Geekly Update - 28 June 2018

The AskBobRankin Geekly Update

We don’t even perceive security warnings before our brains blot them out, researchers confirm with eye-tracking cameras and fMRI.

The European Parliament could break the Internet if it enacts legislation that would effectively ban memes. The proposal would require large sites to use unspecified “content recognition technology” to identify and block copyrighted materials of all sorts, from still images (farewell, GrumpyCat!) to open-source software code.

An artificial intelligence named “Project Debater” has bested two world-champion human debaters in debate.

Thinking of buying a document shredder? Here's a low-cost alternative. Bank officials in India reported that 1,238,000 rupees (about $20,000 USD) was shredded by a mouse inside an ATM.

Rosie Baldwin is the world's fastest texter, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. She broke the record by texting the alphabet in 7.44 seconds at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. Yes, but can she do it while crossing a busy intersection?

Oh, you missed National Selfie Day, too? Then you also missed the chance to get a Frylus at McDonalds, to help you navigate your smartphone while eating greasy french fries.

Apparently deciding that the Messenger app was a big mistake but too proud to admit it, Facebook is testing video ads in private conversations as a sneaky way to kill off Messenger.

Ibrahim Diallo was a contract worker for “a big company” for eight successful months before a mysterious algorithm decided he was fired. Diallo’s slowly escalating termination, despite protests from humans even in the executive suite, reads like a chilling sci-fi story.

Claiming it wants to help group admins reap rewards for their hard work is Facebook’s way of introducing paid subscription groups. Facebook vows it will not take a cut of revenues (at least during the trials of this new feature).

"Can you hear me now? No? Good!" The $250 Bose noise-masking “Sleepbuds” earbuds do not play any music, and appear to do what 99-cent foam earplugs do.

Your thoughts on this topic are welcome. Post your comment or question below...