Simplify, simplify

South Korean workers are reluctant to come back to the US after ICE detainment: “It felt like our basic human rights weren’t being guaranteed.” / Time

Before Trump’s return, diversity efforts were already in decline in many newsrooms, and at this point have practically collapsed. / Neiman Lab

“For a democratic society to thrive, our lives must be full of vibrant and healthy and social connections.” Yes, it’s the guns. It’s also the phones. / Liberal Currents

Even as Palantir’s CEO claims his company’s technology can’t be used to spy on Americans, documents going back as far as Edward Snowden’s NSA leaks say otherwise. / The Intercept

Patricia Lockwood: “I think we do have to keep our eyes on the ball and look at the propaganda machine—look at the people who are doing this. Who benefits, right?” / The Guardian

AI developers are training models on millions of YouTube videos, and whether or not it’s legal is a question no one has bothered to answer. / The Atlantic [$]

Australian researchers have successfully bred and released an endangered mountain frog species into the wild—though fully grown at three centimeters, they’ll be difficult to track. / ABC

Federal cuts threaten the bird-banding data used by Texas game regulators, who may need to err on the side of caution and lower hunting limits. / Texas Monthly

After 26 years at Walden Pond, a Thoreau re-enactor is retiring, marking the anniversary of the day his predecessor left the woods. / The New York Times [$]

“Defiant nuns flee care home for their abandoned convent in the Alps.” / BBC

The 2025 prediction map for when fall foliage will reach different areas of the US. / Smoky Mountain

Spotify is making it “extraordinarily difficult” for users to share their data outside the platform, as Unwrapped—which pays users for their streaming data—is finding out. / Ars Technica

Unrelated: A buying guide to new mp3 players, and why trying to use a vintage iPod in 2025 isn’t the greatest idea. / The Guardian

See also: Hosting a website on a disposable vape pen. / Bogdan the Geek

Mall piercing destination Claire’s looks at how to survive in an era where tween shoppers are increasingly influenced by trends popular among adults. / The Washington Post [$]

Sho Shibuya paints New York Times front pages, reducing them to their most essential parts. / My Modern Net

In the members area, unlocked links from the Atlantic, the New York Times, and the Washington Post ↓

This post is for paying subscribers only

Already have an account? Sign in.