Nuke-hungry fungi, quantum comms breaks distance record, forgetfulness FTW, monkeys can do stats, Schneier on ‘cyberwars’, the risks of biotech…

• 1 – Quantum communication breaks distance record

  “Quantum communication has been sent across a record 144 km using a process that could one day be used to send messages across space with absolute secrecy…” Sure … it’ll *never* be hacked, will it?

  (tags: physics science development technology encryption security entanglement communication quantum)

• 2 – Code is law

  “A short, loaded phrase with enough shades of layered meaning to engender pleasure, satisfaction, worry and disgust. The phrase itself means a whole lot of different things, depending on context and environment.”

  (tags: philosophy metaverse reality virtual worlds synthetic MMO games law code)

• 3 – Forgetfulness is a tool of the brain

  “…the brain only chooses to remember memories it thinks are most relevant, and actively suppresses those that are similar but less used, helping to lessen the cognitive load and prevent confusion.” My excuse. Sticking to it.

  (tags: forgetfulness memory research neuroscience cognition psychology human)

• 4 – Cogitating monkeys can calculate statistics

  “They can accurately assess which of two behaviours is more likely to bring them a reward by summing together a series of probabilistic clues.”

  (tags: psychology cognition experiments reasoning animal probability statistics research science monkey)

• 5 – Synthetic Biology – Best Not to Ignore the Risks

  “If I am knowledgeable about biology and have the tools to create new organisms from scratch, then it would be entirely plausible I could certainly construct something that poses a threat to all extant life.”

  (tags: transhumanism futurism technology risk existential biotech biology synthetic)

• 6 – Schneier on “Cyberwar”

  Worth reading, in light of recent smoke’n'mirrors media hype and bullsh*t.

  (tags: web hacking crime computing cyberterrorism cybercrime cyberwar cyber security internet)

• 7 – Chernobyl Fungus Eating Radiation: A New Form of Energy?

  …this process is an alternative to photosynthesis, “with melanin playing the role of chlorophyll and ionizing radiation; the role of visible light.” Weird.

  (tags: science Chernobyl waste nuclear energy radiation process metabolic melanin mushrooms fungus)