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Important Items

This Republican Bill Would Bar Kids From Talking About Their Periods at School

RT @PENamerica A proposed bill in #Florida would prohibit kids from talking about periods with teachers until long after many girls have begun experiencing their menstrual cycle.

https://www.vice.com/en/article/93k5yz/florida-sex-education-bill

As US education secretary, I want us to enrich public schools, not ban books and topics

Parents don’t want politicians dictating what their children can learn, think and believe. That’s not how public education is supposed to work in a free country.

https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2023/03/16/us-education-secretary-i-want-us-enrich-public-schools-not-ban-books-topics-column/

Proposed New Laws Targeting TX Public Colleges Would Create a “Climate of Fear and Self-Censorship”

RT @jeremycyoung Here’s @PENamerica‘s official statement criticizing TX SB 16/17/18. I want to highlight one aspect of SB 17: the blacklist. That’s right. An actual McCarthy-style blacklist. If you promote DEI twice, the government will ban you from working in TX public higher ed for 5 years.

https://pen.org/press-release/proposed-new-laws-targeting-tx-public-colleges-would-create-a-climate-of-fear-and-self-censorship/

Ohio bill limits, and mandates, what is taught in college in name of free speech

RT @PENamerica Ohio is launching an “attack on honest education, diversity, equity, and inclusion, worker rights and Asian culture” that “is an affront to all who believe in honest, inclusive education and a multiracial democracy,” says @Honesty4OhioEd‘s Cynthia Peeples

https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/03/16/ohio-bill-limits-and-mandates-what-is-taught-in-college-in-name-of-free-speech/

Researchers Say COVID-19 May Raise Risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Stroke

MT @MeetJess They also observed significant increases in the rates of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diagnoses one year after COVID-19 infection

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/researchers-say-covid-19-may-raise-risk-of-alzheimers-parkinsons-stroke

U.S. Maternal Mortality Hits Highest Level Since 1965

The number of women who died during and soon after childbirth surged to its highest level in nearly 60 years, exacerbating a yearslong trend that has made the U.S. the most dangerous place among high-income countries to give birth. Black mothers are the most affected.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-maternal-mortality-hits-highest-level-since-1965-f9829776

New research finds almost 90 per cent of women worldwide are penalized and undermined because of their achievements at work

HT @jkhoey

https://www.womenofinfluence.ca/2023/03/01/tps-press-release/

Technology

Talent will matter even more.

Technology is just a lever for talent to use. Wise words from @rishad. “Every advance in technology places a premium on superior ability. Today there are marvelous breakthroughs in AI technology in the currently trending ChatGPT and Lensa AI. Experiment and sample them both and while you are it check out Stable Diffusion and Runway ML among so many other break throughs. But remember the typewriter did not write “A Farewell to Arms” but Hemingway did. If I had a word processer and ChatGPT and Hemingway has a pen he would write better. If Hemingway also had ChatGPT the distance between us would be even wider. Hemingway with a Substack would have scaled amazingly better than most. As talented individuals do with a TikTok. It is not the technology, it is the talent.” #technology

https://rishad.substack.com/p/talent-will-matter-even-more

Scale. Skill. Speed.

MT @rishad Every leader, every company and every individual must determine how best to hone skill, create new scale and determine where and what to speed up. Some approaches to consider.

https://rishad.substack.com/p/scale-skill-speed

OpenAI Levels Up With Newly Released GPT-4

OpenAI unveiled GPT-4, an update to its advanced AI system that’s meant to generate natural-sounding language in response to user input. The company claimed GPT-4 is more accurate and more capable of solving problems. It even inferred that ChatGPT performs better than most humans can on complicated tests. OpenAI said GPT-4 scores in the 90th percentile of the Uniform Bar Exam and the 99th percentile of the Biology Olympiad. GPT-3, the company’s previous version, scored 10th and 31st on those tests, respectively.

https://gizmodo.com/gpt4-open-ai-chatgpt-chatbot-microsoft-bing-api-1850225377

Here are some incredible things people are already doing with GPT-4 It’s been less than 3.5 hours

Via @LinusEkenstam

https://twitter.com/LinusEkenstam/status/1635754587775967233

10 Ways GPT-4 Is Impressive but Still Flawed

RT @nytimes The new bot still makes stuff up. Called “hallucination,” the problem haunts all the leading chatbots. Because the systems do not have an understanding of what is true and what is not, they may generate text that is completely false. See more:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/14/technology/openai-new-gpt4.html

