Librarians as modern mercenaries
Brad Montague humorously portrays librarians as vital agents against ignorance, dismantling societal misconceptions about their roles. They are depicted as educators and tech-savvy myth-slayers, using storytelling and empathy to promote literacy and counter misinformation. Montague highlights their resilience in the face of budget cuts and censorship, honoring National Library Week and advocating for public support of libraries.
Android's new security feature
Google's new update will cause Android devices to auto-reboot after three days of inactivity, enhancing data encryption and security. This "silent update" aligns with Apple’s existing security measures, aiming to limit data exposure and maintain devices in a secure "Before First Unlock" state. Despite concerns about user control over updates, this move is perceived as a significant step for privacy.
UK’s first baby from a womb transplant
Grace Davidson, with MRKH syndrome, successfully gave birth to a baby girl via a womb transplant from her sister, marking a UK first. The complex 17-hour procedure presents new hope for women with similar conditions. The surgery conducted as part of a trial reflects significant strides in medical innovation, enabling individuals with uterine issues to experience motherhood.
Cost and efficacy of AI coding tools
Community discussions reveal insights on Claude Code, an AI coding assistant, focusing on its cost-control measures and productivity benefits. Debate centers on its efficiency versus alternatives like Aider, which offers better file management and cost-saving strategies. The article underscores the importance of optimizing AI tool usage to maximize returns on investment.
Botnets and web-scraping ethics
Jan Wildeboer critiques the stealthy exploitation of app users' data capabilities by AI companies, contributing to unauthorized web scraping and DDoS attacks. Through SDK injections, apps turn users into unknowing participants in botnets. The piece argues for tech giants to prevent such practices and reassesses ethical standards on web data collection, emphasizing the destructive impact on smaller web services.