Big Science: Fusion, Cancer, and AIs

[tcpip]

As 2022 comes to a close once again the utility of scientific research becomes evident, through incremental progress and the occasional breakthrough. One such big breakthrough in recent days was successful fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; more power was produced than what was put in. True, it was a very minor proof, and there was significant energy put into the lasers to begin with, but it should not be understated - fusion energy would provide abundant, cheap, and safe energy - if the hard limiting issues of temperature, pressure, and duration can be resolved. This success is much more significant than, say, the successful "artificial sun" from China's Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak in 2018, or the generator from the first stellarator at Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in 2015.

This year has also witnessed a succession of interesting discoveries and inventions in cancer research. The application of dostarlimab, used to treat endometrial cancer, resulted in all 12 people being treated at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) with rectal cancer tumors being cured. Although this is a small trial, it is something that has never happened in the history of cancer. Also, the University of Texas Dallas synthesized a novel compound called ERX-41 that has shown promise in eliminating a broad spectrum of hard-to-treat cancer cells, including triple-negative breast cancer. Just a few days ago, a Moderna mRNA melanoma vaccine with personalised treatment reduces recurrence or death by 44% compared to
immunotherapy drug alone - the cookers won't like that one.

To finish the trilogy, one cannot help but notice the explosion of interest in AI over the past few weeks in social media. In part, this has been due to the excitement and concerns around AI-generated art. For many consumers, it has been a toy for many artists they have become nervous, and my favourite gaming company, Chaosium, has released a statement banning AI-generated art in their books. I am not convinced by their reasoning, but I certainly understand the motivation. As an alternative, I am interested in comparison that various programming forums are largely enthusiastic with tools like OpenAI in producing fairly reasonable code, and an explanation, all faster than StackOverflow, for example. I wonder whether the "procedural music" being produced by 65dos (No Man's Sky, Wreckage Systems) counts? Either way, it makes for an interesting space to watch, and I will stick to the argument that inevitably anything that can be automated will be automated. This does mean a challenge to the value of labour and the ownership of capital, and it will mean a challenge to for human beings in their own inventiveness, creativity, etc.

Comments

[ariaflame]

I always wonder where they get 'cheap' from? Considering the considerable costs of obtaining the fuel, processing the fuel, getting the fuel to do the ignition thing, plant to convert the heat to anything useful, and the decommissioning of the slightly radioactive surroundings at the end of its life.

[tcpip]

It's a very good question. To quote from the IAEA

"Fusion fuel is plentiful and easily accessible: deuterium can be extracted inexpensively from seawater, and tritium can be produced from naturally abundant lithium."

So the fuel is considered cheap, I guess.

Of course, sunlight is cheaper still...

[ariaflame]

Plentiful and easily accessible - 0.015% of the hydrogen in seawater. And more likely to be deeper than near the surface because heavier. Just given that hydrogen itself is energetically expensive to extract from water, where is that energy coming from? Yeah, you can get tritium from lithium I guess. But I want to see the energy flows and requirements. The LCA for it I guess.

I just tend to get dubious about a technology that a certain kind of people think is the solution to climate change.

[tcpip]

Isn't it only marginally different in availability between surface and depth?

I also believe you don't need much of the stuff, either.

> I just tend to get dubious about a technology that a certain kind of people think is the solution to climate change.

Oh, absolutely agreed! It's definitely what is the right fit for the location and conditions.

[ariaflame]

I haven't done the math recently. But it's got how many decades of research to get even remotely close to amount of energy in to the fuel = heat energy out? If it ends up working out, great. But I'm not holding my breath on it. I'll stick with the fusion generator we already are using.

[ex_flameandsong751]

AI definitely is a challenge. For disabled people like me, AI can be useful as a method of artistic expression, but there are still some shady things being done with AI that we need to watch out for. i do think that non-AI art/writing/music will always be around - AI has some major limitations currently, but even as it improves, there is something satisfying about the artistic process that AI can't really replicate. [I will never use AI to write fiction, for example, since I enjoy torturing myself. :P]

I was in favor of UBI even before AI got big, but I think UBI is even more necessary now that the world seems headed towards more automation.

The innovations in cancer treatment are exciting. I lost a friend this past year to cancer, and I'm at that age where I have to start worrying about it myself.

[tcpip]

Oh definitely shady stuff with AI, both by governments and corporations, all coming down to the lack of transparency and matters of privacy.

The problem really isn't with the AI, though, is it? It's the institutions and the systems that are using it for nefarious purposes.

Unlike a gun, which has a telic inclination toward shooting a carbon-based lifeform, I do think that AI could be harnessed in a beneficial manner.

Actually let me check this..

[tcpip]

It looks like it confused "human resources" with HR, so I am giving it another go :)

Q: What would be some ways that economic resources could be harnessed to make quality of life better for all?

A: Investment in infrastructure: Economic resources could be used to invest in and improve infrastructure such as roads, public transportation, and access to clean water and electricity, which can greatly improve the quality of life for all members of a community.

Education and training programs: Economic resources could be used to fund education and training programs that provide people with the skills and knowledge needed to secure well-paying jobs and improve their overall quality of life.

Access to affordable healthcare: Economic resources could be used to provide access to affordable healthcare for all members of a community, ensuring that people are able to maintain good physical and mental health.

Affordable housing: Economic resources could be used to build or renovate affordable housing, helping to address the issue of homelessness and provide people with stable, safe living conditions.

Environmental protection and sustainability: Economic resources could be used to fund initiatives that protect the environment and promote sustainability, improving the quality of life for all members of a community by ensuring access to clean air and water and protecting natural resources.

[ex_flameandsong751]

I agree with all of this. It's a shame that many in my country [the States] do not and think this is radical communism.

[tcpip]

And often the very people who would benefit the most from such policies.

[tcpip]

Q: What would be some ways that human resources could be harnessed to make quality of life better for all?

A: There are many ways that human resources could be harnessed to improve quality of life for all. Some ideas might include:

Investing in education and training programs to help people develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce and contribute to their communities.

Encouraging workplace diversity and inclusion to create more welcoming and supportive environments for all employees.

Providing access to affordable healthcare and other benefits that can help employees maintain their physical and mental well-being.

Implementing work-life balance initiatives, such as flexible work schedules and telecommuting options, to help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities more effectively.

Promoting work-place safety to prevent injuries and accidents, and providing support for employees who may be struggling with mental health issues or other challenges.

Supporting employee development and growth through mentorship and leadership development programs.

Offering fair compensation and benefits packages that recognize and reward the contributions of employees.

Overall, there are many ways that human resources can be leveraged to improve quality of life for all, and it's important for organizations to consider a variety of strategies and approaches to ensure that they are meeting the needs of their employees and contributing to the well-being of their communities.