Follow up: Trevor Jacob and his [faked] plane crash
The original stunt: Trevor Jacob and his plane crash – Coldstreams Skeptic As of May 2023, Trevor Jacob admits it was a faked stunt for a promotional opportunity. He also…
Automation: “Digital dining” take out orders ending fast food dining rooms?
McDonald’s and other fast food and fast casual giants are betting on the “digital kitchen” — sleek, compact stores that harness automation and digitalization to have diners ordering through mobile…
Demographics: Oregon school enrollments in decline, schools want more money
Oregon has a fertility rate of 1.39 and a net out migration in recent years. No amount of school funding will magically create more kids.
Tech: Fascinating look at tech salaries across many companies
This analysis looks at tech company median pay scales – which vary widely. Really widely, in part, because some companies mostly employ workers abroad in lower cost countries like India…
Energy: Microsoft contracts with nuclear fusion company
To deliver fusion produced electricity starting in 2028: Microsoft signs nuclear fusion deal as part of sustainability push (axios.com)
Ham radio: “Artemis 2 astronauts flying to the moon could phone home with ham radio”
3 of the 4 astronauts are licensed for ham radio communications. Source: Artemis 2 astronauts flying to the moon could phone home with ham radio | Space
Education oops: “Review finds little evidence to support some claims of gender bias” in academic STEM positions
There are possibly other characteristics that show bias but they were not identified in this study, jointly co-authored by those who previously claimed bias and those who disagreed with that…
Government: High income earners fled high tax states during Covid restrictions
New York and California lost over $90 billion in income during Covid, according to new IRS data. It accelerated the trend of high-earners relocating to lower-tax states like Florida and…
Business of health care: 1/3d of United Health’s health insurance is managing Medicare and Medicaid clients
Medicare and Medicaid memberships make up a third of the company’s health insurance business. It added 655,000 Medicare Advantage members and 570,000 Medicaid members in the quarter. Source: UnitedHealth expects…
AI: Prof. Noah Giansiracusa on the media hype over AI
"AI" systems are doing amazing things but the limitations are still huge. Unfortunately, the hype has gotten ahead of the reality, says Prof. Noah Giansiracusa.