Each week, BIV staff will share with you some of the interesting stories we have found from around the web.
Kirk LaPointe, publisher and editor-in-chief:
The electric vehicle boom requires lithium for its power supply. With the boom has come some mining practices that are open to question. - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/06/business/lithium-mining-race.html
The voyeurism on the Bill and Melinda Gates divorce misses the important point on the economic implications of the split. - The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/05/bill-and-melinda-gates-divorce-foundation/618803/
UFOs are being taken seriously. Seriously. The Pentagon is at last on the case. - The New Yorker
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/05/10/how-the-pentagon-started-taking-ufos-seriously
Glen Korstrom, reporter:
When businessman and media personality Kevin O’Leary last week picked Palantir as one of his two stock picks in the CNBC Stock Draft, which runs until just before Super Bowl weekend, it reminded me of the huge investment opportunity in big data.
This very long New York Times Magazine piece from October gives a balanced overview of the pros and cons of Palantir, which specializes in taking data formatted in a variety of different ways, and using AI to glean conclusions that likely would elude human thinking.
The company launched with CIA funding, and is credited with helping the U.S. locate Osama Bin Laden. Ferrari is using its software to make faster race cars. Airbus is using it to improve maintenance efficiency. Police use it to solve crimes.
Numerous controversies swirl around Palantir, as some allege that it helps police racially profile suspects, and others say it erodes personal privacy.
The perennially money-losing company is chaired by tech icon Peter Thiel but also has a quirky CEO, Alex Karp, who helps make the read engaging. – New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/10/21/magazine/palantir-alex-karp.html
While on the topic of Big Data and artificial intelligence, here’s an enlightening look at how the Globe and Mail has used AI to increase its digital subscriber base to 170,000 – with that generating about 70% of its revenue. Only 30% of revenue is said to come from advertising. AI has taken over most editorial decisions, and it determines placement for 99% of the content on Globe and Mail’s website. – PressGazette
https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/phillip-crawley-interview-globe-and-mail-canada/
I’ll probably check out Van Morrison’s new album despite its unimaginative title (Latest Record Project: Volume 1,) and the warnings in this review that much of the 28 tracks are “filled with bile.”
I like some of Morrison’s early work, and despite his recent political stances against COVID-19 lockdowns, I’m curious what he releases.
This review provides an update with humour and balance. – Wall Street Journal
Mark Falkenberg, deputy managing editor
Columnist Konrad Yakabuski on why Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doesn’t have to sweat a software deal so much at the moment: “With lumber prices more than tripling in the past year, duties averaging around 9 per cent are practically a rounding error.” – Globe and Mail
What with Canada’s slo-mo, stumbling vaccine rollout, some laffs are in order, and the Beaverton delivers. – The Beaverton
Hayley Woodin, executive editor:
Eleven Madison Park is one of New York’s top fine dining establishments, with three Michelin stars to its name. When it reopens next month, it will be entirely vegan. – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/03/eleven-madison-park-vegan-menu-meat-free-food
Timothy Renshaw, managing editor:
Airports are not doing much these days, so here's a productive low-carbon initiative for all that fallow airport acreage courtesy of Wired
https://www.wired.com/story/why-not-turn-airports-into-giant-solar-farms
