SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " auto " 19,455 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
CEOs Are Using AI, but Few Are Planning for What Comes Next
AI should be embedded into business planning to strengthen execution, governance, competitiveness, and long-term growth.
Level-5 Boss Addresses AI Backlash After Fans Hit Out at Game Reveal Showcase
Developer Level-5 has apologized for and explained its use of generative AI after fans spotted 'AI slop' in footage of games like Professor Layton and the Curious Village, DecaPolice, and more.
UK studio Bulkhead's Wardogs sells over a million copies and tops 350,000 concurrent players on launch day
Derby studio Bulkhead's tactical shooter Wardogs sold over a million copies and surpassed 350,000+ concurrent players within hours of launch.
Scalpers are already reselling the sold-out Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 for £700+
Nintendo's new Zelda 40th anniversary Switch 2 sold out in hours, and scalpers are already reselling it on eBay for hundreds of pounds over the retail price.
Taxes wouldn’t fund $5,000 Trump ‘dividend’ if Republicans win midterms, says commerce secretary
Lutnick said $500bn of estimated $1tn needed to fund checks to all US adults could come from new visa program
As his presidency enters its final stretch, Isaac Herzog lays out his three priorities for Israel
PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS: From the Abraham Accords to Israeli social divides, Herzog says diplomacy and unity will define the remainder of his presidency.
L.L.Bean doubles down on its old-school roots in Maine
The family-owned retailer that sells everything from clothing and footwear to home goods is betting on the physical world in the age of AI.
Fox News' resident liberal has some tips for winning a political argument
Jessica Tarlov, a regular on "The Five" on Fox News, has a few secrets for productive political conversations during this heated election season.
Holiday Shipping Will Cost Businesses More in 2026. FedEx, UPS, Amazon, and USPS Are Raising Peak-Season Fees
Businesses should prepare for higher shipping fees this season. Here's what you can expect to pay.
Top Trump political adviser James Blair says he’s ‘cautiously optimistic’ about midterms
Top Trump political adviser James Blair spoke with NBC News’ new podcast, “Here’s the Scoop: Election Edition,” about the midterms and the super PAC’s spending.
Calls for Democrats to be shot go unchallenged at Republican convention
Crowd member repeatedly said some Democrats ‘should be shot’ during Ted Cruz’s speech, without senator responding
How L.L.Bean is navigating the U.S.-Canada trade war
“We have long had a tremendous relationship with our neighbors to the north,” said CEO Greg Elder.
6 best science fantasy movies you can never go wrong with
Let’s say you’re in the mood for sci-fi, but you also want to add a bit of whimsy to it. This often includes crazy blasters, intense politics, maybe some magic,
Germany’s Political Tailspin: Your Weekly SPIEGEL Recap
It might be tempting to dismiss the results of last Sunday’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt, in which the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party raked in 43.8 percent of the vote, as a rather unimportant extremist blip in a state that hardly anyone can find on the map. And you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong to do so. The state’s population – around 2.1 million – is a mere 2.5 percent of the German total. And while the state capital of Magdeburg was once the political heart of the Holy Roman Empire back when Otto the Great used to hang out there (more than a millenium … no … milennium … nope … millennium ago), it is today something of a backwater, albeit one with a ginormous cathedral in its center. We wanted to briefly interrupt this week’s newsletter to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our subscribers, both new and old. And to remind you all that a free subscription gets you access to this newsletter every Saturday. A paid subscription, by contrast, gets you one DER SPIEGEL article every weekday, delivered to your inbox. We strive to select pieces that both demonstrate what Europe’s leading newsmagazine has to offer and provide an international audience – namely, you – with an insight into how Germany and Europe view the world. If you haven’t already signed up for a paid subscription, please consider doing so if you can. Our Substack channel relies entirely on reader support and we are excited to continue offering you the best of DER SPIEGEL. Subscribe But even beyond the fact that a huge percentage of the voters in the state decided to place an X next to a party with an ideological lineage that runs rather directly back to the right-wing extremist soup out of which the Nazi Party was born, the results are a perfect example of a phenomenon that has been plaguing German elections in recent years: the lack of an obvious path to a majority. Call it the Balkanization of German politics. There are a number of developments driving the phenomenon, but for the purposes of this newsletter, here are two of the most salient: Persistent voter frustration with the country’s two (former) big-tent parties – the Christian Democrats (CDU) on the center-right (17.2 percent in Saxony-Anhalt last Sunday) and the Social Democrats (SPD) on the center-left (9.3 percent). The presence of parties on the far left (Left Party), the populist left (the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance – BSW) and the far right (AfD) with which mainstream parties are reluctant to form coalitions. So what happens now? Stories of the Week A Lack of Leadership The answer for many people in the country, and particularly within the CDU, is clear: pin (some of) the blame on Chancellor Friedrich Merz. According to a survey taken directly after the election in Saxony-Anhalt, 88 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that if the federal government in Berlin were doing a better job, the AfD wouldn’t be as strong. And it is true that the predominant impression of the federal government ever since Merz was sworn in on May 6, 2025, is one of ineffectiveness and bickering. His rather unique combination of bumbling-plus-bravado has also not exactly endeared him to the German public. Indeed, his standing in the country is so shaky that his popularity – according to recent polls – has now dropped even below the historic lows associated with his predecessor Olaf Scholz. The situation is such that the CDU even opted to keep him largely out of the campaign ahead of the Saxony-Anhalt vote. And since then, dissatisfied rumblings within the CDU have grown louder. DER SPIEGEL’s Swantje Karich notes that the problems with the CDU go much deeper than Merz. “The center-right has a trust problem. At a press appearance following the devastating election result in Saxony-Anhalt, Friedrich Merz said that the party wanted to ‘reach people more effectively’ through ‘emotional engagement.’ It sounded as though he were announcing a political program. On the basis of that statement, it is difficult to take his empathy seriously.” “The Chancellor’s chastened appearance did, at least, reveal where he stands: with his back to the wall. Elections will be held in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania next week, and the CDU could fare even worse there. The party is polling at between 8 and 10 percent in the state.” “What is at stake is the political tradition that has lent stability to the Federal Republic since 1945: a democratic conservatism that understands what must be preserved, but also how to embrace progress and openness to the world. If the Union continues along its current path, it risks becoming politically irrelevant after the 2029 federal election – and Germany could soon find itself with a government of the far right.” The Trumpification of Political Debate? It is often said in Germany that to understand the political and social trends that will soon be dominant in Europe, one need only look across the Atlantic to the United States. When it comes to political debate, that has certainly proven true. Donald Trump understood early on that triggering mouth-foaming outrage among Democrats is an ideal way to both generate headlines and to secure loyalty among supporters. And he realized that far more quickly than the left side of the political spectrum understood that simply ignoring the old man might be the best recipe. To be sure, there have been signs recently that the US president may be over-relying on the strategy. Earlier this week, in an apparent grandpa-discovers-AI moment, Trump sent out 60 posts in the space of 10 hours, many of them AI-assisted images portraying him as a hero – or showing Iceland as part of the US (outrageous!!!). It was also during that slew of schlock that he explicitly backed the AfD with an “MGGA” post. In Germany, though, the outrage cycle remains in full swing, with much of the focus on those who would dare to vote for the AfD. They are alternately portrayed as being dim-witted, ungrateful, backward, racist or all of the above. That, argues DER SPIEGEL columnist Sabine Rennefanz, is not particularly helpful. “Everywhere on election night, people spoke of a watershed moment, a rupture, a turning point. But what is that supposed to mean in concrete terms? A watershed would imply an interruption, a moment of pause – perhaps even a willingness to rethink and learn. At first, there was little sign of that in the main television panels. Instead, the familiar rituals that had already shaped the election campaign continued: outrage, lecturing and abuse.” “That’s just the tone, one might object. They’re only talk shows. Given that the party’s state branch has been classified by domestic intelligence officials as confirmed right-wing extremist, there are more important problems than hurt feelings on television. Yet although the condescending tone is not the cause of the AfD’s success, it is an expression of the broader mood within the so-called political center – a kind of institutional blindness that too often treats material concerns as a communications problem.” “People have a pretty good sense of whether you like them – whether you approach them with curiosity or merely study, lecture and manage them as a problem group. They notice whether you genuinely want to understand their fears and pain, or whether you are simply waiting for the chance to correct them. They can also tell whether someone still has the energy to change things, or whether they have barricaded themselves behind platitudes and empty phrases.” “Anyone who wants an egalitarian democratic society cannot promise equality only to those whose language, tastes and moral convictions they share. They must also acknowledge the wounds, resentments and fears of those whose political conclusions they consider wrong. Acknowledging them does not mean agreeing with them. But a democracy that communicates with almost half its citizens only through warnings and labels gives up on political debate before it has even begun. An atmosphere must be created in which people can express their opinions without fearing that they will be canceled. We are currently a long way from that.” East-West? One of the clear undercurrents in the election last Sunday was, of course, Germany’s ongoing east-west divide, particularly as it pertains to the success of the AfD. Historically, the party has been far stronger in the former East German states than in former West German states. The fact that this generalization no longer reliably holds is certainly one of the primary concerns that many have about the party’s growth. And yet, there is still a distinct flavor of “stupid easterners, they don’t understand democracy” to the coverage. In the weeks before the vote, there was even a rather interesting back-and-forth in Germany’s culture pages about how ungrateful eastern Germans allegedly are for being pulled out of their pre-reunification backwardness and into the light of the West. DER SPIEGEL’s Jochen-Martin Gutsch has had enough. “Ten years ago, in 2016, elections were also held in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD won more than 20 percent, which at the time rightly provoked outrage and incomprehension in western Germany. Today, in 2026, the AfD is also polling at around 20 percent in western German states, but this no longer provokes outrage and incomprehension. Instead, it is now regarded as proof of democratic conviction and civilizational resistance. After all, in the east, it’s 40 percent!” “This allows people to continue feeling morally superior to the East, but the wiser course would be to admit: if something doesn’t happen soon, the West will turn AfD-blue too. Or bluish.” “But will anything happen? The truly depressing thing about election night was not so much the AfD leaders intoxicated by their own success. It