Author: Wired Magazine

This Contest Put Theories of Consciousness to the Test. Here’s What It Really Proved

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. Science routinely puts forward theories, then batters them with data till only one is left standing. In the fledgling science of consciousness, a dominant theory has yet to emerge. More than 20 are still taken seriously. It’s not for want of data. Ever since Francis… Continue reading This Contest Put Theories of Consciousness to the Test. Here’s What It Really Proved

What Techno-Billionaire Marc Andreessen Missed In His Techno-Optimism Manifesto

As a general rule, any essay that includes the one-sentence paragraph “I am here to bring the good news” is written by someone who wants to take your money, your vote, or your soul. As far as I know, Marc Andreessen, the browser pioneer and cofounder of powerhouse VC firm Andreessen Horowitz, isn’t running for… Continue reading What Techno-Billionaire Marc Andreessen Missed In His Techno-Optimism Manifesto

Citing Hamas, the US Wants to Treat Crypto “Mixers” as Suspected Money Launderers

Hamas and militant groups’ use of cryptocurrency, while significant, pales in comparison to the amount of cryptocurrency used by other illicit actors. Hamas, for instance, raised $41 million in cryptocurrency over the past two years, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad raised $91 million, according to a report last week in the Wall Street Journal that cited… Continue reading Citing Hamas, the US Wants to Treat Crypto “Mixers” as Suspected Money Launderers

Crypto Groups Gemini, Genesis, and DCG Sued for $1.1 Billion ‘Fraud’

“These cryptocurrency companies lied to investors and tried to hide more than a billion dollars in losses, and it was middle-class investors who suffered as a result,” Letitia James, New York attorney general, said in a statement. “Hardworking New Yorkers and investors around the country lost more than a billion dollars because they were fed… Continue reading Crypto Groups Gemini, Genesis, and DCG Sued for $1.1 Billion ‘Fraud’

The US Has Failed to Pass AI Regulation. New York City Is Stepping Up

As the US federal government struggles to meaningfully regulate AI—or even function—New York City is stepping into the governance gap. The city introduced an AI Action Plan this week that mayor Eric Adams calls a first of its kind in the nation. The set of roughly 40 policy initiatives is designed to protect residents against… Continue reading The US Has Failed to Pass AI Regulation. New York City Is Stepping Up

‘The Whole Health System Is Collapsing Around Us.’ Doctors Say Gaza Is on the Brink

Surgeons at Al-Shifa Hospital are operating without painkillers, according to Christos Christou, the international president of MSF. MSF team members say that they have “heard wounded patients screaming in pain.” Al-Shifa is currently working at more than 600 percent over capacity, its director-general Muhammad Abu Salmiya said in an editorial published in The Lancet on… Continue reading ‘The Whole Health System Is Collapsing Around Us.’ Doctors Say Gaza Is on the Brink

Netflix’s Password-Sharing Crackdown Is Working—for Now

If it’s not the company motto yet, it should be: Never count Netflix out. On Wednesday, the streaming giant beat Wall Street projections by reporting a gain of nearly 9 million new subscribers worldwide and $8.5 billion in revenue for the third quarter of 2023, a nearly 8 percent increase year-over-year. While that might all… Continue reading Netflix’s Password-Sharing Crackdown Is Working—for Now

Who’s Responsible for the Gaza Hospital Explosion? Here’s Why It’s Hard to Know What’s Real

Today, the Times reported that US officials said they have “multiple strands of intelligence,” including infrared satellite imagery, indicating that the deadly blast was caused by the Islamic Jihad group, though that evidence has not been released publicly. US president Joe Biden, who is meeting with officials in Israel today, echoed Israel’s claim that its… Continue reading Who’s Responsible for the Gaza Hospital Explosion? Here’s Why It’s Hard to Know What’s Real

Insiders Say X’s Crowdsourced Anti-Disinformation Tool Is Making the Problem Worse

On Saturday, the official Israel account on X posted a picture of what looks like a child’s bedroom with blood covering the floor. “This could be your child’s bedroom. No words,” the post reads. There is no suggestion the picture is fake, and publicly there are no notes on the post. However, in the Community… Continue reading Insiders Say X’s Crowdsourced Anti-Disinformation Tool Is Making the Problem Worse