Intel Says Chip Speed Breakthrough Will Alter Cyberworld
By JOHN MARKOFF
Published: February 11, 2004
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 11 — Intel scientists say that they have made silicon chips that can switch light like electricity, blurring the line between computing and communications and presenting a vision of the digital future that will allow computers themselves to span cities or even the entire globe. more...

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This is pretty amazing stuff. But it's funny in some ways: we are doing all this stuff while floating totally unprotected in a limitless black void where flying rocks and stuff absolutely do not give a shit about us! We are incredibly fragile structures ourselves! You've probably actually tested and experienced this truth:
a) stubbed toe
b) sliver under fingernail
c) paper cut
d) walked into post while looking the other way
e) run into anything at all ever
f) hit finger with hammer
or the real test of manliness:
g) were in the shower when someone in the house turned on the hot water in another room.
"Hey bartender" said the man who had just been released from prison after 20 years with an ant that he had trained for the last 15 and which was quite brilliant. "You see this ant?"
"Yeah" said the bartender. "Sorry" and he squished the ant with his thumb and wiped the counter with his towel.