Young, Cool...and Into Online Influence Metrics?
Meet #YungKloutGang, an otherwise typical group of friends who are really proud of their social media game.
The Weirdest Battles Over New Domain Names
The public comment period for ICANN's new top level domains — think .sex, .art, .gay — is open. It's getting heated. The arguments can be a little strange.
Tech Confessional: The Googler Who Looked At The Worst Of The Internet
After a year spent looking at the dark underside of the Internet — including bestiality, necrophilia and child pornography — this Google contractor wasn't even hired full-time.
Which Tech Bloggers Have Been Shilling For Google And Oracle? None. Almost.
The tech companies, facing off in a copyright suit, were ordered last week to disclose who they are paying to comment on the case. Oracle named two people, Google, none.
Musicians Are Leaving $31 Million From Digital Music On The Table
Music industry group SoundExchange has released list of 50,000 bands who are owed digital download money. Meanwhile, the debate about whether artists are adequately compensated continues to rage.
Why Silicon Valley's Tech Boom Hasn't Led To A Sex Boom
During the last tech boom, the sex industry rode on top of the piles of cash pouring into and of the Valley. That's not happening during the current tech bubble.
Wired Stands By Jonah Lehrer [UPDATED]
The writer, forced out of the New Yorker for fabricating a quote, keeps his contract, a spokesman confirms. A risk for the magazine, and a shot at redemption for Lehrer.
Disney's Totally Terrifying New Animatronic Faces
Researchers have been trying to make the robots from Disney's "Hall of Presidents" even more real — i.e., ghoulish. The trick is a new process called "physical face cloning." And you will feel some creeps watching this video.
Did The Internet Give This Guy A TV Show?
W. Kamau Bell reflects on rising from Bay Area niche favorite to nationally-broadcast Chris Rock protegé with the help of social media.
The Teenager Who Wants To Fix Smartphone Gaming
Connor Zwick is a 19-year old with a killer idea and some important friends. But even if his game controller plan fails, he can always go back to Harvard.
Private Security Company Runs Global Surveillance Network (Of Course)
Last night, security nerds were buzzing about new WikiLeaks info on a company called TrapWire, which runs, among other things, the "See Something, Say Something" program in New York City. This Storify does a great job of collating info on the company, founded by former high-level CIA and seemingly the hub of a global surveillance network.
Do Sonic Bug Repellents Actually Work?
It's summer, the mosquitos are buzzing and you want relief. Can you really battle bugs with sound, though?
Facebook and ACLU 'Like' Free Speech
In separate amicus briefs, both Facebook and ACLU want to challenge a federal judge's May ruling that hitting the "like" button is not a protected act of free speech. The decision hinges on a Virginia sheriff deputy who was fired for "liking" his boss' opponent in the local sheriff election. Facebook described liking something as the 21rst century equivalent of "front yard campaign sign"; ACLU said that whether you write "I like" or click the button, you are conveying the same information. The case is now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Tech Confessional: How Pandora's IPO Changed Everything
A former employee discusses the 'avalanche' of daily emails, anti-gay ads embedded in internet radio stream and how the service's algorithm changed over the years. Part of an occasional series.
Which Tech Bloggers Are On Google And Oracle's Payroll?
A federal judge has ordered Google and Oracle to reveal any bloggers on their payrolls commenting on Oracle vs Google. But the constitutionality of the order is already being debated. [Updated]
A Historic Map Time Machine
120 of the world's most interesting old maps, handpicked by expert David Rumsey.
We Love Spoilers
From the Olympics to reality television, many howl — and sue! — over spoilers. But we can't get enough of them.
The Coolest Way To Launch A Book
In September, Trevor Paglen, the geographer/photographer/artist/author will see his latest book inscribed on a disc, affixed to a satellite and lobbed into space. Can just anyone put something into orbit?
8 Crazy Desperate Craigslist Offers For Burning Man Tickets
The nerd-heavy annual convention in the Nevada desert sold out so quickly that organizers had to hold a lottery to sell passes. So Burners are EXTRA intense about going this year.
Silicon Valley Gets Its Own Hogwarts Academy
What is Tim Draper, mildly famous for wearing a Captain America costume on the cover of a magazine, doing with $15.5 million of property in downtown San Mateo? Building a school for entrepreneurs. I mean, heroes.