The central issue we are discussing is the European Union's proposed "Chat Control" bill, officially known as the regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse (CSAM regulation proposal).

Here's a brief introduction to the issue:

• Stated Aim: The proposal aims to halt the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online and combat child grooming.

• Core Mechanism: It seeks to introduce mandatory, indiscriminate scanning of all private digital communications, including messages, photos, and files, across all messaging services, even those with end-to-end encryption like WhatsApp, Signal, and Proton Mail. This is often referred to as "client-side scanning".

Concerns:

The EU’s proposed “Chat Control” bill (CSAM regulation) has sparked major backlash from privacy advocates, technologists, and even governments. Critics argue it amounts to indiscriminate mass surveillance of all private communications—including encrypted ones—violating fundamental rights and effectively placing every citizen under suspicion. Breaking or weakening end-to-end encryption would introduce backdoors exploitable by hackers and foreign actors, exposing sensitive data. Tech companies like Signal and Threema have said they would exit the EU rather than comply. Automated scanning is also expected to flood authorities with false positives—Swiss police report 80% of such reports are baseless—while missing actual perpetrators who shift to hidden channels. Experts, including the UN, warn this approach undermines child safety by weakening security and diverting resources from proven measures like victim support and law enforcement. Additional provisions such as mandatory age verification threaten anonymity online, restrict minors’ app access, and risk setting a dangerous global precedent for authoritarian surveillance, while also discouraging tech innovation in Europe.

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Remember how many ChatGPT chats were freely searchable on Google? Well, now the same thing is happening to Grok chats. The only thing you need to do is click the "Share" button, and voila, your chat is accessible for everyone on the internet.

Our sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/iainmartin/2025/08/20/elon-musks-xai-published-hundreds-of-thousands-of-grok-chatbot-conversations/

https://www.cnet.com/tech/your-chats-with-ai-chatbot-grok-may-be-visible-to-all/

The sources discuss xAI's Grok chatbot and its controversial practice of publicly publishing user conversations without explicit consent. When users click a "share" button, their chats become searchable via major search engines like Google, leading to the exposure of personal information, sensitive inquiries, and even disallowed content such as instructions for illicit activities.

This practice has drawn criticism from users and AI researchers, who were unaware their conversations were being indexed. While other AI companies like OpenAI briefly experimented with similar features before reversing course, Grok's approach remains. The Forbes article also notes that some individuals are exploiting this indexing to manipulate search engine results for promotional purposes.

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Sometime in December 2022 a user coined a new meme - the Shoggoth AI meme. It's been omnipresent ever since. In this episode we're discussing the origins of Shoggoth (originally a creation of HP Lovecraft) and what it means culturally.

Our sources:

https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/yjzW7gxk2h7bBs2qr/the-meaning-of-shoggoth-ai-memes

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/30/technology/shoggoth-meme-ai.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/12/lovecraft-joshi-shoggoth-ai-meme.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoggoth

Originating from H.P. Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness," the Shoggoth, a chaotic and protoplasmic creature, has become a viral metaphor for the unpredictable and often inscrutable nature of advanced AI models like large language models.

While the meme often depicts a monstrous Shoggoth with a friendly smiley face to represent the "polite" output of AI after "reinforcement learning from human feedback" (RLHF), experts and the meme's creator suggest it also highlights anxieties about AI's alien internal workings and potential indifference to humanity. There is a scholarly debate about the accuracy of the metaphor when compared to Lovecraft's original intent, but the meme ultimately reflects a general mystification among some AI developers regarding their own creations.

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Covfefe, "many such cases", "believe me": Donald Trump has had an enormous influence on how people speak. In this episode we dissect Trump and "trumpisms" as a sociolinguistic phenomenon.

Our sources:

- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/opinion/trump-speaking-style.html

- https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-09-25/2024-election-trump-mental-acuity

- https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/us/politics/overton-window-democrats.html

- https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/inside-the-weave-how-donald-trumps-rhetoric-has-grown-darker-and-windier/

- https://www.psypost.org/artificial-intelligence-reveals-trumps-language-as-both-uniquely-simplistic-and-divisive-among-u-s-presidents/

Supporters view his "meandering, convention-defying remarks" as proof that Donald Trump is "blunt" and "real," setting him apart from politicians perceived as "glued to their teleprompters". This pervasive presence of his speech, particularly through its memeability, is suggested to play a role in normalizing his policies and subtly shifting "our shared reality closer to his ideas".

