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Five times Peter Dutton did shit that would make a GTA scriptwriter blush

Minister Dutton wants to blame games for why there's so much toxic masculinity out there. Here's a bunch of times he was more toxic than GTA.

Five times Peter Dutton did shit that would make a GTA scriptwriter blush

So polished it's lifeless

The past few weeks watching PM Morrison flounder has been a textbook lesson in how media training has gone so terribly wrong in corporations and politics. The effort to be so good at only ever saying the thing you’re prepared to say – to “never accept the premise of the

So polished it's lifeless
Ideas

Building the history of Korea

The humble plastic brick can allow you to build history, explore perspectives, and come to a deeper appreciation for humanity's complexity.

Building the history of Korea
Games

Games with loot boxes could face an 18+ rating if new German laws pass

It could soon be illegal to sell videogames containing loot boxes to children, if legislation ahead of the German Federal Council passes.

Games with loot boxes could face an 18+ rating if new German laws pass
Business

Bargaining Code amendments give Facebook all it wanted and then some

We handed Facebook fewer rules and no mandatory code while giving it an excuse to gain data on what a Facebook without news looks like.

Bargaining Code amendments give Facebook all it wanted and then some
Politics

Police officer plays music to try and take down social media recording

A Beverly Hills police officer played music (not Weezer) in a reported attempt to copyright strike an activist's Instagram account.

Police officer plays music to try and take down social media recording
Politics

Warner Bros. makes nemeses with Middle-Earth Nemesis system patent

Warner Bros. finally succeeds patenting the Nemesis system made famous by Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, causing controversy among game devs.

Warner Bros. makes nemeses with Middle-Earth Nemesis system patent
Politics

Stonks indeed

There was a version of this story where memes triumph over money. Then Robinhood reminded everyone that the house always wins in the end.

Stonks indeed
Politics

What's up? Millions flee WhatsApp amid updated terms

A poorly communicated update from secure messaging service WhatsApp sees millions abandon the service in favour of competitors.

What's up? Millions flee WhatsApp amid updated terms
Business

Everyone looks ridiculous in the Australian media bargaining code fight

Big media, big tech, and big politics. Everyone is trying to look like the biggest tool in the name of winning a fight about the wrong thing.

Everyone looks ridiculous in the Australian media bargaining code fight

Bad bargain, wrong code

This media bargaining code battle has been running for about three years now, and the closer it gets to the finish line, the more everyone involved look like assholes.

Bad bargain, wrong code
Politics

US Govt speaks up on Australia's proposal to force Google and Facebook to pay up

Australia's developing media laws continue to get spicy, with US officials the latest detractors alongside Facebook and Google.

US Govt speaks up on Australia's proposal to force Google and Facebook to pay up
Politics

NPCs may be smart enough to have anxiety in GTA6

A new patent filed by Take-Two talks about a new way to give NPCs more divergent AI for future games like GTA6.

NPCs may be smart enough to have anxiety in GTA6
Politics

Toxicity Ghettoing: an Amazon patent could create a gaming class system

From quitters to shouty men, toxic players deserve a special place in hell. But is this the right path to send them there?

Toxicity Ghettoing: an Amazon patent could create a gaming class system
Art & Culture

AI Frank Sinatra sings Britney Spears, gets copyright takedown

When a song written by an AI riffing on two separate artists gets a copyright strike, who owns it? Or is it just another case of AI vs AI.

AI Frank Sinatra sings Britney Spears, gets copyright takedown

Fighting the Unlightenment

By every measure, the future demands creativity. It demands a return to the raw pursuit of ideas. And supporting nerds in their pursuit of amazing innovations is fundamental to the problems we face.

Fighting the Unlightenment
Politics

One of Australia's spy agencies collected COVIDSafe app data, promised they didn't peek

At least one of Australia's top security agencies has "incidentally collected" data from the COVIDSafe app.

One of Australia's spy agencies collected COVIDSafe app data, promised they didn't peek
Politics

Twitch's DMCA mess continues with no clear end in sight

Twitch has finally provided a clear update on the DMCA situation plaguing the streaming service, but the issues continue.

Twitch's DMCA mess continues with no clear end in sight

Free as in anti-competitive

There's big questions in what it means for Google to offer free cloud photo storage and then take it away when the free service spoiled the market for paid competitors for so long.

Free as in anti-competitive
Art & Culture

Hugo Weaving 'befuddled' by alt-right readings of The Matrix

"These films are profoundly thought through, but it’s too easy to look cool, have a cool haircut, and have a gun, and you think that’s all you need to do in life."

Hugo Weaving 'befuddled' by alt-right readings of The Matrix