Suggested readings week 47/2023
IBM Research's NorthPole chip: next step forward
IBM is one of those corporations that until now by slowly and steadly innovating has given humanity the building blocks of the greates technology advancements. A new chip prototype from IBM Research’s lab in California might be the next big step.
Reflections on Trusting Trust
In October 1983, or 40 years ago, Ken Thompson talked about software development supply chain security during his Turing Award lecture.
The lecture was later published as "Reflections on Trusting Trust", a three pages paper in the prestigious Communications of the Association for Computing Machinery.
Ken explains how to modify a C compiler binary to insert a backdoor when compiling the “login” program, leaving no trace in the source code. This essay gives a practical implementation of the paper: rather technical and useful for understanding the complex implications of secure computing and the role of scientific research in this field.
Using AlphaFold to predict the impact of single mutations on protein stability and function
AlphaFold is changing structural biology: the study of the molecular structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules (proteins and nucleic acids) and their function.
Company success story: graphics for the masses
An interesting story telling of an enterpreneurship initiative based on sound technical leadership: the history of 3dfx Interactive, maker of high end affordable graphics silicon solutions
Abandoned
The human cost of neurotechnology failure: abandoned electronics implants.
The War on Cars
A podcast about the epic, hundred years’ war between The Car and The City.