David Lidsky's Blog, page 287

Why AI company Databricks just scored one of the biggest funding rounds in history

The data analytics company just may have the right blend of data security and AI efficiency.

The San Francisco-based data analytics company Databricks has raised a stunning $10 billion funding round, which values the company at $62 billion and likely puts it on a path toward an IPO. 

Grubhub to pay $25 million for deceptive practices against customers, drivers, restaurants

Grubhub hid fees until the last minute, misled Grubhub+ subscribers to believe they could avoid fees, and blocked some customers from using gift card balances, per the lawsuit.

Grubhub settled with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Tuesday for allegedly misleading customers about order fees, adding restaurants to its platform without their consent and deceiving drivers about pay.

The latest twist in the embarrassing WordPress saga involves pineapple pizza

A simple question about whether pineapple belongs on a pizza highlights WordPress’s self-inflicted wounds—harming its reputation.

The drama at WordPress has taken a number of twists and turns in the months since Matt Mullenweg, founder and CEO of for-profit WordPress host Automattic, shut off access to WP Engine, a third-party platform that many users deploy to host their websites. But the latest controversy has taken the dispute in an absurdist direction—one that could further imperil the future of WordPress. 

LNG export study urges caution on new permits over risks to climate and consumers

The long-awaited study showed rising LNG exports risk dramatically raising greenhouse gas emissions and could also trigger price hikes for U.S. energy consumers.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden released a long-awaited study on the economic and environmental impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports on Tuesday, saying the results underscored the need for a cautious approach to new permits.

Gen Z TikTok users have taken holiday wish lists to a new level

Forget handwritten notes to Santa: Today’s wish lists take the form of Canva presentations and PowerPoint slides.

Do you still make a holiday wish list? For those past the Santa Claus phase but still spending the holidays in their childhood bedroom, this debate divides families. Some swear by detailed lists with links and item specs, while others toss out vague suggestions like “socks” or leave what they find under the tree entirely to fate.

What is Fartcoin? And why is it soaring right now?

The joke memecoins are back. And this might be the dumbest one of all.

Cryptocurrency enthusiasts have frequently expressed frustration with the lack of respect digital currency gets from many traditional investors. But when the hottest crypto of the moment is called “Fartcoin,” it’s kind of hard for them to occupy the moral high ground.

Gift won’t arrive in time for the holidays? Psychologists say your friends won’t really care

Procrastinators and poor planners, rejoice! New research says giving a present late isn’t as damaging to a relationship as you might think.

It’s gift-giving season, which means making long shopping lists, wondering if anyone will care about receiving scented candles two years in a row, and panicking about long lines at the post office.

Journalists brace for renewned fury from the Trump administration

Trump on Monday said that ‘we need a fair media’ and discussed some potential and ongoing legal cases he has against news outlets.

For the press heading into a second Trump administration, there’s a balancing act between being prepared and being fearful.

Small businesses lean into ‘cozy’ and ‘festive’ trends this holiday season

Comforting items are selling this holiday season: Scarves, hats, and gloves, humorous Christmas and Hanukkah cards and bright colors.

After the busy Black Friday holiday weekend, Kristen Tarnol, owner of Emerald Forest Gifts in Studio City, California, is already asking her supplier to send more fuzzy alpaca scarves and warm slippers that were best sellers over the weekend.

‘Being a teen mom doesn’t mean that you’re a sh***y parent’: TikTok’s teen moms are making big money

Social media influencers such as MariClare MacLamroc earn tens of thousands per month by posting about teen motherhood.

“Dinner w an exhausted overstimulated 19y old teen mom who hates cooking,” wrote MariClare MacLamroc over a video of herself cooking pasta and sauce. The video, posted to her 1.7 million TikTok followers, has racked up more than 2.6 million views. “We are all so proud of you,” wrote one person in the comments.