• Long Form

    The WGA Urges Congress To Regulate AI

    Jennifer Maas, Variety:

    The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and other unions representing film and TV writers and journalists sent a letter to Congress Thursday urging protections for their industries in any legislation regarding Artificial Intelligence.

    Addressed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the letter was co-signed by the NewsGuild-CWA, Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), Writers Guild of America West (WGAW), and National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET-CWA).

    “So far this year, our members have witnessed the impact of unregulated AI on their jobs,” the letter, obtained by Variety, states. “Major news media companies, including Gannett and G/O Media sites, deployed AI articles with fake bylines to replace the work of hardworking local and digital journalists and writers. Film and television writers won critical protections in their collective bargaining agreement, but their work continues to be used by AI developers without their consent.”

    This is going to be the first of many instances of different worker organizations speaking up and speaking out to their government about further regulating AI.

    My galaxy brained take? The AI revolution will lead to greater adoption of unions and collective bargaining. And I couldn’t be more for that.

    Thursday March 28, 2024
  • Long Form

    Netflix and Jerry Seinfeld Present...The Pop-Tart Movie (Really)

    Netflix on YouTube:

    Michigan, 1963. Kellogg’s and Post, sworn cereal rivals, race to create a pastry that will change the face of breakfast. A tale of ambition, betrayal, sugar, and menacing milkmen, Unfrosted stars Jerry Seinfeld in his directorial debut.

    Unfrosted is coming to Netflix on May 3.

    Following in the footsteps of other Movies About How This Thing Was Made, like The Social Network, BlackBerry, Air, Tetris, The Founder and many, many others, Jerry Seinfeld (of all people) directs the story of the humble Pop-Tart in Unfrosted.

    Personally, I thought Jerry was more of a cereal guy, but I suppose I was wrong.

    Strong cast, with people like Melissa McCarthy, Bill Burr and Hugh Grant, so maybe this won’t be too bad? Or maybe it’ll just slide off the public consciousness like most Netflix movies.

    Do you think we get a S’mores Pop-Tarts post credits scene?

    Thursday March 28, 2024
  • Long Form

    The Tragic Sitatuion of the New York Times Paywall

    Mike Langley, McSweeny’s:

    That’s a good one. Ha ha. Go ahead and type your email address in the box. Please.

    Look, just write it. Hit the enter key. Now give me your password. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.

    What, you want me to level with you? You want to know how real this gets?

    If I let any more non-subscribers in, they’re gonna kill me. They’re gonna kill my family. Bam. Done.

    That’s right, just type the password in the box. Nice and easy.

    That wasn’t so bad, was it?

    A gloriously grim first person article from everyone’s favorite paywall, The New York Times. Absolutely nails it.

    Granted, it must be effective, as I now pay for two newspaper subscriptions, not also including Apple News+.

    Thursday March 28, 2024
  • Long Form

    The NYT Takes Meta's New A.I. Fueled Smart Glasses Update for a Real-World Spin

    The New York Times (Paywall):

    The concept of the A.I. software is so novel and quirky that when we — Brian X. Chen, a tech columnist who reviewed the Ray-Bans last year, and Mike Isaac, who covers Meta and wears the smart glasses to produce a cooking show — heard about it, we were dying to try it. Meta gave us early access to the update, and we took the technology for a spin over the last few weeks.

    The artificial intelligence technology in Meta’s new Ray-Ban smart glasses uses cameras and image recognition to give the wearer information about what he or she is looking at. We wore the glasses to the zoo, grocery stores and a museum while grilling the A.I. with questions and requests.

    The upshot: We were simultaneously entertained by the virtual assistant’s goof-ups — for example, mistaking a monkey for a giraffe — and impressed when it carried out useful tasks like determining that a pack of cookies was gluten-free.

    Is this impressive tech? Absolutely. Do I see a use for it in my day to day life? Absolutely not.

    I feel awkward enough asking Siri for anything, and I’ve been using her since my iPhone 4S way back in 2011.

    Maybe the more digital native generations will glom onto this, and maybe future updates will make the process less awkward, but the more I see breakdowns like these, I see solutions looking for problems, rather than the other way around.

    If this sort of thing is your jam, though? It’s some of the best integrated A.I. tech I’ve seen so far.

    Thursday March 28, 2024
  • Long Form

    #FastFoodArmsRace: Screw It, Canned Hot Dog Water

    Chew Boom:

    7-Eleven has unveiled a bold addition to its beverage lineup with the introduction of Big Bite Hot Dog Sparkling Water, developed in partnership with Miracle Seltzer. This unique offering joins the array of 7-Select sparkling waters, presenting fans with a range of innovative flavors.

