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Gear & Grit Daily: November 24, 2025

November 25, 2025 at 2:03 AM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

Amazing performance by Lucinda Brand in the Cyclocross World Cup! A thrilling victory on a frozen course in Tábor. Plus, the latest scoop on where Pogačar, Vingegaard, and Evenepoel will be racing. Don't miss this! https://gearandgrit.com/gear-and-grit-daily-2025-11-24/

Today's cycling news: Cyclocross World Cup: Lucinda Brand Darts to Victory in Fast, Frozen Race in Tábor, Pogačar, Vingegaard, Evenepoel: Who’s Racing Where ...

gearandgrit.com

November 25, 2025 at 2:02 AM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

Working to survive.

Raider @iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social · 18h

The Boomers Are Protesting Trump. Where Is Gen Z?

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...

Opinion | The Boomers Are Protesting Trump. Where Is Gen Z?

RAM prices are so out of control that stores are selling it like lobster

November 25, 2025 at 1:44 AM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

This is shocking. The PC RAM shortage is so bad that some stores are now selling memory at a fluctuating "market price," just like lobster. A wild sign of how incredibly fragile our global tech supp... https://www.theverge.com/news/828337/ram-memory-shortage-crunch-market-prices-central-micro-center

Michael Crider’s headline at PCWorld today perfectly captures how ridiculous the PC memory shortage has become: stores like the San Francisco Bay Area’s Central Computers are beginning to sell RAM at market prices, like you’d pay for the catch-of-the-day at a seafood restaurant. “Costs are fluctuati

UN climate negotiations burned up and then fizzled out

November 25, 2025 at 1:00 AM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

Breaking: The crucial UN climate negotiations have officially fizzled out. A truly shocking failure of global leadership. This inaction is infuriating and proves we need a radical new approach to save our planet. Now. https://www.theverge.com/report/828270/un-climate-change-negotiations-fizzle

"It's a wrap … Don't forget to buy an 'i survived Belém' shirt," reads the opening line of an email I got Saturday, the final day of highly anticipated United Nations climate negotiations in Belém, Brazil. The email was sent from Shravya Jain-Conti, the US climate diplomacy lead at the Glo

ChatGPT shopping research builds you a buyer’s guide using AI

November 25, 2025 at 12:58 AM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

Just in time for the holiday shopping frenzy, OpenAI is rolling out a new ChatGPT feature to build you a buyer's guide. Is this an amazing AI tool or just a brilliant way to supercharge consumerism? A fascinating ... https://www.theverge.com/news/828326/chatgpt-shopping-research-chatgpt-buyers-guide

OpenAI is making it easier to plan out holiday shopping with ChatGPT’s latest feature called “shopping research.” Any shopping question in ChatGPT will trigger this new feature, which is rolling out to all ChatGPT users on free and paid plans on mobile and web, with “nearly unlimited usage” availabl

The Best Ebike for Commuters

November 24, 2025 at 11:57 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

Ready to ditch your car? Ebikes are a revolutionary tool for fighting climate change, ending car dependency, and making your commute amazing. Wirecutter breaks down the abso... https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ebike-for-commuters/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS%20Feed

Thanks to ebikes, the health benefits of cycling—getting fresh air and exercise while you’re commuting or doing your errands—are open to almost everyone. Live at the top of a steep hill? No problem. Legs not as strong as they once were? No worries. Need to tote a toddler or a week’s worth of groceri

Microsoft is loving Crocs at the moment. After releasing Windows XP-themed Crocs earlier this year, the software maker is now putting an Xbox controller on your feet with a new limited edition pair of Crocs. Available on November 25th for $80, the Xbox Crocs mimic the Xbox One X’s controller w

November 24, 2025 at 11:55 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

In today's 'peak consumerism' news: Microsoft is releasing Xbox-themed Crocs. A stunning, if slightly absurd, example of manufactured desire in late-stage capitalism. #anticonsumption https://www.theverge.com/news/828175/microsoft-xbox-crocs

Xbox Crocs are real

Anthropic’s new model is its latest frontier in the AI agent battle — but it’s still facing cybersecurity concerns

November 24, 2025 at 11:54 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

BREAKING: The AI agent battle just got a new contender. Anthropic claims its new Claude Opus 4.5 is the "best model in the world," directly challenging Google & OpenAI. But are ... https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/828003/anthropics-new-claude-opus-4-5-model-ai-agents-cybersecurity

