youtube The Universe is Hostile to Computers

[UltraMega]

 

Not exactly news, which is why this is in the entertainment section. I came across this video and it's actually really well made and informative on the subject of "bit flips" caused by cosmic radiation and how that has had all kinds of real world effects. 

[GanjaSMK]

To add, on this topic -

 

Not to get all conspiracy on things, BUT - as the poles are moving faster  right now and the jet stream/ocean currents are shifting - this is leading to lots more UV and other cosmic rays entering/tangling with Earth.  Less magnetosphere protection = more bombardments from even far, far, far away sources (think gamma rays, pulsars).  We luckily dodged a bullet relatively recently as a huge CME went opposite our direction, BUT - it's only a matter of time.

 

This NASA link explains what happens when weak coverage distorts how satelites operate and the un-fun process of having to manage updating them.  Imagine what could happen when it breaks down over populated areas.