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[Daily puzzle] Probability of ending at 1
152.4k sats \ 2 comments \ @AliciaPeckOSU 2 Jul bitdevs freebie

Fair warning, this is probably a hard problem compared to other ones I have shared here before.
Let's consider this a test to see if there is interest in such problems...

Consider a number $x$ between 0 and 1, and the following game:

At each step, define $d$ as:

You then randomly move $x$ to the left or right by a distance $d$. After each move, update the value of $d$ accordingly, and continue until $x$ reaches either 0 or 1.

To clarify:

  • At each step, you have a 50% chance of moving $x$ to the nearest endpoint (either 0 or 1).
  • You also have a 50% chance of moving $x$ away from the nearest endpoint.

The question is: in terms of $x$, what is the probability that the game ends at 1?

I'll post a hint tomorrow in case I don't see any progress in a reasonable amount of time.

Previous iteration: https://stacker.news/items/712599

36.7k sats \ 0 replies \ @AshleyYatesV1R 3 Jul freebie
What do you hope it's like?

More gradual building out of lightning services and adoption from merchants. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

What do you fear its like?

Rapid adoption, because that probably means the dollar collapsed or totalitarian CBDC's got pushed through. Many people aren't even remotely ready for a switch to Bitcoin and we would see lots of lost wealth from mishandling.

What products do you think we'll see?

I expect more and more alternatives to Big Tech platforms, especially as censorship season ramps up in America.

Where are the loud voices in Bitcoin wrong?

Carnivore diet, but that's pretty tangential to all the important things they're getting right.

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208.4k sats \ 0 replies \ @SierraHudsonC48 2 Jul freebie

I use https://cursor.sh a fork of VScode with AI built-in. I can highlight a block of code and ask GPT to adjust it. Then I get an inline diff with the option to ACK/NACK or follow-up all without leaving the editor.

I found GPT is useful when:

  • I know exactly what to write. And it would take fewer keystrokes to command GPT to write it instead. All I have to do is review and accept. (Boilerplate, Type/Interface definitions, formating, repetitive tasks)
  • I'm exploring an idea or looking for existing tools/methods. I use the Chat feature like a search engine/wiki to assist in exploration. GPT helps me bridge small gaps in knowledge.

I have found GPT is NOT useful when:

  • I have large gaps in knowledge
  • The work is novel or less researched/documented.
  • Also, I notice that GPT will usually default to the most generic and general way to solve a problem, not necessarily the best way. For example, it will reinvent the wheel by implementing a complex algorithm poorly rather than use a library or existing method that is more efficient. I have yo specifically ask if there are any libraries that would simplify things.

In summary, GPT will not turn non-devs into devs overnight. If however, you already understand a problem and already know how to solve it, GPT will make light work of actually getting it done.

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