Links für 2025 KW 26#
Meine To-Read Liste, Zusammengefasst von Mistral-Small-24B.
The 3-Second Mental Hack That Short-Circuits Bad Habits – Ledger of Life:
The text discusses a self-awareness system called the Ledger of Life, which helps individuals manage negative influences and emotions before they lead to unwanted actions. The key concept is the „whisper“—a moment when you feel a negative emotion or urge, such as irritation or anxiety. The system involves two main steps: first, noticing and registering the whisper, and second, deploying a „virtue garnish,“ which is a pre-prepared, emotionally resonant tool that helps neutralize the negative influence and redirect your energy. For instance, when feeling attacked by criticism, one might use the quote “Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain—and most fools do” to shift perspective.
The Ledger of Life encourages writing down these whispers to create a pause between the stimulus and response. This allows for a conscious choice of response, transforming negative thoughts into neutral or positive ones. Traditional advice like deep breathing or counting to ten is helpful but is not as transforming as using a virtue garnish. By consistently registering whispers and deploying virtue garnishes, individuals can build a more effective response system that catches problems before they escalate into regrettable actions. The journal is available in physical and digital formats to help track whispers, actions, and reviews.
This worrying Bluetooth security flaw could let hackers spy on your device via microphone:
Security researchers have identified three medium-severity vulnerabilities in Bluetooth chipsets used in various devices from multiple manufacturers. When exploited together, these flaws could allow attackers to eavesdrop on conversations, steal call history and contacts, and potentially deploy malware. The affected devices include True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds, speakers, headphones, and wireless microphones from brands like Beyerdynamic, Bose, Sony, and Jabra. The vulnerabilities, tracked under CVEs CVE-2025-20700, CVE-2025-20701, and CVE-2025-20702, involve missing authentication for certain Bluetooth services and a custom protocol. Although exploiting these flaws is challenging and likely only feasible by advanced threat actors, manufacturers are developing patches to address the issues.
Who the Hell is Going to Pay For This? - Leon Adato:
The text discusses the evolution and challenges of monitoring and observability in IT, with a focus on the costs associated with data collection and processing. The author, an expert with 27 years of experience, highlights the issues with current pricing models and the widespread practice of collecting excessive telemetry data without a clear plan for its use. He introduces OpenTelemetry (OTel) as a recent improvement in the field but notes that it can exacerbate cost issues due to its inefficient data handling. The author argues that organizations need to reassess their approach to telemetry, focusing on what data is truly necessary and useful, rather than collecting everything indiscriminately. The text emphasizes the need for a more strategic and cost-effective approach to monitoring and observability, considering both the technical and financial implications.
Trump Second Presidency Pardons Database:
The text presents a comprehensive database and interactive web interface detailing all executive clemency grants issued by President Donald Trump during his two terms. The database is searchable and mobile-friendly, offering detailed datasets and real-time statistics on pardons and commutations. It covers a wide range of categories, including January 6th defendants, political figures, celebrities, business executives, and organized crime figures.
Key features include advanced search and filtering capabilities, real-time statistics, and interactive demographics analysis, particularly for January 6th defendants. The data is presented in a user-friendly web interface with a dark theme optimized for readability. The project also includes a technical implementation section detailing the frontend technologies used, data architecture, and performance features.
The database is automatically deployed via GitHub Pages and can be set up locally for development. It uses dual CSV files for data consistency and employs client-side filtering for efficient search results. The data sources are verified through official government records, legal documentation, and news sources, with regular updates and contributions welcome.
The project aims to promote public transparency, government accountability, and informed civic engagement by making executive clemency actions accessible and searchable. It is maintained for educational, academic, and journalistic purposes, with a legal disclaimer noting it is not intended for legal advice or official government use. The project is licensed under the MIT License, encouraging attribution but not requiring it.
Taste Is the New Intelligence:
The text discusses the importance of curation, discernment, and restraint in an age where we are overwhelmed by an abundance of content. Traditional metrics of intelligence, such as memorization or speed, are no longer as relevant. Instead, the ability to discern what is worth our attention—having good taste—is crucial. Good taste is not about superficial trends but about coherence, clarity, and the ability to choose what matters.
The author highlights Rick Rubin, a renowned music producer, as an example of someone with exceptional taste. Rubin’s approach is not about technical mastery but about attention, intuition, and sensing what feels right. His book, „The Creative Act,“ embodies this restraint and focus on the art rather than clout or metrics.
