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☆ The new Bing is acting all weird and creepy — but the human response is way scarier
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

It's a profit-making move designed to leverage our very human tendency to see human traits in nonhuman things. Look, I don't think we don't need to treat chatbots with respect because they ask us to. Making chatbots seem as if they're human isn't just incidental. So the real issue involving the current incarnation of chatbots isn't whether we treat them as people — it's how we decide to treat them as property. The robots don't care."

☆ The editor of a sci-fi magazine says he's getting flooded with plagiarized short stories as AI tools take off: 'It quickly got out of hand'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Its founding editor said the magazine received 500 stories flagged for plagiarism in February alone. But Clarkesworld's founding editor, Neil Clarke, said the magazine received more than 500 submissions flagged for plagiarism in the first 20 days of February. Typically, the magazine would get fewer than 30 such flagged submissions per month, Clarke wrote in a February 15 blog post titled "A Concerning Trend." "It quickly got out of hand," Clarke wrote. I'm tinkering with some, but this isn't a game of whack-a-mole that anyone can 'win,'" Clarke wrote.

☆ 'The Last of Us' is based on real science: A fungus pandemic is unlikely, but not impossible
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

"The Last of Us" on HBO Max depicts a zombie apocalypse caused by a fungus pandemic. Here's the science fact and fiction behind the show, and the possibility of a fungal pandemic. The new scenario, first realized in the video game that the show is based on, is making viewers wonder whether a fungus pandemic can happen in real life. "A fungal pandemic is definitely possible," Norman Van Rhijn, a mycologist researching fungal infections at the University of Manchester, told Insider in an email. Still, fungal infections are on the rise worldwide, and researchers are concerned that more and more people are at risk.

☆ Some Taliban fighters are sick of the 9 to 5 grind, complaining they've been sucked into urban life by working desk jobs to run Afghanistan
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Five young Taliban fighters described how their lives are now consumed by work and Twitter. In this picture taken on November 23, 2021, Taliban fighters ride on bumper cars. Last year, it was tolerable but in the last few months, it's become more and more congested," he told Samim. Now, if we complain, or don't come to work, or disobey the rules, they cut our salary," he told Samim. Salam, along with several other Taliban fighters interviewed, felt the public had also stopped respecting them.

☆ Walter Mosley Thinks America Is Getting Dumber
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( David Marchese | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +17 min

Mamadi Doumbouya for The New York Times Talk Walter Mosley Thinks America Is Getting DumberWalter Mosley is best known as one of contemporary literature’s pre-eminent crime novelists, but he’s actually four or five different writers rolled into one. You have to tell stories about real people experiencing it and not real people with a Ph.D. People who are not stupid but ignorant, who don’t know things about the world. There are people who don’t know how to spell, they don’t know how to think. You have these people coming out into the world, and they don’t know what to do. That’s going to happen.

☆ A fungus pandemic is unlikely, but not impossible. There's real science behind the mushroom zombies in HBO's new series 'The Last of Us.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The new HBO Max series "The Last of Us" depicts a zombie apocalypse caused by a fungus pandemic. Here's the science fact and fiction behind the show, and the possibility of a fungal pandemic. The new scenario, first realized in the video game that the show is based on, is making viewers wonder whether a fungus pandemic can happen in real life. "A fungal pandemic is definitely possible," Norman Van Rhijn, a mycologist researching fungal infections at the University of Manchester, told Insider in an email. Still, fungal infections are on the rise worldwide, and researchers are concerned that more and more people are at risk.

"Credit spreads have rallied across the board since the beginning of the year despite heavy (new bond) issuance and are at multi-month tights. This puts the credit market at odds with economic forecasts and the rates market," Barclays strategists said in a recent note. They said U.S. investment grade bonds rated BBB implied a 30% chance of recession, and CCC rated bonds implied a 35% chance. In the most bullish scenario, investment-grade bond spreads could tighten another 20 to 30 basis points, but they could widen much more if the economic downturn is deeper than anticipated, he added. Reporting by Davide Barbuscia and Matt Tracy; Editing by Shankar Ramakrishnan and Andrea RicciOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Google staff sent each other memes about layoffs to console each other and created spreadsheets to track firings, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Google employees created spreadsheets to keep track of who was laid off, CNBC reported. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet and Google, told staff in a memo he took "full responsibility for the decisions that led us here." Following the announcement, Google employees demanded answers from executives about how the layoffs were determined, CNBC reported. It included the caption: "The sad thing is, I actually thought you were different," next to Google's logo, CNBC reported. Google staff have submitted questions on the company's Q&A system called Dory, CNBC reported.

