Daily Tech News 17 August 2026

Top Story

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei says the AI backlash is fundamentally a crisis of trust and also that water is wet. (Tech Crunch)

Well... Yes.
Anthropic is planning to watermark text produced by their AI systems. (Bleeping Computer)

At fault is the European Union, as usual.

Tech News

Bluesky has shrunk by 50% in 18 months as the crazies come crawling back to Twitter. (Tech Crunch)

Damn.

Meanwhile, the Phantom Zone of online speech known as Threads continues to lie about its numbers.
Also now extinct: Audrey Hepburn and neutrinos.

Musical Interlude

Disclaimer: Poit.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:30 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 w00t

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 04:33 AM (odBC9)

2 G'Day everyone
Its Monday again, isn't it?

Posted by: Skip at August 17, 2026 04:34 AM (Ia/+0)

3 Thank you, Pixy!

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 04:35 AM (odBC9)

4 I am thinking the ocean in Solaris can give you what you imagine as reality. Hari was real to the 2 others yet a recreation. His past on Earth at end was recreated on Solaris but twisted.

Posted by: Skip at August 17, 2026 04:42 AM (Ia/+0)

5 from a couple of months ago:

AI has hacked the code of human civilization | Yuval Noah Harari (46:51)

Main point (I think): AI is not a tool, it's an agent

A thought piece; good source of vocabulary. Commenters point out where he's gone off the rails.

https://tinyurl.com/2rkkexr5

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 04:42 AM (odBC9)

6 Long commutes all week to Animal Hospital. Its nice work, just a long haul to get there and home

Posted by: Skip at August 17, 2026 04:43 AM (Ia/+0)

7 Should be able to pop in occasionally
Have a great day horde

Posted by: Skip at August 17, 2026 04:49 AM (Ia/+0)

8 You, too, Skip.

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 04:50 AM (odBC9)

9 Good morning,

Slow tech news day. Anthropic CEO seems more strange every time he speaks on the record.

Or maybe his product really does co-opt your information and independence

Posted by: Pete Bog at August 17, 2026 04:58 AM (ussCl)

10 Redbone - Wovoka

About halfway through there's a dead ringer for Iron Eyes Cody as he looked in the Crying Indian ads.

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 04:58 AM (odBC9)

11 Evening and morning, all! Yes, unfortunately, it's Monday. But remember:

"Compared to being on the wrong side of the ground, even a bad Monday is pretty small kumquats, nicht wahr?"

(And I wrote that with only two typos. A good omen for the day, perhaps?)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 17, 2026 05:04 AM (wzUl9)

12 Local band for prom in the ancient times started with Come and Get Your Love.

Posted by: clarence at August 17, 2026 05:04 AM (zRghv)

13 12 Local band for prom in the ancient times started with Come and Get Your Love.
Posted by: clarence at August 17, 2026 05:04 AM (zRghv)

earworm!

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 05:05 AM (odBC9)

14 I woke a little early, not from a dream but from dozing and imagining walking through the new house for the first time. Open all the windows and doors, let some fresh air blow in. And in my imagination, my next-door neighbor, who looks like the young Patricia Neal, takes me under her wing to show me what Indiana is like.

(Yes, my imagination has no governor on it and is likely to rev out of control; stipulated. But it's fun to race it around the corners.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 17, 2026 05:09 AM (wzUl9)

15
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at August 17, 2026 05:11 AM (AMvSw)

16 Hayden Panettiere of Heroes has died -- at 36! No cause of death given yet.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 17, 2026 05:11 AM (wzUl9)

17 "Also now extinct: Audrey Hepburn and neutrinos."

I doubt I'll miss the neutrinos. Audrey is another story. We watched the DVD of Breakfast at Tiffany's from 1961 last night, and I found her charming all over again.

I think my favorite commercial artist, Robert McGinnis, did the poster of her in black dress with cigarette holder for the movie. Not sure; he did some later, for How to Steal a Million and several of the Bond flicks, as well as a slew of paperback covers as I grew up.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 17, 2026 05:15 AM (wzUl9)

18 Disclaimer: Poit.

Rejoinder: Narf!

(Also I'm having a really bad case of deja-vu typing this out...)

