[28th July 2024] Interesting Things I Learnt This Week

Courtsey: https://www.isro.gov.in

1. ISRO conducts flight experiment of Air Breathing Propulsion System : ISRO successfully conducted its second flight test for air-breathing propulsion technology. The experiment involved mounting the propulsion system on an RH-560 sounding rocket, India's heaviest in this category. Launched from Sriharikota, the test aimed to demonstrate the technology's functionality at hypersonic speeds. Prior to the mission, extensive ground tests were carried out to ensure proper performance. This successful flight, along with data collected from over 110 parameters, paves the way for further development of air-breathing engines by ISRO. 

My Take: ISRO's accomplishments are undeniably impressive. Their ability to achieve significant milestones with relatively modest budgets compared to agencies like NASA is a testament to their efficiency and innovative approach. It's encouraging to see that ISRO has managed to operate largely free from political interference, allowing them to focus on scientific advancement. This success story challenges the notion that government organizations are inherently inefficient and highlights the importance of strong leadership in driving progress.

 

2. Linus Torvalds says RISC-V will make the same mistakes as Arm and x86 : Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, predicts growing pains for RISC-V, a new open-source instruction set architecture (ISA) for processors. While optimistic about its potential, he anticipates RISC-V will repeat mistakes made by established architectures like x86 and ARM. Torvalds argues that the gap between hardware and software design can lead to unforeseen issues, especially for new players. He highlights the advantage RISC-V has in learning from the missteps of its predecessors, but also acknowledges the inevitable challenges in coordinating hardware and software development that will likely take a few generations to iron out. However, Torvalds believes the easier development environment for RISC-V hardware compared to x86's past hurdles could accelerate its adoption.

My Take: Linus Torvalds is a valuable source of insights into operating system design. It's likely the RISC-V team is already considering his perspectives. However, direct collaboration could be mutually beneficial. To truly challenge the dominance of Apple's ecosystem, a holistic approach is necessary. Combining the strengths of the open-source Linux kernel with the innovative RISC-V architecture can create a powerful combination that can an impact.

3. Peru: New images show uncontacted tribe dangerously close to logging concessions : This is an article about an uncontacted tribe in Peru that is being threatened by logging. It discusses the Mashco Piro tribe, which is the largest uncontacted tribe in the world. The tribe is located in the Amazon rainforest and their land is being encroached upon by logging companies. One company, Canales Tahuamanu, has built over 200 kilometers of roads in the area. The logging is a threat to the Mashco Piro because it could bring in diseases that could wipe them out. The article calls for the logging companies to be removed from the area and for the Mashco Piro's territory to be protected.

My Take: The limited contact these tribes have had with the outside world makes them highly vulnerable to diseases prevalent in other populations. A pandemic like COVID-19 could have devastating consequences. While there is undoubtedly much to learn from their traditional knowledge and lifestyles, preserving their isolation might be the most ethical course of action to protect their existence. Something like what we are doing to many tribes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. But I dont have much hope with greed of the logging companies.

4. Paris Olympics Will Be a Training Ground for AI-Powered Mass Surveillance : Paris gears up for the Olympics, but not just in athletics. The games become a testing ground for AI-powered mass surveillance. Concerns swirl about privacy, potential misuse, and unequal impact. While some tout security benefits and improved crowd management, ethical questions loom large. Scientific American explores this complex interplay between security, privacy, and the future of AI surveillance in a world increasingly watched by algorithms.

My Take: This is going to be a test of technology. I know there will be folks who will be worries about privacy here. But if there is CCTV it will be monitored and something like TV series Point of Interest is a matter of when and not how currently. Very soon all the super processors which are running LLMs will be deployed to run these AI jobs. I am pretty sure whether we like it or not, we are definitely headed that way. Whether they are right or not is another LLM hallucination question I guess.