chatbots screwed up, sometimes even inventing plausible-sounding cases that didn't actually exist. So consider this: how would you feel if your doctor did the same thing, feeding your symptoms into an AI system to diagnose what's wrong with you? That's a looming question, Politico reports in a fascinating story, that's currently stressing...

Subject: Unveiling Project Renaissance: Catalyzing Paradigmatic Shifts for Unprecedented Triumph Esteemed Visionaries and Architects of Tomorrow, In the labyrinth of modern commerce, where the tides of change ebb and flow with capricious abandon, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture, poised on the cusp of greatness. Today, I stand before you, fueled by the fervent belief that our collective resolve and boundless ingenuity shall illuminate the path to transcendent glory. With an illustrious flourish and a flourish of grandeur, I am thrilled to unveil Project Renaissance – a symphony of innovation and audacious ambition that shall reverberate throughout the annals...

Nice reasonable, thorough review of Apple Vision Pro. 0:00 Intro 2:48 Immersiveness 6:35 Looking through glass 9:10 The Ecosystem 13:17 The Apps 16:06 The Comfort Issue 19:55 Eyes on the outside 21:40 So should you buy It?

I've collected more ATSC 3.0 over the air television news. Unfortunately it's not great news: I learned that all ATSC 3 tuners will have certificates that will expire after a certain length of time and there's been very little progress towards getting gateway devices to work.00:00 - Intro00:59 - DRM Petition Update02:23 - Tuner Expiration Dates04:13 - All ATSC 3 Devices "Phone Home" For Decryption04:48 - Zero Progress on Gateway Devices05:44 - ATSC 3 statement10:08 - Broadcaster Moving 4k to Streaming Only11:07 - Could Cable Access Channels Use Unwanted Spectrum?13:58 - ConclusionAll ATSC 3 TV Tuners will EXPIRE & More...

For venture capitalists and startup entrepreneurs, 2023 was a year dedicated to the destructive phase of Joseph Schumpeter’s notion of creative destruction. Silicon Valley Bank collapsed in the second-largest bank failure in American history, 400,000 tech jobs were eliminated in what Wired dubbed “The Great Tech Layoffs,” and dozens of high-potential startups transformed from unicorns into “zombies.” Destruction is a necessary ingredient to creativity. Not all ideas are good, and not all firms can make it. Economic dynamism is predicated not just on the rapid generation and growth of winning startups, but also on the implosion of failed companies, which...