☆ 10 best credit cards for elite status travel benefits
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Ariana Arghandewal | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

Best credit card for Delta SkyMiles elite status perksGetty ImagesElite status: No automatic elite status; however, you’ll earn up to 60,000 MQMs per year with Status Boost. Best credit card for United MileagePlus elite status perksGetty ImagesElite status: No automatic elite status; however, card holders can earn up to 8,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) per calendar year toward elite status. The best credit card for IHG One Rewards elite status perksIHGElite status: Complimentary Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a card holder. The best credit card for Hilton Honors elite status perksHiltonElite status: Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond elite status. Frequently asked questions about credit cards with elite status benefitsIf you travel frequently enough, elite status can be worth it.

☆ 8 rowing machines to consider in 2023 for home workouts
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Justin Redman | Justin Redman Was Formerly A Reporter For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +12 min

This smart rower is highly adjustable. More affordable than other smart rowers, the Echelon Smart Rower is a good option for those who aren’t looking to splurge. Like other smart rowers, the Hydrow must be plugged into a wall to use. Yasmin Farooq is an American rowing cox and the head coach of the University of Washington women's rowing team. is an American rowing cox and the head coach of the University of Washington women's rowing team.

The most chilling moment in Gerard Johnstone’s new horror film, “M3GAN,” comes early. Its wildly popular — and immediately viral — trailer seems to give away the entire story, beat by beat, but what it can’t convey is the picture’s delightfully oddball tone, which is poised at a peculiar juncture of slasher horror and self-aware satire. Gemma, dressed in flannels, so you know she’s an antisocial nerd, has developed M3GAN, short for Model 3 Generative ANdroid. As a character, M3GAN is a marvel of design, combining body actor (Amie Donald), voice (Jenna Davis), animatronics, makeup and special effects. (“Humanity kills every day, just to make its existence more bearable,” M3GAN cackles, presumably after doing some online reading about Apple and Foxconn’s Longhua facility.)

However, most airlines also offer a credit card that provides priority boarding, and if they don't there are plenty of credit cards that'll reimburse you for priority boarding fees. Airline credit cards with priority boardingIt's worth noting that priority boarding isn't the only reason to get an airline credit card. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightEven if you don't have a co-branded airline credit card, you can still enjoy priority boarding by paying for it with a credit card that offers annual travel credits. Do you have to pay with an airline credit card to get priority boarding?

Another option is to pay for priority boarding using a travel rewards credit card that offers statement credits for airline or travel purchases. However, most airlines also offer a credit card that provides priority boarding, and if they don't there are plenty of credit cards that'll reimburse you for priority boarding fees. Airline credit cards with priority boardingIt's worth noting that priority boarding isn't the only reason to get an airline credit card. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightEven if you don't have a co-branded airline credit card, you can still enjoy priority boarding by paying for it with a credit card that offers annual travel credits. Do you have to pay with an airline credit card to get priority boarding?

You can eke some extra performance out of your own Windows computer by following NASA's lead. But of course, the best way to speed up any Windows computer is by upgrading the hardware. Here are 17 ways to speed up Windows 10 and Windows 11. To do this, open the Settings app on your computer and click Apps, and then Apps & features. Modern Windows users are lucky, because both Windows 10 and Windows 11 come pre-installed with Windows Defender.

Economic worries have made this holiday season particularly stressful for some. The holiday season can bring out the absolute worst in some kids. Some parents welcome that break from structure, and that’s OK. “Parents get to decide what works and what doesn’t work with their family,” Dr. Naumburg said. “Gratitude and savoring are the opposite.”Dr. Kurtz recommended starting a simple gratitude practice early in the holiday season. As the holidays unfold, make an effort to savor the season, Dr. Kurtz said.

Garcia tells Insider, "I was inputting some numbers into a retirement calculator, and it let me put in my age. Pros Check mark icon A check mark. Low annual fee for investment accounts; crypto trust investments available Check mark icon A check mark. Tax-loss harvesting Check mark icon A check mark. Mobile app and investing and retirement tools Check mark icon A check mark.

SKIP AHEAD Best deals at Amazon | Best deals at Walmart | Best deals at Target | Best deals at Best Buy | Best Cyber Monday sales across categoriesTo help you make the most of the shopping holiday, Select compiled some of the best Cyber Monday deals and sales we think you’ll want to know about. Best Cyber Monday 2022 deals across retailersBelow, we’re sharing the best Cyber Monday deals based on our previous coverage and reporting. 4.7-star average rating from 73,237 reviews at TargetOral-B’s Pro 1000 electric toothbrush is one of the best models you can buy. 4.7-star average rating from 10,600 on AmazonThis cookware set comes with 8-inch and 10-inch nonstick fry pans. Best Cyber Monday 2022 sales across retailersHere are the best Cyber Monday sales we think you’ll want to know about.

