Uncrowned Guard

Microsoft has made a significant move by hiring Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, former co-founders of OpenAI, to spearhead a new advanced AI research team. This development follows OpenAI's recent decision to dismiss Altman, which resulted in several OpenAI members, including co-founder Brockman, leaving the company in protest. Altman will now serve as the chief executive of the new AI group at Microsoft, with the aim of fostering innovation and independent identities within the company, much like the successful approach taken with GitHub and LinkedIn.

Key Talent Joins the New AI Endeavor

In addition to Altman and Brockman, Microsoft's new AI team will be joined by former top talents from OpenAI, including Szymon Sidor, Jakub Pachocki, and Aleksander Madry, with more expected to follow. Microsoft extended job offers to all OpenAI employees as it remains committed to the startup, despite the unexpected board decision that led to Altman's departure. The strategic move by Microsoft secures the expertise of Altman and Brockman, preventing potential competition from poaching their talents and strengthening Microsoft's position in the AI landscape.

Implications for OpenAI and the AI Industry

OpenAI's decision to remove Altman surprised many in the tech industry, and concerns have been raised about the startup's ability to maintain its pace of progress without his leadership. Microsoft's swift action to bring Altman and Brockman on board reinforces its competitive edge and bolsters confidence in its AI endeavors. The move is seen as a significant development in the AI field, with analysts highlighting the critical role played by OpenAI's technology in Microsoft's strategy.

A Divisive Decision and Talent Exodus

OpenAI's board cited Altman's lack of consistent candor in their conversations as the reason for his removal, a move that stirred controversy and dissatisfaction among OpenAI employees. Several top talents, including CTO Mira Murati, protested the board's decision, prompting many to leave the company. The situation remains fluid as OpenAI adjusts to its new leadership and Microsoft strengthens its position in the AI race.

This unexpected development underscores the dynamism and competition within the AI industry, as leading figures and organizations seek to harness the potential of artificial intelligence for a wide range of applications.

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Google has filed a lawsuit against individuals believed to be residing in Vietnam, accusing them of abusing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to remove competitors' websites from search results. The foreign defendants allegedly used 65 Google accounts to submit thousands of fraudulent copyright infringement notices against over 117,000 third-party website URLs. In addition, another 500,000 URLs were targeted. This scheme forced Google to investigate and respond to the fraudulent takedown requests, resulting in the removal of legitimate content from competitors. The lawsuit aims to deter further abuse of copyright takedown processes, highlighting vulnerabilities in Google's system.

Impersonation and Financial Losses: The Defendants' Tactics

The defendants, Nguyen Van Duc and Pham Van Thien, along with 20 unidentified individuals, are accused of impersonating prominent figures and organizations, including Elon Musk, Amazon, Twitter, and more, in their fraudulent takedown notices. In one instance, they claimed to represent Elon Musk over a t-shirt with the text "Pharmacy Technician." Their most damaging series of takedown requests led to revenue losses of over $5 million for a Google customer during the 2022 holiday season. Google had to reinstate the targeted URLs after discovering the fraudulent activity.

DMCA Vulnerabilities and Google's Legal Action

Google's lawsuit sheds light on the potential for fraudsters to manipulate Google's response to DMCA notices. The DMCA relies on the honesty and good faith of copyright claimants, putting the onus on service providers like Google to trust the assertions made in takedown requests. Google uses a combination of manual review and automation to verify whether takedown requests meet DMCA requirements but does not independently verify the content's infringement status. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of misrepresentation, breach of contract, and intentional interference with contractual relations. Google seeks damages, court costs, and an injunction to prevent further fraudulent activity.

This legal action by Google underscores the importance of addressing vulnerabilities in the DMCA process and protecting legitimate online content from wrongful removal.

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SpaceX, the space exploration company led by Elon Musk, experienced a significant setback with its ambitious Starship project. The latest launch from its Boca Chica, Texas facility saw the massive 397-foot-tall Starship rocket take off, only to face a catastrophic failure minutes later. The incident occurred shortly after 8 AM ET, during a critical phase of the flight test.