The text also emphasizes the role of curation in protecting our mental environment. Algorithms respond to our consumption habits, so what we choose to consume shapes our online experience. Being intentional about our inputs is essential for maintaining a coherent and meaningful digital presence.
The author argues that taste is a form of literacy, a way of reading the world that allows us to filter out noise and focus on what truly resonates. This involves subtraction, not just addition—choosing not to participate in every viral moment and opting out of the churn.
Ultimately, the text suggests that taste is a form of self-respect and a spiritual orientation. It is about aligning our choices with our values and intuition, creating a life that reflects our true selves rather than being swayed by trends or algorithms. Good taste is cultivated over time by paying attention to what moves us and pruning out what does not, treating our inputs with reverence and intentionality.
Want to meet people, try charging them for it?:
The text discusses a person’s experience with offering free advice through a „Say Hi“ page, where they have met over 200 people. Many of these interactions involve tech and product advice from experienced individuals. The author considers charging for these calls but is concerned about deterring less fortunate individuals and losing the serendipitous nature of these interactions. The discussion also delves into the psychology behind people’s reluctance to accept free services and the potential benefits of charging a fee, such as making the service feel more legitimate and creating a clear expectation of a transaction. Other users share their experiences with charging for services, highlighting how a small fee can sometimes increase engagement and legitimacy. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of charging for advice, including the potential to signal credibility and the impact on the dynamic of the interaction. Overall, the text explores the nuances of offering free versus paid advice and the psychological and practical considerations involved.
The text discusses the author’s research into tracking updates of various anticheat systems used in popular games. The author’s goal was to understand when new versions are released, what changes were made, and to use older versions for research. The text covers several anticheat systems, including EasyAntiCheat (EAC), BattlEye, EA-AC, Vanguard, EQU8, and FACEIT, providing details on their update tracking mechanisms, file structures, and encryption methods. The author also shares their experiences and methods for decrypting and unpacking these anticheat modules, highlighting the challenges and techniques involved in reverse engineering them. The overall message is that while anticheat systems employ various methods to protect their modules, they can still be tracked and analyzed by researchers, and the primary purpose of anticheats is to protect the games rather than the CDN systems.
Setting custom SMBIOS data in Xen DomUs – mcnewton’s notes:
The text discusses two methods to set custom SMBIOS data in Xen DomUs, which are virtual machines running on Xen hypervisor. SMBIOS data includes information like manufacturer name, product, serial number, and memory configuration. The author spent considerable time figuring out how to achieve this and shares their findings to save others the trouble.
The first method involves using the smbios_firmware option in the Xen configuration file (xl.cfg). This requires creating a binary file containing the SMBIOS tables with the desired data. The author provides a detailed process of extracting, editing, and converting SMBIOS data using tools like dmidecode and awk.
The second method utilizes xenstore to write SMBIOS data to a paused domain. This involves starting the domain in a paused state, setting the SMBIOS options using xenstore-write, and then resuming the domain. This method is slightly easier but requires manual intervention.
Both methods allow customizing SMBIOS data, which can be useful for various purposes, such as providing information to netbooting tools or identifying the physical host of a virtual machine. The author notes that these methods were tested on Xen 4.4 running on Debian 8.0. Additionally, there are comments from readers who found these methods helpful for specific use cases, such as installing Windows Server or maintaining a consistent system serial number for software licensing.
Agile Was Never Your Problem Pt 1/2:
The text discusses the common misconceptions and frustrations surrounding Agile methodologies in software development. The author argues that Agile itself is not the problem, but rather the way it is often implemented and misunderstood. Agile, at its core, is about providing just enough structure for teams to deliver software quickly, shorten feedback loops, and adapt to changes without bureaucratic delays. However, many teams struggle with bloated, ineffective versions of Agile that fail to deliver on these promises.
The author describes what a healthy Agile team looks like: constant communication, pair programming when beneficial, team ownership of the product, adequate time for testing and refactoring, clear goals, a steady pace of work, and integrated monitoring. The failure modes of Agile often involve management thinking in traditional waterfall terms while using Agile vocabulary, leading to misaligned expectations and practices. Additionally, internal issues like lack of ownership, knowledge hoarding, and resistance to collaboration can further hinder Agile’s effectiveness.
The author shares a personal story where dropping formal Scrum practices and adopting a more flexible, team-specific process led to happier developers, better code, and fewer incidents. The key takeaway is that if Agile feels exhausting or ineffective, it’s likely because it’s being treated as a rigid process rather than a set of flexible principles. The author encourages readers to focus on the core principles of Agile, adapt them to their specific needs, and avoid getting caught up in the latest Agile frameworks or workshops.