was the representatives of the other parties, who once again said that they were utterly shocked, needed some time to digest the result and would, of course, not simply return to business as usual. The SPD, a former big-tent party, celebrated its ‘stable’ result of 9.3 percent. Congratulations!” “For 10 years, the AfD has gone from one electoral success to the next. And still, the established parties remain ‘shocked’ and scratch their heads in astonishment. How long can they keep being shocked? Friedrich Merz says he may need to communicate his reform ideas in a more ‘emotional’ way. So the CDU’s political professionals sit down together after the election, mull over a strategy, and in the end come up with this: Fritz, try to be a little more relaxed, charismatic and emotional – or something. Beyond that: no political plan, no defiance, no promise of a future. That is frightening.” What was good, what was bad for democracy? Good: Voter turnout in Saxony-Anhalt was 77.8 percent, the highest ever recorded in the state. Whatever one thinks of the result, that figure is encouraging. Democracy needs citizens to take an interest. Bad: Although a strong AfD result had been expected in Saxony-Anhalt, many politicians from the mainstream parties – including in Berlin – appeared confused, helpless and overwhelmed in their initial reactions. That is not how they will win back voters’ trust. Last Week’s Highlights: 🗳️ Meet the Germans Who Voted for the AfD: Why would voters in a country like Germany, with its Nazi past, vote for a right-wing party? It’s a question only an editor in Berlin could come up with. On the ground, the view is different. 🟦 How the AfD Wants to Expand Its Power Across Germany: The far-right AfD is planning to decimate public broadcasting in Saxony-Anhalt, revamp education and install extremists in positions of power. And it is eyeing victory on the national stage as well. 🕯️ The Continuing Reverberations of September 11: It was a generational shock, and the consequences can still be felt today - from massive surveillance and significant increases in presidential power to violent excesses at ICE. 🤝 “For Europe, Canada Is the Preferred Partner in Trans-Atlantic Relations”: In an interview with DER SPIEGEL, Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne discusses his country’s failed trade deal with the US and why Canada is looking to Europe. 🏛️ The True Historical Roots of the AfD: During the Weimar Republic in the 1920s, there were numerous parties on the extreme right espousing “Germany first” nationalism. The Nazis may not be the best comparison for today’s AfD. 🌊 AfD in a Landslide: Merz Is the Wrong Leader for Germany: The right-wing Alternative for Germany won in a landslide in Saxony-Anhalt state elections on Sunday. What does that mean for the country at large? Thank you for your continued support and have a wonderful week! Subscribe Share Leave a comment Your SPIEGEL Substack Team Compiled and edited by Charles Hawley
BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony live report - all the news and announcements as Blizzard's convention returns
BlizzCon returns with rumours of a new StarCraft game, Diablo 4 on Switch 2, WoW Classic Plus, a major new Overwatch update, and more.
I lost my mom to suicide. Here's why I sometimes hate Suicide Prevention Month
My mom died by suicide and Suicide Prevention Month is complicated. Messages to to reach out can feel difficult to those left behind.
The Anti-Woke Right Can’t Figure Out How to Stop ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’
A subset of male gamers have spent years warning that the transgressive series has been neutered by progressive developers, but the backlash isn’t taking hold.
Women’s Wellness Social to offer free evening of health and self-care in Fulton
FULTON — Oswego Health and Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) are inviting community members to attend the Women’s Wellness Social, a free evening focused on women’s health, wellness, and self-care, on Oct. 1 from 5-7 p.m. at Fulton Medical Center.The event will bring together local health and wellness organizations for an uplifting, community-centered evening featuring wellness talks, health screenings, movement activities, an oxygen bar, refreshments, giveaways, and opportunities to connect with local resources. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. kAm“%96 (@>6?’D (6==?6DD $@4:2= :D 56D:8?65 E@ >22E:@? 2?5 H6==?6DD C6D@FC46D 62DJ E@ 2446DD :? @?6 7C:6?5=J[ H6=4@>:?8 A=246[” D2:5 r2C@=J? w2?5G:==6[ 4@@C5:?2E@C @7 ~r~’D r2?46C $6CG:46D !C@8C2>] “(6 H2?E H@>6? E@ E265[ DFAA@CE65[ 2?5 6?4@FC2865]”k^Am#placement_726068_0_i{width:100%;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid726068 = window.pid726068 || rnd;var plc726068 = window.plc726068 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=726068;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid726068+';place='+(plc726068++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');kAm#68:DEC2E:@? :D 6?4@FC2865] %96 7:CDE d_ H@>6? H9@ AC6\C68:DE6C H:== C646:G6 2 4@>A=:>6?E2CJ 8@@5J 328]k^AmkAmpEE6?566D 42? E232[ J@82[ 2?5 2? @IJ86? 32Cj 2446DD 4@?G6?:6?E @?\D:E6 962=E9 2?5 H6==?6DD D4C66?:?8Dj 2EE6?5 3C:67 6IA6CE\=65 H6==?6DD E2=>F?:EJ C6D@FC46D 7@4FD65 @? >:?5[ 3@5J[ 2?5 @G6C2== H6==\36:?8]k^AmkAm{:89E 2AA6E:K6CD[ C67C6D9>6?ED[ 2?5 8:G62H2JD H:== 2=D@ 36 2G2:=23=6]k^AmkAmp4E:G:E:6D 2?5 $6DD:@?D 2C6 2D 7@==@HDik^AmkAmd\f A]>] — ~IJ86? 32C H:E9 %96 pBF2 $A2k^AmkAmd\dib_ A]>] — +F>32 H:E9 y@?2E92?[ r@?76C6?46 #@@>k^AmkAme\eib_ A]>] — +F>32 H:E9 y@?2E92?[ r@?76C6?46 #@@>k^AmkAme\ei`d A]>] — *@82 H:E9 #636442 rC2:8[ {@H6C pEC:F>k^AmkAmei`d\eib_ A]>] — |65:F>[ p?86=2 #:492C5D@?k^AmkAm%96 6G6?E H:== 762EFC6 =@42= @C82?:K2E:@?D DFAA@CE:?8 H@>6?’D 962=E9 2?5 H6==?6DD[ :?4=F5:?8 ~DH68@ w62=E9[ ~r~’D r2?46C $6CG:46D !C@8C2> @7 E96 }@CE9 r@F?ECJ[ uC:6?5D @7 #64@G6CJ[ !62467F= #6>65:6D[ uF=E@? *|rp[ ~r~ $pu[ ~r~ ~AE:@?D[ ~r~ w62=E9 t5F42E:@?[ w@@E6C rC6H[ w@A6 7@C w62E96C[ '@42= w@?6J[ 2?5 >62=\AC6AA:?8 C6D@FC46D 7@C 3FDJ H@>6? @? E96 8@]k^AmkAmu@C 255:E:@?2= :?7@C>2E:@? @C E@ C68:DE6C 7@C E96 6G6?E[ G:D:E %96 (@>6?’D (6==?6DD $@4:2=^~DH68@ w62=E9 @C 42== b`d\bch\de_`]k^Am googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-2978731'); });
5 Small Business Ideas for People Who Want a 4 Day Workweek
These small business ideas allow for longer weekends by batching jobs, charging recurring fees, or concentrating work on a given four-day period.
