Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Advertising and Aircraft
This week, we discuss advertising, protests, and aircraft.
repair
John Deere Must Face FTC Lawsuit Over Its Tractor Repair Monopoly, Judge Rules
Deere now must face two different major lawsuits over the repairability of its tractors.
DOGE
GitHub is Leaking Trump’s Plans to 'Accelerate' AI Across Government
A new website and API called AI.gov is set to launch on the Fourth of July.
waymo
Waymo Pauses Service in Downtown LA Neighborhood Where They're Getting Lit on Fire
A company spokesperson said it is working with law enforcement to determine when it can move the cars that have been.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Activism and Evangelism
This week, we discuss the phrase "activist journalist," waiting in line for a Switch 2, and teledildonics.
DHS
TSA Working on Haptic Tech To 'Feel' Your Body in Virtual Reality
The tech would "detect the contour of a target (a person and/or an object) at a distance, optionally penetrating through clothing" and transmit it to a haptic feedback glove.
IRS
The IRS Tax Filing Software TurboTax Is Trying to Kill Just Got Open Sourced
Direct File has been open sourced, and its creators have left government to continue working on the "future of tax filing."
AI
Teachers Are Not OK
AI, ChatGPT, and LLMs "have absolutely blown up what I try to accomplish with my teaching."
Flock
Flock Decides Not to Use Hacked Data in People Search Tool
The move comes after internal pressure and 404 Media’s reporting.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Lighting Money on Fire and the Meaning of Vetting
This week, we discuss an exciting revamp of The Abstract, tech betrayals, and the "it's for cops" defense.
FOIA
A Texas Cop Searched License Plate Cameras Nationwide for a Woman Who Got an Abortion
The sheriff said the woman self-administered the abortion and her family were concerned for her safety, so authorities searched through Flock cameras. Experts are still concerned that a cop in a state where abortion is illegal can search cameras in others where it's a human right.
texas
Texas Solicitor General Resigned After Fantasizing Colleague Would Get 'Anally Raped By a Cylindrical Asteroid'
Judd Stone resigned after admitting to the statements, a letter circulated at the Texas Attorney General's office states.