🧠 #BrainFood 09.13.24
A debate, a fire, an earthquake - that was an eventful week. Here’s some of my favorite shit from my emails this week, didn’t want you to miss anything super important.
Happy Friday!
😂 My favorite moment from the debate
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🗣️ AI Conversations Help Conspiracy Theorists Change Their Views
A new study by researchers from American University, MIT, and Cornell University found that AI-powered conversations can significantly reduce belief in conspiracy theories. The key findings include:
AI reduced conspiracy beliefs by 20% after short conversations lasting about 8 minutes.
One in four participants fully disavowed the conspiracy theory they initially believed in.
The effect persisted for two months after the AI conversation.
The study involved over 2,000 self-identified conspiracy believers discussing topics like COVID-19 and the 2020 U.S. election. The AI, powered by GPT-4, provided tailored, fact-based rebuttals to participants' specific claims.
This research challenges the notion that conspiracy theorists are unwilling to change their views. It suggests AI has potential to combat misinformation by engaging people directly and personally with compelling counterevidence.
The researchers emphasize this demonstrates a positive use of AI's knowledge capabilities, though further studies on long-term effects and practical applications are needed
🤝 Secret to a good life? Make friends, keep friends, treasure friends.
✨ The findings from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, has tracked the lives of 724 men for over 75 years to determine what contributes to a good life. The key takeaway is that strong, supportive relationships are the most significant factor in achieving happiness and health, far outweighing wealth or fame. Participants who prioritized close connections with family, friends, and community reported greater life satisfaction and well-being, demonstrating that the quality of relationships plays a critical role in overall happiness and longevity.
💰 Bill Gates: ‘If I designed the tax system, I would be tens of billions poorer’
✨ Gates advocates for a more progressive tax system, suggesting that capital gains rates should be aligned with ordinary income rates. He expressed surprise that taxes on the wealthy have not increased more significantly, emphasizing that he believes wealthy individuals, including himself, should pay higher taxes to contribute more to society
🤖 Man Arrested for Creating Fake Bands With AI, Then Making $10 Million by Listening to Their Songs With Bots
AI is going to make the future very weird, very fast
What is even “real” any more
✨ Michael Smith, a 52-year-old man from North Carolina, has been arrested for allegedly orchestrating a scheme that involved creating fake bands and music using AI, resulting in over $10 million in fraudulent streaming royalties. Smith, along with two accomplices, reportedly produced hundreds of thousands of songs and manipulated streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music by using bots to generate billions of fake streams. He faces charges of money laundering and wire fraud, with a potential maximum sentence of 20 years for each count. Despite the serious allegations, Smith denied any wrongdoing, claiming there was no fraud involved in his activities
🏫 This experiment where they integrated white kids into a historically all black elementary school
SPOILER: The experiment was a radical success.