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RFK Jr.'s Plan to Make America Healthy: An Apple Watch for Everyone?

2025-06-25

RFK Jr.'s Plan to Make America Healthy: An Apple Watch for Everyone?

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has launched an ambitious initiative to improve Americans' health by promoting widespread wearable device adoption, aiming for every American to wear one within four years. While proponents highlight the potential for early disease detection, concerns remain about privacy and data security risks associated with mass adoption. This, coupled with RFK Jr.'s history of spreading vaccine misinformation and recent controversial changes to the vaccine advisory panel, raises significant doubts about the plan's reliability and efficacy.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech

Silicon Valley Execs Join Army Reserve: A Double-Edged Sword

2025-06-19

Silicon Valley Execs Join Army Reserve: A Double-Edged Sword

Four executives from top Silicon Valley tech companies—Palantir, Meta, and OpenAI—have joined the U.S. Army Reserve as lieutenant colonels, aiming to accelerate technology adoption in the military. This unusual move highlights the growing military-civilian fusion but also raises concerns about conflicts of interest and political risks. These executives will work on projects helping the Army rapidly adopt commercial technologies, serving around 120 hours annually with significant remote work flexibility. However, their ties to their companies and potential political associations with the current administration could impact their companies' reputations and public perception, particularly amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech military-civilian fusion

Universe's Missing Matter Found!

2025-06-17

Universe's Missing Matter Found!

For decades, scientists have searched for the universe's 'missing' ordinary matter, accounting for 5% of the universe. Researchers from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and Caltech have used fast radio bursts (FRBs) to solve the mystery: over three-quarters of ordinary matter resides in hot, low-density gas between galaxies. FRBs slow down when traversing intergalactic gas; measuring this slowdown reveals the gas density. This study provides the first detailed measurements of ordinary matter's distribution, confirming cosmological simulations and illustrating matter's movement across the universe. It also highlights the efficiency of intergalactic feedback mechanisms.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech Fast Radio Bursts

Pentagon's UFO Smoke Screen: A Carefully Crafted Illusion?

2025-06-12

Pentagon's UFO Smoke Screen: A Carefully Crafted Illusion?

The Wall Street Journal revealed the Pentagon's long-standing manipulation of UFO incidents for disinformation purposes. By fabricating evidence and stories, the Department of Defense diverted public attention from real, secret weapons programs to 'alien technology.' This practice targeted not only the public but also its own personnel. For example, the 1967 incident at a nuclear bunker, where a supposed 'alien spacecraft' disabled missiles, was actually a government electromagnetic pulse test. Additionally, new recruits to secretive programs received photos of UFOs, told they represented anti-gravity technology – a potentially out-of-control 'hazing ritual' or part of an internal disinformation campaign. Ultimately, the truth remains elusive, and the government's intent may be to discourage the search for it.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech Government Conspiracy

OpenAI CEO Downplays ChatGPT's Environmental Impact

2025-06-12

OpenAI CEO Downplays ChatGPT's Environmental Impact

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claims ChatGPT's energy and water usage is far lower than previous studies suggest. He claims a single query requires only 0.34 Wh and a negligible amount of water. However, calculations based on ChatGPT's active users and message volume suggest significantly higher water consumption than Altman's estimates, contradicting other research. Altman's statements raise questions about OpenAI's data transparency and environmental responsibility, highlighting the significant environmental cost of large language models.

(gizmodo.com)

AI AI environmental impact

NASA's Europa Lander: From Frozen Moon to…Another Frozen Moon?

2025-06-08

NASA's Europa Lander: From Frozen Moon to…Another Frozen Moon?

