other things
Here are a few stories this week I think you should take a closer look at:
Top Apple exec rails against app sideloading
Apple has generally opted to let its products speak for themselves when it comes to how its platform should be allowed to develop, but that strategy isn’t working as well as it used to. Amid unprecedented calls for regulation among world governments, Apple sent one of its top public-facing execs, head of software engineering Craig Federighi, to the Web Summit conference in Lisbon to air his grievances around a recent EU proposal that would force Apple to allow sideloading of apps onto iPhones.
This is a pretty defensive and unusual move for Apple. I don’t think people understand how much Apple is flirting with disaster here; they’ve enjoyed a couple decades of unparalleled positive PR, but as their ecosystem continues to restrict developers I think they’re starting to lose control of the narrative. Expect the development of crypto apps and platforms due to crypto payment restrictions to be a big cause of backlash from technologists that could also lead to a shifting tide.
10 publications produce bulk of climate change denial content on Facebook
Social media is a platform where network effects reign supreme so it’s not all that surprising that the bulk of disinformation around climate change denialism has been tied to a handful of publications. This week, a report emerged detailing that nearly 70% of climate change misinformation on Facebook was tied to 10 publications; the CCDH organization that produced the report previously released a study showcasing that 12 Facebook users were behind 73% of vaccine misinformation on the platform.
Facebook’s disinformation networks seem to be much more centralized than on platforms like Twitter, which exercise a lighter-handed algorithmic approach. Facebook’s algorithmic heft has its advantages, but the negative effects are growing crystal clear.
Sam Altman has his Elon Musk moment
Fusion energy has been a dream for decades, but an efficient implementation of it has remained firmly out of reach. This week, former YC chief Sam Altman’s announced his $375 million bet on the startup Helion, which is aiming to usher in a new era of clean energy. It’s a massive bet for the entrepreneur and one which my colleague Haje has plenty more details on in the article linked above.
“I’m delighted to be investing more in Helion, which is by far the most promising approach to fusion I’ve ever seen,” said Altman. “With a tiny fraction of the money spent on other fusion efforts, and the culture of a startup, this team has a clear path to net electricity. If Helion is successful, we can avert climate disaster and provide a much better quality of life for people.”
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