alternative_right shares a report from 404 Media: Amazon is buying massive quantities of books, scanning them for AI training data, and destroying them in the process. A 404 Media investigation was able to reveal Amazon's book buying operation, which hasn't been previously reported, by placing a tracking device in a rare book we suspected would be acquired by an AI company for training data, and following it around the country to its final destination. That final destination was an Amazon warehouse in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Amazon employees who work at this location say all they do is receive massive shipments of printed books which they then cut the bindings off in order to scan the books more quickly. The printed book is destroyed in the process. The logo of the Amazon team that works at this warehouse, called VGT3, is a dinosaur, brandishing its teeth and with a book in its hands. "Amazon purchases books through commercial channels to help develop and improve the products and services our customers use," an Amazon spokesperson told 404 Media in a statement.
Amazon employees who work at this location say all they do is receive massive shipments of printed books which they then cut the bindings off in order to scan the books more quickly. The printed book is destroyed in the process. The logo of the Amazon team that works at this warehouse, called VGT3, is a dinosaur, brandishing its teeth and with a book in its hands. "Amazon purchases books through commercial channels to help develop and improve the products and services our customers use," an Amazon spokesperson told 404 Media in a statement.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei says the growing backlash against AI is less about executives sounding alarms and more about a broader "crisis of trust" in companies, governments, and the tech industry. TechCrunch reports: Amodei's comments came in response to investor Gavin Baker, who argued -- both on the All-In podcast and on X -- that Amodei's warnings about the dangers of AI have helped to fuel a backlash in the United States, particularly against data centers.
Claiming that Amodei has "lost the argument" when it comes to AI regulation (Anthropic has advocated for some regulations, including a California bill that imposes transparency requirements on large AI companies), and given that "he is about to be the CEO of one of the most important companies in the world," Baker wrote, "I respectfully think he should make an effort to be a more positive advocate for his own industry."
Baker is far from the only one arguing that AI skepticism and even government crackdowns are a natural response to the dire warnings of some AI executives. But in a series of posts, Amodei disagreed with the idea that his "messaging has been disproportionately negative." Instead, he said that his writing has been "about equally balanced between risks and benefits," and that he wrote his essay "Machines of Loving Grace" because he "didn't feel the AI industry was painting an inspiring enough picture of how the technology could radically transform the world for the better."
Nonetheless, Amodei acknowledged that "the public has a negative view of AI" and he agreed that "this is a big problem." Where he disagreed was with the idea that this negativity is "primarily caused" by Amodei "or any other AI leader warning about AI's risks." "I think it is fundamentally a crisis of trust," Amodei said. "I think that ordinary people don't trust companies, governments, or the tech industry and always suspect that we are cooking up some new way to screw them over."
Claiming that Amodei has "lost the argument" when it comes to AI regulation (Anthropic has advocated for some regulations, including a California bill that imposes transparency requirements on large AI companies), and given that "he is about to be the CEO of one of the most important companies in the world," Baker wrote, "I respectfully think he should make an effort to be a more positive advocate for his own industry."
Baker is far from the only one arguing that AI skepticism and even government crackdowns are a natural response to the dire warnings of some AI executives. But in a series of posts, Amodei disagreed with the idea that his "messaging has been disproportionately negative." Instead, he said that his writing has been "about equally balanced between risks and benefits," and that he wrote his essay "Machines of Loving Grace" because he "didn't feel the AI industry was painting an inspiring enough picture of how the technology could radically transform the world for the better."
Nonetheless, Amodei acknowledged that "the public has a negative view of AI" and he agreed that "this is a big problem." Where he disagreed was with the idea that this negativity is "primarily caused" by Amodei "or any other AI leader warning about AI's risks." "I think it is fundamentally a crisis of trust," Amodei said. "I think that ordinary people don't trust companies, governments, or the tech industry and always suspect that we are cooking up some new way to screw them over."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Register: If you want to record whatever you do on a computer, send those records to OpenAI, use more ChatGPT tokens, and increase your vulnerability to prompt injection, then OpenAI has something for you. It's called Computer History, an opt-in way to record your computer interactions across apps and websites as memories organized on a timeline.
