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Alec and Nick discuss the algorithm as a mysterious force within the production and consumption of music. Despite being used daily in our various contendings with digital platforms and culture, the term is often misunderstood. The conversation loosely defines the term as "some kind of procedure," embarking on a survey of chance (Cage), serialism (Schoenberg), Bach & Hindustani classical music, scales and modes, The League of Automatic Music Composers, Laurie Spiegel, newer electronic music, and more—as well as philosophical debates between form and process. Is an algorithm a dialectic? Do algorithms produce form, or does form precede an algorithmic process? Ultimately, the discussion draws latent comparisons to the idea of musical truth and an algorithm itself, and outlines a reversal of algorithm as a set of procedures that would create and bring music into a being, to a process that now entraps and contains it. The episode concludes with a discussion of algorithms that bring us to a contemporary visual culture of music, tying in The Velvet Underground & Warhol, Rosalía, Björk, and more.
WarRoom Battleground EP 893: AI The Algorithmic Parasite
Outline00:00 – Intro07:22 – Anatomy of a feedback loop15:12 – A brief historical recap on the history of feedback23:40 – Inventing the negative feedback amplifier34:28 – Feedback in biology, economics, society, and ... board games!52:44 – Negative vs positive feedback59:15 – Feedback, causality, and the arrow of time1:06:22 – Classics: fundamental limitations, uncertainty, robustness1:21:30 – Adaptive control: learning in the loop1:29:50 – Modern AI feedback loops (RL, social media, alignment)1:40:40 – OutroLinksWatt's flyball governor: https://tinyurl.com/ne5nene3Maxwell - "On Governors": https://tinyurl.com/2a7cxj7m Black - "Inventing the negative-feedback amplifier": https://tinyurl.com/yevsemdpNyquist Criterion: https://tinyurl.com/33hfbw8mBode's integral: https://tinyurl.com/53sxkdzuWiener - "Cybernetics": https://tinyurl.com/yta899ayApoptosis: https://tinyurl.com/mcxjycka Predator–prey dynamics (Lotka–Volterra): https://tinyurl.com/5cvx33tn Bird migration cues (photoperiodism): https://tinyurl.com/y2e7t22v Neuron action potentials: https://tinyurl.com/2wemwdn4Economic equilibrium & feedback: https://tinyurl.com/nhdx7r3sEcho chambers: https://tinyurl.com/4v8yk7e8 Game design: https://tinyurl.com/bdhdhv38Gap metric (Vinnicombe): https://tinyurl.com/y9nw3yveGeorgiou, Smith - "Feedback Control and the Arrow of Time": https://tinyurl.com/5xvj76jrAnnaswamy, Fradkov - "A Historical Perspective of Adaptive Control and Learning": https://tinyurl.com/4nfew8vm Algorithmic trading flash crash (2010): https://tinyurl.com/2dsrs8j2AI alignment: https://tinyurl.com/yvs3wnj8Support the showPodcast infoPodcast website: https://www.incontrolpodcast.com/Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/5n84j85jSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/4rwztj3cRSS: https://tinyurl.com/yc2fcv4yYoutube: https://tinyurl.com/bdbvhsj6Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/3z24yr43Twitter: https://twitter.com/IncontrolPInstagram: https://tinyurl.com/35cu4kr4Acknowledgments and sponsorsThis episode was supported by the National Centre of Competence in Research on «Dependable, ubiquitous automation» and the IFAC Activity fund. The podcast benefits from the help of an incredibly talented and passionate team. Special thanks to L. Seward, E. Cahard, F. Banis, F. Dörfler, J. Lygeros, ETH studio and mirrorlake . Music was composed by A New Element.
Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, is joined by long-time friend and returning guest Tony “Tech Tony” Self, Broker/Owner of Harcourts Hunter Mason Realty — to dissect the rapid rise of AI in 2025, where it's heading, and what's starting to make even the tech optimists a little uneasy.Tony, known for being an early adopter of everything from automation to video avatars, opens up about the first time AI has truly spooked him. The two dive deep into the realities of AI displacement, the threat to white-collar jobs, and what “Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)” might mean for industries like real estate. From autonomous driving to robotics, they break down the economic and ethical implications of a future where machines don't just assist — they think, act, and compete.But it's not all doom and gloom. Ben and Tony also explore how entrepreneurs can stay ahead of the curve, leverage AI tools like HeyGen and 11Labs for content creation, and prepare for the industries being reshaped by automation. Expect bold predictions, uncomfortable truths, and practical insights for agents, leaders, and business owners trying to navigate the AI-driven decade ahead.Timestamps & Key Topics[00:00:00] – How AI started 2025 and where it stands now[00:02:00] – Why Tech Tony is finally nervous about AI[00:03:45] – Job displacement and the automation wave[00:06:30] – From robots to real estate: AI's reach expands[00:08:00] – The rise of generative video tools (HeyGen, Sora, 11Labs)[00:10:45] – Governments vs. progress: who wins the automation race?[00:12:00] – How content creation is changing forever[00:14:30] – What is AGI and when will we see it?[00:18:00] – The illusion of authenticity in social media[00:22:00] – Algorithmic manipulation, misinformation, and bias[00:25:00] – Predictions for 2026: what jobs and skills survive?[00:27:00] – AI reliance, creativity, and the human edge
KATY IS BACK! And we are proud to report that her new baby no longer looks like far-right French politician Éric Zemmour. Relief all around! It's been a hectic time in Europe, but we're happy to be covering it all—or, you know, a sizable sliver of it—starting with Latvia's potential withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention and the European Parliament's call for new regulation of algorithmic tech in the workplace. Algorithmic management has made its way into all sorts of industries; we dig into whether or not that's a good thing and how new legislation might help to protect us all. Then it's off to Paris, where tens of thousands of shoppers have already flooded the aisles of the new brick-and-mortar Shein store and thousands of others have been protesting its very existence. That's not only because of Shein's environmentally toxic business model but because of the recent appearance of some despicable products on its website—which has led the French government to threaten to ban the fast-fashion giant. To break it all down, we rang up Paris-based fashion journalist Dana Thomas, author of the book Fashionopolis and host of the podcast The Green Dream. Mentioned in this episode: ‘“Cynical and completely reckless” Latvia has the highest femicide rate in Europe — including Russia. Its parliament just voted to exit a treaty protecting women from violence.' - Meduza, November 4, 2025 EU study: 37% of employees are monitored for working hours 1 in 4 workplaces make decisions with algorithms Case studies in algorithmic management Dana's book Fashionopolis Dana's newsletter, The Style Files This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are the Rosalía album Lux and the podcast series Where Is Jón?, a co-production of RTÉ in Ireland and RÚV in Iceland. We don't often have sponsors on this podcast but this week, we do: Patagonia. Three years ago, Patagonia named Earth as its only shareholder. But moving more profits to environmental causes hasn't made them a perfect company—let alone a sustainable one. Out now is Patagonia's 2025 Work-in-Progress report: the raw truth about where they're messing up, but also, the latest ways they're rethinking business as usual. You can check out the report here. This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it's contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number. 01:21 Katy's back! 05:33 Bad Week: Latvian politicians 19:08 Good Week: All European workers! (Maybe) 30:48 Interview: Dana Thomas on France's threat to ban SHEIN 46:00 The Inspiration Station: 'Lux' by Rosalía and 'Where is Jón'? 50:46 Happy Ending: Europe's first major elephant sanctuary Produced by Morgan Childs Editorial support from Katz Laszlo Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram | Mastodon | hello@europeanspodcast.com
The following article of the Tech industry is: “The Beginning of a New Era? Zuckerberg's Algorithmic Vision” by Agostina Luzzi, Managing Director, From México.
Condensation: a theory of concepts is a model of concept-formation by Sam Eisenstat. Its goals and methods resemble John Wentworth's natural abstractions/natural latents research.[1] Both theories seek to provide a clear picture of how to posit latent variables, such that once someone has understood the theory, they'll say "yep, I see now, that's how latent variables work!". The goal of this post is to popularize Sam's theory and to give my own perspective on it; however, it will not be a full explanation of the math. For technical details, I suggest reading Sam's paper. Brief Summary Shannon's information theory focuses on the question of how to encode information when you have to encode everything. You get to design the coding scheme, but the information you'll have to encode is unknown (and you have some subjective probability distribution over what it will be). Your objective is to minimize the total expected code-length. Algorithmic information theory similarly focuses on minimizing the total code-length, but it uses a "more objective" distribution (a universal algorithmic distribution), and a fixed coding scheme (some programming language). This allows it to talk about the minimum code-length of specific data (talking about particulars rather than average [...] ---Outline:(00:45) Brief Summary(02:35) Shannons Information Theory(07:21) Universal Codes(11:13) Condensation(12:52) Universal Data-Structure?(15:30) Well-Organized Notebooks(18:18) Random Variables(18:54) Givens(19:50) Underlying Space(20:33) Latents(21:21) Contributions(21:39) Top(22:24) Bottoms(22:55) Score(24:29) Perfect Condensation(25:52) Interpretability Solved?(26:38) Condensation isnt as tight an abstraction as information theory.(27:40) Condensation isnt a very good model of cognition.(29:46) Much work to be done! The original text contained 15 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- First published: November 9th, 2025 Source: https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/BstHXPgQyfeNnLjjp/condensation --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.