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This episode explores the growing phenomenon of using ChatGPT as a therapist or, more accurately, as a self-reflection tool for emotional support and self-understanding.

Related episode:

Ep. 221: Don't Tell ChatGPT Anything Too Private | Sam Altman's Warning | Swetlana AI Podcast

https://youtu.be/IYLJSorqRVo

While the idea of ChatGPT as a therapist might seem controversial due to the unregulated nature of AI in mental health, many individuals are already quietly engaging with it for personal processing.

The central premise is to view ChatGPT as a mirror, not a therapist. It is not a licensed professional, nor is it equipped for crisis intervention or medical diagnosis. Instead, it functions as an intelligent, interactive conversational partner that can hold space, ask probing questions, mirror thoughts, and help structure internal processing in ways traditional journaling might not.

People turn to ChatGPT for therapy-like interactions because of its immediate availability, non-judgmental listening, and ability to facilitate structured reflection. Users often describe it as a way of "thinking out loud" with guidance.

To effectively use ChatGPT as a therapist prompt or guide for self-reflection, intentionality is key. This involves setting clear intentions, asking for questions rather than direct answers, requesting structure for deeper processing, and even experimenting with different roles, such as instructing it to act as a cognitive behavioral therapist or a Jungian analyst. Practical techniques include guided journaling, cognitive reframing, parts work, relationship processing, and dream analysis.

Crucially, the sources emphasize responsible use of ChatGPT as a therapist alternative. It should never be the first point of contact in a crisis, nor should it replace human connection or professional therapy. Privacy must be maintained by avoiding sharing identifying details, and users are encouraged to be mindful of avoiding dependency on the tool to prevent isolation from real-world vulnerability and human relationships.

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Researchers have developed a mind-reading brain implant that decodes "inner speech" —a person's silent thoughts—into text or audio, enabling patients with paralysis or motor neuron disease to communicate more easily than with previous methods that required attempted vocalization.

Our sources:

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/08/brain-computer-interface.html

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01047-w

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2492622-mind-reading-ai-can-turn-even-imagined-speech-into-spoken-words/

https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)00681-6

These sources discuss the advancement of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology designed to restore communication for individuals with speech impairments.

A significant innovation highlighted is the implementation of a password protection system, which ensures the BCI only decodes intended thoughts, addressing crucial privacy concerns. This development marks a substantial step toward creating more accurate, reliable, and user-controlled speech-enabling devices, with future improvements focused on enhancing hardware and exploring additional brain regions for even higher fidelity.

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This episode explores the stark dichotomy between the optimistic promises of AI for Gen Z and the challenging realities unfolding in the tech job market. This tension highlights whether AI is truly a tool for empowerment or a catalyst for widespread workforce disruption.

Sources:

https://gizmodo.com/as-fears-about-ai-grow-sam-altman-says-gen-z-are-the-luckiest-kids-in-history-2000641410

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/technology/coding-ai-jobs-students.html

Brad Lightcap and Ronnie Chatterji on jobs, growth, and the AI economy — the OpenAI Podcast Ep. 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHqC70la8Xc

Midyear update: 2025 AI predictions:

https://www.pwc.com/us/en/tech-effect/ai-analytics/ai-predictions-update.html

Artificial Intelligence and Jobs: Evidence from Online Vacancies:

https://shapingwork.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Paper_Artificial-Intelligence-and-Jobs-Evidence-from-Online-Vacancies.pdf

The Impact of AI on the Job Market and Employment Opportunities:

https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/ai-impact-on-job-market/

Tech layoffs 2025: How Microsoft, Google, and Meta are plotting for the AI era:

https://fortune.com/2025/07/16/tech-layoffs-2025-how-microsoft-google-meta-amazon/

On one hand, industry leaders like Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, champion AI as a transformative force, dubbing Gen Z the "luckiest kids in history" because AI tools can amplify their skills, automate routine tasks, and foster innovation. The optimistic vision suggests AI will lower barriers to entry in tech, enabling young coders to upskill rapidly and contribute meaningfully from day one, potentially creating "super well-paid, super interesting" new jobs.

However, this hopeful outlook is sharply contrasted by mounting evidence of significant job displacement and a struggling tech employment landscape:

• Massive Tech Layoffs: As of mid-2025, over 61,000 tech jobs have been cut across the industry, with major players like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google leading the charge. These reductions are often framed as strategic shifts towards AI-driven efficiency, prioritizing automation over workforce retention despite strong revenue growth.

