Today. Elon Musk unveils a robot, another step toward his IronMan efforts. Yet at the same time, Musks emails reveal a shocking billionaire bro culture. It’s kinda gross. Then, out of London, a UK Coroner lists Instagram algorithm as contributing cause of UK teen’s death – whose father accuses Instagram of Monetizing Misery. It’s hard to disagree. And, is TikTok’s charm offensive working in Washington? Maybe yes. That’s what’s in store for today’s Future Forward. I’m Steven Rosenbaum, along with my partner in Podcast Crime Bob Garfield.
CHAPTER 1- Is Elon Musk planning to transform into Iron Man?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveils prototype humanoid Optimus robot
https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/30/23374729/tesla-bot-ai-day-robot-elon-musk-prototype-optimus-humanoid
Elon Musk’s Texts Shatter the Myth of the Tech Genius
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2022/09/elon-musk-texts-twitter-trial-jack-dorsey/671619/
(For visuals) iRobot – youtu.be/rL6RRIOZyCM
CHAPTER 2- Monetizing Misery
Social media firms ‘monetising misery’, says Molly Russell’s father after inquest
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/30/molly-russell-died-while-suffering-negative-effects-of-online-content-rules-coroner
Coroner lists Instagram algorithm as contributing cause of UK teen’s death
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/09/coroner-lists-instagram-algorithm-as-contributing-cause-of-uk-teens-death/
Molly Russell: how families are helping shift narrative on online safety
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/sep/30/molly-russell-family-helping-shift-online-safety-regulation
CHAPTER 3 – TikTok-ing
TikTok Steers Its Charm Offensive Around Loudest Critics in DC
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-27/tiktok-ghosts-republican-lawmakers-on-china-data-issues#xj4y7vzkg
TikTok Seen Moving Toward U.S. Security Deal, but Hurdles Remain
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/26/technology/tiktok-national-security-china.html
About The Author
Steve Rosenbaum