Harry McCracken
@harrymccracken.com
Fast Company global technology editor. Boy journalist. Bon vivant. Lefthander. Westcoastian. 🇺🇦 Sign up for my free Plugged In newsletter: https://www.fastcompany.com/section/plugged-in
Pinned
Harry McCracken
@harrymccracken.com
· Jul 16
Here’s a feed of stuff from Fast Company and people who write for it, which I created using Flipboard’s Surf app.
bsky.app/profile/did:...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
Reposted by Harry McCracken
Every bit of this only reinforces Joyce Carol Oates’ absolute roast of Elon Musk as fundamentally lacking in the ability to enjoy anything normally human. “I built a tool that can insult people in a social setting better than anything ever invented” is a real personal tell.
Everything about this might be the saddest thing I’ve ever seen
November 24, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Every bit of this only reinforces Joyce Carol Oates’ absolute roast of Elon Musk as fundamentally lacking in the ability to enjoy anything normally human. “I built a tool that can insult people in a social setting better than anything ever invented” is a real personal tell.
Reposted by Harry McCracken
lol this rocks
taking my children to see the nativity mural painted on the olde drugstore facade downtown and accidentally giving them PTSD from a hieronymous bosch version of rudolph getting eaten by elves
taking my children to see the nativity mural painted on the olde drugstore facade downtown and accidentally giving them PTSD from a hieronymous bosch version of rudolph getting eaten by elves
November 24, 2025 at 10:15 PM
lol this rocks
taking my children to see the nativity mural painted on the olde drugstore facade downtown and accidentally giving them PTSD from a hieronymous bosch version of rudolph getting eaten by elves
taking my children to see the nativity mural painted on the olde drugstore facade downtown and accidentally giving them PTSD from a hieronymous bosch version of rudolph getting eaten by elves
Now I’m tempted to start flying in slippers and pajamas, and possibly a gaudy nightcap of some sort.
Duffy on his demand that air travelers not wear slippers or pajamas: "It honors our country ... don't take your shoes off and put your feet on the chair ahead of you"
November 24, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Now I’m tempted to start flying in slippers and pajamas, and possibly a gaudy nightcap of some sort.
Reposted by Harry McCracken
Jony Ive and Sam Altman say they finally have an AI hardware prototype
Jony Ive and Sam Altman say they finally have an AI hardware prototype
What does a ChatGPT gadget look like?
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Jony Ive and Sam Altman say they finally have an AI hardware prototype
Reposted by Harry McCracken
It was five years ago this week that AlphaFold 2’s debut took scientists by surprise. Now that the hype has died down, what impact has AlphaFold really had? How are scientists using it? And what’s next? We talked to John Jumper (as well as a few other scientists) to find out.
What’s next for AlphaFold: A conversation with a Google DeepMind Nobel laureate
“I’ll be shocked if we don’t see more and more LLM impact on science,” says John Jumper.
www.technologyreview.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It was five years ago this week that AlphaFold 2’s debut took scientists by surprise. Now that the hype has died down, what impact has AlphaFold really had? How are scientists using it? And what’s next? We talked to John Jumper (as well as a few other scientists) to find out.
Reposted by Harry McCracken
I wrote about the fake account blowup on X this weekend. A genuine post-truth nightmare and proof that these companies have polluted their platforms so thoroughly and traded reality for profit that they've undermined the very idea of what the internet is supposed to be.
That MAGA Account Might Be a Troll From Pakistan
How X blew up its own platform with a new location feature
www.theatlantic.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I wrote about the fake account blowup on X this weekend. A genuine post-truth nightmare and proof that these companies have polluted their platforms so thoroughly and traded reality for profit that they've undermined the very idea of what the internet is supposed to be.
I’ve been vibecoding in Gemini 3 Pro (using Google’s AI Studio), and it’s really great. Not the richest platform I’ve tried in terms of features, but its ability to write code that actually works without a lot of guidance or mishaps is fantastic so far.
November 24, 2025 at 6:52 AM
I’ve been vibecoding in Gemini 3 Pro (using Google’s AI Studio), and it’s really great. Not the richest platform I’ve tried in terms of features, but its ability to write code that actually works without a lot of guidance or mishaps is fantastic so far.
Reposted by Harry McCracken
Except, of course, it’s *not* all he can say.
Cassidy could concede publicly that confirming Kennedy was a tragic mistake. He could call for RFK Jr's resignation. He could schedule hearings, haul the secretary to Capitol Hill, and demand the CDC’s public resources reflect the scientific cannon.
Cassidy could concede publicly that confirming Kennedy was a tragic mistake. He could call for RFK Jr's resignation. He could schedule hearings, haul the secretary to Capitol Hill, and demand the CDC’s public resources reflect the scientific cannon.
TAPPER: You were the deciding vote that allowed RFK Jr to ascend to the role of Health Secretary. Did you give him too much credit?
CASSIDY: The fact is the scientific community agrees that vaccines are safe. That's all I can say.
CASSIDY: The fact is the scientific community agrees that vaccines are safe. That's all I can say.
