What I’m Reading - 8/20/23
Discover more from Anchor Change with Katie Harbath
What I’m Reading - 8/20/23
TV viewing drops below 50 percent for the first time, Biden administration provides comments on Texas and Florida cases, and Trump likely to skip the debate to do an interview with Tucker Carlson
I’m back on the Eastern Shore this weekend, where the weather is just perfect to sit outside and read all day. As you can see from this long list of links below, I have lots of reading to do. My book pile has also gotten out of control - something I must get a handle on before the deluge of new books this Fall.
This past week was full of all sorts of news that piqued my interest. First is the news that television viewing dropped below fifty percent for the first time. That alone is interesting, but then when you compare it to where political campaigns are spending money (broadcast and cable), there’s a disconnect that I’m interested to see play out. I was going to write more on this but
beat me to it in his recent newsletter about how these media moves will impact 2024. I highly recommend you check it out.Also worth noting how streaming has hit record highs, and it’s not because of new shows but acquired titles. Suits, for example, has been killing it for Netflix. That said, as Ben Thompson points out in a recent piece about Disney’s Taylor Swift Era, in-person experiences will still be important.
Don’t forget about the impact of audio too. A recent analysis increased how much political advertising was spent on radio in 2022.
Before we get to the links, I also want to share a few other things of note. First, some fellowship and job opportunities that crossed my radar this week:
TechCongress - Applications to be a January 2024 fellow are now open and due August 22.
Atlantic Council Digital Sherlocks - Applications for the Fall 2023 cohort are now open and due September 5
Tech Policy Press: Tech Policy Press is Launching a Fellowship Program
Mozilla: Mozilla Seeks New Leader for Its Movement-Building Arm
Second, don’t forget today is your last day to vote in the SXSW PanelPicker! I’ve got my picks listed here.
Finally, the FEC formally announced the public comment period on potential rulemaking around the use of AI in political ads. You have until October 16.
Does the information I provide like this help you and save time? If so, please support the independent journalism and analysis I’m doing with this newsletter. As a paid subscriber, you make it possible for me to bring you in-depth analyses on the most pressing issues in tech and politics. I’m just short of 200 paid subscribers, and your support can help me reach that milestone!
What I’m Reading
- : Large language models, explained with a minimum of math and jargon
Hollywood Reporter: AI-Created Art Isn't Copyrightable, Judge Says in Ruling That Could Give Hollywood Studios Pause
Rolling Stone: These Women Tried to Warn Us About AI
Digiday: Lessons for AI from the ad-tech era: 'We're living in a memory-less world'
- : Waiting for AI to Transform Politics? Don't Hold Your Breath.
Washington Post: ChatGPT has a liberal bias, research on AI’s political responses shows
Foreign Affairs: The AI Power Paradox: Can States Learn to Govern Artificial Intelligence—Before It’s Too Late?
New York Times: Trump Plans to Skip GOP Debate for Interview With Tucker Carlson
Newsweek: Read the Full Unsealed Court Documents on Trump's Twitter
Washington Post: Biden administration urges Supreme Court to block Texas social media law
Texas Tribune: Gen Z influencers, quietly recruited by a company with deep GOP ties, rally to impeached Ken Paxton's aid
The Messenger: How America Can Protect Elections from Hackers and Conspiracy Theories
Axios: States need to pay up to secure 2024 elections, experts warn
PNAS: The effectiveness of moderating harmful online content
Center for International Media Assistance: Chilling Legislation: Tracking the Impact of “Fake News” Laws on Press Freedom Internationally
Jurist: King of Jordan approves online speech legislation despite rights concerns
Indian Express: Modi frames 2024 battle: Fight against corruption, nepotism, appeasement; singles out a ‘parivaarvadi’ party
New York Post: X is finally hiring again -- and you can thank 2024 election fears
Google: Learn as you search (and browse) using generative AI
MIT Technology Review: The rise of the tech ethics congregation
Vogue: Yes, the Girlboss Is Dead—But Her Replacement Isn’t So Great, Either
Does the information I provide like this help you and save time? If so, please support the independent journalism and analysis I’m doing with this newsletter. As a paid subscriber, you make it possible for me to bring you in-depth analyses on the most pressing issues in tech and politics. I’m just short of 200 paid subscribers, and your support can help me reach that milestone!