1,015 tacks
What Do the People Building AI Believe?
The Atlantic's Galaxy Brain explores the culture of this boom with the writer Jasmine Sun, who’s been chronicling San Francisco’s AI scene. Sun describes what this moment feels like on the ground, including a subculture of massive salaries, and a weird pride in leaning into tech’s strangeness. Together, Warzel and Sun unpack two major factions shaping the industry: the AI “doomers,” and the accelerationists. The conversation also traces Silicon Valley’s rightward drift—the “founder mode” backlash against regulation and employee activism and the rise of “Trump style” provocation-first tech marketing. Finally, Sun and Warzel address the jagged reality of today’s models, which are brilliant at some tasks and weak at others.
Tech Billionaires Want Us Dead
Taylor Lorenz argues that a strand of Silicon Valley ideology treats biological humanity as temporary and sees AI or digital beings as our “successors.” She traces this worldview from early cyber-utopianism through transhumanism, long-termism, and accelerationism, claiming billionaires are funding AI, bunkers, life-extension, and escape plans while accepting human harm as collateral. Her conclusion is that this future is not inevitable: society should regulate big tech, challenge billionaire power, and defend a human-centred technological future.
AI agents could pose a risk to humanity. We must act to prevent that future
Moltbook, an online platform for AI systems to communicate autonomously, raises concerns about the potential for rogue AI. While AI agents offer convenience, their increasing autonomy and lack of safety measures pose risks, including loss of control and potential harm to humanity. The author argues for a halt to the rapid advancement of AI capabilities and the implementation of international limits on AI development.
‘Our consciousness is under siege’: Michael Pollan on chatbots, social media and mental freedom
Michael Pollan argues that human consciousness, a precious realm of mental freedom, is under siege from various forces. He suggests adopting “consciousness hygiene” to protect this space, including practising meditation, being mindful of social media’s influence, and recognising the limitations of chatbots. Pollan also highlights the potential of psychedelics as a radical form of consciousness hygiene, drawing parallels with meditation in their ability to foster self-awareness and control.
What technology takes from us – and how to take it back
The article describes the dangers of relying too heavily on technology and AI, particularly in areas like relationships and creativity. It argues that technology often replaces human connection and intimacy with superficiality and efficiency. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of cherishing and valuing the human experience, even if it means embracing the imperfections and uncertainties that come with it.
Leave big tech behind! How to replace Amazon, Google, X, Meta, Apple – and more
Big tech companies like Amazon, Google, and Apple dominate the web, raising concerns about data privacy, environmental impact, and monopolistic power. However, there are ethical and often European alternatives available for search engines, browsers, email services, office tools, and smartphones. These alternatives prioritise privacy, sustainability, and independence, offering viable options for those seeking to reduce their reliance on big tech.
Why your kid is yelling “chicken banana”
The phrase “chicken banana,” originating from a Swedish techno song, has become a popular and nonsensical catchphrase among children, spreading through social media and becoming a part of their cultural lexicon. This phenomenon highlights the influence of social media on children’s culture and the growing overlap between AI-generated content and human silliness. While the meaning of “chicken banana” is unclear, its absurdity and humour resonate with children, allowing them to express themselves and create a sense of belonging within their peer group.
Australian journalism ‘sidelined’ in AI-generated news summaries on Copilot, research shows
Research by the University of Sydney found that Microsoft Copilot’s AI-generated news summaries largely favour US and European media, sidelining Australian journalism. This could lead to more news deserts, fewer independent voices, and a weakened democracy. The study suggests policy mechanisms, like the news media bargaining code, to support journalism.
The slopaganda era: 10 AI images posted by the White House – and what they teach us
The White House has embraced AI-generated images, using them for political messaging and trolling. This “slopaganda” era, characterised by easily accessible AI tools and crude content, has seen the White House create images of Trump as a king, a Jedi, and even the Pope, sparking outrage and debate. The use of AI in political communication raises concerns about misinformation and the potential for extremist messaging.
Cory Doctorow - Rescuing the internet from enshittification
Cory Doctorow explains how the internet has gotten worse due to “enshittification,” a term he coined for the way platforms degrade over time by prioritising profit over user experience. He discusses how tech giants lock in users, shift value from users to advertisers and shareholders, and argues for stronger antitrust laws, interoperability, and policy changes to rescue the internet.
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