Even more oddities spotted in the news

[Norgarth]

Besides, RL news probably has more inconsistencies and plot holes than the average fanfiction.

And in some cases is equally imaginary.

[classicdrogn]

Even the machines prefer fiction to reality...

[robkelk]

We can't make this stuff up: tech companies Palantir and Anduril form fellowship for AI adventures

According to a Friday announcement, analytics outfit Palantir and autonomous systems vendor Anduril have formed "a new consortium to ensure that the US government leads the world in artificial intelligence" and "deliver the technological infrastructure, from the edge to the enterprise, that can enable our government and industry partners to transform America's world-leading AI advancements into next-generation military and national security capabilities."

News of the Tolkien-themed tie-up came a day after The Washington Post reported that a startup named Sauron has won $18 million in funding for a home security system aimed at the wealthy.

[hazard]

... Didn't Sauron have this thing where he was generally wildly successful manipulating the rich and powerful into doing his bidding?

[robkelk]

According to The New York Times, The Onion has purchased Infowars.

The bankruptcy judge has blocked the sale.

Judge Lopez said the court-appointed bankruptcy trustee who ran the auction made "a good-faith error".

Instead of quickly asking for final offers in the auction they should have encouraged more bidding between The Onion and a company affiliated with Jones' supplement-selling businesses, he said.

"This should have been opened back up, and it should have been opened back up for everybody," Judge Lopez said.

---

Doctor Who theme added to Australia's national sound archive

Because composer Ron Grainer was Australian.

[MilkmanConspiracy]

That’s unfortunate that the sale of the onion was blocked. It was clearly the best offer being made too, at least as I see it.

—
Yakuza / Like a Dragon Fan Tricks Google Maps Into Adding the Millennium Tower Rooftop Into Its Real Tokyo Map

[Bob Schroeck]

Yakuza / Like a Dragon Fan Tricks Google Maps Into Adding the Millennium Tower Rooftop Into Its Real Tokyo Map

As is usually the case with fun stuff like this, it's already gone.

[robkelk]

Want to play a little game of Pong?

It's not yet official, but this is the world's smallest arcade machine. Guess what game it plays?

[MilkmanConspiracy]

Want to play a little game of Pong?

It's not yet official, but this is the world's smallest arcade machine. Guess what game it plays?

They managed to beat the Tiny Circuits Tiny Arcade! Impressive.

[MilkmanConspiracy]

For reference, that’s 64mm tall compared to 77.5mm tall, 26mm wide compared to 43mm wide, and 30mm deep compared to 37.5mm deep! Even assuming the lower end of the +- 1mm tolerance for the tiny arcade, this blows it out of the water size wise. I’m not sure who the holder of the previous record the article mentioned is, but with their stats being 67mm tall, 30mm wide, and 34mm tall, it looks like Korhonen has significantly bested them as well.

[robkelk]

Mystery drones flying over New Jersey have residents and officials puzzled

The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one, they say...

[Bob Schroeck]

Mystery drones flying over New Jersey have residents and officials puzzled

The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one, they say...

Yeah, they've been a big topic of conversation around here. Even a contractor we were hiring for some work earlier this week spent a few minutes discussing them and a couple popular conspiracy theories while we were signing and writing out the deposit check. As far as I know they haven't been buzzing our area yet, but Trump's golf course is only fifteen miles or so north-northwest of us, and they've been spotted in Ocean County, fifty-some miles south of us. Eventually they'll close the loop on me, and then what will I do? <grin>

[classicdrogn]

Say hello to Godot and/or offer a bag of Oreo cookies?

[robkelk]

The Register – OPINION/EDITORIAL – Guide for the perplexed – Google is no longer the best search engine

However, only when an AI engine gives you the sources of its answers as well as an answer, will Google search face a major threat. That alpha competitor is Perplexity.

Besides giving you what looks like an answer, Perplexity gives you the exact search results you need to see if the answer is right. Spoiler alert: AI answers are still wrong far too often for you to rely on. But, armed with the research Perplexity used to come up with those answers, you can work out the real answers.

That, my friends, is a killer app.

[Bob Schroeck]

Mystery drones flying over New Jersey have residents and officials puzzled

The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one, they say...

Yeah, they've been a big topic of conversation around here. Even a contractor we were hiring for some work earlier this week spent a few minutes discussing them and a couple popular conspiracy theories while we were signing and writing out the deposit check.

And just to throw gas on the fire, The Faking Hoaxer has created a video of a "New Jersey drone":

[robkelk]

Ryan Reynolds has been named to the Order of Canada. The ceremony should take place early next year.

[robkelk]

Most popular home internet routers in US may be banned as national security risk

Three separate US agencies have opened investigations into TP-Link routers, which account for 65% of the US market, in part because badged versions are supplied to customers by more than 300 ISPs

[Bob Schroeck]

And just to throw gas on the fire, The Faking Hoaxer has created a video of a "New Jersey drone":

And a little more from the Faking Hoaxer:

[robkelk]

"Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?"

The problem is, he asked on X.

The Internet Is Trauma-Dumping on Elmo

The thousands of replies got so dark that the official Sesame Street account eventually decided to put out a message, directing users toward mental health resources.

"Wow! Elmo is glad he asked! Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how they are doing. Elmo will check in again soon, friends! Elmo loves you. #EmotionalWellBeing."

[robkelk]

What a difference a weekend makes.

Thursday: Nissan and Honda say reports of a merger "are not based on an announcement from the Company."

Today: Honda and Nissan announce plans to merge