I can’t hang an animation on my wall.

Few companies in the history of capitalism have amassed as much wealth and influence as Meta.A global superpower in the information space, Meta — the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads — has a market cap of $1.68 trillion at the time of writing, which for a rough sense of scale is more than the gross domestic product of Spain.In spite of its immense influence, none of its internal algorithms can be scrutinized by public watchdogs. Its host country, the United States, has largely turned a blind eye to its dealings in exchange for free use of Meta's vast surveillance capabilities.That lack of oversight coupled with Meta's near-omnipresence as a social utility has had devastating consequences throughout the world, manifesting in crises like the genocide of Muslims in Myanmar, or the systemic suppression of Palestinian rights organizations.How do you uncover the harms caused by one of the most powerful companies on earth? In the case of public violence, the evidence isn't hard to trace. However, Meta's unprecedented corporate dynasty also creates less obvious harms, which scores of scholars, researchers, and journalists are devoting entire careers to uncovering.One prominent group of said investigators is GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which recently released its annual report on social media safety, privacy, and expression for LGBTQ people.The report notes that Meta has undergone a "particularly extreme" ideological shift over the past year, adding harmful exceptions to its content moderation policies while disproportionately suppressing LGBTQ users and their content. The tech giant has also failed to give LGBTQ users sovereignty over their own personal data, which it collects, analyzes, and wields to generate huge profits.While Meta collects all of our data — from which it draws over 95 percent of its revenue — the practice is particularly harmful to LGBTQ users, who then have to contend with algorithmic biases, non-consensual outing, harassment, and in some countries state oppression."It's a dangerous time, certainly for trans people, who as a minority have been so ridiculously maligned, but also a dangerous time for gay people, openly bi[sexual] people, people who are different in any way," says Sarah Roberts, a UCLA professor and Director of the Center for Critical Internet Inquiry.To address these shortcomings and the dangers they introduce, GLAAD made a number of recommendations. One key suggestion was to improve moderation "by providing training for all content moderators focused on LGBTQ safety, privacy and expression." The media advocacy group doesn't mince words, adding that "AI systems should be used to flag for human review, not for automated removals."However, it doesn't look like Meta got the message.Weeks after GLAAD issued its findings, internal Meta documents leaked to NPR revealed the company's plan to hand 90 percent of its privacy and integrity reviews over to "artificial intelligence."This will impact nearly every new feature introduced to its platforms, where human moderators would typically evaluate new features for risks to privacy and safety, and the wellbeing of user groups like minors, immigrants, and LGBTQ people.Meta's internal risk assessment is an already opaque process, and Roberts notes that government attempts at risk oversight, like the EU's Digital Services Act, are likewise a labyrinth of filings which are largely dictated by the social media companies themselves. AI, chock full of biases and prone to errors — as admitted by Meta's own AI chief — is certain to make the situation even worse.Earlier this week, meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal revealed Meta's plans to fully automate advertising via the company's generative AI software, which will allow advertisers to "fully create and target ads" directly, with no human in the loop.This includes hyper-personalized ads, writes the WSJ, "so that users see different versions of the same ad in real time, based on factors such as geolocation."Data hoarders like Meta — which track you even when you're not using its platforms — have long been able to profile LGBTQ users based on gender identify and sexual orientation, including those who aren't publicly out.Removing any human from these already sinister practices serves to streamline operations and distance Meta from its own actions — "we didn't out gay users living under an oppressive government," the company can say, "even if our AI did." It's no coincidence that Meta had already disbanded its "Responsible AI" team as early as 2023.At the root of these decisions — Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's right wing turn notwithstanding — is the calculated drive to maximize revenue."If there's no reason to rigorously moderate harmful content, then why pay so many content moderators? Why engage researchers to look into the circulation of this kind of content?" observes Roberts. "There ends up being a real cost savings there.""One of the things I've always said is that content moderation of social media is not primarily about protecting people, it's about brand management," she told Futurism. "It's about the platform managing its brand in order to make the most hospitable environment for advertisers."Sometimes these corporate priorities line up with progressive causes, like LGBTQ user safety or voter registration. But when they don't, Roberts notes, "dollars are dollars.""We are looking at multibillion-dollar companies, the most capitalized companies in the world, who have operated with impunity for many, many years," she said. "How do you convince them that they should care, when other powerful sectors are telling them the opposite?"Share This Article

