Random stow
Never really thought about this, but it makes perfect sense: Why items in Amazon warehouses are shelved 100% randomly.
From Weekly Filet #267, in March 2018.
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Technology
A collection of some of the best links from around the web, manually curated.
Great links like these, every Friday in your inbox
Can Free Speech Survive the Internet?
«The internet has enhanced our free speech in an imbalanced way: greater ease of reaching others with our speech has come at the expense of our freedom to speak without fear of reprisal.»
From Weekly Filet #266, in March 2018.
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2000 Days on Mars With the Curiosity Rover
It never ceases to amaze me that we get to see such detailed images from a place that is millions and millions of kilometers away from earth. Sometimes, just for fun, I try to think of everything that needed to be invented and discovered to get so that I can see those images on a mini-computer in my hand. Inconceivable.
From Weekly Filet #264, in February 2018.
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Google Map’s Moat
It’s fascinating how quickly you start overlooking the magic of something you use every day. This super detailed look at how Google Maps keeps improving will bring back some of that amazement.
From Weekly Filet #260, in December 2017.
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Artwork Personalization at Netflix
When we think about recommendation algorithms, we usually think about what they recommend – not so much about how they recommend it. An inside look at how Netflix creates different artworks for different users to make them click on movies and series.
From Weekly Filet #260, in December 2017.
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Pro-Neutrality, Anti-Title II
The trouble with filter bubbles, we often hear, is that they give us more of what we know and like, and create ideological silos by shielding us from opposing views. I don’t think this is entirely true. We do get to see opposing views, but through the lens of people who share our beliefs. And thus we hardly ever get the opposing side’s best arguments. So, as a strong believer in net neutrality, stumbling upon this keen case against it was refreshing.
From Weekly Filet #258, in December 2017.
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How Generative Music Works
A great, interactive intro to generative music, or the art of making music by designing systems that make music.
From Weekly Filet #257, in November 2017.
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The Guide to Not Getting Hacked
A comprehensive answer to the question: How can I prevent myself from getting hacked?
From Weekly Filet #256, in November 2017.
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Reconstructing Visual Experiences from Brain Activity Evoked by Natural Movies
This is pretty crazy. These scientists let people watch videos – and were able to reconstruct them by analysing the watchers’ brain activity. It’s not Netflix quality just yet, but hey, did I mention the paper is from 2011?
From Weekly Filet #256, in November 2017.
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There’s No Fire Alarm for Artificial General Intelligence
Looking at the discourse around artificial intelligence through the lens of a fire alarm is quite eye-opening, and, well, alarming. «There is never going to be a time before the end when you can look around nervously, and see that it is now clearly common knowledge that you can talk about AGI being imminent, and take action and exit the building in an orderly fashion, without fear of looking stupid or frightened.»
From Weekly Filet #254, in November 2017.
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Make sense of what matters, today and for the future.
Every Friday, carefully curated recommendations on what to read, watch and listen to. Trusted by thousands of curious minds, since 2011.Undecided? Learn more | Peek inside
Collections
Immerse yourself in a particular topic, with some of the best links from around the web, handpicked.
Making Sense of the Climate Crisis
32 recommended links
Making Sense of Artificial Intelligence
24 recommended links
Stories, too good to put down
16 recommended links
The Stuff Our Modern World Runs On
9 recommended links
The Art of Thinking (Differently)
18 recommended links
Bingeworthy Podcasts & Episodes
27 recommended links
Great Reads That Aged Well
20 recommended links