GPS jamming and spoofing are increasing threats to aircraft navigation, with potentially dangerous consequences. A new type of atomic clock, much smaller and cheaper than existing ones, could provide a highly accurate backup navigation system, independent of vulnerable satellite signals. These chip-scale atomic clocks (CSACs), while not yet widespread, could be integrated into aircraft systems to maintain precise positioning and timing even when GPS signals are lost or compromised, significantly improving safety and resilience.
In December 1980, 19-year-old Jean Hilliard nearly froze to death after her car slid off the road in rural Minnesota. Stranded in subzero temperatures, she walked two miles to a friend's house, collapsing just feet from the door. Discovered six hours later, Hilliard was completely rigid, her skin ice-cold and her eyes fixed and unblinking. Doctors initially feared she was dead, but after hours of gradual rewarming at the hospital, she miraculously revived with minimal lasting damage, baffling medical professionals and becoming a testament to the resilience of the human body.
HN commenters generally express amazement at Jean Hilliard's survival after being frozen solid. Several question the specifics of how she froze and thawed, wondering about the exact temperature, duration of exposure, and the thawing process. Some speculate about the role of alcohol in her survival, referencing its antifreeze properties, while others caution against assuming it played a positive role. A few users share anecdotes of other surprising cold-weather survival stories, including one about a frozen cat revived with warm water. Some commenters also discuss the article's writing style, with one pointing out the effective use of short sentences to build tension. Several express gratitude for the "good news" story amid otherwise bleak headlines.
In "The Year I Didn't Survive," Bess Stillman reflects on a year marked not by death, but by the profound emotional toll of multiple, overlapping hardships. A difficult pregnancy coincided with the loss of her father, forcing her to confront grief while navigating the physical and mental challenges of carrying and delivering a child. This period was further complicated by the pressures of work, financial strain, and a pervasive sense of isolation, leaving her feeling depleted and struggling to simply function. The essay explores the disconnect between outward appearances and internal struggles, highlighting how even seemingly "successful" periods can be defined by immense personal difficulty and the quiet battle for survival.
HN commenters largely focused on the author's experience with the US healthcare system. Several expressed sympathy and shared similar stories of navigating complex medical billing and insurance processes, echoing the author's frustration with opaque charges and difficulty getting clear answers. Some questioned the lack of itemized bills and discussed the challenges of advocating for oneself within the system. Others debated the role of government regulation and potential solutions, including single-payer healthcare. A few commenters also questioned the author's choices and approach, suggesting more proactive communication with providers or seeking second opinions could have helped. Some offered practical advice for navigating medical billing disputes.
During the 900-day siege of Leningrad in World War II, the Vavilov Institute, home to a vast collection of seeds and plant material, became a poignant symbol of resistance and sacrifice. Facing starvation, the scientists working there protected the invaluable collection, even choosing to die of hunger rather than consume the edible seeds and tubers under their care. This act of extraordinary dedication preserved crucial biodiversity for future generations, highlighting the enduring power of scientific commitment amidst unimaginable hardship. The article explores this story, emphasizing the difficult ethical decisions faced by the scientists and the lasting legacy of Nikolai Vavilov, the Institute's founder who perished in a Stalinist prison.
HN commenters largely focused on the astounding dedication of Vavilov and his team of scientists. Several highlighted the irony of researchers starving to death amidst a seed bank containing the potential to alleviate global hunger. Some debated the practicality of seed saving in a besieged city, questioning if distributing the food would have been a better short-term solution. Others drew parallels to contemporary seed banks like the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, emphasizing the importance of preserving biodiversity. A few comments offered additional historical context about Lysenko and his detrimental impact on Soviet agriculture, or about other sieges where similar acts of sacrifice occurred. Several commenters expressed gratitude for the article, finding it both informative and moving.
"Signs of Life in a Desert of Death" explores the unexpected cultural vibrancy found in the Negev desert, specifically focusing on the Bedouin town of Rahat. Despite facing systemic discrimination and marginalization from Israeli society, Rahat's residents exhibit a powerful resilience and forge a distinct identity. The piece highlights the community's dynamic internal life, exemplified by its thriving poetry scene, which provides a platform for social commentary and self-expression. This cultural richness challenges the common perception of the desert as barren and lifeless, revealing a community teeming with creativity and determination in the face of adversity.
Hacker News users generally found the Noema Magazine article thought-provoking, albeit somewhat meandering and lacking a clear thesis. Several commenters appreciated the author's exploration of death and meaning-making in a secular world, while others criticized the piece for being overly abstract and lacking concrete examples. Some questioned the framing of death as a "desert" and suggested alternative metaphors. A compelling point of discussion emerged around the idea of finding meaning in the face of mortality, with some arguing for embracing the finite nature of life and others suggesting that the search for meaning is inherently human. The concept of "death positivity" also sparked debate, with some commenters endorsing its principles and others finding it to be potentially morbid or unhelpful.