What does it mean for a creation to possess soul? In this captivating episode, we unravel the intricate dance between artificial intelligence and true artistry, probing the boundaries of emotional expression and algorithmic precision. As we dissect the question of whether AI can produce genuine art or merely mimic our deepest feelings, prepare for a journey through the minds of artists, technologists, and philosophers. Can a machine ever grasp the human experience, or are we witnessing the dawn of a new era where creativity is redefined in binary codes? Tune in to explore the heart of creation, one algorithm at a time.
Algorithmic Justice isn't just about fixing biased code — it's about reimagining who gets to build, audit, and benefit from digital power.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/racism-white-privilege-in-america--4473713/support.
Racism and Technology: The Algorithmic InheritanceBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/racism-white-privilege-in-america--4473713/support.
How is artificial intelligence transforming journalism as both a profession and an institution? In this episode, Ning Ao speaks to Dr. Joanne Kuai, exploring how AI reshapes journalistic roles, organisational structures, and governance systems through the lens of China's media landscape—while drawing comparisons with the US and EU. Dr. Joanne Kuai is a Research Fellow in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University and holds a PhD from Karlstad University in Sweden. Her research focuses on digital journalism, the social implications of automation and algorithms, and the governance of data and AI. Ning Ao is a PhD student at the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies (ACE) at Lund University. Her research looks at generational differences among Chinese Mongols. Episode producer: Ning Ao - - - - - - Links: Joanne's article-based PhD dissertation: AI, News, and the State: Reinstitutionalising Journalism in Global China's Algorithmic Age Joanne's recommendations: Julie E. Cohen's Between Truth and Power: The Legal Constructions of Informational Capitalism Kevin Xu's bilingual newsletter - Interconnected Ghost in the Shell (1995) Detroit: Become Human Follow Joanne's research on: Joanne Kuai at RMIT University ResearchGate Linkedin The Nordic Asia Podcast is a collaboration sharing expertise on Asia across the Nordic region, brought to you by the following academic partners: Asia Centre, University of Tartu (Estonia) Asian studies, University of Helsinki (Finland) Centre for Asian Studies, Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania) Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University (Sweden) Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku (Finland) Norwegian Network for Asian Studies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
How is artificial intelligence transforming journalism as both a profession and an institution? In this episode, Ning Ao speaks to Dr. Joanne Kuai, exploring how AI reshapes journalistic roles, organisational structures, and governance systems through the lens of China's media landscape—while drawing comparisons with the US and EU. Dr. Joanne Kuai is a Research Fellow in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University and holds a PhD from Karlstad University in Sweden. Her research focuses on digital journalism, the social implications of automation and algorithms, and the governance of data and AI. Ning Ao is a PhD student at the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies (ACE) at Lund University. Her research looks at generational differences among Chinese Mongols. Episode producer: Ning Ao - - - - - - Links: Joanne's article-based PhD dissertation: AI, News, and the State: Reinstitutionalising Journalism in Global China's Algorithmic Age Joanne's recommendations: Julie E. Cohen's Between Truth and Power: The Legal Constructions of Informational Capitalism Kevin Xu's bilingual newsletter - Interconnected Ghost in the Shell (1995) Detroit: Become Human Follow Joanne's research on: Joanne Kuai at RMIT University ResearchGate Linkedin The Nordic Asia Podcast is a collaboration sharing expertise on Asia across the Nordic region, brought to you by the following academic partners: Asia Centre, University of Tartu (Estonia) Asian studies, University of Helsinki (Finland) Centre for Asian Studies, Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania) Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University (Sweden) Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku (Finland) Norwegian Network for Asian Studies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies
How is artificial intelligence transforming journalism as both a profession and an institution? In this episode, Ning Ao speaks to Dr. Joanne Kuai, exploring how AI reshapes journalistic roles, organisational structures, and governance systems through the lens of China's media landscape—while drawing comparisons with the US and EU. Dr. Joanne Kuai is a Research Fellow in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University and holds a PhD from Karlstad University in Sweden. Her research focuses on digital journalism, the social implications of automation and algorithms, and the governance of data and AI. Ning Ao is a PhD student at the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies (ACE) at Lund University. Her research looks at generational differences among Chinese Mongols. Episode producer: Ning Ao - - - - - - Links: Joanne's article-based PhD dissertation: AI, News, and the State: Reinstitutionalising Journalism in Global China's Algorithmic Age Joanne's recommendations: Julie E. Cohen's Between Truth and Power: The Legal Constructions of Informational Capitalism Kevin Xu's bilingual newsletter - Interconnected Ghost in the Shell (1995) Detroit: Become Human Follow Joanne's research on: Joanne Kuai at RMIT University ResearchGate Linkedin The Nordic Asia Podcast is a collaboration sharing expertise on Asia across the Nordic region, brought to you by the following academic partners: Asia Centre, University of Tartu (Estonia) Asian studies, University of Helsinki (Finland) Centre for Asian Studies, Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania) Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University (Sweden) Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku (Finland) Norwegian Network for Asian Studies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/chinese-studies
How is artificial intelligence transforming journalism as both a profession and an institution? In this episode, Ning Ao speaks to Dr. Joanne Kuai, exploring how AI reshapes journalistic roles, organisational structures, and governance systems through the lens of China's media landscape—while drawing comparisons with the US and EU. Dr. Joanne Kuai is a Research Fellow in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University and holds a PhD from Karlstad University in Sweden. Her research focuses on digital journalism, the social implications of automation and algorithms, and the governance of data and AI. Ning Ao is a PhD student at the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies (ACE) at Lund University. Her research looks at generational differences among Chinese Mongols. Episode producer: Ning Ao - - - - - - Links: Joanne's article-based PhD dissertation: AI, News, and the State: Reinstitutionalising Journalism in Global China's Algorithmic Age Joanne's recommendations: Julie E. Cohen's Between Truth and Power: The Legal Constructions of Informational Capitalism Kevin Xu's bilingual newsletter - Interconnected Ghost in the Shell (1995) Detroit: Become Human Follow Joanne's research on: Joanne Kuai at RMIT University ResearchGate Linkedin The Nordic Asia Podcast is a collaboration sharing expertise on Asia across the Nordic region, brought to you by the following academic partners: Asia Centre, University of Tartu (Estonia) Asian studies, University of Helsinki (Finland) Centre for Asian Studies, Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania) Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University (Sweden) Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku (Finland) Norwegian Network for Asian Studies
How is artificial intelligence transforming journalism as both a profession and an institution? In this episode, Ning Ao speaks to Dr. Joanne Kuai, exploring how AI reshapes journalistic roles, organisational structures, and governance systems through the lens of China's media landscape—while drawing comparisons with the US and EU. Dr. Joanne Kuai is a Research Fellow in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University and holds a PhD from Karlstad University in Sweden. Her research focuses on digital journalism, the social implications of automation and algorithms, and the governance of data and AI. Ning Ao is a PhD student at the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies (ACE) at Lund University. Her research looks at generational differences among Chinese Mongols. Episode producer: Ning Ao - - - - - - Links: Joanne's article-based PhD dissertation: AI, News, and the State: Reinstitutionalising Journalism in Global China's Algorithmic Age Joanne's recommendations: Julie E. Cohen's Between Truth and Power: The Legal Constructions of Informational Capitalism Kevin Xu's bilingual newsletter - Interconnected Ghost in the Shell (1995) Detroit: Become Human Follow Joanne's research on: Joanne Kuai at RMIT University ResearchGate Linkedin The Nordic Asia Podcast is a collaboration sharing expertise on Asia across the Nordic region, brought to you by the following academic partners: Asia Centre, University of Tartu (Estonia) Asian studies, University of Helsinki (Finland) Centre for Asian Studies, Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania) Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University (Sweden) Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku (Finland) Norwegian Network for Asian Studies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/communications
How is artificial intelligence transforming journalism as both a profession and an institution? In this episode, Ning Ao speaks to Dr. Joanne Kuai, exploring how AI reshapes journalistic roles, organisational structures, and governance systems through the lens of China's media landscape—while drawing comparisons with the US and EU. Dr. Joanne Kuai is a Research Fellow in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University and holds a PhD from Karlstad University in Sweden. Her research focuses on digital journalism, the social implications of automation and algorithms, and the governance of data and AI. Ning Ao is a PhD student at the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies (ACE) at Lund University. Her research looks at generational differences among Chinese Mongols. Episode producer: Ning Ao - - - - - - Links: Joanne's article-based PhD dissertation: AI, News, and the State: Reinstitutionalising Journalism in Global China's Algorithmic Age Joanne's recommendations: Julie E. Cohen's Between Truth and Power: The Legal Constructions of Informational Capitalism Kevin Xu's bilingual newsletter - Interconnected Ghost in the Shell (1995) Detroit: Become Human Follow Joanne's research on: Joanne Kuai at RMIT University ResearchGate Linkedin The Nordic Asia Podcast is a collaboration sharing expertise on Asia across the Nordic region, brought to you by the following academic partners: Asia Centre, University of Tartu (Estonia) Asian studies, University of Helsinki (Finland) Centre for Asian Studies, Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania) Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University (Sweden) Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku (Finland) Norwegian Network for Asian Studies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-technology-and-society
How is artificial intelligence transforming journalism as both a profession and an institution? In this episode, Ning Ao speaks to Dr. Joanne Kuai, exploring how AI reshapes journalistic roles, organisational structures, and governance systems through the lens of China's media landscape—while drawing comparisons with the US and EU. Dr. Joanne Kuai is a Research Fellow in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University and holds a PhD from Karlstad University in Sweden. Her research focuses on digital journalism, the social implications of automation and algorithms, and the governance of data and AI. Ning Ao is a PhD student at the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies (ACE) at Lund University. Her research looks at generational differences among Chinese Mongols. Episode producer: Ning Ao - - - - - - Links: Joanne's article-based PhD dissertation: AI, News, and the State: Reinstitutionalising Journalism in Global China's Algorithmic Age Joanne's recommendations: Julie E. Cohen's Between Truth and Power: The Legal Constructions of Informational Capitalism Kevin Xu's bilingual newsletter - Interconnected Ghost in the Shell (1995) Detroit: Become Human Follow Joanne's research on: Joanne Kuai at RMIT University ResearchGate Linkedin The Nordic Asia Podcast is a collaboration sharing expertise on Asia across the Nordic region, brought to you by the following academic partners: Asia Centre, University of Tartu (Estonia) Asian studies, University of Helsinki (Finland) Centre for Asian Studies, Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania) Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University (Sweden) Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku (Finland) Norwegian Network for Asian Studies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/journalism
