Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Wesley on Slavery: An 18th-Century Conscience

2025-04-27

In 1774, John Wesley published 'Thoughts Upon Slavery,' a scathing condemnation of the then-rampant transatlantic slave trade. The text vividly details the brutality: the kidnapping and forced capture in Africa, the inhumane conditions during the voyage, and the relentless oppression on plantations. Wesley, using extensive firsthand accounts, refutes justifications for slavery, highlighting its violation of natural justice and humanity, and calls for an end to the abhorrent trade. This powerful work remains a poignant 18th-century reflection on slavery and a stark warning for today.

(msa.maryland.gov)

Misc John Wesley transatlantic slave trade

Pipe Organs: A Giant Box of Whistles

2025-04-27

At its core, a pipe organ is a giant box of whistles. Each pipe sits atop a hollow windchest filled with compressed air from bellows or a blower. Each stop on the console represents a set of pipes (a rank) of a particular tone color, with a different pipe for every note. Pulling a stop activates a slider under those pipes, making them sound-sources. The windchest also has valves (pallets) mechanically linked to the keyboard. These control airflow; even with a stop engaged, no sound occurs until a key activates its pallet, releasing compressed air into the pipe. This creates the sound. Every pipe organ is unique, custom-built to the buyer's specifications, considering sound types, room size, aesthetics, and budget.

(www.pipedreams.org)

Misc musical instrument acoustics

Lawyer Used AI to Generate a Court Brief. It Was a Disaster.

2025-04-27

Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow, is embroiled in legal battles due to his staunch support of Donald Trump's election lies. His lawyer, Christopher Kachouroff, is now facing disciplinary action for submitting a court brief riddled with errors – nearly thirty, including fabricated legal citations – generated by AI. Judge Nina Wang is demanding an explanation from Kachouroff and co-counsel Jennifer DeMaster, threatening disciplinary action if they fail to provide a satisfactory account of this egregious professional lapse. The incident highlights the perils of using generative AI in legal contexts and underscores the critical need for rigorous fact-checking of all legal documents.

(gizmodo.com)

Misc

The Unexpected Creativity Hack: Reading Obituaries

2025-04-27

Boost your creativity by reading obituaries! This article argues that exploring the diverse lives detailed in obituaries exposes you to distant ideas, sparking associations that lead to unexpected breakthroughs. Research shows creativity thrives on connecting disparate concepts, and obituaries offer a unique source of cross-disciplinary inspiration. The author illustrates this with examples, encouraging readers to delve into the details, seek deeper connections, and unlock their creative potential. It's not just about facts, but asking 'why?' and finding distant connections to your own life.

(thereader.mitpress.mit.edu)

Misc obituaries association

How Porn Shaped Our Culture

2025-04-27

An article in The Atlantic explores the impact of the pornography industry on contemporary culture, particularly its shaping of female representation. The piece argues that porn's rise isn't just about fulfilling sexual desires; it has shaped our cultural understanding, especially manifesting in the stereotypes and mistreatment of women, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ individuals in politics and mainstream culture. The author suggests that certain types of pornography desensitize viewers to cruelty and reinforce male dominance. While sexual openness is seen as empowering, this narrative often obscures the unsavory aspects of the pornography industry. The article also discusses the various forms of pornographic content and their effects on women, and how to counter its negative cultural influence.

(www.theatlantic.com)

Misc cultural impact female representation

Offline Wikipedia: A Guide to Database Dumps

2025-04-27

This article provides a comprehensive guide on downloading and utilizing Wikipedia's database dumps for offline access. It details different dump file types (e.g., pages-articles-multistream.xml.bz2), using BitTorrent clients for download, and handling large compressed files and operating system file system limitations. The article also explores various offline Wikipedia readers, including Kiwix, XOWA, and WikiFilter, providing setup instructions and considerations.

(en.wikipedia.org)

Misc Database Dumps Offline Access

A Nostalgic Look at MS-DOS Word

2025-04-27

This retrospective dives into the history of Microsoft Word on MS-DOS, tracing its evolution from a non-WYSIWYG editor to the final Word 6.0. The author recounts their experiences using Word in the DOS environment, covering its interface, features, comparisons with competitors like WordPerfect, and file compatibility challenges. Ultimately, the review praises Word 5.5/6.0's practicality for DOS users needing a text editor and system file manager, showcasing a fondness for this classic piece of software.

