isnaini azizah
Mark Zuckerberg is preparing to give evidence in a social media addiction trial.
Welcome to the dark side of crypto’s permissionless dream
Jean-Paul Thorbjornsen, an Australian man in his mid-30s, with a rural Catholic upbringing, is a founder of THORChain, a blockchain through which users can swap one cryptocurrency for another and earn fees from making those swaps. THORChain is permissionless, meaning anyone can use it without prior approval from a centralized authority. As a decentralized network, the blockchain is built and run by operators located across the globe. During its early days, Thorbjornsen himself hid behind the pseudonym “leena” and used an AI-generated female image as his avatar. However, around March 2024, he revealed his true identity as the mind behind the blockchain, though the extent of his current control remains a point of contention.
The central question surrounding THORChain is: Who is truly responsible for its operations? This is critical because in January of the previous year, users lost over $200 million worth of their cryptocurrency in US dollars. This occurred after THORChain transactions and accounts were frozen by a singular admin override, an action users believed was impossible given the network’s purported decentralized structure. Thorbjornsen asserts that THORChain is fulfilling Bitcoin’s original vision of enabling individuals to transact freely, unhindered by potentially corrupt governments. Yet, the network’s operational issues suggest that an alternative financial system may not necessarily offer a superior outcome. The full story, detailing the intricacies of this blockchain enigma and its implications, can be found in the latest print issue of MIT Technology Review magazine.
The robots who predict the future
To be human is, fundamentally, to be a forecaster, and often a remarkably adept one. The innate human drive to perceive the future, whether through the accumulation of past experiences or the logical deduction of cause and effect, has been instrumental in our survival. It has aided us in hunting, evading predation, cultivating sustenance, forging social bonds, and generally navigating a world that does not inherently prioritize our existence.
Today, we are inundated by an overwhelming and ceaseless torrent of predictions, so pervasive that most individuals barely register their constant presence. The human yearning for dependable forecasting is entirely understandable. However, few would have consciously opted for an omnipresent, algorithmic oracle that mediates every facet of their lives. A trio of new books endeavors to make sense of our future-obsessed world: how we arrived at this juncture, and what these profound changes signify. Each publication offers its unique prescriptions for navigating this evolving reality, yet they converge on a single, crucial point: predictions are fundamentally about power and control. This exploration of predictive algorithms and their societal impact is also featured in the upcoming print issue of MIT Technology Review magazine.
These stories are both from the next print issue of MIT Technology Review magazine, which is dedicated to the theme of crime. For those who haven’t yet subscribed, securing a subscription now will ensure you receive future issues as they are released.
MIT Technology Review Narrated: Stratospheric internet could finally start taking off this year
An estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide still have limited or no internet access, primarily due to their geographical remoteness. This figure could see a significant reduction this year, propelled by ongoing tests of stratospheric airships, uncrewed aircraft, and other high-altitude platforms designed for internet delivery. This narrative is the latest in our series to be transformed into an MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast. These episodes are published weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Simply search for "MIT Technology Review Narrated" on either platform and follow us to receive all new content as it becomes available.
The must-reads
I’ve scoured the internet to bring you today’s most engaging, important, frightening, and fascinating stories about technology.
- Mark Zuckerberg is due to give evidence in a major social media addiction trial. He will face questioning regarding Meta’s commitment to protecting young users. (CNN)
- Perplexity has abandoned ads inside its chatbot responses. The company reasons that advertising can erode trust in AI. (FT $) Additionally, this represents a significant reversal given their previous stance. (The Verge)
- The US is being battered by a range of wild weather. This includes critical wildfire risks in some states and severe winter storms in others. (WP $)
- Microsoft plans to spend $50 billion bringing AI to the Global South by 2030. India is identified as one of the fastest-growing markets for this technology. (Reuters) Furthermore, one native startup has announced a new AI model designed for 22 Indian languages. (Bloomberg $) The broader context of India’s pursuit of AI independence is also explored. (MIT Technology Review)
- AI-powered private schools are failing students. Faulty lesson plans are being generated by these models, negatively impacting educational outcomes. (404 Media)
- Landowners are selling out to data center builders. Land previously designated for housing is increasingly being sold to the highest bidder. (WSJ $)
- Tesla has agreed to stop using the term "autopilot" in California. The Department of Motor Vehicles had previously raised questions about the company’s use of "Full Self-Driving" as well. (SF Chronicle $)
- A new weight-loss drug may work a little too well. Participants in a clinical trial are dropping out at a significantly higher rate than typically observed. (NYT $) Moreover, intermittent fasting may not be as effective for weight loss as commonly believed. (New Scientist $) The ongoing uncertainties surrounding weight-loss drugs are also a subject of discussion. (MIT Technology Review)
- Is anyone still using Grindr? Bots and AI have rendered the platform virtually unusable for some individuals. (Vox)
- How to hack your dreams. Neuroscientists are making strides in understanding and influencing the content of our dreams. (New Scientist $) The personal experience of learning to lucid dream is also shared, with the assertion that others can achieve this as well. (MIT Technology Review)
Quote of the day
“I voted for this administration and didn’t really think about [AI] until it started to affect me.” — Lisa Garrett, a grandmother living in Independence, Missouri, reflects on the Trump administration’s embrace of AI, as reported by the Financial Times.
One more thing
Hydrogen trains could revolutionize how Americans get around. Much like a mirage shimmering across the dusty plains near Pueblo, Colorado, the first hydrogen-fuel-cell passenger train in the United States is undergoing pre-operational testing on its dedicated track. It is slated for shipment to Southern California, where it is expected to transport passengers on San Bernardino County’s Arrow commuter rail service before the year’s end.
The optimal method for decarbonizing railroads is a subject of escalating debate among regulators, industry stakeholders, and activists. This discussion encompasses technological considerations, weighing the merits of hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and overhead electric wires for different rail applications. Crucially, it is also a political matter, touching upon the extent to which decarbonization can, or should, catalyze a broader transformation of rail transportation. Within the insular domain of railroading, this hydrogen-powered train serves as a Rorschach test. To some, it symbolizes the future of rail travel. To others, it appears as a significant, albeit shiny, distraction. The full story offers a comprehensive look at this technological development and its implications for transportation.
We can still have nice things
A curated selection of comfort, fun, and distraction to brighten your day. (Have any suggestions? Feel free to send them my way or connect on X.)
- How to efficiently declutter your home by being ruthlessly honest with yourself.
- The filming locations for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are remarkably breathtaking.
- The reasons behind a unicyclist’s decision to juggle flaming torches in the middle of a Colorado pedestrian crossing remain a mystery, but good luck to him.
- An exploration of how pepper, deservedly, conquered the world.
