Generative AI floods and dilutes the market for books

Generative AI can produce book-length works of fiction at near-zero cost. These books are often dismissed as low-quality ``slop'' that buyers will ignore, and are assumed to carry little commercial we...

arxiv.org

Hochman, Adam. The Race Illusion: On the Reality of Racialization and the Myth of Race. Oxford University Press, 2025. Pp. 224. $40.00 (cloth). | Ethics: Vol 136, No 4

doi.org

5 Writing Prompts for SciFi Writers

Science fiction stories typically arise from a novum, a scientifically plausible concept that is a “reality” in the tale. The novum might be an mechanical device like robot servants, arti…

inventingrealityediting.com

How rewilding could help stop the spread of Britain’s wildfires

Done properly, rewilded landscapes are more fire-resistant.

theconversation.com

Approval of east London datacentre labelled ‘slap in the face’ for local democracy

Campaigners decry Angela Rayner’s backing for Brick Lane project that has only 11 affordable homes A £500m redevelopment of the Truman Brewery estate in Brick Lane, east London, has been approved, clearing the way for the construction of a datacentre, offices and apartments despite opposition from Tower Hamlets council and local campaign groups. The housing secretary, Angela Rayner, made the decision in a letter issued on her behalf last week by the housing minister Matthew Pennycook, rejecting demands from the council and campaigners for for the site to be used for hundreds of homes instead. Continue reading...

theguardian.com

Calls to ban disposable barbecues in England and Wales over wildfire risk

Lib Dems and many Labour MPs join farmers, landowners and firefighters in urging temporary prohibition Farmers and landowners are calling for a temporary ban on disposable barbecues in England and Wales, as they warn of the risk of igniting wildfires. The call, which has also been made by firefighters and is backed by the Liberal Democrats and many Labour MPs, comes as much of England faces further hot dry weather, despite rain in some areas. Continue reading...

theguardian.com

Ex neo-Nazi Joshua Bonehill-Paine selected as Tory candidate

Joshua Bonehill-Paine was jailed in 2015 after posting antisemitic remarks ahead of a protest.

bbc.co.uk

UK to strip back procurement rules to focus on job creation, says Louise Haigh

Andy Burnham’s de facto deputy PM says requirements for businesses vying for Whitehall contracts will be streamlined

ft.com

Ross Douthat Joins ‘60 Minutes’ as a Correspondent (Gift Article)

Mr. Douthat, an opinion columnist at The New York Times, will join the CBS News program, along with several other journalists.

nytimes.com

Palestinian children join Pep Guardiola’s football camp in Spain

Twenty-eight Palestinian children affected by the war in Gaza joined Pep Guardiola’s youth football camp in Spain, where they trained alongside 700 children.

newarab.com

More than half of England officially in drought - Environment Agency

Scorching temperatures and very low levels of rain have seen droughts declared across much of England.

bbc.co.uk

The Office: Woman Holding 'HOT' Sign

ALT: The Office: Woman Holding 'HOT' Sign

static.klipy.com

Live music series offers boost to dementia patients, caregivers

Specially designed concert series gives those with neurocognitive disorders emotional, social and intellectual benefits

news.northwestern.edu

Alice Coltrane's devotional recordings to be reissued via Matador - Treble

Turiya Sings, Divine Songs, Infinite Chants, and Glorious Chants set to be released after being long out of print

treblezine.com