How is artificial intelligence transforming journalism as both a profession and an institution? In this episode, Ning Ao speaks to Dr. Joanne Kuai, exploring how AI reshapes journalistic roles, organisational structures, and governance systems through the lens of China's media landscape—while drawing comparisons with the US and EU. Dr. Joanne Kuai is a Research Fellow in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University and holds a PhD from Karlstad University in Sweden. Her research focuses on digital journalism, the social implications of automation and algorithms, and the governance of data and AI. Ning Ao is a PhD student at the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies (ACE) at Lund University. Her research looks at generational differences among Chinese Mongols. Episode producer: Ning Ao - - - - - - Links: Joanne's article-based PhD dissertation: AI, News, and the State: Reinstitutionalising Journalism in Global China's Algorithmic Age Joanne's recommendations: Julie E. Cohen's Between Truth and Power: The Legal Constructions of Informational Capitalism Kevin Xu's bilingual newsletter - Interconnected Ghost in the Shell (1995) Detroit: Become Human Follow Joanne's research on: Joanne Kuai at RMIT University ResearchGate Linkedin The Nordic Asia Podcast is a collaboration sharing expertise on Asia across the Nordic region, brought to you by the following academic partners: Asia Centre, University of Tartu (Estonia) Asian studies, University of Helsinki (Finland) Centre for Asian Studies, Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania) Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University (Sweden) Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku (Finland) Norwegian Network for Asian Studies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/technology
In an age when digital media permeates every aspect of our lives, understanding its influence is more critical than ever. Algorithmic Saga: Understanding Media, Culture, and Transformation in the AI Age (Atique Mindscape Publishing, 2025), serves as a compass, guiding readers through the complexities of our interconnected world. From the moment we wake to a flurry of notifications to the late-night scrolling that often accompanies our downtime, we find ourselves enmeshed in a digital landscape that shapes our perceptions, relationships, and routines. The journey ahead will illuminate the dual-edged nature of technology—its ability to connect and empower as well as its potential to isolate and overwhelm. By examining the algorithms that curate newsfeeds and the social media platforms that redefine communication, this book unpacks the intricacies of modern digital life. But beyond the challenges lie opportunities; this book also highlights the ways in which digital media fosters social activism and creative expression, showcasing the remarkable power of collective voices and innovative ideas. Whether digital natives or just beginning to explore this expansive realm, readers will be equipped by this exploration with insights and tools to navigate the digital age thoughtfully. Discover how to harness technology's potential, ensuring it enriches rather than diminishes our lives. Guest: Dr. Muhammad Atique holds a PhD in Public Administration with a specialization in Digital Governance and has over fifteen years of combined experience in academia and media. He has published several peer-reviewed research articles on digital media, technology adoption, and governance. His teaching and research explore the intersection of technology, media culture, and societal transformation in the AI age. He is also the founder of Atique Mindscape Publishing, an imprint of Digital Vista Ventures LLC (USA), and is based in Auckland, New Zealand. Host: Dr. Michael LaMagna is the Information Literacy Program & Library Services Coordinator and Professor of Library Services at Delaware County Community College. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
In an age when digital media permeates every aspect of our lives, understanding its influence is more critical than ever. Algorithmic Saga: Understanding Media, Culture, and Transformation in the AI Age (Atique Mindscape Publishing, 2025), serves as a compass, guiding readers through the complexities of our interconnected world. From the moment we wake to a flurry of notifications to the late-night scrolling that often accompanies our downtime, we find ourselves enmeshed in a digital landscape that shapes our perceptions, relationships, and routines. The journey ahead will illuminate the dual-edged nature of technology—its ability to connect and empower as well as its potential to isolate and overwhelm. By examining the algorithms that curate newsfeeds and the social media platforms that redefine communication, this book unpacks the intricacies of modern digital life. But beyond the challenges lie opportunities; this book also highlights the ways in which digital media fosters social activism and creative expression, showcasing the remarkable power of collective voices and innovative ideas. Whether digital natives or just beginning to explore this expansive realm, readers will be equipped by this exploration with insights and tools to navigate the digital age thoughtfully. Discover how to harness technology's potential, ensuring it enriches rather than diminishes our lives. Guest: Dr. Muhammad Atique holds a PhD in Public Administration with a specialization in Digital Governance and has over fifteen years of combined experience in academia and media. He has published several peer-reviewed research articles on digital media, technology adoption, and governance. His teaching and research explore the intersection of technology, media culture, and societal transformation in the AI age. He is also the founder of Atique Mindscape Publishing, an imprint of Digital Vista Ventures LLC (USA), and is based in Auckland, New Zealand. Host: Dr. Michael LaMagna is the Information Literacy Program & Library Services Coordinator and Professor of Library Services at Delaware County Community College. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/communications
In an age when digital media permeates every aspect of our lives, understanding its influence is more critical than ever. Algorithmic Saga: Understanding Media, Culture, and Transformation in the AI Age (Atique Mindscape Publishing, 2025), serves as a compass, guiding readers through the complexities of our interconnected world. From the moment we wake to a flurry of notifications to the late-night scrolling that often accompanies our downtime, we find ourselves enmeshed in a digital landscape that shapes our perceptions, relationships, and routines. The journey ahead will illuminate the dual-edged nature of technology—its ability to connect and empower as well as its potential to isolate and overwhelm. By examining the algorithms that curate newsfeeds and the social media platforms that redefine communication, this book unpacks the intricacies of modern digital life. But beyond the challenges lie opportunities; this book also highlights the ways in which digital media fosters social activism and creative expression, showcasing the remarkable power of collective voices and innovative ideas. Whether digital natives or just beginning to explore this expansive realm, readers will be equipped by this exploration with insights and tools to navigate the digital age thoughtfully. Discover how to harness technology's potential, ensuring it enriches rather than diminishes our lives. Guest: Dr. Muhammad Atique holds a PhD in Public Administration with a specialization in Digital Governance and has over fifteen years of combined experience in academia and media. He has published several peer-reviewed research articles on digital media, technology adoption, and governance. His teaching and research explore the intersection of technology, media culture, and societal transformation in the AI age. He is also the founder of Atique Mindscape Publishing, an imprint of Digital Vista Ventures LLC (USA), and is based in Auckland, New Zealand. Host: Dr. Michael LaMagna is the Information Literacy Program & Library Services Coordinator and Professor of Library Services at Delaware County Community College. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-technology-and-society
In an age when digital media permeates every aspect of our lives, understanding its influence is more critical than ever. Algorithmic Saga: Understanding Media, Culture, and Transformation in the AI Age (Atique Mindscape Publishing, 2025), serves as a compass, guiding readers through the complexities of our interconnected world. From the moment we wake to a flurry of notifications to the late-night scrolling that often accompanies our downtime, we find ourselves enmeshed in a digital landscape that shapes our perceptions, relationships, and routines. The journey ahead will illuminate the dual-edged nature of technology—its ability to connect and empower as well as its potential to isolate and overwhelm. By examining the algorithms that curate newsfeeds and the social media platforms that redefine communication, this book unpacks the intricacies of modern digital life. But beyond the challenges lie opportunities; this book also highlights the ways in which digital media fosters social activism and creative expression, showcasing the remarkable power of collective voices and innovative ideas. Whether digital natives or just beginning to explore this expansive realm, readers will be equipped by this exploration with insights and tools to navigate the digital age thoughtfully. Discover how to harness technology's potential, ensuring it enriches rather than diminishes our lives. Guest: Dr. Muhammad Atique holds a PhD in Public Administration with a specialization in Digital Governance and has over fifteen years of combined experience in academia and media. He has published several peer-reviewed research articles on digital media, technology adoption, and governance. His teaching and research explore the intersection of technology, media culture, and societal transformation in the AI age. He is also the founder of Atique Mindscape Publishing, an imprint of Digital Vista Ventures LLC (USA), and is based in Auckland, New Zealand. Host: Dr. Michael LaMagna is the Information Literacy Program & Library Services Coordinator and Professor of Library Services at Delaware County Community College. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/technology
The Knives Templars Podcast is back with S10E92 The Algorithmic Intelligence Edge . We are your Gateway to the World of Blades, Craftsmanship, and CommunityWelcome to the Knives Templars Podcast—the show where blade enthusiasts, makers, and collectors unite! Each episode dives deep into the art and science of knife making, the stories behind legendary blades, and the vibrant community that keeps the edge sharp in the world of cutlery. Whether you're a seasoned smith, a passionate collector, or just discovering the allure of handmade knives, this podcast is your go-to resource for inspiration, education, and connection.A huge thank you to our incredible sponsors who make thisshow possible:· EvenHeat Kilns – Precision heat treating for serious makers· TR-Maker – Innovative tools for next-level knife crafting· Pop's Knife Supplies – Your one-stop shop for premium materials· Brodbeck Ironworks – Grinders and gear built for makers· NJ Steel Baron – Steel that shapes legends· Phoenix Abrasives – Abrasives that rise to the challenge· KH Daily Knives – Blades and tools forged with passion· Clark Iron Forge – Blacksmithing tools that strike true· The Knifemakers' Guild – Craftsmanship, community, and traditionYou can catch the Knives Templars Podcast on all major platforms—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart, Castbox, and wherever you get your audio fix. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with your fellow makers. Also see us on Facebook at the knives templarsThank you for tuning in to the Knives Templars Podcast. Get ready to explore the stories, techniques, and people who keep the blade world turning. Let's get started!https://knivestemplars.comMusic by BaronsAIBand from Pixabay
We begin this episode by highlighting a fight between Mark Zuckerberg and Joseph Gordon Levitt over the issue of “synthetic relationships” and their implications for young children. We discuss the recent invention of plastoline, an alternative fuel source that can power automobiles. We conclude by considering one of Bill Maher's recent New Rules involving intentionally disrupting our social media algorithms in order to make space for understanding of and dialog with our opponents.
