theverge--2020-06-24--Go read this powerful OneZero investigation into a digital-focused cult

Cults prey on lonely and desperate people looking to belong to something , and as people migrate a bigger portion of their lives online , sometimes all it takes is a small showing of support to net someone ’ s full trust .
In OneZero ’ s new investigative feature , journalists Emilie Friedlander and Joy Crane dig into two connected groups : Tumple and DayLife Army , the latter of which became a physical embodiment of an online cult .
Started by Eben “ Wiz-EL ” Carlson and KoA Malone , the groups were founded primarily through Facebook , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ section of the social media site dubbed “ Weird Facebook.
” Speaking to 24 people who identified as members of Tumple and DayLife Army , as well as people with knowledge of the group and those related to people inside the organizations , OneZero tells a poignant story of internet addiction , loneliness online , and how the what happens on the internet can have dire consequences in the real world .
OneZero tells a poignant story of internet addiction , loneliness online , and how the what happens on the internet can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The story describes Tumple , the first iteration of Carlson and Malone ’ s group , as “ a millennial-focused religious movement rooted in themes of anti-racism and economic justice and tailored to life online.
” In reality , OneZero reports , it was more of a social media pyramid scheme .
Eventually , Carlson and Malone turned their online Tumple community into something more tangible : a physical camp-of-sorts that took what Tumple preached online and turned it into a new group , called the DayLife Army .
Throughout the years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They sold all their possessions and moved across the country to be alongside Carlson and Malone ’ s crew .
Members lived out of Motel 6 rooms , stopped drinking alcohol , and did whatever Carlson and Malone thought was best for the cause .
While Carlson and Malone help lead the story , Friedlander and Crane focus on Matthew , one of the group ’ s earlier members , and other members of both the Tumple and DayLife Army cults .
It ’ s through the various members ’ words that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how influence from people on the internet can destroy someone ’ s actual life .

Cults prey on lonely and desperate people looking to belong to something, and as people migrate a bigger portion of their lives online, sometimes all it takes is a small showing of support to net someone’s full trust.
In OneZero’s new investigative feature, journalists Emilie Friedlander and Joy Crane dig into two connected groups: Tumple and DayLife Army, the latter of which became a physical embodiment of an online cult. Started by Eben “Wiz-EL” Carlson and KoA Malone, the groups were founded primarily through Facebook, reaching people who hung out on a section of the social media site dubbed “Weird Facebook.”
Speaking to 24 people who identified as members of Tumple and DayLife Army, as well as people with knowledge of the group and those related to people inside the organizations, OneZero tells a poignant story of internet addiction, loneliness online, and how the what happens on the internet can have dire consequences in the real world.
OneZero tells a poignant story of internet addiction, loneliness online, and how the what happens on the internet can have dire consequences in the real world
The story describes Tumple, the first iteration of Carlson and Malone’s group, as “a millennial-focused religious movement rooted in themes of anti-racism and economic justice and tailored to life online.” In reality, OneZero reports, it was more of a social media pyramid scheme.
Eventually, Carlson and Malone turned their online Tumple community into something more tangible: a physical camp-of-sorts that took what Tumple preached online and turned it into a new group, called the DayLife Army. Throughout the years, more “army members” were welcome. They sold all their possessions and moved across the country to be alongside Carlson and Malone’s crew. Members lived out of Motel 6 rooms, stopped drinking alcohol, and did whatever Carlson and Malone thought was best for the cause.
As Friedlander and Crane wrote:
In some ways, though, the DayLife Army’s belief system offered a clear-cut formula for understanding the world: You’re either part of the Pain Matrix and contribute to the problem, or you can drop out and help KoA build the Pleasure Matrix.


theverge--2020-06-24--Tesla faces criticism of Elon Musk in bid to bring Cybertruck factory to Texas

As Tesla made its first public pitch to bring its Cybertruck factory to Austin , Texas on Tuesday , the company faced concerns from citizens about its treatment of workers , the proposal ’ s impact on the local housing crisis , the need to give the automaker tax breaks , and most of all , CEO Elon Musk .
About 45 residents of Austin and the surrounding area spoke about the factory deal on Tuesday at a virtual public meeting held by the Travis County Commissioners Court , the policy-making and administrative arm of the local government .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic , including how he reopened Tesla ’ s California vehicle factory in violation of a local health order , sued the county where the factory is located , and spread misinformation about the virus .
Texas is currently experiencing a “ massive outbreak ” of COVID-19 cases , according to Gov .
Greg Abbott .
Tesla says it would create 5,000 jobs , with entry-level positions starting at $ 35,000 a year Tesla has spent the last few months soliciting offers for its next US factory from “ nearly every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mountains , ” Rohan Patel , the company ’ s senior global director of public policy , said at Tuesday ’ s meeting .
But Tesla is now focused on bringing the factory , which is where it will make the Cybertruck and Model Y SUVs bound for the East Coast , to two specific places : either Austin , or Tulsa , Oklahoma .
Before the community members spoke , Tesla offered the most detailed look yet at what it wants to do with the factory , as well as what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return .
The company told local officials that it will hire around 5,000 people for “ middle-skill ” jobs if the factory winds up in Austin , with an annual average salary of $ 47,147 and entry-level positions starting at $ 35,000 .
Tesla has also said the factory ’ s presence would generate about 4,000 additional jobs in the area .
Tesla is eyeing a collection of properties known as the Austin Green development .
The company has applied to buy the land , totaling around 2,100 acres , for $ 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently unused , though a sand and gravel mining business is still in operation in the heart of the proposed factory location .
If built , the Tesla factory would be just a few miles from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport .
The site also straddles a major highway , and butts up against farmland , a small park , some residential neighborhoods , and multiple new subdivisions still under construction .
The Southeast corner of the property is bordered by nearly two miles of Texas ’ Colorado River .
“ The potential is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the vision of being able to potentially transform an old mining site into a sustainable factory with recreational opportunities — that ’ s just a vision that sits perfectly with our mission , ” Patel said during Tuesday ’ s meeting .
“ The potential is just great for recreation , for beauty ” Tesla ultimately expects to spend about $ 1 billion on the new factory .
But the company says it ’ s seeking relief from Texas ’ high property taxes .
Tesla is asking a local school district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save about $ 68 million over 10 years , and one from Travis County that would save around $ 14 million across that same time frame .
Other states and local governments have offered Tesla far more significant tax breaks , including completely eliminating property and other business taxes for 20 years or more , Patel said Tuesday .
“ We ’ re not asking for that in Texas , but I ’ ve asked for an agreement similar to what other large manufacturers have in place in order to make the economics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importantly , provide a win for the county to provide a win for the school districts and a win for the community , ” Patel said .
The tax rebates being discussed in Texas are , to date , far less significant than the $ 1.3 billion tax incentive package the company received for its Gigafactory in Nevada , or the hundreds of millions of dollars SolarCity got for its factory in New York before merging with Tesla .
Tesla has agreed to put at least 10 percent of the county rebate back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already talking to local schools and organizations about possible training programs and affordable housing projects .
But some Travis County residents still took issue with the proposal at Tuesday ’ s meeting .
“ I feel that our tax dollars could be better spent improving what we have never addressed from day one : the horrific living conditions , the pollution , the crime , and the poverty of the resident families of Eastern Travis County , ” said Cecilia Ryan , who lives less than a mile from the site .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Others voiced concerns about the salaries Tesla is promising .
“ This proposal touts jobs starting at $ 35,000 a year , which would have sounded great in 1985 , ” one resident said .
Patel stressed earlier in the meeting that the quoted entry-level salaries are a “ floor ” that is “ really not a hard one for us to leap over.
” He also pointed out that Tesla gives all employees stock in the company .
Some residents , including local union leaders , brought up Tesla ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentioned the company ’ s refusal to allow OSHA to inspect the Nevada Gigafactory in 2018 , and the recent National Labor Relations Board decision that Tesla ’ s union-busting efforts broke the law .
Travis County commissioners said Tuesday that the local UAW and AFL-CIO have spoken to the court about considering wage and working condition protections .
“ I ’ ve heard throughout this presentation today about what a wonderful employer they are .
But I believe firmly when someone shows you who they are , believe them , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local AFSCME union for Austin and Travis County employees .
“ I don ’ t make this accusation lightly , but Tesla representatives on this call have absolutely lied to you today about their record.
” “ I feel that our tax dollars could be better spent , ” said one resident But the most consistent theme in the residents ’ comments was criticism of Musk .
Multiple community members took issue with how Tesla ’ s CEO initially resisted the local county health order in California in March .
Some were dismayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alameda County when he wanted to reopen , and how Musk eventually had the company restart production in violation of that public health order in May .
Those criticisms come as Texas finds itself facing dramatic daily increases in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
“ Elon Musk has called over and over again for rolling back the widespread measures put in place to slow the spread of the virus , and spouted dangerous , Trumpian talking points about patently false benefits of chloroquine , ” Duhon said .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the agreement , as they ’ ve shown a proven record of doing , they ’ ll do so as they did with Alameda with better attorneys than we could ever afford to defend it.
” “ How could we allow a company to come into our community that would drag Travis County down to federal court and here in Austin for legally enforceable health orders ?
” asked Austin resident Jordan McRae .
Residents sent 190 emails in favor of the deal , and 60 against More than one called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and suggested that he and Tesla did not need the proposed tax rebates .
“ I ‘ m extremely disappointed that these tax breaks are being considered for a billion dollar company , and a billionaire playboy who does not necessarily honor all of his agreements that he makes with the governments in the areas where ... he sets up his company , ” Trish Niswander , another AFSCME member , said .
( Tesla is currently valued even higher than that , with a market capitalization of around $ 178 billion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ obvious excitement for the factory .
The commissioners said they received letters of support for the project from Huston-Tillotson University , the University of Texas , Austin Community College , the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association , and Austin ’ s Hispanic , Asian , Black , and LGBT Chambers of Commerce .
The commissioners also said they had received about 190 emails from Travis County residents in support of the proposal , and about 60 against .
Many who spoke at the meeting in support of the factory were Tesla owners , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistant service manager praised the company ’ s “ excellent affordable health care ” and other benefits , which he said are the same that Tesla corporate employees “ and even Elon ” have access to .
One Austin resident and Tesla owner , Diane Webb , said she has a “ strong feeling that I would know by now if [ Tesla ] was not a good company.
” “ To me , the state of Texas has always represented free enterprise competition and ingenuity , our tagline has been ‘ Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really need to be open for this one .
Even if I did not own a Tesla , I would think the factory is a good idea .
But it ’ s not just a good idea .
It ’ s a great one , ” Webb said .