After a decade of development, NASA's Europa Lander, a rugged, semi-autonomous probe designed to explore Jupiter's moon Europa, has been shelved due to budgetary and technical challenges. Equipped to walk, sample, and drill in extreme cold and high radiation, the lander aced its tests. However, NASA leadership ultimately canceled the Europa mission. Engineers are now lobbying to redirect the lander to Saturn's moon Enceladus, which offers lower radiation and better access windows. This robot built for Europa may yet get its chance at a moonwalk – albeit on a different celestial body.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech

50-Year Latency: Woman Dies From Prion Disease Contracted in Childhood

2025-05-30

50-Year Latency: Woman Dies From Prion Disease Contracted in Childhood

Scientists report a rare case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in a 58-year-old woman, likely contracted through contaminated human growth hormone (HGH) treatments received 50 years prior. This potentially represents the longest documented latency period for this fatal disease. The case highlights the insidious nature of prion diseases: long incubation periods and resistance to standard sterilization methods. While cadaver-derived HGH is banned, the potential for delayed onset cases remains a concern.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech prion disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease human growth hormone

AI's Devolution of Higher Education: Is ChatGPT Turning Students into Cyborgs?

2025-05-20

AI's Devolution of Higher Education: Is ChatGPT Turning Students into Cyborgs?

The AI industry's promise to 'disrupt' society is tragically fulfilled in the US education system. Reports from New York Magazine and 404 Media reveal widespread AI cheating: students use ChatGPT for assignments and even college applications, while schools, influenced by pro-AI consultants, encourage AI in classrooms. This leads to a decline in learning and teaching quality, highlighting systemic flaws and potentially catastrophic intellectual degradation. The easy route facilitated by AI is creating a generation increasingly reliant on technology, ultimately undermining genuine learning and critical thinking.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech AI in education

Apple CarPlay Ultra: Delayed Luxury, Divided Opinions

2025-05-16

Apple CarPlay Ultra: Delayed Luxury, Divided Opinions

Apple's CarPlay Ultra, featuring customizable dashboards and real-time diagnostics, is finally arriving, but exclusively in high-end Aston Martin vehicles. The delayed launch (six months behind schedule) highlights the challenges of developing car software across diverse platforms. This segmentation risks widening the gap between owners of new and older vehicles. The automotive industry is also split, with some manufacturers like GM and Mercedes-Benz moving away from CarPlay entirely. While CarPlay Ultra offers customization, the trend towards screen-filled dashboards raises concerns about driver experience and safety.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech in-car software

Soviet Venus Probe Set for Uncontrolled Reentry After 53 Years

2025-04-29

Soviet Venus Probe Set for Uncontrolled Reentry After 53 Years

A 53-year-old Soviet Venus probe, Kosmos 482, which failed to leave Earth's orbit in 1972, is expected to make an uncontrolled reentry in early May. Designed to withstand extreme heat, parts of the spacecraft might survive the descent. While the risk is considered low, it's not zero. The exact time and location of the reentry remain uncertain, complicated by solar activity affecting atmospheric drag.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech Spacecraft Reentry Soviet Probe

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

2025-04-27

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

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

Amazon's Book Sale Clash with Independent Bookstore Day: A David vs. Goliath Story

2025-04-27

Amazon's Book Sale Clash with Independent Bookstore Day: A David vs. Goliath Story

Amazon's annual book sale overlaps with Independent Bookstore Day, sparking outrage from independent bookstore owners who accuse Amazon of deliberately scheduling the sale to undercut them. While Amazon claims the overlap was unintentional, many see it as a continuation of Amazon's long history of aggressive tactics against competitors. Indie bookstores, however, have persevered by fostering community bonds and offering a unique shopping experience that Amazon can't replicate.

(gizmodo.com)

Startup Indie Bookstores Business Competition

The Quest to Retrieve Vanguard-1: Oldest Satellite in Orbit

2025-04-19

The Quest to Retrieve Vanguard-1: Oldest Satellite in Orbit

Launched in 1958, the grapefruit-sized Vanguard-1 satellite remains in orbit, making it the oldest human-made object orbiting Earth. A team is proposing a mission to retrieve this historical artifact, studying its decades-long exposure to space. The plan involves potentially using a SpaceX vehicle or partnering with a private sponsor. Once retrieved, Vanguard-1 could be displayed at the Smithsonian, serving as a testament to the early days of space exploration. This mission would also provide valuable experience for future endeavors like space debris removal and on-orbit manufacturing.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech Satellite Retrieval Space History

