Samantha Cole

Samantha Cole

Sam Cole is writing from the far reaches of the internet, about sexuality, the adult industry, online culture, and AI. She's the author of How Sex Changed the Internet and the Internet Changed Sex.
477 posts
Contest to Open for Ed Sheeran Flooded With Free Palestine Videos and Fart Memes
ed sheeran

Contest to Open for Ed Sheeran Flooded With Free Palestine Videos and Fart Memes

Guitar Center's 'Open for Legends' contest page was seemingly unmoderated for hours on Wednesday.
New York Seizes 12 Celebrity Deepfake Websites
Deepfakes

New York Seizes 12 Celebrity Deepfake Websites

New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a press conference on Monday that the sites included 1,200 people’s likenesses in “hyper-realistic” sexual imagery.
Behind the Blog: How to Talk About AI Doom
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: How to Talk About AI Doom

We discuss AI doomers, 9/11 posting, and Barbie.
Automattic’s Matt Mullenweg Claims He’s Back 'In Control'
wordpress

Automattic’s Matt Mullenweg Claims He’s Back 'In Control'

Workers at Automattic, which owns WordPress.com and several other platforms, have said the company has endured years of chaotic leadership decisions.
Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg Put on 'Leave of Absence'
wordpress

Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg Put on 'Leave of Absence'

Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress, wrote in a company-wide Slack messages on Wednesday, viewed by 404 Media, that board members "conspired" behind his back to vote to put him on leave.
First ‘Take It Down Act’ Sentencing Puts Man Behind Bars for 15 Years
Deepfakes

First ‘Take It Down Act’ Sentencing Puts Man Behind Bars for 15 Years

James Strahler was sentenced to 15 years in prison for “cybercrimes that included both real and AI-generated sexually explicit images and threats of violence to numerous victims.” 
'Tell Everyone:' A Man Died by Suicide After Talking to ChatGPT. His Former Partner Wants to Warn the World About AI
ChatGPT

'Tell Everyone:' A Man Died by Suicide After Talking to ChatGPT. His Former Partner Wants to Warn the World About AI

After allegedly becoming emotionally reliant on ChatGPT, Austin died at 40 years old, leaving behind family and friends who loved him. Megan wants everyone to know what happened.
We Are Going to Be Okay: A Three Year Anniversary Events Recap
party

We Are Going to Be Okay: A Three Year Anniversary Events Recap

Thank you for three years, and for partying hard with us for two sold out nights of celebration IRL in NYC.
The Republican Nominee for New York Governor Made a Creepy, AI-Generated Video of Mamdani and Hochul
AI

The Republican Nominee for New York Governor Made a Creepy, AI-Generated Video of Mamdani and Hochul

The video makes Zohran Mamdani and Kathy Hochul look like they're hanging out in a prescription medication commercial.
Google's Calling Lake Ontario 'Lake America' Now
google maps

Google's Calling Lake Ontario 'Lake America' Now

Google Maps announced on Saturday it would start reflecting the change for U.S.-based users.
Behind the Blog: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Flamin' Hot Slop
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.
The Tragedy and Ecstasy of AI Companions (with Bridget Todd)
Podcast

The Tragedy and Ecstasy of AI Companions (with Bridget Todd)

In her new audiobook, Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy, Bridget Jones and Michael Amato unpack how real people are using chatbots to seek connection, in an era when tech companies are constantly trying to exploit our innermost worlds.