As Tesla made its first public pitch to bring its Cybertruck factory to Austin, Texas on Tuesday, the company faced concerns from citizens about its treatment of workers, the proposal’s impact on the local housing crisis, the need to give the automaker tax breaks, and most of all, CEO Elon Musk.
About 45 residents of Austin and the surrounding area spoke about the factory deal on Tuesday at a virtual public meeting held by the Travis County Commissioners Court, the policy-making and administrative arm of the local government. Many objected to Musk’s behavior during the coronavirus pandemic, including how he reopened Tesla’s California vehicle factory in violation of a local health order, sued the county where the factory is located, and spread misinformation about the virus. Texas is currently experiencing a “massive outbreak” of COVID-19 cases, according to Gov. Greg Abbott.
Tesla says it would create 5,000 jobs, with entry-level positions starting at $35,000 a year
Tesla has spent the last few months soliciting offers for its next US factory from “nearly every state and governor East of the Rocky Mountains,” Rohan Patel, the company’s senior global director of public policy, said at Tuesday’s meeting. But Tesla is now focused on bringing the factory, which is where it will make the Cybertruck and Model Y SUVs bound for the East Coast, to two specific places: either Austin, or Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Before the community members spoke, Tesla offered the most detailed look yet at what it wants to do with the factory, as well as what it wants from Austin and Travis County in return. The company told local officials that it will hire around 5,000 people for “middle-skill” jobs if the factory winds up in Austin, with an annual average salary of $47,147 and entry-level positions starting at $35,000. Tesla has also said the factory’s presence would generate about 4,000 additional jobs in the area.
Previous Next
1 / 8 The Southeast corner of the Austin Green development property Tesla is considering buying for its Cybertruck factory runs up agains Texas’ Colorado River. Photo by Sean O’Kane / The Verge Previous Next
1 / 8 The Southeast corner of the Austin Green development property Tesla is considering buying for its Cybertruck factory runs up agains Texas’ Colorado River. Photo by Sean O’Kane / The Verge
Tesla is eyeing a collection of properties known as the Austin Green development. The company has applied to buy the land, totaling around 2,100 acres, for $5 million. Much of the land is currently unused, though a sand and gravel mining business is still in operation in the heart of the proposed factory location. If built, the Tesla factory would be just a few miles from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The site also straddles a major highway, and butts up against farmland, a small park, some residential neighborhoods, and multiple new subdivisions still under construction. The Southeast corner of the property is bordered by nearly two miles of Texas’ Colorado River.
“The potential is just great for recreation, for beauty, and the vision of being able to potentially transform an old mining site into a sustainable factory with recreational opportunities — that’s just a vision that sits perfectly with our mission,” Patel said during Tuesday’s meeting.
“The potential is just great for recreation, for beauty”
Tesla ultimately expects to spend about $1 billion on the new factory. But the company says it’s seeking relief from Texas’ high property taxes. Tesla is asking a local school district for a property tax break that would save about $68 million over 10 years, and one from Travis County that would save around $14 million across that same time frame.
Other states and local governments have offered Tesla far more significant tax breaks, including completely eliminating property and other business taxes for 20 years or more, Patel said Tuesday.
“We’re not asking for that in Texas, but I’ve asked for an agreement similar to what other large manufacturers have in place in order to make the economics work for us, but maybe more importantly, provide a win for the county to provide a win for the school districts and a win for the community,” Patel said.
The tax rebates being discussed in Texas are, to date, far less significant than the $1.3 billion tax incentive package the company received for its Gigafactory in Nevada, or the hundreds of millions of dollars SolarCity got for its factory in New York before merging with Tesla.
Tesla has agreed to put at least 10 percent of the county rebate back into the local community, and is already talking to local schools and organizations about possible training programs and affordable housing projects. But some Travis County residents still took issue with the proposal at Tuesday’s meeting.
Tesla’s considering buying a 2,100 acre site along Texas’ Colorado River
“I feel that our tax dollars could be better spent improving what we have never addressed from day one: the horrific living conditions, the pollution, the crime, and the poverty of the resident families of Eastern Travis County,” said Cecilia Ryan, who lives less than a mile from the site. “5,000 jobs will not help this situation.”
Others voiced concerns about the salaries Tesla is promising. “This proposal touts jobs starting at $35,000 a year, which would have sounded great in 1985,” one resident said.
Patel stressed earlier in the meeting that the quoted entry-level salaries are a “floor” that is “really not a hard one for us to leap over.” He also pointed out that Tesla gives all employees stock in the company.
Some residents, including local union leaders, brought up Tesla’s checkered history with worker safety. They mentioned the company’s refusal to allow OSHA to inspect the Nevada Gigafactory in 2018, and the recent National Labor Relations Board decision that Tesla’s union-busting efforts broke the law. Travis County commissioners said Tuesday that the local UAW and AFL-CIO have spoken to the court about considering wage and working condition protections.
“I’ve heard throughout this presentation today about what a wonderful employer they are. But I believe firmly when someone shows you who they are, believe them,” said Kolby Duhon, a member of the local AFSCME union for Austin and Travis County employees. “I don’t make this accusation lightly, but Tesla representatives on this call have absolutely lied to you today about their record.”
“I feel that our tax dollars could be better spent,” said one resident
But the most consistent theme in the residents’ comments was criticism of Musk. Multiple community members took issue with how Tesla’s CEO initially resisted the local county health order in California in March. Some were dismayed by his decision to have Tesla sue Alameda County when he wanted to reopen, and how Musk eventually had the company restart production in violation of that public health order in May. Those criticisms come as Texas finds itself facing dramatic daily increases in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19.
“Elon Musk has called over and over again for rolling back the widespread measures put in place to slow the spread of the virus, and spouted dangerous, Trumpian talking points about patently false benefits of chloroquine,” Duhon said. “And when they do back out of their end of the agreement, as they’ve shown a proven record of doing, they’ll do so as they did with Alameda with better attorneys than we could ever afford to defend it.”
“How could we allow a company to come into our community that would drag Travis County down to federal court and here in Austin for legally enforceable health orders?” asked Austin resident Jordan McRae.
Residents sent 190 emails in favor of the deal, and 60 against
More than one called Musk a “billionaire playboy,” and suggested that he and Tesla did not need the proposed tax rebates.
“I‘m extremely disappointed that these tax breaks are being considered for a billion dollar company, and a billionaire playboy who does not necessarily honor all of his agreements that he makes with the governments in the areas where ... he sets up his company,” Trish Niswander, another AFSCME member, said. (Tesla is currently valued even higher than that, with a market capitalization of around $178 billion.)
Despite these criticisms, there is obvious excitement for the factory. The commissioners said they received letters of support for the project from Huston-Tillotson University, the University of Texas, Austin Community College, the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association, and Austin’s Hispanic, Asian, Black, and LGBT Chambers of Commerce. The commissioners also said they had received about 190 emails from Travis County residents in support of the proposal, and about 60 against.
“it’s not just a good idea. It’s a great one.”
Many who spoke at the meeting in support of the factory were Tesla owners, and a few were even employees. One assistant service manager praised the company’s “excellent affordable health care” and other benefits, which he said are the same that Tesla corporate employees “and even Elon” have access to.
One Austin resident and Tesla owner, Diane Webb, said she has a “strong feeling that I would know by now if [Tesla] was not a good company.”