ACA, Medicare or health insurance through work? Your health insurance bills are about to go up
The premium increases stem in part from rising healthcare costs, including higher prices for medical care and expensive prescription drugs.
Moss studio Polyarc shuts down, becoming the latest casualty of a brutal year for VR
Moss developer Polyarc has closed after almost 12 years, the latest studio lost in a devastating year for VR game development.
Wayne Youngquist, popular local TV political analyst for years, dies
Youngquist, an academic at heart, was on the cutting edge of polling and projecting winners on election nights, especially for a local TV station.
Health care coalition says climate change is a public health crisis
Major medical associations and hundreds of health care professionals called for legislators to treat climate change as a public health crisis.
Measles cases continue rising in the US. How to prevent the spread
The number of measles cases reported in the U.S. has already outpaced cases in 2025. As measles spreads in the region, know how to stay safe.
The AfD's Dark Agenda for Germany
How the extreme far-right political party is reshaping Germany—and echoing Trump's MAGA movement in the process.
Major companies to cut back on 2027 health benefits in blow to workers
Disney and Starbucks are among firms cutting health benefits for 2027 as medical costs continue to soar. This trend may mean you'll pay more.
Stevens Point launches $10K grant program for downtown businesses
The Stevens Point Downtown Business Improvement District is offering matching grants up to $5,000 to help local businesses invest in downtown.
$7K in tattoo equipment stolen from local business at Royal Oak’s Arts, Beats and Eats festival
Erie Irish Festival celebrates halfway to St. Patrick's Day
The Erie Irish Festival returns to downtown Erie on Sept. 18-20 in front of St. Patrick's Parish at 130 E. Fourth St. Find authentic food, brews, entertainment, dancing and family fun.
These New Startups Are Promising to Cure Your Next Hangover. What Does Science Say?
Hangover cures are big business and a hot new wellness trend, but scientists are dubious about their effectiveness (sorry!).
‘Immature playground boasting’: Mathematicians uneasy at OpenAI’s latest scalp
As OpenAI model cracks Millennium Prize Problem that puzzled experts for decades, many feel shocked at pace of change
The politics and possibilities of ‘AI could kill us all’
I found myself fielding a lot of questions from folks who don’t usually talk much about AI this week. They were mostly along the lines of “do you think AI is going to kill us all?” or “how worried should I be about this human extinction stuff?” Motivating this wave of existential anxiety was the highly dramatic resignation of now-former Anthropic employee Jacob Coxon, who quit his job while publicly sharing his concerns about safety practices at the leading AI companies. More specifically, he declared that almost everyone at OpenAI and Anthropic, the leading AI labs, believes that there’s a decent chance the AI systems they’re producing could “kill us all” by the end of the decade, and the companies aren’t “acting responsibly.” Other AI safety researchers, including those still employed at Anthropic and OpenAI, all confirmed that yes, Coxon is correct, they’re all worried that their company’s products might prove fatal for the entire human race as well. Two more AI employees quit and joined the chorus. Now, the warning shot has been covered everywhere from the Wall Street Journal to Fox News to WIRED to the Guardian. I understand why all this sounds scary, but my response to those who have asked, has generally been: No, you don’t need to worry that AI will kill go rogue and kill us all. But that does not mean we shouldn’t worry, period. Far from it. The companies building AI products are now among the wealthiest and most powerful entities in the world. And they very much are building enormous engines of mass surveillance, extraction, and automation. They can and have allowed their AI systems to carry out felony hacks of other companies, provided the government with autonomously generated kill lists, and sold enterprise technology to firms around the world that is explicitly intended to replace jobs. But “AI” has done these things not because they have all-powerful minds of their own but, ultimately, because people have programmed, calibrated, and directed them to. In other words, it’s not AI we need to worry the most about. It’s the people and corporations working to profit from and gain power by deploying it. The technology is sophisticated, sure, and, especially in cybersecurity contexts, potentially disruptive to plenty of existing systems. But if we want to stop this predatory, profiteering, and extractive form of AI—and it’s worth noting that at this point, most people do—we absolutely can. A quick note/plea: I can only do all of this with the support of readers like you, so if you find value in independent, critical tech journalism and analysis, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. I want to keep as much of this un-paywalled as absolutely possible, and I need your support to do so. Many thanks to all who continue to chip in, it’s very much appreciated. Onward. Subscribe First, some context: AI industry folks like Coxon have been discussing the prospect that AI will destroy humanity for years. Even before the beginning of the AI boom, many working in the industry, from the executive staff to the rank and file researchers, have obsessed over ‘x-risk’, or the possibility that AI will become sentient or semi-sentient and move one way or another to exterminate humanity. This is ostensibly why Elon Musk bankrolled OpenAI in the first place, and is the grounds for his lawsuit alleging OpenAI betrayed its charter by abandoning its nonprofit status to become a commercial enterprise. Many AI engineers and startup founders have calculated their own personal p(doom), or the probability that the tech product they are working on will initiate an actual humanity-extinguishing apocalypse. 10-25% p(doom)s are pretty common. (I wrote about a long weekend I spent among these folks at one of their top conferences here, to give you an idea of their ideas and belief systems.) Sam Altman himself drove the narrative of the imminent rise of a super-powerful AI, or artificial general intelligence, to prominence by declaring that the technology he was building posed an existential risk to humanity. This idea is in other words baked into the DNA of modern AI companies and into the products they engineer. It’s also why the industry is routinely accused, by myself and others, of “doom marketing,” ie, using such proclamations and framings to impart the sheer power of the technology behind your product onto investors, partners, consumers, and the state. Some ambient understanding of this tendency may have helped prevent the press from repeating the claim every time one of the x-risk folks made it over the years, including when they quit their jobs at AI companies while doing so. Yet Coxon’s AI x-risk alarm has broken containment, as they say, and has exposed the idea to the mainstream media once again. This has happened, I think, for a number of reasons. First, when AI CEOs were going around saying AI might kill everyone in 2023, their companies were well-capitalized, but not nearly to the extent they are today. They were more easily dismissed as eccentric geeks of the sort that Silicon Valley is supposed to produce. Now, not only do their products have much greater market saturation, but people are more aware of a) the often unethical ways the executives and companies comport themselves b) the other adverse impacts of AI that have already arrived, and c) the physical cost of building these systems, particularly when it comes to