Social Media Surpasses TV as US News Source & Basic Science's Value

Social Media Overtakes TV for News

• 📈 For the first time, social media and video platforms have become the primary news source for Americans, with 54% accessing news through these channels, surpassing television (50%) and news websites/apps (48%).
• 📱 This shift is more pronounced among younger audiences who prefer video content on smartphones and creators over traditional publishers.
• 📰 Digital news subscriptions have plateaued, with only one in five Americans paying for online news, while news podcasts are gaining traction.
• 🌍 Globally, 33% use TikTok for news, often for breaking news and immediate insights, though official news sources also maintain TikTok accounts.
• ⚠️ The proliferation of news on social media raises concerns about reliability, as platforms present all information equally, making it harder for users to discern trustworthy sources.

The Importance of Basic Science

• 🔬 The value of basic science research, often perceived as frivolous, is highlighted through examples like the discovery of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) from sea fireflies, which earned a Nobel Prize and is crucial in biomedical research.
• 🧪 Research into seemingly odd topics, such as how long mammals take to pee, can have unexpected medical applications, like evaluating prostate cancer.
• 💡 The book "The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog" by Carly Anne York explores these instances, emphasizing that it's impossible to predict the future applications of scientific inquiry.
• 🧪 The core principle is that science for its own sake is worthwhile, as understanding phenomena can lead to future breakthroughs, even if immediate applications aren't apparent.

Tech Briefs and Industry Shifts

• 🤝 OpenAI is reportedly in tough negotiations with Microsoft over its conversion to a for-profit company, with potential accusations of anti-competitive practices.
• 🛡️ OpenAI has secured its first contract with the US Department of Defense, worth up to $200 million, to develop AI prototypes for national security.
• 📉 Intel plans to lay off 15-20% of its factory workforce, following significant job cuts in 2024.
• 🌐 Mongolian company EUN has developed a foundation model, a sovereign AI intended for use within Mongolia, notable as one of the few such models not from the US, China, or Europe.
• ⚖️ 23andMe has been fined 2.31 million pounds by UK regulators for failing to take adequate preventative measures during a 2023 data breach.
• 🚚 Honda has entered the cargo delivery market with its new Fastport E Quad, a compact, four-wheeled vehicle for urban deliveries.
• 📈 Patreon is increasing its platform fees for new creators to 10% starting August 5th, citing expanded services.
• 🎬 Netflix is opening its first permanent "Netflix House" locations in Philadelphia and Dallas, offering immersive experiences from popular franchises.
• 🔌 Spectrum internet subscribers in Southern California experienced significant outages due to vandals digging up fiber optic cables while searching for copper, with Spectrum offering a $25,000 reward for information.
• 🔄 Instagram is testing a new repost feature similar to X's retweet function, and Meta's Threads app is testing a feature to hide spoilers in text and images.

Advertising and User Experience

• ❓ Andrew from Montreal questions WhatsApp's promise of ads in the user's language, noting that major streamers often fail to deliver relevant ads based on user location and language preferences.
• 💡 The discussion touches on how IP addresses are used for ad targeting and the potential for platforms like WhatsApp to offer more personalized ad experiences.