Blow a Bubble
Tuesday, January 28th 2025
World Events — Rewriting Jan. 6th
The Economists
President Donald Trump's sweeping clemency order for nearly 1,600 January 6th rioters, issued shortly after his inauguration, has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the implications for justice and political violence in America. The pardons, which were more extensive than anticipated, included full pardons for most participants and commutations for 14 leaders of far-right groups. Enrique Tarrio, the former Proud Boys leader, was among those released, having served only three years of his 22-year sentence. The pardons have been viewed by some as an endorsement of the Capitol attack, while Trump supporters see them as rectifying perceived injustices. This action has reignited debates about the events of January 6th and their significance, with Trump effectively ensuring that the meaning of the assault will remain contested. The release of hundreds of individuals convicted of violent acts during the riot, including some with militia affiliations, raises questions about potential future unrest, although some observers note that jail time has diminished the power of groups like the Proud Boys.
Tech — How DeepSeek Overcame US Sanction
MIT Technology Review
DeepSeek R1, a new open-source reasoning model developed by Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, has created a stir in the AI community by reportedly matching or surpassing OpenAI's ChatGPT o1 on multiple key benchmarks at a fraction of the cost. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the constraints facing Chinese AI companies due to US export controls on advanced chips. DeepSeek's success demonstrates that these sanctions may be inadvertently driving Chinese startups to innovate in ways that prioritize efficiency, resource-pooling, and collaboration, rather than weakening China's AI capabilities as intended.
To develop R1, DeepSeek had to optimize its training process to reduce GPU strain, using Nvidia chips with capped performance designed for the Chinese market. The model has garnered praise from researchers for its ability to handle complex reasoning tasks, particularly in mathematics and coding, employing a "chain of thought" approach similar to ChatGPT o1. DeepSeek R1's engineering simplicity has also impressed experts, with the model focusing on accurate answers rather than detailing every logical step, significantly reducing computing time while maintaining high effectiveness. Additionally, DeepSeek has released six smaller versions of R1 that can run locally on laptops, with one reportedly outperforming OpenAI's o1-mini on certain benchmarks.
Business — Did the Bubble Just Burst on AI?
Bloomberg
The release of DeepSeek's new AI model has sent shockwaves through the US stock market, particularly affecting tech and AI-related companies. The Nasdaq 100 fell 3% on Monday, its worst performance in six weeks, wiping out nearly $1 trillion in market value. Nvidia, a leader in AI chips, experienced its most significant single-day loss since March 2020, shedding almost $600 billion in market capitalization. This market reaction highlights the vulnerability of the recent AI-driven rally, which was largely based on the assumption of US dominance in the field.
DeepSeek's achievement has raised questions about the massive AI investments planned by major US tech companies and their potential for future profitability. The Chinese startup's ability to develop a competitive AI model at a fraction of the cost and energy consumption of its US counterparts has challenged the investment thesis for the entire AI supply chain. While some analysts see this as a potential threat to US tech valuations, others view it as an opportunity for companies that use AI rather than develop it, as they may benefit from more affordable and accessible AI technologies. The market's response to DeepSeek's breakthrough underscores the need for investors to reassess their assumptions about AI dominance and the associated valuations of tech stocks.
Health — GLP-1
Healthline
A recent study conducted by researchers at Washington Universal School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System has revealed significant cognitive and cardiovascular benefits associated with GLP-1 medications. The study, which analyzed health records of 2 million veterans treated for diabetes between October 2017 and December 2023, found that GLP-1 drugs were linked to improvements in cognitive and behavioral health. These benefits included reduced risks of seizures, lower addiction risks to substances like alcohol and opioids, and decreased risks of suicidal ideation, self-harm, and psychotic disorders. Additionally, the findings showed a lower risk of neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's and dementia. The researchers attributed these effects to the drugs' action on brain receptors involved in impulse control and reward, as well as their ability to reduce inflammation and promote weight loss. The study also confirmed previous research indicating the drugs' potential to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular concerns. However, it's important to note that while these benefits were widespread, their magnitude was modest, with most outcomes showing a 10% to 20% reduction in risk.
Food — Caramel Custard Pudding
Japanese Caramel Custard Pudding, also known as Purin, is a beloved dessert in Japan that can be easily made at home with just five simple ingredients. This silky, creamy, and rich dessert is similar to crème caramel or flan, featuring a smooth custard base topped with a layer of caramel sauce. The recipe typically calls for eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla or rum for flavoring, with additional sugar and water for the caramel sauce.
Tiffy Cooks
Song Rec — Hits Different (Taylor Swift)
Quote of the Day
“I felt like I was leaving a piece of my soul behind the moment you left. And every second that passes, I miss you like that, times a million.” — J.A. Huss
Oh it hits different, it hits different cause its you