Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Feeling Smart Along the Way
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 cheating in job interviews, "scary good" surveillance tech, and prudes in payment processing.
Generative AI
AI Slop Is a Brute Force Attack on the Algorithms That Control Reality
Generative AI spammers are brute forcing the internet, and it is working.
The Abstract
Jaws vs. the Megalodon: This Time, It’s Peer-Reviewed
The epic shark may have been a full 80 feet long with a slender build, according to new research.
tsa
TSA Says Its Credit Cards for Bomb-Sniffing Dogs Are Cut Off
The statement follows an alleged internal email which said requests for dog food and vet visits had been put on hold.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Company Comments and a Party Recap
This week, we discuss companies' responses to being monitored by an ICE contractor, caring about the little things, weight loss drug ads, and how our SXSW shindig went.
News
Detained Protester Mahmoud Khalil Sues Columbia University
Mahmoud Khalil, who ICE arrested on Saturday, and a group of other students from Columbia are suing the university to stop the release of disciplinary records.
News
Super Nintendo Hardware Is Running Faster as It Ages
Why is this speedrunner putting his Super Nintendo in the freezer? Science.
News
NASA, Yale, and Stanford Scientists Consider 'Scientific Exile,' French University Says
“We are witnessing a new brain drain.”
Pokemon Go
Saudi Arabia Buys Pokémon Go, and Probably All of Your Location Data
A company owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund just bought the most popular AR video game of all time.
News
'Pretty Vile:' Spotify Removes Andrew Tate 'Pimping Hoes' Class After Employees Complain
Internal Spotify communications viewed by 404 Media show Spotify’s own employees complaining about Andrew Tate’s course being available on the platform.
News
The 200+ Sites an ICE Surveillance Contractor is Monitoring
404 Media has obtained the list of sites and services that ICE contractor ShadowDragon pulls data from. ShadowDragon sources data from all over the web and lets government analysts easily search it and draw connections between people.
Podcast
Podcast: We're Not Ready for Chinese AI Video Generators
We chat the lack of guardrails on China-based AI video models; how cops are using AI to summarize evidence from seized mobile phones; and the AI game that is making $50,000 a month.
News
Here is NASA’s Contract with Clearview AI
The oversight and investigative body of NASA spent $16,000 on the technology, 404 Media previously reported.