Continuing on his 101 talk from last year (building a foundational knowledge, or at least where to start doing so), LostboY will discuss the crypto, puzzles, and tech that is seen all over Defcon each year. The floors, signs, program, lanyards, badges all have elements of mystery to them each year, and LosT will discuss the foundational knowledge/skills that were requisite in years past. The 4-bit processor that was drawn out on the floors last year will be discussed as a foundation on understanding how a processor works. (Everyone says they know a processor uses binary, but how many actually know what that means, or how to build one?) Fundamentals of digital logic design seem like a good next step from last year's talk. LosT will likely wax philosophical at some point as well.
LosT mucks around with DEF CON on occasion. He is the creator of the Hardware Hacking Village, the LosT@Defcon Mystery Challenge, and for the past few years the Defcon badges and badge challenges. Russ says he's the official Defcon Puzzlemaster, but LosT still doesn't believe him. In his other life LosT enjoys playing the bass and linguistics, among other things. He's also been known to study mathematics, electrical engineering and physics in his spare time.