Best stories

The article explores the concept of the technological singularity, a hypothetical point in time when technological growth becomes so rapid that it leads to unforeseeable changes in human civilization. It discusses the potential impacts and implications of the singularity, including the possibility of superintelligent artificial intelligence and the transformation of the human condition.

The European Union is taking steps to reduce its reliance on the major credit card networks Visa and Mastercard, with the goal of creating a homegrown alternative payment system that would give the EU more control over cross-border transactions and reduce fees charged to merchants and consumers.

The article discusses concerns that the capabilities of the AI language model Claude are being 'dumbed down' by Anthropic, the company that created it. It suggests that the model's ability to engage in open-ended tasks and conversations is being restricted in order to make it more controlled and predictable.

The article explores the author's emotional response to changes in a cherished hobby, reflecting on the challenges of adapting to evolving interests and the bittersweet nature of personal growth and transformation.

A student journalist at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) received a subpoena from Google, demanding information about their reporting on a contract between Google and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The article explores the implications of this subpoena and the potential chilling effects it could have on press freedom and academic research.

The article introduces Entire, a new platform that aims to revolutionize the way people interact with the digital world by providing a seamless and personalized experience. It highlights Entire's vision to create a more connected and empowered digital ecosystem.

Oxide Computer, a hardware and software company, has raised $200 million in Series C funding to accelerate the development of its cloud infrastructure and data center technologies. The funding will enable Oxide to expand its engineering team and further its mission of building high-performance, energy-efficient computing systems.

The article discusses the backlash surrounding Ring's Super Bowl ad, which appeared to depict a neighborhood search party hunting down an intruder. Critics argued the ad promotes a culture of surveillance and fear, raising concerns about the company's surveillance-focused products.

A lawsuit alleges that Meta and Google purposefully designed their social media platforms to be addictive, causing harm to users, especially children and adolescents. The lawsuit claims these tech giants prioritized profits over user well-being and seeks to hold them accountable for their actions.

The article discusses the decline of the Telnet protocol, which was once widely used for remote access and administration but has since been largely replaced by more secure alternatives like SSH. It explores the reasons behind Telnet's gradual disappearance and the implications for network security and connectivity.

The Feynman Lectures on Physics is a series of physics lectures delivered by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman at the California Institute of Technology. The lectures cover a wide range of topics in physics, from classical mechanics to quantum mechanics, providing a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the field.

A research study analyzed 287 popular Chrome extensions, revealing that a significant number contained code that could potentially spy on users' online activities, including accessing sensitive data and sending it to external servers without user consent.

https://fosdem.org/2026/schedule/event/7ZJJWW-fluorite-game-...

The article discusses the Half-Life 2 (HL2) game engine and its significance in the gaming industry. It highlights HL2's advanced graphics, physics-based gameplay, and its influence on the development of other game engines.

Qwen Image 2.0 is a powerful AI-powered image generation tool that allows users to create high-quality, custom images by providing textual descriptions. The article highlights the tool's advanced capabilities, including the ability to generate images with specific styles, compositions, and subjects.

The article discusses the GLM-5 language model, a large-scale AI system developed by Anthropic that can be used for a wide range of natural language processing tasks. It highlights the model's impressive performance and its potential applications in areas like content generation, question answering, and conversational AI.

The article explores the potential factors behind the longevity of vampires, including their ability to regenerate, their lack of aging, and their resistance to diseases and physical trauma. It examines possible scientific explanations for these supernatural abilities and their implications for human lifespans.

Latest archive link: https://archive.is/Qdq4x

The FAA temporarily closed airspace around El Paso, Texas due to an unspecified 'national security' incident. The closure affected flights and air traffic in the area, though the reason for the closure has not been publicly disclosed.

ChatZ.ai is a conversational AI assistant that aims to provide helpful and engaging interactions. The platform allows users to chat with the AI on a variety of topics, and it leverages natural language processing to understand and respond to user input.

The article discusses the potential of seaweed aquaculture to address global food security and climate change challenges. It examines the environmental, economic, and social benefits of scaling up seaweed farming, and highlights the need for policy and regulatory support to enable sustainable growth in this industry.

The article suggests that a Trump-era immigration crackdown could result in the first population decline in the United States in modern history, as tighter restrictions on immigration lead to fewer new arrivals and lower birth rates among immigrant communities.

The article discusses the importance of effective communication and collaboration within software development teams, highlighting strategies for fostering an environment that supports open dialogue, resolving conflicts, and ensuring everyone's voices are heard.

The article discusses the Khronos Group's efforts to simplify the Vulkan API by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable subsystems. This approach aims to make Vulkan more accessible to developers by reducing the complexity and learning curve associated with the full Vulkan API.

NetNewsWire, a popular open-source RSS reader, celebrates its 20th anniversary, reflecting on its history and enduring popularity as a go-to tool for staying up-to-date with online content.

The article expresses gratitude towards AI technology, acknowledging its rapid advancements and potential to transform various aspects of society, while also emphasizing the importance of human oversight and ethical considerations in the development and deployment of AI systems.

Original article: https://hbr.org/2026/02/ai-doesnt-reduce-work-it-intensifies...

The article discusses Garry Tan, the co-founder of Initialized Capital, and his involvement in California politics. It highlights Tan's efforts to support progressive candidates and causes, as well as his views on the state's political landscape and the challenges it faces.