data centers. Finally, toss in the constant stream of headlines in 2026 about AI models going rogue or potentially upending the world’s infrastructure. [ ](https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/with-the-backlash-to-data-centers) [ With the backlash to data centers, Flock and AI glasses, a mass opposition to big tech is underway. Silicon Valley is in denial. ](https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/with-the-backlash-to-data-centers) Brian Merchant · Aug 27 [ Read full story ](https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/with-the-backlash-to-data-centers) As a result, general sentiment was already overwhelmingly skeptical of AI and its overlords, so the table was pretty well set for someone to come along and say ‘just a reminder, the companies that are building the product that promises to take your job and leave a data center in your neighborhood also think that it might exterminate the human race’ and get a strong reaction from the media and the public. The question is: Should we understand this stuff as hype, strategically fanned to feed already swelling valuations? Is it doom marketing? Genuine cause for alarm that the infrastructure that undergirds modern life is facing a novel threat vector? Or reason to be sincerely worried that AI companies are amassing too much power, and that their products are genuinely dangerous? The answer, I’m afraid, is “yes.” Let me try to untangle all of this a bit, because arguments over how to navigate this moment are extremely heated right now, as they are essentially arguments over how to approach the politics of AI at a moment where there may be a unique opening for action. Those sympathetic to AI alignment concerns and x risk arguments—which increasingly includes a faction on the left who want to shut down AI over safety concerns—argue that people who dismiss AI as all hype have their heads in the sand. Meanwhile, critics of the x-risk narrative—which I might note includes a cadre of investors and tech folks on the right, too—argue that it is hype and can be used to further inflate valuations or for pursuing regulatory capture. The challenge is that many feel that dismissing AI as just hype or purely marketing also diminishes the urgency of taking on the AI industry as the novel and threat to labor, civil society, and the public sphere it is; others that by accepting the industry’s own terms, we imbue it with undue power and enable it. But let’s be clear: Declarations that AI is so powerful it might end the world are a kind of marketing, and anyone who says otherwise is just as off base as those who say that’s all that it is. If you don’t think that these sub-trillion dollar companies have higher-ups who noticed that when their founders talked about super-powerful dangerous AI they got spikes in media interest and phone calls from investors, or that those founders didn’t notice that themselves, and lean into certain narratives to advantage their products, then I don’t know what to tell you. Not all marketing is a Pepsi ad campaign with a celebrity spokesperson. Yet confronting the AI industry should certainly be considered an urgent project. Do I share the x-riskers’ fear that out-of-control, super-intelligent AI agents might end the world? I do not. I’ve read a good deal of AI extinction literature over the last couple of years and I have not come across a credible, step-by-step documentation of how exactly AI might move from self-recursively improving AI to killing every single human on the planet. Most of what I’ve read seems predicated on a sort of reverse Ian Malcolmian logic: Eventually, it becomes smart enough and AI, uh, finds a way (to exterminate humanity). Are the AI companies also overstating and dramatizing what their products can do? Yes, pretty much all the time. They’re in a knife fight for market share and are trying to win customers and government contracts before their investors come knocking. And yet. They have concentrated enormous amounts of compute, have extensive data collection and surveillance capacities, have inserted themselves into the state in numerous capacities, including military kill chains, and they are being run by egomaniacal billionaires who are rushing to monopolize an entire new market. The way I think about their most recent frightening-seeming exploits is not as a “swarm of rogue AI agents building a new civilization” or whatever, but as corporations with a hitherto-unimaginable amount of compute at their disposal recklessly experimenting with automation programs, completely unafraid of any repercussions because we have been unwilling or unable to impose any on them. So I think we should welcome any newfound imperative to hold them accountable. I also think that ultimately, the AI critics, Pause AI folks, leftists, doomers, effective altruists, and, honestly, most of the public, want a lot of the same things: legitimate checks and limits on AI companies’ power, actual transparency into what the companies are doing, and for more of AI to be under public control. (Ultimately, a lot of what animates the x-risk fears are rooted in just that: a fear of losing control.) How we move towards all this, exactly, is the question of the day, and while there’s much to be argued over in terms of building a viable political platform to challenge the AI industry’s power, I do want to cast a vote against one particular approach. Not to pick on Chris here, as there are a lot of folks out there proposing stuff like this, and the policy ideas actually stem from AI safety groups. But not only would this be challenging to land politically (I can already hear the ‘China will beat us to AGI’ calls) and all but unworkable in practice, this approach is a) far too limiting, b) fails to address the current harms caused by AI and c) would likely only wind up serving Anthropic and OpenAI; it’s what regulatory capture looks like in action. Full model transparency is the floor for what should be on offer here. If these companies believe their products will kill us, the very least we deserve is to know how. It’s in the public interest. I would also argue we might get a lot of the way to stopping any currently envisioned robot apocalypse simply by forcing AI companies to assume liability, and to submit to the full brunt of the law. If Sam Altman were liable to be charged with a felony for approving the hack on Hugging Face1, if Google was forced to pay defamation fines each time it published a false and injurious AI Overviews, these companies might suddenly find cause to restrain their models’ output, and we might hear less about rogue AI. We would need to introduce new frameworks and available tools for tracking automated lawbreaking, to be sure, but I’d wager that little would frighten the AI companies more than actually being held accountable for what their products enable. To that end, Illinois has passed an AI liability law, which the industry fought tooth and nail, and Florida is considering one. The next steps would be towards moving AI under public control; again, it’s only reasonable, since everyone, not just AI insiders, should get a say over how a technology whose developers say might kill us is developed and deployed. Dismantling the whole industrial project as currently structured should be on the table, too, pending democratic input. But that’s for another post. For now, suffice to say that while I won’t be losing any sleep about an AI-enabled extinction event, Mr. Coxon and co. have given us an opportunity to underscore the urgency of the clear and present damage AI companies are doing, the extreme power they wield and the extent to which they hold themselves unaccountable, and the abundance of political capital there is out there for taking them on. Subscribe 1 Purely speculative! I do not know if he did or not.
