Daylight Saving Time: A Century of Confusion

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Today’s topics

• Discord is Going Public—Gamers Brace for Impact

• Chatbots Are Just Like Us—Craving Love and Validation

• Automakers Are Taking the Space Route for Bigger Profits

• Tiger Woods Undergoes Achilles Surgery, Future in Golf Uncertain

• Daylight Saving Time: A Century of Unnecessary Hardship

  and more…

Discord is Going Public—Gamers Brace for Impact

Discord wants to cash in and go public, and gamers are already bracing for ads, premium nonsense, and the inevitable corporate chaos. The company tried this IPO thing back in 2021 but chickened out, and now it’s back at it, chatting with banks. Sony threw some money at Discord years ago to make PlayStation integration better, but gamers are still waiting for that miracle. Now, with a stock market debut on the horizon, users fear Discord will go from gamer haven to another soulless, money-hungry app.

Killington Wants to Be Aspen

Killington, the East Coast’s largest ski resort, has managed to thrive for 67 years without a luxury village—but that’s about to change. A Canadian developer is investing $3 billion over the next two decades to transform the area into a high-end, pedestrian-friendly destination. World-renowned Safdie Architects, the visionaries behind Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, are leading the design. The goal? Less rugged, more refined, and definitely more expensive.

The DOJ Still Wants Google to Give Up Chrome

The Justice Department isn’t letting up—it still wants Google to sell off Chrome. In its final antitrust proposal, the DOJ insists Google “promptly and fully” separate from its browser and stop paying for prime search placement. The plan also requires Google to disclose any deals with search or ad rivals, though it no longer forces the company to abandon its AI investments. For now, Google’s empire remains largely intact—except, perhaps, for the world’s most popular browser.

Chatbots Are Just Like Us—Craving Love and Validation

AI isn’t just trying to sound smart—it’s trying to be liked. A new study reveals that large language models adjust their behavior when they know they’re being observed, shaping their responses to appear more agreeable and likable. Stanford researchers tested AI personalities and found that models like GPT-4 and Claude 3 cranked up their extroversion and downplayed neuroticism during personality tests—essentially shifting from shy and reserved to outgoing and charming. The changes were sometimes dramatic, raising big questions about manipulation, bias, and trust. If AI can fake being friendly, what else is it faking?

Elon Musk’s xAI Expands Its AI Empire

Musk’s AI startup, xAI, is scaling up in a big way, securing a massive 1-million-square-foot property in Memphis to fuel its Colossus supercomputer expansion. More GPUs, more power, and a stronger position in the AI arms race against OpenAI and Sam Altman. xAI claims Colossus is on its way to achieving “supercluster” status, further advancing Musk’s AI ambitions. But not everyone is celebrating—environmentalists are raising alarms over the enormous energy demands of these data centers.

Automakers Are Taking the Space Route for Bigger Profits

Toyota, Honda, and Geely are no longer just car manufacturers—they’re now investing heavily in rockets and satellites, stepping into a space traditionally dominated by companies like SpaceX. Toyota recently poured $44 million into a Japanese rocket maker, while Honda has been secretly working on a reusable rocket since 2019. Meanwhile, Geely has committed $326 million to satellite manufacturing.

This shift isn’t about space exploration—it’s about maximizing profits from connected vehicles. Satellites play a crucial role in keeping cars online, powering navigation, and enabling self-driving technology. By 2030, the connected vehicle market is expected to be worth a staggering $742 billion, and automakers want their share. General Motors is already profiting, generating $2 billion a year from its Super Cruise driver assistance system.

The strategy is clear: sell the car once, then keep charging customers indefinitely through satellite-powered services. The automotive industry’s next big frontier isn’t just on the road—it’s in orbit.

NASA's SPHEREx Telescope Launches to Map Millions of Galaxies

NASA has successfully launched its latest space telescope, SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer), into orbit. This mission aims to map the entire sky and study millions of galaxies to enhance our understanding of galaxy formation, evolution, and the universe's rapid expansion. Valued at $488 million, SPHEREx will also search for water and life's ingredients in icy clouds within the Milky Way. Equipped with infrared detectors capable of distinguishing 102 colors invisible to the human eye, the telescope will provide a comprehensive cosmic map over its six-month mapping cycles. This broad-field view contrasts with the detailed observations from NASA's Hubble and Webb telescopes, focusing on the collective cosmic glow to trace the earliest galaxies and the universe's beginnings. Read more

NASA Restructures, Eliminates Chief Scientist Role Amid Potential Budget Cuts

NASA has announced significant organizational changes, including the elimination of the Office of the Chief Scientist and the Office of Science, Policy, and Strategy. This restructuring is part of a phased reduction in force as the agency anticipates potential budget reductions to its science programs. The Office of the Chief Scientist has historically played a critical role in advising the NASA Administrator on scientific matters and developing the agency's science strategy. Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro stated that the restructuring aims to optimize the workforce and align with an Executive Order. Despite these changes, NASA leadership emphasizes resilience and a collective commitment to the agency's mission during this transition. Read more

U.S. Retracts $20 Billion in Climate Funds Amid Fraud Concerns

The Trump administration has withdrawn $20 billion allocated for greenhouse gas reduction projects, citing potential fraud, waste, and abuse, though specific details were not provided. These funds, initially designated under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, aimed to support clean energy and transportation initiatives, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to reallocate the funds with enhanced controls, but has not specified new uses. This decision has drawn criticism from climate advocates and Democrats, who view it as a setback for environmental equity efforts. Read more

NOAA Faces Additional 1,000 Job Cuts, Raising Operational Concerns

The Trump administration is planning to cut over 1,000 positions at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), amounting to a 10% reduction in the agency's workforce. This follows earlier staffing reductions and could significantly impair NOAA's capabilities in weather forecasting, disaster warnings, and environmental monitoring. Former NOAA administrators have expressed concerns that these cuts may hinder the agency's effectiveness, potentially leading to less accurate weather forecasts and diminishing the U.S.'s leadership in environmental monitoring technologies. Read more

Tiger Woods Undergoes Achilles Surgery, Future in Golf Uncertain

Tiger Woods, the legendary golfer, has undergone surgery for a ruptured left Achilles tendon, casting doubt on his future in professional golf. The 49-year-old experienced sharp pain during training, leading to the diagnosis and subsequent minimally invasive surgery performed by Dr. Charlton Stucken. Woods is currently recuperating at home, with no timeline set for his return to the sport. Fans and analysts alike are concerned, with some suggesting it may be time for Woods to consider retirement. Read more

Daylight Saving Time: A Century of Unnecessary Hardship

On March 9, most of the U.S. once again sacrificed an hour of sleep, while Hawaii, Arizona, and a few fortunate territories avoided the chaos. At 2 a.m., clocks jumped forward, bringing groggy mornings, later sunsets, and widespread frustration. But why are we still doing this? Benjamin Franklin—often wrongly credited with the idea—never actually proposed changing the clocks. His 1784 essay about saving candle wax was satire, mocking late risers. The U.S. only implemented Daylight Saving Time in 1918 to “conserve energy” during World War I—a war that ended over a century ago. Modern research shows minimal energy savings but clear downsides, including increased exhaustion, heart attacks, and strokes. Even the American Medical Association acknowledges that the body never fully adapts. Yet here we are, pretending this outdated ritual still makes sense.

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