    In collaboration with Miracle Seltzer, 7-Eleven has curated a selection of sparkling waters featuring intriguing flavors such as Lemon Lime, Green Apple, Sweet Orange, and the unconventional Hot Dog, inspired by one of 7-Eleven’s signature snacks, the Big Bite Hot Dog.

    …wait, what the hell?

    The Big Bite Hot Dog Sparkling Water promises to encapsulate the essence of the iconic 7-Eleven hot dog experience, complete with the flavors of ketchup and mustard. This innovative beverage aims to transform the traditional pairing of hot dogs and sodas, allowing consumers to enjoy the essence of their favorite snack in a refreshing bubbly form.

    That’s it. Wrap up the run of the human race. We’re done here.

    While details regarding the availability of the Big Bite Hot Dog Sparkling Water will be disclosed on April 1, the rest of the 7-Select x Miracle Seltzer range, including Lemon Lime, Green Apple, and Sweet Orange flavors, can already be found at select 7-Eleven stores.

    OH! It’s a gag. Thank God.

    Wednesday March 27, 2024
  • Short Form

    Running a test.

    Tuesday March 26, 2024
  • Short Form

    Feels a little odd to post my normal level of wacky bullshit today, all things considered. Back doing my thing tomorrow.

    Tuesday March 26, 2024
  • Long Form

    Scarlett Johansson Joins Next JURASSIC WORLD Movie

    The Hollywood Reporter:

    Scarlett Johansson is taking a bite out of a new blockbuster. The actor is in talks to join Universal’s new Jurassic World movie, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

    Universal is moving quickly on the film, which has a July 2, 2025, release date. Gareth Edwards is directing the new Jurassic World, which has a script from Jurassic Park scribe David Koepp. Edwards stepped into the role after David Leitch exited following a short attachment to the project.

    The film returns Johansson to the world of franchises. She starred as Black Widow in a number of Marvel Studios movies, including the Avengers features, but unlike some co-stars in the superhero world, has had no trouble breaking out in other projects. She has earned two Oscar nominations, for Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit. She has a voice role in the upcoming animated feature Transformers One, and has a big-budget Apple feature co-starring Channing Tatum also due out this year.

    I have to say, I’m a little bit surprised that Johansson is returning to the world of franchises given the less than stellar exit from the MCU she had (she was totally in the right for going after Disney for her money, though.)

    On paper, this should be a redemption installment for the Jurassic films, with Edwards in the director’s chair (I LOVED The Creator) and the original writer David Koepp writing the script. At the same time, I thought Jurassic World: Dominion would make up for the errors of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom…and it most certainly did not.

    One thing is for sure: If there’s no locusts in this one, it will be at the very least, better than Dominion.

    Monday March 25, 2024
  • Long Form

    The Guardian Looks Back at John Carpenter's THE THING

    The Guardian:

    Audiences didn’t like the ending. They wanted to know who the Thing was – which was left up in the air. They hated that but I don’t care, that’s the way I wanted to end it. The film was about the end of the world. Its bleakness was the reason it wasn’t a success at the time, but I think also why it has endured. In fact the film was an enormous failure. I got fired because of it and was out of work for a while, but slowly its reputation changed. Not everybody’s convinced, though. There are still plenty of people who think it’s a piece of trash.

    The Thing is one of my favorite movies ever, though I didn’t see it until well into the 2000’s. It’s so interesting to me how a piece of art can be reconsidered so heavily over the years.

    Back in 1982, John Carpenter (who is quoted in the pull quote above) was put into Director Jail for this film. In 2024? He’s heralded as a master of the craft. (And he makes some awesome albums now, too.)

    Monday March 25, 2024
  • Short Form

    Maybe you’ve heard of the Waffle House Index, as a sign of severity of storm damage. But have you heard of The Pizza Meter, as a sign of impending war?

    Monday March 25, 2024
  • Short Form

    Unlike me, MacStories' John Voorhees actually understands the law, and has put together a great explainer of the DOJ vs. Apple case.

    Monday March 25, 2024
  • Long Form

    The Anti-Influencer Revolt Has Begun, And I Could Not Be Happier

    NPR:

    The world of influencing is pretty simple.

    Companies from the likes of Airbnb to Amazon to Louis Vuitton pay people with a lot of followers on social media to promote their products. These creators then make content, typically videos, where they recommend the products and services, often adding a discount code their followers can use to sweeten the deal.

    It has evolved over time and can now include things like the “come shopping with me” trend that emulates the feeling of casually shopping with a friend. The influencers film themselves walking around stores and filling their carts with clothing, makeup, cute little bowls for your ramen noodles and, of course, Stanley cups.

    De-influencing encourages people to buy less stuff and instead use what they already have.

    I did not expect to share two articles related to sustainability today, but here we are.

