Atomic Layer of the Day:
Some of you might remember, some might not, but between 2010 and 2020, one of the biggest YouTube stars in the 3D printing scene was a Chinese creator—Naomi "Sexy Cyborg" Wu.
Or maybe I should just show you her picture...
Yes, that’s her.
She was a rather controversial figure. On one hand, there were her bold appearance and provocative videos filmed in the heart of Shenzhen, and on the other, real technical and programming knowledge, which she openly shared in her content.
For many people, that was hard to accept.
Her looks automatically categorized her into a completely different type of content, yet Naomi Wu dedicated her career to promoting 3D printing and various technological innovations.
I wrote about her complicated history in this article:
Anyway, in mid-2023, Naomi Wu unexpectedly disappeared from the internet. It was linked to troubles with the Chinese authorities, who had issues with many aspects of her life:
Her appearance (China, still a communist country, has strict moral standards)
Her sexual orientation (she was in a relationship with a woman)
Her political views (the woman she was in relationship was Uyghur, and, well... the Chinese government doesn't exactly support the Uyghur people)
Her stance on government surveillance and censorship (she openly opposed them).
So one day, the government decided to deal with the situation and paid her a visit.
After that visit, Naomi Wu left only a short message on X—and that was it:
She never came back. The world forgot about her.
The Western people forgot about her—the same people that love defending oppressed groups and minorities. But, well... you know, it’s China. Better not touch that topic, right?
Anyway, few days back I suddenly remembered her! And decided to ask about her DeepSeek—the new, sensational AI that supposedly makes OpenAI cry at night and will soon make NVIDIA go poor.
I asked DeepSeek what might have happened to Naomi "Sexy Cyborg" Wu. You can find the video with its response above.
Interestingly, just a few days after I recorded it, DeepSeek changed its approach, and now it returns this message:
“Naomi Wu, also known as "Sexy Cyborg," is a Chinese maker, hacker, and internet personality known for her work in DIY electronics, 3D printing, and wearable tech. She gained significant attention for her unique style, which combines tech innovation with fashion, often showcasing her creations on social media platforms like Twitter and YouTube.
As of my last update in October 2023, Naomi Wu has faced various challenges, including issues related to online harassment, censorship, and geopolitical tensions. She has been vocal about her experiences with these challenges, particularly how they have impacted her ability to share her work and communicate with her global audience.
In recent years, Wu has been less active on some of her previously prominent social media accounts, which has led to speculation about her well-being and current activities. However, she has occasionally surfaced to provide updates, indicating that she continues to work on her projects and advocate for the maker community.
For the most current information, it would be best to check her official social media channels or recent interviews, as her situation may have evolved since my last update.”
Interesting, isn’t it? If you're curious about how DeepSeek works and how it's evolving, you can pause my video and compare the responses.
I wonder if someone will erase me from history one day...
Atomic Layer from the Past:
02-08-2019: Xerox acquired Vader Systems and entered the 3D printing market.
News & Gossip:
Velo3D posted a very bold statement on LinkedIn, claiming they're working on something big. Either it has meaning, or it has no meaning. It's worth keeping an eye on them from time to time…
Other than that, nothing interesting is happening. It’s February, historically the most boring month in the AM industry. Seriously, even August is more exciting.
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