Space exploration and why we are addicted to hybrid cars

The unavoidable

I’ve scoured the internet to find you today’s funniest/important/scariest/fascinating stories about technology.

1 Sam Bankman-Fried’s Top Associates Pleaded Guilty to Fraud
They agreed to cooperate in his pursuit. (NYT$)
+ Here are some of the charges brought by US authorities against the pair. ($Bloomberg)
+ “Ethics crusader” Vikram Akula engaged in similarly questionable practices more than a decade ago. (Wired $)

2 Elon Musk says his cost-cutting saved Twitter from bankruptcy
Others might say it only hastened the company’s demise. (FT$)
+ The obvious choice for Twitter’s new CEO is among the people he fired. (New Yorkers $)

3 It was a banner year for the climate
But major US legislation could pave the way for a better future. (New Yorkers $)
+ Why biodiversity is a key measure of the effects of climate change. (Economist $)
+ 2023 is the year we will see whether corporate climate commitments are genuine or greenwash. (Wired $)
+ These three graphs show who is most responsible for climate change. (MIT Technology Review)

4 Gene therapy restored the immune systems of 10 children
The patients, who were born without a functioning immune system, could now lead normal lives. (New Scientist $)
+ This family has raised millions to get experimental gene therapy for their children. (MIT Technology Review)

5 The race to share the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope
NASA scientists had a strict deadline to meet and no room for error. (Reverse)

6 sextortion scammers in India are ruining the lives of victims
This is a glimpse into a growing and horrifying industry. (Rest of the world)

7 Your Netflix Password Sharing Days Are Numbered
Netflix’s crackdown on account sharing is unlikely to be popular. (WSJ$)
+ Sharing passwords is illegal in the UK, says its government. (BBC)

8 How Meme Stocks Stopped Being Funny
It turns out investing based on vibes and jokes doesn’t always pay off. (voice)

9 grandmothers on TikTok are charming young generations
It strikes a chord with those seeking the wisdom of elders as Christmas approaches. (Atlantic $)
+ Why these “one day in my life” videos are so addicting. (voice)

10 We’re Obsessed With Trying To Age Healthier
But promising drugs risk becoming overhyped. (Knowing Magazine)
+ How scientists want to make you younger. (MIT Technology Review)

quote of the day

“He banned income by being an asshole.”