Having used DeepSeek for a few days - just the online version, not even DeepSeek (R1) !
I'm very impressed with how it consistently is returning good results. Both ChatGPT and Claude seem just not that bright anymore. Amazing.
Reminds me of Edison and Westinghouse -
The rivalry between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse over AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) is one of the most famous episodes in the history of electricity, often referred to as the War of Currents. Here's a quick breakdown:
Edison's DC (Direct Current)
- Supporter: Thomas Edison
- Key Features:
- Flows in one direction.
- Reliable over short distances but loses efficiency over long distances.
- Requires power stations every few miles for effective distribution.
- Advantage:
- Easier to manage and control with the technology of the time.
- Disadvantage:
- High infrastructure cost due to its limited range.
- Edison's Campaign:
- Edison launched a smear campaign against AC, claiming it was dangerous. He went as far as using AC to publicly electrocute animals to prove its dangers and lobbied for its use in the electric chair to associate it with harm.
Westinghouse's AC (Alternating Current)
- Supporter: George Westinghouse, with key contributions from Nikola Tesla.
- Key Features:
- Alternates direction periodically, allowing higher voltage transmission over long distances with minimal loss.
- Enabled the use of transformers to step up voltage for transmission and step it down for use.
- Advantage:
- More efficient and economical for large-scale power distribution.
- Disadvantage:
- Initially seen as more complex and potentially more hazardous due to higher voltages.
- Westinghouse's Triumph:
- With Tesla’s inventions, Westinghouse demonstrated AC's superiority by powering the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and later building the first major hydroelectric power plant at Niagara Falls.
Outcome
- AC ultimately won the War of Currents, becoming the standard for electrical transmission worldwide.
- Edison's company later adapted to AC and eventually merged into what became General Electric.
This rivalry shaped modern electricity systems and highlighted the importance of efficiency and scalability in energy distribution.
-- ChatGPT