When Google started their search service, they had a reputation for integrity ("Don't be evil"). That's why people trusted their search results.

Of course, nobody trusts Google any more, but Amazon is starting from a place of distrust. If you're selling the very thing I'm searching for, it would be like asking a snake oil salesman if his remedy really works. I'm sure some people are really that dumb, but I don't think it's much of a business plan.

For a company of that size, $5 mil is just an annoyance

We're renting a 2026 Toyota bZ EV while our Kia Niro PHEV is being repaired. It's a great car, easy and fun to drive, comfortable with good ergonomics (except for the square screen that juts up to block the lower part of the windshield). Toyota makes good cars, too bad it took them so long to jump on the bandwagon.

Technology has brought meaning to the lives of many technologists.

Consisting entirely of Musk employees?

This is nothing new. Everybody wants a subscription. You can't make nearly as much money with a one-time shot.

Conceals (poorly) a recording device, then leaves a similar device lying around in a bag with his wallet and ID? It's so blatantly incompetent that it makes me wonder if this isn't some red herring in a larger plot.

I guess I don't get it. If this app detects shaking, isn't it a little late to be warning people? And wouldn't I feel it myself, without any app at all?

I can see that it might be useful for analyzing broader patterns, but if I'm in the middle of a quake, broader patterns are the last thing on my mind.

No merger in the world has ever resulted in lower prices. But their justification is somewhat original -- "We're gonna have to charge you more just because we're so awesome!"

"The DMDC maintains over 60 million records..."

That sounds like a small-to-medium sized database. Do they need an entire department to maintain it?

Gotta remember that phrase the next time the wife asks me if I'm gonna vacuum the rugs. "Sure, honey, I'll definitely demonstrate the execution approach needed!"

As long as they start with the AI researchers

One size does not fit all. Any time somebody tries to bash an entire discussion group, you gotta wonder...

Did alcohol consumption increase to match the increased cancer rates? I thought that in general, alcohol consumption was down.

Agreed. It's a no-nonsense way to do basic audio tasks. I use other DAWs (Reaper at the moment) for more complicated things, but Audacity has one killer feature which is loopback recording -- allows easy recording from online sources, videos, etc., anything that goes through your computer speakers.

I just tried the new version, and the UI is clean and friendly, and the loopback feature is still there!