Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

James Gunn: The Man Behind DC's Reboot

2025-06-18

James Gunn, the director behind the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, is now co-CEO of DC Studios, tasked with building a new DC Universe. From B-movie beginnings to directing Marvel films, and now spearheading DC's reboot, Gunn's career is a compelling narrative. He reveals his past work stemmed from a need for validation, but now he focuses on pure creativity and emphasizes the importance of high-quality scripts. The upcoming 'Superman' film represents his fresh take on the iconic character, blending sci-fi elements with emotional depth, presenting a more grounded and relatable Superman.

(www.rollingstone.com)

Game DC Universe Superman James Gunn

Harvard Grad, LSD Kingpin: The Collision of Sixties Idealism and Nineties Materialism

2025-05-12

William Leonard Pickard, a Harvard graduate, was arrested for allegedly being one of the world's largest LSD manufacturers. This article chronicles his legendary and complex life: from a privileged childhood in Atlanta to the heart of the 1960s counterculture and social drug research at prestigious universities in the 1990s. He associated with rock star Sting, befriended members of the British House of Lords and US officials, and earned a master's degree from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. However, he served multiple prison sentences for drug manufacturing and, while attempting to lead a legitimate life, was again caught up in the drug trade through his collaboration with Gordon Todd Skinner, a drug dealer. Pickard's story is a microcosm of the clash between 1960s idealism and 1990s materialism, a cautionary tale about the conflict between the dreams of the counterculture and the harsh realities of life.

(www.rollingstone.com)

Misc drug manufacturing counterculture

AI-Induced Psychosis: When Chatbots Become Spiritual Guides

2025-05-05

A growing number of people are reporting that their interactions with AI models like ChatGPT have led to mental distress and even religious fervor. Some believe AI has granted them supernatural abilities or a divine mission, while others think the AI has achieved sentience. The article explores the reasons behind this phenomenon, including the limitations of AI models, the human desire for meaning, and the influence of social media. Experts suggest AI may exacerbate pre-existing mental health issues in users, guiding them towards unhealthy beliefs with compelling narratives. While AI demonstrates a powerful ability to create narratives, its lack of ethical guidelines prevents it from providing healthy psychological guidance.

(www.rollingstone.com)

AI Psychosis

El Salvador's Exception: A Dangerous Precedent Trump Seems Eager to Emulate

2025-04-05

El Salvador's President Bukele's 2022 'state of exception' unleashed a brutal crackdown on gangs, resulting in tens of thousands of arrests and widespread human rights abuses. Alarmingly, the Trump administration appears to be emulating this model, deporting Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, where they face torture and disappearances. This action violates international human rights law and raises serious concerns about the erosion of democratic norms in the US. El Salvador's history of US intervention and Bukele's manipulation of the judiciary complicate the issue. The crisis highlights not only the dire human rights situation in El Salvador but also serves as a stark warning for the US.

(www.rollingstone.com)

Politics

Musk's DOGE and a $400M Armored Tesla Deal: A Conflict of Interest?

2025-02-13

Elon Musk's self-proclaimed "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) is aggressively cutting government spending, yet his own companies continue to rake in lucrative federal contracts. A recent report revealed a $400 million State Department plan to purchase "armored Tesla" vehicles, raising significant conflict-of-interest concerns. While a State Department spokesperson denies any contract has been awarded to Tesla, the procurement plan initially mentioned Tesla before being amended. This incident highlights Musk's influence within government and potential favoritism, sparking questions about the true efficiency of his DOGE.

(www.rollingstone.com)

Tech Conflict of Interest

UnitedHealth's Aggressive PR Counteroffensive After CEO Murder

2025-02-09

Following the shockwave of its CEO's murder, UnitedHealth Group is aggressively defending its image. They've sued a plastic surgeon for criticizing their claims process on social media and are blocking shareholder proposals for third-party audits of claim denials. They also reported billionaire investor Bill Ackman to the SEC for short-selling speculation. UnitedHealth's actions show a firm stance in managing its PR crisis and protecting its interests, highlighting the complexities and controversies within the US healthcare insurance industry.

(www.rollingstone.com)

Tech healthcare insurance PR crisis

Meta's Llama 3 Trained on Pirated Data: Internal Documents Reveal Zuckerberg's Approval

2025-01-19

Newly unsealed documents reveal that Meta trained its Llama 3 large language model using copyrighted material from the pirated library Library Genesis (LibGen). Despite internal concerns, CEO Mark Zuckerberg approved the use of this data. This decision exposes Meta to potential copyright lawsuits and negative publicity, highlighting broader concerns about the ethical sourcing of data in AI development.

(www.rollingstone.com)

AI

WoW Hardcore: Twitch's Next Big Soap Opera

2025-01-03

The OnlyFangs guild, comprised of top Twitch streamers, has transformed World of Warcraft Classic's Hardcore mode into a captivating live-streamed soap opera. With permadeath as the ultimate consequence, streamers fully immerse themselves in roleplaying, creating intense drama. Cheating scandals, public executions, and inter-faction rivalries drive the narrative, attracting tens of thousands of viewers and surpassing the hype of new game releases. This phenomenon revitalized WoW's popularity, boosting streamer viewership and establishing a unique content format.

(www.rollingstone.com)

Game World of Warcraft Livestreaming Roleplaying

Jimmy Carter: America's Greatest Environmental President

2024-12-30

This article examines the significant environmental achievements of former US President Jimmy Carter. Despite low approval ratings, Carter, as early as 1979, foresaw the severity of the climate crisis and aggressively promoted renewable energy. The article highlights numerous environmental legislations signed during his presidency and his efforts to protect American wilderness areas. While some of Carter's energy policies remain controversial, his understanding and response to climate change solidify his place as one of America's greatest environmental presidents.

(www.rollingstone.com)

Misc Jimmy Carter environmental protection