SKIP AHEAD Best deals at Amazon | Best deals at Walmart | Best deals at Target | Best deals at Best Buy | Best Black Friday salesTo help you make the most of the final Black Friday sales, we compiled some of the best deals and sales that we think you’ll want to know about. Best Black Friday 2022 deals across retailersBelow, we’re sharing the best Black Friday deals based on our previous coverage and reporting. 4.7-star average rating from 73,237 reviews at TargetOral-B’s Pro 1000 electric toothbrush is one of the best models you can buy. 4.7-star average rating from 10,600 on AmazonThis cookware set comes with 8-inch and 10-inch nonstick fry pans. Best Black Friday 2022 sales across retailersHere are the best Black Friday sales that we think you’ll want to know about.

You probably already know that most travel credit cards offer some form of rental car insurance. It's often said the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best starter travel credit card — and primary rental car insurance is a big reason why. If you're using a business credit card that offers primary car rental insurance, you need to be renting a car for business purposes in order to receive the coverage. Whether your coverage comes from a credit card, the auto rental agency, or your personal insurance plan, you should get rental car insurance. Of all rental car insurance options, primary insurance with a credit card is the best value.

☆ Billionaires like Elon Musk want to save civilization by having tons of genetically superior kids. Inside the movement to take 'control of human evolution.'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Julia Black | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +40 min

"We are the Underground Railroad of 'Gattaca' babies and people who want to do genetic stuff with their kids," Malcolm told me. Ellison, meanwhile, who has two children in their 30s, has reportedly resumed having kids — with his 31-year-old girlfriend. "The person of this subculture really sees the pathway to immortality as being through having children," Simone said. The person of this subculture really sees the pathway to immortality as being through having children. Before she met Malcolm, Simone was convinced she wanted to live her life single and child-free.

To transfer files between your iPhone and Mac, use AirDrop, iCloud Drive, or Google Drive. AirDropAirDrop is an effective way to quickly share files between an iPhone and Mac. Once you've enabled AirDrop on your Apple devices, you can share files with a few clicks or taps. Open the file you want to share and tap Share icon – the square icon with an arrow pointing up. Open the file you want to share and tap Share icon – the square icon with an arrow pointing up.

While it used to be impossible to charge your rent or mortgage payments to a credit card to earn points, that has changed in recent years. Several services let you pay your housing expenses with a credit card, and there's even a credit card designed for this very purpose. You can still earn points on your rent and mortgage payments by utilizing a processing service. Credit cards to use on rent and mortgage paymentsOnce you have a program picked out that lets you pay your rent or mortgage with a credit card, you'll want to choose a credit card that offers maximum rewards. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightThe Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earn 2x points on almost all spending, including rent and mortgage payments.

☆ Outgoing Charter CEO Tom Rutledge says in an exclusive CNBC interview that there's 'pain to come' as linear TV gives way to streaming
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +33 min

The biggest cable company in the industry at that time had about a million customers. And the second question is, very much related to that, for years now, the bull investor thesis has been broadband growth. So does that mean that broadband growth is no longer the big growth story it once was? No, I think there's plenty of broadband growth to get for us and there's continued broadband adoption to get for the whole industry. And I think there's some value in scale which can translate into consumer value as well.

☆ Weak Amazon outlook another blow to tech-type growth shares
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

But Apple earnings on Thursday were a bright spot, with higher than expected revenue leaving its shares (AAPL.O) only slightly lower. But then we look at the Apple report and they reported strong growth in a lot of their consumer categories. Going into the holiday season you would expect the consumer to really ramp up so that I see a big divergence between Apple and Amazon." What we saw in the past is that in a period of growth, tech really grew faster than anything else and got multiples that reflected that. There was always concern going into earnings, and quarter after quarter, they surprised to the upside.

☆ Apple has six iPads to choose from. Here's how to pick the right one for you
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Sofia Pitt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

It has a dated A13 processor, first introduced in 2019, and it only works with the older Apple Pencil. It's silly that Apple didn't add support for the newer second-generation Apple Pencil, which charges and pairs through magnets on the side of other iPads. iPad Mini: You need a super portable tabletApple iPad Mini 2021 Todd Haselton | CNBCThe sixth generation iPad mini, which starts at $499, was released in September 2021. The iPad mini works with the $129 second-generation Apple Pencil, which is more comfortable to use han the dated first-generation. If you opt for maximum storage of 2TB, the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro will set you back $2,399.

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