Another link dump of things I thought were worth sharing
Florida Bill Would Make It Easier to Kill ‘Bears on Crack’
In the Sunshine State, where alligators sunbathe, and oranges grow with attitude, there’s a new menace: bears on crack. 🐻🔥
Plot Twist 1: The Bear Dealers Picture this: A dimly lit alley in the Everglades. A shady bear dealer whispers, “Psst, wanna try some premium Florida crack?” And there it is—the illicit bear drug trade. 🐾💊
Plot Twist 2: Bear Rehab Centers Desperate bears, pupils dilated, stumbling around like they’ve just binge-watched all seasons of “Breaking Bad.” They need help. Introducing: Bear Rehab Centers. Step 1: Admit you’re a bear. Step 2: Detox from honey addiction. Step 3: Group therapy with fellow bears. 🐻🤝
Plot Twist 3: The Florida Legislature Enter the Florida legislature. They’re not messing around. Their solution? Legalize bear hunting. Because nothing says “rehab” like a well-aimed bullet. 🎯🔫
Bear Self-Defense Tips:
- Bear Pepper Spray: Now available in “Original” and “Extra Spicy” flavors.
- Bear Whistle: Blow it, and the bear will pause to dance the Macarena. (True story.)
- Bear Diplomacy: Engage in a heartfelt conversation. “Hey, Yogi, let’s talk about your life choices.”
Public Service Announcement: Remember, folks, bears are not inherently evil. They’re just misunderstood. Maybe they’re not on crack—maybe they’re just having a midlife crisis. 🐻🌄
So next time you encounter a Florida bear, offer it a smoothie and a yoga mat. Namaste, crack bears. Namaste. 🙏🍌🌿
Katie Hill
Feynman - Life and Times in podcast form
“The Life & Work of Richard Feynman Explores in a Three-Part Freakonomics Radio Miniseries” delves into the fascinating journey of Richard Feynman, a brilliant physicist known for his contributions to quantum mechanics, particle physics, and scientific curiosity.
Here’s a summary of the three-part miniseries
“The Curious Mr. Feynman”:
- Feynman, from the Manhattan Project to the Challenger investigation, loved to dismantle what he called “lousy ideas.” The episode explores his life, adventures, and risk-taking, emphasizing the need for more Feynman-like thinking in today’s world of abundant lousy ideas.
“The Brilliant Mr. Feynman”:
- After a fresh start in California, Feynman’s second act was remarkably fruitful.We follow him as he continues to challenge assumptions, explore new frontiers, and contribute significantly to science and society.
“The Life and Science of Richard Feynman”:
- Feynman’s legacy extends beyond his work on quantum electrodynamics and Feynman diagrams. His unconventional thinking, humor, and passion for understanding the universe left an indelible mark on the scientific community.
These episodes provide a captivating glimpse into the mind of a true genius—a man who questioned everything, embraced adventure, and reshaped our understanding of the cosmos.
Colin Marshall
Greenwashing in Sports
In the insightful article "Greenwashing Through Sport" by Freddie Daley and Andrew Simms, featured on DeSmog, the narrative unfolds around the controversial partnership between Saudi Aramco and Formula One (F1). This collaboration is brought under scrutiny for its potential to mislead the public. Despite the sport's widespread appeal and its capacity to draw in millions of fans worldwide, the sponsorship arrangement with Aramco stirs debate over the practice of greenwashing.
The authors argue that Aramco capitalizes on F1's connotations of rapid advancement and innovation to advertise "green" initiatives like "mobile carbon capture" and "advanced fuels." These technologies, purportedly aimed at decarbonization, are presented as forward-thinking solutions. Yet, the campaign glosses over the significant detail of Aramco's extensive fossil fuel operations.
The stark reality presented is that the technologies touted by Aramco fall drastically short of being viable decarbonization strategies. With a demonstration plant that contributes a negligible 0.0004 percent to its crude oil production, Aramco's purported shift towards sustainable energy solutions appears superficial. Despite claims of curtailing expansion in light of the energy transition, the company's reliance on oil is undiminished.
The article posits that the inclusion of wokeness in sports sponsorships serves as a veil for fossil fuel entities to engage in greenwashing practices, allowing them to disseminate misinformation without facing consequences. It suggests that sports, as a remaining bastion for such advertising, warrant closer examination to uphold principles of transparency and accountability.
Freddie Daley and Andrew Simms
woke? Woke? WOKE?!?!?!
The article reflects on the controversy surrounding #WokeGemini, highlighting the potential of generative AI as a creative tool to reimagine history inclusively. It criticizes the backlash from right-wing media and politicians, who see such uses of AI as threats or political correctness, accusing them of projecting their biases and racism. The discussion extends to the broader debate over AI's responsibility and its role as a mirror to society's biases, aspirations, and fears, arguing against simplistic guardrails and for a nuanced understanding of AI as a creative and reflective tool.
Jeff Jarvis
Political Ads Can Target Your Personality. Here’s What Could Go Wrong
In this thought-provoking piece, the authors delve into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and political advertising. They highlight the risks associated with personalized political ads tailored to individual personalities. Using GenAI (a collective term for AI language models), the researchers demonstrated that GenAI can manipulate people by customizing political ads based on their personality traits. For instance, messages were rephrased to appeal specifically to individuals with different levels of openness to experience—one of the “Big Five” personality traits.
The concern lies in the potential misuse of GenAI. While it’s designed to reject requests related to criminal activity or privacy breaches, experts fear that it could become a powerful tool for spreading misinformation. Given its ability to generate and customize messages at an industrial scale, there’s reason to worry about societal divisions, ideological-driven violence, and political repression.
Is TikTok your goto social platform? Welcome to Middle Age.
Millennials and Gen Z are using social media platforms in unique ways, reflecting a shift in societal values. Here are some key insights:
- Algorithm-Driven Content: Gen Z doesn’t primarily seek updates from friends on social media. Instead, they rely on personalized content suggested by algorithms. They appreciate content that informs, entertains, and engages through direct messages.
- TikTok’s Influence: TikTok has become a central hub for Gen Z, surpassing platforms like YouTube and Google for culturally relevant content. It’s not just about viral dances; users turn to TikTok for learning, including career planning, local business insights, politics, and more.
- Authenticity Over Surface-Level Likes: Both Gen Z and Millennials crave authenticity. Social media is shifting away from hyper-edited photos and toward spaces where users can discover real, meaningful content.
Ryan Broderick
When you panic
Panic attacks can be terrifying, making us feel like we’re losing control or facing imminent danger. However, it’s crucial to recognize that panic attacks are primarily physical overresponses to external situations. For instance, someone who has been working an exhausting 80-hour week might experience panic as their body’s way of saying, “Slow down and rest.” The body is essentially “sounding the alarm” to convey important information.
Here are a couple of key points:
- Feeling Overwhelmed: When your body feels overwhelmed by thoughts, worries, or constant stress, it responds physically. Just as excessive stimuli like bright lights and loud sounds can cause discomfort, emotional overwhelm triggers physical symptoms. Pay attention to what’s happening in your life—workload, relationships, and rest—and differentiate between non-urgent stress responses and true emergencies.
- Perceived Danger: Our bodies sometimes struggle to distinguish between real danger and perceived danger. For example, driving on a busy highway during rush hour isn’t inherently dangerous, but the body’s response to speed and busyness can make us feel otherwise.
Remember, your body isn’t trying to frighten you; it’s attempting to communicate essential information.
Phil Lane MSW, LCSW
