As I walked through Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall the other day, I overheard a conversation about the recent controversy surrounding Mark Zuckerberg’s private jet being tracked by a college student. The irony wasn’t lost on me - or the people discussing it - that someone who built their fortune on the back of data exploitation is now caught in the same web.

It got me thinking about the double standards that exist in the world of tech and surveillance capitalism. Zuckerberg’s critics are quick to point out that he’s profiting off the personal data of millions of Facebook users, while he’s also trying to keep his own life out of the spotlight. The comment from user-5508481213173424136 stuck with me: “I like the irony of people like Zuckerberg who made billions by exploiting the data of his user base but the second people start watching his data, it’s a big deal.”

It’s been a wild ride in the world of AI models, folks. In just a few months, we’ve seen the rise and fall of various models, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses. As someone interested in AI, I’ve been following these developments closely, trying to make sense of it all.

I’ve been delving into the world of language models, where the likes of Qwen, Nemotron, and Llama 3.2 have been making waves. Qwen, in particular, has impressed many with its capabilities, with some even calling it the new benchmark for AI models. Nemotron, on the other hand, has been praised for its reasoning abilities, making it a favorite among those looking for an AI that can think critically.

I’ve been following the latest developments in space exploration, and one recent breakthrough that caught my eye was SpaceX’s successful test of their mechanical arms catching a returning rocket. It’s a remarkable feat that speaks volumes about the innovative spirit driving the industry forward.

What struck me about this accomplishment was the sheer size of the rocket being caught - 400 feet tall, equivalent to a 37-story building. The thought of landing such a massive structure without legs, which adds weight and reduces payload capacity, is mind-boggling. As one commenter pointed out, this design choice is a deliberate move to eliminate legs and increase efficiency. It’s a testament to the innovative thinking at SpaceX, where experts like Dan Rixen, a CTV Science and Technology expert, see this as a “new level” in space travel.

I’ve recently been watching a video that got me thinking about the fascinating world of mobile photography, particularly when it comes to iPhones. The video delved into the incredible quality of iPhone cameras, highlighting the unique combination of factors that make them stand out from the competition. As someone who’s always been interested in photography, I couldn’t help but appreciate the meticulous attention to detail that Apple brings to the table.

I was sipping my flat white at a quaint café on Brunswick Street the other day, when I stumbled upon an interesting discussion on the ABC News YouTube channel. The topic was China’s stimulus package and its potential impact on the Australian economy. As someone who’s always been fascinated by the complexities of global economics, I was hooked from the very start.

The video featured Shane Oliver, Chief Economist at AMP Capital, sharing his insights on China’s economic slowdown and the implications for Australia. According to Oliver, China’s economic growth has been slowing down over the past four years, triggered by the bursting of a hot property bubble. He pointed out that the country’s government has been slow to respond, partly due to their reluctance to stimulate consumer spending, which they see as a sign of Western decadence.

I’ve been thinking a lot about a recent online discussion that highlighted the complexities of talking about politics in the workplace. The scenario went something like this: an employee expressed frustration about the impact of immigration on the economy to their director and new manager. The manager responded by saying that the employee didn’t understand the bigger picture, and that new people drive change that helps the organisation progress. The employee felt overwhelmed and foolish.

The latest advancements in AI technology have led to the creation of photorealistic AI influencers that are nearly indistinguishable from real humans. The video showcasing HeyGen’s Avatar 3.0 has sparked a mix of awe and concern among people. As I delved deeper into the comments and discussions surrounding this topic, I couldn’t help but think about the implications of this technology on our society.

On one hand, it’s exciting to think about the possibilities that this technology can offer. Imagine being able to create your own virtual avatar that can interact with people in a lifelike manner. It’s like having a digital twin that can represent you in various situations. The potential applications for this technology are vast, ranging from entertainment and education to customer service and marketing.

As someone who values fair play and consumer rights, I was excited to hear about the recent rule change that makes it easier for people to cancel unwanted subscriptions. It’s a move that’s long overdue, and one that I think will have a significant impact on the way companies operate.

The new rule, which requires subscription providers to inform customers what they’re signing up for, obtain customer consent, and provide clear mechanisms to cancel, is a major step forward for consumer protection. No longer will people have to jump through hoops or deal with endless customer service phone calls just to cancel a subscription they no longer want.

As I scrolled through my social media feeds, I stumbled upon a post that made me stop and think. A friend had shared a comparison between the prices of a meal from a popular food chain, El Jannah, when ordered directly from the restaurant versus when ordered through Uber Eats. The results were staggering - a whopping 63% markup on the same meal when ordered through the food delivery app.

The battle for bargains. We’ve all been there, scouring the shelves for the perfect discount, waiting for the clock to tick over to markdown time, and pouncing on those “quick sale” items like they’re going out of fashion. But what happens when the system fails us, and the discounts are so laughable they become insulting?

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon a “quick sale” mince packet at Coles, emblazoned with a bright yellow sticker boasting a whopping 33 cent discount. That’s right, folks, a whole 33 cents off the regular price for a packet of greyish-brown mince that looked like it was on its last legs. I couldn’t believe it. Were they serious?