Ron Garrett reflects on six failed startup attempts, rejecting the label of "failure" and instead focusing on the valuable lessons learned. He emphasizes the importance of choosing the right co-founder, validating ideas early and often, building a minimum viable product (MVP) quickly, and iterating based on user feedback. Marketing and distribution proved crucial, and while passion is essential, it must be coupled with a realistic market and sustainable business model. Ultimately, he learned that "failing fast" and adapting are key to entrepreneurial growth, viewing each setback as a stepping stone toward future success.
HN commenters largely praised the author's vulnerability and honesty in sharing their startup failures. Several highlighted the importance of recognizing sunk cost fallacy and knowing when to pivot or quit. Some questioned the framing of the experiences as "failures," arguing that valuable lessons and growth emerged from them. A few commenters shared their own similar experiences, emphasizing the emotional toll of startup struggles. Others offered practical advice, such as validating ideas early and prioritizing distribution. The prevailing sentiment was one of empathy and encouragement, acknowledging the difficulty of entrepreneurship and the courage it takes to try repeatedly.
The Canva outage highlighted the challenges of scaling a popular service during peak demand. The surge in holiday season traffic overwhelmed Canva's systems, leading to widespread disruptions and emphasizing the difficulty of accurately predicting and preparing for such spikes. While Canva quickly implemented mitigation strategies and restored service, the incident underscored the importance of robust infrastructure, resilient architecture, and effective communication during outages, especially for services heavily relied upon by businesses and individuals. The event serves as another reminder of the constant balancing act between managing explosive growth and maintaining reliable service.
Several commenters on Hacker News discussed the Canva outage, focusing on the complexities of distributed systems. Some highlighted the challenges of debugging such systems, particularly when saturation and cascading failures are involved. The discussion touched upon the difficulty of predicting and mitigating these types of outages, even with robust testing. Some questioned Canva's architectural choices, suggesting potential improvements like rate limiting and circuit breakers, while others emphasized the inherent unpredictability of large-scale systems and the inevitability of occasional failures. There was also debate about the trade-offs between performance and resilience, and the difficulty of achieving both simultaneously. A few users shared their personal experiences with similar outages in other systems, reinforcing the widespread nature of these challenges.
Summary of Comments ( 135 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43289994
HN commenters discuss the plausibility and implications of GPS spoofing for aircraft. Several express skepticism that widespread, malicious spoofing is occurring, suggesting alternative explanations for reported incidents like multipath interference or pilot error. Some point out that reliance on GPS varies among aircraft and that existing systems can mitigate spoofing risks. The potential vulnerabilities of GPS are acknowledged, and the proposed atomic clock solution is discussed, with some questioning its cost-effectiveness and complexity compared to other mitigation strategies. Others suggest that focusing on improving the resilience of GPS itself might be a better approach. The possibility of state-sponsored spoofing is also raised, particularly in conflict zones.
The Hacker News post titled "Planes are having their GPS hacked. Could new clocks keep them safe?" with the ID 43289994 has several comments discussing the BBC article about potential GPS vulnerabilities and proposed solutions.
Several commenters challenge the premise of widespread GPS hacking of planes. One commenter suggests the BBC article's title is misleading, pointing out that the article itself primarily discusses potential vulnerabilities, particularly regarding spoofing or jamming, rather than confirmed incidents of hacking. They emphasize the difference between theoretical attacks and actual occurrences. Another commenter expresses skepticism, arguing that if GPS hacking of planes were a significant issue, there would be more documented evidence and consequences. This commenter also suggests that other systems, like inertial navigation, can mitigate the risks associated with GPS disruptions.
The discussion also delves into the technicalities of GPS vulnerabilities and proposed mitigations. One commenter questions the practicality and effectiveness of using atomic clocks on planes as a solution, citing the cost, size, and power requirements. Another commenter highlights the existing multi-layered approach to navigation in aviation, which includes inertial navigation systems, ground-based radar, and other sensors. They argue that relying solely on GPS is not the norm.
The conversation further explores alternative solutions to GPS vulnerabilities, such as using multiple satellite navigation systems (e.g., Galileo, GLONASS) to cross-reference data and enhance accuracy and reliability. Another commenter proposes using ground-based systems like Loran as a backup.
Some comments focus on the broader implications of GPS vulnerabilities. One commenter suggests that a more significant threat than outright hacking is accidental interference, such as jamming from electronic warfare or malfunctioning equipment. Another commenter raises the concern that even if commercial aircraft are relatively safe due to redundant systems, smaller aircraft like general aviation planes might be more vulnerable to GPS disruptions.
Several commenters express concerns about the general reliability and trustworthiness of information, mentioning how easy it is to create false narratives or exaggerate threats. This thread of discussion touches upon the importance of critical thinking and media literacy.