casey's (not the gas station)

The write-up I did was on Instacart, a technology company first, but more specifically about this recent Tuesday, in which every dollar spent on Instacart they donated one serving of fruit to people in need. I think the initiative is great, and everyone should have access to healthy and nutritional foods. This article felt more like an ad or a “humble brag” more than anything else but I think it does what it needs to: highlight recent developments within the company for positive connections with the community.

Link: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/instacart-launches-third-annual-giving-tuesday-campaign-to-support-partnership-for-a-healthier-america-with-up-to-1-million-servings-of-fruits-and-vegetables-301996486.html

The Piouroinnes had a soft, flaky, wafer outside that melts in your mouth and a nice hazelnut filling that is very…comforting to eat. The wafers are like Pocky, long thin sticks where they’re designed to make you eat maybe a couple at once and it certainly makes me want to eat multiple. This is the same case with the moon pie, with a soft texture and taste that makes for the perfect sweet. Even the tangy sweet rope was in that same shape, I’m assuming it has some sort of psychological advantage for consumers.

My last conversation was a quick exchange between me and my roommate, Nick. It started on text until I crossed by him on the sidewalk on the way to class, and we finished the conversation face-to-face. It was about a project for psych, and he asked to see what I had done the previous semester for said class. I said I would look for it and that was that.

Welcome back to this week’s edition of “Worldside: The Radio Broadcast for Morningside.” Let’s get into today’s topics:

Humane, a San Francisco start-up, is set to unveil the Ai Pin, an artificially intelligent device aimed at combatting smartphone addiction. The founders, former Apple employees, envision a screen-less future, utilizing AI to enable voice and gesture controls for tasks like messaging, music, and translation. The device is priced at $699 with a $24 monthly subscription. However, the success of this ambitious project remains uncertain, with challenges including a new operating system, potential user reluctance, and technical glitches during demos. Freshman Eein McKinley offers his thoughts on the product: ”Depending on how people receive it, I can see it being a good replacement. But if not a bunch of people buy into it, I can easily see this falling to the wayside.”

On the opposite end of the tech world, Nepal has banned TikTok, citing the platform’s failure to control hate content. The move follows India’s ban on numerous Chinese apps in 2020 amid a Himalayan military standoff. While TikTok’s global user base exceeds a billion, Nepal’s ban signals a broader trend of governments restricting its use due to data privacy concerns and content issues. TikTok, facing increased scrutiny worldwide, has not responded to Nepal’s ban. Sophomore Parker Halder agrees with the ban, citing his own belief that: “It’s [TikTok] taking away from children’s learning.”

Shifting gears a bit, a recent study in the Royal Society Open Science journal uncovers interesting tactics employed by female frogs to avoid male advances during mating. The research by Carolin Dittrich at the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology in Vienna shows that these resourceful amphibians employ a range of strategies, including feigning death, rolling in water to shake off suitors, and mimicking male calls. “It was definitely something I could relate to,” says Senior Emily Chicoine.

Stuart Scott, a major figure in the world of sports broadcasting, took to the stage at the ESPY Awards to share his story about perseverance, support, and passion.

He first quoted the iconic Jim Valvano speech, “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.” Stuart’s speech added to that sentiment, saying: “When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live.” This phrase encapsulated the essence of his journey battling cancer, emphasizing the importance of living life to the fullest, fighting fiercely, and making each day count.

Stuart Scott also emphasized the vital role of a support system in life. He shared his experiences of hospital stays, surgeries, and moments when he felt too exhausted to continue the fight. He recognized the unwavering love and support of family, friends, and even Twitter followers who were essential in his battle against cancer. Stuart emphasized that the fight against cancer was not a solitary endeavor and encouraged others to lean on their loved ones when needed.

Stuart continued, expressing his unwavering love and dedication to his two daughters, Taelor and Sydni. “My littlest angel is here. My fourteen-year-old. Sydni, come up here and give dad a hug, because I need one.” His love for them was his greatest motivation and strength, a reminder that the battle against cancer was not just about survival but about living with purpose and embracing the support and love of those around you. As he concluded, he expressed gratitude to ESPN and the ESPYs, embraced by his daughter on stage.

This article discusses “Now and Then”, the Beatles’ latest release, labeled as their final song. It’s a reconstruction of a John Lennon demo from the 70s, reimagined by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in 2022. The song shows the main melody in a minor key, starting with a piano, guitar, and drums that gradually expands to include strings. It simplifies his original narrative, finishing more optimistically than the original. The track ends with a distinctive and syncopated string phrase, followed by a faint voice saying, “Good one!” While the production is interesting, the main concern is how fans will react to the song being a more digitized “final” release. “Now and Then” evokes nostalgia, serving as a reminder of the band’s lasting legacy, particularly for those who grew up with their music. However, it begs whether bands/musicians will soon be able to expand their legacy beyond their death with the help of technology and AI. It reminds me of that one Black Mirror episode with Miley Cyrus, and it is a little concerning, to be frank.

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/02/arts/music/beatles-now-and-then-last-song.html