Mad Chat

Mike talks with artist, researcher and online harassment expert Caroline Sinders about blocking people online. What’s it for, and what kinds of feeling do we have when using it? Then, friend of the show Meghal Janardan speaks to children’s book author Laura Dower about her series “From the Files of Madison Finn”, an early exploration about what it was like being young, and online, at the turn of the millennium. Also: ssshhhhhh library asmr– Call us at 651 615 5007 to leave a voicemail Drop us a voice memo via airtable Or email us at theneverpost at gmail dot com See what interstitials we need submissions for –Intro Links Wired Establishes Itself as the Digital Thorn in Elon Musk’s Side, The Wrap  Introducing ChatGPT Gov, OpenAI As Trump Offers Buyout to Get Rid of as Many Government Workers as Possible, OpenAI Announces New Version of ChatGPT Designed to Do Government Work, Futurism Union lawsuit seeks to block ‘deferred resignation’ program, Federal News Network EU sets out guidance on banning harmful AI uses, TechXplore The Impact of Generative AI on Critical Thinking: Self-Reported Reductions in Cognitive Effort and Confidence Effects From a Survey of Knowledge Workers, Advait.com Google drops pledge not to use AI for weapons or surveillance, Washington Post Google scraps its diversity hiring goals as it complies with Trump’s new government contractor rules, APNews Vance gets the TikTok portfolio, Punchbowl –What If There Were Fewer Connections?Journalists’ Use of Social Media Disconnection Practices: ‘I Try Not to Block People, but…’