2024 BTC Halving

The Bitcoin halving, anticipated to take place this year, is a pivotal event in the cryptocurrency realm. This event, occurring roughly every four years, is designed into the Bitcoin protocol to reduce the reward for mining new Bitcoin blocks by half. Essentially, it slows down the rate at which new Bitcoins are created and, as a result, the total supply in circulation. This scarcity is believed to have an impact on the price.

Historically, each Bitcoin halving has been followed by a significant increase in its price, though past performance is not always indicative of future results. For example, in the year leading up to the last halving, Bitcoin's price remarkably surged from about $16,000 to $44,000. This kind of price movement has fueled speculation and interest in the cryptocurrency market.

Considering the trends seen in previous halvings, some speculate that the upcoming halving could lead to another substantial increase in Bitcoin's value. However, it's crucial to note that the cryptocurrency market is influenced by a myriad of factors, making precise predictions challenging.

Predicting the exact price increase for Bitcoin post-halving is speculative at best. Based on the patterns observed from the past, there's a possibility that Bitcoin could see significant growth. However, investors should exercise caution and consider the inherent volatility and risks associated with cryptocurrency investments. The market's future will likely continue to be influenced by global economic factors, regulatory changes, technological advancements, and the broader adoption of cryptocurrencies.

The recent surge in Bitcoin's price in 2024 can be attributed to several key factors:

Cut in the Base Interest Rate: It is expected that the US Federal Reserve will cut the base interest rate, making risk assets like Bitcoin more attractive compared to treasury bonds, which offer lower yields.

Reduction of BTC in Circulation: The halving event, expected in April 2024, will halve the issuance of new Bitcoins. Historically, this has led to a significant increase in the price of BTC in the 18 months following the event.

Approval of Bitcoin ETFs: The potential approval of Bitcoin ETFs in the US could attract more institutional investors, increasing the demand and price of Bitcoin.

Regulation and Legitimization of the Market: The conviction of notorious figures in the cryptocurrency sector and the investigation of major platforms like Binance signal an effort to 'clean up' the market, increasing its security and attracting more institutional capital.

These factors, combined with the unique characteristics of the cryptocurrency market, have contributed to optimism about the price of Bitcoin in 2024.

How to Speed Up Your MacBook Pro: Tips for Enhanced Performance in 2024

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving into a common issue many MacBook Pro users face: sluggish performance, especially noticeable when using apps like Zoom. After researching and testing various strategies, I've gathered some valuable tips to help improve your MacBook's performance. Let's get started!

1. Process Monitoring

Did you know that certain processes could be hogging your Mac's resources without your knowledge? Utilizing the "Activity Monitor" can help identify and shut down these performance culprits.

2. Closing Unnecessary Applications

Often, we leave several applications open that we're not using. Closing them can free up much-needed resources.

3. Managing Startup Applications

A slow startup might be due to too many apps launching with your system. Tweaking the startup applications in "System Preferences" can make a noticeable difference.

4. Reducing Animations and Transparency

Aesthetics are great, but they can tax older models' graphic processing. Reducing or disabling these effects can make your MacBook more responsive.

5. Opt for Safari Over Other Browsers

Browsers like Chrome can be heavy on the system. Safari, being more optimized for Macs, could be a lighter alternative.

6. Rethinking FileVault

While FileVault offers great security, it can slow down system booting. Consider disabling it if startup speed is a priority.

7. Keeping System and Apps Updated

Regular updates can enhance both performance and security.

8. Cleaning Up Files and Caches

Tools like CleanMyMac X can be handy in removing caches and temporary files, giving your MacBook a much-needed speed boost.

9. Checking Internet Connection

A slow internet connection can significantly affect applications like Zoom. Simple actions like restarting your router or opting for an Ethernet connection can improve this.

10. Uninstalling Unused Apps

Apps that you don't use can take up precious space and run background processes, slowing down your Mac.

11. Visual Overload Management

Disabling unnecessary animations and adjusting Dock settings can lighten the load on your MacBook.

12. Malware Checks

Malware can consume resources and slow down your Mac. Regular checks are crucial for maintaining speed.

13. Storage Optimization

Managing your files, using iCloud for storage, and deleting unnecessary large files can help speed up your MacBook.

14. RAM Upgrade

If possible, increasing your RAM can significantly improve performance, especially for heavy tasks.

These tips are compiled from reliable sources like MacPaw​​, Canaltech​​, and again MacPaw​​. I hope these suggestions help resolve the slow performance issues on your MacBook Pro! 

The LLM Revolution - A Glimpse into the Next Decade

As we stand on the cusp of a new era, it's becoming increasingly clear that Large Language Models (LLMs) are not just fleeting technological marvels, but pivotal players in our everyday lives. The next decade, as I envision, is set to witness a paradigm shift, one where these AI-driven entities become the primary architects of the content we consume daily.

The Cascade of AI-Generated Content

Imagine a world where the articles you read, the news you consume, and even the books that line your shelves are predominantly the offspring of sophisticated algorithms. This future is closer than we think. LLMs are evolving at a pace that's almost poetic, and their ability to churn out content is becoming uncannily human-like. However, this blossoming comes with its thorns.

As LLM-generated content becomes ubiquitous, we'll find ourselves in an ocean of information that's both vast and, at times, questionably accurate. The nuances of human experience and the depth of expert knowledge could be glossed over by these AI storytellers. This sets the stage for a new breed of professionals - digital sommeliers, if you will - whose expertise lies in discerning AI-generated content from human-crafted works. They will be the new gatekeepers of authenticity in an AI-saturated world.

The End of Traditional Education?

The impact of LLMs won't be confined to content creation alone. It's poised to revolutionize education as we know it. Within the next five years, I foresee a seismic shift in how we learn and teach. The traditional classroom, with its standardized tests and age-old pedagogies, is likely to become an artifact of the past. In its place, we'll see the rise of personalized learning experiences, tailored by AI to fit each student's unique needs and learning style.

As LLMs become more integrated into our learning systems, the very essence of education will evolve. We might witness the end of conventional academic assessments, including the time-honored tradition of dissertations. Irony aside, the concept of a master's thesis could become obsolete in a world where knowledge is no longer static but constantly evolving through AI interfaces.

A Future Shaped by AI

Looking ten years ahead, it's not just the tangible that will be transformed. The very fabric of how we perceive knowledge and creativity will undergo a metamorphosis. LLMs, with their ever-expanding capabilities, will challenge our notions of authorship and originality. They will compel us to question what it means to be creative and push us to redefine the boundaries between human and machine-generated artistry.

In conclusion, as LLMs continue to weave themselves into the tapestry of our daily lives, they promise a future that's both exhilarating and unnerving. We're stepping into an epoch where the line between human and machine becomes increasingly blurred, heralding a new dawn of possibilities and challenges. This decade will be a testament to the transformative power of technology and how it reshapes every facet of our existence, from the words we read to the very way we learn and evolve. 

How about you there, in 2034? How does it look like? What do you think? Do you still think?

Sorting an int array in JavaScript

First we create a descendant array from 1000 to 1:

let arr = Array.from({length: 1001}, (_, i) => 1001 - i);

Then we sort it:

arr = arr.sort();
console.log(arr);

and we get the following:

(1001) [1, 10, 100, 1000, 1001, 101, 102, 1…]

That happens because JavaScript sorts each position as it were a String. To fix that we can pass the sorting function. It works similar to C or Java, the sorting function must return: 

•  = 0 if a and b are equal 
• < 0 if a < b 
• > 0 if a > b

arr = arr.sort((a, b) => a - b);
console.log(arr);