News
A16z Says You Actually Love Social Media, Enshittification Isn’t Real
An a16z article argues that enshittification isn’t real and that people actually love social media.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Flamin' Hot Slop
This week, we discuss cool old books, new toys for ICE, and a boardwalk slop invasion.
News
The AI ‘Ghosts’ Contaminating Academic Publishing
“The academic record is being quietly haunted” by researchers with names like Elena Vasquez and Marcus Chen.
News
Inside the Warehouse Where Amazon Scans and Destroys Books for AI Training
An interview with one of the Amazon employees at Amazon’s AI training facility VGT3.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Early Birthday Reflections
This week, we discuss our party and panel coming up, and do some light reminiscing.
AI
Subtlefakes: Slightly Altered Nonconsensual AI Images Are Taking Over X
Nonconsensual AI images are getting much harder to spot.
Podcast
The Future of Deepfakes and the Decline of Reality (With Hany Farid)
The past, present, and future of deepfakes, as seen by the world’s leading expert on synthetic media.
AI
We Tracked a Shipment of Rare Books. It Ended at an Amazon AI Training Facility
We placed a tracking device in a shipment of rare books to see which AI company was buying it, and found an Amazon facility where Amazon scans and destroys books.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Endless Scam Parade
This week, we discuss the mainstreaming of Flock, media appearances, and Spotify's AI move.
AI
AI Generated 3D Models Flood Market, But Almost No One Is Buying Them
The number of AI generated uploads to CGTrader would suggest AI is taking over the platform, but buyers are refusing to pay for AI generated models.
News
Company Offering ‘100% Human-Written, Never AI’ Medical Research Is Entirely AI
Research Gold's team of human methodologists are either AI generated or using the identity of real people without their permission
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Rare Books and Baseball Brain
This week, we discuss Flock blogging, "rare" books, and Jesus Christ.