theverge--2020-06-24--Amazon launches Counterfeit Crimes Unit to fight knockoffs on its store

Amazon has announced that it ’ s launching a new Counterfeit Crimes Unit as the latest effort by the online retailer to fight counterfeit products on its website .
The new team is said to be made up of “ former federal prosecutors , experienced investigators , and data analysts , ” who will work to proactively “ go on the offensive ” against counterfeiters , instead of just reacting by trying to identify and block bad listings .
According to Amazon , the new Counterfeit Crimes Unit will make it easier for the company to file civil lawsuits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and work with law enforcement officials in fighting counterfeiters .
Counterfeit products are a big issue for the online retailer , especially from third-party sellers that try to dupe customers into buying fake knockoffs .
Nike recently stopped selling direct products through Amazon , citing unlicensed and imposter sellers as a contributing factor .
Even Amazon ’ s own products and brands aren ’ t immune .
The problem has gotten to the point where the Trump administration recently placed five of Amazon ’ s foreign websites on the White House ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the time , Amazon claimed that it was being targeted due to a “ personal vendetta ” that President Donald Trump has with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos , whose ( separate ) ownership of The Washington Post has led to a long-running feud between the two .
To its credit , Amazon notes that it spent over $ 500 million in 2019 to fight fraud , abuse , and counterfeit products , with 8,000 employees working on those efforts .
The company also reports blocking 2.5 million suspected bad actor accounts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shutting down 6 billion suspected bad listings last year .

Amazon has announced that it’s launching a new Counterfeit Crimes Unit as the latest effort by the online retailer to fight counterfeit products on its website. The new team is said to be made up of “former federal prosecutors, experienced investigators, and data analysts,” who will work to proactively “go on the offensive” against counterfeiters, instead of just reacting by trying to identify and block bad listings.
According to Amazon, the new Counterfeit Crimes Unit will make it easier for the company to file civil lawsuits, aid brands in their own investigations, and work with law enforcement officials in fighting counterfeiters.
Counterfeit products are a big issue for the online retailer, especially from third-party sellers that try to dupe customers into buying fake knockoffs. Nike recently stopped selling direct products through Amazon, citing unlicensed and imposter sellers as a contributing factor. Even Amazon’s own products and brands aren’t immune.
The problem has gotten to the point where the Trump administration recently placed five of Amazon’s foreign websites on the White House’s annual “notorious markets” list. At the time, Amazon claimed that it was being targeted due to a “personal vendetta” that President Donald Trump has with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, whose (separate) ownership of The Washington Post has led to a long-running feud between the two.


theverge--2020-06-24--Apple’s new ARM-based Macs won’t support Windows through Boot Camp

Apple will start switching its Macs to its own ARM-based processors later this year , but you won ’ t be able to run Windows in Boot Camp mode on them .
Microsoft only licenses Windows 10 on ARM to PC makers to preinstall on new hardware , and the company hasn ’ t made copies of the operating system available for anyone to license or freely install .
“ Microsoft only licenses Windows 10 on ARM to OEMs , ” says a Microsoft spokesperson in a statement to The Verge .
We asked Microsoft if it plans to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ARM-based Macs , and the company says “ we have nothing further to share at this time.
” Apple has been working closely with Microsoft to ensure Office is ready for ARM-based Macs later this year , but the company didn ’ t mention its lack of Boot Camp support at WWDC .
It ’ s possible that both companies are still working toward some sort of support , but that would require Microsoft to open up its Windows 10 on ARM licensing more broadly .
Other methods to run Windows on ARM-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VMWare or Parallels , but these won ’ t be supported by Apple ’ s Rosetta 2 translation technology .
Virtual machine apps will need to be fully rebuilt for ARM-based Macs , and it ’ s not immediately clear if that ’ s even a workable solution for Windows on ARM or whether VMWare , Parallels , and others will commit to building these apps with Windows support .
Apple did demonstrate Parallels Desktop running Linux in a virtual machine , but there was no mention of Windows support .
VMWare has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use its Fusion virtualization on ARM-based Macs , but there ’ s no commitment to building the app just yet .
So the Windows situation on ARM-based Macs looks complicated at best and impossible at worst .
The best hope is that Microsoft changes its strict licensing model for ARM-based Macs , but it would still require Apple to create Windows on ARM drivers for its future Mac hardware .
Given the small percentage of macOS users that actually use Boot Camp and the roughly 100 million install base of Macs , running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ARM-based Macs isn ’ t something we ’ re likely to see anytime soon or maybe ever at all .