At some point in the last decade, we’ve all experienced the awkward balancing act: lying in bed, arms raised, tablet swaying dangerously above us as if testing the laws of gravity. Enter the Tablift MaxPro, a flexible, adjustable stand that feels less like a device and more like a personal assistant dedicated solely to your comfort. Instead of juggling positions, it effortlessly holds your tablet steady, allowing you to browse hands-free at the perfect viewing angle, every single time. The MaxPro builds elegantly on an already successful design. Its look is distinctively functional, thoughtfully designed with a charm that’s uniquely purposeful, making its practical brilliance clear from the first use. You get four independently adjustable steel gooseneck legs, each with a protective rubber sleeve and a grip that sticks like it’s clinging to relevance in the age of standing desks. These legs are longer and more robust than before, giving the MaxPro better reach, higher elevation, and stability that feels nearly physics-defying. Designer: Greg Thüne (Primer Studios) Click Here to Buy Now: $38 $65 (42% off). Hurry, only 327/500 left! While the original Tablift exists online as a product success story, the MaxPro gives it a clever upgrade in the form of a 5-angle tilt system. With it, you can fine-tune your screen’s position from upright work mode to full recline binge-watching, no micro-adjustments or pillow origami required. Whether you’re doomscrolling on your phone, flipping through a digital cookbook, or calling your boss in pajama bottoms, the MaxPro keeps everything comfortably in frame. It handles devices up to 12.9 inches wide, and it doesn’t care if you’ve wrapped yours in a tank of a case or left it bare. It’s easy to appreciate how well it slides into everyday life. In the kitchen, it stands tall over flour-dusted countertops without tipping. On the couch, it flexes like it’s been doing yoga with Adriene. In bed, it grants that rare luxury of using your tablet without turning into a human origami swan. For the remote worker with two screens but one desk, it’s the second monitor stand you didn’t know you needed. And yes, for the fitness crowd, it stays eye-level during yoga or floor workouts without requiring a break to reposition. There’s also a joy in how unapologetically tactile it is. Nothing digital about it—just a physical object with physical utility. No apps. No firmware updates. Just unfold, insert your device, set the angle, and you’re off. It collapses down neatly too, its spindly legs folding inward like a retreating Transformer. Toss it into a tote bag or tuck it in a drawer; it doesn’t fight back. The MaxPro comes in three colors this time, because even utilitarian tools deserve a bit of flair. Kickstarter backers can snag one early, with optional add-ons like a screen cleaner and tote bag that feel more like thoughtful gestures than upsells. What the Tablift MaxPro truly excels at is not flashy tech, it’s the seamless convenience and practical comfort it brings to everyday life. In a world drowning in algorithmic solutions and smart-this or AI-that, a physically elegant answer to a common frustration feels strangely refreshing. It doesn’t buzz or glow or send notifications. It just works. And that, somehow, makes it one of the smarter designs on the market. Click Here to Buy Now: $38 $65 (42% off). Hurry, only 327/500 left!The post 13 Years Later, This Is Still The Best iPad Stand Available Today… And It Just Got An Upgrade first appeared on Yanko Design.

If Nielsen stats are to be believed, we collectively spend more time in front of YouTube than any other streaming service—including Disney+ and Netflix. That's a lot of watch hours, especially for an app that demands a great deal of trust when it comes to its algorithmic recommendations, which can easily steer you into strange, inflammatory, or downright dark directions. If you'd like a little more control over what you see, allow me to share with you the steps I took to finally tame my own YouTube algorithm.Despite how much time we devote to watching YouTube, the app doesn't behave quite like most other streamers. Rather than loading up the hub page for a show or movie you want to watch, you often have to hope that if there's a new episode of a thing you like, YouTube will show it to you. (As someone who dabbles as a YouTube creator myself, I would love if the app offered show-specific landing pages, instead of a collection of playlists.)And since the content on YouTube is so varied, it's easy to get your algorithm off track. Maybe you're in the habit habit of watching long-form content on YouTube, only to see that disrupted by one errant cat video—suddenly, YouTube seems to think you want to see only cat videos, and nothing more. As YouTube has yet to answer my pleas for context-specific browsing profiles, I've had to make do with learning every trick I can to direct the algorithm myself. The basics: Likes, Dislikes, Subscriptions, and the BellYou can't spend 20 minutes on the app without a YouTuber preaching the gospel of like, share, and subscribe. You know by now how those actions help your favorite creators, but how do they help you? Unfortunately, there's no way to know exactly what effect your engagement has on the algorithm (even YouTube can't know for sure), but there are a few useful things to keep in mind:Use Likes and Dislikes to nudge your recommendations, not to express approval or disapproval. The thumbs up/down buttons are the most direct way to express your interest (or lack thereof) to YouTube. They're also one of the most widely misunderstood tools. Don't think of them as a way to communicate with the creator about the substance of their content. In general, it's best to think of them as nudges for your personal recommendations. Likes are pretty strong indicators that you want to see more similar content, but Dislikes won't necessarily block a particular creator or topic from appearing in your feeds. Subscribing is good, but not a guarantee. You can think of subscribing to a channel as sort of a super-like for the channel as a whole. This tells YouTube you want to see what they make next (or see more of their backlog). The downside is, subscribing doesn't guarantee you'll see anything. YouTube tends to favor more recent subs in your recommendations. If you want to see everything all the people you subscribe to make, you actually need to seek out your