(shot97retro.blogspot.com)

Misc Word Processor

Tipping in America: A Complex Legacy

2025-04-27

Tipping in American restaurants is commonplace, but its history is complex. Introduced from Europe, it was initially resisted as un-American and classist. However, after the abolition of slavery, it became a primary income source for many Black service workers and spread through the Pullman railway company. Despite attempts at legislative abolition, it became entrenched, evolving into the current system with a 'tip credit' against minimum wage, leaving many service workers earning significantly less than the minimum wage. Today, the tipping system faces pressure from customers, employees, and restaurant owners, with its future uncertain but reform increasingly demanded.

(www.7shifts.com)

Misc tipping American restaurants

The Egg Controller: A Son's Quest to Understand His Father's Legacy

2025-04-26

The author inherits his late father's 'Egg Controller,' a device for precisely controlling barbecue temperature. Initially baffling, the device reveals itself to be a sophisticated piece of engineering employing PID control. The author's journey of troubleshooting, from initial confusion to the discovery of a hidden switch, culminates in successfully using the controller, fulfilling his father's unfinished work and serving as a poignant tribute.

(www.pentadact.com)

Misc Memorial

Smell Test Predicts Female Friendships

2025-04-26

A new study reveals that women can predict whether they'll befriend someone else by smelling their worn T-shirts. In the study, 40 female volunteers participated in a 'speed-friending' event where they first rated each other's photos, then smelled each other's worn T-shirts, and finally interacted face-to-face. Results showed a strong correlation between odor-based friendship potential assessments and those made after face-to-face interactions, suggesting a subconscious role of scent in friendship formation. While the study was limited to college-aged heterosexual women, it opens avenues for future research into the interplay of olfaction and social relationships.

(arstechnica.com)

Misc smell

The Seven-Year Rule: Embrace Your Ever-Changing Self

2025-04-26

Inspired by the Dalai Lama's concept, this article explores the idea that we are completely reborn every seven years due to cellular regeneration. The author argues that clinging to past mistakes or triumphs is futile, as that person no longer exists. By focusing on the present moment and embracing this constant transformation, we liberate ourselves and better shape our future selves.

(www.macsparky.com)

Misc

60th Birthday Reflections: 25 Principles for Adult Behavior from an Internet Pioneer

2025-04-26

On his 60th birthday, internet pioneer John Perry Barlow shared a list of 25 "Principles of Adult Behavior" he drafted 30 years ago. These principles, ranging from patience and responsibility to respect, tolerance, and self-reflection, aren't presented as a perfect standard but rather as goals he continually strives for. This post offers both a personal growth narrative and profound life lessons.

(www.mail-archive.com)

Misc internet pioneer

The Friendship Recession: A Cultural Crisis and How to Combat It

2025-04-26

The US is experiencing a 'Friendship Recession,' with a dramatic decline in the number of close friendships among adults. This isn't solely due to structural factors like suburban sprawl and economic pressures; a deeper cultural shift is at play. Work has become a dominant social identity, family is prioritized over friendships, and online interactions replace in-person connections. The article explores the neuropsychological mechanisms behind this shift and proposes solutions: proactively creating opportunities for friendship formation (e.g., shared novel experiences) and maintaining friendships through structured activities. Ultimately, it argues that reversing this trend requires both structural changes and individual effort.

(www.happiness.hks.harvard.edu)

Misc Social Culture

AI-Generated Legal Brief Contains Nearly 30 Errors

2025-04-26

A lawyer representing MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell admitted using artificial intelligence to write a legal brief containing almost 30 defective citations, including misquotes and references to fictional cases. US District Judge Nina Wang ordered the attorneys to explain why they shouldn't face sanctions and disciplinary proceedings. Lead counsel, Christopher Kachouroff, admitted to using AI but offered little explanation for the numerous errors. This case highlights the potential pitfalls of using AI in legal work.

(arstechnica.com)

Misc Legal Errors

New Orleans ICE Raids: US Citizen Children Deported

2025-04-26

In a shocking early morning raid, New Orleans Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported at least two families, including two mothers and their minor children—three of whom are U.S. citizen children aged 2, 4, and 7. One mother is pregnant. These families, long-time residents with deep community ties, were deported under deeply troubling circumstances raising serious due process concerns. ICE denied access to attorneys and family members, isolating the families during critical decision-making moments regarding their children's welfare. One family's U.S. citizen child, suffering from a rare form of metastatic cancer, was deported without medication or access to their doctors. These actions violate ICE's own directives regarding the care of minor children and have sparked outrage over ICE's abuse of power and disregard for human rights.

