Paulina Borsook is profiled as a sharp early tech journalist and author of Cyberselfish (2000), a prescient critique of Silicon Valley’s libertarian, male-dominated culture. Drawing on her technical background - learning the PICK database system - and years of reporting, she argued that technology is a social artifact shaped by the personalities and politics of its makers, not an autonomous force. The book cataloged misogyny, de-skilling, flirtations with eugenic thinking, and a “testosterone-poisoned” ethos that foreshadowed today’s manosphere. Cyberselfish sold modestly (roughly 5,000 hardcover and 2,000 paperback copies) and won warm if puzzled reviews, but its core claims later resurfaced as decisive warnings about tech’s social harms.
After publication, Borsook’s career inexplicably stalled: editors stopped returning calls, fellowships and book deals vanished, and she fell into financial and health-related hardship, losing belongings and living in a small rented unit while relying on friends and a GoFundMe. She long wondered whether sexism or an informal blacklist ruined her prospects. Recent social-media reappraisals of Cyberselfish cast her as a Cassandra vindicated by later events; renewed interest produced multiple publisher bids and a Tin House reissue with a new foreword, forcing a fraught reckoning with lost years and a reclaimed reputation.
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Suits offer better comfort and utility because they can be tailored to individual body proportions, unlike modern clothes. The author prefers suits as they better accommodate personal measurements and offer functional advantages, making them a form of original techwear. (devz.cl)
Mike Tomlin, former Pittsburgh Steelers coach, has spent 12 years building a detailed city in Minecraft. His project showcases his long-term dedication to the game and creative expression. (youtube.com)
The video argues that copyright laws are outdated and do not effectively protect creators in the digital age. It suggests that current copyright systems hinder innovation and access to knowledge. (youtube.com)
Murphy Trueman reflects on how AI models learn and replicate human language patterns, blurring the lines of originality. He observes that influence flows both ways, making it hard to tell who is teaching whom in language and design. (blog.murphytrueman.com)
Technological shifts, like the transition from horses to cars, have historically transformed jobs while preserving the core purpose of helping people. This history prompts reflection on how current AI advancements may similarly redefine work while driven by human motivations. (manuel.darcemont.fr)
Parents are sharing recommendations for science and technology books suitable for young children, with one suggesting Mushrooms and Company. The book has inspired a child's interest in fungi and sparked family reading sessions. (news.ycombinator.com)
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