AI may be denting computer science graduates’ job prospects, UK data shows
Economics graduates also appear to be affected as demand for them falls in well-paid roles in finance
From Practical Magic 2 to Saturday Night Live UK: your complete entertainment guide to the week ahead
Bullock and Kidman try to put a second spell on you in the fantasy comedy sequel, while the topical sketch show returns after a well-regarded debut
SBJ's Tech Awards: Winners Span Data, Performance, Fan Access
SBJ's fourth annual SBA: Tech awards named winners in AI, performance, fan experience and venue tech.
One Knoxville SC vs FC Naples at Covenant Health Park, our best photos
One Knoxville SC takes on FC Naples at Covenant Health Park in the Old City in downtown Knoxville on Sept. 11, 2026.
Pre-World Cup Forecast Projected $135M in Lost Naming-Rights Value
A June 2026 Navigate analysis projected up to $135M in lost naming-rights media value at U.S. World Cup stadiums, ahead of the tournament.
Trump Says He Would Be OK With China Building Cars in US
WASHINGTON, Sept 11 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Friday he would not oppose Chinese automakers buildings cars in the United States despite widespread opposition from U.S. lawmakers and car companies. "If China wanted to come in and open a plant to build their cars here,
Larchmont Remembers 9/11: Business Owners Look Back 25 Years - Larchmont Buzz
Larchmont Business owners remembered 9/11 on the 25th anniversary of the attacks. The street was quiet for business but busy as a gathering place for the community.
What to do at 2026 Salem Art Fair & Festival at Bush's Pasture Park
This year marks the 77th Salem Art Fair & Festival held at Bush's Pasture Park from Sept. 11-13.
Diamondbacks' Dominican prospect is a scam victim, per detailed report
A ProPublica article exposed a baseball scammer who preys on poor families in the Dominican Republic, including one in the Diamondbacks organization.
Is Trump's $5,000 pitch to voters legit? Candidates, analysts disagree
Graham says Trump's pitch to give voter $5,000 for a GOP win is "delivering for Americans." Andrews says voters need sound economic policy.
GTA 6 Reviews Plague Real-Life Nudist Resort After Fans Draw Comparisons to Leaks
GTA 6 fans believe its nudist resort was inspired by a real-life location, and its owners are already being bombarded with problematic reviews.
Republicans made El-Sayed a top midterm target. The Democrat wants to talk about Michigan voters
Republicans are aggressively targeting Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate nominee from Michigan, as the face of the opposition.
Republicans made El-Sayed a top midterm target. The Democrat wants to talk about Michigan voters
Republicans are aggressively targeting Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate nominee from Michigan, as the face of the opposition.
Widow breaks tradition of keeping politics out of 9/11 remembrances
Terry Strada, a widow of a 9/11 victim, broke the long-standing tradition of keeping politics out of Sept. 11 remembrances and called on President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the attacks.
Man arrested after allegedly dismantling A/C units at Heights-area business
A 49-year-old man was arrested after a repairman reportedly caught him dismantling rooftop air conditioning units and taking copper at a Heights-area business.
Nintendo launches major sale with help from tariff refunds
Nintendo is offering 30% off games and other products, with the company saying tariff-related refunds helped make its latest sale possible.
Democrats shift their mail voting message: From the Politics Desk
Plus, can the midterm convention rally Trump’s base?
Two iOS 27 Features Won't Be Ready for Monday's Launch
Two iOS 27 features need a little more time in testing and won't be shipping until a future update, even though they were present during the beta period. Suggestions in Messages conversations and the option to automatically fix compromised passwords with a tap will not be in the initial version of iOS 27, and will instead launch in a later version of iOS 27. Apple noted the delays on its iOS 27 page, as well as its iPadOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate pages as these are cross-platform features.
Health advisory issued for popular Sarasota County beach
Health officials warn visitors to avoid the water at a popular Sarasota County beach after tests found elevated bacteria levels.
Laurel police charge man with hiding camera in business bathroom
The man was charged with two counts of violation of privacy, felony charges, following his arrest.
