The Sunday Brew #57
In this brew - Primary Energy Source Share in a picture | Gell-Mann Amnesia & Newton's Flaming Laser Sword | Google faked demo, EU establishes AI rules & Methane powered rocket
Welcome to The Sunday Brew, weekly 1-2-3 newsletter by The Percolator. Every Sunday we drop in your inbox 1 story in a picture, 2 concepts, ideas or frameworks to expand your horizons and 3 news from the week, to keep you updated.
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ONE STORY IN A PICTURE
TWO IDEAS, FRAMEWORKS OR CONCEPTS
This week we bring to you two concepts - Gell-Mann Amnesia & Newton's Flaming Laser Sword
Gell-Mann Amnesia
Gell-Mann Amnesia is a concept coined by physicist and Nobel laureate Murray Gell-Mann. The idea is that individuals often experience a phenomenon where they read a news article or media piece about a topic they are familiar with, and they find the content to be inaccurate or oversimplified. However, when they move on to the next article on a different topic, they tend to assume the information is accurate, even though they just experienced the inaccuracy in the previous piece.
In other words, it's the tendency to forget or overlook the unreliability of information in the media when one encounters new information. Gell-Mann noted that people might be critical and discerning when it comes to areas they are experts in, but they become more trusting and accepting of information outside their expertise.
This concept highlights the challenges of media accuracy and the importance of critical thinking. It suggests that individuals should approach information consumption with a healthy dose of scepticism and critical evaluation, even if they may not apply the same level of scrutiny to every piece of information they encounter.
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Newton's Flaming Laser Sword
Newton's Flaming Laser Sword is a philosophical principle named in honour of Sir Isaac Newton, the renowned physicist. This "razor" is not a physical tool but a conceptual guideline that suggests a way to approach scientific and philosophical discussions. The idea is to dismiss unnecessary or unfounded hypotheses that cannot be tested or verified through empirical evidence.
The statement associated with Newton's Flaming Laser Sword is:
"What cannot be settled by experiment is not worth debating."
In essence, the razor encourages the rejection of hypotheses, claims, or discussions that lack empirical evidence or cannot be subjected to experimental testing. The term "flaming laser sword" is metaphorical, emphasizing the cutting nature of this razor—it cuts through debates that cannot be addressed by scientific methods.
This principle is aligned with the empirical and experimental foundation of scientific inquiry, emphasizing the importance of observable, testable, and falsifiable hypotheses. It discourages engaging in discussions or debates about matters that cannot be addressed through empirical investigation.
THREE NEWS FROM THE WEEK
Google did Gemini AI demo, faked the best bits
On 6th December, Google released a 6 minute video demo of Gemini AI hat showed off Gemini's ability to have natural conversations with humans, understand and respond to visual prompts, and even reason about the world around it.
However, it was later revealed that the video had been edited and sped up to make Gemini appear more impressive than it really is. Google has since apologized for the misleading demo, but the incident has raised questions about the ethics of editing AI demonstrations and whether they give an accurate representation of the technology's capabilities. Read More »»»
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EU established world’s first AI rules
The European Union (EU) reached the landmark agreement on the Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) on December 9, 2023, marking the first major step towards establishing comprehensive rules for AI across the region. The agreement, which follows years of negotiations between the EU's Council and Parliament, will now be formally adopted and enters into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. The AIA will become fully applicable two years after its entry into force, with a transition period for certain provisions.
The EU's Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) prohibits several specific types of AI systems that pose unacceptable risks to safety, fundamental rights, or public security. Read More »»»
Read the European Council Press Release here
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Chinese start-up’s Methane powered rockets put satellites in orbit
LandSpace, a Chinese space-tech start-up has successfully placed three satellites into orbit carrying on a rocket using methane-liquid oxygen as fuel. This successful placement of satellites in the orbit validated the company's technology and its ability to provide reliable and affordable space launch services.
LandSpace Technology had first successfully launched a rocket using methane-liquid oxygen as fuel in July making the launch the first of its kind in the world, which demonstrated the potential of methane-fuelled rockets for future space missions.
The use of methane as a rocket fuel has several advantages over traditional kerosene-based fuels. Methane is a more efficient fuel, meaning that it can produce more thrust from a given amount of fuel. This can lead to increased payload capacity and reduced fuel costs. Methane is also a cleaner fuel, producing less pollution than kerosene-based fuels. This makes methane-fuelled rockets more environmentally friendly. Read More »»»
The Sunday Brew by The Percolator brings to you curated news on tech, business & entrepreneurship, from across the internet to give your week a perfect start.
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