(www.aclu.org)

Misc

Aussie Ordered Uranium, Plutonium; Walks Free

2025-04-26

A 24-year-old Australian man who ordered radioactive materials, including uranium and plutonium, online to complete his periodic table collection, received a lenient sentence of a two-year good behavior bond. The incident triggered a major hazmat response, but the judge cited mental health concerns and lack of malicious intent. The case highlights both the ease of acquiring such materials and the subsequent overreaction from authorities, sparking debate about regulatory frameworks and border control.

(www.chemistryworld.com)

Misc nuclear materials hazmat lenient sentence

RSS: Reclaiming Your Attention in the Age of Algorithmic Control

2025-04-26

The internet has become a battleground for user attention, with algorithms prioritizing engagement over user experience. This article champions RSS as a way to regain control. By building chains of trust and selectively subscribing to feeds from trusted sources, users can filter information and curate their own content gardens. Using an RSS reader isn't just aggregation; it's a skill and a practice of intentional engagement, allowing you to own your attention.

(www.doliver.org)

Misc

Crap Towns: A Book From Another Age?

2025-04-26

The author reflects on their 'Crap Towns' series, a satirical look at the worst places in the UK published around the turn of the millennium. The series, based on public nominations and the author's own research, poked fun at British social issues. Now, the author questions whether such a book could be published today. The rise of identity politics and reduced tolerance for humor lead to concerns that the series' satire might be controversial. This prompts reflection on the changing landscape of social humor. While some criticize the series as outdated or offensive, the author argues that humor is a lubricant for social progress, and critical humor can expose societal ills. Ultimately, the author concludes that despite the changing times, the essence of 'Crap Towns' persists, albeit requiring adaptation to a new context.

(samj.substack.com)

Misc identity politics

A Comprehensive List of World Countries

2025-04-25

This list provides a nearly exhaustive compilation of all independent sovereign states and territories worldwide, spanning every continent from Asia and Africa to the Americas and Europe. Its extensive nature makes it useful for a variety of applications, including building geographic databases, conducting international trade research, or global studies.

(clevercoloringbook.com)

Misc country list

Mojave Desert Ghosts: Yucca Man and Southern California's Cryptid Legends

2025-04-25

This article explores the enduring legend of Yucca Man in Southern California's Mojave Desert, alongside other similar cryptid sightings. Since the 1970s, reports of an eight-foot-tall, hairy, red-eyed creature have emerged from military bases, national parks, and remote areas. While Native populations viewed these beings as supernatural entities, modern accounts depict them as Bigfoot-like creatures. The article delves into historical parallels, including tales of a winged beast at Elizabeth Lake and the 'Cement Monster' of a nearby mine, weaving together geography, history, and folklore into a captivating narrative of mystery.

(longreads.com)

Misc Cryptids Bigfoot Southern California

Stunning Partisan Divide in How US Lawmakers Cite Science

2025-04-25

A new analysis of hundreds of thousands of policy documents reveals a striking difference in how US political parties use scientific literature. Democrat-led congressional committees and left-leaning think tanks are far more likely to cite research papers than their Republican counterparts. The study also found Democrats and left-leaning groups are more likely to cite high-impact research, and both sides rarely cite the same studies or topics. The research, published in Science, shows that documents from Democrat-controlled committees were almost 1.8 times more likely to cite science than those from Republican-led committees.

(www.nature.com)

Misc partisan divide

The 20th Century Novel: An Explosion of Form in an Exploding World

2025-04-25

This review explores Edwin Frank's *Stranger Than Fiction: Lives of the Twentieth-Century Novel*, which examines the evolution of the novel in a turbulent world. Frank argues that 20th-century novels broadened their subject matter, encompassing homosexuality, alcoholism, anti-heroes, and magical realism, among other themes absent in 19th-century novels. However, the review also suggests that the depth of 20th-century novels fails to surpass the classics of the 19th century, such as works by Dickens and Tolstoy. The piece concludes with a concern about the future of the novel and its readership, lamenting the potential loss of a literary form that so deeply engages with human nature and emotion.