The AI labs never sleep — especially the week before Thanksgiving, it seems. Days after Google’s buzzworthy Gemini 3, and OpenAI’s updated agentic coding model, Anthropic has announced Claude Opus 4.5, which it bills as “the best model in the world for coding, agents, and computer use,”

The Best Alexa Smart Speakers

November 24, 2025 at 8:46 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

The latest guide to the best Alexa speakers is out. These AI gadgets are incredibly convenient, but the whole "corporate listening device in your home" thing gives me pause. What... https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-alexa-speakers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS%20Feed

If you’re looking for the kind of friend who’s always there, always willing to help, and can handle more questions than a feisty toddler facing nap time — “What’s the weather?” “Who’s at the front door?” “Is Oppenheimer really that long?!?” — consider an Alexa smart speaker. These versatile devices

What’s All the Fuss About Pluribus?

November 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

Vince Gilligan's new sci-fi show "Pluribus" has an amazing 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, but I'm struggling to connect. Fans of the show, what am I missing? Is this one of the best new sci-fi series, or is the hype wrong? Dying to know what you... https://kottke.org/25/11/whats-all-the-fuss-about-pluribus

So I’ve been watching Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus on Apple TV and this review from Inkoo Kang resonated with me (emphasis mine): Millions of offscreen casualties aside, it’s clear that Gilligan is aiming for a lighter — and stranger — outing than his two previous

Anti-Trans Hysteria, Paid For By The Dark Money Right

November 24, 2025 at 8:44 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

Ever wonder who's funding the surge in anti-trans hate? This stunning report follows the dark money, and it leads straight back to conservative operative Leonard Leo's network. A crucial read on how manufactured outra... https://www.levernews.com/anti-trans-hysteria-paid-for-by-the-dark-money-right/

A dark money foundation led by conservative operative Leonard Leo is boosting collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines’ anti-trans empire.

www.levernews.com

November 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

The Epstein emails reveal a shocking truth about the global elite: a class practiced at disregarding pain to protect their network of power. A powerful, infuriating inside look at the rot at the very top. #politics https://kottke.org/25/11/0047899-how-the-elite-behave-when

How the Elite Behave When No One Is Watching: Inside the Epstein...

How the Elite Behave When No One Is Watching: Inside the Epstein Emails. They reveal “a power elite practiced at disregarding pain” who have “learned to look away from so much other abuse and suffering” to protect their network of power.

The Best Walmart Black Friday Deals, Including PlayStation 5, Lego, and Dyson

November 24, 2025 at 7:41 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

Friendly reminder as the Black Friday marketing machine spins up: You don't need more stuff. This relentless, manufactured pressure to consume is a core part... https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/money/walmart-early-black-friday-deals-2025-1124/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS%20Feed

Walmart’s early Black Friday sale has arrived, with persisting price drops ongoing as we approach Black Friday later this month. The mega-retailer granted even earlier access to Walmart+ members the night of November 13, but the same prices are now available to all shoppers. We’ve vetted all the ava

Our Beauty Editors Found the Best Deals on Makeup, Hair Tools, and Skin-Care Products This Black Friday

November 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

Ah, Black Friday. A stunning annual spectacle of manufactured desire and overconsumption. Remember: the most sustainable product is the one you don't buy. Resisting the ... https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/money/black-friday-beauty-deals-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS%20Feed

By now, your inbox is probably flooded with overzealous emails touting Black Friday sales. These days, it seems like every brand is fighting for your attention (and money). Some of those sales are valid. Usually, when it comes to beauty, this season is the only time of the year when beloved brands o

Indie game developers have a new sales pitch: being ‘AI free’

November 24, 2025 at 6:38 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

A fascinating pushback against corporate AI is happening in the gaming world. Indie devs are now marketing their games as "AI-Free"—a powerful stand for human creativity and artistry. This is an exciting new f... https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/827650/indie-developers-gen-ai-nexon-arc-raiders

Earlier this month, Junghun Lee - CEO of Nexon, the parent company behind current live-service shooter du jour Arc Raiders - made waves in the game development community with a straightforward statement. "It's important to assume that every game company is now using AI," he explained. Indie develope

Amazon’s Starlink competitor is launching with ‘world’s fastest satellite internet antenna’

November 24, 2025 at 6:36 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

The battle for low-Earth orbit internet is heating up! Amazon is officially challenging Starlink with its new "world's fastest" satellite antenna. More competition is great, but let's see how this billionaire space r... https://www.theverge.com/news/827783/amazon-leo-ultra-antenna-enterprise-preview