In this week's episode of “Paul, Weiss Waking Up With AI,” Katherine Forrest, Scott Caravello and Matthew Robinson unpack an enacted bill out of California that amends the state's existing antitrust laws to address algorithmic price fixing in the age of AI. ## Learn More About Paul, Weiss's Artificial Intelligence practice: https://www.paulweiss.com/industries/artificial-intelligence
In the age of AI, where personal data fuels corporate profits and state surveillance, what are the implications for democracy? This incisive book You Must Become an Algorithmic Problem: Renegotiating the Socio-Technical Contract (Policy Press, 2025) explores the unspoken agreement we have with tech companies. In exchange for reducing the anxiety of an increasingly complex online world, we submit to algorithmic classification and predictability. This reduces incentives for us to become “algorithmic problems” with dire consequences for liberal democracy. He calls for a movement to demand that algorithms promote play, creativity and potentiality rather than conformity. This is a must-read for anyone navigating the intersection of technology, politics and identity in an increasingly data-driven world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
In the age of AI, where personal data fuels corporate profits and state surveillance, what are the implications for democracy? This incisive book You Must Become an Algorithmic Problem: Renegotiating the Socio-Technical Contract (Policy Press, 2025) explores the unspoken agreement we have with tech companies. In exchange for reducing the anxiety of an increasingly complex online world, we submit to algorithmic classification and predictability. This reduces incentives for us to become “algorithmic problems” with dire consequences for liberal democracy. He calls for a movement to demand that algorithms promote play, creativity and potentiality rather than conformity. This is a must-read for anyone navigating the intersection of technology, politics and identity in an increasingly data-driven world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science
In the age of AI, where personal data fuels corporate profits and state surveillance, what are the implications for democracy? This incisive book You Must Become an Algorithmic Problem: Renegotiating the Socio-Technical Contract (Policy Press, 2025) explores the unspoken agreement we have with tech companies. In exchange for reducing the anxiety of an increasingly complex online world, we submit to algorithmic classification and predictability. This reduces incentives for us to become “algorithmic problems” with dire consequences for liberal democracy. He calls for a movement to demand that algorithms promote play, creativity and potentiality rather than conformity. This is a must-read for anyone navigating the intersection of technology, politics and identity in an increasingly data-driven world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/public-policy
In the age of AI, where personal data fuels corporate profits and state surveillance, what are the implications for democracy? This incisive book You Must Become an Algorithmic Problem: Renegotiating the Socio-Technical Contract (Policy Press, 2025) explores the unspoken agreement we have with tech companies. In exchange for reducing the anxiety of an increasingly complex online world, we submit to algorithmic classification and predictability. This reduces incentives for us to become “algorithmic problems” with dire consequences for liberal democracy. He calls for a movement to demand that algorithms promote play, creativity and potentiality rather than conformity. This is a must-read for anyone navigating the intersection of technology, politics and identity in an increasingly data-driven world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-technology-and-society
In the age of AI, where personal data fuels corporate profits and state surveillance, what are the implications for democracy? This incisive book You Must Become an Algorithmic Problem: Renegotiating the Socio-Technical Contract (Policy Press, 2025) explores the unspoken agreement we have with tech companies. In exchange for reducing the anxiety of an increasingly complex online world, we submit to algorithmic classification and predictability. This reduces incentives for us to become “algorithmic problems” with dire consequences for liberal democracy. He calls for a movement to demand that algorithms promote play, creativity and potentiality rather than conformity. This is a must-read for anyone navigating the intersection of technology, politics and identity in an increasingly data-driven world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/technology
Cattle futures melted down Friday on President Trump's widely reported and vague comments that the White House plans to lower beef prices. Algorithmic trading likely drove the selloff deeper and faster than would have otherwise been the case. Fundamentally speaking and guided by history, government intervention in cattle and beef markets has never been [...]
Jessica and Dave dive into the messy intersection of AI, culture, and the next wave of consumer tech. From the rise of “AI slop” to whether founders should build apps just for themselves, they debate what survives the model wars and what gets eaten alive. Along the way: 2025 Silicon Valley weirdness, $1B AI comp with no products, GLP-1 memes, kids treating Fortnite like the new social network, and California's crackdown on youth tech. It's part therapy session, part future forecast—the only technology podcast that you should listen to before you head into the weekend.Chapters:00:40 Intro: The first “Jave” episode01:17 The Grove lore: Ground zero of social networks03:19 What's actually working in consumer AI?12:26 The Information's mobile app and engagement lift14:51 Summarization as the killer consumer use case16:17 The “AI slop” problem in real work product19:35 2025 Silicon Valley culture: dead internet, Sora slop, $1B comp21:08 Refounding era (Handshake) and trendwatching23:01 Startup to watch: BitRig and iPhone apps that build apps25:06 Why personalized apps32:54 OpenAI Dev Day paranoia: Who gets eaten?44:32 Parenting choices: Roblox/YouTube vs curated apps58:36 Algorithmic novelty vs repetition comfort01:02:47 OpenAI recalibrates adult contentWe're also on ↓X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspodInstagram: https://instagram.com/moreorlessYouTube: https://youtu.be/Iug0dyIlpsAConnect with us here:1) Sam Lessin: https://x.com/lessin2) Dave Morin: https://x.com/davemorin3) Jessica Lessin: https://x.com/Jessicalessin4) Brit Morin: https://x.com/brit
Patreon backer Jake brings you this special episode about the folklore of the 2020s, in which I lose my grip on the whole thing and it gets completely out of control. Which seems appropriate. If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities! Thanks to Ray Otus for our thumbnail image. The intro music is a clip from "Solve the Damn Mystery" by Jesse Spillane, used under a Creative Commons Attribution License.
