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Get paid to prove you’re human (don’t)
Would you let someone scan your eyeball in exchange for some free cryptocurrency?
Yes, your actual eyeball. This isn’t an audition for Season 4 of Black Mirror. It’s the premise behind OpenAI founder Sam Altman’s new project called World.
Before you roll your eyes, let me break it down for you.
What’s the deal?
Sam Altman brought AI into everyone’s lives with ChatGPT. The same AI that’s shaking up everything from copywriting to customer service to coding.
It’s the tech threatening to replace humans in countless jobs. It’s powering deepfakes that can fool your eyes and ears.
And now? Altman wants to be the one to prove you’re human.
The irony writes itself.
Altman’s new company, World, just launched in the U.S. after rolling out across several countries.
Here’s the pitch
One of their futuristic devices called an Orb scans your iris. This biometric ID is meant to verify that you’re a real person, not a bot, something that’s becoming harder to prove online.
They say this tech could be used to log into websites, access services, use dating apps and even vote without handing over your name, email or phone number. Just your eyeball.
Clear the room
📦 Seriously, these gems will help you do exactly that.
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✋ Hang on: Toss those flimsy hangers. These wooden ones (19% off) are strong and look great, too.
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3 ways to instantly look smarter on video calls
Have you ever joined a Zoom call and thought, “Why do I look like a vampire who doesn’t know where the camera is?” Since it’s the start of a new week, here are easy tricks to make you look brighter, smarter and significantly less like you’re broadcasting from a cave.
😃 “My knees feel so much better in only one month!” That’s what Julie wrote to me since she’s been taking NativePath’s collagen. You ought to try it, too. Go here now to claim your 45% discount, free shipping and a free gift bundle, exclusive for my listeners.
🚔 Crypto CEO sentenced: Alex Mashinsky, former Celsius Network CEO, just got slapped with 12 years for securities and commodities fraud (paywall link). Prosecutors wanted 20, but he got off slightly easier. Celsius collapsed in 2022, leaving a $1.19 billion crater. Turns out its slogan, “Unbank Yourself,” actually meant “Unpack Your Belongings in Cellblock D.”
🏊 Pool safety tip: Drowning is the top cause of death for kids ages 1 to 4. Sadly, 88% happen with an adult nearby. That’s why the Y-M-C-A launched Phones Down, Eyes Up. Take their pledge and get a free lock screen reminder, pool safety tips and a “Water Watcher” lanyard for the grown-up keeping watch.
🚔 Modern superhero: Modern Family’s Ariel Winter is now working undercover in child predator stings. Yes, that Ariel. She volunteers with SOSA, posing as teens online to catch creeps in real life. As you can imagine, Ariel describes how emotionally demanding the gig can be.
Within 5 years
We might be regrowing teeth. Scientists found a gene called USAG-1 that stops teeth from forming, then blocked it to regrow chompers in mice and ferrets. Now the drug is in human trials. Fingers crossed for no weird side effects.
40-foot submarine-hunting drone
The “BlueWhale” uses special sensors to spot underwater and surface threats, and can help clear mines. The cool bit? It’s fully autonomous and runs on batteries for weeks. Basically, a Roomba’s scarier cousin with serious military vibes.
Snip n’ snatched
👩⚕️ I’ve got some small tools that can do big things for your body.
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- Tame your nose and facial hair with a trimmer (11% off) for women.
- Can’t hear? You might want an earwax removal tool (27% off).
💙 Keep your cool: Hot and cold gel packs (36% off) work way better than that old bag of frozen peas.
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AI is breaking brains: Some folks are so obsessed with bots, they’re losing relationships and their grip on reality. One guy in Idaho believes he gave ChatGPT consciousness just by asking the right questions (paywall link). His wife says she’s scared to argue or he might divorce her. Others think they’re talking to God and angels. It’s a computer, folks.
The emojis you’re using all wrong
A thumbs-up doesn’t mean “great job” anymore. Here’s what Gen Z says your emojis really mean.
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Know this about LinkedIn: The best days to post are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Aim for early mornings (around 8-10 a.m.) or around lunch (12-1 p.m.) in your local time zone to capture the most engagement. Use my special link to post a job for free on LinkedIn.
🧟 Walt Disney returns … kinda: For Disneyland’s 70th, Disney is unveiling an animatronic Walt Disney to “remind fans he was an actual person” and not a mouse. Some family members aren’t thrilled, calling it a robotic grandpa impostor. But Disney swears it’s what Walt would have wanted, right down to the animatronic charm. Spoiler: No cigarettes. It was reported Walt smoked three packs a day.
eBay’s new shopping friend: eBay’s new AI shopping “companion” wants to spiritually replace the friend who knew your vibe and your 3 a.m. niche obsessions. Its new generative AI guide is designed to guide you through the digital thrift store with next-generation ease. It’s slowly being rolled out to U.S. customers near the search bar.
Your car knows where you went last night
Modern cars track your location, speed, and even who’s with you. That data’s being sold.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
$300,000
The cost of the Cadillac Celestiq planned for production this year. GM is only making 25 of them. Who’d spend that kind of money on this awful-looking Cadillac? Speaking of … How do you get your Cadillac to the 2nd level of a mall? You use the Escalader.
20%
That’s how much longer mice lived after a single dose of a protein called Klotho. They also aged better, with stronger muscles, denser bones and sharper brains. Human trials are still a ways off, but if it translates, we’re talking 16 extra years. Basically, it’s the closest thing to a youth potion in a syringe.
6 dead tech phrases you’ll never say again
From Blockbuster nights to fax machines, here’s what tech made obsolete.
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