Use this site to visualise the real size of a country, rather than the impression 2d maps give.
Russia is not as big as it seems. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is nearly 40% of the size of USA.
Signal
When you use Signal, your data is stored encrypted on your devices. All of it. Signal servers only get the phone number you joined with, when you joined and last logged on.
The Signal app uses the Signal protocol. If you want the technical side of things, the protocol is built on the Double Ratchet algorithm, triple Elliptic-curve Diffie–Hellman (3-DH) handshake, and prekeys. It uses Curve25519, AES-256, and HMAC-SHA256 for its encryption algorithms.
Interestingly, apps like WhatsApp use the Signal protocol partially, to encrypt message content. WhatsApp chooses to collect your metadata for its own use (they pass it along to Facebook too). More here.
Don’t even get me started on email. PGP must be over 20 years old now.
I downloaded Subnautica because it was free. I didn’t expect it to be one of the most enthralling games I’d ever play.
Why is it so difficult to leave a shop empty-handed? And why am I compelled to theatrically portray my innocence?
Does that make it more challenging for store-owners to spot real thieves?
USA’s Wildcard
Today I learned about the petrodollar and how it’s usage is declining.
In short, an agreement dating back to the 70s means oil-producing countries sell oil in dollars, driving up demand for the currency. The dollars are then recycled by purchasing weapons or treasury bills from the US. It provides the US with a carefully crafted strength.
The network effects kick in because the cost of a country doing business differently is a deterrent. Essentially, you want to be part of the club and while the upside may be average, the downside can be limitless due to the powerful adversaries one would make.
The PetroYuan is increasing it’s dominance. It’s frightening to think about the conspicuous forms of the inevitable clash
Equanimity
As I get older, I identify less as my current state and I identify more as a person who transitions through states. My change in perspective has reduced my anxieties and anger significantly. “This too shall pass” vibes. The more my self image is focused on superficial things, the more I will take things personally. What I am angry about tends to be a reflection of myself more than the current state of affairs.
I don’t believe in reincarnation but it is a helpful thought experiment to think about what benefits and drawbacks your particular incarnation of life holds and how those might be different if you were incarnated elsewhere.
Remote Working can Work
Work is work, no matter if it’s remote, hybrid, or full-time office. Hire good people, entrust them with executing on core business needs, allow them to choose however they make the magic happen.
Won’t it be extremely evident if any option doesn’t yield results?
How I Come Up With Music Video Ideas
What is the average mpg of waste-collection trucks?
Can we create and install simple sensors that track the capacity of a household bin (the big ones outside), so the truck only stops where it needs to?
Can the latter be done at less financial and environmental cost than the former?
Machines are learning by themselves – to predict outcomes and make autonomous decisions – but can they unlearn things too?