Apple will start switching its Macs to its own ARM-based processors later this year, but you won’t be able to run Windows in Boot Camp mode on them. Microsoft only licenses Windows 10 on ARM to PC makers to preinstall on new hardware, and the company hasn’t made copies of the operating system available for anyone to license or freely install.
“Microsoft only licenses Windows 10 on ARM to OEMs,” says a Microsoft spokesperson in a statement to The Verge. We asked Microsoft if it plans to change this policy to allow Windows 10 on ARM-based Macs, and the company says “we have nothing further to share at this time.”
Apple has been working closely with Microsoft to ensure Office is ready for ARM-based Macs later this year, but the company didn’t mention its lack of Boot Camp support at WWDC.
Apple later confirmed it’s not planning to support Boot Camp on ARM-based Macs in a Daring Fireball podcast. “We’re not direct booting an alternate operating system,” says Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering. “Purely virtualization is the route. These hypervisors can be very efficient, so the need to direct boot shouldn’t really be the concern.”
VMWare Fusion.
Other methods to run Windows on ARM-based Macs will include virtualization using apps like VMWare or Parallels, but these won’t be supported by Apple’s Rosetta 2 translation technology. Virtual machine apps will need to be fully rebuilt for ARM-based Macs, and it’s not immediately clear if that’s even a workable solution for Windows on ARM (given the licensing complexities) or whether VMWare, Parallels, and others will commit to building these apps with Windows support.
Apple did demonstrate Parallels Desktop running Linux in a virtual machine, but there was no mention of Windows support. VMWare has asked its community about how they would use its Fusion virtualization on ARM-based Macs, but there’s no commitment to building the app just yet.
So the Windows situation on ARM-based Macs looks complicated at best and impossible at worst. The best hope is that Microsoft changes its strict licensing model for ARM-based Macs, but it would still likely require Apple to create Windows on ARM drivers for its future Mac hardware for virtualization methods.
Given the small percentage of macOS users that actually use Boot Camp and the roughly 100 million install base of Macs, running Windows 10 on ARM natively on Apple’s ARM-based Macs clearly wasn’t a priority for Apple.


theverge--2020-06-24--California seeks to force Uber and Lyft to reclassify drivers as employees within weeks

California is seeking to force Uber and Lyft to reclassify their drivers as employees , in a dramatic escalation of the state ’ s months-long war with the gig economy companies .
In May , California Attorney General Xavier Becerra , along with city attorneys of Los Angeles , San Francisco , and San Diego , sued Uber and Lyft , arguing that their drivers were misclassified as independent contractors when they should be employees under the state ’ s AB5 law that went into effect on January 1st .
Now , Becerra plans to file a motion for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies to reclassify drivers as employees within weeks , according to the San Francisco Chronicle .
A spokesperson for Becerra didn ’ t immediately reply to a request for comment .
“ Californians who drive for Uber and Lyft lack basic worker protections , ” California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in May .
“ Sometimes it takes a pandemic to shake us into realizing what that really means and who suffers the consequences.
” AB5 , which was signed into law by California Gov .
Gavin Newsom on September 18th , enshrines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determining whether someone is a contractor or employee .
Legal experts agree the law will make it more difficult for gig economy companies like Uber , Lyft , and DoorDash to classify their drivers and couriers as independent contractors .
And the companies have argued that the law represents an existential threat to their business models .
The companies have argued that the law represents an existential threat to their business models Uber and Lyft accused the attorney general and his allies of trying to shut down ride-hailing in the state .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of thousands of drivers could be out of work , costs would rise , and riders who depend on Uber and Lyft ’ s service would be left stranded .
“ The vast majority of drivers want to work independently , and we ’ ve already made significant changes to our app to ensure that remains the case under California law , ” an Uber spokesperson said .
“ When over 3 million Californians are without a job , our elected leaders should be focused on creating work , not trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lyft spokesperson argued that California ’ s voters should decide the issue .
The company , along with Uber , Instacart , and DoorDash , is funding a $ 90 million effort to pass a ballot initiative in November to counteract the effects of AB5 .
“ We believe the courts should let the voters decide , ” the Lyft spokesperson said .
“ Trying to force drivers to give up their independence 100 days before the election threatens to put a million more people out of work at the worst possible time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of people and the California economy to grant this motion 100 days before the voters decide , and we will oppose this motion.
” The gig companies were preparing this ballot initiative as a contingency plan even before Newsom signed the bill into law .
The hope was that after striking out with lawmakers and labor groups , the companies could win a reprieve by appealing directly to voters .
The ballot measure would override AB5 by classifying ride-hail drivers and other gig economy workers as independent contractors .
According to Ballotpedia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage policies for ride-hail drivers , including a net earnings floor based on 120 percent of the state ’ s or municipality ’ s minimum wage and 30 cents per mile ; a limit to the hours permitted to work during a 24-hour period ; healthcare subsidies ; occupational accident insurance ; and accidental death insurance .
The ballot measure would also require the companies to develop anti-discrimination and sexual harassment policies .
“ This is yet another malicious legal action against drivers that underscores exactly why we ’ re pursuing the ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson for the Uber-and-Lyft funded group .
Meanwhile , pro-AB5 driver groups are planning to protest outside Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi ’ s San Francisco home to protest the ballot initiative and call attention to the company ’ s alleged discrimination against customers from non-white neighborhoods .

California is seeking to force Uber and Lyft to reclassify their drivers as employees, in a dramatic escalation of the state’s months-long war with the gig economy companies.
In May, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, along with city attorneys of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, sued Uber and Lyft, arguing that their drivers were misclassified as independent contractors when they should be employees under the state’s AB5 law that went into effect on January 1st.
Now, Becerra plans to file a motion for a preliminary injunction that would compel the ride-hailing companies to reclassify drivers as employees within weeks.
“It’s time for Uber and Lyft to own up to their responsibilities and the people who make them successful: their workers,” Becerra said in a statement. “Misclassifying your workers as ‘consultants’ or ‘independent contractors’ simply means you want your workers or taxpayers to foot the bill for obligations you have as an employer — whether it’s paying a legal wage or overtime, providing sick leave, or providing unemployment insurance. That’s not the way to do business in California. We’re seeking a court order to force Uber and Lyft to play by the rules.”
“It’s time for Uber and Lyft to own up to their responsibilities and the people who make them successful: their workers”
AB5, which was signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on September 18th, enshrines the so-called “ABC test” for determining whether someone is a contractor or employee. Legal experts agree the law will make it more difficult for gig economy companies like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash to classify their drivers and couriers as independent contractors. And the companies have argued that the law represents an existential threat to their business models.
Uber and Lyft accused the attorney general and his allies of trying to shut down ride-hailing in the state. They argued that if Becerra is successful, hundreds of thousands of drivers could be out of work, costs would rise, and riders who depend on Uber and Lyft’s service would be left stranded.
“The vast majority of drivers want to work independently, and we’ve already made significant changes to our app to ensure that remains the case under California law,” an Uber spokesperson said. “When over 3 million Californians are without a job, our elected leaders should be focused on creating work, not trying to shut down an entire industry.”
A Lyft spokesperson argued that California’s voters should decide the issue. The company, along with Uber, Instacart, and DoorDash, is funding a $90 million effort to pass a ballot initiative in November to counteract the effects of AB5.
“We believe the courts should let the voters decide,” the Lyft spokesperson said. “Trying to force drivers to give up their independence 100 days before the election threatens to put a million more people out of work at the worst possible time. It would be incredibly harmful to millions of people and the California economy to grant this motion 100 days before the voters decide, and we will oppose this motion.”
The gig companies were preparing this ballot initiative as a contingency plan even before Newsom signed the bill into law. The hope was that after striking out with lawmakers and labor groups, the companies could win a reprieve by appealing directly to voters.
The ballot measure would override AB5 by classifying ride-hail drivers and other gig economy workers as independent contractors. According to Ballotpedia, it would also enact labor and wage policies for ride-hail drivers, including a net earnings floor based on 120 percent of the minimum wage and 30 cents per mile; a limit to the hours permitted to work during a 24-hour period; healthcare subsidies; occupational accident insurance; and accidental death insurance. The ballot measure would also require the companies to develop anti-discrimination and sexual harassment policies.
“This is yet another malicious legal action against drivers that underscores exactly why we’re pursuing the ballot measure,” said Stacey Wells, spokesperson for the Uber-and-Lyft funded group.
Meanwhile, pro-AB5 driver groups protested outside Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi’s San Francisco home to pressure the company to drop the ballot initiative and call attention to the company’s alleged discrimination against customers from non-white neighborhoods.


