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Important Items
Idaho hospital to stop delivering babies as doctors flee over abortion ban
MT @brosandprose “An Idaho hospital has planned to stop delivering babies, with the medical center’s managers citing increasing criminalization of physicians & the inability to retain pediatricians.” Local pregnant folks must now drive 46 miles for labor + delivery care.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/20/idaho-bonner-hospital-baby-delivery-abortion-ban
Idaho Republicans Call Free Tampons In Schools Too ‘Woke’ — And Block Them
House passes GOP’s Parents Bill of Rights Act; Dem. Jeffries calls it a ‘book ban’
Innovation
Snap Is Offering Its Image Filter Technology to Let Shoppers Try on Clothes Virtually
Tools could allow virtual product try-on via retailers’ sites. Snap expanding augmented reality in enterprise sales push. #AR
A foldable iPhone may be able to shut itself to protect the screen if it’s dropped, Apple patent application shows
A sensor would trigger a mechanism aimed at preventing damage to the screen.
https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-foldable-iphone-close-itself-save-screen-if-dropped-2023-3
Technology
OpenAI turns ChatGPT into a platform overnight with addition of plugins
OpenAI announced that plugin developers who have been invited off the company’s waitlist can use its documentation to build a plugin for ChatGPT. The first plugins have already been created by companies including Expedia, Instacart, Kayak, OpenTable and Zapier. Once a traveler enables the Expedia plugin, they can bring a trip itinerary created through a conversation with ChatGPT “to life” with information powered by Expedia’s travel data including real-time availability and pricing of flights, hotels, vacation rentals, activities and car rentals. When ready to book, they’ll be sent to Expedia.
https://venturebeat.com/ai/openai-turns-chatgpt-into-a-platform-overnight-with-addition-of-plugins/
Adobe made an AI image generator — and says it didn’t steal artists’ work to do it
Adobe says the system is only trained on content that’s licensed or out of copyright — not work from artists across the internet. #AI
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/21/23648315/adobe-firefly-ai-image-generator-announced
Publishers Prepare for Showdown With Microsoft, Google Over AI Tools
Media executives want compensation for use of their content in ChatGPT, Bing and Bard. “We have valuable content that’s being used constantly to generate revenue for others off the backs of investments that we make, that requires real human work, and that has to be compensated,” said Danielle Coffey, executive vice president and general counsel of the News Media Alliance.
Publishers tout generative AI opportunities to save and make money amid rough media market
Google’s artificially intelligent ‘Bard’ set for next stage
Google announced it’s allowing more people to interact with “ Bard,” the artificially intelligent chatbot the company is building to counter Microsoft’s early lead in a pivotal battleground of technology. In Bard’s next stage, Google is opening a waitlist to use an AI tool that’s similar to the ChatGPT technology Microsoft began deploying in its Bing search engine to much fanfare last month. #AI
Google and Microsoft’s chatbots are already citing one another in a misinformation sh**show
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/22/23651564/google-microsoft-bard-bing-chatbots-misinformation
GPT-powered deepfakes are a ‘powder keg’
https://www.fastcompany.com/90853542/deepfakes-getting-smarter-thanks-to-gpt
TikTok bans deepfakes of nonpublic figures and fake endorsements in rule refresh
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/21/23648099/tiktok-content-moderation-rules-deepfakes-ai
Netflix Is Adding 40 New Games
Spotify Has Spent Less Than 10% of Its $100 Million Diversity Fund
Last year, during all the Joe Rogan controversy, Spotify’s CEO announced a $100 million fund to amplify the work of creators from historically marginalized backgrounds. as the fund rounded out its first year, less than 10% of it had been spent.
California lawmakers are launching a plan to force digital giants like Facebook and Google to pay publishers for news content.
The FTC wants to ban those tough-to-cancel gym and cable subscriptions
The proposed ‘click to cancel’ rule would require companies to let you cancel a membership in as many steps as it takes to sign up.
Media & Publishing
How BookTok makes money
https://www.vox.com/culture/23644772/booktok-money-business-sponsored-videos
Just What Makes An Audiobook “Original”?
By @LWShanley. Most audiobooks are narrated renditions of already-published print or ebooks, but the category’s success has led to increased experimentation, with “audiobook originals” or “audio first” productions gaining traction — and fans. But defining what makes an audiobook an “original” is not easy. Audible co-opted the term early on to describe any title that was its “exclusive,” regardless of whether it had a print life as well. When we talked to a range of producers, publishers and industry vets about this, it became clear that, as Joy Smith, Head of Audio at Rebel Girls admitted, this is a “hazy” term.
https://www.publishingtrends.com/2023/03/just-what-makes-an-audiobook-original/
What Is Book Production?
Have you always wanted a career in publishing? Do you already have a career in publishing but are curious about how other companies function? Over the past few months, we’ve been sharing roundtable discussions with full-time Catapult staff members from various departments, including publicity, design, and the magazine. (You can also hear from our past and present interns here!) This conversation is a discussion with Catapult’s full-time production team: vice president of corporate culture and senior managing editor Wah-Ming Chang, production manager Olenka Burgess, production editor Laura Berry, and production assistant Tracy Danes.
https://catapult.co/dont-write-alone/stories/what-is-book-production-publishing-jobs-advice
Better Than Nothing? Exploring the Limitations of AI-Narrated Audiobooks from a Disabled Person’s Perspective
HT @LauraB7 For disabled people to truly have the access to books that we deserve, the audiobooks available shouldn’t be stripped of all of the humanity that narrators bring to their performances.
https://bookriot.com/ai-narrated-audiobooks-from-a-disabled-persons-perspective/
Book Thief Filippo Bernardini Gets No Jail Time, Deported
https://www.vulture.com/2023/03/book-thief-filippo-bernardini-gets-no-jail-time-deported.html
Introducing… the Penguin Book Vending Machine!