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 17, 2026 05:17 AM (O7YUW)

19 I am going to buy a robot

Posted by: Vod Kaknockers at August 17, 2026 05:19 AM (LOZbR)

20 G&R! Thank you for mentioning computer backups yesterday! I backed up after Pixytime.

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 05:21 AM (odBC9)

21 The 'Net says the poster for BaT was indeed done by Robert McGinnis. Dunno if I read that somewhere, or if I recognized his style from his paperback covers and Bond movie posters.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 17, 2026 05:21 AM (wzUl9)

22 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 17, 2026 05:22 AM (sAmhv)

23 The only tech device I want is an exoskeleton.

Posted by: Ben Had at August 17, 2026 05:23 AM (gIjzl)

24 'Tis 85 F. here at 4:30 am. I refuse to look at the heat index. Today I'll hold the workout down to a mile, I guess, and at least one day this week walk at the nearby mall.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 17, 2026 05:23 AM (wzUl9)

25 The only tech device I want is an exoskeleton.
Posted by: Ben Had at August 17, 2026

***
Adamantiium-laced skeleton FTW!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 17, 2026 05:26 AM (wzUl9)

26 23 The only tech device I want is an exoskeleton.
Posted by: Ben Had at August 17, 2026 05:23 AM (gIjzl)

... and the one that you're using to post comments!

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 05:26 AM (odBC9)

27 The natives are rising up and trying to destroy their homeland.

Oh wait, it's not them, it's the muslims and somalis and criminals from south america.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at August 17, 2026 05:27 AM (tvdD1)

28 @20/m: "Thank you for mentioning computer backups yesterday! I backed up after Pixytime."

You're welcome. Credit where credit is due though, it was Biden's Dog that first mentioned doing a backup before he did his full re-install of Windows. I was just commending him for taking that step.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 17, 2026 05:28 AM (O7YUW)

29 Anthropic CEO says AI backlash is ‘fundamentally a crisis of trust’

That, and the fact that I can't buy any memory, gpus, or storage devices for non-exorbitant prices right now, so go pound salt, Dario Amodei.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 17, 2026 05:33 AM (O7YUW)

30 The TechCrunch article seems to be all over the place. Perhaps I need Moar Covfefe.

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 05:35 AM (odBC9)

31 *The TechCrunch article on the Anthropic CEO

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 05:36 AM (odBC9)

32 Good morning, everyone!

I hope that your Monday is blessed. Every morning spouse and I read a psalm for part of our daily devotionals . This is verse 7 from Psalm 17 which we read today. KJV of the psalm:

"Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.”

And this is one of the notes from my Life Application Bible:

"Our life circumstances may cause us to question whether we are living up to God's standards for us. Like David, we can ask God to show his love to us. Like David we can ask God to show his love to us. If life seems bleak and overwhelming , ask God to remind you of his love for you today. Thos reminder may come from a friend , a song you hear , the beauty of his creation, or a Bible verse that comes to your mind. When you notice it, recognize it as a way God had chosen to communicate with you, and thank him for this sign of his love."

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 17, 2026 05:38 AM (y8wRt)

33 29 That, and the fact that I can't buy any memory, gpus
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 17, 2026 05:33 AM (O7YUW)

ewww

gpus-->GPUs

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 05:39 AM (odBC9)

34 Greetings, everyone! Morning got started at the gym and now I deal with the beginning of the work week. SIL looked at my MRI and said that she saw arthritis and some possible tearing of the meniscus. I am not letting this stop my vacation plans, thankyouverymuch.

Went to a seminar at the dojo over the weekend. Had folks from OH, CO, NJ and TX in attendance. A lot of fun was had by all.

And I see that Google University has been running a special on certification on Naval Deployments over the weekend.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 17, 2026 05:44 AM (+4yJ5)

35 Yesterday was a lovely service at the Anglican Church, and nice conversations with some people afterwards. When we came back we stopped for an ice cream, and while walking to the car I saw a little girl who seemed like she was about four. I think she may have visited a local church and was telling her older relative, "The church was so beautiful inside." It made me glad to hear it.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 17, 2026 05:45 AM (y8wRt)

36 Posted by: NR Pax at August 17, 2026 05:44 AM (+4yJ5)

I am glad you are not letting the results of the MRI stop your vacation plans and I hope you have a lovely time! I am keeping you in prayer.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 17, 2026 05:47 AM (y8wRt)

37 @33/m: I'm only 1/2 way through my first Covfefe, cut me some slack would ya?

