When I return, I’ll share my picks for what to check out at Wired.com this week. But before I go, Tori’s Makena has some must-read suggestions from Wired.com today. So, Tori, what’s on your list?
Our colleague Kate Kunibs wrote about a potential malnutrition crisis resulting from cuts to USAID. If you’ve worked overseas, you might find this really significant. Leah and I are both involved in international development, and we know just how crucial US food aid is. It provides markets for American farmers by purchasing surplus crops to ship abroad. In the context of global humanitarian crises, this food aid is a true lifeline for those in desperate situations. Kate noted that food aid sometimes ends up just sitting in warehouses due to the major cuts made during the Trump administration. This is particularly troubling in places like South Sudan, where many children are facing hunger. It’s a clear example of how seemingly mundane systems, which often go unnoticed, are vital for people around the world and, frankly, bolster America’s image as a supportive global presence.
Great recommendations. I completely agree. Makena, what about you?
This week was pretty eventful for Grok.
Hmm.
Elon Musk’s chatbot went into a disturbing anti-Semitic rant online. I suggest everyone check out Paresh Dave’s report on Grok 4, the latest version of this chatbot, especially following a week of confusion between Elon and his team.
Leah, what are your picks for this week?
Well, they’re quite different from both of yours. Elana Klein wrote an intriguing piece about Zillow and the cost of a friend’s home, examining the culture surrounding it. It’s in the culture section and definitely worth a read. There’s a lot of buzz about finding out friends’ net worths these days, which is kind of fascinating.
I think I might be guilty of that!
Of course, we all are. It’s pretty normal.
I went to a party last year, and my partner remarked afterward, “I have a feeling this person might have some family money.”
All the articles we discussed today really capture the essence of what’s happening, from AI controversies to USAID issues and Zillow’s impact. How can tech help us keep tabs on friends and family? That’s our show for today. You can find links to all the stories in the show notes. Don’t forget to catch Thursday’s episode where we dive into the mailbag to answer listener questions. Adriana Tapia produced this episode, with sound mixing by Amalral. Kate Osborne is our executive producer, and Chris Bannon is the Global Audio Director at Conde Nast. Katie Drummond serves as the Global Editorial Director over at Wired.
