TIL Newsletter

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Uh Oh: A Big Problem Just Hit Nvidia's Graphics Chips!

Your computer has a super-brain called a GPU, which is great at complex tasks like helping self-driving cars.

The Problem: "GPUhammer"

Imagine the GPU's memory as a library. A bad trick, called "Rowhammer," is like someone banging on a bookshelf so hard that books on the shelf next to it get messed up. Now, this trick can also mess up your GPU's books, which is called "GPUhammer."

Why's this bad? Because a messed-up "book" in the GPU can make a self-driving car get confused and crash, or make medical scans completely wrong. It basically breaks the GPU's super-brain.

The Fix: A "Repair Crew"

Nvidia, the company that makes GPUs, says you can turn on a "repair crew" called ECC. They find and fix these messed-up "books."

The Catch: Slower Speed

But, having this repair crew working makes your GPU a bit slower (up to 10%). Also, the repair crew is good for small mistakes, but they might not catch or could even make worse really big problems.

So, a new trick can mess up your powerful GPU. Nvidia has a fix, but it makes your GPU a bit slower.

Facebook Guy Is Making Computers So Big They Need Their Own Zip Code!

Meta's Huge Computer Factories

Imagine Mark Zuckerberg, the boss of Meta (the company that owns Facebook and Instagram), wants to build some giant computer factories. Like, really giant. Much bigger than anyone thought.

These factories, called "data centers," are going to be so huge that one of them could cover a big chunk of Manhattan, that famous island city! The first big one, called Prometheus, will start working in 2026. Another one, Hyperion, will get even bigger over time.

Building a "Super-Brain"

Why is he building these massive computer factories? Mark wants to create something called "superintelligence." Think of it like building the smartest computer brain ever. To do this, Meta is going to spend tons and tons of money (hundreds of billions of dollars!) on these factories and hire the best smart people to work on it.

Spending Money vs. Making Money

Now, here's the tricky part. Meta has a lot of money to spend, that's true. But the company has already spent a massive amount (around $60 billion) on other big ideas, like virtual reality (where you wear goggles and feel like you're in a different world). So far, they haven't made much money back from those ideas, and not many people are using them.

Even though Meta's computer brains are good at some things, like helping with ads, their other smart computer programs for regular people aren't really better than what other companies offer.

So, Mark is spending a lot to build these new super-brains, but it's a bit like a big gamble, because his last big gambles haven't paid off yet.

Big Bang from Space Made River Take a Nap!

A Giant Rock and a Giant Slide

So, there are two famous spots in America: the Grand Canyon (that huge, deep crack in the ground) and Meteor Crater (a big hole made by a space rock).

Scientists now think these two places are connected!

About 56,000 years ago, a big space rock hit the Earth and made Meteor Crater. This crash was so powerful it probably made the ground shake, like a huge earthquake.

That shaking might have caused a giant landslide in the Grand Canyon. Imagine a huge chunk of mountain just sliding down!

The River Gets Blocked!

When that giant landslide happened, it blocked the Colorado River, which flows through the Grand Canyon. It was like building a massive dam.

Because the river was blocked, a huge ancient lake formed behind the landslide, filling up a big part of the Grand Canyon!

How Do They Know This?

Scientists found old pieces of wood and dirt in caves high up in the Grand Canyon, far above where the river is now. They used special tools to figure out how old these things are. And guess what? They are all about 56,000 years old – the same age as when the space rock hit!

This matching age makes the scientists think that the space rock hitting the Earth caused the ground to shake, which caused the landslide, which then blocked the river and made the big lake. It's like finding all the puzzle pieces fit perfectly!