2026 aug 24

[rcjordan]

US datacenters tripled their water footprint in 10 years
https://www.theregister.com/on-prem/2026/08/24/us-datacenters-tripled-their-water-footprint-in-10-years/5291564

Alcohol, AI and aging: Theories on why violent crime is down
https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/violent-crime-decline-theories

Kids outlearn AI—and we still don't know why | MIT Technology Review
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/08/24/1141740/kids-machines-language-learning/

[rcjordan]

I've cut out mailing checks as much as possible

" postal carriers were recruited to steal checks from the mail and then sell them to buyers through an encrypted communications group on Telegram "

Houston postal carriers charged in alleged $23 million stolen check scheme
https://abcnews.com/US/houston-postal-carriers-charged-alleged-23-million-stolen/story?id=135911231

[rcjordan]

Robotaxis are real now — so is the pushback | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/transportation/983765/robotaxi-waymo-zoox-tesla-rules-pushback-nhtsa

How to encourage smarter AI use in the classroom | MIT Technology Review
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/08/24/1142630/ai-school-classroom-policies/

iAuthFlow v2: The $10,000 Phishing Toolkit That Survives Your Password Reset
https://securityaffairs.com/197748/cyber-crime/iauthflow-v2-the-10000-phishing-toolkit-that-survives-your-password-reset.html

[ergophobe]

> Robotaxis ... pushback

I thought I posted this previously

Democrats are failing the Waymo test
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/08/democrats-waymo-safety-jobs/688324/

[rcjordan]

"They will also make transportation more affordable: A taxi without a driver is much cheaper. Waymo is currently more expensive than Uber and Lyft, but that's largely because supply is artificially constrained and demand is high. The price differential is dropping fast and will go away soon."

It has that potential, yes, but I'd argue that we've not seen that in Uber, Airbnb, online gaming, entertainment streaming...  Debbie says that they have carnal knowledge about us as consumers and know what we have and will pay.

Potential is all about what hasn't (yet) been achieved. Services that haven't (yet) been priced. A marketplace that hasn't (yet) developed. Potential is a tricky word.

[Travoli]

>In every other blue state, meanwhile, driverless taxis are still not allowed to operate.

That is indeed a big mistake.

>more affordable

Personalized AI pricing will rule everything. Hope some of the other self driving programs can create some competition.

[ergophobe]

Yes but... for example at a certain point driverless cars will not only save on wages, but insurance, accidents costs, etc.

Uber with human drivers can never fix that. And Airbnb would still be cheaper than hotels if it was still and air mattress on the living room floor. But it became more of a luxury product. But a low end Airbnb property that offers less than a hotel are cheaper.

Like all AI things it depends on whether the software ends up cheaper than people. Drivers aren't free but as we are learning servers aren't either.