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 17, 2026 05:53 AM (O7YUW)

38 So…Flock is now advertising, telling us about how they saved.a kidnapped boy, and how in that basis we should be BEGGING the police to put up MORE of thieve Flock “safety” cameras and have them spy on us because they will keep is safe!!!

FUCK THIS SICK COMPANY.

FLOCK MUST BE DESTROYED.

Posted by: Cow Demon at August 17, 2026 05:54 AM (4g5V+)

39 Thank you, Fen. The pain is constant but I can walk without too much of an issue.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 17, 2026 05:57 AM (+4yJ5)

40 38: They don't get it and never will. I have no doubt that the cameras have done a little good but that doesn't justify the rest of their behavior.

Apparently, a realtor contacted an HOA and said a potential buyer canceled going there because they had Flock cameras pointed at the pool. Real estate companies and HOAs losing money may be enough to help turn things around.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 17, 2026 05:59 AM (+4yJ5)

41 Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.

Rejoinder: Splut.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at August 17, 2026 06:11 AM (amcLV)

42 Wolfus, after our discussion about how Terre Haute is pronounced, I found that Wiki sez Terre sounds like "Terra" and Haute rhymes with "boat."

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at August 17, 2026 06:12 AM (amcLV)

43 40 38: They don't get it and never will. I have no doubt that the cameras have done a little good but that doesn't justify the rest of their behavior.

Apparently, a realtor contacted an HOA and said a potential buyer canceled going there because they had Flock cameras pointed at the pool. Real estate companies and HOAs losing money may be enough to help turn things around.
Posted by: NR Pax at August 17, 2026 05:59 AM (+4yJ5)

The little good that they have done is far outweighed by the utter immorality of turning the police into the Stasi. Or HOAs for that matter.

Congratulations to Flock, they have only encouraged me to redouble my efforts in ending the use of their cameras. At least in this state.

Posted by: Cow Demon at August 17, 2026 06:16 AM (4g5V+)

44 42 Wolfus, after our discussion about how Terre Haute is pronounced, I found that Wiki sez Terre sounds like "Terra" and Haute rhymes with "boat."
Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at August 17, 2026 06:12 AM (

High Ground : )

Posted by: Cow Demon at August 17, 2026 06:16 AM (4g5V+)

45 18 Disclaimer: Poit.

Rejoinder: Narf!
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant

Assumption: The same thing we do every night, Pixy. Try to take over the world.

Posted by: brainski at August 17, 2026 06:18 AM (VHUov)

46 tech question:

I am on a Mac hooked up to a Thunderbolt.

Sometimes--but not every time--when I restart the computer or when I wake the computer up after I've walked away and let it go to sleep--the desktop icons of 1) my computer and 2) my plugged-in backup disk have shot to the bottom of my screen. I always park them at the upper right of the screen; I always use "View-->Clean Up" to keep all the desktop icons at their preferred distance from one another on the desktop.

Why do the icons shoot to the bottom of the screen ... so perilously close to the Trash?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 06:18 AM (odBC9)

47 High Ground : )
Posted by: Cow Demon at August 17, 2026 06:16 AM (4g5V+)
---------
And Des Moines is "The Monks."

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at August 17, 2026 06:21 AM (amcLV)

48 mornin yall. DC attracts the dregs and Nancy Mace is a tatted tramp.

Posted by: fd at August 17, 2026 06:24 AM (MWfyi)

49 Morning all. Just another manic Monday…

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at August 17, 2026 06:28 AM (sXOHS)

50 I clicked a link in the TechCrunch Anthropic CEO article to read Dario Amodei's 2024 essay "Machines of Loving Grace: How AI Could Transform the World for the Better" and TLDR but his first paragraph is:

I think and talk a lot about the risks of powerful AI. The company I’m the CEO of, Anthropic, does a lot of research on how to reduce these risks. Because of this, people sometimes draw the conclusion that I’m a pessimist or “doomer” who thinks AI will be mostly bad or dangerous. I don’t think that at all. In fact, one of my main reasons for focusing on risks is that they’re the only thing standing between us and what I see as a fundamentally positive future. I think that most people are underestimating just how radical the upside of AI could be, just as I think most people are underestimating how bad the risks could be.

