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April 4, 2021 Archives
Sunday, April 4, 2021
TRACKING WITH CLOSEUPS: The Future of Heat Pumps Is Underground
I had not heard of heat pump clothes dryers—that sounds like a tremendous idea, also reversible heat pump/air conditioners for electric vehicles.
Posted at
15:12
THE HAPPENING WORLD: Russian Floating Small Nuclear Reactors Now In Service
Russia has the world's first and only operational nuclear SMR. It is on a floating platform, the Akademik Lomonosov, and can deliver 70 MW of electricity for 3-5 years without refuelling.
— ToughSF (@ToughSf) April 4, 2021
A smaller, lighter 100MW version is being designed.https://t.co/K1cUUBu2HN pic.twitter.com/xlLZLLBdsJ
Rosatom is now offering floating nuclear power plants to other countries.
Posted at
12:06
CONTINUITY: Finally! A Bluetooth-Connected Mug
Expensive, and you can't put it in the dishwasher!
Posted at
11:46
CONTEXT: Estimating the Probability We Are Living in a Computer Simulation
An interesting paper in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A, “Probability and consequences of living inside a computer simulation” provides a Drake equation-like framework for estimating the probability we are living in a simulation.https://t.co/V5UuOZ4LdB
— John Walker (@Fourmilab) April 4, 2021
Abstract:
It is shown that under reasonable assumptions a Drake-style equation can be obtained for the probability that our universe is the result of a deliberate simulation. Evaluating loose bounds for certain terms in the equation shows that the probability is unlikely to be as high as previously reported in the literature, especially in a scenario where the simulations are recursive. Furthermore, we investigate the possibility of eavesdropping from the outside of such a simulation and introduce a general attack that can circumvent attempts at using quantum cryptography inside the simulation, even if the quantum properties of the simulation are genuine.
The authors do note, however, that one potential solution to the Fermi paradox might be that we are in a simulation and the absence of aliens is due to the simulators using a variable level of complexity to reduce the computing power required. If the simulation is confined to Earth, there would be no reason to include intelligent aliens from other planets. Here is a PDF version of the paper.
Posted at
10:46
THE HAPPENING WORLD: Mars Helicopter Ingenuity on the Surface, Getting Ready to Fly
#MarsHelicopter touchdown confirmed! Its 293 million mile (471 million km) journey aboard @NASAPersevere ended with the final drop of 4 inches (10 cm) from the rover's belly to the surface of Mars today. Next milestone? Survive the night. https://t.co/TNCdXWcKWE pic.twitter.com/XaBiSNebua
— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) April 4, 2021
Posted at
10:07