in the clear: 2024-05-27

This is a running list of various media I've looked at each week. It's mostly for reference and to give an impression of the type of news that I'm exposed to. Bullets are written by me and numbers are summaries of the respective article from an LLM.

If you have any suggestions or know of other good news sources, please leave a comment in the guestbook or reach out to me directly. I can't spend all my time reading about current events, but I like to try and stay informed whenever possible.

NYT: The Push to Control Plastic Waste in New York: What to Know

1. New York is considering the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act to reduce single-use plastic waste by 50% over 12 years.
2. The law would require companies to find more sustainable packaging options or pay a fee, which would support municipal recycling and waste disposal costs.
3. It also proposes banning 19 of the most toxic chemicals used in plastic production, including formaldehyde and heavy metals.
4. Exemptions include products regulated by the FDA, such as medical equipment and packaging, prescription drug containers, infant formula, and medical foods.
5. Small businesses with an annual revenue of $5 million or less are also exempt from the law.
6. The law is supported by various organizations and city officials, but faces opposition from fossil fuel companies, chemical producers, and large manufacturers of food and drink packaging.

NYT: Street Wars: Have E-Bikes Made New York City a ‘Nightmare’?

1. E-bikes have become a contentious issue in New York City, with some residents praising their convenience and others criticizing their reckless use.
2. Delivery workers, considered essential during the pandemic, rely on e-bikes for quick deliveries, but face pressure to rush, potentially leading to dangerous situations.
3. The popularity of e-bikes has led to calls for regulation, including licensing and registration, to improve safety.
4. New York City is considering infrastructure improvements, like widening bike lanes, to accommodate the growing number of e-bike riders.
5. Research shows that food delivery workers, who often use e-bikes, face a high risk of injury and assault.
6. E-bikes are also seen as a viable car replacement for city dwellers, offering a fun and efficient way to travel.

NPR: ADHD diagnoses are rising. 1 in 9 U.S. kids have gotten one, new study finds

1. ADHD diagnoses in children have risen, with 1 in 9 U.S. kids affected, according to a new study from the CDC.
2. The increase may be due to the pandemic's impact on children's mental health and increased awareness of ADHD.
3. Girls are being diagnosed more frequently than in the past, with ADHD presenting differently in boys and girls.
4. Only about half of children diagnosed with ADHD were taking medication in 2022, compared to two-thirds in 2016.
5. Treatment for ADHD typically involves a two-pronged approach of medication and behavioral therapy.
6. Children with ADHD often have other diagnosed disorders, such as behavioral problems, anxiety, or developmental delays.

NYT: How to Become a Vegetarian (or Simply Eat More Plants)

1. The page provides guidance on becoming a vegetarian, emphasizing that it should be a nourishing and joyous experience.
2. It suggests starting by "vegifying" favorite meals with meat substitutes like mushrooms, tofu, or eggplant, and gradually incorporating more hearty vegetables, herbs, and leafy greens into meals.
3. It recommends shopping for complex carbohydrates like brown rice, quinoa, and pasta, as well as legumes, tofu, and various vegetables to create nutrient-rich meals.
4. The page highlights the importance of umami in vegetarian dishes, suggesting sources like mushrooms, nuts, tomatoes, and various seasoned oils.
5. It provides a simple formula for easy dinners: a vegetable or two, a base starch, an optional green, a sauce, and some extras like tofu or herbs.
6. The page also mentions the need to ensure adequate intake of certain nutrients, particularly protein and vitamin B12, when following a vegetarian diet. It suggests consulting with a nutritionist or healthcare provider for personalized advice.

The Washington Post: What does it take to buy a house? Increasingly, Mom and Dad.

1. More first-time homebuyers are relying on their parents to co-sign loans and contribute to down payments due to overpriced and undersupplied markets.
2. The share of young home buyers with a co-borrower aged 55 or older has more than doubled since 1994, reaching a 30-year high.
3. The trend of younger home buyers seeking parental help is due to growing disparities between younger and older generations, and rising mortgage rates.
4. Parents are also increasingly helping with down payments, with 12% of home buyers receiving such help in 2023.
5. This trend is more pronounced among first-time home buyers aged 25 to 33, with nearly 1 in 4 receiving familial help.
6. The housing market has slowed due to rising interest rates and high home prices, making it difficult for first-time home buyers to qualify for mortgages.

NYT: What Gen Z Gets Wrong About Sunscreen

1. Misinformation about sun safety and skin cancer is prevalent among young adults, with many believing sunburns and tanning cause no harm.
2. Young adults may not recognize signs of sun damage, such as tan skin and freckles.
3. Social media can spread misinformation, with influencers and celebrities falsely claiming sunscreen causes cancer or interferes with vitamin D absorption.
4. Proper sun protection includes seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
5. Skin checks during annual checkups and monitoring for unusual moles are essential for early skin cancer detection.
6. Consistent sun protection in youth can prevent skin cancer and reduce signs of sun damage in later life.

