Welcome and thanks for being here. Today’s I have links about the Uncensored Library in Minecraft, the practical math used to measure gauge in knitting, inventors killed by their inventions, a great video explainer about Large Language Models (LLMs), an AI tool that teaches sign language, and what humans will look like in the year 3000. We don’t have to worry about being around for that, thankfully. Enjoy clicking and reading…
The Uncensored Library in Minecraft
The Uncensored Library is a Minecraft world with one building. Each room contains banned reporting for a country that censors the media and journalists are at risk for reporting the truth. For example, countries like Mexico, Russia, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia. There’s also information on press freedom around the world. You can download the library or open Minecraft and use their server.
Reporters Without Borders created the library. It uses 12.5 million Minecraft blocks to build the library building. Twenty-four Minecraft builders from sixteen countries built the library. Some game developers also have added backdoors in their software. This lets gamers access the library through their game. In that way, countries find it harder to ban the Uncensored Library.
This video is a jokey tour through the library by someone who apparently was banned by the online Vatican Library. It gives you an idea of the experience in different rooms. Having watched a number of tour videos, this gives the most detailed look around.
The Uncensored Library
https://www.uncensoredlibrary.com/en
https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/uncensored-library
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Uncensored_Library
How to Play the Uncensored Library
https://www.uncensoredlibrary.com/download/UL_HowToInstallMinecraft.pdf
Reporters Without Borders
https://rsf.org/en
https://rsf.org/fr
World Governments HATE this Minecraft Server
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUjn1KzYYMs
Knitting Math: Measuring Gauge
I find practical math problems to be interesting. The results depend on the situation not a common reliable result. The result of calculating two times three is always six, for example. But how many stitches to knit to make a sweater uses math that gives you different results.
In knitting, gauge is the number of stitches and rows you’ll need to create one inch of fabric. The calculation will always be the number of stitches across and the number of rows down. But the number of stitches and rows per inch often varies. Yarn and needle thickness often varies. And people have different ways they knit.
To measure gauge, you knit a square, two inches on each side, using the needle size specified in the pattern. Then you flatten your square to make sure the stitches and rows are not too loose or too tight. Then you count and confirm the number of stitches and rows matches your pattern. Calculating the gauge is your first step. It ensures that what you create matches the pattern. You don’t wind up with a sweater with sleeves too short or too long.
The Creativebug video shows how this math calculation can vary.
Understanding Knitting Gauge with Debbie Stoller I Creativebug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJx5krxtPsI
STEAM Bits and Bytes
Links I’ve come across recently that might interest you.
- Large Language Models explained briefly. One of the best descriptions I’ve seen that’s geared towards non-technical lay people. His other videos are equally interesting.
https://youtu.be/LPZh9BOjkQs
https://www.3blue1brown.com/ - Chatbots of the dead. Great story and different cultures grieve different ways. It’s a great idea for some people. Weird for others.
https://aeon.co/essays/are-chatbots-of-the-dead-a-brilliant-idea-or-a-terrible-one - Mindy: Humans in the Year 3000. What our great great great great grandkids will look like. Maybe. https://indepest.com/2022/11/15/mindy-humans-in-the-year-3000
- Nvidia’s new AI tool can teach sign language. https://qz.com/nvidia-signs-asl-american-sign-language-ai-tools-learn-1851765619
- List of Inventors Killed by their own Inventions. Wikipedia apparently has the deets.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_inventors_killed_by_their_own_invention
https://darwinawards.com/
This Week
Our Sunday email this week will have fun offbeat links about how to start a campfire and have a pair of glasses handy, there’s a link how to make that happen. Also a 200 year old message in a bottle from an archaeologist, using DNA to inspire a garden design, translating plant language, the oldest fish in captivity (since 1938). Plus people on an Alaskan island using peanut butter and black lights to find a rat that might not exist. Look for the email this Sunday.