Subscriptions tab.Clicking the bell really is the best thing you can do. Creators often like to remind you to "click the bell," and they do it for a reason: This will send you a push notification (assuming you allow notifications from your YouTube app) whenever one of your subs uploads a new video. Not only does that increase the likelihood you'll see new videos you care about, but it gives those creators important metrics they can use to understand their audience.These are all extremely basic tools for refining your suggestions, but it's also important to understand them in context. YouTube doesn't just look at what you say you want, it watches how you actually behave on the app. If you like a video, subscribe to the channel, and hit the bell, but then you never watch a video from that creator again, YouTube will eventually stop recommending them.That's neither a good nor bad thing on its own, and contrary to some paranoia among creators, it's not even bad for the channels themselves. The YouTube algorithm's goal is to put something in front of you that you're likely to spend time watching. If the videos it suggests aren't meeting that goal—no matter how much you've told the algorithm to show those videos to you—it will move on to something else. Understanding that gives us some context for moving on to some next-level algorithm taming.Intermediate algorithm training: Refine your history and reject videos you don't want to see Credit: Eric Ravenscraft If likes, subscriptions, and the bell are all small nudges to the algorithm, are there big nudges you can use? I'm so glad you asked. Watch time is the most obvious, but that's just using YouTube. And no, there's not much benefit in trying to manipulate this. Just keep watching things you like and stop watching things you dislike, and YouTube will try to follow your patterns."Try to" being the operative word. Anyone who's ever fixed a door knows that YouTube can be a bit over-eager to show you hours of content about something you spent five minutes watching. One quick way to fix this is to head to your History, find the video in question, and click "Remove from watch history." In addition to not showing up in your previously-watched videos list, YouTube also won't consider it something you spent time on when recommending new videos.This trick only works for individual videos you've previously watched, though. If you're getting recommendations based on broad topics you don't like, you can ask not to see those recommendations before you even click on the video. Tap the menu button on a video's thumbnail to find options labeled "Not interested" (good for indicating you don't like this particular video suggestion) and "Don't recommend channel," which is the closest thing YouTube has to completely blocking a channel.Frustratingly, if you allow YouTube to autoplay videos from the thumbnail before you ever click on a video—a feature you can and arguably should turn off—then that can count as a "view" in your watch history. I've lost track of how often I've set my phone down and accidentally "watched" a video for a few minutes. Even if you select "not interested" before clicking on a video, if it has autoplayed, you might need to remove it from your history as well.Advanced algorithm mastery: Use playlists and multiple accounts to get recommendations silos Credit: Eric Ravenscraft I will die on the hill of my belief that YouTube should have a mode switcher. I want to be able to have a profile for watching in-depth video essays on niche topics and another profile for dumb cat videos. YouTube has come sort of close with the introduction of category tags. In some places, like YouTube on the web or certain views in apps, you'll see a list of tags for things like "Gaming" or "News" that will filter suggestions. In my opinion these are useful, but inadequate.I'd rather have something that lets me train my personal recommendations in different buckets directly. And over the years I've developed two main strategies for accomplishing this: playlists and account switching.PlaylistsFor the playlists approach, I save videos that I liked on a particular topic to a specific list. Then, if I want to see more videos on that topic, I'll open up the playlist and look through the sidebar. This usually gives me more specific video recommendations to that topic (interspersed with the usual recommendation buckshot), as well as more specific genre filters for me to drill deeper. The only downside to this approach is that it all happens in the sidebar of another video. It's a little nicer on mobile, but it can feel a little hacky at times.Account switchingThe account switching workaround feels more natural while browsing, but it's a bit more cumbersome to change modes. YouTube has gotten much better at account switching, with a simple "Switch accounts" dropdown in most of its apps. Of course, each one requires an entire Google account, but there's a decent chance you already have at least five of these by now, anyway.There's nothing special about filtering videos this way, but it gives you a few different blank slates to work from, instead of one giant one. For example, I have a Gmail account that I only use as a throwaway for junk where I don't want to give my real email address. On YouTube, if I decide I want to indulge in junk video compilations, I'll switch accounts first. That way, any garbage I watch won't affect my primary account's recommendations. (This is also helpful if you want to have guests over but don't want them to poison your well with videos they pull up.) The only downside? If you use YouTube Premium to avoid ads, then that won't carry over to all your other accounts.All of this tinkering will result in a streaming experience that is still less ideal than how apps like Netflix and Disney+ work. On those services, you can set up multiple profiles within your a single account, and pretend it's actually your aunt that's watching all that garbage TV when she comes to visit. Until YouTube makes that an official feature, the tricks outlined above will hopefully help you get better suggestions.