theverge--2020-06-24--FuboTV will get ESPN and other Disney channels starting this summer

FuboTV announced that it signed a multiyear distribution deal with Disney to bring ESPN to its service , filling in the missing link that could make it one of the best over-the-top live TV streaming services available for sports fans .
It was already great for watching the Super Bowl and other live sporting events ( especially since it has a free trial ) .
But starting this summer , subscribers to FuboTV ’ s $ 54.99 standard subscription plan will get ESPN , ESPN 2 , ESPN 3 , ABC , along with access to many other Disney Television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete list of channels being added to the standard plan : With ESPN now part of FuboTV ’ s offering , the company boasts that it has 100 percent coverage for tennis matches and live NFL games , and more US and international soccer than any other streaming service .
If you like other sports , it also claims that through these newly added channels and others ( some of which are available through channel add-ons to your plan ) , you ’ ll get access to plenty of college football games , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrestling , international sporting events , as well as all of the sports news and talk shows available on ESPN ’ s channels .
FuboTV hasn ’ t announced how much it will cost to gain access to international channels , though its current International Sports Plus add-on costs $ 5.99 per month .

FuboTV announced that it signed a multiyear distribution deal with Disney to bring ESPN to its service, filling in the missing link that could make it one of the best over-the-top live TV streaming services available for sports fans. It was already great for watching the Super Bowl and other live sporting events (especially since it has a free trial). But starting this summer, subscribers to FuboTV’s $54.99 standard subscription plan will get ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ABC, along with access to many other Disney Television Studios channels.
Here’s the complete list of channels being added to the standard plan:
ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3
SEC Network, ACC Network
ABC, ABC News Live
FX, FXX
Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD
Freeform
National Geographic
With ESPN now part of FuboTV’s offering, the company boasts that it has 100 percent coverage for tennis matches and live NFL games, and more US and international soccer than any other streaming service. If you like other sports, it also claims that through these newly added channels and others (some of which are available through channel add-ons to your plan), you’ll get access to plenty of college football games, golf matches, college basketball, UFC wrestling, international sporting events, as well as all of the sports news and talk shows available on ESPN’s channels.


theverge--2020-06-24--The PACT Act would force platforms to disclose shadowbans and demonetizations

A new bipartisan Senate bill is taking aim at the liability protections enjoyed by internet platforms like Facebook and YouTube .
The Platform Accountability and Consumer Transparency ( PACT ) Act , introduced by Sens .
Brian Schatz ( D-HI ) and John Thune ( R-SD ) on Wednesday , would require online platforms like Facebook and Google to reveal their content moderation practices through a range of mandatory disclosures .
The bill would also create a new avenue for holding these companies responsible for hosting illegal content by making changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that encourage platforms to remove bad content and measures that keep those moderation systems in check , hoping to draw support from both sides of the ongoing debate over platform regulation .
If approved , the bill would force large tech platforms to explain how they moderate content in a way that is easily accessible to users and release quarterly reports including disaggregated statistics on what content has been removed , demonetized , or had its reach algorithmically limited .
Platforms would then be required to roll out a formal complaint system for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderation decisions within 14 days .
Users would then be allowed to appeal those moderation decisions within a company ’ s internal reporting systems , something that already exists on platforms like Facebook .
Other bills aimed at Section 230 would allow users to report certain content moderation decisions to the government , primarily the Federal Trade Commission .
The PACT Act is in direct opposition to those proposals and allows for moderation reports to remain internal .
Over the last year , both Republicans and Democrats have taken aim at 230 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservatives believe to be bias or “ shadowbanning ” of right-leaning posts .
President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month that would pare back 230 protections .
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has called for 230 to be repealed entirely .
“ Our approach is a scalpel , rather than a jackhammer , ” Schatz said in a call with reporters Wednesday .
On top of formalizing moderation behavior , the bill amends Section 230 in a way that requires large platforms to remove court-ordered illegal content within 24 hours .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuits from federal regulators , which are currently limited by Section 230 .
State attorneys general would also be empowered with the ability to enforce federal civil law against platforms .
The likely result would be a flood of new lawsuits against large tech companies , with unpredictable consequences .
“ There is a bipartisan consensus that Section 230 , which governs certain internet use , is ripe for reform , ” Thune said in a statement Wednesday .
“ The internet has thrived because of the light touch approach by which it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short history .
By using that same approach when it comes to Section 230 reform , we can ensure platform users are protected , while also holding companies accountable .
”

A new bipartisan Senate bill is taking aim at the liability protections enjoyed by internet platforms like Facebook and YouTube.
The Platform Accountability and Consumer Transparency (PACT) Act, introduced by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and John Thune (R-SD) on Wednesday, would require online platforms like Facebook and Google to reveal their content moderation practices through a range of mandatory disclosures. The bill would also create a new avenue for holding these companies responsible for hosting illegal content by making changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
The bill is a combination of measures that encourage platforms to remove bad content and measures that keep those moderation systems in check, hoping to draw support from both sides of the ongoing debate over platform regulation.
“a scalpel, rather than a jackhammer”
If approved, the bill would force large tech platforms to explain how they moderate content in a way that is easily accessible to users and release quarterly reports including disaggregated statistics on what content has been removed, demonetized, or had its reach algorithmically limited. Platforms would then be required to roll out a formal complaint system for users that processes reports and explains their moderation decisions within 14 days. Users would then be allowed to appeal those moderation decisions within a company’s internal reporting systems, something that already exists on platforms like Facebook.
Other bills aimed at Section 230 would allow users to report certain content moderation decisions to the government, primarily the Federal Trade Commission. The PACT Act is in direct opposition to those proposals and allows for moderation reports to remain internal. Over the last year, both Republicans and Democrats have taken aim at 230 as a means of addressing misinformation or what conservatives believe to be bias or “shadowbanning” of right-leaning posts. President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month that would pare back 230 protections. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has called for 230 to be repealed entirely.
“Our approach is a scalpel, rather than a jackhammer,” Schatz said in a call with reporters Wednesday.
On top of formalizing moderation behavior, the bill amends Section 230 in a way that requires large platforms to remove court-ordered illegal content within 24 hours. It also opens them up to civil lawsuits from federal regulators, which are currently limited by Section 230. State attorneys general would also be empowered with the ability to enforce federal civil law against platforms. The likely result would be a flood of new lawsuits against large tech companies, with unpredictable consequences.