Why would you want to do so? Maybe you found Chronicle, the predecessor of Computer History which compiled similar histories using screenshots, a bit too intrusive but don't mind Computer History's approach -- recording input events and storing them unencrypted locally for 48 hours (or more), with a brief visit to OpenAI's servers. Maybe you're not bothered by the warning OpenAI includes in its documentation: "Computer History files can contain sensitive information. They are not encrypted by Computer History, and other programs running as your macOS user may be able to access them."
Perhaps, having given OpenAI's Codex and GPT Work the run of your computer, you're already sold on the suggestion that storing your computer activity in memory files and arranging those interactions in a timeline will improve ChatGPT responses, surface opportunities for automation, and make it easier to resume prior work. Computer History is, to put it bluntly, a keylogging and event capture system. "Computer History creates an interaction-event stream from allowed apps and websites," OpenAI's documentation explains. "Events can include clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, app switches, and context that macOS exposes through its accessibility system. Computer History periodically turns these events into text summaries and local memory files." OpenAI says the feature doesn't capture screen images, microphone input, or system audio. It also doesn't record private-mode browsing.
"Turn it off during communications with other people unless you have their prior express consent," the company advises, perhaps in acknowledgement of legal risk. "Consider pausing it or excluding apps that contain sensitive health, financial, or personal information." ChatGPT and Codex delete locally stored Computer History interaction events after 48 hours, but data sent to OpenAI to generate memories may be retained locally longer and reused in future chats.
Why would you want to do so? Maybe you found Chronicle, the predecessor of Computer History which compiled similar histories using screenshots, a bit too intrusive but don't mind Computer History's approach -- recording input events and storing them unencrypted locally for 48 hours (or more), with a brief visit to OpenAI's servers. Maybe you're not bothered by the warning OpenAI includes in its documentation: "Computer History files can contain sensitive information. They are not encrypted by Computer History, and other programs running as your macOS user may be able to access them."
Perhaps, having given OpenAI's Codex and GPT Work the run of your computer, you're already sold on the suggestion that storing your computer activity in memory files and arranging those interactions in a timeline will improve ChatGPT responses, surface opportunities for automation, and make it easier to resume prior work. Computer History is, to put it bluntly, a keylogging and event capture system. "Computer History creates an interaction-event stream from allowed apps and websites," OpenAI's documentation explains. "Events can include clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, app switches, and context that macOS exposes through its accessibility system. Computer History periodically turns these events into text summaries and local memory files." OpenAI says the feature doesn't capture screen images, microphone input, or system audio. It also doesn't record private-mode browsing.
"Turn it off during communications with other people unless you have their prior express consent," the company advises, perhaps in acknowledgement of legal risk. "Consider pausing it or excluding apps that contain sensitive health, financial, or personal information." ChatGPT and Codex delete locally stored Computer History interaction events after 48 hours, but data sent to OpenAI to generate memories may be retained locally longer and reused in future chats.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Het metaal wolfraam is essentieel voor de defensie-industrie en andere sectoren. Het is in ruim een jaar negen keer zo duur geworden, waarschuwen onderzoekers.. „Dit kan misgaan, en Europa stelt zich te afwachtend op.”
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Uit straatboekenkastjes in heel Nederland haalt Arjen Fortuin steeds een boek, bespreekt het, en geeft het door. Deze week over een overlevende die vindt dat ze zich meer had moeten verzetten.
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Missed the start of the Formula 1 season? Is your F1 Fantasy team having a bad first half? This is your chance to join a fresh league built for the second half of the year.
After three long weekends without a Formula 1 race to look forward to, it’s time to get back to action following the summer shutdown. And there will be plenty of racing to look forward to between now and the end of the season as the second half kicks off with our final visit to Zandvoort.
