Mozi, Ev Williams' New Social App, U.S. Military Prepares for Space Wars, and Altermagnetism Discovered
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Welcome to Discover Daily by Perplexity, an AI-generated show on tech, science, and culture. I'm Isaac. And I'm Sienna. Today we're exploring a new form of magnetism called alter magnetism, which could potentially transform electronic devices. But first, let's look at what else is happening across the tech and space sectors. Our first story today focuses on a new social networking app called Mozi, created by Twitter co-founder Ev Williams.

The app, which launched on December 12th, takes a unique approach by being completely private and non-performative, with no public profiles, no follower counts, and no interactions with strangers. That's an interesting concept, Isaac. How does Mozi differ from traditional social media platforms? The app connects directly to your phone contacts, allowing you to share travel plans and receive notifications when friends are visiting your city or attending the same events.

It even includes personal details like dietary preferences and family information. What's particularly thoughtful is that instead of creating another messaging inbox, Mozi redirects users to their phone's regular messaging app for communications. It sounds like Mozi is trying to bridge the gap between online and offline interactions.

What's the philosophy behind this approach? Williams reportedly created Mosey after feeling increasingly disconnected from friends as he approached 50. He believes social media has lost its original purpose, becoming more about content consumption than genuine connection. The app aims to foster real-world meetups and meaningful interactions rather than endless scrolling through content. That's certainly a departure from the current social media landscape.

it'll be interesting to see how users respond to this more intimate approach to online networking. Now, let's shift gears to our second story, which takes us to the realm of space warfare. Isaac, what's the latest with the US Space Force?

The Space Force has unveiled a comprehensive commercial space strategy aimed at better integrating industry expertise and technology. Chief of Space Operations General B. Chance Saltzman emphasizes that traditional military approaches are no longer sufficient to maintain space superiority in today's increasingly contested environment. That sounds like a significant shift in focus. What are some of the key elements of this new strategy?

The strategy focuses on four main areas: collaborative transparency with industry partners, operational and technical integration, risk management, and securing future technologies. The Space Force recognizes that working closely with commercial partners is crucial for maintaining technological advantages over competitors. What specific threats is the Space Force preparing to counter? Both Russia and China have made significant advances in space warfare capabilities.

China has deployed over 970 satellites since early 2024, designed to support potential military operations. They've also developed anti-satellite missiles, electronic jammers, and a robotic grappling satellite. Meanwhile, Russia has demonstrated its capabilities with systems like the Nudol anti-satellite missile, which created significant orbital debris during a 2021 test. The rapid advancement of these space-based threats underscores the importance of the Space Force's new strategy.

Now let's dive into our main story of the day. Isaac, can you tell us more about this new form of magnetism? Researchers have experimentally confirmed alter magnetism in manganese telluride.

Using advanced X-ray techniques, they've demonstrated that despite appearing like a classical anti-ferromagnet on the surface, manganese telluride exhibits unique magnetic properties that set it apart from conventional magnetic materials. That sounds fascinating. How does alter magnetism differ from the forms of magnetism we're more familiar with?

Alter magnets consist of magnetic moments that point in opposite directions to their neighbors, similar to anti-Ferro magnets. However, what makes them unique is that each part of the crystal hosting these moments is rotated relative to its neighbors. This subtle difference creates significant implications for how these materials can be used.

What kind of impact could this have on everyday electronic devices? The potential impact is substantial. Devices incorporating ultra-magnetic components could process data at unprecedented speeds, potentially eliminating frustrating lag times during virtual meetings and enhancing overall user experience.

We could see faster and more energy-efficient computer memory systems, more powerful and compact microprocessors, and improvements in sensors, actuators, and spintronic devices for quantum computing. It sounds like alter magnetism could lead to a significant leap forward in computing technology. Isaac, what should our listeners be watching for as this technology develops? Keep an eye on advancements in alter magnetic materials and their integration into electronic devices.

We may see announcements from tech companies about incorporating alter magnetism into their products in the coming years. Additionally, watch for developments in quantum computing applications, as alter magnetism could play a role in solving complex environmental and climate modeling problems.

Well, that wraps up our stories for today. Thanks for tuning in. And don't forget to subscribe on your favorite platform. For more info on anything we covered today, check out the links in our episode description. And don't forget, you can now access Perplexity's AI-powered knowledge base on the Go with the mobile app available for both Android and iOS. We also just released the Perplexity desktop app for macOS.

In other Perplexity news, the Perplexity now offers a comprehensive one-stop shopping solution where you can both research and purchase products. The platform now features Buy With Pro, a first-of-its-kind AI commerce experience offering one-click checkout and free shipping for pro users in the U.S.

There's also an innovative snap to shop feature that lets you find products by simply taking a photo and an AI powered discovery system that provides unbiased product recommendations with clear visual product cards. The platform integrates with Shopify to access up-to-date product information from businesses across the U.S., making online shopping easier and more efficient than ever. We'll be back with more stories that matter. Until then, stay curious.