Friday links for August 21st 2026

The “brain tissue” issue.

1. MIT Study: AI Causes Reduction in Users' Brain Activity

The brain is basically a muscle. If you don’t use it, it atrophies, and building back takes time. At this rate, the coffee machine will soon be smarter than the average office worker.

2. Silicon Valley Executives Are Tech Fans. Just Not for Their Own Kids

A well known maxim in drug-dealing circles: don’t get high on your own supply.

3. Super-intelligence or Superstition?

A study showing correlation between confidence in AI predictions and belief in astrology or the paranormal. Try replacing “ChatGPT said…” in any conversation with “The psychic said…” and you’ll get the idea.

4. Darth Vader Speaks at City Council Meeting

Flock number plate recognition cameras are being deployed absolutely everywhere in the US. Many communities are up in arms about this. In one of them, Darth Vader himself turned up to defend the panopticon.

5. Using the railway network as a flatbed scanner

Taking (very long!) linear pictures out of a moving train or ferry. Make sure you check out the gallery.

On rotation

This week’s soundtrack is New Avatar by Kelela.

The weekend calls, I must answer,
Colin