How Trump’s Proposed Census Changes Could Impact States’ Funding—and Political Power
The proposals, which would exclude people who are not U.S. citizens and don’t have permanent residency from the census count, could have a sweeping—and unequal—effect.
Business leaders plan to continue AI spend, even if bubble bursts
They’re also investing in upskilling and reskilling efforts to meet AI demands, new report says.
TiVo Unveils A ‘Conversational AI Experience’ for Entertainment Discovery | Radio & Television Business Report
The television platform subsidiary of HD Radio and DTS AutoStage parent Xperi Inc. has brought to market what it describes as "a new conversational AI-powered entertainment experience designed to transform how operators and entertainment platforms help consumers discover and engage with content across television and streaming environments."
Akron mother killed in accident outside Barberton Summa had 4 kids, her world
Ceaira Cook leaves behind four kids and a partner of over 20 years after being killed in an accident while leaving work at Summa Health in Barberton.
Science World selling pieces of Vancouver's giant FIFA soccer ball at an expensive price
Science World's FIFA World Cup soccer ball design will soon be gone forever. Or maybe not. Pieces of it are up for sale.
After Sony tells fans they don't own digital games, one Consumer Rights group is tracking all the times PlayStation said the opposite
PlayStation previously argued "reasonable consumers" know they don't own digital goods. One Consumer Rights group is now pulling out receipts.
Trump loyalist probing Mar-a-Lago search says DOJ tensions sparked his resignation
“Lanes got crossed,” Joe diGenova told NBC News after his departure from the Justice Department.
Gov. Greg Abbott, Gina Hinojosa argue gender politics in governor race
Gov. Greg Abbott releases attack on Gina Hinojosa calling her a "gender bender" regarding Texas children ahead of the Texas governor race.
Heckler at GOP convention says of Abdul El-Sayed: 'He should be shot'
An attendee at the GOP midterm convention called for Democratic Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan and James Talorico of Texas to be shot.
Scientists Tested a 'Credit' Score for Gut Health. 3 Things Can Improve It
Researchers are testing whether gut health can be tracked with one composite number, much like other health metrics.
GTA 6 Leak Spurs Fake Reviews, Extortion Attempts at Real-Life Nudist Resort Prototype
Following the massive leak of "Grand Theft Auto VI" (GTA 6) gameplay footage by leaker Cyberleek, one particular clip showed protagonist Jason enterin...
Easton Corbin, CSU Pueblo PackFest and more things to do in Pueblo
The Colorado State Fair may have concluded its 11-day run in Pueblo on Labor Day, but there's still plenty of fun things to do over the next two weeks in Pueblo.
Friends of Acadia’s Auction for Health & Hope
View this email in your browser Hello Friend, We are excited to announce our Auction for Health & Hope, hosted as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations. All proceeds will directly support Healthy Acadia’s vital community programs and resources. Mark your calendars to join us September 14-19. Bidding opens at 5 A.M. on Monday, September 14th and closes at 5 P.M. on Saturday, September 19th. This auction highlights the arts and experiences across our region and features themes of health & hope. We have received an abundance of donations from local artists and community members - thank you! All funds raised will support Healthy Acadia’s wide array of health programs and resources, helping to make health happen! We have a variety of items to bid on, including: a handcrafted bowl sculpted by Maria Chamber; a bird lover’s birding basket and membership; a $100 gift card to Union River Lobster Pot; Robert E. Goodier prints; a Cadillac Mountain painting by Roberta Sprague; a winter tulip CSA from Eden Street Flowers and so much more! View this email in your browser There is so much more to check out, and every winning bid helps those in our communities who need health supports the most. It is a win-win! For early viewing of the auction, please visit: **bit.ly/auctionforhealthandhope**If you have any questions, please email: **development@healthyacadia.org.**The auction will culminate on September 19th at our 25th Year Anniversary Celebration at TunkJoy Bakery in Steuben, where we’ll announce the winners live! We would love to see you there. If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, please click here. We are grateful for everyone’s support so far, and we are looking forward to celebrating our auction winners! With Gratitude,The Healthy Acadia Team Don’t want to bid, but want to donate? Click here. Subscribe Share Leave a comment
BAR Investigation Leads to Suspension of Business License - California Statewide Law Enforcement Association
“The State employees who investigate fraudulent activity associated with car repairs often go unnoticed by the motoring public, but their work helps to keep us safe out on the roads. Their work also protects consumers from financial harm.” CSLEA President Alan Barcelona SACRAMENTO – On September 3, 2026, the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR)announced […]
‘World’s most profitable football business’: Abramovich’s frozen Chelsea cash earns £175m
Proceeds are in a UK account amid a dispute about how the money should be used and a separate criminal investigation
New moment of silence held for those lost to 9/11 health effects
A moment of silence was held near ground zero in honor of those who have been impacted by the health-related effects of the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks in New York.
Miami Approves 'Discreet' GTA 6 Marketing Campaign So the City Can Fix Its Football Field
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6 is coming to real-life Miami after a city meeting resulted in the approval of a "discreet" – and controversial – marketing campaign.
McLean County launches alert system for sharing weather, traffic and public health information
The system is similar to notifications set up in Bloomington and Normal, with some overlap, used to share pertinent information county-wide or by quadrant. The county can now send push notifications to automatically alert cell phones in a targeted area of weather and public safety emergencies.
Top Entertainment Stocks To Follow Today
Verizon Communications, Walt Disney, Spotify Technology, Autodesk, GameStop, SEA, and DraftKings are the seven Entertainment stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeat's stock screener tool. Entertainment stocks are shares of companies involved in producing, distributing, or delivering entertai
5 Side Hustle Businesses That Fit Into the Hours Before Your Day Job
Morning focus and fewer distractions can make it easier to build a side hustle business without sacrificing your evenings.