NYT: NYU Nurse Is Fired After Calling the Gaza War a ‘Genocide’ in Speech

1. A nurse, Hesen Jabr, was fired from NYU Langone Health after calling the Gaza war a "genocide" in an acceptance speech.
2. Jabr was given an award for her work in providing compassionate care to mothers who had lost babies.
3. This is not the first time medical professionals have been fired at NYU Langone for commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
4. NYU Langone has previously been involved in a lawsuit with a cancer researcher who posted anti-Hamas political cartoons.
5. Jabr was reportedly warned in December about bringing her views on this issue into the workplace.
6. The nurse's activism dates back to her childhood, and she has been questioned about her social media postings regarding Israel and the war in Gaza.

Lawfare: What We Don’t Know About AI and What It Means for Policy

1. The cost of creating future AI systems is uncertain, with estimates ranging from billions to potentially tens of billions of dollars for the most advanced models.
2. There's a debate in the industry about the accessibility of AI development, with some believing it will be limited to a few highly resourced organizations, and others predicting a more widespread availability due to low-cost development.
3. The trajectory of AI development is also unclear, with the potential for significant advancements in computing power and data usage leading to more capable models.
4. The historical trend shows that more compute and data lead to better capabilities, but the specifics of future advancements are unpredictable.
5. The uncertainty around cost and trajectory presents challenges for policymakers, who must consider these factors when crafting flexible and iterative regulations.
6. Despite the uncertainties, policymakers should not delay making effective policies, but should instead focus on already realized harms and benefits.

The Verge: PayPal is building an ad network based on your Venmo data

1. PayPal is developing an ad network using customer data from PayPal and Venmo, including purchase information and shopping patterns.
2. Mark Grether, former Uber Advertising executive, will lead PayPal's advertising business.
3. PayPal will collect data by default but will offer an opt-out option for customers.
4. The new platform aims to help merchants sell products and services more effectively and surface relevant products to customers.
5. PayPal's ad platform is still in the early stages of development, with details about the data to be collected yet to be finalized.
6. Other companies like Facebook, JPMorgan Chase, and Visa are also using transaction information for targeted advertising.

NYT: Is Shrimp Good for You? It’s Complicated.

1. Shrimp is high in protein, calcium, and vitamin B12, and is low in saturated fat, making it heart-healthy. However, it's not particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids, iron, or iodine.
2. Shrimp is often imported, with most coming from Asia and Latin America, and is usually farmed in coastal ponds that can destroy crucial coastal habitats and pollute the coasts with runoff.
3. Wild-caught shrimp can have a significant ecological cost due to bycatch, with up to 90% of what's caught in a shrimp net not being shrimp.
4. Some shrimp, particularly farmed shrimp, can contain preservatives and antibiotics, which sensitive individuals may want to avoid.
5. Buying sustainable shrimp involves knowing its origin and production method; the most sustainable options are usually farmed shrimp from the United States and Canada, or wild-caught shrimp from certain regions.
6. To promote sustainable seafood practices, consumers are encouraged to ask about the origin and production methods of the shrimp they purchase.

EFF: The Alaska Supreme Court Takes Aerial Surveillance’s Threat to Privacy Seriously, Other Courts Should Too

1. The Alaska Supreme Court ruled that law enforcement needs a warrant to photograph private property from aircraft due to privacy rights.
2. The court distinguished the availability of surveillance technology from the reasonableness of privacy expectations.
3. The court highlighted the potential impact of drones on privacy rights in the future.
4. Alaska joins California, Hawaii, and Vermont in finding that warrantless aerial surveillance violates their state's constitution.
5. The decision contrasts with earlier US Supreme Court cases that allowed warrantless aerial surveillance from low-flying manned aircrafts.
6. Other courts are encouraged to consider the impact of technology advancements on privacy rights.

WSJ: You Can Thank Private Equity for That Enormous Doctor’s Bill

1. Private equity firms have invested heavily in healthcare, leading to increased prices and reduced competition in some cases.
2. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken legal action against private equity-owned practices, such as U.S. Anesthesia Partners (USAP), for alleged anti-competitive practices.
3. Over the past decade, hundreds of billions of dollars have been spent by private equity acquiring healthcare businesses, often resulting in price increases.
4. Many doctors now work for hospitals or corporate entities, rather than small, private practices.
5. The private equity model can potentially put essential healthcare businesses at risk, as seen in the case of Steward Health Care System.
6. Regulatory scrutiny of private equity in healthcare is increasing, with state and federal lawmakers and agencies looking into the effects of these investments.

