A novel idea

November 29, 2024

📚 A novel idea: Spines plans to pump out 8,000 AI-published books next year. The startup promises authors can keep 100% of their royalties and pay between $1,200 to $5,000 for editing, design and distribution. As you can imagine, many writers worry AI is taking the heart, soul and creativity out of the whole process. This is bound to get interesting.

Tags: AI (artificial intelligence), books, creativity, design, Publisher

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Hiring or looking for a job? Upgrade your LinkedIn profile to stand out

When most people find themselves unemployed or are looking for a career change, they head to a job board. But have you heard of LinkedIn? It’s a social media platform with a twist.

LinkedIn also offers excellent options for those looking to hire employees who don’t want to wait for a sea of faceless applications to pour in. It provides prospective employees unique ways to stand out and gives companies a fresh way to look for new talent. Tap or click for smart things you should be doing with your LinkedIn profile.

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Antivirus isn't just for your computer - Here's why you should protect your smartphone, too

You probably know that antivirus software is essential for your computer. Without it, you’re browsing without protection, exposing yourself to ransomware, viruses, Trojans, spyware and countless other threats. But your computer isn’t the only gadget that needs antivirus protection.

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Trailer: 'Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey'

Netflix’s new docuseries revisits the infamous 1996 murder mystery. It includes interviews with JonBenét’s father and unpacks the embarrassingly bad investigation, media circus, and, of course, the ransom note.

100 miles

How far a Chinese ship dragged its anchor, cutting two Baltic Sea internet cables. Investigators suspect they cut the critical data cables on purpose, in part because it’d be nearly impossible not to notice dragging an anchor that far. The carrier left a Russian port a couple of weeks ago, packed with fertilizer. Both countries say, “Nope, not us.”

Audio AI Fugatto generates sound from text

🔊 Swiss Army knife for sound: That’s what Nvidia is calling Fugatto, its new AI audio generator. People are, of course, creating bizarre sounds from text prompts, like turning the sound of a train into a string orchestra. Its creators think it could spark new music genres like the electric guitar did. What do you think?

485 years old

Age of a bronze cannon discovered in Arizona. It might be the oldest firearm ever found in the U.S. Researchers think it belonged to Spanish conquistador Francisco Vázquez de Coronado but was never fired. The cannon is just 40 pounds and 42 inches long. Wonder if Francisco had a complex about that …

1,000-plus

Fake news sites tied to China that were just blocked by Google. The Glassbridge network was trying to pass off communist propaganda as “journalism.” One firm ran over 600 sites. The real question: Why did it take Google this long to spot and remove them?

56% fewer

Job postings out there for software developers. AI tools are taking the place of entry-level developers. The tech boot camps (paywall link) that used to help up to 90% of people get jobs are now helping only 50%. One analyst says it’s the worst hiring period for entry-level tech jobs in 25 years. Tell your kid to major in something else.

20 drivers stranded

When GPS directions led them to a snowy, unpaved road. Drivers were trying to avoid traffic on an Oregon interstate. It took hours for rescuers to clear a path. Always double-check your GPS directions. I changed my GPS so instead of hearing, “You have reached your destination,” it says, “Whoomp, there it is!”

3.5 days

Workweek of the future, predicted by JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s CEO. Jamie Dimon says up to 70% of employees’ tasks will be automated by AI, so there’s no need for long hours. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs predicts about 300 million jobs will evaporate thanks to AI. Embrace the future or you’ll be left in the past.