The text presents a grim assessment of the political situation in the United States, with the author arguing that the country has descended into a dictatorship under Trump. Key points include the arrest and threats against opposition politicians and judges, suppression of protests, and a compliant press. The author contends that the situation is far worse than initially anticipated. The author criticizes the lack of meaningful resistance and the failure to address the underlying issues that have led to this point. The author highlights that a significant portion of US voters has supported Trump despite his negative qualities, and this support has not waned. The author suggests that the situation is unprecedented in modern democratic history and poses a fundamental threat to democratic principles. The author concludes that the US, founded on slavery, has never escaped its original sin, and that Trumpism should serve as a warning to other countries about the dangers of fascism.
operators, not users and programmers:
The text argues that the modern distinction between „programmers“ and „users“ is harmful because it limits people’s ability to interact with and modify software. It highlights the success of spreadsheets, which offer immediate feedback and are easily modifiable, as an example of „malleable software“ that empowers users. The author advocates for a future where programming is accessible to everyone, allowing them to create „situated software“ tailored to their specific needs without specialized training.
The text criticizes complex enterprise technologies that replace simple, user-friendly systems like spreadsheets, as they often remove the user’s control and understanding of the process. Instead, the author envisions computing systems that are both malleable and equipped with features typically reserved for programmers, such as version control and automated testing.
Examples of existing malleable systems include spreadsheets, WYSIWYG editors, and browser devtools, which provide instant feedback and easy modifications. The author suggests that future systems should offer hot-reloading, live previews, automatic durability, distributed version control, instant testing, and easy deployment, all while maintaining performance. The ultimate goal is to create a computing environment where anyone can build and modify software with ease, fostering creativity and empowering users.
The study examines the longitudinal relationship between pet ownership and cognitive functioning in older adults, focusing on different types of pets and individuals‘ ages. It utilizes data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) waves 1 through 9, funded by various European and national sources. The research involves a comprehensive analysis of cognitive health, executive functioning, and episodic memory, considering factors like physical activity, social support, and pet ownership.
The study finds that pet ownership is associated with better cognitive health, particularly in older adults. Different types of pets, including dogs, cats, and birds, show varying degrees of positive impact on cognitive health. The study also highlights the importance of social support and physical activity in mitigating cognitive decline.
Methodologically, the research employs linear mixed-effects models using the R programming language and the lme4 package. It acknowledges the limitations of self-reported data and the potential for reverse causality but emphasizes the robust findings across different types of pets and age groups.
The paper is authored by a team from the University of Geneva and affiliated institutions, with contributions from experts in psychology, gerontology, and statistics. The authors declare no competing interests and provide detailed information on data sources and ethical considerations. The study is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, allowing for open access and reuse with proper attribution.
The text is an instruction page explaining why a CAPTCHA is required and how to prevent it in the future. When accessing a web property, completing a CAPTCHA is necessary to confirm that the user is human, thus granting temporary access. To avoid encountering CAPTCHAs frequently in the future, users are advised to scan their devices for malware if they are on a personal connection, such as at home. If on an office or shared network, users should request the network administrator to scan the network for any misconfigured or infected devices. The overall message is about ensuring the security and proper functioning of web access by confirming human users and maintaining malware-free devices and networks.
‚Positive review only‘: Researchers hide AI prompts in papers:
The text discusses the discovery of hidden AI prompts in academic research papers from 14 institutions across eight countries. These prompts, concealed using tricks like white text or tiny font sizes, instructed AI tools to give positive reviews, potentially manipulating the peer review process. While some researchers justify this as a countermeasure against lazy reviewers using AI, institutions like KAIST have condemned the practice and plan to set guidelines for AI use. The incident highlights the lack of unified rules regarding AI in peer review and underscores the broader issue of managing AI’s risks and ethical use as it becomes more integrated into society.
The text discusses a significant discovery about the shrinking size of eastern Baltic cod over the past few decades. Scientists have found that overfishing has not only reduced the cod population but also altered their genes, leading to a dramatic decrease in their size. Historically, these fish grew to over three feet long, but by 2019, their average size had halved. This change is primarily due to the selective pressure of fishing, which favors smaller fish that can escape nets more easily. The study, published in Science Advances, analyzed fish otoliths and DNA to reveal that genetic variants associated with larger body size have become less common. This evolutionary change, driven by human activity, is concerning because it reduces the genetic diversity of the cod population, making it harder for them to adapt to future environmental changes. The implications are that recovery from this genetic shift could take much longer than the initial decline and might not even be possible. This research highlights the urgent need to consider genetic impacts when managing fisheries and emphasizes the importance of tracking both species numbers and genetic diversity.
