mtf.tv's mtf NOW: NASA sends robots to Moon's spa... Do supercomputers prove the multiverse?... Quantum the crypto-killer?
QUICK Q: Are we living in a multiverse?… Keep reading…
QUANTUM
SIREN: QUANTUM COMPUTING — CRYPTO KILLER? Google’s Willow chip has reignited fears that quantum computing could crack Bitcoin’s encryption, forcing a reckoning for the world’s largest cryptocurrency.
—> DIG DEEPER: Quantum computing is arriving faster each day… by 2030… and whether it’s Google’s Willow or Nvidia’s Jetson, the arrival of quantum computers is rattling the digital currency space.
THREAT ASSESSMENT: Folks are wondering if Bitcoin’s older, unprotected addresses vulnerable and a massive threat to unlocking digital consumer wallets, according to new research.
COSTLY PROTECTION: Researchers say defending Bitcoin would require a major protocol update. The “quick” option? 76 days of downtime. A slower fix could take 10 months—crippling Bitcoin’s global value.
RELAX! Skeptics, including Blockstream CEO Adam Back, argue quantum computers are decades away from being a real threat, calling predictions of 1M qubits unrealistic.
The question remains: will Bitcoin upgrade before the machines come knocking? Sources: Fortune… Bitcoin.com… CoinTelegraph…
hello, future. it’s me, kev.
…and this is a dispatch from the digital frontier. Your one-stop shop for markets, tech, and the future. The day is 352. The year is 2024. The planet is Earth. My name is Kevin Cirilli —> LinkedIn.
NOTABLE: His Startup Is Now Worth $62 Billion. It Gave Away Its First Product Free, via WSJ.
Are we living in a multiverse?
Back to the future...
NASA TO SEND ROBOTS TO MOON SPA. Are you an advanced form of artificial intelligence working in outer space and on the Moon? Are you tired of the Moon’s below freezing South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin? Do you long for the simple comforts of Earth—like an infrared sauna or a cozy 72°F thermostat? Well, does NASA have a deal for you!
Introducing NASA’s Space SPA Robot, aka the Endurance Rover: your ultimate lunar survival companion.
COLD HARD TRUTH: Built to power through -280°F nights, endure 14 days of unrelenting darkness, and conquer ancient, frozen terrain, Endurance is ready to uncover billions of years of Moon secrets—while keeping your circuits warm and your gears turning. Work hard. Stay frosty. Thrive in the cold. Welcome to the future of lunar luxury.
WHY HUMANS AND A.I. SHOULD CARE: The SPA basin is a time capsule of the Moon’s ancient history. Endurance will collect treasures—potential clues about Earth’s origins—that astronauts will bring home.
BIG PICTURE: Robots surviving the lunar night unlock tech we’ll need for Mars and beyond. This isn’t just a moon mission—it’s a step toward humanity’s future on other worlds. Source: Space.com.
Back to quantum…
QUANTUM COMPUTING
GOOGLE’S WILLOW CHIP: IS THE MULTIVERSE HELPING IT CRUNCH NUMBERS Google’s Willow quantum supercomputer just solved a problem in 5 minutes that would take the world’s best supercomputer 10 septillion years. That’s so absurdly fast it’s sparking a huge debate: Is this proof of the multiverse?
WHAT’S A MULTIVERSE? The multiverse theory says that instead of one universe, there are infinite parallel universes—like copies of reality where every possible outcome exists. Quantum computers can test many solutions at once. Multiverse believers think this happens because the computer is working in other universes at the same time.
The Debate:
Multiverse advocates say Willow’s speed is too extreme to explain without parallel universes.
Multiverse skeptics argue quantum computers just use advanced physics—no multiverse needed.
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: If the multiverse theory holds up, it changes everything: from how we think about reality to how we build the most powerful computers ever.
—> Quantum computers could tackle things like curing diseases, predicting the climate, or designing new materials faster than we ever imagined—all thanks to infinite possibilities.
BRAIN FREEZE: For now, Willow’s feat is mind-blowing, multiverse or not. But the debate reminds us: We might not be alone—not just in space, but in reality itself… and there might be multiple versions of ourselves out there. Quantum Insider has a great deep dive on this here.
FUTURES
FED ON DECK: THIRD RATE CUT LOOMS. Investors expect the Fed to cut rates again on Wednesday, but officials may pause future reductions if the economy stays strong. With inflation cooling and borrowing costs still high, the central bank faces a tougher call on what comes next. More: WSJ… CNBC…
MARKETS COOL OFF: STOCKS SLIP FROM RECORD HIGHS. U.S. stock indexes pulled back Tuesday after a year of big gains, as investor momentum showed signs of fatigue.
NUMBERS: The S&P 500 fell 0.4%, the Dow dropped 267 points (0.6%), and the Nasdaq slipped 0.3% after Monday’s record high.
NVIDIA WEIGHS: The AI giant fell 1.2%, marking its eighth loss in nine days and down over 12% from its recent peak.
HOT BUT FRAGILE: Bank of America’s survey signals fund managers are all-in on U.S. stocks, with cash reserves at lows that often precede market turbulence.
NVIDIA UNVEILS PALM-SIZED AI SUPERCOMPUTER FOR $249. NVIDIA’s Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit is here—a compact generative AI powerhouse that fits in your hand and brings supercomputer-level performance to the masses.
WHAT IT IS: A mini AI supercomputer capable of 68 trillion operations per second, a 70% performance boost over its predecessor. Perfect for developers, tinkerers, and AI enthusiasts.
WHY IT MATTERS: Generative AI on your desk. Run large language models, vision tools, and transformers directly on this $249 device—no massive servers required.
WHO IT'S FOR: Think smarter robotics, real-time AI assistants, personal automation tools, and edge AI projects. It’s affordable, powerful, and puts enterprise-grade tech into everyday hands.
With AI quickly transforming daily life, NVIDIA’s kit makes it easier than ever to build the tools of tomorrow—right at home. Sources: Engadget.com… The Verge… Nvidia…
BAD TASTE: FEDS FINE GRUBHUB $25 MILL FOR DECEPTIVE FEES AND DIRTY DEALS. Grubhub will cough up $25 million to settle a federal and state lawsuit over shady practices that misled diners, shortchanged workers, and harmed unaffiliated restaurants.
HIDDEN FEES TRICKERY: Grubhub advertised low-cost deliveries but tacked on “junk fees” like “service” and “small order” charges, leaving diners paying far more.
RESTAURANT GATEKEEPING: The platform listed unaffiliated restaurants without permission, damaged their reputations with inflated delivery fees, and resisted removing them unless they paid for partnerships.
DRIVERS MISLED: The company misrepresented driver earnings, leaving workers frustrated with pay that didn’t match promises.
Most of the $25 million settlement will go toward refunds for customers, but the case underscores growing scrutiny on third-party delivery giants and their pricing games. Source: Federal Trade Commission.
With gratitude,
Kev
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