Is Big Tech profiting from misleading narratives about Israel? π
Plus could we soon be using solar farms to generate energy from space? π
Hey π
This weeks newsletter is sponsored by EasyJet. EasyJet, with its 27-year legacy, is dedicated to making low-cost travel accessible for everyone. Boasting over 15,000 employees and serving 90 million customers annually, the airline's dynamic ethos means a year at easyJet is as enriching as three years elsewhere. As they aim to be Europe's most adored airline and reach net zero emissions, easyJet invests heavily in its workforce. They provide comprehensive technical training, dedicated focus time, performance bonuses, share schemes, flexible work arrangements, and enticing travel benefits to nurture and advance career aspirations.
EasyJet are currently hiring across Dev and Data on Haystack. Check out their cultural values, engineering practices and more on the Haystack app π²
π Big Tech & Startup
Amidst the escalating tensions in the Israel-Palestine conflict, discerning genuine reporting from digital disinformation on social media has become increasingly challenging. The proliferation of pseudo-reporting, characterised by unverified allegations, rumours, and blatant falsehoods, is overshadowing genuine firsthand accounts that once provided an unfiltered perspective into conflict zones. Disturbingly, some individuals are capitalising on this environment, with certain platforms offering incentives for viral, albeit potentially misleading, content. It's imperative for major tech companies to address this growing concern and prioritise the authenticity of information disseminated on their platforms.
π Science & Futuristic Tech
The concept of space-based solar farms is gaining momentum, with British astronaut Tim Peake championing the idea. These solar farms would utilise satellites to harness solar energy and subsequently transmit it to Earth as microwaves. A satellite positioned in geostationary orbit, approximately 36,000km above Earth, has the potential to generate solar power consistently, irrespective of weather conditions, and can capture sunlight with greater intensity than on Earth. Although a prototype by Caltech has successfully beamed a modest amount of power to Earth, the economic feasibility of such a venture remains a concern. The primary challenge lies in the logistics of transporting the necessary materials into space and maintaining the satellite. While Elon Musk's Space X Falcon rocket can manage the weight, the sheer number of required launches makes it economically unviable. However, there's hope that Space X's Starship, designed for heavier payloads, might offer a more cost-effective solution.
β‘οΈ Haystack Live
Last Thursday, Haystack Live took over the iconic Tyneside Cinema in the centre of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Weβd like to say a massive thanks to everyone that made it down, and our sponsor Leonardo for helping pull it all together. Haystack Live will be back next year and could be coming to a city near you, so keep an eye out! π
βοΈ Miscellaneous
The mystery behind the βPentagon UFO videoβ appears to have been solved πΈ
Does this immortal jellyfish hold the key to eternal youth? π
Rishi Sunak has become the first world leader to openly discuss the threats AI poses π€