☣️ OpenAI issues a bioweapon warning: This is frightening. OpenAI says its next-gen models might be dangerously helpful, like “here’s how to cook up a bioweapon” helpful. They’re beefing up safety tests as models approach high-risk territory, where even amateurs could make deadly agents. So yes, your AI intern might someday help someone go full Bond villain. We wanted cancer cures, not anthrax recipes.
Get paid to stand in line for someone else
ChatGPT
When I saw this, my first thought was, “That’s strange.” But I hate standing in lines. And what if you physically can’t do it but need to?
Then yesterday, I read a story in the WSJ (paywalled) about what a nightmare DMVs are right now with everyone scrambling to get a new ID. Starting May 7, you need a REAL ID to travel. The lines are wrapped around the buildings by people who need it. (I’m one of them!)
Roughly 70% of people won’t wait more than 15 minutes in line. And if you thought, “I don’t mind waiting,” keep reading. You can make money doing it.
⏰ Toe the line
Just like you can hire someone to put together a desk or walk your dog, you pay someone to stand in line. Simply open the app or website (like TaskRabbit or Spotblaze), and choose the “Line Sitter” or “Wait in Line” task.
Enter the time, place and any instructions. Browse workers, review their hourly rates, book and pay securely through the app (no awkward cash exchange, woo!).
It’s a great option if you have mobility issues. People also use line sitters for:
- Broadway rush tickets
- Product launches, sneaker drops and limited-edition merch
- Bin store restock days
- College admissions and registration
- Passport and DMV appointments
- Meet-and-greets, festivals and chances to meet a celeb
💵 OK, how much does it cost?
Pricing depends on your location, how long the line is and how popular the time slot is.
On TaskRabbit, most line sitters charge $25 to $35 an hour. Spotblaze has similar pricing, averaging around $30/hour.
Big cities (think NYC, LA, San Francisco) have higher rates, sometimes beyond $40/hour during peak events.
Almost 90%
That’s how much heart attacks have dropped since 1970, thanks to better meds and emergency care. The twist? With more people surviving, issues like heart failure and high blood pressure are becoming the silent killers. Add in obesity nearly tripling since the ’70s, and, well … hearts are still under serious pressure.
🔥 Fire stick buffering? Your device doesn’t actually turn off, it just goes to sleep. A quick restart might help performance issues. Go to Settings > My Fire TV (or Device & Software) and hit Restart. Or hold the Select and Play/Pause buttons on your remote for a few seconds to reboot it.
🛜 Who’s on your Wi-Fi? Angry IP Scanner is a free app that scans your network for IP addresses and tracks everything that’s connected to it. Perfect for spotting moochers, catching suspicious activity or just troubleshooting tech issues.
🫀 Teen heart hacker: A 14-year-old in Texas built an AI-powered heart screening app that can detect cardiac issues in seven seconds with just a smartphone mic. Yes, seriously. It’s 96% accurate and already in clinical trials. App detects heart failure? I wonder if it can hear mine breaking during tax season.
⚙️ Don’t reinstall Windows: Wiping everything can fix performance issues, but there’s a smarter way. Just reset without losing your personal stuff. Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC, then choose Keep my files. It’ll remove apps and settings but keep your docs and photos. PSA: Always back up first, just in case.
Pixel update gone wrong: If your Google Pixel is acting wonky, it’s not just you. The May update was supposed to be minor tweaks, but now people are reporting battery drain and overheating issues. It’s hitting everything from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 9. No fix yet, but I’ll keep you posted.
🛠️ Hood’s up, scam’s on: Scammers are showing up to buy your car and sabotaging it mid-sale. They’re pouring oil into the coolant to fake engine issues, then trying to lowball you into selling the vehicle cheap. Even if you don’t fall for it, you’re stuck with a mess and a repair bill.
274,000
The number of Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators recalled over brake issues. Apparently, Ford’s version of stopping power is just hoping real hard. The recall affects 2022–2024 models with front brake lines that might leak, reducing function. If your brake pedal suddenly feels like a soft pillow, maybe don’t test your luck.
Attention, parents with small kids: Researchers found that parents distracted by their phones around kids under 5 can cause long-term issues. Think poorer cognition and behavior problems. Why? This is when little ones are developing critical language and social skills, and being ignored can seriously mess with that.
Nearly $400,000
What someone paid at auction for a chilling letter from a Titanic survivor. The first-class passenger wrote it five days before the Titanic went down, saying, “It is a fine ship, but I shall await my journey’s end before I pass judgment on her.” The cruel twist? He still died a few months later from health issues made worse by the wreck.
🚗 Big GM recall: General Motors is recalling nearly 600,000 Chevy, Cadillac and GMC vehicles over major engine issues. If you’ve got a 2021-2024 model with a 6.2L V8 gas engine, you might be on the list. Owner letters go out June 9, but don’t wait. Head to your nearest dealer now for a free fix before something blows.
Over 6 hours
If you sit still for that long every day, you’re basically asking for neck pain. The main culprit is your phone (paywall link). Why? You hunch your neck and slouch your shoulders. Over time, that throws off the muscle balance in your neck and upper back, leading to major aches and musculoskeletal issues. So yeah, remember to move around.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Gmail power user with attachment issues? Type “has:attachment larger:10M” to instantly find and delete space-hogging emails.
🎶 This is the remix: Sick of the same old sounds on TikTok and Instagram Reels? Well, YouTube Shorts is rolling out a free AI “Music Assistant” to make custom instrumental tracks. Just type what you want, like “upbeat synth for travel vlog,” and it won’t trigger copyright issues. Right now, it’s only for creators in the YouTube Partner Program.
❤️ Heartfelt science: Scientists have unveiled a pacemaker smaller than a grain of rice that can be injected and powered by light. Tailored for newborns with heart issues, this tiny tech marvel dissolves when its mission is complete. Talk about a disappearing act.
Useless $2,000 soundbar: This is big. Turn off automatic updates now if you have Samsung’s flagship HW-Q990D Dolby Atmos soundbar. A recent update just bricked them all over the world — no sound output and unresponsive. The HW-Q800D and HW-S801D models have had similar issues. What a mess.
6 Google Pixels
Inspected the New York City subway system. They were placed on subway cars from September to January to check for things like broken rails and signals. Using AI, they collected 335 million vibration and sound readings and found 92% of issues human inspectors spotted later. Neat.
🚨 850K vehicles recalled! Tesla, Ford, Toyota, Maserati, Volkswagen and Rivian are dealing with crash risks, seat belt issues, rearview camera errors and more. If your car is affected, you should receive a notice by mail, but it’s worth calling your dealership to confirm. Own a Tesla? Use your VIN with the search tool to check.