IN SOCIAL

Reddit Uprising

After a tumultuous week of protests and locked-down forums, the platform is dealing with the fallout from changes to its API. Users and moderators are furious, as the platform’s quest to monetize its business model has alienated 3rd-party app creators like Apollo. The drama has sparked debate over power dynamics between platforms and their users. CEO Steve Huffman is contemplating allowing users to vote out moderators. Amidst the chaos, alternative sites are gaining traction, and over 300 subreddits with millions of subscribers remain private.

IN SCIENCE

From Lab to Table

The US Agriculture Department just gave the green light to Upside Foods and Good Meat, two Cali-based companies, to sell their ‘lab-grown’ chicken. The meat is cultivated from animal cells in steel tanks, aiming to reduce environmental impact and animal harm. It will initially be served up at exclusive restaurants and cost more than traditional chicken. Still, it’s a big step towards a new era of meat production. Would you give it a taste?

IN CRYPTO

Traditional Finance Enters New Space

BlackRock is making moves in the crypto world, filing for a Bitcoin spot ETF with the SEC, called iShares Bitcoin Trust. The fund will hold Bitcoin with Coinbase as the trusty custodian. With $10 trillion in assets, BlackRock could be the frontrunner to secure the SEC’s approval for a Bitcoin ETF after a track record of 576 approvals and one rejection. Additionally, Citadel, Charles Schwab, and Fidelity are teaming up and launched the EDX crypto exchange, a power move that shows these financial heavyweights are ready to get into the crypto space.

IN AI

Amazon’s Ghostwriter

Amazon has clandestinely developed advanced AI systems capable of generating full-length novels and non-fiction books. The ‘Storyteller’ project has apparently been buzzing behind the scenes for over two years, with AI ‘authors’ penning books that have topped Amazon’s sales charts and even landed on New York Times bestseller list. The endgame? To replace human authors with AI and gain unprecedented control over a publishing industry it pretty much already rules.

Looking into the crystal ball…

In a previous newsletter drop, we highlighted Marc Andreesen’s take on how AI will save the world. Check out his thoughts on the future of the internet, technology, and AI on the Lex Friedman podcast. 👇️