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.
258 posts
TikTok Says It’s Not Censoring ‘Free Palestine’ Comments. Users See Something Different
TikTok

TikTok Says It’s Not Censoring ‘Free Palestine’ Comments. Users See Something Different

When TikTok returned after being pulled from the U.S., hours before President Trump’s inauguration, users reported “free palestine” comments were being instantly removed.
Behind the Blog: The TikTok Ban and Joyless AI
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: The TikTok Ban and Joyless AI

This is Behind the Blog, where we share our behind-the-scenes thoughts about how a few of our top stories of the week came together. This week, we discuss joylessness in the AI industry and the TikTok ban.
Nokia’s Weird Y2K Designs Show the Future We Could Have Had
retro

Nokia’s Weird Y2K Designs Show the Future We Could Have Had

The Nokia Design Archive contains thousands of designs, pitch decks, presentations and prototypes from the turn of the millennium.
Porn Performers Conflicted Over Crossing the Picket Line to Attend AVN
avn

Porn Performers Conflicted Over Crossing the Picket Line to Attend AVN

Porn workers joined hospitality workers to march down the Las Vegas strip, as the adult industry prepares for its biggest event of the year.
Behind the Blog: What Is Real?
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: What Is Real?

This is Behind the Blog, where we share our behind-the-scenes thoughts about how a few of our top stories of the week came together. This week, we discuss weird fake furniture and shared reality (or the lack thereof).
People Think AI Images of Hollywood Sign Burning Are Real
AI

People Think AI Images of Hollywood Sign Burning Are Real

AI generated slop is tricking people into thinking an already devastating series of wildfires in Los Angeles are even worse than they are — and using it to score political points. 
Google's AI Overview Tells Adults to Use 'Magic Wand' With Kids
Google

Google's AI Overview Tells Adults to Use 'Magic Wand' With Kids

Google's AI search feature is telling people searching for answers about using vibrating sex toys during pregnancy that they should consider it for counseling children, instead.
Pornhub Is Now Blocked In Almost All of the U.S. South
pornhub

Pornhub Is Now Blocked In Almost All of the U.S. South

As of today, three more states join the list of 17 that can't access Pornhub because of age verification laws.
We Don’t Want Your Password
News

We Don’t Want Your Password

Some people don't love our magic link logins. But the best way for us to protect your password is to never ask for it.
AI-Generated Book Grifters Threaten The Future of Lace-Making
AI

AI-Generated Book Grifters Threaten The Future of Lace-Making

“Unfortunately, for newcomers who might be excited to dive into this hobby, they could get burned by the inadequate books—and frankly the thievery—of the work of our cherished lacemakers and designers."
Nothing Is Sacred: AI Generated Slop Has Come for Christmas Music
christmas

Nothing Is Sacred: AI Generated Slop Has Come for Christmas Music

AI-generated Christmas classics that dwell in the uncanny valley are giving listeners the creeps.
Behind the Blog: Posting Through It
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: Posting Through It

This is Behind the Blog, where we share our behind-the-scenes thoughts about how a few of our top stories of the week came together. This week, we discuss our top games of the year, air traffic control, and posting through it.