Booster Explosion and Loss of Signal

The test, which involved a complex "hot stage" separation, went awry when the Super Heavy booster, instead of executing a controlled descent and water landing, exploded. While the Starship initially continued its ascent into space, ground control soon announced the loss of signal from the booster, suggesting the ship was out of range and possibly compromised. Moments after the Starship's Raptor engines ceased operation, its flight termination system appeared to activate, leading to the destruction of the prototype.

A Series of Challenges

This event marks the second failed launch attempt for SpaceX's Starship, following a similar incident in April, where the rocket self-destructed due to a propellant leak from the Super Heavy booster. Initially planned for November 17th, this latest test had been postponed to replace a critical component, the grid fin actuator. Despite passing through more of the flight sequence than its predecessor, the test ended in a similar explosive conclusion. Before attempting another launch, SpaceX must now address new challenges and satisfy 63 corrective actions mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration. 

This setback underscores the complexities and risks associated with pioneering space travel technology, particularly for ambitious projects like the Starship. SpaceX remains committed to overcoming these hurdles as it continues to push the boundaries of space exploration.

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1 hour ago, ZandraJoi said:

Good Morning! Wishing everybody a great weekend 🙂

Good morning to you as well!  Any plans for the weekend?

In today's fast-evolving digital world, parenting has taken on new complexities, particularly when it comes to integrating technology into children’s lives. This challenge is acutely felt by parents across the globe, including those at the forefront of online safety and digital policy-making. Even experts, such as those working at Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, face dilemmas over when and how to introduce their children to the digital realm. The decision to give a child their first phone, for instance, is fraught with concerns about online safety, exposure to social media, and the overall impact of technology on young minds.

Meta Advocates for Legislative Change and Industry Collaboration

Meta, understanding the intricate landscape of digital parenting, is spearheading initiatives for legislative reforms aimed at protecting teenagers online. With the proliferation of social media and digital platforms, a coordinated effort involving lawmakers and tech companies is crucial. Currently, there is a disparity in how digital safety laws are implemented across different states, leading to a patchwork of regulations that offer inconsistent protection. Meta proposes a more harmonized approach, advocating for federal legislation that would streamline the process for parents and provide uniform safety standards across all platforms.

A Streamlined, Parent-Centric Approach Proposed by Meta

In response to these challenges, Meta is promoting a new legislative framework that empowers parents to oversee their teenagers' app usage more effectively. The proposed federal law would require app stores to obtain parental approval for any app downloads by teens under the age of 16. This centralized control mechanism would not only simplify parental supervision but also enhance privacy, as age verification would be managed by the app stores, reducing the need for individual apps to collect sensitive personal data. By advocating for this unified, industry-wide solution, Meta aims to lighten the burden on parents, ensuring that their teenagers navigate the online world safely and responsibly. This initiative reflects Meta’s commitment to fostering a digital environment that is both secure and conducive to healthy development for young users.

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ASUS, a leading tech company, recently encountered a hiccup with its latest line of Evangelion-themed hardware, particularly the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero EVA-02 Edition motherboard. Decorated with imagery from the iconic '90s anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, including the character Asuka Langley Soryu and the Unit-02 Evangelion's distinct color scheme, these motherboards were a must-have for fans. However, an unexpected printing error led to a misspelling of 'Evangelion' as 'Evangenlion' on the product's decorative part near the aluminum I/O heatsink cover.

Understanding the significance of this error for fans and customers, ASUS has issued an apology and provided a solution. Here's what you need to know:

• The Issue: Some units of the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero EVA-02 Edition motherboard were shipped with a misspelled 'Evangelion' branding. 
• ASUS's Response: The company has acknowledged the error and assured customers that it's purely aesthetic and does not impact the product's performance or functionality.
• The Replacement Program: ASUS is offering a replacement service for those with the affected motherboards. Customers can get in touch with ASUS customer services to claim a correctly printed replacement part.
• Extended Warranty: In addition to the replacement offer, ASUS is extending the warranty of the affected motherboards by an additional year as a gesture of goodwill.