The Prime Reasons to Avoid Amazon:
The text argues strongly against supporting Amazon, especially during their Prime Day sales, due to the company’s alleged unethical practices and negative impacts on various aspects of society. The author presents several key points:
Amazon is accused of being an enemy to civil rights, as it has sold facial recognition technology to law enforcement, which has been criticized for inaccurately identifying minorities and women. The company has also been involved in surveillance networks through its Ring doorbells, allowing police to monitor communities extensively.
Amazon is portrayed as an enemy to small businesses, using data from small merchants on its platform to create competing products and undercutting prices to drive competitors out of business. This corporate behavior is seen as antithetical to free-market principles.
The company is also criticized for its treatment of workers, with reports of harsh working conditions, unrealistic expectations, and surveillance tactics to monitor employees. Amazon’s resistance to unionization efforts further highlights its alleged disregard for workers‘ rights.
Amazon’s political influence is another concern, with the company spending millions on lobbying to shape laws and regulations in its favor. This influence is seen as a threat to democracy, allowing corporations to wield excessive power.
The author argues that using Amazon, even for seemingly innocuous purchases, supports these unethical practices. The only way to effect change, according to the author, is to avoid shopping on Amazon and its subsidiaries, and to support alternative services and products whenever possible.
In summary, the text is a passionate call to action, urging readers to boycott Amazon due to its alleged negative impacts on civil rights, small businesses, workers, and democracy. The author encourages consumers to vote with their dollars and support more ethical alternatives.
Basically Everyone Should Be Avoiding Docker:
The text is a discussion from the Hacker News community about the use and perceived issues of Docker, a popular containerization platform. Here are the key points:
Docker’s Ease of Use: Many users appreciate Docker for its ability to simplify the setup and management of applications, especially those with complex dependencies. It allows users to try out apps easily and remove them if not needed.
Configuration and Management: Docker Compose is often used for managing multi-container Docker applications, providing a straightforward way to configure and manage services. Users can also use environment variables and .env files for configuration.
Security Concerns: There are concerns about Docker’s security, particularly when compared to full-fledged virtual machines. Some users prefer solutions like Kata containers or gvisor for added security.
Complexity and Overhead: Critics argue that Docker adds unnecessary complexity and overhead. They point out that Docker containers require more setup for security and backup compared to traditional installations.
Misconceptions: Some users feel that the article criticizing Docker is written by someone who doesn’t fully understand how to use Docker effectively. They argue that the author’s issues stem from a lack of knowledge rather than inherent problems with Docker.
Alternatives and Comparisons: The discussion touches on alternatives like LXC and Podman, as well as other containerization technologies. Some users suggest that Docker is not always the best tool for the job and that simpler solutions might be more appropriate in certain cases.
Use Cases: Docker is particularly useful for microservices architectures, where multiple containers are used to run different parts of an application. It also helps in replicating production environments locally for development.
Criticism of the Article: Many users find the article unconvincing and feel it lacks a balanced perspective. They argue that the author’s criticisms are more about personal preferences and misunderstandings rather than valid points against Docker.
In summary, the discussion highlights the benefits and drawbacks of Docker, with many users defending its utility while acknowledging its complexities. The overall message is that Docker is a powerful tool when used correctly, but it requires a good understanding of its capabilities and limitations.
Matthias Winkelmann’s company opted to outsource a fixed-bid project to an overseas firm due to significantly lower hourly rates, expecting increased profits. However, the in-house programmers had to spend far more time than anticipated helping testers communicate technical issues to the overseas team. A critical security flaw, SQL injection, was discovered, which the overseas team struggled to understand. After weeks of back-and-forth, another issue arose where the system rejected certain names. Upon investigating, the in-house team found that the overseas developers had implemented a flawed SQL protection scheme that inadvertently discriminated against specific names. This highlights the challenges and potential pitfalls of outsourcing without proper oversight and communication.
Basically Everyone Should Be Avoiding Docker:
The text is a personal explanation by an individual who does not use Docker, a popular containerization tool, for most of his purposes. He argues that there are only two legitimate reasons to use Docker: lack of familiarity with Unix-based systems or the need for homogeneous deployments at an enterprise scale. He believes that most users fall into the first category. The author finds Docker to be an unnecessary and complicating layer of abstraction for personal use cases like setting up email servers or personal websites. He shares his experience with BTCPay, where he encountered difficulties with Docker, such as struggling to change wallet settings, disable Ethereum support, and renew Certbot certificates.