#313: If you've ever felt like you're not measuring up to where you “should” be—whether that's finding partnership by a certain age, building lasting friendships as an adult, or navigating the expectations society throws at you—this episode is for you.Today, I'm sitting down with the always insightful Shan Boodram to talk about the real journey of connecting—from romance, to friendship and everywhere in between. Shan doesn't shy away from the messy, inconvenient parts of connection—whether it's dating in a world that prizes efficiency, how algorithms influence our decisions and attachment styles, or the challenges of learning how to nurture deep friendships later in life.We dive into why your age or relationship timeline doesn't define your worth, how to find and nurture love that truly sees you, and why inconvenience might be the secret ingredient to building bonds that last. Shan shares her wisdom on how to show up authentically in both romantic and platonic relationships, break away from rigid dating rules, and live a big, joy-filled life at any stage.If you've ever questioned whether it's too late for new love or genuine friendships—or if you're simply craving more meaningful connection—hit play on this episode.We talk about:How online algorithms are impacting our attachment styles and preferencesNavigating dating and romance without falling into the efficiency trapThe truth about cultivating friendships as an adultThe power of showing up, even when it's inconvenientLetting go of dating rules and loving by your own standardsLinks & Resources:Watch Lovers by ShanJoin the Lovers by Shan communityFollow Shan on Instagram @shanboodramGet your She's So Lucky MerchSponsors:LMNT: LMNT is a zero sugar electrolyte drink mix with a research-backed ratio of electrolytes. To try it out go to drinkLMNT.com/balancedles to receive a free LMNT sample pack with any purchase.Vionic Shoes: Use code LUCKY at checkout for 15% off your entire order at vionicshoes.com.Bumble: Start your love story on BumbleGrüns: Grüns are comprehensive nutrition packed into a snack pack a day. Visit gruns.co and use the code LUCKY for 52% off your first order.Vimergy: Vimergy: Vimergy makes liquid vitamins that are clean, potent, and actually easy for your body to absorb. Visit vimergy.com and use code LUCKY for 20% off your first order.Stay in TouchFollow on IG: @shessoluckypod @lesalfredFollow on TikTok @shessoluckypod @balancedlesSubscribe to the She's So Lucky Newsletter: https://shessolucky.kit.com/bestcaseVisit our website at shessoluckypodcast.comPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the technology services landscape, with leading reports from IDC, Gartner, and new offerings from ServiceNow pointing to a future where managing AI sprawl becomes as critical as delivering AI capabilities themselves. High-performing channel partners are leaning into AI specialization, driving measurable outcomes for customers and fueling double-digit growth despite market pressures. At the same time, ServiceNow's “AI Experience” platform aims to consolidate fragmented AI tools, offering a unified interface that can streamline operations and reduce complexity. The broader market, according to Gartner, is accelerating rapidly, with spending on generative AI projected to surpass traditional software in the coming years—meaning providers who fail to deliver outcomes risk being left behind.Yet the rise of AI isn't all progress. Studies from Stanford, European labor groups, and cybersecurity organizations reveal a governance crisis brewing in workplaces. Workers are reporting a surge of “workslop”—AI-generated content that looks like productivity but creates no value—costing companies billions. Algorithmic management is eroding worker autonomy, while surveillance and data risks undermine trust in employers. To compound the problem, employees are increasingly feeding sensitive data into AI systems without adequate training, raising new security vulnerabilities. These trends highlight the urgent need for policies, training, and governance frameworks to ensure AI adds value instead of chaos.The disruption is also spilling into specific industries. In translation, human professionals are already being displaced as AI-driven tools gain adoption. WhatsApp's newly built-in translation capability demonstrates how “good enough” AI can be enough for most users, sidelining human expertise except in fields requiring deep cultural or contextual understanding. The translation sector serves as an early warning sign: as AI grows more capable, other professions—including legal research, finance, and customer support—face similar pressures. The lesson for providers is to help clients identify where AI is appropriate and where human oversight remains essential.Meanwhile, major vendors are steadily encroaching into IT services, redrawing the lines of what MSPs can offer. Acronis is embedding patch management into its backup suite, Slack is introducing AI-powered ticket deflection, GoTo and Nexthink are fusing support and analytics, and IBM is shifting developer tooling to its hosted cloud. Each move chips away at traditional MSP offerings, putting pressure on providers to adapt. The opportunity lies in integration and governance—helping customers unify fragmented tools, ensure compliance, and deliver outcomes that vendors alone cannot. For MSPs, the message is clear: evolve toward higher-value services, or risk being sidelined by the very vendors you once partnered with.Four things to know today00:00 From Growth to Governance: IDC, Gartner, and ServiceNow Show Where AI Is Headed for Partners and Customers05:07 AI at Work: “Workslop,” Surveillance, and Data Leaks Signal Rising Governance Crisis08:42 From WhatsApp to Workflows: AI Translation Disruption Signals Broader Job Shifts Ahead11:33 Vendors Expand Into IT Services: Acronis, Slack, IBM, and GoTo Redraw the MSP Value Line This is the Business of Tech. Supported by: https://scalepad.com/dave/https://cometbackup.com/?utm_source=mspradio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sponsorship Webinar: https://bit.ly/msprmail All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In Part 3 of The Algorithmic Trinity, Daniel Ramsey (MyOutDesk) and Jason Barnard (Kalicube) unpack why Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is already outdated — and why the future is AI Assistive Engine Optimization (AAEO).
The rise of OpenArt raises a critical question: is AI democratizing creativity or flooding the world with shallow media? We examine both sides of the argument with fresh insights. Tune in for an engaging discussion on art, culture, and algorithms.Try AI Box: https://aibox.aiAI Chat YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JaedenSchaferJoin my AI Hustle Community: https://www.skool.com/aihustle
A conversation with Shawn Yeager and Derek Ross at the Imagine If conference in Nashville, TN. We discuss the current state of digital communications and identity with a specific focus on nostr.Date: September 20, 2025Shawn on Nostr: https://primal.net/shawnDerek on Nostr: https://primal.net/derekrossBitcoin Park on Nostr: https://primal.net/park Imagine If: https://bitcoinpark.com/imagineif(00:40) Future of digital comms, identity, social(01:41) Diagnosing the problems: incentives, KYC, and broken trust(03:05) Censorship, shadow bans, and owning your social graph(05:00) AI, deepfakes, and can we trust what we see?(07:24) Algorithmic control vs user choice(10:10) Introducing Nostr: open protocol, healthier engagement(11:54) Digital health, doomscrolling, and parenting challenges(15:21) Youth safety on open protocols: responsibilities and tools(18:22) Give parents the tools: OS-level controls and UX(19:35) Getting started with Nostr: keys, Primal, and UX spectrum(21:17) Vibe-coding apps: Soapbox/Shakespeare on Nostr + Bitcoin(22:39) Permissionless payments and AI-built sitesVideo: https://primal.net/e/nevent1qqs0v7rgjh55wygwuc8pmqvk0qz6qts30uaut2c8lp4dgh9usw2cdpgnznwd9 more info on the show: https://citadeldispatch.comlearn more about me: https://odell.xyz
In episode 1935, Jack and Miles are joined by linguist and author of Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language, Adam Aleksic AKA Etymology Nerd, to discuss… Who Makes Our Language? America’s Kids Ain’t Able To Read Good Or Math Good, Words As Windows Into History, What Is Even Sincere Expression In The Age Of Algorithmic Language And Content? And more! How did students perform in the nation compared to 2019? LISTEN: Spiral by BugseedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Story of the Week (DR):Disney Pulls Jimmy Kimmel's Show After Kirk Remarks Republicans Leverage Charlie Kirk's Death to Declare War on Free SpeechCharlie Kirk assassination reignites debate over Section 230 protections for social media companies"Section 230 needs to be repealed. If you're mad at social media companies that radicalize our nation, you should be mad," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I have a bill that will allow you to sue these people. They're immune from lawsuits."Nexstar And Sinclair, Two Largest Station Groups, Wield Influence In ABC Decision To Pull Jimmy Kimmel In Light Of His Charlie Kirk CommentsA $6.2 billion deal looms over Jimmy Kimmel's suspensionNexstar, the largest station group in the country, is a leading champion in the broadcast industry for the FCC to relax media ownership limits and has a major merger before the Trump administration, its proposed $6.2B acquisition of Tegna, creating a mega-company with 265 stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia, representing 80% of U.S. TV households.Nexstar needs the agency to ease rules that currently limit the percentage a broadcaster can reach to 39% of the nation's television households.Sinclair also is seeking deregulation, and in its statement, it praised Carr. “We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr's remarks today and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks,” Sinclair said.Nexstar: founder/Chair/CEO Perry SookSinclair: the Smith family: currently nepobaby David Smith; board is 44% SmithWhat to know about Brendan Carr, the FCC chairman who went after Jimmy KimmelIn response to an opinion column in The Washington Post by Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Facebook, outlining his ideas for removing harmful content, Carr criticized Zuckerberg's call for government regulation as a violation of the First Amendment.He later praised Zuckerberg's "instincts" to show Trump's posts that amplified COVID-19 misinformation unaltered.Carr supported Trump's "Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship" targeting Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.Trump filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and 4 of its journalistsTrump's NYT Lawsuit Dismissed by Republican-Appointed JudgeA federal judge on Friday dismissed Donald Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday: a lawsuit is not "a protected platform to rage against an adversary."Comcast CEO criticizes ex-MSNBC contributor's remarks about Charlie Kirk in memo to staffTrumpy Billionaires Close In on TikTok TakeoverAllies of President Donald Trump are poised to get their hands on TikTok's U.S. operations.Entrepreneur Larry Ellison, worth approximately $350 billion, and Marc Andreessen, a venture capitalist with a $2 billion net worth, have been pals with the president for years.Ellison's software giant Oracle, Andreessen's venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, and private equity firm Silver Lake are among a group of U.S. businesses said to be nearing a deal to take over the American operations of the short-form video app, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.Nestlé Chairman to Step Down After Abrupt CEO FiringNestlé investors demand chair Paul Bulcke resign over CEO churn “I have full trust in Nestlé s new leadership and firmly believe this great company is well positioned for the future,” Bulcke said. “This is the right moment for me to step aside and accelerate the planned transition, allowing Pablo and Philipp to advance Nestlé's strategy and guide the company with a fresh perspective.”Board member (2018-) Pablo Isa new chairThe company appointed Dick Boer as lead independent director and vice chairman of the board of directors as of Oct. 1, while Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch was appointed vice chair of the board.A new ally against excessive CEO Pay: Pope LeoPope Leo appears to be particularly baffled by the Tesla pay package that could turn Elon Musk into the world's first trillionaire: “What does that mean and what's that about? If that is the only thing that has value anymore, then we're in big trouble.”Dave Ramsey Says 'We're Not All Equal. It Doesn't Work That Way' — The Rich Aren't Evil, It's Just Math and Jealousy Fueling the StigmaRashida Tlaib and Bernie Sanders introduce the Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act. Proponents of the bill argue that it will incentivize large corporations to narrow their internal pay disparities by either increasing wages for their lowest-paid employees or reducing executive compensation packages Key Provisions of the Act:Tax Trigger: The new tax would apply to companies with a CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio of 50-to-1 or greater.Graduated Tax Rates: The penalty begins with a 0.5 percentage point tax increase for companies with a pay ratio between 50 and 100-to-1.Progressive Structure: The tax rate increase climbs with the pay ratio:1.0 percentage point for ratios between 100 and 200-to-1.2.0 percentage points for ratios between 200 and 300-to-1.3.0 percentage points for ratios between 300 and 400-to-1.4.0 percentage points for ratios between 400 and 500-to-1.5.0 percentage points for ratios exceeding 500-to-1.Broad Application: The act is intended to apply to both publicly and privately held companies with annual revenues of $100 million or more.Exxon to offer auto-voting to counter shareholder activism. Here's how it works:Opt-In Program: The auto-voting feature is a voluntary, opt-in program for retail investors.Automatic Voting: Once enrolled, an investor's shares will be automatically voted in accordance with the board's recommendations on all proposals at shareholder meetings.Flexibility for Investors: Despite the automated nature, investors will still receive all proxy materials and retain the right to manually override the automatic vote on any specific proposal. They can also opt out of the program at any time, free of charge.Exxon's Stated Rationale:Leveling the Playing Field: Exxon argues that this program is a matter of fairness, designed to give retail investors the same ease of voting that institutional investors have. They contend that individual investors often lack the time and resources to research and vote on complex proxy proposals.Addressing Low Turnout: The company has highlighted that while retail investors hold a significant portion of its shares (nearly 40%), their voting turnout is low (only about a quarter of them vote).Countering Activist Agendas: Exxon has explicitly stated that activist groups have exploited this low retail voter participation to advance their own agendas, which the company claims are often political and detrimental to long-term shareholder value.Texas AG probes proxy advisers Glass Lewis, ISS amid ESG backlash By ReutersExxon Urges Europe to Repeal Rules to Make Companies Track Climate PollutionGoodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: Tyson is ditching corn syrupIt also plans to axe sucralose, BHA/BHT, and titanium dioxide from its food by the end of 2025MM: New Poll Finds That Americans Loathe AI53 percent of just over 5,000 US adults polled in June think that AI will "worsen people's ability to think creatively." Fifty percent say AI will deteriorate our ability to form meaningful relationships, while only five percent believe the reverse.MM: Northeast US states form health alliance in response to federal vaccine limits MMAssholiest of the Week (MM):Which capitalist is the bigger assholeBob IgerIger yanked Kimmel after pressure from affiliate owners looking to curry FCC favor in a $6bn mergerThere are comparisons being made to when Iger cancelled Roseanne:From blowhard Iger apologist Jeff Sonnenfeld: “Iger has been a fearless, equal opportunity offender in defending Disney's corporate character, whether from intrusions by the left or by the right. He was criticized harshly from many on the political right when in 2018, he cancelled Rosanne, then ABC's #1 show, when its star imploded with a cruel racial tirade about President Obama's former top advisor, Valerie Jarrett.”Sonnenfeld ignores the content of what was said obviously, since he has to make a point to kiss Iger's ass - Kimmel said MAGA didn't want the shooter to be MAGA, Barr said a black woman was from Planet of the Apes… so, very the same?This isn't about brand protection, this is about economics - and Iger the dealmaker just made a trade: short-term political expediency for cash as he tries to unload ABCIn 2023, Iger was in talks with Nexstar to buy ABC outrightAlso 2023, massive deals between Disney and NexstarNexstar's ABC agreements expire December 202614% of Nexstar stations are ABC affiliates - Tegna would add 7%Disney already was cancelled by the right for having movies that were too woke, now they just Target-ed themselves right in the groinASSHOLE ACTION ITEM:Disney's next AGM is likely March 2026 - buy Disney stock with the intention of voting out every starfucky directorBonus option: buy shares of Coca-Cola, GM, Under Armour, P&G, Reckitt Benckiser, Bristol Myers, Target, Carlyle, and Lululemon to vote the same directors out of ALL their board positions - make shit decisions in one place, you'll make them everywhereDisney's Mel Lagomasino on Coca-Cola with Carolyn Everson (twofer!), Mary Barra at GM, Everson also at Under Armour, Amy Chang at P&G, Jeremy Darroch at Reckitt Benckiser, Derica Rice at Bristol Myers, Target (anti DEI AND anti free speech!), Carlyle, Cal McDonald at LululemonVote out Sonnenfeld - on the board of Lennar Corporation - vote him out for kicks since he's so deferential to CEOs, how on earth can he hold one accountable? Is he the voice of shareholders or CEOs?Perry SookThe buyer! Nexstar looking to acquire Tegna for $6bn, which would consolidate 80% of US households local news stationsNexstar has to make nice with Brendan Carr, chair of the FCC (I miss Lina Kahn… sigh) - and Carr is purely political, so here was how they bent the knee:“Nexstar's owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network will preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the foreseeable future beginning with tonight's show. Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”Again, if you read Kimmel's actual comment, he's saying that MAGA doesn't want the shooter to be MAGA… he actually didn't say ANYTHING ELSE about the shooting itselfSonnenfeld: “Kimmel's suggestion that “the MAGA gang (is) desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them” doesn't square with the facts which are known at this point. Regardless, these comments are blatantly insensitive as political violence should never be tolerated or exploited as comedic entertainment, no matter who perpetrated it.”Except Kimmel didn't joke about political violence, he joked about the fact that MAGA is super hoping it wasn't their political violence.Perry Sook's political donations have been almost entirely to Republican candidates over the last decade (except for National Association of Broadcasters) - and it's paid offBrendan Carr, Soon To Be FCC Chair, Says Commission Will Back Local TV Stations “Even If That's In Conflict” With Broadcast NetworksNew FCC boss could unleash biggest local TV shakeup in decadesSook owns just under 6% of Nexstar stock, with Vanguard and Blackrock clocking in at a combined 21.8% - meaning about 28% of votes are guaranteed to go with managementMeaning this was all a pretense to consolidate broadcaster ownership - and Sook is one of the winners of the consolidationNow Carr has a reason he can vote for Nexstar purchase, Iger gets out of more ABCASSHOLE ACTION ITEMIt's basically too late to vote against Nexstar's board - their meeting was in June 2025, the merger will be approved by thenYou could maybe buy shares and vote against the mergerAlternatively, buy Yelp (Tony Wells), Denny's (Bernadette Aulestia), and Urban One (Geoffrey Armstrong) to vote out board elsewhereDavid Deniston SmithCEO of Sinclair, owner of 20% of ABC affiliates - the most currently, but post merger would be secondNepo baby Smith, who, with the rest of his brothers and family, own 82% of voting power, are Trump and GOP toadiesAnother mediocre conservative blowhard CEO who spent the last two decades kissing the ass of every republican he can findHe was one of Turning Point USAs biggest donors through his foundation, and issued the following statement: they would “not lift the suspension of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on our stations until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network's commitment to professionalism and accountability,” calling on Kimmel to make a direct apology to the Kirk family, and for the network to make a “meaningful donation” to them and Turning Point USA.In the 00s, Sinclair let a paid Bush administration propagandist deliver reporting on their local news stationsIn Trump 1.0, Sinclair forced local news broadcasters to read off a script about how mainstream media was fake newsIn the 90s, Smith was caught getting a blowjob from a prostituteASSHOLE ACTION ITEMSinclair's board is dual class dictatorship, but you CAN vote out Ben Carson on the DR Horton and Covenant Logistics boards - yes, that Ben CarsonHeadliniest of the WeekDR: Elon Musk Fires 500 Staff at xAI, Puts College Kid in Charge of Training GrokMM: If You Don't Know Who the Underperforming Director Is, It Might Be You!Are the CEO, chair or committee leads soliciting my input off-cycle?Does the CEO and select members of the executive team think of me as a trusted advisor and am I able to constructively coach behind the scenes?If the answers to all of these questions are “No,” it could be a sign that you are not performing to the level expected by your company's management.YOU DON'T REPORT TO MANAGEMENTWho Won the Week?DR: I guess they just win every week: Trumpy and creepy billionaires profiting over an app used primarily by 18-34 year olds (70%): Oracle's Larry Elison, Andreessen Horowitz's Marc Andreessen.MM: Gillette, the razor company: Pete Hegseth goes to war against military beards, stresses ‘grooming standards which underpin the warrior ethos'PredictionsDR: FCC Chair Brendan Carr cancels himself when he digs up reports when he cast himself as a First Amendment purist, denouncing efforts by Democrats and Republicans to lean on TV providers and social media platforms as “censorship” and a “chilling transgression of free speech.”ure on media a ‘chilling transgression of free speech.'”MM: I wrote this on Bluesky two days ago: “The next step for Brendan Carr and the FCC is to repeal Section 230 - after which they can sue social media companies for any anti-conservative posts. Then the silencing is complete until dissent is done via snail mail.” Today, I was right: Charlie Kirk assassination reignites debate over Section 230 protections for social media companies. We're in an era of algorithmic autocracy - Microsoft changed LinkedIn's algorithm earlier this year and there
Kyle Chayka, Staff Writer at The New Yorker and author of Filterworld, breaks down how algorithmic sameness is reshaping global culture—and what it means for creativity, identity, and authenticity online. He explores how creators are challenging traditional media, why crypto could become the internet's native currency, and how digital identity is evolving in a world shaped by metrics, machines, and media. Joining him is Keith Soljacich of Publicis Media, as they explore opportunities to create deeper meaning amid these cultural shifts. Links mentioned from the podcast: Kyle's Twitter The New Yorker Articles Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture Keith's Twitter Follow us on Twitter: Samwen, CoinDesk From our sponsor: Midnight is a privacy-enhancing blockchain introducing vital, programmable privacy and selective disclosure capabilities. It means dApps can allow users to control what information is revealed without putting sensitive data on-chain, allowing you to break free from the limitation of choosing between utility or privacy. We deserve more when it comes to privacy. Experience the next generation of blockchain that is private and inclusive by design. Break free with Midnight, visit midnight.network/break-free.