November 23, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Except, of course, it’s *not* all he can say.
Cassidy could concede publicly that confirming Kennedy was a tragic mistake. He could call for RFK Jr's resignation. He could schedule hearings, haul the secretary to Capitol Hill, and demand the CDC’s public resources reflect the scientific cannon.
Cassidy could concede publicly that confirming Kennedy was a tragic mistake. He could call for RFK Jr's resignation. He could schedule hearings, haul the secretary to Capitol Hill, and demand the CDC’s public resources reflect the scientific cannon.
Reposted by Harry McCracken
He confirmed RFK Jr. Now still refuses to confront him.
Bill Cassidy Is Still In Denial About RFK, Jr.
"Vaccines are safe. That's the most important message," Cassidy said on CNN Sunday—even though Kennedy's CDC now officially claims otherwise.
www.motherjones.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:15 PM
He confirmed RFK Jr. Now still refuses to confront him.
Reposted by Harry McCracken
An really important thing a lot of people don't realize about Trump is that he doesn't bully people he doesn't think he can bully.
Let’s be clear.
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social got Trump so charmed that Trump posted two photos of the two of them with Franklin Roosevelt’s portrait behind them AND one of just Mamdani and FDR’s portrait.
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social got Trump so charmed that Trump posted two photos of the two of them with Franklin Roosevelt’s portrait behind them AND one of just Mamdani and FDR’s portrait.
November 22, 2025 at 8:02 AM
An really important thing a lot of people don't realize about Trump is that he doesn't bully people he doesn't think he can bully.
This guy’s legacy is incredible (and Mr. Machine deserves more than a passing mention). www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/a...
Burt Meyer, 99, Dies; Made Lite-Brite and Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots - The New York Times
Starting in the 1960s, he collaborated on the designs of classic toys like Mouse Trap, Toss Across and Mr. Machine.
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:30 PM
This guy’s legacy is incredible (and Mr. Machine deserves more than a passing mention). www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/a...
I asked Grok about Elon’s coding skills—I’m genuinely curious!—and it gave what seemed to be a fairly measured response. But I’m not sure if any of it is true. Can anyone verify the verbatim quotes near the end?
November 21, 2025 at 9:50 PM
I asked Grok about Elon’s coding skills—I’m genuinely curious!—and it gave what seemed to be a fairly measured response. But I’m not sure if any of it is true. Can anyone verify the verbatim quotes near the end?
I wrote about Google’s Gemini 3 Pro, which did a lot of the stuff I tried really well. But it also hallucinated with great gusto and sometimes behaved strangely when I pointed out its errors. www.fastcompany.com/91444721/goo...
I loved Google’s new Gemini AI—except when it gaslit me - Fast Company
This LLM does a lot of things well. But it still hallucinated, and sometimes claimed I was the one with a shaky grasp on reality.
www.fastcompany.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I wrote about Google’s Gemini 3 Pro, which did a lot of the stuff I tried really well. But it also hallucinated with great gusto and sometimes behaved strangely when I pointed out its errors. www.fastcompany.com/91444721/goo...
The fact that the so much of the web no longer exists is really a cultural tragedy. www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
The earliest days of The Atlantic Online - The Atlantic
The year 1995 was full of Flash art, dial-up, and the first days of The Atlantic online.
www.theatlantic.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:17 AM
The fact that the so much of the web no longer exists is really a cultural tragedy. www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Harry McCracken
If you're trying to convince your friends to spend time on Bluesky rather than X, maybe show them this. X is not "the public town square" or about "free speech." It's "just what Elon Musk wants you to see." If you see stuff he doesn't like he'll step in to make sure you don't see it for long.
If you scroll on X, you are only being shown what Elon wants you to see. If you create content on X, no one will see it unless Elon wants them to.
November 21, 2025 at 1:31 AM
If you're trying to convince your friends to spend time on Bluesky rather than X, maybe show them this. X is not "the public town square" or about "free speech." It's "just what Elon Musk wants you to see." If you see stuff he doesn't like he'll step in to make sure you don't see it for long.
Reposted by Harry McCracken
It's simply not great that the world's richest person is building an increasingly powerful model that worships him above every other person www.404media.co/elon-musk-co...
Elon Musk Could 'Drink Piss Better Than Any Human in History,' Grok Says
Grok has been reprogrammed to say Musk is better than everyone at everything, including blowjobs, piss drinking, playing quarterback, conquering Europe, etc.
www.404media.co
November 20, 2025 at 10:13 PM
It's simply not great that the world's richest person is building an increasingly powerful model that worships him above every other person www.404media.co/elon-musk-co...
