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Sam Altman: “Humanity is Close to Building Digital Superintelligence”
Sam Altman: “Humanity is Close to Building Digital Superintelligence” Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, believes that humanity is close to building digital superintelligence. The cost of intelligence will eventually converge to near the cost of electricity as datacenter production gets automated. Advances in AI have already led to systems that are smarter than people in […]
💻 Technology
Tesla’s robotaxi is live: here are some of the first reactions.
Tesla’s robotaxi is live: here are some of the first reactions. Tesla has launched its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, but it’s invite-only and not completely “unsupervised” as promised by Elon Musk. Safety monitors will be present in the front passenger seat to react to dangerous situations. The service is limited to a geofenced area […]
💻 Technology
OpenAI and Jony Ive’s ‘io’ brand has vanished, but their AI hardware deal remains
OpenAI and Jony Ive’s ‘io’ brand has vanished, but their AI hardware deal remains OpenAI has removed all mentions of its hardware startup io’ from its website and social media channels due to a trademark lawsuit from Iyo, a hearing device startup spun out of Google’s moonshot factory. The deal between OpenAI and io’ remains […]
💻 Technology
What happens when AI comes for our fonts?
What happens when AI comes for our fonts? Monotype’s 2025 Re:Vision trends report explores how AI will impact typography, including adapting to emotional and psychological data. The report suggests that AI-powered typography could adjust text size and style based on factors like time of day, light level, and reading speed. AI may also enable the […]
💻 Technology
Weird-shaped notebooks make me want to write again
Weird-shaped notebooks make me want to write again Andru Marino, an audio and video producer at The Verge, recently discovered two unique notebooks: the Triangle Notebook and the Sidekick Notebook. The Triangle Notebook’s unusual triangular shape inspires creativity and encourages handwriting, making it perfect for doodling on unconventional surfaces like laps or tables. The Sidekick […]
💻 Technology
US bombs Iran’s nuclear sites: What led to Trump pulling the trigger – and what happens next?
US bombs Iran’s nuclear sites: What led to Trump pulling the trigger – and what happens next? The US launched a surprise attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, using “bunker buster” bombs and Tomahawk missiles in the early hours of June 22, 2025. The strike was likely intended to cripple […]
📰 News
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning decades before US strikes on nuclear sites
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning decades before US strikes on nuclear sites **1953: The Beginning of Hostility** The US overthrew democratically-elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953, leading to decades of tension and hostility between the two countries. **1979: Embassy Takeover and Sanctions** Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran […]
🏛️ Politics
How to stay safe during heat waves – and heat stroke warning signs to watch for
How to stay safe during heat waves – and heat stroke warning signs to watch for During heat waves, it’s essential to recognize the warning signs of heat-related illnesses, including heat cramps, heat rash, dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating, and feeling weak. If you or someone else experiences these symptoms, seek shade, rest, and cool down […]
🏥 Health
‘Jaws’ and the two musical notes that changed Hollywood forever
‘Jaws’ and the two musical notes that changed Hollywood forever The two-note theme composed by John Williams for Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” (1975) has become synonymous with tension, fear, and sharks, representing primal dread. “Jaws” is often credited as the first true summer blockbuster, catapulting Spielberg to fame and kicking off his long collaboration with Williams, […]
🎭 Entertainment
Working memory is more complicated than we thought
Working memory is more complicated than we thought A new study reveals that working memory is not solely controlled by the prefrontal cortex, but rather involves multiple brain regions, including the early visual cortex. The research found that disrupting neural activity in the early visual cortex (V1) impaired participants’ ability to remember visual information, suggesting […]
🔬 Science
Will AI take your job? The answer could hinge on the 4 S’s of the technology’s advantages over humans
Will AI take your job? The answer could hinge on the 4 S’s of the technology’s advantages over humans AI has definite advantages over humans in four dimensions: speed, scale, scope, and sophistication. Understanding these dimensions is key to adapting to the AI-infused workforce. AI excels in tasks that require speed, such as image restoration, […]
💻 Technology
Why I’m letting AI write my next book
Why I’m letting AI write my next book A writer is exploring the use of generative AI to write their next book. The talk discusses how AI is challenging traditional notions of originality and creativity. The future of creativity may not be about ownership, but rather collaboration between humans and machines. Generative AI has the […]
💻 Technology
When you lose your health insurance, you may also lose your primary doctor – and that hurts your health
When you lose your health insurance, you may also lose your primary doctor – and that hurts your health When you lose health insurance, you may also lose your primary doctor, leading to missed warning signs, delayed care, and worsening health outcomes. Staying connected to a trusted doctor can keep you healthier and save the […]
🏥 Health
When developing countries band together, lifesaving drugs become cheaper and easier to buy − with trade-offs
When developing countries band together, lifesaving drugs become cheaper and easier to buy − with trade-offs Pooled procurement of lifesaving drugs can increase availability and reduce costs for developing countries, but it also comes with trade-offs that require flexibility and early planning. The study found that pooled procurement through international institutions reduced prices by 13% […]
🏥 Health
What’s the right way to mark Juneteenth? The newest US holiday is confusing Americans
What’s the right way to mark Juneteenth? The newest US holiday is confusing Americans Juneteenth, the newest US federal holiday, has become its most puzzling one due to confusion over how to celebrate it and its proper meaning. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, freeing […]
📰 News
What is CREC? The Christian nationalist group has a vision for America − and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s support