For ASUS customers and Evangelion fans who were looking forward to this unique motherboard, this incident, while unfortunate, has been promptly addressed by ASUS. If you're affected by this issue or have thoughts on ASUS's response, feel free to share your experiences and opinions here.

Here is the link to their support, but they are essentially just asking you to contact your local Asus support contact: [Motherboard] Regarding Misprint on ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO EVA-02 EDITION | Official Support | ROG Global (asus.com)

OpenAI, the innovative force behind the widely known chatbot ChatGPT, recently experienced a significant leadership shakeup with the departure of CEO and founder, Sam Altman. This unexpected move has sent ripples through the AI industry. Following an internal investigation, OpenAI's board found discrepancies in Altman's communications, leading to a loss of confidence in his leadership. Consequently, they decided to relieve him of his duties.

Mira Murati Steps Up as Interim CEO

In response to Altman's departure, OpenAI has appointed Mira Murati, the company's Chief Technology Officer, to serve as the interim CEO. The company is actively searching for a permanent successor. Murati, known for her extensive background in technology and engineering, has previously held significant positions at companies like Ultraleap and Tesla, bringing a wealth of experience to her new role at OpenAI.

The Impact of Altman's Departure

Altman's exit comes at a crucial time for OpenAI, which recently hosted its first developer conference and has been at the forefront of AI technology with its development of ChatGPT. The platform has gained immense popularity for its ability to generate text and images in response to user prompts, marking a new era in generative AI. Despite Altman’s advocacy for AI and his cautionary stance on its ethical implications, his departure raises questions about the future direction of OpenAI and its commitment to responsible AI development. The response from industry leaders and analysts has been mixed, with some expressing shock and others seeing the potential for a new direction under Murati's leadership. Microsoft, a key investor in OpenAI, has expressed continued support for the company despite the leadership changes.

Altman's impact on the AI industry and his visionary approach to technology have been widely recognized. His departure from OpenAI marks the end of an era, but it also opens up new possibilities for the company under fresh leadership. The tech world eagerly awaits to see how OpenAI navigates this transition and continues to shape the future of artificial intelligence.

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Apple, traditionally resistant to incorporating Rich Communication Services (RCS) in its devices, is set to make a significant change. In a move to enhance messaging interoperability, the tech giant plans to roll out RCS support for iPhones in 2024. This decision, confirmed by Apple to 9to5Mac, marks a notable shift in the company's approach to messaging standards.

RCS, a modern communication protocol widely used in Android devices, offers advanced messaging capabilities compared to traditional SMS or MMS. Apple's announcement indicates a commitment to improving user experience across different platforms, addressing long-standing compatibility issues between iOS and Android users.

Beyond the Blue and Green Bubbles

For years, the messaging experience between iPhone and Android users has been marked by the "blue bubble vs. green bubble" phenomenon. This distinction, indicative of the messaging service used (iMessage for blue, SMS/MMS for green), often signifies a difference in message quality and functionality. Apple's integration of RCS aims to bridge this gap, allowing for enhanced features like high-resolution media sharing, typing indicators, and read receipts between iPhone and Android users.

This development is particularly significant given the ongoing debate and pressure from other tech giants like Google and Samsung for Apple to support RCS. By adopting this standard, Apple is taking a step towards more seamless cross-platform messaging, enhancing the overall user experience.

Future of Messaging on Apple Devices

While Apple's adoption of RCS marks a new direction in its messaging strategy, the company clarifies that iMessage will continue to be its primary messaging platform. Renowned for its security and encryption features, iMessage remains a cornerstone of Apple's ecosystem. However, the inclusion of RCS will complement iMessage by providing better interoperability with non-Apple devices.

Apple's move comes amidst growing industry pressure and regulatory scrutiny, including an investigation by the European Commission into the exclusivity of iMessage. By embracing RCS, Apple is not only responding to external demands but also proactively enhancing its messaging services' inclusivity and functionality. As we approach 2024, users can anticipate a more integrated and robust messaging experience on their iPhones, fostering better communication across different device ecosystems.

