I have no words for the deep sadness I feel. I am committed to action to continue to fight against facism, sexism, racism, xenophobia, and transphobia. I will fight for freedom, equality, and peace. Let me know what actions you are taking.
Important Items
Far-Right Donald Trump Supporters Celebrate His Victory With Violent Memes and Calls for Executions
Donald Trump’s far-right fans are emboldened by his victory, calling for the execution of his political opponents and spreading memes about “rape squads.”
https://www.wired.com/story/donald-trump-far-right-supporters-violent-memes/
Bird flu begins its human spread, as health officials scramble to safeguard people and livestock
https://fortune.com/well/2024/11/08/bird-flu-human-spreadsafeguard-people-livestock/
Innovation
China Leaps Ahead: The Rise of Flying Cars and Drone Deliveries
China unveiled first action plan to accelerate development of flying cars, to establish a low-altitude economy involving use of airspace at lower altitudes incl. passenger transport, drone deliveries, aerial logistics, emergency medical rescue, & firefighting efforts.
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/china-leaps-ahead-rise-flying-cars-and-drone-deliveries#
Technology
Adobe Reveals a Content Authenticity Web App
HT @FoSTorg “91% of creative professionals seek a reliable way to attach attribution to their art and design.” It attaches a “nutritional label” to trace how a piece of digital media was created
Ziff Davis study says AI firms rely on publisher data to train models
https://www.axios.com/2024/11/05/ai-training-data-publishers-ziff-davis
OpenAI turns ChatGPT into a search engine, aims directly at Google
https://venturebeat.com/ai/openai-turns-chatgpt-into-a-search-engine-aims-directly-at-google/
Amazon brings generative AI-powered recaps to Prime Video
Prime Video has launched “X-Ray Recaps,” a generative AI-powered feature that provides concise, spoiler-free summaries of TV shows. Accessible via a new rewind icon on a TV show’s detail page, users can choose to recap the current episode, the entire season so far, or the previous season. It uses custom AI models to analyze video, subtitles, and dialogue, providing personalized recaps aligned with the viewer’s progress in the show. This follows Google’s introduction of AI-generated summaries for TV shows and movies. It’s currently in beta and available only to Fire TV customers in the U.S. with plans to expand to more devices by year-end.
https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/04/amazon-brings-generative-ai-powered-recaps-to-prime-video/
Amazon readying agentic ‘Remarkable Alexa’ subscription
Amazon announced an upcoming improved version of Alexa “Remarkable Alexa” that can take actions for users. The version is expected to launch in 2025 and will cost $5 to $10 per month.
Microsoft’s new Magentic-One system directs multiple AI agents to complete user tasks
Magnetic-One is an open-source multi-agent infrastructure designed to facilitate the deployment and management of AI agents in enterprises. This system enables a single AI model to control various helper agents, allowing them to collaborate on complex, multi-step tasks that are common in both organizational and personal contexts. It features an Orchestrator agent that directs four types of agents: Websurfer agents for browsing and summarizing content, FileSurfer agents for handling local files, Coder agents for coding tasks, and a ComputerTerminal for executing programs. The Orchestrator not only manages these agents but also tracks their progress and adapts plans as needed. It supports multiple language models.
McKinsey: The next big arenas of competition
https://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/our-research/the-next-big-arenas-of-competition
Publishing & Media
Translators voice concern over S&S-owned publisher’s ‘disastrous decision’ to translate books using AI
Publishing’s Publishers and Pundits
Honored that my newsletter was featured in @publishingtrend‘s article on what publishers, authors, and book people actually read! See the rest of the great reads in this round-up.
https://publishingtrends.com/2024/11/publishings-publishers-and-pundits/
Children’s reading rates plummet to lowest since records began
DK Acquires Canelo Group
DK has acquired the Canelo Group, the U.K.–based independent publisher of genre fiction and nonfiction founded in 2015 by Iain Millar, Michael Bhaskar, and Nick Barreto. #teamPRH
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/newsbrief/index.html?record=5041
Mike Shatzkin, Popular Book Business Consultant, Dies at 77
ICYMI
Freedom to Read Advocates Notch a Legal Victory in Alaska
Some good news! Freedom to read advocates in Alaska have scored a significant victory in court over would-be book banners. In an October 31 filing, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District in Alaska agreed to pay $89,000 to settle claims that the district improperly removed dozens of books, including several works of classic literature, from school libraries. “First the court, and now this settlement, confirm what these students and their parents have known all along: you cannot remove dozens of books from school libraries simply because a vocal minority dislike those books. Our Constitution protects freedom of speech and freedom of ideas.”
EveryLibrary Warns That U.S. Election Results Mean More Uncertainty for Libraries
“The library industry will need to do significant work over the next four years to mitigate potential cuts to library funding at the local, state, and federal levels, This will include organizing communities, providing resources to citizens to push back locally, and raising and spending significant funding on national campaigns to combat misinformation about the role of libraries in American society.”
PETITION: Save Libraries. Stop Project 2025!
MT @ashleyckd Libraries are mentioned multiple times in Project 2025.
🚨 On page 5, they call for arresting librarians.
🚨 Dozens of states have proposed legislation to arrest librarians.
Please sign and share this petition!
https://action.everylibrary.org/project2025
Resources & Opportunities
Comedy, Cocktails, & Cheer: A WMG 50th Anniversary Holiday Spectacular
We need a laugh. We need community. We need a drink. (Or two.) Come hear these funny women and help women get scholarships. Celebrate Women’s Media Group’s 50th anniversary year at our holiday party at Gotham Comedy Club 12/4. Sign up quick, as this will sell out.
https://www.womensmediagroup.org/event-5937841
Celebrating the Women and Art of Children’s Books
11/21 5:45pm ET. $15 for members, $25 for non-members. With Selina Alko, Vashti Harrison, and Cecilia Ruiz. Moderated by Carolina Schwarz. During National Book Awards Week, join Women’s Media Group in partnership with the Society of Illustrators to celebrate a diverse group of women illustrators of children’s books. The main event will be a panel discussion, where each artist will speak about her career journey, her approach to illustration, and some of her recent work. There will also be time before and after the event to enjoy the Museum of Illustration’s prestigious annual “The Original Art” exhibit, which showcases the fine art of children’s book illustration. Following the panel, enjoy a cocktail, light bites, and conversation in the beautiful historic 128 Bar, the Society’s unique gallery and gathering space.
https://www.womensmediagroup.org/event-5913885
Lit for Reproductive Healthcare Auction
https://www.32auctions.com/litforreprohealthcare?r=1&t=all
Haymarket Books Anti-Facist Library: 10 Free Ebooks
https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/791-hope-in-the-dark
Ida B. Wells 2025 Investigative Reporting Fellowship
MT @IBWellsSociety Investigative journalists with at least 3 years of professional experience, freelancers included, are invited to apply to our inaugural Investigative Reporting Fellowship! This program will include training and guidance from top journalists.
https://idabwellssociety.org/news/2025-investigative-reporting-fellowship/
Kathy’s Birthday Fundraiser for The Feminist Press
For my birthday this year, I’m asking for donations to The Feminist Press Inc., where I am on the board. I’ve chosen this nonprofit because their mission means a lot to me, and I hope you’ll consider contributing as a way to celebrate with me. Every little bit will help me reach my goal. Fundraiser ends 11/15.
https://www.facebook.com/donate/1107661634049878/1107661650716543
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