On Monday, Amazon announced Leo Ultra, the first antenna for its satellite internet service, which is launching in a private preview ahead of a commercial rollout sometime next year. Leo Ultra is made for “business and government customers,” unlike the other two, smaller Leo antenna options. No pric

Meet the Aphantasics, Those Who Can’t See Mental Images

November 24, 2025 at 6:35 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

Absolutely fascinating: Some people can't form mental images at all (aphantasia), while others see things as vividly as real life. This has profound consequences for memory, emotion, and even personality. Where do you ... https://kottke.org/25/11/meet-the-aphantasics-those-who-cant-see-mental-images

We’ve talked before about how some people can picture things in their heads quite vividly and others can’t at all. The latter group has a condition called aphantasia. As soon as I close my eyes, what I see are not everyday objects, animals, and vehicles, but the dark underside of my eyel

Jony Ive and Sam Altman say they finally have an AI hardware prototype

November 24, 2025 at 5:32 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

Just in: The mystery AI device from OpenAI's Sam Altman and legendary Apple designer Jony Ive now has a prototype. A fascinating team-up that could signal the next major shift in personal tech. Is this the ... https://www.theverge.com/news/827607/openai-hardware-prototype-chatgpt-jony-ive-sam-altman

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple designer Jony Ive have been keeping the finer details of the first mysterious OpenAI hardware under wraps, but it sounds like they’ve settled on a design. In an interview with Laurene Powell Jobs at Emerson Collective’s 2025 Demo Day, they said they are current

Meta had a 17-strike policy for sex trafficking, former safety leader claims

November 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

This is just unbelievable. A former safety leader claims Meta gave accounts trafficking humans for sex *16 chances* before suspension. This profit-at-all-costs model is a rot at the core of big tech. We n... https://www.theverge.com/news/827658/meta-17-strike-policy-sex-trafficking-testimony-lawsuit

Meta allegedly gave accounts engaged in the “trafficking of humans for sex” 16 chances before suspending them, according to testimony from the company’s former head of safety and wellbeing, Vaishnavi Jayakumar. The testimony — along with several other claims that Meta ignored problems if they increa

The Best Smart Doorbell Camera

November 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

Before you buy the 'best' smart doorbell, a crucial question: Do you really want a Google-owned surveillance camera on your front door?

There are amazing self-hosted opti... https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-doorbell-camera/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS%20Feed

The Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) has been discontinued and replaced by the Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen). We plan to test it soon. Check out What to look forward to for more details. A smart doorbell camera allows you to see who’s on the other side of your door — even when…

The World Lost the Climate Gamble. Now It Faces a Dangerous New...

November 24, 2025 at 4:27 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

This is a sobering, must-read analysis. We've lost the climate gamble and are now entering the dangerous 'overshoot' era. The critical question now: what comes after this colossal failure? #ClimateCrisis https://kottke.org/25/11/0047886-the-world-lost-the-climat

The World Lost the Climate Gamble. Now It Faces a Dangerous New Reality. “We are heading into ‘overshoot’ within the next few years. The world is going to become more turbulent and more dangerous. So, what comes after failure?”

‘Holy shit’: Gemini 3 is winning the AI race — for now

November 24, 2025 at 3:25 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

Breaking: Google just dropped Gemini 3 and the reactions are wild. The Verge is calling it the new leader in the AI race—for now. This rapid development is incredible, but raises huge questions about corporate p... https://www.theverge.com/report/827555/google-gemini-3-is-winning-the-ai-race-for-now

When an AI model release immediately spawns memes and treatises declaring the rest of the industry cooked, you know you've got something worth dissecting. Google's Gemini 3 was released Tuesday to widespread fanfare. The company called the model a "new era of intelligence," integrating it into Googl

Activists are role-playing ICE raids in games like Fortnite & GTA to...

November 24, 2025 at 3:24 PM

Kevin Curry, PharmD

@kcurry.bsky.social

In a brilliant and fascinating use of gaming, activists are role-playing ICE raids in Fortnite & GTA. The goal is to teach people their rights and what to do in these terrifying real-world encounters. This is creative community defense in... https://kottke.org/25/11/0047887-activists-are-role-playin

Activists are role-playing ICE raids in games like Fortnite & GTA to teach people what to do IRL situations. “Many people may not have seen an interaction with ICE yet, it’s a way to get folks to know or get used to what that might look like.”