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Google is pushing the boundaries of online search with its latest innovation, Notes, currently being trialed in Search Labs. This new feature is aimed at enriching search results with personal experiences and insights shared by users. The idea behind Notes is simple yet powerful: to complement traditional search results with the wisdom and expertise of individuals who have firsthand experience related to the search query. Whether it's advice on moving to a new city, tweaking a recipe, or perfecting a craft project, Notes offers a platform for users to contribute their unique knowledge and help others in their online quest for information.

Sharing Expertise and Experiences

Notes is designed to be user-friendly and interactive. By opting into this feature in the Google app or on Discover, users can access a new world of shared knowledge. With a simple click on the “Notes” button beneath search results, they can view contributions from other users. These notes are not just text-based; they can include photos, stickers, and even AI-generated images, adding a vibrant and personalized touch to each piece of advice. The feature is set to launch in the U.S. and India, with plans for expansion in the future.

Safety, Quality, and Collaboration

Google recognizes the importance of maintaining high standards of quality and safety in its new Notes feature. To ensure that Notes remains a reliable and trustworthy source of information, the tech giant is utilizing a combination of algorithmic protections and human moderation. The aim is to safeguard against harmful or abusive content while preserving the relevance and helpfulness of the notes. In addition, Google plans to collaborate with site owners, providing them with insights into the notes left on their content, ensuring a symbiotic relationship between websites and user-generated content.

As Google embarks on this journey with Notes, the potential to transform the way we search for and share information online is immense. By tapping into the collective wisdom and experiences of its users, Google is not only enhancing the search experience but also fostering a community of knowledge-sharing on a global scale.

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A willingness to learn is certainly a major part to learning music.  The resources are better than ever and the tools are more accessible than ever, so it comes down to the person to really invest the time and motivation to learn.

What Are Water Sensors?

Water sensors, often called Liquid Contact Indicators (LCIs), are small indicators placed in electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and cameras. These sensors are designed to detect and indicate exposure to liquid.

How Do Water Sensors Work?

• Color-Changing Mechanism: Water sensors are typically made of a material that changes color when it comes into contact with a liquid. This material is often a moisture-sensitive chemical that reacts specifically to water or other liquids.
• Placement in Devices: Manufacturers strategically place these sensors in various parts of the device where liquid exposure is most likely to occur, such as near ports, battery compartments, and under the SIM card tray.
• Immediate Reaction: Upon contact with liquid, these sensors react almost instantly, changing color – usually from white or silver to red or pink.

Why Can Repair Shops Tell if a Device Got Wet?

• Visible Evidence: When a device is opened, technicians can quickly spot these sensors. If a sensor has changed color, it is a clear indication that the device has come into contact with liquid.
• Multiple Sensors: Modern devices often contain multiple LCIs to increase the chances of detecting liquid contact, making it harder to bypass these indicators.
• Non-Reversible Change: Once an LCI has been triggered by liquid exposure, it cannot be reversed back to its original color. This permanent change ensures that attempts to hide water damage are difficult.
• Manufacturer Guidelines: Repair technicians are trained to look for these indicators as part of standard diagnostic procedures. They are often guided by manufacturer specifications on how to interpret these sensors.

Limitations of Water Sensors

• Humidity and Steam Sensitivity: In some cases, high humidity or steam can trigger these sensors, even though the device might not have been directly immersed in liquid.
• False Positives: There can be instances where the sensor is accidentally triggered without significant water damage to the device.

Importance in Repair and Warranty Claims

1. Warranty Voidance: Most manufacturers void the warranty on devices that show evidence of liquid damage. This is why LCIs are crucial in assessing warranty claims.
2. Repair Assessment: For technicians, these sensors provide immediate clues about potential causes of device malfunction, guiding them in their repair process.
3. Consumer Awareness: Understanding the presence and purpose of these sensors can make consumers more mindful about protecting their devices from water damage.