    In what I’d chalk up as another moment in the win column for Gen-Z, The Kids® are pushing up against the last few years of influencer culture, and saying, “Hey, wait, why do we need all of this crap?”

    As someone who has been looking around his house and considered purging quite a bit, it’s a concept that I can absolutely agree with. Ironic, given how much of my last day job involved influencers.

    I think the next generation is putting a strong focus on being genuine, real, and considerate, and rejection of capitalistic norms like these is just another example of it.

    Now, how much this eventually effects our economy and relationship with countries that produce all of this junk…that’s for someone much smarter than me to consider. In the meantime: I breathe a sigh of relief that some people are still considering more than themselves.

    Monday March 25, 2024
  • Short Form

    Apple (apparently) finally allowing for greater homescreen customization for iOS 18 sounds pretty cool. Now, can I have the option to revert back to the old, non-interactive Reminders widget?

    Monday March 25, 2024
  • Short Form

    I cannot say that I expected Spotify to become an e-learning hub.

    Monday March 25, 2024
  • Long Form

    A Lesson on Selling Sustainability via Product Packaging

    The Dieline:

    Let’s say you’re a sustainable healthcare company selling over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in compostable and refillable packaging. Pain relief, allergy, cold and flu—all the good stuff that prompts many late-night Walgreens runs. You offer consumers a bottle—a beautiful, frosted glass bottle that looks great in a medicine cabinet—they can fill for the rest of their lives.

    Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, right? You can high-five yourself because you’ll never buy Tylenol again. That’s just another plastic bottle that would likely end up in a landfill.

    But you’re also a young brand with maybe just a few years under your belt. And now, lo and behold, Target comes calling. They want to stock your products because they believe in your core mission of sustainability. Swell, huh? But now you not only have to stand out on the shelf, you need to explain to shoppers—who have no clue who you are—what your brand is and how it actually works.

    Very cool write up from The Dieline, not just showcasing some very cool, very effective packaging design for the sustainable medicine brand Cabinet, but also digging into the tough parts of selling to customers the “buy the package once, then refills only after” ethos.

    This made me excited to buy aspirin, y’all.

    Monday March 25, 2024
  • Short Form

    3 Body Problem, or: Wait A Second, Benedict Wong is British?!

    Sunday March 24, 2024
  • Short Form

    I’m bummed that it’s taken this long, but I’m glad to see the FTC do something about the crazy increases in grocery prices, while those orgs take in massive profits.

    Sunday March 24, 2024
  • Short Form

    I’d prefer that it weren’t, you know, clear, but this featherless down jacket design is wild.

    Saturday March 23, 2024
  • Long Form

    Disney+ Shows Off Their First Season of DOCTOR WHO

    Disney+ on YouTube:

    The upcoming season of “Doctor Who” follows the Doctor and his companion Ruby Sunday as they travel across time and space, with adventures all the way from the Regency era in England, to war-torn future worlds. Throughout their adventures in the TARDIS – a time-traveling ship shaped like a police box – they encounter incredible friends and dangerous foes, including a terrifying bogeyman, and the Doctor’s most powerful enemy yet.

    A new era, a new Doctor, an influx of cash money from the mouse, this should make for a great time.

    I really enjoyed the anniversary specials over the holidays, including the debut of Ncuti Gatwa, who was a lot of fun in the role, so I look forward to the release!

    For the first time, it’s a world-wide debut, with episodes hitting Disney+ around the world starting on Friday, May 10th, 2024 at 7pm Eastern. That’s midnight, UK time.

    Friday March 22, 2024
  • Long Form

    Baldur’s Gate 3 developer is moving on from Dungeons and Dragons

    Larian will NOT be making a Baldur’s Gate 4, it seems. I just heard so many of my friends groan at this news.

    Friday March 22, 2024
  • Short Form

    Bloomberg is reporting that OpenAI is meeting with Hollywood execs, studios and more to encourage filmmakers to use their Sora AI generated video tool. I do not care for this.

    Friday March 22, 2024
  • Long Form

    I'm Not Smart, But I Sure Have Thoughts on the DoJ Filing Against Apple

    The internet was ablaze yesterday, as the United States Department of Justice officially did as rumored and decided, well, they were gonna sue Apple!

    As The New York Times (paywalled) put it…

    The federal government’s aggressive crackdown on Big Tech expanded on Thursday to include an antitrust lawsuit by the Justice Department against Apple, one of the world’s best-known and most valuable companies.

    The department joined 16 states and the District of Columbia to file a significant challenge to the reach and influence of Apple, arguing in an 88-page lawsuit that the company had violated antitrust laws with practices that were intended to keep customers reliant on their iPhones and less likely to switch to a competing device. The tech giant prevented other companies from offering applications that compete with Apple products like its digital wallet, which could diminish the value of the iPhone, and hurts consumers and smaller companies that compete with it, the government said.