Weer voor Rotterdam ☁️ - 17-08-2026 19:15 CEST
In één oogopslag:
• 19.2°C · Bewolkt ☁️ | Min 15.9°C / Max 20.9°C | Kans op neerslag 36%
Verwachting voor vandaag:
• Min 15.9°C, Max 20.9°C (Matige regen) 🌧️, Neerslag 14.7 mm, Kans op neerslag 36%, 🧭 1015.7 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 10.8 km/u (3.0 m/s), richting: ↘ 318°
Uurlijkse voorspelling voor de komende 12 uur:
• 20:00: 18.8°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 4%, 🧭 1015.8 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 9.0 km/u (2.5 m/s), richting: ↘ 314°
• 21:00: 18.6°C (Zonnig) ☀️, Kans op neerslag 3%, 🧭 1015.5 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 8.3 km/u (2.3 m/s), richting: ↘ 304°
• 22:00: 18.5°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 1%, 🧭 1015.6 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 6.1 km/u (1.7 m/s), richting: ↘ 328°
• 23:00: 18.5°C (Helder) 🌕, 🧭 1015.7 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 3.6 km/u (1.0 m/s), richting: ↘ 308°
• 00:00: 18.6°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, 🧭 1015.8 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 5.0 km/u (1.4 m/s), richting: → 255°
• 01:00: 18.8°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, 🧭 1015.5 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 7.2 km/u (2.0 m/s), richting: ↗ 203°
• 02:00: 18.6°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, 🧭 1015.0 hPa ↘️ -0.5 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 9.0 km/u (2.5 m/s), richting: ↑ 186°
• 03:00: 18.5°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 4%, 🧭 1014.2 hPa ↘️ -0.8 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 7.2 km/u (2.0 m/s), richting: ↗ 204°
• 04:00: 18.5°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 11%, 🧭 1013.5 hPa ↘️ -0.7 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 8.6 km/u (2.4 m/s), richting: ↑ 180°
• 05:00: 18.4°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 24%, 🧭 1012.8 hPa ↘️ -0.7 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 10.8 km/u (3.0 m/s), richting: ↑ 178°
• 06:00: 18.0°C (Matige motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 0.5 mm, Kans op neerslag 49%, 🧭 1011.9 hPa ↘️ -0.9 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 13.7 km/u (3.8 m/s), richting: ↑ 177°
• 07:00: 17.5°C (Lichte regen) 🌧️, Neerslag 1.7 mm, Kans op neerslag 79%, 🧭 1011.2 hPa ↘️ -0.7 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 15.5 km/u (4.3 m/s), richting: ↖ 155°
Voorspelling voor de komende dagen:
• dinsdag 18 augustus: Min 17.4°C, Max 20.4°C (Matige regen) 🌧️, Neerslag 7.2 mm, Kans op neerslag 65%, 🧭 1010.9 hPa ↘️ -4.8 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 20.2 km/u (5.6 m/s), richting: → 251°
• woensdag 19 augustus: Min 15.7°C, Max 22.3°C (Lichte buien) 🌧️, Neerslag 5.2 mm, Kans op neerslag 48%, 🧭 1006.1 hPa ↘️ -4.8 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 17.6 km/u (4.9 m/s), richting: → 260°
• donderdag 20 augustus: Min 15.3°C, Max 21.1°C (Matige motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 4.4 mm, Kans op neerslag 61%, 🧭 1005.7 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 17.4 km/u (4.8 m/s), richting: ↗ 223°
• vrijdag 21 augustus: Min 15.1°C, Max 20.3°C (Zware motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 5.5 mm, Kans op neerslag 38%, 🧭 1008.6 hPa ↗️ +2.9 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 12.6 km/u (3.5 m/s), richting: ↗ 227°