Conclusion

Water sensors in electronic devices serve as an efficient and straightforward way for manufacturers and repair technicians to detect liquid exposure. While they are incredibly useful, it is essential to be aware of their limitations and the implications they have on device warranty and repair. Knowing about these sensors can also encourage better care and maintenance of electronic devices, especially in avoiding liquid damage.

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The concept of activism has long been rooted in the pursuit of social, political, or environmental change. However, in recent times, a new debate has emerged: Can activism without a clear goal be considered true activism, or does it devolve into mere complaining, potentially exacerbating the issues it seeks to address? This discussion examines the effectiveness and legitimacy of activism that lacks a specific aim or endgame.

Affirmative Position: True Activism Requires Defined Goals

• Purpose and Direction: Genuine activism is characterized by its goal-oriented nature. Without a clear objective, efforts risk being unfocused and ineffective, resulting in minimal impact.
• Measurable Change: Goals allow for the measurement of progress and success. Without objectives, it's challenging to gauge the effectiveness of activist efforts or to know when to adapt strategies.
• Resource Allocation: Defined goals ensure that resources (time, energy, funds) are used efficiently. Aimless activism can lead to resource wastage.
• Public Perception: Clear goals help in garnering public support. Vague or undefined objectives can lead to public skepticism, reducing the overall impact of the movement.

Negative Position: Activism Without Set Goals Is Still Valid

• Awareness and Dialogue: Even without specific goals, activism plays a crucial role in raising awareness and starting conversations about important issues.
• Organic Evolution: Some movements start without clear objectives but evolve organically. These movements can eventually define their goals based on the awareness and support they gather.
• Expression of Dissent: Activism can be a form of expressing dissent or dissatisfaction with the status quo, which is valuable in itself for maintaining a dynamic and responsive society.
• Inclusivity: Not limiting activism to defined goals can make it more inclusive, allowing broader participation from individuals who resonate with the cause on a fundamental level but may not agree on specific objectives.

Conclusion

The debate over whether goalless activism constitutes real activism highlights the diverse nature of social movements and the challenges in defining their success and impact. While the presence of defined goals can enhance the focus and effectiveness of activism, the act of raising awareness and fostering dialogue is also a critical component of social change, even in the absence of specific objectives. This debate underscores the complexity of activism in modern society and the importance of understanding different approaches to creating change.

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The Israel-Hamas conflict is a deeply complex and multi-layered issue, with roots stretching back over decades of historical, political, and territorial disputes. Understanding the dynamics at play here requires recognizing the broader Israel-Palestine conflict, which encompasses issues far beyond just the actions of Hamas, including Palestinian statehood and Israeli security concerns.

Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, has been a key player in the escalation of violence, particularly due to its attacks against Israeli civilians. This has significantly influenced the conflict dynamics and the situation in both Gaza and Israel. However, it's crucial to understand that the conflict is not just about Hamas; it's also about a range of political, historical, and territorial disputes.

One of the most contentious aspects of this conflict is the use of civilian areas by Hamas for military purposes, which complicates matters significantly. Israeli military responses, though targeting Hamas, often result in civilian casualties in Palestinian areas, leading to international humanitarian and legal concerns. The ethical and legal implications of warfare in civilian-populated areas are a subject of ongoing debate and concern.

Granted, Hamas has put Israel in a situation where it cannot sit back and do nothing. The direct attack on Israeli citizens has started this conflict and created the chain of events that has caused Israel to attack civilian areas in return as they are often where terror groups hide military assets. There is nothing unexpected happening in this war and therefore it is pretty easy for me to point the finger at Hamas who pulled the initial trigger.

Regarding the potential escalation into a global conflict like World War III, the current consensus among analysts is that this is unlikely. The involvement of major global powers has primarily been through diplomatic channels or limited military support, and there's a general reluctance to escalate the situation into a larger ground war. The conflict, while having significant regional implications, hasn't reached a level that would necessitate a global military response.