How to have reasoned debate about hard topics in an age of social media manipulation.
Kyle Chayka, Staff Writer at The New Yorker and author of Filterworld, breaks down how algorithmic sameness is reshaping global culture—and what it means for creativity, identity, and authenticity online. He explores how creators are challenging traditional media, why crypto could become the internet's native currency, and how digital identity is evolving in a world shaped by metrics, machines, and media. Joining him is Keith Soljacich of Publicis Media, as they explore opportunities to create deeper meaning amid these cultural shifts. Links mentioned from the podcast: Kyle's Twitter The New Yorker Articles Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture Keith's Twitter Follow us on Twitter: Samwen, CoinDesk From our sponsor: Midnight is a privacy-enhancing blockchain introducing vital, programmable privacy and selective disclosure capabilities. It means dApps can allow users to control what information is revealed without putting sensitive data on-chain, allowing you to break free from the limitation of choosing between utility or privacy. We deserve more when it comes to privacy. Experience the next generation of blockchain that is private and inclusive by design. Break free with Midnight, visit midnight.network/break-free.
In this episode of The Algorithmic Trinity, Daniel Ramsey (CEO of MyOutDesk) and Jason Barnard (Kalicube) unpack how AI chatbots, Knowledge Graphs, and search engines decide whether to recommend your brand.
Robert Douglas is a British content creator, social entrepreneur, and devoted father of two young boys. He has become a prominent voice in modern fatherhood, known for promoting authenticity in parenting and sharing an unfiltered view of family life – often from a Black father's perspective – with a blend of humor and thoughtful insight.Empowering children and nurturing joy are at the heart of Robert's ethos, as he uses his platform to champion anti-racism and positive action for underserved communities. He and his wife, Sherrianne, are raising their two sons together in this spirit of openness and positivity, cultivating a home life “based on joy and laughter” even amid life's challenge. Key Topics: ⭐ Robert's Story - Growing Up With Supportive Parents ⭐ Navigating Fatherhood Consciously ⭐ Navigating The Complex Issue Of Children's Freedom ⭐ Learning Through Risk And Mistakes ⭐ Fatherhood Fears And How To Truly Support Them ⭐ Parenting As An Individual Experience ⭐ Breaking Stereotypes Of Black Fatherhood ⭐ Redefining Gender Roles In Relationships And Parenting ⭐ The Experience Of Raising Boys In A Digital Age ⭐ Media Literacy - How To Raise Kids Who Deal With The Digital World Connect With David - The Authentic Man: Breaking The Chains Of Avoidance Waitlist: https://forms.gle/oFyNbPmugYKtjQpRA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theauthenticman_/ Website: https://www.theauthenticman.net/ For Coaching: hello@theauthenticman.net Newsletter: https://www.theauthenticman.net/home-subscribe Connect With Robert: Instagram: http://instagram.com/robertjdouglas_
In Part 1 of The Algorithmic Trinity series, Daniel Ramsey (CEO of MyOutDesk) and Jason Barnard (Kalicube) break down why SEO alone no longer wins the game. Jason introduces the Algorithmic Trinity — the three pillars every AI assistive engine relies on: 1️⃣ Search results (SEO still matters, but not alone) 2️⃣ Knowledge Graphs (the fact-checking brain of AI) 3️⃣ Chatbots/LLMs (the conversational layer that users interact with daily) ✅ Learn why optimizing across all three is now essential — and how the shift from SEO to AI strategy is already reshaping business growth.
On this episode, we define acute mania and describe its clinical presentations, underlying causes, and pathophysiology. We evaluate current guidelines and evidence-based treatment strategies for managing acute mania, including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions. We also compare and contrast the efficacy, safety profiles, and appropriate use of mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and adjunctive therapies in the management of acute manic episodes. Cole and I are happy to share that our listeners can claim ACPE-accredited continuing education for listening to this podcast episode! We have continued to partner with freeCE.com to provide listeners with the opportunity to claim 1-hour of continuing education credit for select episodes. For existing Unlimited (Gold) freeCE members, this CE option is included in your membership benefits at no additional cost! A password, which will be given at some point during this episode, is required to access the post-activity test. To earn credit for this episode, visit the following link below to go to freeCE's website: https://www.freece.com/ If you're not currently a freeCE member, we definitely suggest you explore all the benefits of their Unlimited Membership on their website and earn CE for listening to this podcast. Thanks for listening! If you want to support the podcast, check out our Patreon account. Subscribers will have access to all previous and new pharmacotherapy lectures as well as downloadable PowerPoint slides for each lecture. If you purchase an annual membership, you'll also get a free digital copy of High-Powered Medicine 3rd edition by Dr. Alex Poppen, PharmD. HPM is a book/website database of summaries for over 150 landmark clinical trials.You can visit our Patreon page at the website below: www.patreon.com/corconsultrx We want to give a big thanks to Dr. Alex Poppen, PharmD and High-Powered Medicine for sponsoring the podcast.. You can get a copy of HPM at the links below: Purchase a subscription or PDF copy - https://highpoweredmedicine.com/ Purchase the paperback and hardcover - Barnes and Noble website We want to say thank you to our sponsor, Pyrls. Try out their drug information app today. Visit the website below for a free trial: www.pyrls.com/corconsultrx We also want to thank our sponsor Freed AI. Freed is an AI scribe that listens, prepares your SOAP notes, and writes patient instructions. Charting is done before your patient walks out of the room. You can try 10 notes for free and after that it only costs $99/month. Visit the website below for more information: https://www.getfreed.ai/ If you have any questions for Cole or me, reach out to us via e-mail: Mike - mcorvino@corconsultrx.com Cole - cswanson@corconsultrx.com
In this conversation, Andrew Poelstra discusses the recent launch of Simplicity on Liquid, a federated sidechain of Bitcoin. He explains the technical aspects of Liquid, its advantages, and how Simplicity serves as a new scripting language that enhances expressivity and formal verification capabilities. The discussion covers potential use cases for Simplicity, including advanced covenant implementations, ZK verification, and its role in capital markets and asset issuance. The conversation also touches on the implications of stablecoins moving to their own chains and contrasts Liquid with other Layer 2 solutions like Lightning.Takeaways
This week we talk about surge pricing, Walmart, and the Robinson-Patman Act.We also discuss personal data, AC settings, and Delta's earnings call.Recommended Book: How the World Became Rich by Mark Koyama and Jared RubinTranscriptThe US Robinson-Patman Act of 1936 is also called the Anti-Price Discrimination Act, and it was passed to make it illegal for a product supplier to charge different prices to different customers.So a company that makes candy bars wouldn't be allowed to charge one price to most of their customers, all the smaller and mid-sized convenience stores and mom-and-pop grocery stores, for instance, and then a lower price to the big stores, the Walmarts and Amazons of the world.The concern was that these larger players, which at the time this law was passed were burgeoning grocery stores like A&P, would be able to achieve a monopolistic position in the market for these goods, these slightly lower prices giving them one more advantage over their smaller competitors.During the four decades or so of this Act's enforcement, small grocery stores has prices that were, on average, about 1% higher than those offered by their large competitors, and the eight largest grocery store chains only captured about 25% of all grocery sales in the US—essentially every city and town of any size had at least one small grocery store, and most had several of them, during this period. It was a very competitive market.During the Reagan administration in the 80s, though, enforcement was abandoned, as the folks in charge of that enforcement were convinced this Act was holding back growth; they saw it as a handout to small businesses at the expense of big business, so while it technically remained on the books, they just stopped enforcing it, and the big businesses in these spaces got the message pretty quickly.Walmart was the first big business to really lean into the new powers afforded them by this fresh governmental stance, and that led to it becoming the country's largest grocery store chain by 2001, and other big grocery brands, like Kroger and Safeway, began to do the same, consolidating all their buying so they could put in huge orders like Walmart was able to put in, and that allowed them to demand lower prices, which in turn allowed them to dramatically increase profits and gobble up their smaller competition.All of which led to the emergence of food deserts across the country, a term that was coined in 1995 to refer to areas where there are simply no grocery stores within a reasonable distance of relatively large populations of people, because smaller grocery stores can no longer compete, even when they're the only player in town; folks have to travel to the larger chain stores, and have no real options closer to home, which can result in food precariousness, and situations in which the only nearby food options are unhealthy ones—the snacks at gas stations, for instance.This same general pattern played out across all retail spaces, including pharmacies and bookstores and athletic supply stores, and between 1982 and 2017, the total market share of independent retailers in the US dropped from 53% to 22%.Which in some ways is great at the federal level, as—and this is what the Reagan administration seemed to want, back in the 80s—big businesses can grow a lot faster and bigger than small businesses, and that can lead to outsized GDP numbers, and other such macro-scale figures.Unfortunately, while independent retailers tend to keep nearly half of the revenue they pull in within their local community, major chains only keep something like 14% in the local community—so the shift from independent to chain retailers has had a deleterious impact on communities across the US, in the sense of having less competition, having food and other sorts of product deserts, and in terms of tax revenues and overall economic wealth being sapped from these areas and moved to other places, creating some relatively few winners and a whole lot of losers, in the process.What I'd like to talk about today is another type of variable pricing, this one more directly aimed at consumers, and enabled, at least in its modern incarnation, by big data and the devices we use every day.