MT @PenguinUKBooks In 1935, Sir Allen Lane was inspired to create Penguin Books when he couldn’t find a good book to read at Exeter St. David’s train station. We’ve gone back to our roots to ensure modern day commuters won’t face the same problem. #teamPRH
https://twitter.com/PenguinUKBooks/status/1639242902680502274
Greenlight Bookstore to Shutter Location in Flatbush, Brooklyn
Illinois Proposes First Anti-Book Ban Legislation
HT @veronikellymars In his State of the State address last month, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker addressed book bans head on. Now, thanks to Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, House Bill 2789–the Right to Read Bill–has passed through committee and will make its way to the full House for consideration. HB 2789 would tie state funding of public libraries and public school libraries to policies that explicitly prevent book banning and restricting access to books and other materials. Each library would need to outline their commitment to intellectual freedom.
https://bookriot.com/illinois-right-to-read-bill/
ALA Reports Shocking Increase in Attempted Book Bans in 2022
The American Library Association announced that it tracked a stunning 1,269 “demands to censor library books and resources” in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago, and nearly double the record-shattering 729 challenges recorded in 2021. ALA officials said the challenges involved a record 2,571 unique titles—a stunning 38% increase from the 1,858 unique titles targeted for censorship in 2021. Once again, the vast majority of works challenged were written by or about members of the LGBTQ community and people of color.
Ridiculous Reasons Why Books Are Banned
MT @LaneyHawes Hey book loving Twitter, buckle up for a wild ride, I’m about to share with you some of the challenges & complaints my school district has received from community members just this school year about books they don’t want in our libraries. But first, a little background info.: Our district has a policy requiring librarians post their book purchase requests online for 30 days for public review. ANY book w/complaints submitted during the 30day window is pulled from the list for “review.” Then our school board reviews complaints & they decide what to buy. I submitted a public information request for the complaints the district has received about books librarians have requested to purchase. Some of these will make you laugh. Some will make you angry. But remember, the best way to fight book banning is to VOTE in local elections!…
- Wings of Fire by Tui Sutherland. Complaint: “Lesbian Dragon?!”
- Everything Will Be Okay, by @AnnaDewdney Complaint: “Agenda.”
- Descendants, Mal’s Royal Challenge. Complaint: “Don’t trust Disney.”
- Loyalty by Avi. @ClarionBooks Complaint: “Anti-American Sentiment. Tells story of the American Revolution but the protagonist is Pro-Britain.”
- Last Dance by Hanna Schroy @elefluff. Complaint: “racist…white girl villain”
- My Fade is Fresh by @ShauntayGrant Complaint: “little girl gets military-style haircut at barbershop, but more about black hair.”…
https://twitter.com/LaneyHawes/status/1638391420238036992
A Utah parent says the Bible contains porn and should be removed from school libraries
Frustrated by the books being removed from school libraries, a Utah parent says there’s one that hasn’t been challenged yet, but that they believe should be, for being “one of the most sex-ridden books around.” So they’ve submitted a request for their school district in Davis County to now review the Bible for any inappropriate content. “Incest, onanism, bestiality, prostitution, genital mutilation, fellatio, dildos, rape, and even infanticide,” the parent wrote in their request, listing topics they found concerning in the religious text. “You’ll no doubt find that the Bible, under Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-1227, has ‘no serious values for minors’ because it’s pornographic by our new definition.”
https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2023/03/22/utah-parent-says-bible-contains/
Simon & Schuster Distributing a Book Pushing AIDS denialism and misinformation
MT @actupny A coalition of 30 orgs and 70 public health advocates demand @simonschuster drop distribution of a book pushing AIDS denialism and HIV/AIDS misinformation. Join the call to action and read the community letter here. #DropAIDSDenialism
https://actupny.com/simon-and-schuster/
Resources & Opportunities
WMG Annual Business Meeting
Come help us celebrate the past year and vote in the new board. Thursday, March 30, 1:00-1:30 p.m. ET. WMG members only; FREE
https://www.womensmediagroup.org/event-5209479
CCC to Host Virtual Town Hall on ChatGPT and Information Integrity
Free, virtual town hall on on ‘ChatGPT & Information Integrity’ and how generative AI tools will change publishing and research, 30 March 11:00 am ET
https://web.cvent.com/event/047b72c1-6523-4f71-9144-e5573486c02a/summary
Entrepreneurship in Publishing: How to Start Your Own Venture
Join We Need Diverse Books for a Rise Up Professional Development Panel, Entrepreneurship in Publishing: How to Start Your Own Venture. Free 3/28 7:30pm ET.
Braze Learning Supports Laid-Off Community With Free Certifications
RT @janiejaner Braze Learning just launched a support program that provides free certification exams to those that have been impacted by lay-offs and reductions in the tech industry. Learn more below on how you can take advantage of this program through April 30.
The Writers Lab US
Supported by Meryl Streep & Nicole Kidman, The Writers Lab is the only screenwriting lab dedicated to women over 40. Winners receive one-on-one meetings w industry mentors; panel discussions; workshops & continued support.
https://writers.coverfly.com/competitions/view/the-writers-lab-us
FSG Writer’s Fellowship
Winner gets $15k and mentorship from an @fsgbooks author and more guidance on the publishing business. Free to apply. The deadline to apply is April 3. The winner will be announced in August and the Fellowship will begin in September.
National Book Foundation Teacher Fellowship
https://www.nationalbook.org/programs/national-book-foundation-teacher-fellowship/
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