Using blockchain to improve democracy; Foundational secuirty issues with Facebook's Libra; using GPS to improve earthquake warnings; A machine-learning robot that can harvest lettuce; CERN replacing Microsoft with Open Source software

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We the Peeps will use blockchain to try to break the big-money monopoly in politics - The We the Peeps app is being launched to reduce the outsized political influence of people with large net worths. Building peeps tokens on the Ethereum blockchain, the app aims to let small donors use a proof of stake type of mechanism in order to perform crowdfunding for causes, and vote on how the money gets spent. The company behind the effort will be funded by adding a 4.75% fee to donations.

Facebook’s Libra Lacks Foundational Components for Crypto Key Security - According to coindesk's Steven Sprague, Libra is missing at least four foundational components for crypto key security: (i) protection of the private key; (ii) proof of user consent; (iii) decentralized compliance; and (iv) global privacy. Sprague envisions a future where purchases made with the Internet of Money are just as high quality as in-store purchases and describes a set of principles and guidelines for accomplishing that goal. One high profile red-flag that Sprague waves is the lack of redundant protections for the users' private keys, saying that the user should have the ability to store their keys locally and back it up safely in multiple locations.

New study shows GPS data can predict large earthquakes earlier - In a new paper, seismologists Diego Melgar and Gavin P. Hayes describe their work on earthquake prediction. By studying GPS data, they were able to identify a particular signature that happens 10-15 seconds into an earthquake that is above magnitude 7. Once identified, they searched through data from more than 3,000 earthquakes, and correctly identified magnitude 7+ earthquakes in data from America, Europe, and China. The researchers believe that this technique can be used with the addition of GPS stations in order to improve early warning capabilities.

Robot uses machine learning to harvest lettuce - According to a recent article in The Journal of Field Robotics, the so-called "vegebot" was trained to harvest iceberg lettuce in a lab setting, and after training, it has now accomplished the task in a natural environment. The robot makes use of two internal systems, a vision system that identifies the lettuce plants and selects the ones that are suitable for harvesting, and a cutting system that actually does the harvesting. A lettuce plant might be rejected for harvesting due to reasons like immaturity or disease. Robots have been able to harvest crops like potatoes for years, but because of the complexity of the task, the accomplishment is a first for lettuce. The robot is not yet fast enough to compete with a human, but the scientists are collecting data to make it more efficient.

STEEM CERN switches to open source - why? - Microsoft's new licensing agreement comes with per-seat charges, which increased licensing costs by a factor of ten. As a result, CERN launched its Microsoft Alternatives program (MALT), and expects to publish its status in September. CERN is focusing on open source software in an effort to maintain flexibility along with reducing costs. Open source software is also making inroads in companies like, "AT & T, Verizon, China Mobile and DTK". CERN's MALT program was previously covered in Interesting Links: June 14, 2019. (@kuku12170 will receive 5% of the rewards from this post.)

In order to help make Steem the go to place for timely information on diverse topics, I invite you to discuss any of these links in the comments and/or your own response post.

For example, feel free to comment on any or all of these discussion topics:

What are your thoughts about We the peeps initiative to improve democracy with a proof of stake blockchain.
Do you think the identified security concerns are "show stoppers" for adoption of Facebook's Libra?
Do you use Microsoft software, open source, a combination, or something else? Why?
Feel free to discuss any other topics relating to these links.

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