Nebraska is the latest state to crack down on how kids can use social media. The state's governor, Jim Pillen, recently signed into law a package of bills aimed at restricting certain social media features that keep kids hooked on the platform. The final bill signed, called the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act, will require companies to offer time limits on usage, restrict certain categories of content and provide chronological feeds instead of algorithmic ones that promote infinite scrolling. The Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act, also known as LB504, details that social media companies can only collect the minimum amount of personal data from younger users, and offers parents more tools to limit how their children use their accounts. Along with those restrictions, the law prohibits any ads related to gambling, alcohol, tobacco or drugs from reaching kids on social media.  Alongside LB504, the signed package of bills includes LB140 that limits student use of smartphones in schools, LB383 that requires social media companies to verify the age of its users and require parental consent for creating accounts, and LB172 that creates criminal penalties for AI-generated pornography. "Collectively, all these bills have an incredible impact on helping our teachers and giving our schools the opportunity to teach our kids, instead of being disrupted in the classroom," Pillen said in a press release. "They also provide parents with the tools they need to protect our kids from big tech online companies and predators." The law is set to go into effect January 1, 2026, and any companies that violate these new regulations will face civil penalties. Nebraska is the latest state to restrict social media usage for minors, but Texas is also trying to pass a similar ban. With more efforts to regulate social media, NetChoice, an Internet advocacy organization whose members include Google, Meta and X, has voiced criticism of these states' efforts, arguing that they infringe on First Amendment rights and user privacy. In 2022, California signed a similar law meant to protect underage users, but it has since been in a legal battle following a lawsuit filed by NetChoice that claims a violation of free speech rights.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/a-new-nebraska-law-wants-to-make-social-media-less-addictive-for-kids-171510432.html?src=rss

Parametric design is a transformative approach to product development that integrates interconnected parameters to enhance a product’s performance and adaptability. This approach maximizes the relationships between parameters like color, size, and material by defining and adjusting them to improve design results. In contrast to conventional design systems, parametric design encourages creativity by making it possible to create adaptable and dynamic solutions that are suited to changing requirements. The use of sophisticated algorithms makes it easier to create intricate patterns and structures, changing the way engineers and designers approach architectural, industrial, and urban planning projects. Parametric design is based on systems that are naturally based on parametric principles and are inspired by biological and natural patterns. The Flip chair, inspired by the natural beauty of wind-blown grass, combines asymmetry and craftsmanship to create a unique seating experience. Designers focused on the “flip” as the central element, allowing the bent wood to flow through gradual transitions, and infusing the piece with vitality. The challenging process of steam-bending thick wood was repeated multiple times, ensuring that each chair is handmade, one-of-a-kind, and exhibits a distinctive form, making it an elegant yet functional addition to any space. Developed with the support of the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute (NTCRI), the Flip chair seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with modern parametric design. The result is a chair that not only offers aesthetic appeal but also carries a story of innovation and meticulous workmanship. Its organic texture and thoughtful design make it a statement piece that is ideal for those seeking a functional yet artistic element to complement their home or office decor. What are the Applications of Parametric Design? Parametric design enables the creation of customized product designs by allowing users to adjust shape, size, and functionality based on specific inputs. This approach combines various algorithms and parameters to create and refine designs that enhance the functionality and aesthetics of the product. Designers begin by defining key parameters, which can then be adjusted to optimize efficiency and performance. CAD software and similar tools are commonly used in this process and by utilizing parameters, the design process becomes more controlled and enables innovative solutions. Multiple design options can be explored quickly which heps in reducing time and waste, and making parametric design a powerful tool for innovation. Located in Jakarta’s business district, the Stalk Tree-Hugger, designed by RAD+ar, integrates five existing tall trees with a parametric fabric structure that creates an engaging play of light and shadows. This innovative design combines a restaurant and lounge, offering a unique spatial experience while blending seamlessly with the surrounding greenery. The shifting shadows from the trees foster an intimate, inviting atmosphere, while the dynamic tensile structures, swaying with the wind, create a nature-centric ambiance. The 750-square-meter bar restaurant showcases minimal intervention in nature, providing a versatile space for commercial activities. The lightweight steel-timber thatch roof offers both shade and support to the parametric fabric, transforming into a lantern at