U.S. destroys last of its declared chemical weapons, closing a deadly chapter dating to World War I
The key word, of course, is “declared”. #Democracy [Link]
Ben Werdmuller
Ben Werdmuller helps leaders at newsrooms, non-profits, and mission-driven organizations to navigate their biggest technology challenges.
Threads isn’t for news and politics, says Instagram’s boss
To put it another way: Meta doesn't want to have to worry about throwing an election. Meta wants us to focus on "sports, music, fashion, beauty, entertainment." Newsrooms, be advised. #Media [Link]
Second thoughts about Threads
The other day I posted a surprisingly glowing first impression of Meta’s new Threads app. This is the counterpart to that. The site is brands, man. All of it. It’s like the glossy fashion magazine of social networks. And I get it. I really do. This is going
Nonfiction
Dancing at the Pity Party, by Tyler Feder
The thing about this kind of grief is that nobody knows what it's like until it happens. The sadness becomes a permanent a part of you, lurking just under the surface, and nobody understands. The feeling of being seen is extraordinarily rare. This book made me feel seen,
First thoughts about Threads
Meta’s new social network is interesting: an obvious strategic shot at Twitter just as that network is running into trouble, as well as a way to iterate on its aging Facebook property. To that end, it makes sense that Meta would piggyback on the fediverse of independent social networks
Meta unspools Threads
A lot of people in the fediverse are rightly worried about what the arrival of Threads (which is Mastodon-compatible) will bring. I think it's probably a positive addition for most people, and Casey Newton's writeup here does a good job of explaining why. #Technology [Link]
Dogs
Our baby loves dogs. His eyes light up as soon as he sees one. His arms extend outwards, his lips turn up, and it’s a matter of seconds before he’s unable to constrain his joy any longer and something between a delighted squeal and an unhinged canine howl
OpenAI and Microsoft Sued for $3 Billion Over Alleged ChatGPT 'Privacy Violations'
It's important that lawsuits like this center on the use, not the act of scraping itself - the latter does need to be protected. One to watch. #AI [Link]
‘Double agents’: fossil-fuel lobbyists work for US groups trying to fight climate crisis
Greenwashing goes deep. Environmentally outspoken organizations should not hire fossil fuels lobbyists. There should be a list loudly calling out those that do. Otherwise it's all just words. #Climate [Link]
Child marriage is still prevalent in the U.S. Here’s why.
People against child marriage restrictions say they will infringe on religious liberty. 86% of children who are married are girls. So, let's be clear: if you want this, fuck your religious liberty. #Democracy [Link]
Fairphone 4—the repairable, sustainable smartphone—is coming to the US
The Fairphone is more properly referred to as a fairer phone - there's still work to do to really make it equitable - but it's great to see it being launched in the US. More products that have this focus on repairability and owner control, please.
Gentle Writing Advice: How to Be a Writer Without Destroying Yourself, by Chuck Wendig
A sort of call to arms for writers, but here the arms reach out in a warm embrace and tell you to be yourself. It's not about being published; it's not about following other peoples' rules; it's about telling the stories that make