Pluralistic: Podcasting “Gig Work Is the Opposite of Steampunk” (20 Mar 2023) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow

Society
The Truth About Long COVID Is Finally Emerging. It’s Not What We Thought.
The flood of patients never materialized. Why?
How AI could upend the world even more than electricity or the internet
The rise of artificial general intelligence -- now seen as inevitable in Silicon Valley -- will bring change that is "orders of magnitude" greater than anything the world has yet seen, observers say.This is the first time we're able to create intelligence itself and increase its amount in the universe," he told AFP.
Change, as a result, will be "orders of magnitude greater than every other technological change we've ever had in history."
What is venture debt—and how will SVB’s collapse affect it?
SVB was the largest issuer of venture debt, and its collapse could have long-lasting effects on startups.
Do Not Fear Progress and Technology; Fear Capitalism
Technologies, much like corporations, are not inherently ‘evil.’ Rather, they are shaped by cultural and ideological circumstances.
children are not property. they are people.
Children deserve to be children. Children are not the property of their parents who can use and exploit them for their own gain. They are CHILDREN and they will spend the rest of their lives hurtin…
China Built a Hypersonic Generator That Could Power Unimaginable Weapons
You have our attention.
Pluralistic: SVB’s investors will get $2b in public bailout money (18 Mar 2023) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
Mapped: Minimum Wage Around the World
This infographic shows the net minimum wage across 67 countries, as of January 2023. A breakdown by U.S. state is also included.
What Have Humans Just Unleashed?
Call it tech’s optical-illusion era: Not even the experts know exactly what will come next in the AI revolution.
'Poverty, By America' shows how the rest of us benefit by keeping others poor
Pulitzer winner for Evicted Matthew Desmond examines why the U.S. has more poverty than other rich nations. He finds it spends big on social programs, but gives the most to those who need it least.
The Last Word On Nothing | Science +/vs Religion
A government program hopes to find critical minerals right beneath our feet
Federal scientists are using recon flights and field research to track down metals that are key to the energy transition.
Potato Famine 2.0?
Social contagion, was the driving force behind Silicon Valley Bank (SVB)’s quick growth but it was also what eventually did them in. As most of us know by
When Is the Singularity? Probably Not in Your Lifetime (Published 2016)
Most artificial intelligence researchers still discount the idea of an “intelligence explosion” that will outstrip human capabilities.
Pluralistic: Big Business can’t stop its illegal, fantastically lucrative gossiping (16 Mar 2023) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
Cocaine production reaches record levels as new trafficking hubs emerge
After Covid lockdowns hit both demand and supply, production is at record levels, the UN says.
Should we automate the CEO?
Canada and the U.S. are Not Systemically Racist — and the Numbers Prove It | Newgeography.com
Audiences Grow Weary of Stories that Never End
Disney and Netflix make billions by creating a culture without closure—but unhappy viewers are pushing back against the system.
Netflix, Shein and MrBeast — Benedict Evans
What does Netflix have in common with Shein, and why is MrBeast more interesting than Disney Plus?
Elizabeth Warren’s Moment (Again)
Today on TAP: Nobody understands or explains the corruption of the financial system better than the Massachusetts senator.
Pluralistic: Learning from Silicon Valley Bank’s apologists (15 Mar 2023) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
A Solution for Japan’s Military Mismatch
Given that Japan’s primary threats are maritime, why has it invested so heavily in a land-based force?
The Age of American Naval Dominance Is Over
The United States has ceded the oceans to its enemies. We can no longer take freedom of the seas for granted.
Trapped in an echo chamber?
Where new people go, new ideas flow. That’s why infrastructure has always influenced culture. In the days of old, it shaped the flow of trade. The flow of
France's baby bust - Works in Progress
Allocating scarcity
If we’re lucky, we invent something that’s going to be in high demand. Reservations at a hot restaurant. Limited edition trading cards. Concert tickets… How to decide who gets the…
Pluralistic: Spirit warned investors that merging with Jetblue would be illegal (12 Mar 2023) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
The semiautomated social network is coming
A machine-human hybrid built for engagement.