GLP‑1 Weight‑Loss Drugs, Self‑Aware Cities, and the Fight Against Forever Chemicals
A roundup of rising eating‑disorder risks linked to GLP‑1s, a fictional tale of sentient cities, and the latest on PFAS cleanup.
GLP‑1 Drugs and a Surge in Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are on the rise. A recent report indicates that the global incidence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa increased by 71% between 1990 and 2023. Clinicians are now observing that GLP‑1 weight‑loss medications—one of the biggest biotech breakthroughs of the last decade—can act as a potential trigger for these conditions. The concern is that the drugs may exacerbate an already growing problem.
“Love is Infrastructure”: Self‑Aware Cities in Fiction
Charlie Jane Anders, author of the forthcoming novel Good Things Are Coming Your Way, contributed a short story titled “Love is Infrastructure.” The narrative follows two neighboring cities, Mainspring and St. Barnabas, which develop minds of their own shaped by resident votes. As they begin to fall for each other, a third city, Turnbull, promises a more efficient future but at a “troubling price.” The piece explores self‑aware cities, direct democracy, and a steamy romance.
Are We There Yet? Tackling PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
PFAS—used for decades in items ranging from nonstick pans to firefighting foams—are linked to fertility challenges, developmental delays, cancer, and reduced immune response. Scientists are investigating ways to scrub PFAS‑contaminated soil and pull the chemicals out of water systems, aiming to limit their buildup. The technology is still in its infancy, but progress could eliminate many health and environmental woes.
Must‑Read Tech and Business Highlights
Binance hack: The exchange reports $6.3 billion in assets affected, with analysts blaming North Korea; the stolen Bitcoin is unlikely to be recovered and Binance has halted deposits and withdrawals.
Nvidia espionage: An alleged Chinese spy, an executive at a Singapore data‑center firm, is accused of targeting Jensen Huang; US intelligence says she cultivated ties, while Nvidia describes the dealings as “normal.”
Alphabet market loss: The company shed $500 billion in market value as AI chips away at search profits, contributing to a broader decline in tech stocks.
Pentagon freezer hack: Military base freezers were compromised, spoiling food and possibly linking to similar hacks in French supermarkets.
US midterms: A Democratic Congress could curb previous science funding cuts, while Trump’s earlier actions dealt “big blows” to science.
Data‑center emissions: Gas plants could raise power‑sector emissions by 42% by 2030, and European data‑center workers face dangerous conditions.
SpaceX shift: The company is prioritising Starlink and AI over NASA projects, even as Cape Canaveral remains busier than during the space race.
Battery market pivot: Battery makers are moving from EVs to grid storage, with a new US record for battery capacity.
Humanist AI exemption: A humanist secured a religious exemption from using AI at work, arguing it undermines human flourishing.
Psychics vs. chatbots: Human practitioners claim computerized clairvoyance lacks a “divine touch.”
Quote of the Day
“Rizz is in more and more demand because it’s something that only people have.” —Steven Strogatz, mathematics professor at Cornell University, told Business Insider that personal appeal will become more valuable as AI takes over intellectual work.
One More Thing: AI and Animal Welfare
In early February, animal‑welfare advocates and AI researchers gathered at Mox, a shoes‑free coworking space in San Francisco, to discuss whether artificial general intelligence could prevent animal suffering. Ideas ranged from custom AI agents for advocacy to AI‑driven cultivated meat, and the conversation turned to the prospect of AI itself developing the capacity to suffer—a scenario some call a moral catastrophe.
Halloween Specials
Today’s edition also features a Halloween special with a “Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers,” a mashup soundtrack by Bill McClintock, tips from haunted‑attraction pros, and a drone‑light show combining 210 drones, fire, lasers, projection, fountains, and the Beastie Boys.
These stories together illustrate the rapid pace of technological change, its unexpected cultural reflections, and the urgent environmental challenges we face.