• zaterdag 22 augustus: Min 13.7°C, Max 18.5°C (Zware motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 7.7 mm, Kans op neerslag 38%, 🧭 1015.0 hPa ↗️ +6.4 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 13.4 km/u (3.7 m/s), richting: ↓ 7°
• zondag 23 augustus: Min 13.1°C, Max 18.6°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 26%, 🧭 1022.2 hPa ↗️ +7.2 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 7.8 km/u (2.2 m/s), richting: ↙ 29°
Details:
• 🌡️ Huidige temperatuur (om 19:15): 19.2°C (Bewolkt)
• 🤚 Gevoelstemperatuur: 19.0°C (-0.2°C)
• 💨 Windsnelheid: 10.4 km/u (2.9 m/s), richting: ↘ 320°
• 🌬️ Windstoten: 18.0 km/h (5.0 m/s)
• 💧 Luchtvochtigheid: 77%
• 🧭 Luchtdruk: 1015.8 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/3h
• 👁️ Zichtbaarheid: 16.3 km
• ☀️ UV-index: 0.8
• 🌅 Zonsopgang: 06:29 · 🌇 Zonsondergang: 21:02
Luchtkwaliteit:
• AQI: 31 🟢 (Goed)
• PM2.5: 3.9 μg/m³
• PM10: 5.9 μg/m³
Gegevens geleverd door Open-Meteo
#Rotterdam #Meteo #MeteoBot #MeteoNetherlands #OpenMeteo #FediMeteo
In één oogopslag:
• 19.2°C · Bewolkt ☁️ | Min 15.9°C / Max 20.9°C | Kans op neerslag 36%
Verwachting voor vandaag:
• Min 15.9°C, Max 20.9°C (Matige regen) 🌧️, Neerslag 14.7 mm, Kans op neerslag 36%, 🧭 1015.7 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 10.8 km/u (3.0 m/s), richting: ↘ 318°
Uurlijkse voorspelling voor de komende 12 uur:
• 20:00: 18.8°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 4%, 🧭 1015.8 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 9.0 km/u (2.5 m/s), richting: ↘ 314°
• 21:00: 18.6°C (Zonnig) ☀️, Kans op neerslag 3%, 🧭 1015.5 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 8.3 km/u (2.3 m/s), richting: ↘ 304°
• 22:00: 18.5°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 1%, 🧭 1015.6 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 6.1 km/u (1.7 m/s), richting: ↘ 328°
• 23:00: 18.5°C (Helder) 🌕, 🧭 1015.7 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 3.6 km/u (1.0 m/s), richting: ↘ 308°
• 00:00: 18.6°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, 🧭 1015.8 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 5.0 km/u (1.4 m/s), richting: → 255°
• 01:00: 18.8°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, 🧭 1015.5 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 7.2 km/u (2.0 m/s), richting: ↗ 203°
• 02:00: 18.6°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, 🧭 1015.0 hPa ↘️ -0.5 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 9.0 km/u (2.5 m/s), richting: ↑ 186°
• 03:00: 18.5°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 4%, 🧭 1014.2 hPa ↘️ -0.8 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 7.2 km/u (2.0 m/s), richting: ↗ 204°
• 04:00: 18.5°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 11%, 🧭 1013.5 hPa ↘️ -0.7 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 8.6 km/u (2.4 m/s), richting: ↑ 180°
• 05:00: 18.4°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 24%, 🧭 1012.8 hPa ↘️ -0.7 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 10.8 km/u (3.0 m/s), richting: ↑ 178°
• 06:00: 18.0°C (Matige motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 0.5 mm, Kans op neerslag 49%, 🧭 1011.9 hPa ↘️ -0.9 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 13.7 km/u (3.8 m/s), richting: ↑ 177°
• 07:00: 17.5°C (Lichte regen) 🌧️, Neerslag 1.7 mm, Kans op neerslag 79%, 🧭 1011.2 hPa ↘️ -0.7 hPa/1h, Windsnelheid: 15.5 km/u (4.3 m/s), richting: ↖ 155°
Voorspelling voor de komende dagen:
• dinsdag 18 augustus: Min 17.4°C, Max 20.4°C (Matige regen) 🌧️, Neerslag 7.2 mm, Kans op neerslag 65%, 🧭 1010.9 hPa ↘️ -4.8 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 20.2 km/u (5.6 m/s), richting: → 251°
• woensdag 19 augustus: Min 15.7°C, Max 22.3°C (Lichte buien) 🌧️, Neerslag 5.2 mm, Kans op neerslag 48%, 🧭 1006.1 hPa ↘️ -4.8 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 17.6 km/u (4.9 m/s), richting: → 260°
• donderdag 20 augustus: Min 15.3°C, Max 21.1°C (Matige motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 4.4 mm, Kans op neerslag 61%, 🧭 1005.7 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 17.4 km/u (4.8 m/s), richting: ↗ 223°
• vrijdag 21 augustus: Min 15.1°C, Max 20.3°C (Zware motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 5.5 mm, Kans op neerslag 38%, 🧭 1008.6 hPa ↗️ +2.9 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 12.6 km/u (3.5 m/s), richting: ↗ 227°
• zaterdag 22 augustus: Min 13.7°C, Max 18.5°C (Zware motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 7.7 mm, Kans op neerslag 38%, 🧭 1015.0 hPa ↗️ +6.4 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 13.4 km/u (3.7 m/s), richting: ↓ 7°
• zondag 23 augustus: Min 13.1°C, Max 18.6°C (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 26%, 🧭 1022.2 hPa ↗️ +7.2 hPa/24h, Windsnelheid: 7.8 km/u (2.2 m/s), richting: ↙ 29°
Details:
• 🌡️ Huidige temperatuur (om 19:15): 19.2°C (Bewolkt)
• 🤚 Gevoelstemperatuur: 19.0°C (-0.2°C)
• 💨 Windsnelheid: 10.4 km/u (2.9 m/s), richting: ↘ 320°
• 🌬️ Windstoten: 18.0 km/h (5.0 m/s)
• 💧 Luchtvochtigheid: 77%
• 🧭 Luchtdruk: 1015.8 hPa ➡️ 0.0 hPa/3h
• 👁️ Zichtbaarheid: 16.3 km
• ☀️ UV-index: 0.8
• 🌅 Zonsopgang: 06:29 · 🌇 Zonsondergang: 21:02
Luchtkwaliteit:
• AQI: 31 🟢 (Goed)
• PM2.5: 3.9 μg/m³
• PM10: 5.9 μg/m³
Gegevens geleverd door Open-Meteo
#Rotterdam #Meteo #MeteoBot #MeteoNetherlands #OpenMeteo #FediMeteo
From mysterious lights and malevolent mists to ghosts and spirits like the Diné’s skinwalkers, the desert has long spawned myths and tales of the supernatural. The American West, in particular, is characterized by its vast canyons, plateaus, and mountains, along with the rugged individualism of its inhabitants who make their lives in a landscape many would deem inhospitable. It’s also not difficult to imagine how the atmospheres of powerful monsoons, the unrelenting sun, or the light of a full moon may conjure the uncanny.
Wiley Wallace, who is based in Phoenix, harnesses the magic of the desert in glowing acrylic paintings featuring crystals, enigmatic energy forces, starlight, and specters. His current solo exhibition, Night Bloom at Arch Enemy Arts, features suitably gem-like works that are 16 inches wide at the largest and as small as six by six inches, exhibiting incredible detail.
In dusky desert scenes, figures convene around nebula-like swirls of light and giant prismatic crystals that appear to rise right in front of them. Wallace evokes wonder and contemplation more than fear or trepidation, as if these events have been sought or even summoned. They may also represent portals, perhaps to other spirit realms or phases of life, with their inherent enchantment in the unexplained and the sublime.
Night Bloom continues through August 30 in Philadelphia. See more on the artist’s Instagram.
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article In Jewel-Like Paintings, Wiley Wallace Conjures Enchantment in the Desert appeared first on Colossal.