The Universe is Hostile to Computers

In the 2003 Belgian election, a bizarre incident occurred where candidate Maria Vindevogel received 4,096 more votes than possible due to a computer error. This error was later attributed to a single bit flip in the computer's memory, a phenomenon where a bit changes from 0 to 1 or vice versa. The number 4,096 is significant because it's a power of two (2^12), pointing to the 13th bit flip. This led to investigations into similar issues with computer memory, dating back to the 1970s, where radioactive materials were found to cause bit flips in Intel's DRAM due to alpha particles emitted by uranium and thorium. This is known as a single event upset, a type of soft error where the device isn't damaged but the data changes.

The script delves into the history of cosmic ray discovery and their high-energy particles originating from space, including supernovae and black holes. These cosmic rays can interact with Earth's atmosphere, creating a cascade of particles. It's suggested that a cosmic ray may have caused the bit flip that led to the election anomaly in Belgium. The narrative also covers the effects of cosmic rays on technology, such as causing blue screens of death in computers, and their potential role in Toyota's unintended acceleration issues, although NASA's investigation pointed to other causes. Cosmic rays are also known to cause crashes in supercomputers, especially at higher altitudes like those at Los Alamos National Labs, and they pose a risk to flight computers in airplanes.

On October 7th, 2008, an Airbus A330 flight from Singapore to Perth experienced a sudden dive due to a bit flip in the Air Data Inertial Reference Unit (ADIRU), which mislabeled altitude information as angle of attack data. This caused the plane to nose-dive, injuring 119 passengers. Investigations ruled out various causes, leading to the conclusion that a high-energy atmospheric particle, likely from cosmic rays, could have caused the bit flip. The incident highlighted the lack of requirements for airborne systems to be resilient to single event effects at the time of the Airbus A330's construction in 1992.

The script discusses the importance of protecting electronics in space missions due to the threat of cosmic rays. It mentions the redundancy built into the space shuttle's navigation and control computers to counteract bit flips. The Perseverance Rover's computer, being 20 years old, is an example of radiation-hardened technology, designed to withstand significantly more radiation than ordinary computers. The Voyager 1 spacecraft's departure from the solar system was marked by an increase in cosmic ray flux, illustrating the protective role of the heliosphere. The sun's 11-year activity cycle affects this protection, with lower cosmic ray flux when the sun is active.

The script concludes with a discussion on the potential role of cosmic rays in genetic mutation throughout Earth's history, suggesting they may have contributed to genetic variation, which natural selection acts upon. It also touches on the story of Maria Vindevogel, whose election anomaly serves as a reminder of the omnipresent particles in the universe that can unexpectedly impact our lives. The video ends with a promotion for Brilliant, an interactive learning platform for STEM concepts, offering a discount for viewers interested in improving their problem-solving skills.