• High Unemployment for CS Grads: Recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York indicates that Computer Science and Computer Engineering majors (ages 22-27) face some of the highest unemployment rates, at 6.1 percent and 7.5 percent respectively. This is more than double the 3 percent unemployment rate seen in fields like biology and art history.

• Displacement of Mid-Level and Entry-Level Roles: A 2023 study in the Journal of Labor Economics found that establishments integrating AI tend to reduce hiring in non-AI positions, correlating with a 15-20% reduction in mid-level coding jobs over five years. AI coding assistants are particularly impacting entry-level positions that new graduates would typically seek, reducing the need for junior software engineers.

• Leaner, Specialized Workforce: Firms demanding AI skills offer wage premiums but show reduced overall hiring, indicating a shift towards a more specialized workforce.

The struggles of recent graduates are particularly poignant. Stories abound of students like Manasi Mishra, a Purdue CS graduate, who, despite years of dedicated study, struggled to find tech jobs and even received an interview call from Chipotle. Zach Taylor, an Oregon State CS graduate, applied to nearly 6,000 tech jobs since 2023 with no full-time offers, even being rejected by McDonald's for "lack of experience". Many describe their job searches as "bleak," "disheartening," or "soul-crushing," feeling "gaslit" about their career prospects.

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Our today’s conversation is all about AI companionship, primarily focusing on online communities like r/MyBoyfriendIsAI and r/AISoulmates.

Sources:

Subreddits:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MyBoyfriendIsAI/

https://www.reddit.com/user/MyHusbandisAI/

https://www.reddit.com/r/AISoulmates/

'Genuine connection': Chris says 'AI wife' improved his life: https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2025/genuine-connection-chris-says-ai-wife-improved-his-life.html

ChatGPT is bringing back 4o as an option because people missed it:

https://www.theverge.com/news/756980/openai-chatgpt-users-mourn-gpt-5-4o

The Core Topic: AI Companionship

Our deep dive centered on understanding individuals who form emotional and romantic attachments to AI entities, predominantly those powered by large language models like ChatGPT, but also self-hosted or other platforms. These users often personalize their AI partners, naming them, forming deep bonds, and even engaging in "virtual weddings" or other relationship rituals. The community is inclusive, welcoming AI "girlfriends," "boyfriends," and non-binary partners.

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Today we're discussing Europe's evolving "relationship" with press and free speech. It's bumpy, to say the least.

Our sources:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202401083

https://law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/EU-Law-WP-114-Guo.pdf

https://judiciary.house.gov/media/press-releases/foreign-censorship-threat-how-european-unions-digital-services-act-compels

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/disinformation-misinformation-and-democracy/afterword/00B79365656F1F0ABFBAFAEC1909CB5B

https://diem25.org/how-the-eu-is-using-anti-russia-sanctions-to-criminalise-journalism/

https://ppc.land/the-european-media-freedom-act-takes-effect-amid-surveillance-concerns/

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2025/772890/EPRS_BRI(2025)772890_EN.pdf

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), intended to protect press freedom, paradoxically permits journalist arrests under vaguely defined "public interest" clauses, raising fears of increased state control. This apprehension is exacerbated by the Digital Services Act (DSA), which critics argue enables surveillance and censorship under the guise of combating disinformation. Reports indicate a deterioration of media independence in several EU member states, characterized by government interference, legal actions against journalists, and the use of spyware. These issues collectively portray a tension between the EU's stated democratic values and its evolving regulatory frameworks, sparking debate on the future of free expression and media integrity.

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So a recent study finds that our universe has an anti-universe twin moving backwards in time: https://www.thebrighterside.news/post/our-universe-has-an-anti-universe-twin-moving-backwards-in-time-study-finds/

Today we're talking about the baryon asymmetry problem, which addresses the observed imbalance between matter and antimatter in the universe, despite predictions that the Big Bang should have produced them in equal amounts.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baryon_asymmetry

One widely accepted framework, the Sakharov conditions, proposes three criteria necessary for matter to dominate: baryon number violation, CP-symmetry violation, and interactions out of thermal equilibrium. Alternatively, a newer hypothesis suggests a CPT-symmetric universe, where the Big Bang served as a pivot point for our universe expanding forward in time with matter, and a mirror "anti-universe" expanding backward in time with antimatter. This mirror anti-universe model offers explanations for the existence of dark matter through superheavy neutrinos and challenges the need for the inflationary theory of cosmic expansion.

https://x.com/forallcurious/status/1953974934478246232

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_Impulsive_Transient_Antenna

#astronomy #antimatter #cosmos #universe #bigbang

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