Bing’s ChatGPT Makes Stuff Up

Via @JanelleCShane

https://www.aiweirdness.com/search-or-fabrication/

An Explainer on how ChatGPT was built

HT @gilbane #AI

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ramar_the-road-to-chatgpt-an-informal-explainer-activity-7038334518004482048-h3G5/

Microsoft Adds the Tech Behind ChatGPT to Its Business Software

Microsoft announces an AI upgrade for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. #AI

https://www.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-blends-the-tech-behind-chatgpt-into-its-business-software-c79f0e8d

Google is adding AI to its work apps. Here’s what that means.

A marketing manager might ask the tech to create a sales training plan for the next campaign, and Google Docs would generate one from scratch, for example. Workers can also highlight portions of text and ask Google’s AI to rewrite them in a specific tone. For example, they could use commands like “Make this more formal” or “Make this whimsical.” If you don’t like the first result, the “view another” button is expected to produce another one. And if you don’t know what tone you want to use, you will be able to click “I’m feeling lucky,” and Google will choose one for you.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/03/14/google-workspace-ai/

Google-backed Anthropic launches Claude, an AI chatbot that’s easier to talk to

Anthropic says its chatbot is ‘less likely to produce harmful outputs’ than some of its competitors, like Microsoft’s GPT-4-powered Bing.

https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/14/23640056/anthropic-ai-chatbot-claude-google-launch

YouTube’s new leader teases AI tools that can virtually swap creators’ outfits and locations

“Creators will be able to expand their storytelling and raise their production value, from virtually swapping outfits to creating a fantastical film setting through AI’s generative capabilities,” said Mohan in a letter published today. “We’re taking the time to develop these features with thoughtful guardrails.” YouTube hasn’t provided any specific details regarding how these generative AI tools will work, but Mohan said we can expect them to roll out to creators “in the coming months,” alongside undisclosed protections to ensure the technology is being used responsibly.

https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/1/23620143/youtube-ai-tool-features-ceo-neal-mohan-google-alphabet

AI with a Human Face

The case for—and against—digital employees. #AI

https://hbr.org/2023/03/ai-with-a-human-face

Meta Threatens to Ban Canadian News Outlets from Facebook Due to New Online News Act

With the Canadian Government looking to implement a new Online News Act, which would effectively force major platforms like Meta and Google to negotiate commercial deals with local news publishers, Meta has threatened to remove Canadian news outlets from Facebook entirely, if the act is passed in its current form. The Canadian Government is seeking to address imbalances in the local media market, where Meta and Google have gradually taken more and more of the ad market share. But Meta has argued that it doesn’t actually need news content, as per the basis of the legislation, given that most users don’t come to its platforms for news access. Meta says that it will stand by this if the new rules are enforced, and block Canadian media outlets completely.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/Meta-Threatens-to-Ban-Canadian-News-Publishers/644854/

Meta exploring a new social network that could compete with Twitter

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/10/meta-exploring-a-new-social-network-that-could-compete-with-twitter.html

Misinformation ‘superspreader’ engagement increased 44% on Twitter since Musk purchase

https://www.poynter.org/ifcn/2023/twitter-misinformation-increased-elon-musk/

Apple will launch its standalone classical music app on March 28th

Apple Music Classical will be available from the App Store, and the company says it will provide deeper search and composer metadata that help set it apart from mainstream music services. It’ll also do spatial audio, of course.

https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/9/23632184/apple-classical-music-app-features-primephonic-ios-android-launch-date

Media & Publishing

Over Half Of Media Workers Fear AI Will Take Their Jobs

https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/383284/over-half-of-media-workers-fear-ai-will-take-their.html

AI And The Copyright Problem

You can think of AI copyright issues in two categories:

1. AI training on copyrighted work, is it fair use?

2. Can AI-generated content be copyright protected?

By @pdelsignore #AI #copyright

https://medium.com/geekculture/ai-and-the-copyright-problem-97da479a9ccd

Authors risk losing copyright if AI content is not disclosed, US guidance says

HT @inkbitspixels Guidance comes after the Copyright Office decided that an author could not copyright individual AI images used to illustrate a comic book, because each image was generated by Midjourney—not a human artist. In making its decision, the Copyright Office committed to upholding the longstanding legal definition that authors of creative works must be human to register works. Because of this, officials confirmed that AI technologies can never be considered authors.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/03/us-issues-guidance-on-copyrighting-ai-assisted-artwork/

