Extra, Extra

Your Phone Has Your Number: “Over the last several years, academic researchers and startups have built AI-powered apps that use phones, smart watches, and social media to spot warning signs of depression. By collecting massive amounts of information, AI models can learn to spot subtle changes in a person’s body and behavior that may indicate mental health problems.” Your phone can tell when you’re depressed. (That doesn’t seem all that hard. About five times a day while reading the news I say out loud, “Oh man, I’m so f-cking depressed…”)

+ Textbook Authoritarianism: Putin’s plan is to “to imbue the country’s education system with patriotism, purge universities of Western influences, and quash any dissent among professors and students on campuses that are often hotbeds of political activism.” To please Putin, universities purge liberals and embrace patriots. (What, does this guy think he’s living in Florida?) If you missed yesterday’s lead item about Anne Applebaum’s look at the new propaganda war, don’t. You Had Me at Jell-O.

+ TikTok Block: In the least surprising legal news of the day, TikTok sues to block prospective US app ban.

+ Press Coverage: Here are the winners of the 2024 Pulitzer Prizes in journalism.

+ Where’s the Beef? “After nearly 15 tumultuous years in the game, it’s no surprise that Drake has once again found himself on the receiving end of some hate. At first, it seemed like this latest feud was exactly what rap’s sensitive king needed in a rather uninspired era in his career, defined by a rather dull musical output and gross jabs at women. However, following Lamar’s verbal lashings, a PR cleanup may be needed.” The Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar feud, explained. (Once Middle East peace negotiators finish over there, they might want to come help out on this.)

+ Don’t Bring a Knife to a Pun Fight: “In response to an increasing number of countries imposing bans or restrictions on carrying knives, Victorinox, the Swiss firm that produces the pocket tools, is in the early stages of developing the first bladeless version of its product.” Swiss army knife maker to produce version without a blade.

+ The Night We Never Met: Not that you’re interested in such things, but here’s a roundup of looks from the Met Gala.