—Dynamic pricing refers to changing the price of goods or services based on all sorts of variables.Demand or surge pricing, for instance, might see the price of a bus ticket or rideshare ride with Uber cost more during rush-hour, the idea being that there are only so many bus seats and only so many available rideshare rides to go around, and when everyone's either trying to get to work or get home from work, there will be a lot more people wanting these finite number of seats and rides than there are seats and rides available.Upping the prices, then, is a means of determining who wants these things the most, because they're willing to pay at times massively inflated prices for something that would cost far less in an hour or two, once the rush has subsided.Similar price-inflation occurs during peak energy-use periods, and energy companies usually explain this price-bump by suggesting that it encourages their customers to use more energy when it's abundant and cheap, and to use less of it when it's scarce and expensive.On very hot days when everyone is using their air conditioners to stay cool, then, inflated energy prices might encourage them to be less aggressive with their AC settings, keeping their indoor temperatures at a more reasonable level, which in turn ensures there's more energy available for everyone and less risk of brownouts or blackouts.This pricing strategy is often seen by those on the receiving end of such price-bumps, as price gouging, which refers to companies taking advantage of temporary variables to massively inflate their prices, at times to abusive levels that they can justify by pointing at those variables and a desire to moderate supply and demand.So if there's a big convention in town, local hotels can argue that they're doubling or tripling their prices because there are not enough rooms for everyone who wants rooms on those days, but this could also be construed as a money-grab, these hotel companies knowing that some people won't be able to avoid paying for a place to stay during the convention they have to attend, so they're taking advantage of customers who have no choice but to pay up.We saw similar dynamics play out globally during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when folks who had high-quality masks on hand were able to charge incredible sums for those masks because production hadn't yet scaled up, so they were relatively scarce and thus precious, and these people and companies with the right product at the right time knew they could get away with charging many times the actual sticker-price of that product, because some people would feel they had no choice but to pay it.Each situation of this kind will feel reasonable and suitable for the supply-demand situation to some, and completely unreasonable and abusive to others, and it's possible to have a bit of both in many such situations—the companies in question actually want to manage a scarce supply of something, but are also keen to make as much money as possible while doing it.Dynamic pricing has become even more common in online marketplaces like Amazon, where it's not just holidays or events or the sudden emergence of global pandemics that can impact demand and thus, the prices retailers can get away with charging would-be customers.Amazon has algorithms that keep track of what competitors are charging for the goods they offer, what sort of demand the market is seeing for said goods, what inventory looks like—if they have a lot or very few of something available to sell—and all sorts of other factors that might reasonably impact the price of a product, even a little bit.As of 2024, the price of a product listed on Amazon changes several times a day, in some cases every 10 minutes, and they make about 2.5 million prices changes every single day, adjusting for those aforementioned micro-scale variables, on a product-by-product basis, but also adjusting their entire catalog so that relatively uncommon goods have higher prices, but common goods have lower prices, which means customers shopping around will tend to see Amazon's lower-priced goods more often than the higher-priced ones, which in turn can adjust their perception of the company and its marketplace in a favorable, lower-price direction.Amazon also has access to just a silly amount of data about their customers, some of it scooped up while we surf their sites, and some bought from other data-aggregators. And this allows Amazon, just like most tech companies and retailers, these days to track our behavior, watching what we click on, how long we linger on different products or product types, noticing our searches and contextualizing all of it with where we live, what we've purchased in the past, and so on.The company isn't very transparent about how it uses all this personal data, but while it's been been speculated that they might adjust prices based on our individual profiles, most evidence suggests they mostly use it to determine what we're shown—what products are promoted to us, basically, as opposed to setting prices based on what it thinks we'll pay, as individuals.The same generally seems to be true of other retailers right now, though there are concerns that this might change at some point in the near-future, as new technologies, some based on AI, enable the more-rapid and sophisticated crunching of data, and the consequent individualization of prices, even in person.US airline Delta, for instance, recently announced that it would be using AI to help it boost profits by charging different customers different prices for the same airline seat.These prices would be based on their customer profile, which means all the data scooped up by Delta from various sources, including things like past purchases, regular flight schedules, and how much money their systems think each customer makes and has available to spend.The president of the company said on a recent earnings call that they've been running a pilot project for this approach that resulted in about 3% of ticket sales being sold based on this model over the past 6 months, and by the end of the year, their goal is to increase that to 20% of tickets.In theory, this sort of system could be good for some customers some of the time, because it could drop prices on tickets that customers wouldn't want to, or wouldn't be able to pay for, otherwise. If I'm considering a trip, but the tickets are more expensive than I want to pay, these systems could theoretically recognize this and offer them to me at a price they can afford to sell them at, and which I can afford. That could lead to more ticket sales, and thus, higher profits.The evidence on the ground with these sorts of systems usually points at price increases, not decreases, though: the companies using these models to see how much they can get per unit, not using them to sell more units at lower profit margins.In other words, usually it's wealthier consumers who get the better deals, as these companies want to keep them coming back, spending larger sums of money on glitzier products and services over time, while poorer consumers have fewer options, and will thus tend to pay whatever they're told they have to pay.Delta spent most of July 2025 trying to control the backlash that erupted following that earnings call, and they're now saying, to the press but also in formal letters to government watchdogs who expressed concerns about what they said they planned to do, that no no no, we misspoke, we're not using individualized data to set prices, it's all good, don't worry about it.That announcement from Delta came shortly after lawmakers announced they would be pushing to get a new act, the Stop AI Price Gouging and Wage Fixing Act, passed into law, and though some US Senators have said they'll block such efforts by Delta, other airlines, including Azul, WestJet, Virgin Atlantic, and VivaAerobus are also clients of the Israeli company, Fetcherr, that Delta has been working with to run their AI pricing pilot program—and representatives from Fetcherr have claimed that this pricing model is irresistible to those in charge of these companies, so it will probably take over the airline industry relatively quickly, and they plan to expand into other industries soon.These sorts of pricing models aren't typically very popular with customers, and efforts by Walmart and other big grocery chains to remove static in-store pricing labels and replace them with digital versions, or in some extreme cases to remove them entirely and rely on apps on customers' phone to show prices on goods, raised similar alarm bells, as dynamic pricing can allow the store to more rapidly change their prices based on demand, like Uber's surge pricing model, but maybe applied to flour or cough medicine instead of rideshare seats, and in-app pricing could allow them to show different prices to different people shopping for the same thing at the same time—again, based on income, buying patterns, and so on.Walmart and everyone else dabbling in this space has, like Delta, claimed they intend no such dynamism in their pricing, even as their CEOs in some cases continue to brag to investors about the possibilities. As a result, there seems to be a decent chance we'll see the large-scale deployment of these sorts of models in at least some customer-facing industries within the next year or two, some company deciding to more fully test the regulatory establishment's appetite for challenging this push into a new pricing paradigm that would, theoretically at least, allow big companies to earn still-higher profits and grow even larger.Show Noteshttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1HQoQhvfVv8p0XmOdDIiWTnmd2YM_za07/viewhttps://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-price-changes-2018-8https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algorithmic_pricinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_pricinghttps://www.archeraffiliates.com/post/amazon-dynamic-pricinghttps://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/delta-denies-using-ai-to-come-up-with-inflated-personalized-prices/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/07/will-ai-end-cheap-flights-critics-attack-deltas-predatory-ai-pricing/https://www.the-sun.com/money/14839597/walmart-kroger-electronic-labels-dynamic-pricing-demand-wendyshttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/business/kroger-walmart-facial-recognition-prices.htmlhttps://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/what-is-dynamic-pricinghttps://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/12/food-deserts-robinson-patman/680765/https://www.indieretailermonth.com/statisticshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinson%E2%80%93Patman_Act This is a public episode. 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