My latest Forbes column is now out: "Perks And Incentives For Covid-19 Vaccination May Backfire".
I discuss the proliferation of prizes and incentives being offered to get people vaccinated, and how this can sometimes create the opposite effect of making people more suspicious of the vaccine.
"The green dots on this Google Earth map represent radio stations all over the world.
"Turn up the volume and click on any one of the dots and you will immediately hear that station with very good reception. For example, halfway up Ireland's east coast, there is a station playing Irish pub music." (Via H.R.)
Fascinating (and eye-opening) Twitter thread on how advertisers track you.
I highly recommend reading the full thread. There's also an unrolled version if that's easier.
I'm back from a week at my mom's house and now I'm getting ads for her toothpaste brand, the brand I've been putting in my mouth for a week. We never talked about this brand or googled it or anything like that.
— Robert G. Reeve (@RobertGReeve) May 25, 2021
As a privacy tech worker, let me explain why this is happening. 🧵
Video: "10 Meanest Board Games Ever Made"
"We accept no responsibility for any friendships ruined after watching this video. "0:00 #Intro
0:54 #10. Munchkin
2:00 #9. The Estates
3:12 #8. City of Horror
4:16 #7. Survive - Escape From Atlantis
5:12 #6. Citadels
6:22 #5. Spartacus - A Game of Blood & Treachery
7:31 #4. Nemesis
8:48 #3. Lifeboats
10:02 #2. Intrigue
11:29 #1. Diplomacy
"Tesla Car Hacked Remotely From Drone via Zero-Click Exploit"
A hacker who exploits the vulnerabilities can perform any task that a regular user could from the infotainment system. That includes opening doors, changing seat positions, playing music, controlling the air conditioning, and modifying steering and acceleration modes. However, the researchers explained, “This attack does not yield drive control of the car though.”
Sharp-eyed TV reporter spots missing dog while shooting segment about missing dog.
Update: Person spotted walking the dog charged with theft, he claims it was misunderstanding:
"The Air Force's AI Brain Just Flew for the First Time".
The name -- Skyborg -- is perfect. (Via A.B.)
"My bull case for ZEC: Follow the brains. Follow the institutions. Follow the economics. If you're reading this, congratulations. You are lucky to have a chance to buy ZEC, because mainstream investors have not caught on yet."
(Disclaimer: I'm sharing this out of general interest. This is not financial advice on my part.)
"The clockwork universe: Is free will an illusion?"
I never knew that philosophers who take that position have received death threats. I might not agree with that view, but death threats seem a bit extreme.
"A Revolutionary NES Tetris Technique Gaining Steam":
The NES version of Tetris has been out in the world for more than 30 years now. Somehow, using the same controllers and human hands that have been in use all this time, a new technique has been invented that’s resulting in scores and maneuvers that no one using The Old Ways could have dreamed of.
"Nothing is moving in this illusion by @jagarikin".
(Except the grey arrow in the center, of course.) Via Rand Simberg.
Nothing is moving in this illusion by @jagarikin
— World of Engineering (@engineers_feed) May 1, 2021
pic.twitter.com/oN049SpE8S
"NASA solar probe becomes fastest object ever built as it 'touches the sun'".
Speed is reportedly 330,000 mph (532,000 km/h)! (Via D.M.)