Finally, the path to resolving this conflict involves addressing both immediate security issues and the long-term political goals of both Israelis and Palestinians. It's a situation that evokes strong emotions and opinions worldwide due to its impact on human lives and the historical context surrounding it. Sadly, I see no way that Hamas is lowering its level of extremism to open more political channels and over the past few decades, we have seen hopes of a free Palestine, that are likely gone forever now.

What do you think and where do you stand on this war?  

On 11/11/2023 at 5:43 AM, Bizdustry said:

Hey everyone! My name is Alex, and I’m the owner of Bizdustry. I look forward to discussing topics with like minded people here.

Welcome to Uncrowned Addiction @Bizdustry!

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Thanks for the positive feedback on this one!

I've been thinking about the role of promotion forums in growing our communities and wanted to share some insights and open up a discussion. 

Promotion Forums: The Paradox

We often visit promotion forums with the hope of attracting new members. However, it's a bit like going to a gym equipment store to find new gym members. Most people there are also gym owners, not potential gym members. In other words, promotion forums are full of admins looking to boost their own sites, not necessarily to join others.

What Promotion Forums Excel At

That's not to say these forums don't have their merits. They are fantastic for:

• Networking with fellow admins
• Accessing resources and admin-specific services
• Boosting your site’s visibility through link sharing
• Potentially attracting members indirectly through increased activity and Google search visibility
• Benefiting from the support and activity of a community of admins

But if your primary goal is to find new members, these might not be the most fertile grounds.

The Flip Side: Non-Promotion Forums and Niche Advertising

Now, consider promotion sections in non-promotion forums, where the audience includes regular users, not just admins. Or think about buying ads on forums that align with your niche. Here, you're marketing directly to potential new members.

The User Commitment Factor

A point to ponder: research shows users are generally reluctant to leave a service they're accustomed to, even for a better one. This inertia is evident in social media and likely applies to forums too. People committed to a particular forum are not easily swayed to join another.

Let's Discuss!

• Have you had success with promotion forums?
• What strategies have worked best for you in attracting new members?
• Do you think forum users are as hesitant as social media users to try new platforms?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences!

Happy Veterans Day to any of the veterans that we may have in our communities!

1 hour ago, Jason said:

I honestly believe that being a Christian is a better way to live even there was no Christian god. The fact remains that the Bible is spiritual liberation, giving people true happiness and the best hope.  Who wants to argue otherwise?

I think there's something fundamentally positive about the core teachings of many religions, which often encourage us to be better people. The idea of striving for moral excellence, partly in the hope of an afterlife reward like heaven, could indeed make the world a more compassionate place. However, it's important to recognize that this ideal sometimes doesn't translate into action as intended.

Historically, it's an unfortunate truth that some heinous acts have been committed in the name of religion. This contradiction between the teachings of love, compassion, and peace, and the actions of some religious groups, is a complex issue that has affected humanity deeply.

On a more personal level, while prayer and spiritual support are valuable, they should ideally go hand in hand with tangible actions. It's one thing to offer thoughts and prayers for someone in need, but often, what's really needed is direct, practical help. The essence of many religious teachings is not just in believing or hoping for better but in actively doing better by others. Balancing spiritual support with concrete action can sometimes be challenging, but it’s a goal worth striving for in our everyday lives.  This is a goal that I feel like many religious people fail miserably and nearly all of the most callous people I have met were also hardcore religious followers.

On 9/30/2023 at 8:51 AM, ZandraJoi said:

Do you join a friend’s to be nice?

I do try.  If someone asks me to sign up for their forum I normally will.  But if I don't find it appealing or it is very much not a niche that I can keep up with, then I will most likely stop using it.

On 9/30/2023 at 8:51 AM, ZandraJoi said:

See one advertised on another forum & check it out?

Thankfully, promoting my own sites, allows me to see numerous other sites along the way.  I will often keep out new sites and if they seem appealing then I will add it to my list and join up sooner or later.

I will add that forums that allow me to use my signature to toss in my site's link have an edge over ones that do not for fairly straightforward reasons.  