2,000-Year-Old Roman Battlefield Unearthed in Vienna

2025-04-07

2,000-Year-Old Roman Battlefield Unearthed in Vienna

During renovations of a sports field in Vienna, a mass grave containing the remains of approximately 150 soldiers was discovered. Archaeological analysis confirms the remains date to a battle between Roman legionaries and Germanic tribes sometime between the mid-first and early second centuries CE. The discovery, including weaponry (daggers, spears, helmet fragments) and a dagger sheath with silver wire inlays providing precise dating, offers the first direct archaeological evidence of a battle along the Danube Limes, a key part of the Roman Empire's eastern frontier. This find sheds new light on the origins of Vienna and the conflicts that led to the expansion of the Roman military camp Vindobona.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech

Voyager's Sunset: A Legacy of Interstellar Exploration

2025-04-05

Voyager's Sunset: A Legacy of Interstellar Exploration

Nearly 50 years after launch, the Voyager probes are nearing the end of their operational lives. Powering down due to decaying plutonium, the aging spacecraft lose 4 watts annually, forcing tough decisions to shut down non-essential systems, including science instruments. Project scientist Linda Spilker recounts the challenges of maintaining these aging vessels and the effort to pass on their knowledge to new generations. Voyager's journey, yielding invaluable data on the heliopause and interstellar space, inspires future interstellar missions, charting a course for humanity's continued exploration of the cosmos.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech

Playstacean: A Crab-Themed PSOne Mod Takes Meme to Reality

2025-03-29

Playstacean: A Crab-Themed PSOne Mod Takes Meme to Reality

YouTuber GingerOfOz brought the meme-ified 'Playstacean' to life, a crab-shaped PlayStation One mod based on concept art by Anh Dang. This isn't just a reskin; it features functional crab claw controllers and intricate internal modifications. The build involved 3D printing, controller port adjustments, and wiring challenges. While GingerOfOz isn't releasing the design files yet, this unique creation will be showcased at the Midwest Gaming Classic.

(gizmodo.com)

Game console mod

Pyrex Explosions: The Fall of a Kitchen Icon?

2025-03-28

Pyrex Explosions: The Fall of a Kitchen Icon?

Since 1915, Pyrex glassware has been a kitchen staple. However, in recent years, numerous reports of Pyrex cookware exploding under heat have surfaced. Investigations reveal a shift in the 1950s to cheaper soda-lime glass from the original heat-resistant borosilicate glass. While tempered, soda-lime glass is far less resistant to thermal shock, making it prone to shattering. Although Pyrex's parent company claims explosions are rare and due to misuse, consumers and experts question this, citing insufficient risk communication. A class-action lawsuit is underway, and consumers are seeking out reliable borosilicate glass alternatives. The incident highlights the importance of material science in everyday products.

(gizmodo.com)

Hardware glass cookware product safety

Thriving Ecosystem Discovered Beneath Calved Antarctic Iceberg

2025-03-25

Thriving Ecosystem Discovered Beneath Calved Antarctic Iceberg

Scientists exploring the seafloor exposed by the calving of the massive A-84 iceberg (Chicago-sized) in Antarctica discovered a surprisingly vibrant ecosystem. Using the ROV SuBastian, they found large corals, sponges, icefish, giant sea spiders, and octopuses, suggesting these communities have existed for decades, perhaps centuries. This unexpected discovery challenges existing understanding of how icebergs affect their surroundings and highlights the impact of Antarctic ice sheet melt. Ocean currents are believed to be crucial for life under the ice, while the shrinking ice sheet poses a threat. The research provides crucial data for predicting future climate change impacts.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech Marine Ecology Iceberg Calving

WWI Dazzle Camouflage: It Wasn't the Paint, It Was the Horizon Effect

2025-03-25

WWI Dazzle Camouflage: It Wasn't the Paint, It Was the Horizon Effect

During WWI, navies used "dazzle" camouflage to confuse German U-boats. Researchers at Aston University re-analyzed a 106-year-old study and found that the "dazzle" effect was far less significant than the "horizon effect." The horizon effect causes viewers to underestimate a ship's angle relative to the horizon; even at a 25-degree angle, it appears to be traveling along the horizon. This study reveals that even experienced naval officers were fooled by the horizon effect, highlighting a misinterpretation of the camouflage's effectiveness.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech WWI dazzle camouflage horizon effect