... which seems sound.

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 06:32 AM (odBC9)

51 You, too, can find essays and other words written and spoken by Dario Amodei at:

https://darioamodei.com

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 06:35 AM (odBC9)

52 Kind woman in a waiting room. Story from "SunnySkyz" site:

https://tinyurl.com/52tj9vxr

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 17, 2026 06:35 AM (wmzkx)

53 Wolfus, after our discussion about how Terre Haute is pronounced, I found that Wiki sez Terre sounds like "Terra" and Haute rhymes with "boat."
Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at August 17, 2026 06:12 AM (
*
High Ground : )
Posted by: Cow Demon at August 17, 2026

***
It's not very high compared to, say, Santa Fe, NM. But compared to Da Swamp it's a high plateau.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 17, 2026 06:35 AM (wzUl9)

54 We moved furniture from my MIL's house to an assisted living facility yesterday. Today in move in day for her. It's past time for this, she needs more care than we can give her 24/7. It has been running Mrs fd ragged for the past few years.

Posted by: fd at August 17, 2026 06:37 AM (MWfyi)

55 I'm back from my workout, aka the Bataan Death March -- just a mile today. Showered now, I'm having some yogurt & honey, and will top that off with some peanut butter toast along with more coffee.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 17, 2026 06:38 AM (wzUl9)

56 LOL clarence in the ONT:

380 I've reached the age when my train of thought often leaves the station without me.
Posted by: clarence at August 17, 2026 02:04 AM (zRghv)

Posted by: m at August 17, 2026 06:42 AM (odBC9)

57 I always thought it was Terry Hoot.

Posted by: Ricky Ricardo at August 17, 2026 06:45 AM (1Ff7Z)

58 I've reached the age when my train of thought often leaves the station without me.
Posted by: clarence at August 17, 2026 02:04 AM (zRghv)
Posted by: m at August 17, 2026

***
Mine is fond of veering off onto spur lines.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 17, 2026 06:45 AM (wzUl9)

59 G'mornin' everyone!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 17, 2026 06:50 AM (VyBeY)

60 I always thought it was Terry Hoot.
Posted by: Ricky Ricardo at August 17, 2026 06:45 AM (1Ff7Z)

You need to see a fizzy-a-ky-ah-trist! You got some splainin’ to do….

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at August 17, 2026 06:53 AM (sXOHS)

61
Good morning, Hordians. Wrestling with The Big Dummy's 2026 show record. As of the end of July, my numbers agree with those published in Canine Chronicle for dogs defeated in Breed and All-Breed. That's good. But we have a parallel discrepancy of 6 in his Grand Champion points, both for 2026 and lifetime.

6 is a pretty substantial number and why I'm off is a mystery. The points for each win are listed in the AKC's Event Search. His lifetime GCH points are noted by the AKC in The Big Dummy's point progression. The only thing I can think of is that somewhere there were missing shows he appeared in where he did not win Best of Breed but got points for being Best of Opposite Sex or Select Dog.

I hope you got all that. This will be on the test. And take that chewing gum out of your mouth.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 17, 2026 06:54 AM (O0L8i)

62

*hic*

Posted by: Hillary Clinton at August 17, 2026 06:56 AM (yM1Zs)

63 My train of thought is often derailed.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at August 17, 2026 07:00 AM (qFwJc)

64
JJS

Posted by: r hennigantx at August 17, 2026 07:02 AM (/+uur)

65 And take that chewing gum out of your mouth.
****

*poit*

Posted by: clarence at August 17, 2026 07:04 AM (zRghv)

66 Also now extinct: Audrey Hepburn and neutrinos.

---------

Wait, Audrey Hepburn is morte?

Posted by: ShainS at August 17, 2026 07:13 AM (txtSn)

67 We only got two thirds of the way to the 100 this mornin'.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 17, 2026 07:16 AM (O7YUW)

68 Meh, I was a big fan of Redbone, Wovoka was ok but everyone loved Come and Get Your Love.

Oh, just for fun - Nood, even though I'm sure everyone is already there.

Posted by: Gmac-WTF did you think was going to happen at August 17, 2026 09:26 AM (Q/FnY)

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