theverge--2020-06-24--A black man was wrongfully arrested because of facial recognition

The American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) has filed a formal complaint against Detroit police over what it says is the first known example of a wrongful arrest caused by faulty facial recognition technology .
Robert Julian-Borchak Williams , an African American man , was arrested after a facial recognition system falsely matched his photo with security footage of a shoplifter .
The New York Times reports that the ACLU is calling for the dismissal of Williams ’ case and for his information to be removed from Detroit ’ s criminal databases , and prosecutors have since agreed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been criticized for years , with researchers showing it to be biased against members of different races and ethnicities .
But its use by law enforcement has grown even more controversial in recent weeks following nationwide protests against police brutality and racism .
Now , Williams ’ case shows the reality of what happens when flawed technology collides with poor police work .
The NYT reports that the robbery Williams was accused of took place in October 2018 , and in March 2019 , a still from the store ’ s surveillance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s facial recognition database .
This would have generated a series of photographic matches , later provided as part of a document that said they were not “ probable cause for arrest.
” However , they nevertheless led to Williams ’ picture being included in a photo lineup that was shown to the store ’ s security guard .
This guard , who the ACLU says did not witness the robbery firsthand , positively identified Williams .
The identification led to Williams being arrested in the driveway of his home in January , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ custody for a total of 30 hours .
Williams has given his account of the arrest in an op-ed for The Washington Post .
He says that in one interview with police he held up a photo of the shoplifter next to his own face , after which one of the detectives said , “ the computer must have gotten it wrong.
” Although Williams ’ case was dismissed two weeks after he was arrested , it was dismissed “ without prejudice , ” leaving him open to being charged again , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ACLU says that as a result of the arrest , Williams ’ DNA sample , mugshot , and fingerprints are on file , and that his arrest is on the record .
A Detroit police spokesperson told the NYT that the department had accepted the prosecutor ’ s decision to dismiss the case , and that as of July 2019 the department ’ s policy was to only use facial recognition to investigate violent crimes .
Williams ’ story comes as multiple high-profile tech companies , including IBM , Microsoft , and Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopping or pausing their facial recognition work for police .
“ We believe now is the time to begin a national dialogue on whether and how facial recognition technology should be employed by domestic law enforcement agencies , ” IBM CEO Arvind Krishna said in a statement earlier this month .
But many facial recognition experts say there needs to be a longer moratorium on the technology ’ s use , and that some firms may simply be waiting out the current news cycle before starting to sell to law enforcement once again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though , the damages that a false arrest can cause on someone ’ s life are harder to forget .
“ My daughters can ’ t unsee me being handcuffed and put into a police car , ” Williams writes in his op-ed .
“ But they can see me use this experience to bring some good into the world .
That means helping make sure my daughters don ’ t grow up in a world where their driver ’ s license or Facebook photos could be used to target , track or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Added that prosecutors have agreed to expunge Williams ’ data .

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a formal complaint against Detroit police over what it says is the first known example of a wrongful arrest caused by faulty facial recognition technology.
Robert Julian-Borchak Williams, an African American man, was arrested after a facial recognition system falsely matched his photo with security footage of a shoplifter. The New York Times reports that the ACLU is calling for the dismissal of Williams’ case and for his information to be removed from Detroit’s criminal databases, and prosecutors have since agreed to delete his data.
Facial recognition technology has been criticized for years, with researchers showing it to be biased against members of different races and ethnicities. But its use by law enforcement has grown even more controversial in recent weeks following nationwide protests against police brutality and racism. Now, Williams’ case shows the reality of what happens when flawed technology collides with poor police work.
Williams’ case was later dismissed “without prejudice”
The NYT reports that the robbery Williams was accused of took place in October 2018, and in March 2019, a still from the store’s surveillance video was uploaded to Michigan state’s facial recognition database. This would have generated a series of photographic matches, later provided as part of a document that said they were not “probable cause for arrest.” However, they nevertheless led to Williams’ picture being included in a photo lineup that was shown to the store’s security guard. This guard, who the ACLU says did not witness the robbery firsthand, positively identified Williams.
The identification led to Williams being arrested in the driveway of his home in January, after which he was taken into police custody for a total of 30 hours. Williams has given his account of the arrest in an op-ed for The Washington Post. He says that in one interview with police he held up a photo of the shoplifter next to his own face, after which one of the detectives said, “the computer must have gotten it wrong.”
Although Williams’ case was dismissed two weeks after he was arrested, it was dismissed “without prejudice,” leaving him open to being charged again, the NYT notes. In addition, the ACLU says that as a result of the arrest, Williams’ DNA sample, mugshot, and fingerprints are on file, and that his arrest is on the record.
A Detroit police spokesperson told the NYT that the department had accepted the prosecutor’s decision to dismiss the case, and that as of July 2019 the department’s policy was to only use facial recognition to investigate violent crimes.
Williams’ story comes as multiple high-profile tech companies, including IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon, have announced that they will be stopping or pausing their facial recognition work for police. “We believe now is the time to begin a national dialogue on whether and how facial recognition technology should be employed by domestic law enforcement agencies,” IBM CEO Arvind Krishna said in a statement earlier this month.
But many facial recognition experts say there needs to be a longer moratorium on the technology’s use, and that some firms may simply be waiting out the current news cycle before starting to sell to law enforcement once again. As Williams’ case highlights, though, the damages that a false arrest can cause on someone’s life are harder to forget.
“My daughters can’t unsee me being handcuffed and put into a police car,” Williams writes in his op-ed. “But they can see me use this experience to bring some good into the world. That means helping make sure my daughters don’t grow up in a world where their driver’s license or Facebook photos could be used to target, track or harm them.”


theverge--2020-06-25--Animal Crossing: New Horizons is adding swimming

The oceans of Animal Crossing : New Horizons are opening up .
Today , Nintendo revealed a summer update for @ @ @ @ @ will be launching on July 3rd and adds a very important feature : swimming .
@ @ @ @ @ able to jump into the waters that surround their island and even search for new @ @ @ @ @ be donated to the museum .
The update will also introduce new crafting options , @ @ @ @ @ , and make some changes to Gulliver , a bird who frequently washes ashore and @ @ @ @ @ as a pirate .
This is arguably the biggest change to the game since an @ @ @ @ @ gardening features and a mysterious art seller .
It also looks like there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Another summer update is planned to be released in early August , so @ @ @ @ @ to come , ” Nintendo says .