Tesla Insurance Costs Skyrocket Amidst Wave of Vandalism and Backlash

2025-03-18

Tesla Insurance Costs Skyrocket Amidst Wave of Vandalism and Backlash

Tesla insurance premiums are surging due to the company's declining reputation and a rise in vandalism targeting its vehicles. Insurers, relying on actuarial models, are predicting higher claim payouts for Tesla EVs. Elon Musk's personal brand is inextricably linked to the cars, fueling public anger and leading to protests and acts of vandalism, including arson, graffiti, and theft. This has prompted insurers to increase rates significantly, especially for models like the Model X and Model S Plaid. A similar situation unfolded in 2023 with Kia and Hyundai vehicles, whose easy theft led to soaring insurance costs. Adding fuel to the fire, a website called "DOGEQUEST" allegedly publishes personal information of Tesla owners, exacerbating the crisis.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech vandalism

Netflix's Underrated Masterpiece: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

2025-03-18

Netflix's Underrated Masterpiece: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

Netflix's 2019 series, *The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance*, is a criminally underrated fantasy epic. Serving as a prequel to the 1982 film, this 10-episode masterpiece boasts stunning puppetry and an all-star voice cast (including Taron Egerton and Anya Taylor-Joy), recounting the Gelfling rebellion against the evil Skeksis on the planet Thra. Despite its premature cancellation due to high production costs and viewership, its exceptional production quality, profound storytelling, and mature dark themes make it a must-watch classic, rivaling the likes of *Lord of the Rings* and *Star Wars*.

(gizmodo.com)

Game Puppetry

Sony Battles AI Deepfake Songs: 75,000+ Removed, Copyright Fight Heats Up

2025-03-10

Sony Battles AI Deepfake Songs: 75,000+ Removed, Copyright Fight Heats Up

Sony Music is battling AI-generated deepfake songs mimicking artists like Harry Styles and Beyoncé. Over 75,000 songs have been removed from online platforms, but this is likely a small fraction of the problem. The proliferation of these songs is causing direct commercial harm, sparking a copyright debate. The UK government is considering new copyright laws allowing AI model training on artist material, but this has faced artist protests over the difficulty of policing copyright violations. Meanwhile, AI-generated nude deepfakes are a growing problem in US high schools, highlighting the ethical concerns alongside the technological advancements.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech AI deepfakes deepfake songs Deepfakes deepfakes music industry

Microsoft's Quiet Breakup with OpenAI: An AI Power Struggle

2025-03-10

Microsoft's Quiet Breakup with OpenAI: An AI Power Struggle

Microsoft is quietly distancing itself from OpenAI, developing its own in-house reasoning model, MAI, and testing models from xAI, Meta, and DeepSeek as potential ChatGPT replacements in Copilot. Driven by concerns over ChatGPT's cost and speed, and hampered by OpenAI's reluctance to share documentation on its o1 model, Microsoft's massive investment and initial partnership seem to be dissolving into a fierce AI competition. Both companies are vying for market share, promising an exciting future for the AI landscape.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech

Musk's Efficiency Push: Replacing Thousands of Employees with a Chatbot

2025-03-09

Musk's Efficiency Push: Replacing Thousands of Employees with a Chatbot

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency is undertaking what experts call the largest job cut in American history, attempting to fill the resulting void with a proprietary chatbot called GSAi. Deployed to 1,500 employees at the US General Services Administration (GSA), GSAi is intended to handle "general" tasks like drafting emails and summarizing text. However, employee feedback suggests the chatbot is limited, performing at the level of an intern and producing "generic and guessable answers." Notably, GSAi was in development before Musk's involvement, with other government agencies exploring similar chatbot projects that were shelved due to technical issues. The rushed deployment of GSAi raises questions about its effectiveness and the value of the skills of the employees who were laid off.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech

Trump Admin to Use AI to Target Pro-Palestine Students

2025-03-09

Trump Admin to Use AI to Target Pro-Palestine Students

The U.S. State Department is launching "Catch and Revoke," an AI-powered program to scan news and social media for pro-Palestinian and Hamas sympathies among student visa holders. This initiative, starting October 7th, raises serious concerns about free speech and potential biases in AI. The program aligns with the Trump administration's broader efforts to combat perceived antisemitism and domestic terrorism, efforts criticized for their overbroad definitions and potential for silencing dissent. The passage of the "Take it Down Act," ostensibly targeting revenge porn and deepfakes, further exacerbates these concerns, potentially providing a tool for suppressing criticism. The combined actions represent a significant attack on free speech and expression, fueled by surveillance technology.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech

SBF's Prison Interview: A Pardon Play?

2025-03-08

SBF's Prison Interview: A Pardon Play?

Sam Bankman-Fried's (SBF) unauthorized prison interview with Tucker Carlson has sparked controversy. The interview, conducted without prison approval, landed SBF in solitary confinement. Analysts believe this was a calculated move to garner public support and potentially secure a pardon from President Trump. His parents have reportedly hired a lawyer with Trump ties to lobby for a pardon. However, SBF's past Democratic connections and his subtle approach to seeking a pardon may hinder his chances. Despite this, his youth and lengthy sentence leave the possibility of future developments open.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech Trump Pardon

Voyager's Sunset: NASA Begins Shutting Down Instruments to Extend Mission

2025-03-06

Voyager's Sunset: NASA Begins Shutting Down Instruments to Extend Mission

After nearly 50 years of interstellar exploration, the Voyager spacecraft are running low on power. To extend their operational lifespan, NASA engineers are progressively shutting down scientific instruments. Voyager 1's cosmic ray subsystem was deactivated on February 25th, followed by Voyager 2's low-energy charged particle instrument on March 24th. While these measures aim to keep the probes operational into the 2030s, they mean sacrificing valuable scientific data. Despite this, the Voyagers continue their pioneering journey into uncharted interstellar space, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech Interstellar Space

Terminator 2D: No Fate - A Retro Sidescroller Revisits a Classic

2025-03-01

Terminator 2D: No Fate - A Retro Sidescroller Revisits a Classic

After a six-year hiatus, the Terminator franchise is roaring back with a retro-style sidescrolling game, Terminator 2D: No Fate. Players take on the roles of Sarah Connor, the T-800, and adult John Connor, experiencing diverse gameplay including stealth, shooting, and post-apocalyptic gunfights. The game adapts iconic scenes from Terminator 2: Judgment Day while also introducing original content and multiple endings, encouraging replayability as players navigate different paths to saving or dooming humanity. Launching September 5th on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, with retro platform releases planned later.

(gizmodo.com)

Game Terminator Retro Game Sidescroller

DoorDash to Pay $16.75M to Drivers Over Tip Misuse

2025-02-25

DoorDash to Pay $16.75M to Drivers Over Tip Misuse

DoorDash will pay $16.75 million to over 60,000 drivers in New York after a lawsuit alleging the company misused tips. Between 2017 and 2019, DoorDash allegedly used tips to subsidize its guaranteed minimum wage, keeping the difference. While the company claimed drivers received 100% of tips, the lawsuit argued this was misleading as tips were factored into the base pay. This deceptive practice is finally being addressed, with eligible drivers set to receive compensation.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech Tip Dispute Legal Settlement

Indian Teenager Shatters Six Mental Math World Records in a Day

2025-02-21

Indian Teenager Shatters Six Mental Math World Records in a Day

Fourteen-year-old Aaryan Shukla from India has earned the title of "human calculator kid" after breaking six mental calculation world records in a single day. His feats include adding 100 four-digit numbers in under 31 seconds and performing even more complex calculations with astonishing speed. This incredible ability stems from years of dedicated practice (5-6 hours daily) and Sahaja Yoga meditation for focus. Shukla's talent emerged early; he won international competitions at the age of eight.

(gizmodo.com)

Misc mental math child prodigy

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