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Although that presentation does point out that the technique is more generally used in quines. Given that there is a fair amount of research, papers and commentary on quines, it's possible that the author may have read something along those lines.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quine_(computing)

Also have a read of this fabulous short web from 2009: https://www.teamten.com/lawrence/writings/coding-machines/

I don't think so. I too recall seeing a post about this exact piece of trivia ('\n' in rust) years ago, but I couldn't find the source anymore.

It might have been https://research.swtch.com/nih ?

There's nothing in that article about Rust?

I totally missed that bit when the OP, but it definitely made me think of that paper so maybe.