‘I have a chip on my shoulder.’ Phoebe Gates wants her $185 million AI startup Phia to succeed with ‘no ties to my privilege or my last name’

Phoebe Gates, the youngest daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, is determined to build her AI startup Phia on her own merit, without leveraging her parents' names or connections. The company, which is an AI shopping assistant, has raised $35 million and is valued at $185 million. Gates emphasizes the importance of a strong team and has faced challenges related to her family's legacy, but remains focused on creating a unique and successful venture.

Your Mind Taps Into the ‘Flow of the Universe’—And It Shapes How You Interact With Reality, Scientists Claim

Scientists at the Polytechnic University in Turin are mapping how electromagnetic fields, water, and cell membranes may shape stable states linked to thought and self. They propose that our brain's interaction with these energy fields works like an antenna, allowing us to tap into the 'flow of the universe' and influence our consciousness and reality.

Why can’t the world’s greatest minds solve the mystery of consciousness? | Consciousness | The Guardian

This article explores the enduring debate between philosophers and scientists over the nature of consciousness, focusing on the 'Hard Problem' of why brain processes should feel like anything from the inside. Despite advancements in neuroscience and artificial intelligence, the question of what it feels like to be conscious remains unresolved, with some suggesting that even computers or the internet might one day become conscious. The article also touches on the upcoming play 'The Hard Problem' by Tom Stoppard, which delves into the question of consciousness from a young researcher's perspective.

Anonymous donor gives Osaka city (Japan) 21 kg of gold (worth $3.6 million) to fund water pipe renovations

Man on the Run for Over a Decade Arrested During Winter Olympics Trip

A 44-year-old Slovak man, who had been on the run for 16 years, was arrested in Italy while traveling to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics. He was apprehended at a guesthouse in Milan and is now serving his 11-month sentence at San Vittore Prison. His arrest occurred just before Slovakia's hockey team upset Finland, a game he missed due to his detainment.

Professor travels with an emotional support chicken: ‘She can understand my emotions’

A Canadian psychology professor, Sonia Kong, studies how pets support healthy development and has an emotional support chicken named Saturday to assist her with daily life. Kong claims the chicken can understand her emotions and even crafted a special diaper for it to travel with her. She is currently researching how pets impact the social and emotional development of teens through an international study.

The Samurai Who Became A Roman Citizen -- Nerdwriter1

This video explores the fascinating story of Hasekura Tsunenaga, a samurai who became a Roman citizen after a diplomatic mission to seventeenth-century Rome.

How far back in time can you understand English?

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Bo Burnham - Can't Handle This (Kanye Rant) - MAKE HAPPY

Crocoyaki

Peter Thiel and other tech billionaires are publicly shielding their children from the products that made them rich

Despite building screen-focused worlds, tech billionaires like Peter Thiel, Steve Jobs, and Steve Chen are shielding their children from the tech products they helped create. Thiel limits his children's screen time to 1.5 hours per week, while others like Bill Gates and Elon Musk have also implemented strict device usage rules for their kids. This trend is supported by scientific research linking short-form video use to poorer cognition and mental health issues. As governments consider banning social media for minors, these tech leaders' private practices contrast with their public stances.

The U.S. spent $30 billion to ditch textbooks for laptops and tablets: The result is the first generation less cognitively capable than their parents

The U.S. invested over $30 billion in laptops and tablets for schools, but neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath claims this has resulted in Gen Z being less cognitively capable than their parents, as evidenced by lower standardized test scores and increased screen time. Horvath argues that unrestricted access to technology has weakened learning capabilities, emphasizing the need for better alignment of educational tools with effective learning methods.

Weird news this week

The world is weird. We have the receipts.

Engineers vs Junkyard RC Car Death Match

This video showcases a thrilling RC car battle between engineers and junkyard cars, highlighting the excitement and learning from failure. CrunchLabs offers a variety of creative kits for different age groups, encouraging fun and innovation. The video also acknowledges the contributions of various musicians.

What if NYC subway, but better

Found a version of this map printed and gorilla-posted at one of the subway stations. Went digging and found this URL.

A mom wrote a book to help her kids process their dad’s death. Now she’s on trial for his killing

Utah mom Kouri Richins, who wrote a children's book about grief after her husband's death, is on trial for allegedly murdering him. Prosecutors claim she killed him for financial gain, while her defense argues she is innocent.

'Smiling' fossil discovered in the UK

"A tiny pebble seemed to be smiling at me", said the discoverer. "It looked like someone's fake teeth."

Kidnapping a Police Officer Doesn't End Well

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'Project Hail Mary' made us wonder how to survive a trip to interstellar space

This Science News article explores the challenges of interstellar travel as depicted in Andy Weir’s 'Project Hail Mary'. It discusses potential solutions such as medically induced comas, cryogenics, and hibernation, highlighting the risks and limitations of each method. The article also touches on the physiological effects of long-term inactivity and the need for further research on human adaptability to such extreme conditions.

Olympic Committee responds after Jutta Leerdam earned $1 million payday for ‘flashing underwear’

Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam has been cleared of ambush marketing by the Olympic Committee after revealing her Nike sports bra following her 1000 metre win. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated that unzipping the uniform after a race is a normal practice for speed skaters, and not a case of ambush marketing. Leerdam's sponsorship with Nike could have earned her a $1 million payday, but the IOC emphasized the importance of preserving the commercial value of the Olympic brand.

Cult Of The CryBullies | Why People Hate "The Left"

Is This Tech Giant The New Epstein? (They Know Everything About You)

This video explores the rise of Palantir and algorithmic surveillance, questioning who has replaced Epstein in controlling information and power. It discusses the implications of state surveillance on Bitcoin and self-custody, emphasizing the importance of sovereignty and privacy in the digital age.

Space Denier Thinks He Can Trigger Us With One Video

This video critiques publicly shared content under the principles of fair use. It does not intend to harm or defame any individual and is made for educational and discussion purposes.

Japanese toilet maker 'the most undervalued and overlooked AI memory beneficiary,' investors claim — shares up nearly 40% in first two months of 2026 | Tom's Hardware

Japan's Toto, known for its toilet technology, is gaining attention for its advanced ceramics business, which supplies components to the semiconductor industry. Activist investor Palliser Capital claims Toto is undervalued and overlooked as an AI memory beneficiary, citing its contribution to nearly 40% of operating income. The company's precision ceramic parts, used in semiconductor manufacturing, are in high demand due to the AI boom, leading to a nearly 40% increase in Toto's shares in 2026.

Climate change is making frogs 'sexier', scientists say

Things are heating up at the water’s edge – in more ways than one

Bodycam Released in Crash of UPS Airlines Flight 2976

Internet Scientist vs Basic Physics (This is Painful)

This video critiques publicly shared content under the principles of fair use. It does not intend to harm or defame any individual and is made for educational and discussion purposes.

The Five Geek Social Fallacies? Do Any Apply To You?

No Digg auto-summary, so you get Gemini. Read it anyway. This is over 20 years old. Does it hold up today? Michael Suileabhain-Wilson’s 2003 article, "Five Geek Social Fallacies," explores how certain well-intentioned social ideals in "geek" communities can inadvertently lead

Air Force maintenance staff go on knife-buying frenzy

“Everyone knew we didn’t need them.”