On 9/30/2023 at 8:51 AM, ZandraJoi said:

I prefer being on a medium size forum. Not too small where nobody posts hardly but not too big where you get lost in the shuffle. While I have joined a friend’s to be nice, I have only stayed if it’s relevant to my own life. i.e. if they are just about Tech, it may be months before I go back as Tech is not a niche I’m familiar with.

Well, I'm glad that you have stuck around here!

As we navigate through the ever-evolving landscape of the internet, an interesting question arises: Could the challenges currently facing social media platforms lead to a resurgence of online forums? We're here to dive into this discussion, and we want to hear your thoughts!

The Changing Face of Social Media

Recent times have seen major social media platforms grappling with new data privacy laws, particularly in the EU. These regulations significantly impact their traditional revenue models, primarily built on user-targeted advertising. Giants like Meta and Google are at a crossroads, with increasing pushes towards subscription models and more ads.

Forums: A Refuge in the Digital Storm?

In contrast to the monetization struggles of larger platforms, forums offer a unique space – community-driven, less ad-heavy, and generally free from the pressure to monetize user interactions heavily. As larger platforms navigate these choppy waters, could forums become the go-to places for genuine community and information sharing?

A Shift in Internet Search Trends

Additionally, there's a trend of limiting access to web crawlers, with even Reddit considering pulling content from search engine results. Could this lead to more users turning towards forums for information and community engagement?

• Do you think the challenges faced by social media could lead to a revival of forums?
• How do you see the future of forums in comparison to major social media platforms?
• Could forums benefit from a shift away from traditional search engines?

Let's discuss what these shifts mean for the future of online communities and forums. Your insights and opinions are valuable – let's explore this together!

A groundbreaking initiative named Lantern has emerged, bringing together major tech companies like Google, Meta, Discord, and others in a collective effort to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA). This program represents a unified strategy where these companies share critical information to detect and prevent the exploitation of minors across different digital platforms.

Lantern functions as a centralized database, enabling participating companies to both contribute and access critical data. The system focuses on identifying potential threats through signals like policy-violating email addresses, usernames associated with OCSEA, and specific material or keyword hashes related to child sexual abuse. These signals, while not definitive proof of abuse, provide a foundation for further investigation and potential intervention, such as account suspension or notifying law enforcement authorities.

During its pilot phase, Lantern has already shown a significant impact. Meta, for instance, reported using data from Lantern to eliminate thousands of violating profiles across Facebook and Instagram. These actions underscore the program's effectiveness in rooting out harmful content and actors across the digital landscape.

The Importance of Ethical Compliance and Impact Assessment

In developing and implementing Lantern, the Tech Coalition faced the dual challenge of creating a robust, effective system while ensuring ethical compliance and avoiding unintended consequences. The coalition took steps to ensure that the program adhered to legal and regulatory requirements and underwent thorough vetting for ethical compliance. This included a human rights impact assessment conducted by Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), a global coalition focused on safety and sustainability.

BSR's involvement offers ongoing guidance and oversight, ensuring that the program evolves responsibly over time. This aspect of the program is crucial, considering past incidents where well-intentioned initiatives have led to unintended consequences, such as wrongful accusations or privacy violations.

Continuous Oversight and Training for Effective Implementation

The Tech Coalition is committed to maintaining transparency and accountability in the Lantern program. This includes clear guidelines for data sharing, mandatory training for all participating companies, and regular policy reviews. Such measures aim to ensure that the program remains effective, ethical, and adaptive to the evolving digital landscape and the threats it poses to minors.

The coalition's efforts to provide a safe online environment for children highlight the tech industry's responsibility and potential to address critical social issues. By combining resources, expertise, and commitment, these companies set a precedent for collaborative action against online child exploitation, demonstrating the power of unity in tackling global challenges.

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I did recently try it with Hearts of Iron 4 and the grand strategy style of game works pretty well.  They still need to overcome the lackluster mobile data speeds as it still leads to some issues.