Category: Oddities & News of the Weird
The AI Mirage: Navigating the Muddied Waters of Truth in the 2024 Election
As we march through the pivotal election year of 2024, a formidable shadow looms over the democratic process. This shadow is not cast by a person or an institution, but by a technology: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Once celebrated as a beacon of innovation, AI now stands accused of distorting the very fabric of truth, particularly in the political arena.
Apple’s Strategic Pivot: Removing Blood-Oxygen Sensors from Watches Amid Patent Dispute
In a move that underscores the complex interplay of technology, law, and business, Apple is reportedly planning to remove the blood-oxygen sensors from some of its Apple Watches. This decision, seemingly a strategic sidestep, aims to avoid a looming U.S. ban amidst a heated patent dispute.
Dissecting Meta’s Newest Venture: Threads – The Twitter Rival
Curious minds are buzzing around Meta’s newest venture: Threads. This Twitter-competitor is yet another addition to Meta’s social media empire and our readers have been itching to know more. What is Threads? How does it work? And how does it compete with Twitter? Rest assured, we’ve got the answers.
Amazon Ring Doorbell Footage Shared With Police Without User Consent
Amazon was caught red-handed, handing over Ring doorbell footage to law enforcement agencies without user permission, subpoenas, warrants, without any of the traditional legal controls which prevent liberal disclosure of non-public data to law enforcement. This disclosure was set to further ignite ongoing debates about privacy and civil liberties in relation to the tech giant’s video-sharing agreements with police departments nationwide.
Alexa’s Celebrity Voiceovers Taking a Final Bow: Amazon’s Star-Studded Feature Set to Fade Out
Amazon has announced its decision to retire the celebrity voices feature for Alexa, a service that has been delivering weather forecasts, telling jokes, and much more.
Digital Treasure Maps: Uncovering the Best Hidden Gems of the Internet
Ahoy, intrepid explorers of the digital realm! Today, we’re setting sail on a grand adventure to discover the hidden gems scattered throughout the vast ocean of the internet. We know that navigating these waters can sometimes be overwhelming, with countless websites, apps, and resources vying for our attention. But fear not, for we have charted a course that will lead you to some of the most intriguing, lesser-known digital treasures just waiting to be discovered. So, grab your virtual spyglass and let’s embark on this thrilling journey together!
All About the Lawyer Cat Zoom Filter That’s Taken Over the Internet – Includes Video and Transcript
If you are wondering what the deal is about the lawyer kitten Zoom filter (also called the ‘lawyer cat Zoom filter’), here’s what it’s all about. It all started when lawyer Rod Ponton, an attorney practicing in Presidio County, Texas, checked in for a remote court appearance via Zoom.
What is the new viral Mannequin Challenge? We explain #MannequinChallenge 2016!
The new viral sensation taking the Internet by storm is the Mannequin Challenge (hashtag #MannequinChallenge). Like its viral Internet video meme predecessor from 2013, the Harlem Shake, it involves people being videoed in a certain situation, and then posting the video.
Online Startup Plans Surprise Weekend Get-Aways for You – All You Have to do is Show Up
Want to plan a weekend get-away but on a tight budget? Not sure just what sort of travel vacation you can have on a 3-day weekend? Does a short surprise vacation sound fun? Then online startup Pack Up + Go may be just the ticket! Pack Up and Go will plan your weekend trips for you, and even keep it a secret to surprise you! All you have to do is pay and show up!
Netflix Purity Commitment Ring Keeps Partners from Binge Watching without the Other
Apparently some folks in the UK have bigger problems than breaking up with the EU on their minds. UK ice cream maker Cornetto has come up with Netflix “commitment rings”, to keep partners from binge watching their favourite shows unless they are together, so that one can’t commit Netflix adultery on the other. Yes, really. Because, says Cornetto, “Love should last longer than one season.”
Yes the .Sucks Top Level Domain is Real
Just when you thought it was safe to go into the interwebs, along comes the newest ridiculous top level domain (TLD): .sucks
What is a Selfie Stick, and Do You Need One?
Have you heard that ‘selfie sticks’ are all the rage? What? You don’t know what a selfie stick is? We explain what a selfie stick is, and why you need one (or not).
Trolls Just Wanna Have Fun: Study Finds Internet Trolls are Narcissistic, Sadistic Psychopaths
From the “Duh!” department, a new study of the personality of Internet trolls reveals that they possess the so-called “Dark Tetrad of personality”, meaning that they exhibit the personality disorders of psychopathy, narcissism, sadism and Machiavellianism, all rolled into one.
Potato Salad Kickstarter Explained (and We Answer Who is Potato Salad Guy Zack Danger Brown?)
Here’s a recipe for the Kickstarter potato salad likely to be featured at #Potatostock: Take one creative entrepreneur, add equal parts chutzpah and child-like sincerity, mix in thousands of enthusiastic donors, and cook on Kickstarter for 7 days. Yield: $46,958. Serves: 5,779.
Is World War Goat Coming?
We’ve all been told not to believe everything that we read on the internet. (The exception being this site of course!) But after a newspaper in the UK had to run a correction about a possible human vs. goat war, maybe we shouldn’t put much stock in newspapers either. Apparently World War Goat isn’t coming soon, or at least as far as we know.