All posts tagged: Memes

Sam Altman Accuses Elon Musk of Laughing at Memes During Important OpenAI Meetings

Sam Altman Accuses Elon Musk of Laughing at Memes During Important OpenAI Meetings

Published by José Betancourt

Sign up to see the future, today Can’t-miss innovations from the bleeding edge of science and tech OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took the stand yesterday in Musk v. Altman, the chaotic, embarrassing, and yet deeply illuminating lawsuit — filed against Altman by Elon Musk, the world’s richest man — that’s been gripping Silicon Valley for the past few weeks. As expected, Altman’s testimony, delivered under threat of perjury, was fascinating for a number of reasons. Among them: the OpenAI CEO’s allegation that, during important meetings, Musk has a habit of… making everyone look at memes on his phone. Per New York Times tech reporter Mike Isaac, Altman confirmed to the court that there was once a meeting to discuss Tesla, Musk’s electric carmaker, possibly absorbing OpenAI. Which would’ve been a big deal, especially because this whole case is about Musk accusing Altman of turning OpenAI from a non-profit to a for-profit. During this seemingly very important meeting, however, Altman claimed that Musk held up talks by making everyone look at memes with him. There was a …

The Person Behind Those Viral Polycule Ads Says It’s Just a Joke

The Person Behind Those Viral Polycule Ads Says It’s Just a Joke

Published by skeptic

The flyer on a pole in San Francisco was very straightforward, if a little bewildering. It read, “Seeking New Polycule Member: We recently had a defector in our polycule and are seeking a new member.” A link at the bottom invited anyone interested to apply to join a polycule—a group of cohabitating adults all in a consensual romantic relationship. The ad seemed almost normal at first, inviting applicants to join a “fun-loving, diverse, ragtag bunch of lover people.” The more you read, the weirder it gets. The link went to an application page hosted on Notion, where responders could share information about themselves, like their hobbies, their waistline (in inches), and whether they were interested in being a part of a “breeding pool.” Courtesy of Danielle Egan “Please do not think of this as an application!” the website read. “We prefer to think of it more like the X-Factor, but for finding another soulmate.” This went viral, of course, spreading across X and Reddit. Some people saw it as a joke. Many were seemingly furious …

Why Sharing a Screenshot Can Get You Jailed in the UAE

Why Sharing a Screenshot Can Get You Jailed in the UAE

Published by skeptic

When Iranian missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates began earlier this year, cybercrime laws also came into focus as the conflict played out in the sky—and online. Authorities announced arrests linked to misleading videos, AI-generated clips, illegal filming, and the spread of misinformation. For many residents, the reaction was one of surprise: How could a screenshot, forwarded video, or social media post become a criminal matter? The answer lies in legal frameworks that were already in place. During ordinary times, many forms of online misconduct can carry penalties under the UAE’s cybercrime laws. But during crises, emergencies, or disasters, the stakes rise considerably. UAE law Article 52 criminalizes using the internet to spread false news, misleading rumors, or content contrary to official announcements, as well as material that could disturb public peace, spread panic, or harm public order. In normal circumstances, the minimum penalty is one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 UAE dirhams. During epidemics, crises, emergencies, or disasters, those figures double to a minimum of two years and …

War Memes Are Turning Conflict Into Content

War Memes Are Turning Conflict Into Content

Published by skeptic

As ceasefire announcements between the US and Iran—and separately between Israel and Lebanon—dominated headlines over the past two weeks, they also prompted a look back at how war spread online: through memes. There were jokes about conscription. Captions about getting drafted, but at least with a Bluetooth device. The song “Bazooka” went viral, with users lip-syncing to: “Rest in peace my granny, she got hit by a bazooka.” Military filters followed. So did posts about Americans wanting to be sent to Dubai “to save all the IG models.” Across the Gulf, the tone was different but the instinct was the same. Memes joked that Iran was replying to Israel faster than the person you’re thinking about. Delivery drivers were shown “dodging missiles.” “Eid fits” became hazmat suits and tactical vests. Dark humor is one of the oldest responses to fear, a way of reclaiming control, however briefly, over events that offer none. Variations of that idea appear across psychology and philosophy, including Freud’s relief theory, which frames humor as a release of tension. But social …