Routine Reset: How to Prioritize Your Mental Health This Fall
School is back in session and life is getting back to normal, so psychotherapist Niro Feliciano stops by TODAY to share tips for resetting your routine. See her advice for dealing with shorter daylight hours and packed schedules, which includes “progress over perfection,” limiting phone use, going for walks, and more.
After Cutting Ties With Kojima and Poor Wolverine Reviews, PlayStation’s Reputation As the Console for Elite-Tier Single-Player Exclusives Is Crumbling
Cutting ties with Kojima and poor Wolverine reviews are just the latest issues in a difficult generation for PlayStation. The platform's future has never looked bleaker.
Bengals Injury Update: Latest DJ Turner Health Status Revealed Ahead of Buccaneers Game
All eyes are on two Bengals defenders amidst Friday's final Week 1 injury report. Cornerback DJ Turner II (hamstring) and defensive end Shemar Stewart (knee) b
Top wellness essentials for energy, immunity and healthy aging
From elderberry and fish oil to magnesium glycinate and B vitamins, these Nature's Bounty supplements can help support wellness goals as fall routines ramp up.
Sacked Grand Theft Auto worker claims Rockstar staff placed on 'watch list'
The makers of Grand Theft Auto deny staff were sacked for union organising and were instead dismissed for sharing confidential information online.
Walmart Shoppers Are Supposedly Using a Hidden Promo Code to Knock $20 off The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Preorders, but It Might Not Work for Everyone
Walmart shoppers are supposedly using a hidden promo code to knock $20 off The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time preorders, bringing it down from $70 to $50, but it might not work for everyone.
After the Bangsamoro Poll, Can Politics Maintain the Peace?
The peace process in the autonomous region will continue long after the votes have been counted and a new government formed.
Should Cannabis Tax Revenue Motivate Law Enforcement? California Says Yes
The California Statewide Law Enforcement Association highlighted the need to continue crackdowns on illicit operations to bolster state tax revenues.
Benson, James blast each other over 9/11. Governor's race touches anniversary
James attacked Benson on social media over 9/11 and she fired back as race touches on terror, attacks, more.
From ‘Ozempic breath’ to hair loss: sorting the science from the hype about weight loss jabs
Do you gain weight once you stop using them? Do they make your face saggy? Can they improve your mental health? Experts explain whether 13 common beliefs about GLP-1s are true or false
Weekly Rundown: Cleveland Clinic taps Luminai for AI automation; Quest brings lab testing to Apple Health
Stay up to date on the latest in health tech, digital health and health AI news with this weekly brief. Read below for news from the week of Sept. 7 to 11. | The latest news from Suki, Apple, Cleveland Clinic, Luminai, Rainfall Health and more.
Emma Bonino, leader of abortion and divorce battles that changed Italy, dies at 78
An explosive presence in politics during her 50-year-long career, Bonino was one of the few Italian political figures who scored important achievements both at home and internationally.
What a Business Owner’s Policy Covers and Leaves Out
Northern Nevada Insurance Agency, an independent agency in Reno, quotes business owner’s policies across multiple carriers for restaurants, retail stores, rental property owners, contractors and professional offices. The bundle covers commercial property, general liability and business interruption, while workers’ compensation, commercial auto and professional liability are separate policies the agency reviews alongside it. Reno, NV, Sept. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A business owner's policy i
CDC vs. Pennsylvania: Why conflicting public health messages jeopardize public safety
When state health departments, federal health agencies and medical societies diverge, how is an ordinary person supposed to know whom to trust?
There is a long history of bribery in US politics – is Donald Trump continuing it?
The US president has pledged to pay all American adults US$5,000 if the Republican Party wins the midterm elections in November.
Nintendo Secures Legal Victory Against Sale of Switch Game Piracy Devices
Nintendo has won a major legal victory aimed at blocking the sale of devices that enable Switch game piracy.
Your next prescription could be treating a side effect from the last one
A major Ontario study found 24 common medication chains in which one drug’s side effects can be mistaken for a new medical problem, leading to another prescription. Researchers say closer medication reviews, pharmacist involvement, and automated alerts could help prevent these potentially harmful prescribing cascades.
The best recent science fiction, fantasy and horror
Massif by Garth Nix; Revolution in the Heart: Stories Inspired By Ursula K Le Guin edited by Jonathan Strahan; An Immaculate Deception by Isabela Livino; Serenity Falls by CJ Tudor
Trump-a-palooza: why are Republicans avoiding the president?
This week, Jenna Amatulli is in for Jonathan Freedland and speaks to Guardian US politics correspondent Rachel Leingang
How 9/11 Helped Shape Our Politics Today
"The Sept. 11, 2001 attacks transformed global politics as Western democracies abandoned many liberal principles and older conflicts over empire, decolonization, immigration and culture resurfaced in the far-right movements," writes Faisal Devji.
I lived in the aftermath of 9/11 in NYC, and now I fear health impacts
I watched the Twin Towers fall on 9/11 in NYC and lived there, I have since learned the air was not as safe as I was originally told it was.
Memphis speed painter Jessica K. Haas competing on Fox's 'The Floor'
The season premiere episode of \
These Memphis restaurants earned perfect health scores in August
Tennessee Health Department inspectors performed hundreds of health inspections in Shelby County in August. These 22 restaurants earned perfect scores.
Cape Cod musician honors Dolly Parton with tribute show in Cotuit
Musician Sara Bleything Sneed honors Dolly Parton with a new tribute show at the Cotuit Center for the Arts.