Hacker News Recap

Explore groundbreaking innovations like MicroQuickJS, a minimalist JavaScript for constrained devices, and PostgreSQL 18's instant database cloning for efficient testing. Delve into the surprising benefits of using JPEG screenshots over H.264 streaming. Discover Snitch, a user-friendly tool for network troubleshooting, and X-Ray, a Python library designed to spot bad PDF redactions. Plus, learn about CineCLI, a terminal app for browsing and torrenting movies, and a remarkable bootstrapped company that grew to €6.5M in just ten years.

The U.S. has put a stop to all offshore wind construction, citing classified reasons that raise eyebrows over transparency. Meanwhile, Flock's AI cameras exposed online have sparked debates on privacy risks. A unique tool, Secco, is making waves by streamlining developer workflows. On the career front, a 2014 essay stresses the importance of designing your own path. Jimmy Lai's struggle for media freedom highlights alarming global issues, while the new GLM-4.7 promises to enhance coding capabilities. Beware of the Lotusbail npm package, which has been caught harvesting WhatsApp data!

Flock and Cyble Inc. are under fire for allegedly using cybercrime takedowns to silence their critics. Developers voice their woes about frustrating logging practices that hinder productivity. Concerns arise over the EU's 'Going Dark' initiative that may jeopardize encryption. A user's complaint highlights the hardware restrictions limiting Windows 11 upgrades. Explore a curated list of influential books and check out the Ruby website's redesign for improved navigation. A new tool, Wallet Wallet, offers an easy way to create Apple Wallet passes.

Dive into the intriguing world of tech and community insights! Learn how to back up Spotify playlists using clever methods and APIs. Discover the Jmail project, designed to manage sensitive documents with Google tools. Explore the benefits of self-hosting PostgreSQL and the implications of an NTP outage at NIST Boulder. Airbus is making headlines by moving critical apps to a European cloud for data sovereignty. Plus, hear why anonymity is becoming more vital than privacy in today's surveillance landscape.

Discover the evolution of Hacker News as it embraces honest titles, fostering trust among users. Amazon's new option for DRM-free eBooks lets readers enjoy EPUB and PDF formats, sparking lively discussions. Explore GotaTun, a Rust implementation improving WireGuard performance, and Garage, an innovative object store designed for edge computing. Noclip.website takes you on a nostalgic journey through preserved video game levels. Plus, dive into the browser experience of playing GTA Vice City and unpack the quirks of Intel's naming conventions.

This is a recap of the top 10 posts on Hacker News on December 18, 2025. This podcast was generated by wondercraft.ai (00:30): Beginning January 2026, all ACM publications will be made open accessOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46313991&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(01:53): We pwned X, Vercel, Cursor, and Discord through a supply-chain attackOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46317098&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(03:16): Your job is to deliver code you have proven to workOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46313297&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(04:39): Classical statues were not painted horriblyOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46311856&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(06:02): Are Apple gift cards safe to redeem?Original post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46313061&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(07:25): Please just try HTMXOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46312973&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(08:48): GPT-5.2-CodexOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46316367&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(10:11): Ask HN: Those making $500/month on side projects in 2025 – Show and tellOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46307973&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(11:34): Independent review of UK national security law warns of overreachOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46311355&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(12:58): History LLMs: Models trained exclusively on pre-1913 textsOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46319826&utm_source=wondercraft_aiThis is a third-party project, independent from HN and YC. Text and audio generated using AI, by wondercraft.ai. Create your own studio quality podcast with text as the only input in seconds at app.wondercraft.ai. Issues or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: team@wondercraft.ai

Delve into the latest in tech with discussions about Gemini 3 Flash's lightning-fast capabilities. Hear about Mozilla's troubling strategy and the implications for Firefox. AWS's CEO criticizes replacing junior developers with AI, emphasizing mentorship. Learn about Docker's new hardened images aimed at security. A user's Hetzner server was hacked for Monero mining, raising security alarms. Discover how amphibian gut bacteria can eliminate tumors in mice and the ethical dilemmas revealed by the Doublespeed hack.

A controversial privacy extension has reportedly sold 8 million users’ AI conversations. A new tool, ALPR.watch, aims to improve license plate recognition using open-source libraries. Skepticism arises as critics argue current tech often fails to create meaningful change. GitHub prepares for pricing adjustments, raising concerns among developers. Fraudulent fundraising has targeted children with cancer, resulting in millions lost. Plus, a photorealistic synthesis method, leadership changes at Mozilla, and a new open-source OS for Kobo eReaders are discussed.

The Roomba maker's bankruptcy raises eyebrows as a new Chinese buyer emerges, hinting at major changes. A Kenyan writer argues that AI struggles to mimic authentic cultural voices. A 'secure' messaging app scandal unfolds as leaked phone numbers shake user trust. The debate heats up around whether AI should be taxed for replacing jobs. Jimmy Lai's conviction signals darker days for press freedom in Hong Kong. Plus, shocking links surface between a pesticide and increased Parkinson's in U.S. farmers, while leaked documents suggest collusion to raise food prices.

A concerning revelation about Europeans' health data being sold to a U.S. firm tied to ex-Israeli spies sparks intense discussion. The podcast dives into rising error rates in machine learning models and explores strategies to mitigate these issues. There's a focus on Hashcards, a minimalist spaced repetition tool appealing to developers. Listeners also learn about a GitHub breach incident and a command-line mishap that wiped a user's Mac. Lastly, it reflects on the shift in perceptions around GraphQL in enterprise environments.