Euphoria’s New Costume Designer Is After More than Viral Memes

Euphoria’s New Costume Designer Is After More than Viral Memes

Published by Sam Flores

The first two seasons of Euphoria delighted fashion fanatics with iconic vintage pieces and other Easter eggs. Newman-Thomas says fans can expect even more. There’s a Levi’s jacket Rue wears that was custom made for her. (The brand provided several replicas, which were needed because of the amount of action she goes through.) There’s also a vintage Roberto Cavalli jacket, and some Dior by Galliano, plus vintage Prada and Saint Laurent Newman-Thomas “trolled The RealReal for.” The costume designer also worked with Jackson Wiederhoeft, the New York-based designer, on Cassie’s wedding dress. “He really is a master of his craft,” she says. The reception of Euphoria’s early costumes was top of mind for Newman-Thomas, but she says that her take is different. “That was such an iconic moment for what high school looked like then, but my approach tends to be to aim for something a little more timeless.” In a way, it needed to be. In high school, every moment feels big and consequential. As we get older, we stop living summer to summer …

Iran’s war propaganda homes in on Trump with Lego memes

Iran’s war propaganda homes in on Trump with Lego memes

Published by Sam Flores

Young Iranian women walk past a state building covered with a giant anti-U.S. billboard depicting a symbolic image of the destroyed USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, in downtown Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 26, 2026, the final day of Iran-U.S. talks that take place in Geneva. Morteza Nikoubazl | Nurphoto | Getty Images Wartime propaganda has evolved for the social media age, and Iran is now vying with the U.S. to be the world’s biggest keyboard warrior. As the real-world bombardment in the Middle East continues and casualties mount, both sides in the month-old war are also firing off ironic, pop-culture-steeped memes on the online battlefield. Iran’s new leaders have quickly assumed an online fighting posture, amping up their memes and pointed attacks on the U.S. and Israel. “What we’re seeing is not just a war of weapons, but it’s also a war of aesthetics,” said Nancy Snow, a professor and author who studies propaganda. “Whoever controls the meme controls the mood.” Iran’s prime target is President Donald Trump, with state media and top officials alike …

Chuck Norris, US action movie star whose toughness inspired endless memes, dies at 86

Chuck Norris, US action movie star whose toughness inspired endless memes, dies at 86

Published by Sam Flores

Chuck Norris, the martial arts grandmaster and action star whose roles in “Walker, Texas Ranger” and other television shows and movies made him an iconic tough guy – sparking internet parodies and adoration from presidents – has died at 86. Norris died Thursday, in what his family described as a “sudden passing.”  “While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” the family said in a statement posted to social media. Before he would become a star in movies and on TV, Norris was wildly successful in competitive martial arts. He became a six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate champion. He also founded his own Korean-based American hard style of karate known sometimes as Chun Kuk Do and the United Fighting Arts Federation, which has awarded more than 3,300 Chuck Norris System black belts worldwide. Black Belt magazine ultimately credited Norris in its hall of fame with holding a 10th degree black belt, the highest possible honor. Chuck Norris memes have become internet lore. …

Sam Altman’s thank-you to coders draws the memes

Sam Altman’s thank-you to coders draws the memes

Published by skeptic

If you need a cathartic release from the news that Amazon laid off 16,000 workers, Block chopped nearly half its workforce, Atlassian pared back 10% of staffers, and Meta is reportedly considering another massive round of layoffs, all in the name of AI, then we invite you to browse the responses to a recent Sam Altman post on X. Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, shared this on Tuesday: “I have so much gratitude to people who wrote extremely complex software character-by-character. It already feels difficult to remember how much effort it really took. Thank you for getting us to this point.” I have so much gratitude to people who wrote extremely complex software character-by-character. It already feels difficult to remember how much effort it really took. Thank you for getting us to this point. — Sam Altman (@sama) March 17, 2026 The problem with that sweet sentiment is that Altman’s company ushered in the AI now being used as an excuse for developer layoffs and fewer junior developer jobs. And it did so by training …

‘Uncanny Valley’: Anthropic’s DOD Lawsuit, War Memes, and AI Coming for VC Jobs

‘Uncanny Valley’: Anthropic’s DOD Lawsuit, War Memes, and AI Coming for VC Jobs

Published by skeptic

Brian Barrett: The irony is my favorite part because I feel like venture capitalists have largely positioned themselves as immune to the effects of AI because they’re very special and surely a machine can— Zoë Schiffer: It’s art, not science. Brian Barrett: Yeah. It’s art, not science. Machines can take every job, but not us. The ladder stops just below VC for them in a way that is entertaining and fun. So I wonder how many people are actually using this now, especially because venture capitalists themselves are so skeptical of it, it seems like. Who’s the audience? Is it finding real traction out there? Zoë Schiffer: Yeah. So the way that ADIN works is they have scouts that go out and look for potential deals, and then those scouts can make money on said deals. So I think this would be something where VCs wouldn’t necessarily be adopting the network, but people would be going around them and they wouldn’t be as necessary, as useful. I think there was another great irony, which Arielle …