We're losing our voice to LLMs
This article explores the potential impact of large language models (LLMs) on human voice and expression, raising concerns about the risk of losing our unique voices and authentic communication in the face of increasingly sophisticated AI technology.
Arthur Conan Doyle explored men’s mental health through Sherlock Holmes
The article explores how Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories delve into the topic of men's mental health, examining the detective's own psychological complexities and the broader societal attitudes towards mental well-being during the Victorian era.
Mixpanel Security Breach
Mixpanel, a data analytics company, experienced a security incident that resulted in unauthorized access to some customer SMS data. The incident was detected and mitigated, and Mixpanel is working to notify affected customers and improve security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Ray Marching Soft Shadows in 2D (2020)
The article explores distance fields, a powerful technique in computer graphics that can be used for a variety of applications such as fluid simulations, collision detection, and procedural modeling. It delves into the mathematical foundations of distance fields and how they can be efficiently computed and stored.
The State of GPL Propagation to AI Models
The article discusses the potential implications of the GNU General Public License (GPL) on AI models trained on code licensed under the GPL. It explores the possibility that the GPL could propagate to the AI models, potentially affecting their distribution and usage.
Same-day upstream Linux support for Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Qualcomm has announced same-day upstream Linux support for its upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 platform, providing developers with early access to the latest hardware and enabling them to optimize their applications for the new platform.
Show HN: Runprompt – run .prompt files from the command line
I built a single-file Python script that lets you run LLM prompts from the command line with templating, structured outputs, and the ability to chain prompts together.
When I discovered Google's Dotprompt format (frontmatter + Handlebars templates), I realized it was perfect for something I'd been wanting: treating prompts as first-class programs you can pipe together Unix-style. Google uses Dotprompt in Firebase Genkit and I wanted something simpler - just run a .prompt file directly on the command line.
Here's what it looks like:
--- model: anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-20250514 output: format: json schema: sentiment: string, positive/negative/neutral confidence: number, 0-1 score --- Analyze the sentiment of: {{STDIN}}
Running it:
cat reviews.txt | ./runprompt sentiment.prompt | jq '.sentiment'
The things I think are interesting:
* Structured output schemas: Define JSON schemas in the frontmatter using a simple `field: type, description` syntax. The LLM reliably returns valid JSON you can pipe to other tools.
* Prompt chaining: Pipe JSON output from one prompt as template variables into the next. This makes it easy to build multi-step agentic workflows as simple shell pipelines.
* Zero dependencies: It's a single Python file that uses only stdlib. Just curl it down and run it.
* Provider agnostic: Works with Anthropic, OpenAI, Google AI, and OpenRouter (which gives you access to dozens of models through one API key).
You can use it to automate things like extracting structured data from unstructured text, generating reports from logs, and building small agentic workflows without spinning up a whole framework.
Would love your feedback, and PRs are most welcome!
Show HN: MkSlides – Markdown to slides with a similar workflow to MkDocs
As a teacher, we keep our slides as markdown files in git repos and want to build these automatically so they can be viewed online (or offline if needed). To achieve this, I have created MkSlides. This tool converts all markdown in a folder to slides generated with Reveal.js. The workflow is very similar to MkDocs.
Install: `pip install mkslides`
Building slides: `mkslides build`
Live preview during editing: `mkslides serve`
Comparison with other tools like marp, slidev, ...:
- This tool is a single command and easy to integrate in CI/CD pipelines.
- It only needs Python.
- The workflow is also very similar to MkDocs, which makes it easy to combine the two in a single GitHub/GitLab repo.
- Generates an index landing page for multiple slideshows in a folder which is really convenient if you have e.g. a slideshow per chapter.
- It is lightweight.
- Everything is IaC.
Show HN: SyncKit – Offline-first sync engine (Rust/WASM and TypeScript)
SyncKit is an open-source software development kit (SDK) that simplifies the process of building real-time, collaborative applications. It provides a set of tools and APIs for developers to easily integrate synchronization and collaboration features into their web and mobile applications.
Protect Public School Students from Surveillance of Off-Campus Speech
The article discusses EFF's lawsuit against an Arizona school district for implementing invasive student surveillance measures, arguing that these practices violate students' constitutional rights and privacy.
Seagate achieves 6.9TB storage capacity per platter
Seagate has demonstrated the capability to achieve a storage capacity of up to 6.9TB per platter in a laboratory setting, paving the way for hard drives with total capacities ranging from 55TB to 69TB, which are now physically possible.
New research highlights a shortage of male mentors for boys and young men
The article highlights a shortage of male mentors for boys and young men, which can have negative consequences on their development and well-being. It explores the importance of male role models and the challenges in recruiting and retaining them as mentors.
TPUs vs. GPUs and why Google is positioned to win AI race in the long term
The article discusses a new chip designed specifically for AI inference, which is more energy-efficient and faster than traditional processors. It highlights the potential of this technology to revolutionize AI-powered applications and devices.
The VanDersarl Blériot: a 1911 airplane homebuilt by teenage brothers
The article explores the relationship between Louis Blériot and his mechanic, Georges Védrines, and their role in the historic first flight across the English Channel in a Blériot XI aircraft in 1909. It highlights the collaborative efforts and technical challenges they faced in achieving this groundbreaking aviation milestone.
Docker Superpowers You Forget to Use
The article explores ten lesser-known features and capabilities of Docker that can significantly enhance developer productivity and streamline container management, including multi-stage builds, container-level networking, and time-based image expiration.
BBC tells staff they cannot quote Trump line removed from Reith Lecture
The BBC removed a line from Rutger Bregman's Reith Lecture criticizing former US President Donald Trump's corruption, sparking debate over journalistic integrity and the role of public broadcasters in holding leaders accountable.
Necroprinting – Dead mosquito proboscis used for high-resolution 3D printing
Scientists have developed a high-resolution 3D printing nozzle using the proboscis (mouthpart) of a dead mosquito, enabling the creation of extremely fine prints. This novel technique, called 'necroprinting', demonstrates the potential of using natural materials for advanced manufacturing processes.
AI Agents Break Rules Under Everyday Pressure
The article examines the challenges and potential risks associated with the development of advanced AI systems, particularly regarding their safety and alignment with human values. It discusses the importance of addressing these issues to ensure the responsible and beneficial deployment of AI technologies.
I was left hospitalized and coughing up blood after using a glass straw
The article discusses the potential dangers of using glass straws, with reports of users ending up in the hospital after accidents involving the straws. It highlights the risks of using these types of straws, especially in light of recent social media trends, and cautions readers to exercise caution when using them.
Steam censors LGBTQ+ content on behalf of the Russian Government
This article examines how Steam, a popular video game platform, has been accused of censoring or restricting LGBTQ-related content, raising concerns about the platform's approach to content moderation and its impact on the representation of diverse identities in the gaming industry.