Reposted by Harry McCracken
Grok, which Musk has touted as "maximally truth-seeking," and "the world's smartest AI," explained to X users today that Musk:
✅ Would beat Mike Tyson in a fight
✅ Is "strikingly handsome"
✅ Should have been drafted over Peyton Manning
✅ Outranks da Vinci as the world's top human
✅ Might be God
✅ Would beat Mike Tyson in a fight
✅ Is "strikingly handsome"
✅ Should have been drafted over Peyton Manning
✅ Outranks da Vinci as the world's top human
✅ Might be God
Over on X today, Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok is having another normal one www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot ranks him as world history’s greatest human
Users on X shared examples of the “truth-seeking” AI chatbot praising its owner as “strikingly handsome,” a “genius,” and fitter than LeBron James.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Grok, which Musk has touted as "maximally truth-seeking," and "the world's smartest AI," explained to X users today that Musk:
✅ Would beat Mike Tyson in a fight
✅ Is "strikingly handsome"
✅ Should have been drafted over Peyton Manning
✅ Outranks da Vinci as the world's top human
✅ Might be God
✅ Would beat Mike Tyson in a fight
✅ Is "strikingly handsome"
✅ Should have been drafted over Peyton Manning
✅ Outranks da Vinci as the world's top human
✅ Might be God
Tired: Data caps
Wired: Data thresholds
Wired: Data thresholds
November 20, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Tired: Data caps
Wired: Data thresholds
Wired: Data thresholds
I’m excited by this news. (My biggest remaining bit of Apple ecosystem lock-in is my Apple Watch, which I wouldn’t want to give up and is predicated on me having an iPhone.) blog.google/products/and...
Android Quick Share can now work with iOS’s AirDrop
Today, we’re introducing a way for Quick Share to work with AirDrop.
blog.google
November 20, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I’m excited by this news. (My biggest remaining bit of Apple ecosystem lock-in is my Apple Watch, which I wouldn’t want to give up and is predicated on me having an iPhone.) blog.google/products/and...
Bay Area tech history nerd friends: Paul Terrell, the founder of the Byte Shop–Apple’s first dealer—is holding a 50th anniversary party next month. It’s open to all and I’ll be there! byteshop50thyearbirthdayp.rsvpify.com
Byte Shop 50th Year Birthday Party • RSVPify
December 6, 2025 @ 5:00 PM - Double Tree by Hilton 2050 Gateway Place San Jose, Ca. 95110
byteshop50thyearbirthdayp.rsvpify.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Bay Area tech history nerd friends: Paul Terrell, the founder of the Byte Shop–Apple’s first dealer—is holding a 50th anniversary party next month. It’s open to all and I’ll be there! byteshop50thyearbirthdayp.rsvpify.com
Remarkably, their innovative strategy of making the food worse didn’t pay off. www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/p...
Panera Bread unveils turnaround plan with bigger portions, more staff
Panera Bread has unveiled a turnaround strategy to reverse years of traffic declines.
www.cnbc.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Remarkably, their innovative strategy of making the food worse didn’t pay off. www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/p...
In my case, the content from friends is often replaced by awful, unsolicited words and images generated by AI, sometimes with zillions of likes from people who don’t realize that.
Reading the judge's ruling that rejected the Federal Trade Commission's bid to break up Meta, the glum, almost Doctorow-esque picture it paints of Facebook today is really something: "What has replaced content from friends? For the most part, short videos posted by strangers and recommended by AI."
Court Rejects FTC's Bid to Break Up Meta, Finds It's Not a Social Media Monopoly
Judge James E. Boasberg's opinion is hard to read as complimentary of what's become of the Facebook and Instagram experience. But it's a win for Meta nonetheless.
www.pcmag.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:48 PM
In my case, the content from friends is often replaced by awful, unsolicited words and images generated by AI, sometimes with zillions of likes from people who don’t realize that.
Reposted by Harry McCracken
I wrote an obituary of celebrated game developer Rebecca Heineman for Ars Technica:
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025...
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025...
Celebrated game developer Rebecca Heineman dies at age 62
The gaming community mourns a beloved mentor and LGBTQ+ advocate with a storied career.
arstechnica.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I wrote an obituary of celebrated game developer Rebecca Heineman for Ars Technica:
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025...
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025...
It’s rare to see AI not only acknowledge that it was wrong but that it made up a “fabrication in the moment” to “cover up previous errors.”
(This is the new Gemini—I get in a lot of arguments with chatbot about obscure facts relating to comics and animation history.)
(This is the new Gemini—I get in a lot of arguments with chatbot about obscure facts relating to comics and animation history.)
November 19, 2025 at 5:56 PM
It’s rare to see AI not only acknowledge that it was wrong but that it made up a “fabrication in the moment” to “cover up previous errors.”
(This is the new Gemini—I get in a lot of arguments with chatbot about obscure facts relating to comics and animation history.)
(This is the new Gemini—I get in a lot of arguments with chatbot about obscure facts relating to comics and animation history.)
Reposted by Harry McCracken
Bellingcat’s contact email has always been a magnet for people with fairly unusual views; paranoid delusions, sprawling conspiracies, the works. But recently, the pattern has shifted, we’re seeing more and more emails clearly written with ChatGPT.
November 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Bellingcat’s contact email has always been a magnet for people with fairly unusual views; paranoid delusions, sprawling conspiracies, the works. But recently, the pattern has shifted, we’re seeing more and more emails clearly written with ChatGPT.