Artificial Intelligence Meets Its Worst Enemy: the U.S. Copyright Office

What is art? In recent months, the Supreme Court tackled this issue by wading into a copyright dispute between photographer Lynn Goldsmith and Andy Warhol’s estate over a portrait of Prince. Now the U.S. Copyright Office is jumping into the fray by first granting, and then revoking, the copyright of a comic book whose author used a “generative A.I. program” to illustrate it. #AI

https://newrepublic.com/article/170898/ai-midjourney-art-copyright-office

Turns out that America’s most “recession-proof” business is . . . bookstores.

HT @publishingtrend Via @lithub. According to a Forbes Advisor analysis, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Google Trends, bookstores are projected to be the most recession-proof type of U.S. business in 2023.

https://lithub.com/turns-out-that-americas-most-recession-proof-business-is-bookstores/

Learn Accessible Publishing

RT @LauraB7 Do you have questions about accessible publishing? This site probably already has an answer to your question — and it’s probably in plain language! And if it’s not there, you can crowdsource a solution in their community hub. #a11y #eprdctn #InclusivePublishing

https://apln.ca

Bologna Discussion: Accessibility in Illustrated eBooks, or, America Take Note

This image is apparently very popular in Europe. In essence, it shows how any person, anywhere, can at some point have accessibility issues at some point in their lifetime (though the Viking image still kinda throws me). This program was addressing sight, hearing, mobility, intellect, and learning disabilities and how publishers and others can work to make their ebooks as accessible as possible.

https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/03/07/discussion-accessibility-in-illustrated-books-or-american-take-note/

Why Would Someone Steal Unpublished Manuscripts?

Filippo Bernardini has been accused by the government of stealing over 1,000 book manuscripts. In court filings, he said he was motivated not by money but by a love of reading.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/13/books/filippo-bernardini-stolen-book-manuscripts.html

Toni Morrison is memorialized on a USPS Forever stamp

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/toni-morrison-forever-stamp-cec/index.html

What Are We Protecting Children from by Banning Books?

RT @NewYorker A glance at the list of most frequently banned books makes clear that “mature content” is a fig leaf: what parents and advocacy groups are challenging in these books is difference itself.

https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/what-are-we-protecting-children-from-by-banning-books

One of America’s Most Banned Authors Is Appalled by Conservative Censorship — and Liberal Silence

https://time.com/6261238/george-m-johnson-book-bans-censorship-interview/

RIP to the OG as Sony Prepares the Final Nail in the Coffin of its E-Reader Business

HT @inkbitspixels

https://gizmodo.com/sony-e-reader-software-delisted-amazon-kindle-e-ink-kob-1850162635

Florida Scoured Math Textbooks for ‘Prohibited Topics.’ Next Up: Social Studies.

MT @jonfreadom Rosa Parks in one proposed FL social studies textbook reduced to a lady who “showed courage” and “rode the bus.” With no mention of race or racism in the encounter. This is how fear is destroying public ed in FL. #EdScare

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/16/us/florida-textbooks-african-american-history.html

The Librarians Are Not Okay

“Although books don’t have feelings, the librarians forced to remove them from the shelves definitely do.” Xochitl Gonzalez on what it’s like on the front lines of the censorship war. “​​I’ve been called a pedophile. I’ve been called a groomer. I’ve been called a Communist pornographer.”

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/03/book-bans-censorship-librarian-challenges/673398/

Campbell County library board vets policy changes proposed by Florida nonprofit

RT @veronikellymars That stories like this aren’t getting more attention is infuriating. They hired a right-wing “nonprofit” from Florida to completely dismantle their current collection policy at a public library. County money being spent on bigotry.

https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/campbell-county-library-board-vets-policy-changes-proposed-by-florida-nonprofit/article_a0f48ae2-c28c-11ed-8347-ff2828a7cac8.html

Principal: “Don’t Suggest Books” | Scales on Censorship

The mother of a fourth grader complained to my principal that I gave her son a book she finds offensive. The principal reprimanded me and told me that because of the hostile environment in which we live, it isn’t a good idea to recommend books to students.