NPR: In a first, OpenAI removes influence operations tied to Russia, China and Israel

1. OpenAI has removed influence operations linked to Russia, China, and Iran, as they were using AI tools like ChatGPT to manipulate the public.
2. These operations, while using advanced technology, have not gained significant traction with real people or reached large audiences.
3. The boom in generative AI raises risks for fraud, scams, and manipulation, particularly in the context of elections.
4. OpenAI has banned accounts linked to five covert influence operations, including Doppelganger (linked to the Kremlin) and Spamouflage (linked to Chinese law enforcement).
5. These operations used AI to generate comments in multiple languages, translate articles, analyze social media posts, and research news and current events.
6. Despite AI's benefits, it doesn't help threat actors overcome the main challenge of making their content seem credible and getting it in front of people effectively.

Lawfare: TikTok Manipulation Report Is Too Little Too Late

1. TikTok released a report on covert influence operations on its platform, detecting 15 campaigns originating from various countries, including a Chinese campaign targeting a U.S. audience with positive narratives.
2. The report emphasizes the potential risk of the Chinese government influencing TikTok's algorithm, rather than specific operations manipulating the platform.
3. In the U.S., there is debate on the need for a U.S. Cyber Force and the authority of U.S. Cyber Command to operate domestically during serious cybersecurity incidents.
4. Scattered Spider, a group of about 1,000 cybercriminals, is known for disruptive attacks on casinos and utilizing novel techniques to bypass cybersecurity measures.
5. Coalition, an insurance company, published a report on claims data, revealing that businesses with internet-exposed devices are more likely to experience a claim.
6. Courts in three countries have ruled that incident response and forensic reports are not protected documents and must be made available in other court cases or to authorities on request.

Search Engine Land: Google to honor new privacy laws and user opt-outs

1. Google is updating its practices to comply with new state privacy laws in Florida, Texas, Oregon, Montana, and Colorado.
2. The update includes implementing Restricted Data Processing (RDP) to show non-personalized ads in line with the new laws.
3. Google will honor user opt-outs via Global Privacy Controls signals, respecting user choices on data usage.
4. This change aims to help advertisers comply with tightening data privacy rules.
5. However, these changes may affect ad targeting efficiency and personalization capabilities due to increased user opt-outs.
6. Google is taking these steps to assist partners in adhering to stricter data privacy regulations.

CNN: FCC ends affordable internet program due to lack of funds

1. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which helped low-income Americans access the internet, is ending due to lack of funding approved by Congress.
2. The program, popular among tens of millions of households, provided a monthly credit of up to $30 ($75 for tribal lands) towards internet bills.
3. The ACP was a joint effort by both political parties, serving seniors, veterans, and rural and urban Americans.
4. Partial benefits were given in May, ahead of the ACP's expiration on June 1.
5. Internet providers like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon have committed to offer or continue low-cost internet plans for qualifying ACP households.
6. The ACP was initially funded with $14 billion, and Biden has requested $6 billion to continue the program.

ACLU: Police Want to Treat Your Data Privacy Like Garbage. The Courts Shouldn't Let Them.

1. The article discusses the case of United States v. Hunt, where the government claims it doesn't need a warrant to search a phone they find abandoned.

2. The argument is based on an exception to the Fourth Amendment's warrant requirement for abandoned property, but the article argues that digital devices contain much more sensitive information than the physical items considered in previous cases.

3. The article argues that the Supreme Court has cautioned against extending pre-digital doctrines to modern technologies, as they can reveal vast amounts of personal information.

4. The ACLU and coalition partners urge the Ninth Circuit to hold that even if the physical device is considered abandoned, the data on a cell phone remains subject to full constitutional protection.

WSJ: The Fed Might Soon Have to Worry About More Than Just Inflation

1. The US economy is losing momentum, with growth slowing down and personal income and consumption rising less than expected.
2. Inflation is impacting consumers, causing their savings cushion to erode, as seen in the lower savings rate of 3.6% in April.
3. The Chicago Business Barometer fell to its lowest level since May 2020, indicating a slowdown in economic activity.
4. There was a downward revision in first-quarter GDP growth to 1.3%, and economists expect only 1.2% growth in the second quarter.
5. The labor market is a lagging indicator, and while there was some slowing in April, it may not show up more strongly in the monthly payroll numbers until later.
6. The Fed might soon face pressure to lower rates as signs of a slowdown become harder to ignore, but this may not be reflected in the payroll numbers immediately.

NYT: Should You Delay Your Morning Caffeine?

1. Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, making you feel more alert. However, it takes 20-30 minutes to be absorbed and its effects can vary based on individual genetics.
2. Adenosine levels are at their lowest immediately after waking, making a morning coffee less effective. Delaying caffeine intake might provide a stronger boost later in the day.
3. The optimal timing for caffeine consumption depends on personal preference, as there's no one-size-fits-all solution.
4. Delaying caffeine can be beneficial if you want to have caffeine only once per day, extending its effects into the early afternoon.
5. There's little evidence to suggest that having caffeine first thing in the morning disrupts your body's normal waking process.
6. Caffeine can enhance mental sharpness and physical performance, and can be especially beneficial for people in high-pressure jobs who need to be alert early in the morning.