Tech News: The Death of Physical Media
2Digest
This episode of Tech Stuff dives into a range of tech news stories. The episode begins with a discussion of Russia's alleged use of misinformation and AI to influence Western elections, highlighting the SVR's Project Kylo and its efforts to spread propaganda. The episode then shifts to the potential AI bubble, with Goldman Sachs warning of unsustainable investment in generative AI without clear applications. The episode also explores the decline of physical media, with Redbox shutting down and major retailers reducing DVD sales. The episode concludes with a discussion of Apple Vision Pro sales, which are reportedly declining, and the German Navy's reliance on floppy disks for its anti-submarine frigates.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the episode of Tech Stuff and its host, Jove Strickland. It also sets the stage for the tech news stories that will be covered in the episode.
Russia's Misinformation Campaign
This Chapter discusses a report revealing Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, has a program called Project Kylo aimed at spreading misinformation and propaganda in support of Russia's goals, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. The report details the SVR's tactics, including establishing fake news websites, using generative AI, and hiring real-world people to pose as protesters.
AI Bubble and Job Displacement
This Chapter explores the potential AI bubble, with Goldman Sachs warning of unsustainable investment in generative AI without clear applications. The chapter also discusses the impact of AI on jobs, with companies like Intuit downsizing staff and incorporating AI into their offerings. The host expresses concerns about AI displacing creatives and the potential for model collapse.
The Death of Physical Media
This Chapter examines the decline of physical media, with Redbox shutting down and major retailers reducing DVD sales. The host discusses the challenges of streaming services, including licensing agreements and the potential for content to disappear. The host also expresses personal frustration with the trend and the loss of access to media they love.
German Navy's Floppy Disk Reliance
This Chapter highlights the German Navy's reliance on floppy disks for its anti-submarine frigates. The host expresses surprise at the continued use of this legacy technology and discusses the challenges of modernizing hardware.
Hurricane, Heatwave, and Water Burger
This Chapter discusses the impact of Hurricane Barrel on Houston, Texas, and the subsequent power outages. The chapter highlights the use of the Water Burger app by Houston residents to track power outages, as the app's map shows which locations are open and closed.
Urine Processing for Spacesuits
This Chapter discusses a new urine processing system designed for spacesuits, similar to the still suits in the science fiction series Dune. The system is said to be 87% efficient in reclaiming water from urine, making it a potential solution for long-duration space missions.
Shady Company Relaunches Old Tech Blogs
This Chapter discusses a web advertising company that has resurrected dead tech blogs and is using AI to pose as the original writers, churning out garbage articles. The host expresses concern about the ethical implications of this practice.
Suspicious Amazon Reviews
This Chapter examines the practice of buying and paying for Amazon reviews, highlighting the potential for untrustworthy reviews. The host discusses the importance of customer reviews for Amazon and the potential impact of this practice on consumer trust.
Keywords
Project Kylo
Project Kylo is a program allegedly run by Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, aimed at spreading misinformation and propaganda in support of Russia's goals, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. The program involves establishing fake news websites, using generative AI, and hiring real-world people to pose as protesters.
Generative AI
Generative AI refers to a type of artificial intelligence that can create new content, such as text, images, audio, and video. It is often used in applications like chatbots, content creation tools, and image generation software. The use of generative AI in Project Kylo highlights its potential for spreading misinformation and propaganda.
AI Bubble
An AI bubble refers to a situation where there is excessive investment in artificial intelligence without a clear understanding of its potential returns or applications. Goldman Sachs has warned of a potential AI bubble, citing the unsustainable investment in generative AI without a clear problem that it solves.
Redbox
Redbox is a DVD rental service that operated red kiosks filled with DVDs across the United States. The company has filed for bankruptcy and is shutting down, highlighting the decline of physical media and the rise of streaming services.
Floppy Disk
A floppy disk is a type of magnetic storage medium that was commonly used for data storage in the past. The German Navy's reliance on floppy disks for its anti-submarine frigates highlights the continued use of legacy technology in some sectors.
Water Burger
Water Burger is a fast food chain that has become an unexpected source of information for Houston residents during a hurricane and subsequent power outages. The app's map, which shows which locations are open and closed, has been used to track power outages in the city.
Apple Vision Pro
The Apple Vision Pro is a mixed reality headset that was introduced by Apple earlier this year. Analysts are reporting declining sales for the headset, citing its high price and limited applications. Apple is reportedly working on a lower-cost headset that could potentially change things.
Digital Services Act (DSA)
The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a set of regulations introduced by the European Union to regulate online platforms and services. The DSA aims to address issues like misinformation, content moderation, and user privacy. X, the app formerly known as Twitter, has been called to task for breaching online content rules under the DSA.
Q&A
What is Project Kylo and how does it work?
Project Kylo is a program allegedly run by Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, aimed at spreading misinformation and propaganda. It involves establishing fake news websites, using generative AI, and hiring real-world people to pose as protesters.
What is the potential AI bubble and what are the concerns?
An AI bubble refers to excessive investment in AI without clear applications or returns. Goldman Sachs warns of this, citing unsustainable investment in generative AI without a clear problem it solves. Concerns include potential job displacement and the possibility of companies wasting billions of dollars on AI without a clear payoff.
Why is physical media declining and what are the implications?
Physical media is declining due to the rise of streaming services and the lower profitability of physical media. This means consumers have fewer options for ensuring access to media they love, and there's a risk of losing access to purchased digital content if providers stop supporting services.
What is the German Navy's reliance on floppy disks and why is it surprising?
The German Navy still relies on floppy disks for its anti-submarine frigates, which is surprising given the widespread adoption of modern storage technologies. This highlights the challenges of modernizing hardware and the potential for legacy systems to persist in unexpected places.
How did the Water Burger app become a tool for tracking power outages in Houston?
The Water Burger app's map, which shows which locations are open and closed, became a tool for tracking power outages in Houston after Hurricane Barrel. Residents used the app to determine which areas were still affected by outages, as closed restaurants indicated a lack of power.
What are the challenges facing the Apple Vision Pro and what is Apple doing to address them?
The Apple Vision Pro faces challenges due to its high price and limited applications. Apple is reportedly working on a lower-cost headset to address the price barrier, but the success of the Vision Pro will depend on the development of compelling applications for the platform.
What are the implications of the shady company relaunching old tech blogs with AI-generated content?
This practice raises ethical concerns about the use of AI to impersonate writers and create low-quality content. It could damage the reputations of the original writers and mislead readers.
Why should consumers be suspicious of verified Amazon customer reviews?
Verified Amazon customer reviews are sometimes bought and paid for by merchants, making them untrustworthy. This undermines the value of customer reviews for consumers and raises concerns about the integrity of Amazon's platform.
Show Notes
Sony will stop producing rewritable Blu-rays and a DVD rental service went belly up. Are we looking at the end of physical media? Plus, AI causes more headaches, Goldman Sachs warns we might be in an AI bubble, and more.
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