(thelampmagazine.com)

Misc Novel History 20th Century Literature

The Tumultuous Life of Controversial Author MacLane

2025-04-25

Following the uproar surrounding her debut novel, MacLane published a second book the following year, 'My Friend Annabel Lee,' a proto-surrealist tale about her friendship with a Japanese porcelain doll. It was met with critical indifference. Her subsequent life was a whirlwind of journalistic pursuits, financial woes (including arrest for debt), and a long-term relationship with Caroline M. Branson, 44 years her senior. MacLane continued to write, expressing her unconventional views on marriage, family, sex, religion, and more, leaving behind a legacy as controversial as it is enigmatic.

(publicdomainreview.org)

Misc

Judge Arrested for Allegedly Helping Man Evade Immigration Authorities

2025-04-25

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI for allegedly helping a man evade immigration authorities, escalating tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary. The FBI alleges Dugan intentionally misled agents trying to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz. Dugan's attorney claims her actions were not in the interest of public safety. The arrest has sparked debate about the separation of powers and government overreach.

(apnews.com)

Misc judiciary power struggle

DOGE Budget Cuts: A PR Stunt Masking Larger Issues

2025-04-25

While headlines focus on DOGE budget cuts, their impact on the deficit is negligible—$0.00. The Department of Government Efficiency canceled zero grants and contracts, resulting in significant social costs to vulnerable communities, research, and essential services. The article highlights two alternative policies that would generate far more savings than the DOGE cuts, such as closing corporate tax loopholes and reducing carbon emissions. These policies offer a more substantial and meaningful approach to addressing the deficit while maintaining critical services.

(www.debtinperspective.com)

Misc budget deficit policy analysis

The Ironic Twist: Anti-Piracy Campaign Possibly Used a Pirated Font

2025-04-25

Twenty years ago, the iconic "You Wouldn't Steal a Car" anti-piracy campaign launched. A recent discovery reveals a shocking irony: campaign materials may have used a pirated font, "XBAND Rough," a near-identical clone of Just Van Rossum's 1992 FF Confidential font. The campaign, designed to fight piracy, ironically may have employed pirated materials itself, sparking debate and highlighting the pervasive nature of copyright infringement. The original font creator finds the situation hilarious.

(torrentfreak.com)

Misc font anti-piracy campaign

Iowa City's Literary Underground: Beyond the MFA Hype

2025-04-25

Iowa City, home to the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop, is renowned for its literary scene. But beneath the surface of this acclaimed program lies a vibrant counterculture history. From the anti-war activism of the 1960s to the thriving Center for Afrofuturist Studies, Iowa City consistently fosters unique cultural energy. This article explores this multifaceted city through iconic locations like Dave's Fox Head Tavern and the Black Angel statue, revealing its dynamic cultural landscape and its commitment to challenging the status quo and nurturing creativity.

(www.publicbooks.org)

Misc Iowa City

ADHD and Job Loss: It's Not a Failure

2025-04-25

For those with ADHD, job loss is a possibility, and it's okay. The author, having been fired once and quitting four times, reframes job changes as learning experiences. Typical workplaces are designed for neurotypical individuals, and ADHD traits often clash with expectations, leading to misunderstandings from employers. Getting fired isn't a reflection of self-worth, but rather a compatibility issue. The author advises focusing on understanding one's needs and finding a better work fit, and encourages readers not to excessively worry about job security.

(claimingattention.substack.com)

Misc

OSI's 2025 Election: Transparency Crisis Shakes Open Source Trust

2025-04-25

The Open Source Initiative (OSI)'s 2025 board elections are embroiled in controversy. OSI removed votes for three candidates after the voting period, severely damaging its credibility. The core issue involves a reform platform pushed by three candidates (including a former OSI director) proposing to repeal the newly adopted Open Source AI Definition and revise the board member agreement. OSI's last-minute requirement for candidates to sign the agreement, with a short deadline, disqualified some candidates. Critics claim this violates election procedures, lacks transparency, and suggests a conflict of interest. Community speculation about OSI's motives and potential corruption has intensified, leading to demands for the release of unaltered election results to restore trust and credibility.

(codeberg.org)

Misc election controversy

The Gilded Cage: Henry James' Critique of American Excess

2025-04-25

Henry James critiques the social isolation and historical amnesia of America's newly wealthy. He likens their opulent mansions to grotesque jokes, their inhabitants hauntingly alone. In contrast, he celebrates the enduring beauty and cultural depth of long-cultivated European spaces and the generations who inhabited them. James also highlights the plight of Native Americans, seeing them as embodying the history America tries to conceal.

(newrepublic.com)

Misc Henry James Wealth and Isolation

Category: Misc