The oceans of Animal Crossing: New Horizons are opening up. Today, Nintendo revealed a summer update for the Switch game, which will be launching on July 3rd and adds a very important feature: swimming.
Now, players will be able to jump into the waters that surround their island and even search for new sea life that can then be donated to the museum. The update will also introduce new crafting options, add mermaid-themed furniture to collect, and make some changes to Gulliver, a bird who frequently washes ashore and will now be decked out as a pirate.


theverge--2020-06-25--How to stop your glasses from fogging up when you wear a mask

Many people are faithfully wearing masks in order to prevent others from being infected with COVID-19 .
But while mask-wearing is important for public health , it ’ s also a big adjustment for a lot of Americans who are adapting to a new garment and sweaty faces .
Those of us with glasses have to deal with another problem : fogged-up lenses .
When you wear a mask and your warm breath hits the relatively cool surface of your glasses , the result will be fog .
This can be really irritating , especially if you walk from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suddenly can ’ t see , and don ’ t want to handle your glasses without washing your hands first .
There are a number of strategies that have been suggested to keep your glasses , and your vision , clear when you ’ re wearing a mask .
If your mask fits loosely over your nose , your breath is certain to escape up to your glasses .
Many masks being sold have nose bridges sewn into them — flexible strips that allow you to bend and shape them so they fit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : they make the masks more effective ( because less moisture can escape ) , make them more comfortable , and they help prevent your breath from hitting your glasses .
If your mask doesn ’ t have its own bridge , you can make your own using twist ties or pipe cleaners , or you can tape the mask down .
Put your glasses over your mask A simple hack : just pull up your mask so the top sits higher on your nose , and wear your glasses on top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miss your glasses .
If you don ’ t have a special coating on your glasses , you could try washing them in soapy water and then letting them air dry or very gently drying them .
The idea is that the soap leaves behind a film that prevents glasses from fogging .
It ’ s best to avoid soaps that are made with lotion .
Put a tissue on the inside of the mask If you tape a folded tissue under your mask at the bridge of your nose , it may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of commercially available anti-fogging sprays and wipes out there that may be worth trying , but we can ’ t vouch for their effectiveness .

Many people are faithfully wearing masks in order to prevent others from being infected with COVID-19. But while mask-wearing is important for public health, it’s also a big adjustment for a lot of Americans who are adapting to a new garment and sweaty faces. Those of us with glasses have to deal with another problem: fogged-up lenses. When you wear a mask and your warm breath hits the relatively cool surface of your glasses, the result will be fog.
This can be really irritating, especially if you walk from a hot street into an air-conditioned store, suddenly can’t see, and don’t want to handle your glasses without washing your hands first.
There are a number of strategies that have been suggested to keep your glasses, and your vision, clear when you’re wearing a mask.
Use a mask with a nose bridge
If your mask fits loosely over your nose, your breath is certain to escape up to your glasses. Many masks being sold have nose bridges sewn into them — flexible strips that allow you to bend and shape them so they fit your nose. These serve several purposes: they make the masks more effective (because less moisture can escape), make them more comfortable, and they help prevent your breath from hitting your glasses.
If your mask doesn’t have its own bridge, you can make your own using twist ties or pipe cleaners, or you can tape the mask down.
Putting your glasses on over your mask can prevent fogging. Photo by Dieter Bohn / The Verge
Put your glasses over your mask
A simple hack: just pull up your mask so the top sits higher on your nose, and wear your glasses on top of the material. Any escaping breath should miss your glasses.
Use soap and water
If you don’t have a special coating on your glasses, you could try washing them in soapy water and then letting them air dry or very gently drying them. The idea is that the soap leaves behind a film that prevents glasses from fogging. It’s best to avoid soaps that are made with lotion.
Put a tissue on the inside of the mask
If you tape a folded tissue under your mask at the bridge of your nose, it may absorb escaping moisture.
Buy a commercial anti-fogging product


theverge--2020-06-25--NASA wants to hear your ideas for engineering the best toilet to use on the Moon

When NASA sends astronauts back to the Moon , they ’ ll need a place to go to the bathroom when they reach the lunar surface .
And in order to create the best Moon toilet the Solar System has to offer , NASA wants to hear from members of the public who might have ideas on the best way to manufacture an easy-to-use lunar restroom .
Today , NASA is announcing the “ Lunar Loo Challenge , ” a competition in partnership with HeroX to come up with the best space toilet for the agency ’ s future human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Artemis program , which aims to send the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024 , the lander will take astronauts from lunar orbit down to the Moon ’ s surface .
That means the restroom on board has to be versatile : it will need to work in orbit , where the astronauts will be weightless , and also when astronauts are experiencing one-sixth of Earth ’ s gravity on the lunar surface .
And without much gravity , things can get a little messy if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We wanted to see what ’ s out there.
” After more than half a century of sending humans to space , NASA has gotten pretty good at building space toilets .
But the agency wanted to look outside the box , especially since bathroom technology has advanced a lot here on Earth .
“ We wanted to see what ’ s out there — what the unknown unknowns are and put the power of the crowd to find those citizen scientists who ’ ve got different perspectives , ” Mike Interbartolo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is working on the Human Lunar Lander System at NASA , tells The Verge .
NASA plans to award up to $ 35,000 in prizes , and some form of the winning space throne may be included on the lander .
Whatever NASA and the public come up with , it will likely be way better than what the Apollo astronauts had at their disposal .
The Apollo spacecraft that took humans to the Moon didn ’ t have any toilets at all .
To urinate , they had to pee into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a condom ) that transferred the liquid either outside the spacecraft or into a storage container .
Pooping was even worse .
The crew had to use plastic bags with sticky rings around the rim , which attached to their behinds .
Whatever NASA and the public come up with , it will likely be way better than what the Apollo astronauts had “ It was messy , ” Interbartolo says .
“ You didn ’ t have any odor control .
The crew hated it .
It wasn ’ t easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bag without your buddy having to help .
And that ’ s just not the way we want to go back to the Moon 50 plus years later.
” NASA ’ s facilities have definitely evolved since then .
There are currently two toilets on the International Space Station , both of which rely on suction .
To go No .
1 , astronauts pee into a cup attached to a hose that has a fan system inside , creating suction that pulls the liquid into the hose .
For No .
2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white seat with a hole that attaches to a storage container ; the same fan system is used to help to make sure the poo actually goes inside the hole .
Though that can also be a challenge .
“ It ’ s pretty small , so you have to have pretty good aim , ” NASA astronaut Suni Williams once said during a video touring the toilet .
NASA also plans to test out a new toilet on the space station later this year .
Called the Universal Waste Management System , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency ’ s future Orion spacecraft , which will take astronauts to lunar orbit .
But NASA wants something a little different for the lander .
” All those toilets are primarily microgravity toilets , ” Interbartolo says .
“ They don ’ t have to worry about going down into a gravity well and coming back up again , like a lander does.
” NASA expects it could take between 20 to 24 hours for the lander to travel from lunar orbit down to the surface .
“ So that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just holding it in or using a diaper in their spacesuit , ” Interbartolo says .
The astronauts will then spend potentially six and a half days on the Moon , and a toilet will become even more necessary at that point .
Interbartolo says this new lunar lander toilet might shift to a different position or functionality when on the Moon ’ s surface and then shift again when in weightlessness .
“ We want to make sure it has enough redundancy.
” To win the best Lunar Loo design , participants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laid out by NASA .
The toilet must be able to accommodate both women and men since this will be the first time a woman steps onto the surface of the Moon .
The toilet has to be a certain size and weight ; it can ’ t use up too much energy , and it can ’ t be too noisy .
It also can ’ t be too time-consuming to use .
But perhaps the best specifications relate to how much waste the toilet must be able to collect .
NASA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just how often astronauts will need to go on the Moon .
So the agency wants a toilet that can collect up to “ 1 liter of urine per use , ” and “ accommodate 500 grams of fecal matter per defecation.
” The toilet must accommodate all sorts of fluids , including period blood , as well as vomiting and diarrhea from a sick crew member .
Above all , resiliency is key .
“ We want to make sure it has enough redundancy so that if there ’ s a failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t spread fecal matter or urine all over the cabin and contaminate things , ” Interbartolo says .
In addition to the main challenge , there ’ s also a junior competition for kids under the age of 18 to submit designs .
A panel of NASA engineers will ultimately decide which toilet submitted through the main competition works best .
In addition to winning money , winners will get a tour of NASA ’ s Johnson Space Center in Houston , Texas , and the opportunity for some version of their toilet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ ll have some follow on discussions to make sure we fully understand their design concept and ask any questions , ” Interbartolo says .
“ But after that it ’ s up to the NASA design team to take the technology concept and run it to ground.
” “ We want to make it as comfortable and as close to home life as possible.
” Right now , NASA doesn ’ t know the exact lunar lander it ’ s taking to the Moon .
In April , NASA gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blue Origin , and Dynetics — to develop lander design concepts .
But whichever design gets chosen , NASA will be in charge of the toilets .
“ At this point the toilet is considered NASA government furnished equipment , so it was always planned that NASA would provide a toilet waste management system , ” Interbartolo says .
However , if one of the private companies really wants to create their own toilet , NASA will work with them on that .
SpaceX recently developed a toilet for its Crew Dragon spacecraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the space station ( though the company won ’ t go into details about the toilet publicly ) .
Of course , the agency ’ s primary focus is actually building the lander hardware that will take humans to the Moon , which is nowhere near ready yet .
But while private companies and NASA continue to toil away at the spacecraft needed for lunar travel , they hope the public can help out with this key aspect of sending humans to space .
“ Going to poop on the Moon is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to make it a miserable experience for the crew , ” Interbartolo says .
“ We want to make it as comfortable and as close to home life as possible .
”