What is CREC? The Christian nationalist group has a vision for America − and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s support The Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) is a Christian nationalist group with a vision for America, supported by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The CREC has a highly patriarchal and conservative interpretation of Scripture, which includes […]
🏛️ Politics
Violent extremists like the Minnesota shooter are not lone wolves
Violent extremists like the Minnesota shooter are not lone wolves Violent extremists like Vance Boelter are not lone wolves, but rather part of a larger network of far-right extremists who believe in white replacement and other hate-based ideologies. The myth of the lone wolf shooter misdirects people from the actual causes of extremist violence and […]
🏛️ Politics
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning far beyond Israel’s strikes on Tehran
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning far beyond Israel’s strikes on Tehran US-Iran relations have been strained for decades, dating back to the 1953 CIA-backed coup that overthrew democratically-elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh. The two countries have been particularly hostile since Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979, leading […]
🏛️ Politics
Trump gives TikTok another ban extension
Trump gives TikTok another ban extension President Donald Trump has extended the deadline for TikTok to spin out from its Chinese parent company ByteDance by another 90 days, until mid-September. The extension provides temporary legal cover for TikTok’s US service providers, but its legality is shaky since it was not codified into law and has […]
🏛️ Politics
Trump administration’s conflicting messages on Chinese student visas reflect complex US-China relations
Trump administration’s conflicting messages on Chinese student visas reflect complex US-China relations The US has walked back plans to scrutinize and revoke student visas for Chinese students studying in the country, after initially announcing such a move. The decision reflects the complex and often contradictory nature of US-China relations, which have been marked by periods […]
🏛️ Politics
Trade in a mythical fish is threatening real species of rays that are rare and at risk
Trade in a mythical fish is threatening real species of rays that are rare and at risk The trade in “pez diablo” (devil fish) is threatening real species of guitarfishes, which are rare and at risk due to overfishing and habitat loss. Guitarfishes are being caught, dried, and carved into exotic shapes to create pez […]
🔬 Science
Ticks carry decades of history in each troublesome bite
Ticks carry decades of history in each troublesome bite Ticks carry decades of history in each troublesome bite, making them fascinating for environmental historians. Human actions long ago have contributed to the widespread spread of tick-borne diseases. The black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and other tick species can transmit Lyme disease, babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted […]
🏥 Health
Thirdhand smoke is a ‘silent threat’ to kids
Thirdhand smoke is a ‘silent threat’ to kids Thirdhand smoke, a phenomenon where chemical residue from smoking lingers in surfaces, may be underestimated by parents as a source of environmental tobacco smoke exposure to their children. A new study found that despite caregivers reporting no exposure to ETS, all children tested positive for low levels […]
🏥 Health
The Verge’s guide to Amazon Prime Day 2025
The Verge’s guide to Amazon Prime Day 2025 Amazon’s Prime Day 2025 will kick off on July 8th and run through July 11th, a twice-as-long event compared to previous years. The sale will feature discounts, limited-time promos, and Prime-exclusive deals on various products, including robot vacuums, OLED TVs, and noise-canceling headphones. Amazon’s “Today’s Big Deals” […]
💻 Technology
The use of federal troops to quell Los Angeles protests recalls militarized law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement
The use of federal troops to quell Los Angeles protests recalls militarized law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement The use of federal troops to quell Los Angeles protests over immigration raids without state approval recalls militarized law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement. President Donald Trump has activated 4,000 National Guard troops and sent […]
🏛️ Politics
The term ‘lone gunman’ ignores the structures that enable violence
The term ‘lone gunman’ ignores the structures that enable violence The term “lone gunman” oversimplifies mass shootings and political violence by ignoring the structures that enable them, such as rising political extremism, systemic hate, and normalization of violent rhetoric. The lone gunman narrative often presents a digestible narrative that absolves institutions of responsibility and short-circuits […]
🏛️ Politics
The Nintendo Switch 2 is an awesome upgrade for parents like me
The Nintendo Switch 2 is an awesome upgrade for parents like me The author initially didn’t think they needed the Nintendo Switch 2, citing its high price and lack of new games. The author has a perfectly good original Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, which keep them busy, but the Switch 2’s features are making […]
💻 Technology
The music industry is building the tech to hunt down AI songs
The music industry is building the tech to hunt down AI songs The music industry is developing technology to track down AI-generated songs that are being shared online. A convincing AI-generated duet between Drake and The Weeknd, “Heart on My Sleeve”, went viral in 2023 without anyone knowing its origin. Detection systems are being embedded […]
💻 Technology
The hidden bias in college admissions tests: How standardized exams can favor privilege over potential
The hidden bias in college admissions tests: How standardized exams can favor privilege over potential The use of standardized tests in college admissions can favor privilege over potential, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds. Research has found that these tests are not as valid or equitable as some argue, and that they systematically favor those […]
📰 News
The commitment trap: How Israel, Iran and the US risk becoming prisoners to policies
The commitment trap: How Israel, Iran and the US risk becoming prisoners to policies The “commitment trap” refers to a situation where states and governments feel compelled to continue with a promised course of action, even if it’s not in their best interest. The concept applies to various situations, including unilateral acts of aggression, preemptive […]
🏛️ Politics