February 22, 2024

Mostly Bits Newsletter - Issue #96

Tony's Pick

You've probably heard about how quantum computers will trivially destroy modern cryptography and thus, like, the whole internet. Well, cryptography researchers haven't been sitting around: apparently there are real approaches to "post quantum cryptography", and they are making their way into the real world: Signal has PQXDH and Apple just announced PQ3 for iMessage. Pretty cool!

Kyle's Pick

Something was in the air yesterday about things unexpectedly named after people. Did you know that "German chocolate cake" was named after Samuel German? Or that San Francisco's "Main Street" is actually named after Charles Main and not because it is any kind of main thoroughfare?

I now have significantly less respect for the pastry-making abilities of the Germans.