Boeing 737 MAX: from marvel to tragedy - A unique dinosaur species named after Loki - Bridging the gap between deepfake synthesis and detection

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Few stories have been as shocking as the saga of the Boeing 737 MAX, even by aviation’s high-stakes standards. Once hailed as a marvel of modern engineering, the plane is now synonymous with tragedy and controversy.

Speaking to Interesting Engineering, Ed Pierson, a former senior manager at Boeing’s 737 Factory provided insider insights into the 737 MAX’s turbulent journey. Pierson points to rushed design and production processes, driven by market pressures and a desire to compete with Airbus’s A320 Neo.

The aircraft’s design compromises played a crucial role in the two fatal crashes that claimed 346 lives, leading to a 20-month worldwide grounding of the MAX fleet.

Even after returning to service, the 737 MAX continues to face scrutiny. A recent incident of a door plug detaching mid-flight has raised even more concerns, questions, and eyebrows. We also take a look at LLMs and why the detection of deepfakes lags behind synthesis in our Must-Reads.

Weekly Must Reads

A newly discovered dinosaur species, Lokiceratops rangiformis, is transforming our understanding of prehistoric life.

Found in Montana and dating back 78 million years, this ceratopsid dinosaur boasts unique features, including blade-like horns and an asymmetrical frill. This finding is particularly significant as it coexisted with four other horned dinosaur species in the same area, a phenomenon rarely seen in modern ecosystems.

The new species has been named paying homage to Loki, the Norse god of mischief, reflecting the dinosaur’s unexpected anatomy. (Read More)

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