night, enhancing the cityscape and event ambiance. Designed by Antonius Richard and the RAD+ar team, the project emphasizes reducing environmental impact while maintaining the commercial value of the land. With constant movement and changing lighting, the design creates a relaxing, tranquil space, where visitors can observe and interact with nature. The Generico Chair, created by Marco Hemmerling and Ulrich Nether, exemplifies the power of generative algorithms in computational or parametric design. This innovative process allows the software to optimize the design to meet specific parameters and results in a lightweight yet strong structure. The chair’s Voronoi-inspired design reduces material usage significantly while maintaining strength and flexibility in the backrest. The careful application of generative design principles ensures the chair’s efficiency without compromising its functionality. Designed for both performance and comfort, the Generico Chair retains its ergonomic qualities despite its reduced volume. The chair is 3D printed to accommodate the complexities of its generative design, which introduces specific manufacturing constraints. The result is a visually captivating piece with a skeletal charm that blends creativity and precision. Its unique form showcases how software-aided design can produce functional and aesthetically pleasing furniture pieces while adhering to sustainability, precision, and material efficiency goals. How does Parametric design bring innovation to product design? Parametric design, powered by CAD software, achieves a harmonious balance between complexity and simplicity, streamlining the processes of product creation and modification. By defining specific parameters, designers can make adjustments with ease, minimizing waste and improving efficiency. This highly versatile approach adapts to various products, such as adjusting the height and tilt of a chair or modifying the color, angle, and brightness of lighting design. Therefore, parametric design promotes flexibility, providing a wide range of solutions to complex challenges. By establishing parameters at the outset, significant time is saved, enabling refinements during the design phase before creating a physical prototype. It excels in managing intricate shapes and patterns while opening new possibilities for innovation and creativity. John Mauriello, the designer behind the Coral Lighting Collection, articulates his creations as moments frozen in time. These lamps are the result of complex algorithms simulating natural growth, each one capturing a unique form by pausing the simulation at a precise point. The collection features three distinct designs namely Timor, Sargasso, and Celebes, each inspired by different types of coral. Mauriello’s deep connection to the ocean, fostered through his experience as a surfer, is reflected in his tribute to coral’s inherent beauty and vibrant life. The lamps are meticulously designed to be visually appealing both when illuminated and when turned off. Crafted from a white, ceramic-like material, they are 3D printed in the USA using sustainable methods that enable the recycling of any waste materials. The integrated LED lights interact with the lamp’s uneven cross-sections to produce dynamic lighting effects of brightness and shadow. The manufacturing process is eco-conscious and allows any waste material that is produced during the design process to be recycled. A Guide to Parametric Design Software Parametric modeling is a computer-aided design (CAD) tool used to create and manipulate parametric models. Several software programs incorporate advanced algorithms for parametric design, combining computer software with AI to offer innovative design solutions. These sophisticated algorithms enable an interactive design process, allowing designers and engineers to input specific constraints directly within the software. This approach minimizes errors and ensures the creation of accurate digital models. Furthermore, the integration of virtual reality enhances the experience, providing immersive and interactive opportunities to visualize and refine concepts. Designers can explore complex geometries and design intricacies, enabling the creation of 3D shapes and models with greater precision and flexibility. CATIA’s Visual Scripting app, part of the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, makes parametric design easier and more accessible. This no-code tool lets designers, engineers, and architects create complex designs without needing to write code. Using a simple, node-based interface, users can define parameters and generate detailed 3D models effortlessly. The tool’s Capture & Reuse feature boosts efficiency by allowing users to share and reuse design algorithms across different projects. By combining CATIA’s CAD software with a visual approach to parametric and generative modeling, Visual Scripting enhances creativity and speeds up design iterations. Its smooth integration with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides a streamlined workflow, making algorithmic design a built-in feature. Beyond traditional modeling, it also enables mesh manipulation and the creation of custom lattice structures—perfect for 3D printing in industries like aerospace, furniture, and jewelry design. Parametric design is transforming the product design industry by fostering creativity, improving efficiency, and enabling customization. Its seamless integration with digital manufacturing and sustainability efforts makes it an essential tool for modern designers. As technology continues to evolve, parametric design will remain at the forefront, driving ethical and innovative advancements in product development.The post Parametric Design And a Guide to Creating Adaptable, High-Performance Products with Algorithms first appeared on Yanko Design.