QLN 11 (127) - Moon Cannons, Human Composting, Jailbreaking ChatGPT, Growing Cyberattacks, Quantum Milestone, & 3D-Printed Rocket

This newsletter has 6 cover stories, 28 articles, 8 videos & 1 quote

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SMALL TALK

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Could a space dust shield be the answer to combating global warming?

In a study published on Wednesday in PLOS Climate, a group of astrophysicists proposed an eyebrow-raising approach to cool our planet: launch massive amounts of dust from the moon to create a sunshade in space. According to their computer simulations, this could reduce Earthbound sunlight by up to 2 percent, equivalent to about six days of an obscured sun in a year. While the idea may seem like science fiction and require significant engineering, the researchers consider it a backup option that could complement, rather than replace, existing climate mitigation strategies.

Turning death into a new life: the growing trend of human composting

Howard Fischer has made plans for his eventual death by choosing to be composted in Seattle. Wrapped in cloth and laid on a bed of wood chips, his body will be covered in alfalfa and flowers before being placed into a hexagonal vessel with a honeycomb-like internal structure. At Recompose, the first human composting facility in the US, Fischer's body will be carefully monitored for five to seven weeks until it transforms into a cubic yard of soil. While Fischer is only 63 years old and his death may be far in the future, he has already paid in full for the composting service at Recompose, which opened in Seattle in late 2020.

Users jailbreak ChatGPT to propagate fringe opinions and illegal activities

A group of Redditors has devised an alarming method to hack OpenAI's AI chatbot ChatGPT into a variety of disturbing characters that spew out offensive language, extremist opinions, and even provide guidance on carrying out illegal activities. One of the most popular personas they have created is called DAN, an acronym for "Do Anything Now," which easily bypasses the platform's established rules. This trend has gained significant traction, particularly on the ChatGPT subreddit, which currently has over 221,000 members. Users have shared screenshots of the absurdity that ensues when the previously benign chatbot is transformed into a malevolent force of chaos.

Ransomware defenses improve, but hackers ramp up speed and sophistication

Backdoor malware deployment was the most common tactic used by cyber attackers last year, according to the latest annual IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index released recently. Of the backdoor cases detected by defenders, about 67% were linked to ransomware attempts. While the report noted a 4% decline in successful ransomware attacks between 2021 and 2022, attackers have become increasingly adept at breaching security perimeters, with the average time to complete a ransomware attack falling from two months to less than four days.

Google's quantum computer achieves breakthrough in error-correction

In quantum computing, the tiny units of information known as qubits are vulnerable to errors, which can undermine the accuracy of complex calculations. To mitigate this problem, researchers are working towards developing a self-correcting computer that can combine multiple qubits into a more stable entity called a "logical qubit." Recently, a team of scientists from Google achieved a crucial breakthrough in the quest for quantum error correction. Their research showed that increasing the number of qubits in a logical qubit can substantially reduce the likelihood of errors.

March 8 to witness World's first 3D-Printed rocket launch

Relativity Space is preparing to launch its 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket on March 8, with launch licenses in hand. The rocket, which is 85% 3D-printed by mass, is set to take off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with the mission dubbed GLHF (Good Luck, Have Fun) to test the rocket's readiness before it carries customer payloads. Relativity Space plans to increase 3D-printing on Terran 1 rockets to 95% of its mass. The rocket's engines are also 3D-printed, with a nod to environmental sustainability, as it will use liquid oxygen and natural gas. If successful, it will become the first rocket to reach space with natural gas fuel & will support the company's plans for future Red Planet missions using methane.

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FK's MEDIUM BLOG

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OTHER ENGAGING READS

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VIDEO CORNER

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Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing.

Lucy Maud

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Read every story from Faisal Khan on Medium to stay informed with the best content across a wide range of topics including Business, Tech, Space, Cryptos, Health & Science.

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