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- Unlocking 2000 Year Old Computers, Brain Computers, and Chocolate Factories.
Unlocking 2000 Year Old Computers, Brain Computers, and Chocolate Factories.
Jae Lee
March 01, 2024
Dear reader,
Pluck any person from the Victorian era (~1800s).
Drop them into our world today and watch how they react.
They didn’t have a way to instantly communicate with their loved ones that are living just a few towns over.
They had to write letters.
They didn’t have unlimited choice of music, let alone movies, available to them in their pockets.
They had to listen to local live bands.
They didn’t have air-conditioned cars that can drive them tirelessly for hours.
They had to take care of horses.
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
And that’s exactly how we’re going to be seeing our future technology.
Magic.
Only thing is, that magical technology will be coming within our lifetimes.
Get excited for the future again.
What’s On The Menu?
2000 year old computer unlocked.
14th Century chocolate factory discovered in Spain.
Lab-grown testicles formed by scientists.
Brain to computer interface technology breakthrough in China.
New moons found orbiting around Uranus and Neptune.
Technological Gratitude.
Archaeologists Unlocked Mysteries Of The 2,000 Year Old Computer.
TL;DR:
Archaeologists exploring Ancient Greece's treasures have made a stunning breakthrough in understanding the Antikythera mechanism - hailed as the world's earliest known analogue computer.
Using 3D computer modelling, scientists at University College London managed to recreate the front panel of this 2000-year-old astronomical calculator, aiding in predicting astronomical positions and tracking the Olympic Games.
Found within a shipwreck and mostly corroded, the mechanism presented high-tech gear works that challenged our understanding of the technological capabilities of the Ancient Greeks.
So what…?
By learning of our past and the ancient technical skills and celestial knowledge that were held, we come closer to understanding our abilities and our history as a species.
“oh god did i delete my browser history? -ancient greek teenager“
Spanish Archaeologists Uncover 14th Century Mansion Turned Chocolate Factory.
TL;DR:
A renowned chocolate factory was unveiled in the remnants of a 14th-century mansion in Spain last year.
The Barcelona Archaeological Service discovered factory elements from the 19th century Clemente Guardia chocolate production days, as well as elements from the mansion's earlier life dating back to the 14th century.
During intervening centuries, the mansion also functioned as a hostel and was divided into separate properties.
Big whoop, and…?
We get to learn more of the history of chocolate in Spain and a unique perspective on how historical buildings can serve different purposes over centuries.
It underscores the deep and diverse layers of history and culture that can exist within a location.
“carlitos and the chocolate factory“
Bar-Ilan University Scientists Form Artificial Lab-Grown Testicles.
TL;DR:
Researchers at Israel's Bar-Ilan University hav for the first time created testicles using mice in a lab.
Using a process called regenerative biology, they cultivated embryonic stem cells into early-stage testes cells to study sex determination and develop potential infertility treatments.
They managed to maintain these lab-grown testes for nine weeks, which is a significant achievement in this field of research.
Who cares…?
We made fake balls.
This breakthrough could lead to better understanding of disorders of sex development and opens the possibility of advancements in infertility treatments, potentially providing hope to those struggling with fertility issues.
“one sec i’ll be right there, just swapping out my balls“
China Makes Breakthrough In Brain-Computer Interface Technology.
TL;DR:
Scientists in China have achieved a breakthrough in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, enabling a man, paralyzed for 14 years, to control an air-filled glove with his mind.
The teams implanted a wireless BCI processor into the patient's brain which transformed neuronal signals into computer language.
The patient is now able to perform actions such as drinking water, with an accuracy rate over 90%.
Why does this matter…?
We’ll soon get to a point where humans won’t have to be scared of debilitating diseases anymore.
And not just for enhancing the lives of patients with neurological disorders, but also expanding the capabilities of the human brain in processing information.
“brain - google ‘how to talk to women step by step instructions‘“
Astronomers Discover New Moons Orbiting Uranus and Neptune.
TL;DR:
Astronomers have discovered three new moons in our solar system - one orbiting Uranus and two around Neptune, as announced by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center.
This marks the first new moon spotted around Uranus in nearly two decades.
The newly found satellites are among the faintest ever discovered around these planets, reflecting advances in imaging techniques.
And that means…?
These discoveries provide more insight into our solar system and its early stages.
The data gathered might prove essential for the preliminary planning stages of future space missions aimed at the far reaches of our solar system.
“i guess uranus isn't as lonely as we thought”
TECHNOLOGICAL GRATITUDE.
Today, I am grateful for…
Imagine how wild it was that 400 years ago, a large horse or mule was your main source of transportation?
You'd have to maintain their hooves, feed it hay and apples, give it water everyday, and still you could just accidentally spook it, fall off and crack your head.
Nowadays,… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
— Jae Lee 🐦 (@JaeLeeIsEarly)
5:20 AM • Mar 1, 2024
Thank you for reading my techno-optimist newsletter.
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It would help grow this community.
Cheers,
Jae
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