“For decades, robots.txt governed the behavior of web crawlers. But as unscrupulous AI companies seek out more and more data, the basic social contract of the web is falling apart.”
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Posted inEditor's Pick
Walmart Wants to Be Something for Everyone in a Divided America
“The world’s largest retailer has built an Apple-esque corporate campus in Bentonville, is selling Gucci online, and is playing nice with Trump. Will any of it work?”
Posted inEditor's Pick
Fear and Hope in Springfield, Ohio
“After Donald Trump repeated rumors that immigrants here are eating cats and dogs, I came to town for the weekend. Proud Boys greeted me.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
The DIY Duo Behind the Amazon Labor Union’s Guerrilla Bid to Make History
A behind-the-scenes look at the lead-up to the historic vote in Staten Island, establishing the first union for Amazon workers: When he first emerged as a leader of the 2020 COVID safety protests, Amazon management attempted to use his street-casual demeanor as a way to discredit him. In a leaked memo of a meeting, Amazon executives, […]
Posted inEditor's Pick
The Collapse of Self-Worth in the Digital Age
“Why are we letting algorithms rewrite the rules of art, work, and life?”
Posted inEditor's Pick
This Is What Happens to All the Stuff You Don’t Want
“And deep within that system, in a processing facility in the Lehigh Valley, a guy named Michael has to sniff the sweatpants.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
This Ocean Wave Has Rights Â
“The true meaning of legal protection for nature.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
Shoot, Don’t Kill
“Weapons-maker Byrna is touting ‘less lethal’ guns for self-defense. Can the company find a market in a country dominated by gun lovers and gun haters?”
Posted inEditor's Pick
We Need To Rewild The InternetÂ
“The internet has become an extractive and fragile monoculture. But we can revitalize it using lessons learned by ecologists.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
Escape From the Box
“New technology and old tactics have made buying a car a death march of deception. Jase Patrick, who spent 15 years in the business, reveals the dealer secrets.”
