We analyze the transcript from a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing where Facebook (Meta) whistleblower Sarah Win Williams testifies about the company's dealings. Williams alleges that Meta prioritized profit and Chinese government favor over American values and national security. She describes Meta's cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party, including developing censorship tools, providing access to user data (potentially including American data), and briefing them on AI technology. The hearing also addresses Meta's attempts to silence Williams and its history of misleading Congress and the public on these issues, as well as its practices concerning user data and targeted advertising to vulnerable individuals, including children. Senators express strong concerns about Meta's actions and pledge to pursue further investigation and potential regulation.

Scott Shriner's wife, Jillian, was shot by police and subsequently booked for attempted murder following an incident outside their Los Angeles home. Officers were initially responding to a hit-and-run suspect search when they encountered Jillian armed with a handgun. Police state that she refused repeated commands to drop the weapon and then pointed it at them, leading to the shooting. After being struck, she retreated into her house before surrenderingwith the family's babysitter and was treated for a non-life-threatening injury. Authorities confirmed Jillian was not involved in the original hit-and-run incident, and an investigation is underway.

Danny Sapko details further allegations in the Giacomo Turra scandal, serving as a follow-up to a previous video. Video presents new evidence of Turra plagiarizing smaller musicians without credit, including instances with his own former teacher and well-known songs. The video also reveals how Turra allegedly defrauded a custom guitar builder by selling a gifted instrument after limited promotion and failing to donate proceeds to charity as promised. Additionally, the creator shares Turra's initial dismissive reaction and a subsequent inadequate apology, highlighting the ongoing fallout and widespread condemnation from the music community. Despite the seriousness of the accusations, the video concludes with advice for Turra to make amends and a thank you to those who provided evidence.

Sources:

I caught this famous Instagram musician STEALING songs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGiXb_el3oo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d223uZYqNEc

Colossal announces their successful de-extinction of the dire wolf on October 1, 2024, highlighting their innovations in science, technology, and conservation. This episode provides information about the dire wolf's unique lineage and their "Generation Zero" pack, including a development tracker. The podcast also emphasizes Colossal's commitment to animal welfare, their partnership with American Humane, and features statements from Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, and evolutionary biologist Bridgett vonHoldt regarding the significance of de-extinction for conservation.

Part 2: The Languages of Power: Powertalk, Posturetalk, and Babytalk

Venkatesh Rao's "The Gervais Principle II" analyzes organizational dynamics through the lens of power relationships, categorizing individuals as Sociopaths, the Clueless, and Losers. The piece introduces four organizational languages: Posturetalk (Clueless), Powertalk (Sociopaths), Babytalk (Sociopaths/Losers to Clueless), and Gametalk (Losers). Powertalk, the focus of this excerpt, is described as a consequential language used by Sociopaths where every utterance subtly shifts the power balance, often involving real stakes like information. The text uses examples from the television show The Office to illustrate these concepts, contrasting effective Powertalk with the Clueless' ineffective attempts to mimic it using "Toy Guns" and "Treacle." Ultimately, the article asserts that Powertalk is a thinking skill learned through real-world interaction and risk-taking, not from books or formulaic tactics.

Source: https://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/11/11/the-gervais-principle-ii-posturetalk-powertalk-babytalk-and-gametalk/

Subscribe for the full series on the philosophy behind The Office!

"The Gervais Principle, Or The Office According to 'The Office'" analyzes the workplace dynamics depicted in the television show The Office through a satirical management theory. This theory posits a three-tiered hierarchy: Sociopaths at the top who manipulate the system, Clueless middle managers promoted beyond their abilities, and Losers at the bottom who have made an economic trade-off for stability. The article argues that these archetypes and their interactions reveal fundamental truths about organizational behavior and the inherent pathologies within companies. The author uses examples from the show to illustrate how Sociopaths strategically promote incompetent individuals and exploit others to maintain their power, while the Clueless remain blissfully unaware and the Losers simply try to get by. Ultimately, the piece suggests that The Office offers a surprisingly accurate, albeit humorous, lens through which to understand the often-dysfunctional realities of corporate life.

Sources:

https://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the-gervais-principle-or-the-office-according-to-the-office/