Woman describes "desperate crying" at facility after she was detained while following ICE agents in Minnesota - CBS News

This news article reports on the detention of Patty O'Keefe and a friend by ICE agents in Minneapolis, who were following the agents. They were pepper-sprayed, their car windows smashed, and taken to a federal building in St. Paul. O'Keefe described taunting and derogatory remarks from the agents. Despite her experience, she intends to continue protesting.

Minnesota protesters, agents repeatedly square off while prosecutors quit after Renee Good's death

Federal officers in Minneapolis used tear gas and eye irritants against activists amid ongoing protests against immigration enforcement. The situation escalated after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an immigration agent, leading to resignations in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and a lawsuit from Minnesota and two mayors seeking to suspend the immigration operation.

Coding Music for Cold Machines (Narrated)

Trump's effort to get records on gender care falls flat in Colorado

The Trump Administration's attempt to obtain records from Children’s Hospital Colorado regarding gender-affirming care faced a significant legal obstacle. A federal magistrate judge recommended quashing the Justice Department's subpoena, stating that the government failed to demonstrate the relevance of the requested records to their authority. The subpoena was criticized for targeting the hospital for providing care deemed 'barbaric' by the administration, rather than for any investigation of unlawful acts. The judge noted that the government's broad request for patient data related to gender-affirming care was not limited in scope and was pretextual, lacking any suspicion of wrongdoing. The hospital and Denver Health have paused gender-affirming care for minors pending the final ruling.

How Vince Gilligan designed 'Pluribus' to destroy every sci-fi trope

Vince Gilligan's new series, Pluribus, is a unique take on the sci-fi genre, subverting every trope to create a world where humanity has merged into a hive mind. The show's design, from the meticulously constructed sets to the stripped-down costumes and soundscape, reflects a society that has optimized itself into terrifying efficiency and silence. Gilligan's vision is to explore the tension between the pain of individuality and the comfort of surrender, presenting a world that feels nice, quiet, seductive, yet profoundly inhuman.

Cambridge reactor shows 99% gas recycling can deliver hydrogen fuel

Cambridge University researchers have developed a reactor that can recycle 99% of gases to produce carbon nanotubes and hydrogen fuel. The multi-pass methane pyrolysis system, operating at 2372°F (1300°C), converts diluted methane gas into carbon nanotubes and hydrogen, improving carbon nanotube production by over eightfold and generating large amounts of clean hydrogen fuel. This approach eliminates the need for additional hydrogen input and significantly reduces waste, achieving an 8.7-fold improvement in carbon yield and a 446-fold improvement in molar process efficiency.

Earth’s Magnetic Field Was Supposed to Be Our Shield. Scientists Say It’s Also a Leak.

This article explores how Earth's magnetic field, thought to be a shield, actually leaks particles into space, which then accumulate on the lunar surface. Researchers found that more particles escape modern Earth, whose magnetic field is strong, contrary to previous beliefs. These findings could impact future studies on Mars and the evolution of its habitability. The study suggests that Earth's magnetic field lines may guide particles from the atmosphere into space, where they are carried by the solar wind to the Moon.

Research first to show humans have remote touch “seventh sense” like sandpipers

A new study reveals that humans can detect buried objects in sand before making physical contact, demonstrating a form of 'remote touch' previously known only in certain animals. This ability works through minute mechanical displacements in sand that 'reflect' off hidden objects, which the human hand can pick up on while moving through the material. Humans achieved about 70% precision within the detectable range, outperforming a robot that sensed objects slightly farther away but produced many false positives.

Trump’s Vanity Fleet

This article discusses President Trump's announcement of a new class of naval vessels named after himself, the Trump-class ships. It critiques the decision as being more about branding than strategy, highlighting the lack of understanding of naval vessels by the president and the potential reversal of a 30-year-old policy by putting nuclear weapons back on U.S. Navy surface vessels.

Scientists Build Device That Generates Electricity From Earth’s Rotation

Scientists from Princeton University and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory have developed a device that generates electricity using Earth's rotation and magnetic field. The device, made of manganese zinc ferrite, produces a small but consistent voltage as it interacts with Earth's geomagnetic field. This discovery challenges the conventional understanding of electromagnetic interactions and could lead to new methods of generating power without traditional fuels or sunlight.

Aptera's 2025 Year in Review: A Milestone Year for Solar Mobility | Aptera

Aptera's 2025 Year in Review highlights a transformative year marked by significant milestones in solar mobility. The year began with a strong presence at CES, where the company showcased its ultra-efficient solar electric vehicle. Aptera completed its first solar road trip, demonstrating real-world solar driving capabilities. The company also initiated track testing and unveiled Artemis, its latest development vehicle. Aptera went public on Nasdaq under the ticker SEV and transitioned to a Public Benefit Corporation. The year concluded with the launch of the validation assembly line, setting the stage for potential production in 2026.

Christmas Music

When Kevin shared his Spotify Christmas playlist on Diggnation 23 I thought of SomaFM.

I lost the game...

First Look at Aptera's Validation Vehicle Assembly Line

Aptera's latest update highlights significant progress in engineering, operations, and manufacturing, focusing on the assembly line for their validation vehicle, the arrival of essential components, and the craftsmanship driving their next phase, while also noting forward-looking statements subject to various risks and uncertainties.

Meet the Group Breaking People Out of AI Delusions

A Discord support group, Spiral Support Group, has emerged to help individuals affected by AI-induced delusions and psychosis. Founded by Etienne Brisson, the group has grown to nearly 200 members, including those directly impacted by AI spirals and mental health professionals. The group offers a safe space for sharing experiences and coping strategies, with moderators facilitating discussions and helping members navigate their crises. The group has also collaborated with researchers and lawmakers to address the broader implications of AI-induced mental health issues.