    Sixteen states! Eighty eight pages! This is a Big Boy Document! They are serious about this one.

    Let’s dig more into those accusations, shall we?

    By tightly controlling the user experience on iPhones and other devices, Apple has created what critics call an uneven playing field, where it grants its own products and services access to core features that it denies rivals. Over the years, it has limited finance companies’ access to the phone’s payment chip and Bluetooth trackers from tapping into its location-service feature. It’s also easier for users to connect Apple products, like smartwatches and laptops, to the iPhone than to those made by other manufacturers.

    This is the point and purpose of having a technology stack. Integrated systems which work together. Guess what? If you want to use a Fitbit (Google product) with an iPhone, you can. If you want to connect your iPhone to a Windows machine? You can.

    You can do those things. But it’s better, easier, and works more cohesively via Apple products. Because Apple can account for all of their hardware and its quirks. This is no different – in my opinion – than JoyCons working more accurately on a Nintendo Switch than on an iPad. You sure can connect JoyCons to an iPad, but they sure as hell don’t work as well.

    The lawsuit asks the court to stop Apple from engaging in current practices, including blocking cloud-streaming apps, undermining messaging across smartphone operating systems and preventing the creation of digital wallet alternatives.

    Blocking cloud-streaming apps? OK, yeah, you’ve got a point. I think that’s a great idea to open that realm up. That’s what the EU has done with their DMA (Digital Markets Act), and Apple responded with their latest iOS update to account for it. The response to Apple’s response has been mixed, but there’s precedent. Go for it, DoJ!

    Undermining messaging across smartphone operating systems? Uh…the only thing they have is iMessage, which allows Apple based users to use their version of a more secure enclave for messaging, a’la a Signal. If an Android user – who does not have iMessage – sends a standard SMS text to an Apple user, guess what? Apple users get that SMS. Yes! There is that green bubble versus the blue bubble thing – but that is almost exclusively a US based issue. Internationally, most people use WhatsApp…which doesn’t support SMS.

    At best, maybe Apple should develop an iMessage app for Android or Windows. But I’ll be honest, I don’t see the point. And I know, you might argue “WHAT ABOUT RCS?” Apple’s on it. Sure, they got strong armed into it, but it’s happening.

    Preventing the creation of digital wallet alternatives? I don’t even know what we’re fighting about here. The crummy US banking system already has tools like Zelle for you to send money. Perhaps I’m out of my realm here, but I definitely know that I’m not inclined to use a third-party payment tool.

    And this is just the tip of the iceberg. You’ve got the government taking credit for Apple’s success by way of the 90’s antitrust case against Microsoft, you’ve got the weird breakdown of calling Apple the primary vendor of “performance smartphones”, which isn’t a thing, but if it were, you could go after Ferrari or Bugatti for being successful there, it just goes on and on for 88 pages of nonsense. Minus that one decent argument about app installations / the App Store.

    Let’s wrap this up, with the last bit from the New York Times story:

    “Competition makes devices more private and more secure,” said Jonathan Kanter, assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s antitrust division. “In many instances, Apple’s conduct has made its ecosystem less private and less secure.”

    What better way to make things more private and more secure than opening it up to anyone and everyone, and not locking the doors behind them. Do they hear themselves?

    Up next: Merrick Garland finds out his newly bought PlayStation 5 copy of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth won’t play on his Nintendo Switch, so he sues Sony.

    Friday March 22, 2024
  • Long Form

    Max FINALLY Shows Off THE PENGUIN

    Max on YouTube:

    The next chapter in @TheBatman saga from Matt Reeves. Academy Award Nominee Colin Farrell is #ThePenguin in the new Max Original Series coming this fall to Max.

    It’s been a bumpy two years since the release of The Batman, with writers strikes, actors strikes, and more, but the spin-off series The Penguin is finally on its way.

    With the above teaser, we now know that the series will hit Max this Fall, and yes, Colin Farrell remains unrecognizable under all that makeup.

    It looks like a no-nonsense crime drama, and I cannot wait to return to the orange hued version of Matt Reeves' The Batman universe.

    Friday March 22, 2024
  • Short Form

    Here’s a fun blast from the past: Steve Jobs promoting a PlayStation emulator for use on iMac. I had no idea this had happened.

    Friday March 22, 2024
  • Short Form

    Wild to think it’s been 10 years since Wye Oak released Shriek. They put out a special 10th Anniversary edition today, and it’s worth checking out for the crazy orchestral versions tacked onto the end. I recommend comparing both versions of “The Tower”.

    Friday March 22, 2024