Chaos & Amazement #2438 Meta’s AR Glasses, Nouveau Nihilism, and the Dead Internet Theory
Get ready for this week's Chaos & Amazement —we're unpacking bold new tech, fresh cultural trends, and the ideas shaking up the internet as we know it! ⚡🌐👓
Tech News
Meta unveils Orion: AR glasses that pack advanced tech into regular frames. View 3D holograms, use AI assistance, and control with thoughts and gestures. Still in development, but could be Meta's answer to the iPhone - a new platform to change how we interact with the world. https://about.fb.com/news/2024/09/introducing-orion-our-first-true-augmented-reality-glasses/
OpenAI is reportedly restructuring to become a for-profit company, with CEO Sam Altman set to receive equity. This change may streamline operations, but the departure of key staff like CTO Mira Murati could pose challenges. The full impact on the AI leader is yet to be determined. https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/openai-remove-non-profit-control-give-sam-altman-equity-sources-say-2024-09-25/
Meanwhile, Sam Altman’s blog post, “The Intelligence Age,” went viral on X. He predicts AI will transform our lives, from personal AI teams to unimaginable prosperity. Some call it a premature victory lap, others see it as a breakthrough. https://ia.samaltman.com/
Nouveau Nihilism is driving the #YOLO economy: with an uncertain future, young people are living for today. IPSOS shows 2/3 globally embracing this mindset, spending despite inflation. https://warc.com/content/feed/nouveau-nihilism-the-trend-behind-the-yolo-economy/en-GB/9920
Fresh AI
Kling AI’s latest version showcases impressive capabilities in creating high-definition videos. Some notable examples:
From my blog
Is the Internet Dead or Dying? My thoughts on the Dead Internet Theory, which just won’t go away. https://bnox.be/2024/09/is-internet-dead-or-dying.html
Weird and Wonderful
I’ve been obsessed with stand-up comedian Josh Johnson lately. His YouTube channel is packed with hours of sharp, topical stand-up. His latest bit on the Harris-Trump debate is a must-watch. https://youtube.com/@joshjohnsoncomedy
In 'Pillow Fight' Fernando Livschitz, everyday city objects turn into soft pillows. Yellow taxis, a walkway, and even buildings get a puffy makeover. They bump into each other gently, creating a dreamlike urban scene with fluffy clouds.