Nvidia’s Open Source Coalition Lacks Notable Participants: OpenAI and Anthropic

Zoë Schiffer: Wow, this took a turn I didn’t expect.

Leah Feiger: Seriously, it was really disturbing. The drone footage from last year almost made me feel like the Joker. I vividly recall watching belugas bouncing off walls—it was heartbreaking, reminiscent of an abandoned amusement park. I thought it was artificial intelligence. Anyway, it’s a truly awful story, but at least parts of it are shifting towards a more positive outcome. Recently, a team from Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium—shout out to Chicago—pulled off an impressive logistical feat, carefully placing four belugas into custom stretchers, transporting them in individual saltwater tanks, trucking them to the airport, and flying them across an international border on a chartered 777. The entire operation took 72 hours.

Archival audio: A round of applause after a non-stop relocation effort. Staff from Shedd Aquarium have successfully transferred four beluga whales from a facility in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to their new residence.

Zoë Schiffer: Is their new residence better?

Leah Feiger: Well, their new home won’t harm them and provides food. Yet, there’s still significant concern regarding the captivity of these large creatures. Everyone remembers Blackfish and knows about Tilikum, the well-known orca.

Brian Barrett: Leah, you’re going to mention Free Willy, but that’s where my orca knowledge ends.

Leah Feiger: This unfortunate orca is featured in a major documentary about going insane because these intelligent beings are cooped up in tanks and forced to perform. I’m really glad the article is fascinating, and it’s impressive they managed to relocate these animals. But the bittersweet truth is they ought to be free in the ocean.

Brian Barrett: Be sure to check out Kate’s article and admire the incredible photos included.

Zoë Schiffer: Absolutely, Brian.

Brian Barrett: Now, here’s my TIRED. Get ready. Beep, beep, beep. That’s my imitation of a microwave notification indicating something’s finished. It’s irritating, noisy, and repetitive. So tired.

Zoë Schiffer: I feel like I just got a glimpse of your dad vibes.

Brian Barrett: Oh, you’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg, Zoë. My WIRED features a couple of sound designers with a startup called Starling, who are dedicated to creating a more pleasant microwave beep. They aim for a sound that isn’t annoying, aligns with modern technology, and doesn’t break the bank. Jeremy White, WIRED’s senior writer, spoke with them and provided an intriguing exploration into why we often tolerate annoying sounds in our tech when we shouldn’t have to. There are so many little tweaks that could enhance our experience, yet they often go unaddressed due to cost. These innovators are trying, and it’s refreshing to see people demand better from their technology. So, it’s a fun story from Jeremy.