Why did the chicken cross the road? At many intersections across America, the answer to that age-old question is impossible to ascertain. Because the chicken didn't make it. When you look at which roads across the country are particularly dangerous, it turns out than many of them are managed at the state (not local) level. Look both ways before reading this interesting overview of the problem from Vox that begins on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia, a 12-lane thoroughfare known as the "corridor of death." (Which, ironically, is the same nickname I've given my open tabs over the last week.) The most dangerous roads in America have one thing in common. "Although only 14 percent of urban road miles nationwide are under state control, two-thirds of all crash deaths in the 101 largest metro areas occur there." 2Doge Day AfternoonHowever you reacted (ranging from throwing up a little in your mouth to projectile vomiting all over your laptop) to the scene of Biden welcoming Trump back to the Oval Office for a post-election visit, it's the last presidential norm or act of decency you're going to see for a long time. Meanwhile, the new administration continues to take shape. So far, the nomination that has basically shocked everyone (even insiders) and drew a one word response from Sen Lisa Murkowski ("Wow.") is Pete Hegseth (of Fox & Friends) as Secretary of Defense. 3Suburban Myth"The $2.8 million mansion, tucked at the end of a private drive, boasts a climate-controlled wine cellar, sauna and four fireplaces — features not uncommon to this wealthy part of the Washington suburbs. But the man who bought the place a couple of years ago did not stick around to enjoy them, neighbors said. He introduced himself, then disappeared, leaving some wondering what was happening behind his nine-foot-tall carved-wood front doors." WaPo (Gift Article): The mysterious Virginia mansion allegedly bought with stolen Nigerian money. "Authorities say close friends of an alleged kleptocrat bought properties with cash meant to fight Boko Haram, underscoring how the U.S. has become a money-laundering haven." There's a contributor to our housing shortage you probably didn't have on your bingo card. (Meanwhile, people in the SF Bay Area are like, "Wait, 2.8 mil for a mansion? You mean a condo, right?") 4We Need to Chat About Search"For the past week, I have been using these products in a variety of ways: to research articles, follow the election, and run everyday search queries. In turn I have scried, as best I can, into the future of how billions of people will access, relate to, and synthesize information. What I’ve learned is that these products are at once unexpectedly convenient, frustrating, and weird. These tools’ current iterations surprised and, at times, impressed me, yet even when they work perfectly, I’m not convinced that AI search is a wise endeavor." We've spent decades navigating the world (wide web) by searching. AI could change that, which in turn, changes the whole Internet. Matteo Wong in The Atlantic(Gift Article): The Death of Search. 5Extra, ExtraBlue By You: With an increasing number of users looking for a Twitter alternative, Bluesky has emerged as a contender (along with the much bigger Threads). Bluesky crosses the 15 million user mark. After years of having my mental health nearly destroyed by social media platforms, one after another, I've decided to post on two at once in the hopes that together, they can finally finish the job. Here I am on BlueSky. Here I am on Threads. 6Bottom of the NewsConflicts can end. Rifts can repair. We just have to start somewhere. In that spirit, I'm pleased to announce that Simon and Garfunkel had lunch.
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