https://www.slj.com/story/Principal-says-Dont-Suggest-Books-Scales-on-Censorship-school-libraries

Where It Hurts: How Book Bans Restrict Access to Healthcare

RT @PENamerica “Banning Books in prison isn’t just inconvenient, it’s deadly. The FBI has described The Turner Diaries as a Bible for white supremacists. It’s on our library shelf, and so is Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler. But The Menopause Manifesto is too dangerous.”

https://pen.org/where-it-hurts-book-bans-restrict-healthcare/

My Students Overturned a Book Ban, You Can Too

#Teachers #Students #FreeTheBooks

https://www.edpost.com/stories/my-students-overturned-a-book-ban-you-can-too

Dotdash Meredith Pens Pinterest Partnership, Joining Condé Nast and Tastemade

Dotdash Meredith will produce original, seasonally aligned vertical videos, with Pinterest funding creation. #pinterest

https://www.adweek.com/media/dotdash-meredith-pinterest-partnership/

Amazon calls it quits on newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Kindle and print

RT @mediagazer Amazon stops selling newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Kindle and in print; some titles, including USA Today, are still available via Kindle Unlimited (@laurahazardowen/Nieman Lab)

https://www.niemanlab.org/2023/03/goodbye-newspapers-on-kindle-amazon-stops-selling-newspaper-and-magazine-subscriptions/

Lifehacker sold by G/O to Ziff Davis

https://www.axios.com/2023/03/13/lifehacker-sale-go-ziff-davis

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

The Ultimate Guide to Podcast Collaboration

Per @arithisandthat This is truly one of the most helpful and thorough blogs out there for podcast creators.

https://rephonic.com/blog/podcast-collaboration

Free Podcast Marketing Event

https://lu.ma/jewflqbt

Public Media Career Fair

RT @currentpubmedia Job News: Love public radio & TV? Get hired at the Public Media Career Fair March 29. Meet dozens of recruiters including @PBS APM @Report4America Register!

https://app.brazenconnect.com/a/current/e/0JZjJ

2023 We Need Diverse Books Internship grants

MT @sljournal Applications are open for the 2023 We Need Diverse Books @diversebooks Internship grants. In its ninth program year, WNDB will award $3,000 to a minimum of 24 diverse interns focused on adult and children’s publishing.

https://www.slj.com/story/newsfeatures/ALA-Fund-Available-for-Librarians-Fighting-Censorship-Olivia-Author-Ian-Falconer-Dies-and-More-News-Bites

2023 Deadline Club Scholarships

MT @deadlineclub Attention #journalism undergrad & grad students in the NYC-area! We are awarding 6 $2,500 scholarships to students who’ve demonstrated a potential to contribute to the highest standards & goals of the craft. The deadline is March 26. Apply here!

https://www.deadlineclub.org/2023-scholarships/

Haunted House FearFest Invites Genre Filmmakers to Apply for New York City Event

The Haunted House FearFest was established in 2017 to celebrate the horror genre in film and video games and is now accepting submissions for its 2023 festival, taking place from Oct 5. to Oct. 8

https://people.com/movies/haunted-house-fearfest-submissions-call/

Free MIT Course: Introduction to Data-Centric AI

Data-Centric AI (DCAI) is an emerging science that studies techniques to improve datasets, which is often the best way to improve performance in practical ML applications. This is the first-ever course on DCAI. This class covers algorithms to find and fix common issues in ML data and to construct better datasets, concentrating on data used in supervised learning tasks like classification. All material taught in this course is highly practical, focused on impactful aspects of real-world ML applications, rather than mathematical details of how particular models work.

https://dcai.csail.mit.edu

Search the Names of New Yorkers We’ve Lost to COVID-19

MT @MarkLevineNYC Three years ago today NYC recorded the first confirmed death from covid. Since then we have lost 44,998 of our neighbors, friends & family. Few have ever had obituaries or even been mentioned in the press by name. A wonderful project by @THECITYNY is trying to change that. The #MissingThem project is collecting names and stories of those we’ve lost to covid. So far you can read stories of 2,679 NYers. Each one is heartbreaking and moving. Search or browse here:

https://projects.thecity.nyc/covid-19-deaths/

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