technology-and-culture12 min read
AI-Generated 'Comedians' Steal Stand-Up Jokes to Funnel Traffic to Adult Subscription Sites
3 days ago•Source: WIRED
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3 min•4 days ago
San Francisco Developer Unveils 'Night Shift,' a Controversial Zombie Shooter Set in the Tenderloin
Pierre-Louis Biojout, founder of AI platform NanoCorp, released a free multiplayer browser game called 'Night Shift' that depicts San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood as a zombie-infested shooter environment. The game, built in a single weekend using AI coding tools, features recognizable local landmarks and characters representing individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction. While Biojout claims the game has generated $300 in ad revenue, it has sparked intense backlash for trivializing the city’s social crises, though some users praise it as an innovative indie title.
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SNL Season 52 Premiere Mocks AI Anxiety Through Dario Amodei Parody
Gizmodo•22 days ago
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Scottish Grandmother Cath Bowie Recognized as Oldest Female Fortnite Streamer
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos•25 days ago
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Scottish grandmother Cath Bowie recognized as world's oldest female Fortnite streamer
Cath Bowie, a 78-year-old resident of Inverurie, Scotland, has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest female Fortnite streamer. Known online as grumpygran1948, she began playing the popular battle royale game in 2017 after her grandson introduced her to it. Despite initial skepticism from family members about her ability to attract an audience, Bowie has cultivated a following of over 24,000 people. She appears in the upcoming Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2027, highlighting the game's appeal across diverse age groups.
Gen Z Embraces 'Ghost Posting' to Bypass Social Media Performance Pressure
A new social media trend called 'ghost posting' involves users uploading photos to Instagram, immediately archiving them, and restoring them days later. This technique allows content to appear on a user's profile grid without being pushed to followers' feeds, thereby avoiding immediate engagement metrics. The practice, popular among Gen Z, serves as a strategy to reduce the anxiety associated with curating a perfect online presence and to decouple posting from the pressure of public validation.
Fake Shopping Apps Surge as Users Seek Dopamine Without Spending
A new trend of 'dopamine sites' has emerged, primarily originating in South Korea, where users simulate shopping and ordering food without making actual purchases. These platforms, such as 'Food Never Arrives' and 'FakeHaul,' mimic the full checkout and delivery tracking process to provide the psychological satisfaction of consumption while saving money. While some users report these tools help them resist real spending, experts warn that the novelty may fade quickly and could potentially increase cravings for real goods. The trend has expanded to include virtual smoke breaks and other simulated experiences, attracting millions of users globally.
AI Food Slop: Why Generative Menus Trigger Disgust and Backlash
AI-generated food images are triggering widespread consumer disgust and backlash, with diners describing the visuals as 'uncanny' and 'unappetizing.' While 26% of restaurant operators use AI to cut costs amid slim margins, the resulting 'slop' imagery often distorts textures and ingredients, leading to viral outrage, vandalism, and lost revenue. Experts argue that while AI is useful for back-end operations, it fails to capture the authenticity and safety cues essential to food marketing, prompting a shift toward traditional photography or hand-drawn alternatives.
AI 'Slop' Menus Spark Global Backlash as Restaurants Face Real-World Consequences
AI-generated food images are causing widespread disgust and financial harm to small restaurants. While 26% of owners use AI to cut costs, the resulting 'uncanny' visuals trigger evolutionary disgust responses, leading to viral backlash, negative reviews, and even vandalism. Experts argue that authenticity and human-made photos are essential for maintaining customer trust in the dining experience.
AI-Generated Menu Images Spark Public Outrage and 'Food Slop' Backlash
AI-generated food images are replacing traditional menu photos in some delis, causing widespread disgust and a phenomenon dubbed 'AI food slop.' While these images trigger visceral reactions and anxiety, experts note that the uncanny valley effect makes them impossible to ignore. The trend reflects broader public skepticism toward AI in creative fields, with many consumers preferring authentic, even if simple, photography over synthetic alternatives.
Silicon Valley's Longevity Obsession: Inside Bryan Johnson's Exclusive San Francisco Event
Bryan Johnson hosted a high-demand private longevity event in San Francisco, drawing over 3,000 applicants for 100 slots. The gathering featured biological age testing, breathwork, and a Q&A with his lead doctor, reflecting a growing tech-sector fascination with extending life through rigorous wellness protocols.
technology-and-culture1 month ago
Basement Club Enforces Permanent Ban on Smart Glasses to Protect Privacy
Basement, a prominent underground techno club in Queens, New York, has announced a strict policy banning smart glasses. The venue states that devices capable of discreet recording violate its privacy standards, resulting in immediate removal and potential permanent bans for offenders. This move reflects growing public backlash against smart glasses, often criticized for enabling non-consensual recording and harassment. While Meta has introduced technical safeguards, such as disabling cameras when indicator lights are obscured, critics argue these measures are insufficient. The ban distinguishes itself from general phone restrictions by targeting specific surveillance hardware, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to perceived privacy violations in nightlife spaces.
Australia Bars Wholly AI-Generated Tracks from Official Music Charts
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has updated its code of practice to exclude tracks wholly generated by artificial intelligence from official charts. Effective August 31, 2026, only recordings that are 'substantially human-made' and free from manipulation concerns are eligible. While AI tools remain permissible for mastering or drum machines, artists must now declare AI usage, and ARIA retains the power to retrospectively remove ineligible songs or revoke awards.
Starlink Brings Internet to Remote Amazon Tribe, Sparks Addiction to Porn and Social Media
The Marubo tribe in the Amazon rainforest has gained internet access through Elon Musk's Starlink, leading to both positive and negative impacts. While the internet has facilitated communication and opened new opportunities, it has also introduced modern vices like social media addiction and exposure to explicit content, causing concerns about cultural erosion and generational disconnect.