Google TechTalks
8 HN recommenders · recommended in 16 months, 2015–2024
57:38 · 52K views · Jun 15, 2015
Christian Schafmeister's Google Tech Talk on designing spiroligomer molecules and building Clasp, a Common Lisp on LLVM that interoperates with C++, to program molecular design. It covers the chemistry, automatic differentiation for force fields, and how the compiler is built.
HN repeatedly cites it as a striking example of Common Lisp used to push the frontier of science, and as one of the most inspiring tech talks.
20 comments from Hacker News
The most inspiring talk a I have ever seen: Clasp: Common Lisp using LLVM and C++ for Molecular Metaprogramming. ABSTRACT This talk describes our unique approach to constructing large, atomically precise molecules (called "Molecular Lego" or "spiroligomers") that could act as new therapeutics, new catalysts (molecules that make new chemical reactions happen faster) and ultimately to construct atomically precise molecular devices. Then I describe Clasp and CANDO, a new implementation of the powerful language Common Lisp. Clasp is a Common Lisp compiler that uses LLVM to generate fast machine code and it interoperates with C++. CANDO is a molecular design tool that uses Clasp as its programming language. Together I believe that these are the hardware (molecules) and the software (the CANDO/Clasp compiler) that will enable the development of sophisticated molecular nanotechnology. this video
So no one will mention the Clasp (Lisp on LLVM developer)? He built a language to build better, albeit not visualize, better molecules. If you are on this article, you probably will love to watch this guy. I am computer nerd and this guy makes me want to go back and study chemistry. this video
Lisp is programmable programming language, especially Common Lisp. It works as programmer amplifier. Better you are, more you benefit from it. I challenge anyone to watch this lecture from Christian Schafmeister and say they are not impressed: this video and [LINK]
Unrelated to VR but still: if anyone here hasn't yet watched drmeister's talk about Clasp and his "molecular metaprogramming" project, please do. Absolutely fascinating stuff. this video Also recently discussed on HN: [LINK]
this video This talk is even better. "C++ templates are to Commmon Lisp macros what IRS tax return forms are to poetry". I don't know both well enough to tell if it's true, but damn it's a good metaphor.