The author dismisses common reasons for using Docker, such as security, ease of setup, and ease of management, as misconceptions or false. He argues that Docker can make software opaque and difficult to manage, and that it shifts the burden of security onto the developers of Docker images. He concludes that Docker is not suited for personal sysadmin tasks and that enterprise sysadmins might benefit from learning more about their operating systems outside of Docker.
Chasing Hobbies Over Achievement Boosts Happiness - Neuroscience News:
The study, led by Dr. Paul Hanel from the University of Essex, explored how different life values impact well-being. It found that individuals who prioritized freedom and self-expression (values of ‘hedonism’ and ‘self-direction’) experienced a significant boost in well-being. This included a 13% increase in well-being and better sleep quality for those prioritizing freedom, and an 8% rise in well-being and a 10% reduction in stress and anxiety for those engaging in hobbies and relaxation. These results were consistent across participants from India, Turkey, and the UK.
On the other hand, those who prioritized achievement and conformity did not see the same benefits in terms of happiness. However, the researchers noted that achievement could still impact happiness when linked to job satisfaction or the number of workdays.
The study emphasizes the importance of balancing life pursuits for mental health. Dr. Hanel suggested that focusing on enjoyment and individual goals could lead to a more relaxed, happier, and satisfied life, which might even enhance success. The research aims to influence mental health provision and therapeutic approaches by highlighting the benefits of a balanced life. The study was published in the Journal of Personality and involved collaboration with researchers from the University of Bath.
The text is a critique of modern capitalism and the use of technology to manipulate and extract value from people. The author expresses frustration with companies like Hinge and Uber that use algorithms and psychological tactics to maximize profits, often at the expense of users‘ well-being. They argue that this trend is pervasive and that the market alone won’t fix it, as companies will continually adapt to maintain their grip.
The author suggests that the situation is akin to a „red queen’s race,“ where companies must constantly increase engagement to avoid losing customers. This dynamic leads to a relentless pursuit of profit, often at the cost of social capital and values. The author believes that opting out of this system is nearly impossible due to the collective action problem, and that true change will likely require drastic events like a financial collapse or even a war.
The author also critiques the decoupling of votes and actions in democracy, suggesting that algorithms and corporate interests may thwart meaningful reform. They conclude that practices like advertising, price discrimination, and manipulation using big data and psychology are not acceptable, but that society will likely only learn this lesson after feeding a majority of customers to what they call „Moloch,“ a metaphor for the relentless, destructive force of modern capitalism. The author compares this to „wireheading,“ a term that refers to the direct stimulation of pleasure centers in the brain, often used to criticize the pursuit of immediate gratification at the expense of long-term well-being.
Laser-wielding device is like an anti-aircraft system for mosquitoes:
The text discusses the Photon Matrix, a device currently on Indiegogo that uses lasers to detect and kill mosquitoes. It employs LiDAR technology to track mosquitoes and a galvanometer-directed laser to zap them. The device is designed for both indoor and outdoor use and is waterproof. It comes in two models: the Basic Edition with a 3-meter range and the Pro Version with a 6-meter range, both capable of killing up to 30 mosquitoes per second. The Photon Matrix also features millimeter-wave radar to avoid harming people and pets. Power options include a wall outlet or a rechargeable power bank. The concept of laser-based mosquito defense has been explored since 2007, with various prototypes developed over the years. However, the Photon Matrix is the first attempt by Jim Wong to bring such a device to market, and there are concerns about its safety certifications and the credibility of the campaign. The device is still in prototype form, and potential backers should be aware of these factors.
The Force-Feeding of AI on an Unwilling Public:
The text discusses the author’s frustration with the forced integration of AI into everyday software and services, particularly Microsoft’s Copilot feature. The author argues that most people do not want AI in their daily lives and that companies are bundling AI with essential products to make it seem more acceptable. The author also highlights that AI is often unreliable and that people are generally distrustful or hostile towards it. The author suggests that companies are hiding AI’s losses by bundling it with other products and that this practice should be made illegal. The text also mentions that AI is increasingly being forced into various aspects of life, from customer service to emergency response, and that people should take action to prevent this from happening. The author concludes that the rapid development of AI is not necessarily a good thing and that it should be approached with caution.