Happy Sunday…it’s almost Halloween here in the US. No scary links today, sorry. But I do have a bunch of interesting stories to share: how video games can improve mental health, college students who figured out how to use solar power to power EV chargers, an obstreperous AI model that modified its code to complete a task (actually, that IS scary). Plus humpback whales that make and then use tools (and conga lines, see above) and Costco will apparently give out groceries if you turn in your old electronics. Plus two navel gazing articles about how to define life and existence. I eat, therefore I am? 🙂
PlayStation is good for you: video games improved mental health during COVID
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02643-8
Solar-powered EV chargers power up college campus thanks to student engineers
https://electrek.co/2024/08/19/solar-powered-ev-chargers-brought-life-college-campus/
Research AI model unexpectedly modified its own code to extend runtime | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/08/research-ai-model-unexpectedly-modified-its-own-code-to-extend-runtime/
Humpback whales actually make and use tools for hunting, finds new study. And it’s utterly mesmerizing to watch…
https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/marine-animals/humpback-whale-bubble-net-feeding
Costco Will Give You Free Groceries for Your Old Electronics — Here’s What To Do
https://www.aol.com/costco-free-groceries-old-electronics-120308052.html
In the Beginning, There Was Computation
https://nautil.us/in-the-beginning-there-was-computation-787023/
“Life does not exist”: The deceptively tricky task of defining life
https://bigthink.com/life/life-does-not-exist-the-deceptively-tricky-task-of-defining-life/