Mike Butcher

@mikebutcher
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(MBE) Editor-at-large @Techcrunch (15 yrs) [email protected] Insta/LinkedIn: mikebutcher https://mikebutcher.me/newsletter

A combination of satellite, radar and machine learning has found that 75% of industrial fishing vessels, and 30% of transport and energy vessels are *not publicly tracked*.
- by 2021 wind turbines made up almost 50% of ocean infrastructure, although there has also been an increase in new oil platforms.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/3/24018797/ocean-maps-ai-satellite-imagery-radar-fishing-vessels-offshore-energy-wind-oil

How crowded are the oceans? New maps show what flew under the radar until now

Thanks to advances in AI and satellite imagery, researchers created the most comprehensive maps yet of offshore wind energy development, fishing, and vessel traffic at sea.

The Verge
Attempting to head off X (eventually) so you can follow me on BlueSky here https://bsky.app/profile/mikebutcher.bsky.social
Mike Butcher (@mikebutcher.bsky.social)

(MBE) Editor-at-large @TechCrunch [email protected] | Same handle used elsewhere. http://mikebutcher.me

Bluesky Social

The Balaji Fund, backed by Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and other wealthy tech players, aims to fund “Network States” free of ‘overbearing’ regulations.

I’m sure nothing will go wrong…

https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxjknx/tech-billionaires-launch-fund-to-create-new-libertarian-societies-balaji

Tech Billionaires Launch Fund to Create New Libertarian Societies

The Balaji Fund, backed by Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and other wealthy tech players, aims to fund “Network States” free of overbearing regulations.

Thather didn’t unleash “entrepreneurialism”. She unleashed the forces of Rentier Capitalism - the exact opposite. She also kicked off an 80s brain-drain by defunding R&D. I know. My Dad left the country because of it.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/dec/02/keir-starmer-praises-margaret-thatcher-for-bringing-meaningful-change-to-uk?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Keir Starmer praises Margaret Thatcher for bringing ‘meaningful change’ to UK

Labour leader says former PM ‘set loose our natural entrepreneurialism’ in appeal to Tory voters to back him

The Guardian

The simple answer is to do a show about personal mobility vehicles that doesn’t obsess only about cars!

“Top Gear: James May says show's format needs a rethink”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67494368

Top Gear: James May says show's format needs a rethink

The former presenter of the BBC car series says it's time for a new approach, after the show was "rested".

BBC News
European investors grab the popcorn for the new 'series' of OpenAI, but are fearful of the fallout https://tcrn.ch/49I1KGf by me
European investors grab the popcorn for the new 'series' of OpenAI, but are fearful of the fallout | TechCrunch

With the OpenAI saga playing out across the pond, the European tech community has been waiting for the latest updates as if a new series of Succession was

TechCrunch

Microsoft cuts off Compute to OpenAI in 3, 2, 1…

“Microsoft hires ex-OpenAI leaders”

https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/20/openai-co-founders-sam-altman-and-greg-brockman-to-join-microsoft/

Microsoft hires ex-OpenAI leaders Sam Altman and Greg Brockman to lead new AI team | TechCrunch

Microsoft has hired OpenAI co-founders Sam Altman and Greg Brockman to head up a "new advanced AI research team," the software conglomerate's chief Satya Sam Altman and Greg Brockman and many of their former OpenAI colleagues will join Microsoft, Satya Nadella said.

TechCrunch
How many actual, UK-based, genuine AI startups were invited to the AI Summit?
The number of former Twitter staff who believe that Musk is doing a good job: Zero.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90970703/ruthless-and-clumsy-twitter-alumni-give-elon-musk-low-marks-on-his-first-year
‘Ruthless and clumsy’: Twitter alumni give Elon Musk low marks on his first year

Former Twitter employees share their fears about how the platform they once worked for has changed under Elon Musk's ownership.

Fast Company
Summary: The Ukrainian counter-offensive continues, and Russia is down to sending in waves of troops, simply to die. And in a new months (perhaps weeks?) Ukraine will bring its new F-16s to bear.
https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/missiles-and-momentum-in-ukraine
Missiles and Momentum in Ukraine

Recent successes in the war to defeat the Russian invasion.

The Bulwark