Peppered Kitty and The Penal Guard 💂‍♂️

Guards of The Non-human Breed

Georgia jails have officially entered the robot age! Cobb County Sheriff’s Office unveiled its high-tech “Jail Bots” this week, rolling out DEKA Sentry Robots to boost security within the facility. This is the first U.S. jail using robot patrols, allowing it to free up staff for other critical tasks.

The nearly six-foot-tall robots are each equipped with 360-degree cameras, night vision, and heat detection. For now, three of these bots will roam the jail, patrolling the perimeter and making security rounds through dorms. They’re autonomous but can be remotely controlled for trickier tasks.

DEKA’s CEO, Dean Kamen, noted the AI-driven bots can spot issues and alert deputies immediately. And bonus: these robots don’t need sick days or vacation time, just a little recharge! The pilot program will run for 90 days, all without costing taxpayers a dime.

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Why I Quit The Algorithm Race; And You Should Too

After years of misery in the algorithm race, a disturbing realization hit me: none of it correlated, it was all a bunch of crap. The algorithm chase is neither healthy nor rewarding.

Altruism Peppered With Agenda

Today, 95% of educational donations over $5,000 come from just 5% of private donors, underscoring a significant influence of philanthropists in higher education.

As government funding dwindles, schools increasingly lean on these private donations, creating a delicate balance between upholding academic values and keeping high-net-worth donors satisfied.

Though donations haven’t yet surpassed federal and state funding, they’re catching up fast. In 2001, government contributions to higher education reached $67 billion in state funding and $77.4 billion in federal funding, while donations trailed behind at $24.2 billion. By 2017, however, donations had almost doubled to $43.6 billion. Meanwhile, state funding only increased slightly, and federal contributions actually dropped, according to the Pew Research Center.

These private funds, often delivered as lump sums or staggered installments, typically support elite research initiatives or gleaming new campus buildings. Unlike unrestricted donations from philanthropists like MacKenzie Scott, who has donated millions to community colleges, most large donations tend to benefit top-tier universities, the “charismatic megafauna” of academia, like the Ivy Leagues. (image above showing data by Forbes).

The cycle is self-reinforcing: well-funded schools are better positioned to nurture the next generation of billionaires, who, in turn, may one day give back—further fueling the institutional wealth loop.

Getting Promoted? Nah!

Once upon a time, promotions were the ultimate career dream—the big office, fancy title, and paycheck boost. But today, nearly half of U.S. workers are saying, “No, thanks.” A recent Randstad survey found that 42% are actually steering clear of moving up the ladder. What’s behind the hesitation?

Burnout is real. Gallup reports that 76% of employees feel burned out at times, with 28% experiencing it constantly. For those already stretched thin, taking on more responsibilities can feel like signing up for more stress than they can handle. Protecting mental health has become a bigger priority than chasing titles.

The pandemic shifted how we see work-life balance. For many, promotions often mean more hours, more office time, and less flexibility. People now want jobs that pay well (if not a lot) and have low stress.

Sometimes, a “promotion” means more responsibility without a pay raise. Nearly 40% of companies have offered title bumps without the paycheck to match. Understandably, employees would rather keep their workload manageable than take on extra tasks with no reward.

The takeaway? A supportive, fulfilling workplace might be a better motivator than any promotion.

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🤕 Canada follows US suit - Canada ordered the TikTok Technology in the country to dissolve following a national security review; it will still allow citizens to continue using TikTok.

👋 Are We Ready? - Open AI safety expert quit, saying, "We're not ready for what's coming."

🇨🇳 Heavy Trade - China's trade surplus hit a record high at $785 billion in the first 10 months this year and an almost 16% increase from 2023.

🚣 The 'Skip Forward' Package - A company is offering a four-year cruise to ride out Trump’s presidency with an option to return after the 2026 mid-term elections.

🍷 Drunk Animals - A new study suggests that animals likely consume more alcohol — found in the wild in nectar and fruits where sugar has fermented — than previously believed.

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