Items of Interest

Quantum > Classical

#130
An international group of quantum computing researchers led by Robert König at the Technical University of Munich designed a set of shallow depth quantum circuits that operate in parallel. When this circuit is used to solve a particular math problem it offers conclusive proof that quantum circuits are computationally more powerful than classical ones working under the same constraints.
Quantum Computing

Dandelion Flight

#130
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have discovered a method of flight used by dandelion seeds that has never before been observed in nature. The seed's bristles form ring shaped air bubbles above the seed as air passes through and these bubbles, called "the separated vortex ring" create resistance and act as a parachute, allowing the dandelion seed to travel on the air up to a kilometer in distance.
Science

The Pudding

#130
I recently re-discovered The Pudding, a fantastic datavis site that uses visual essays to explain cultural ideas, such as the proliferations of repetitive pop lyrics and hip-hop vocabulary, a visual history of every Air Jordan and gender parity in the U.S. and U.K. governments.
Data Vis

Adobe Max

#130
The Adobe MAX 2018 event demonstrated a plethora of AI enabled "multimedia" tools from Adobe this year. The innovations include the Moving Stills project which automatically generates an animated fly-through from a static image, ProjectKazoo which allows the user to hum a tune and generate sampled instrumental music from it and Fontphoria which automatically generates a custom font from one letter of a newly designed font. Check out these and the rest of the projects on the Adobe Blog.
AI & ML
Design
Innovation
Tech

Exeter V Munster

#129
Last weekend I travelled down to Exeter for Munster's first Heineken Europpean Champions Cup match at home to Exeter in Sandy Park. The teams cam away with an even 10 points in the end. I took a few photos from the North Terrace which you can see here.
Photo

Podcasts Of The Week: Media MomentsBaz & Andrew's House of Rugby

#129
The reincarnation of The Hard Yards podcast rose to life this week in its new form, Baz & Andrew's House Of Rugby, hosted by former Munster 13 Barry Murphy and former Ulster winger Andrew Trimble. The mixture of banter and chat with proper rugby analysis is spot on and fantastically fills the rugby podcast void that fans of The Hard Yards have been stranded in since this season kicked off in September.
Podcast

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