Hacker NewsSunday, May 25

This article discusses how to live frugally in America, specifically focusing on affordable housing opportunities in places like Massena, New York. The author argues that young people can find affordable housing and a simpler lifestyle by being willing to live in smaller homes in less populous northern areas, rather than seeking expensive urban locations or moving abroad. They suggest this approach could provide a sustainable, low-cost living option while helping revitalize smaller communities.

Discussion about JSON's limitations with large integers, need for base64 encoding, and overall complexity of ACME protocol implementation. Many argue whether this complexity is necessary or could be simplified.

This article emphasizes the importance of genuinely celebrating friends' successes and rejecting jealousy, introducing the concept of a "hypeman" - someone who roots for their friends' achievements. It explains how this creates a positive feedback loop where mutual support leads to shared growth and opportunities, benefiting everyone involved.

This article discusses how the author discovered a zero-day vulnerability in the Linux kernel using OpenAI's o3 model, showcasing the capabilities of AI in security research. It details the process of finding CVE-2025-37899, benchmarking o3's performance against existing vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how AI models are becoming increasingly effective tools for vulnerability researchers.

The text explores the author's critical view of AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot, comparing them to incompetent programmers who create problems rather than solutions. While acknowledging some benefits for basic tasks, the author argues that over-reliance on AI tools diminishes the craft of programming and true understanding of code.

This article explores algebraic effects, a programming language feature that enables user-definable control flow and enhances code abstraction. It explains how effects can be used for implementing exceptions, generators, dependency injection, and creating cleaner APIs, making code more modular and easier to test and maintain.

This Linux kernel driver transforms a rotary phone dial into a modern input device, offering a nostalgic alternative to keypads. It serves as both a practical tool for repurposing vintage phones and an educational resource for learning embedded Linux development without requiring physical hardware.

Model Context Protocol (MCP), created by Anthropic and adopted by major tech companies, represents a return to Web 2.0's open standards philosophy. This shift from closed systems towards interoperable platforms could empower developers and users, echoing the early web's collaborative spirit despite MCP's imperfect specifications.

17-year-old Chloe Lee researched ways to modify acetaminophen's chemical structure to reduce its liver toxicity while maintaining pain relief properties. Using computer models, she developed a modified molecule that could be potentially safer and more effective than traditional acetaminophen.

A pilot shares their experience working for Yemenia Airlines on an expat contract, detailing the challenging recruitment process, subpar training, poor accommodation in Yemen, and various operational red flags. The account highlights the stark contrast between promised luxurious conditions and the harsh reality of working in a war-torn country.