YouTube’s algorithms are driving Kyrgyz-speaking kids to Russian-language content. “There is no good way to be a Kyrgyz-speaking kid on YouTube.” Researchers simulated kids’ viewing and found Kyrgyz searches for cartoons and fairy tales often get steered into Russian content […]
Clout-as-a-service. “For as low as ₹89 (or 95 cents), you can get your personal Instagram handle tagged on vague-enough videos and photos that look like you are out” at a cafe, concert, or trip, even if you are not. Abha […]
Install the Russian language pack. “the most low-effort / high reward thing you can do for security is installing the Russian language pack (not even joking, it’s ridiculous how often that prevents execution)” Some malware checks system language to dodge […]
Brita’s Instagram is in the hands of an unhinged marketer. “born to hydrate, forced to work in social media” Skim the captions when you need a quick laugh and a reminder to drink water. ~ learn more
Why China still can’t make ballpoint pens. “Made in China has two weaknesses: one is ‘can’t be made,’ which is a real technical chokehold; the other is ‘can’t be used,’ which is often stuck on non-technical barriers.” The piece uses […]
Ideas don’t combine themselves. How long do we wait for new inventions? A nice reminder that “time to invention” is often about social distance between fields, not missing parts. ~ learn more
Texan levels of energy wealth. Sharing another profile of one of my favorite companies that’s making renewable natural gas out of thin air. “The question was not whether we’ll still need hydrocarbons in 2050, but where they would come from.” […]
Biology is a burrito. “But a cell looks more like a burrito,” says Michael Elowitz. The essay makes the case that cells are absurdly crowded, and you need numbers to really feel how fast and chaotic the inside of a […]
Seed hundreds of creators. “I have personally seen 6 brands restart growth using the “hudson method” we are talking 5m a year brands to 100m a year brands.” Sean Frank’s playbook: flood TikTok with lots of small creators, then reuse […]
Why jumping into cold water can stop your heart. “Most cold-water deaths happen in the first three minutes.” It is not hypothermia, it is the nervous system chaos right after immersion, when cold shock and the diving response can collide. […]