When NASA sends astronauts back to the Moon, they’ll need a place to go to the bathroom when they reach the lunar surface. And in order to create the best Moon toilet the Solar System has to offer, NASA wants to hear from members of the public who might have ideas on the best way to manufacture an easy-to-use lunar restroom.
Today, NASA is announcing the “Lunar Loo Challenge,” a competition in partnership with HeroX to come up with the best space toilet for the agency’s future human lunar lander. As part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to send the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, the lander will take astronauts from lunar orbit down to the Moon’s surface. That means the restroom on board has to be versatile: it will need to work in orbit, where the astronauts will be weightless, and also when astronauts are experiencing one-sixth of Earth’s gravity on the lunar surface. And without much gravity, things can get a little messy if you don’t prepare.
“We wanted to see what’s out there.”
After more than half a century of sending humans to space, NASA has gotten pretty good at building space toilets. But the agency wanted to look outside the box, especially since bathroom technology has advanced a lot here on Earth. “We wanted to see what’s out there — what the unknown unknowns are and put the power of the crowd to find those citizen scientists who’ve got different perspectives,” Mike Interbartolo, project manager for the Lunar Loo Challenge who is working on the Human Lunar Lander System at NASA, tells The Verge. NASA plans to award up to $35,000 in prizes, and some form of the winning space throne may be included on the lander.
The Apollo Urine Transfer System, which used a rubber tube that attached to a hose. Image: NASA
Whatever NASA and the public come up with, it will likely be way better than what the Apollo astronauts had at their disposal. The Apollo spacecraft that took humans to the Moon didn’t have any toilets at all. To urinate, they had to pee into a rubber tube (which basically worked like a condom) that transferred the liquid either outside the spacecraft or into a storage container. Pooping was even worse. The crew had to use plastic bags with sticky rings around the rim, which attached to their behinds.
Whatever NASA and the public come up with, it will likely be way better than what the Apollo astronauts had
“It was messy,” Interbartolo says. “You didn’t have any odor control. The crew hated it. It wasn’t easy to get a good seal on the bag without your buddy having to help. And that’s just not the way we want to go back to the Moon 50 plus years later.”
NASA’s facilities have definitely evolved since then. There are currently two toilets on the International Space Station, both of which rely on suction. To go No. 1, astronauts pee into a cup attached to a hose that has a fan system inside, creating suction that pulls the liquid into the hose. For No. 2, astronauts “squat” over a white seat with a hole that attaches to a storage container; the same fan system is used to help to make sure the poo actually goes inside the hole. Though that can also be a challenge. “It’s pretty small, so you have to have pretty good aim,” NASA astronaut Suni Williams once said during a video touring the toilet.
NASA also plans to test out a new toilet on the space station later this year. Called the Universal Waste Management System, the toilet will eventually be used in the agency’s future Orion spacecraft, which will take astronauts to lunar orbit. But NASA wants something a little different for the lander. ”All those toilets are primarily microgravity toilets,” Interbartolo says. “They don’t have to worry about going down into a gravity well and coming back up again, like a lander does.”
NASA expects it could take between 20 to 24 hours for the lander to travel from lunar orbit down to the surface. “So that’s obviously outside the realm of them just holding it in or using a diaper in their spacesuit,” Interbartolo says. The astronauts will then spend potentially six and a half days on the Moon, and a toilet will become even more necessary at that point. Interbartolo says this new lunar lander toilet might shift to a different position or functionality when on the Moon’s surface and then shift again when in weightlessness.
“We want to make sure it has enough redundancy.”
To win the best Lunar Loo design, participants need to follow a series of specifications laid out by NASA. The toilet must be able to accommodate both women and men since this will be the first time a woman steps onto the surface of the Moon. The toilet has to be a certain size and weight; it can’t use up too much energy, and it can’t be too noisy. It also can’t be too time-consuming to use.
But perhaps the best specifications relate to how much waste the toilet must be able to collect. NASA did a lot of research to determine just how often astronauts will need to go on the Moon. So the agency wants a toilet that can collect up to “1 liter of urine per use,” and “accommodate 500 grams of fecal matter per defecation.” The toilet must accommodate all sorts of fluids, including period blood, as well as vomiting and diarrhea from a sick crew member. Above all, resiliency is key. “We want to make sure it has enough redundancy so that if there’s a failure in the toilet, it doesn’t spread fecal matter or urine all over the cabin and contaminate things,” Interbartolo says.
An artistic rendering of Blue Origin’s proposed lunar lander. Image: Blue Origin
In addition to the main challenge, there’s also a junior competition for kids under the age of 18 to submit designs. A panel of NASA engineers will ultimately decide which toilet submitted through the main competition works best. In addition to winning money, winners will get a tour of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and the opportunity for some version of their toilet to be used by actual astronauts. “We’ll have some follow on discussions to make sure we fully understand their design concept and ask any questions,” Interbartolo says. “But after that it’s up to the NASA design team to take the technology concept and run it to ground.”
“We want to make it as comfortable and as close to home life as possible.”
Right now, NASA doesn’t know the exact lunar lander it’s taking to the Moon. In April, NASA gave contracts to three companies — SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Dynetics — to develop lander design concepts. But whichever design gets chosen, NASA will be in charge of the toilets. “At this point the toilet is considered NASA government furnished equipment, so it was always planned that NASA would provide a toilet waste management system,” Interbartolo says. However, if one of the private companies really wants to create their own toilet, NASA will work with them on that. SpaceX recently developed a toilet for its Crew Dragon spacecraft, which takes astronauts to and from the space station (though the company won’t go into details about the toilet publicly).