Digital Infrastructure

Martin Escardo (@MartinEscardo@mathstodon.xyz)

Recent concerns emerge about potential US government interference with academic platforms like arXiv, GitHub, and university IT systems, particularly regarding DEI policies and federal funding. ArXiv's cloud-based infrastructure and dependence on federal funding through Cornell University raise questions about its vulnerability, though bulk download options exist for data preservation.

You Didn't Notice MP3 Is Now Free

MP3 format has become freely licensable as its patents expired, yet this milestone passed largely unnoticed due to the shift towards streaming services and cloud-based solutions. The format's diminishing relevance reflects broader changes in technology consumption, where file sizes and formats matter less in an era of high-speed internet and streaming platforms.