Curated Commons // Edition 102
Thank you for subscribing and welcome to the 102nd edition of Curated Commons. Happy reading, and do pass on the newsletter and share it on your social networks if you find it interesting! It’s free!
Let’s dive right in ($ indicates potential paywall).
Science, to feel positive
Can you grow new organs inside a human? One new trial is aiming to help people with severe liver disease grow a second liver - Read here
Why does it matter? - Donor organs are in perpetual short supply, and in many emerging markets, there’s often a thriving underground black market for organ donors. If this works, it’s terrific!
Remote work + AI = Rise of the Deepfake employee
Prospective employees taking interviews using deepfake videos based on stolen personal information. Welcome to 2022. - Read here
Why does this matter? - This was probably predictable, but don’t think many predicted something like this would happen this soon. As employees write CVs that can make their way through algorithmic filters, and now have someone else impersonate them on video, things just got more complicated for hiring managers.
Cheating kills
‘nuff said!
Remote first or privacy first?
A judge in the US has ruled that remote proctoring software for students do not have a right to infringe privacy by asking to scan the room where a student is taking an exam. - Read here
Why does it matter? - The world is going remote-first. But in our quest to enable convenience, a plethora of services are getting hyper-intrusive all in the name of security. How much security is security, and how much is theater which might impact us in ways unknown?
When Private Equity enters X
The industry doesn’t matter, the outcome is a trainwreck. Nursing homes this time - Read here($)
Why does it matter? - This quote says it all - “when private-equity firms acquired nursing homes, deaths among residents increased by an average of ten per cent.”
Another day, another species goes extinct
‘Dugong’ or “sea cow”, a herbivorous mammal, is now extinct in China, say researchers. - Read here
Tech, but for stripping what makes us human
There’s a startup that wants to make call center workers sound white and American using tech. - Read here
Why does it matter? - As it is, most call center workers in India undergo ‘accent neutralization’ trainings, adopt ‘western’ short names. Now, this startup wants to put a tech-enabled filter. We can, and should, do better.
Twins, without being one
You might not have a twin. But there might be a doppelganger out there who has a lot more common in DNA among them. Some lovely pictures in there - Read here ($)
Why does it matter? - With growing abilities of facial recognition systems, the day might not be far off when Facebook or Google might suggest - People who look like you.
Why companies love gift cards
Apparently Americans have over $21 Bn in unused gift cards and store credits - Read here
Why does it matter? - Gift cards/store credits lose value with each passing day thanks to inflation. And the more consumers don’t use them, the greater the chance of an inactivity fee or the entire amount lapsing (so common with some many Indian companies). For companies, they are great. Starbucks has over a billion dollars in unused gift cards.
Middle managers, show this research to your bosses
The realignment of supply chains is in full swing
American companies are on pace to reshore over 350,000 jobs this year - Read here ($)
Why does it matter? - The pandemic and the subsequent supply chain and shipping industry nightmares, and now the Russia-Ukraine conflict are all coming together to finally push companies to question global supply chains that are primed for cost and efficiency. Significant long-term impacts.
Beauty, defined by an algorithm
There’s a digital beauty culture that is growing. And it is aided by filters on Instagram. - Read here
Why does it matter? - When algorithms define ‘beauty’ based on viral engagement, what impact does that have in the real world on people? We are barely scratching the surface when it comes to understanding the long-term impacts of a whole generation of kids obsessing over their looks on a six-inch piece of glass.
Did you & your Uber/Ola driver swipe right?
More Interesting Reads:
Watch what pics you share. AI algorithms are watching - Read here ($)
Latest variant of Beer? Water in a beer can - Read here ($)
Polio is back in New York. Sigh. - Read here ($)
A joystick-controlled bed on wheels. Why not? - See here
Cheating kills
And finally
Stay safe, and happy reading! And if you liked the newsletter, thank you, and maybe consider sharing it? My DMs on Twitter are always open for any feedback.