Extra, Extra
In Claude We Trust: “Ahead of what could be the largest public listing ever, Anthropic said revenue soared to $16.3 billion in the first half of the year, and it planned to spend $807 billion on A.I. infrastructure.” (Maybe it’s smarter to invest in the infrastructure companies…) Anthropic Reveals Skyrocketing Growth and Spending Plans in I.P.O. Filing. “Anthropic’s filing was unusual in that it warned its products could bring about disasters, including loss of control of the technology and authoritarian abuses.”
+ The Schlep Block: “When the going gets tough, the tough don’t get subtle. Yesterday, with polls casting doubt on his continuing as Israel’s prime minister after Tuesday’s election, Benjamin Netanyahu posted a closing argument on Instagram: an AI-generated image of Tel Aviv destroyed by a nuclear blast, with accompanying text that asked, roughly, Would you prefer to reelect Netanyahu, or be incinerated along with your family?” (Honestly, it’s a tossup…) Meanwhile, “tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad are flying back to cast votes in what many describe as the most pivotal election in the country’s history.” The Great Schlep.
+ When the Smoke Clears: Back in the day, the women’s tennis tour was sponsored by Virginia Slims, a cigarette brand. In the future, the embrace of gambling by major sports leagues will look just as crazy from a public health perspective. NBA announces partnership with prediction markets Kalshi, Polymarket. Meanwhile, Gambling Hotline Ex-Director Stole $1.5M to Feed Betting Habit.
+ Prized Position: “Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado has returned to Venezuela after ten months abroad, announcing her arrival in a social media post.”
+ Campaign in the Butt: Dems closing argument: Reclaim affordability, end corruption, save democracy. Trump’s closing argument: Check out that ass.
+ Rolling in the Isle: “Kelly Green remembers the moment the world’s most remote inhabited island first came into view. From a distance, Tristan da Cunha looked like a dark triangle on the horizon. Up close, she saw the island’s tiny settlement spread below volcanic cliffs. Then it became her home.” NYT (Gift Article): Far, Far Away: Making a home on the world’s most remote inhabited island. (I wonder if they need a news curator…)
