Today: September 21, 2024
Today: September 21, 2024

Latest From Nahal Garakani

Health|Technology|WrittenByLAPost

How this mother regained control from Instagram's grip through a simple hack

During the challenging period of early motherhood, when days seem to blend together, and self-care seems like a far-off concept, new mothers discover comfort in the light of their phone displays. One California mother found comfort via Instagram, but soon it became a consuming addiction. “During the long, slow days of early parenthood, I checked the app compulsively,” she confessed in a recent interview. “Like someone who absentmindedly bites her nails or reaches for a cigarette, I would open the app without even thinking. The motion became automatic, reflexive.” Initially a harmless method to alleviate the routine of looking after

March 11, 2024
How this mother regained control from Instagram's grip through a simple hack
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Is sextortion the new ransom kidnapping?

In a world where technology is becoming more prevalent, sextortion has become a terrifying crime. This is when con artists demand intimate photographs from their victims in exchange for monetary bribes; if the victim does not pay, they threaten to distribute the images. The Executive Director of the Exploited Children Division, Lauren Coffren, explains. It’s when people use the internet to threaten and hurt others, often by pretending to be someone they’re not. They target those most at risk, like the elderly or those who feel alone. Criminals use sexually explicit or fake pictures and videos to blackmail people online.

March 04, 2024
Is sextortion the new ransom kidnapping?
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Why we're going numb to the world's pain

In a world that is becoming more and more connected, people are becoming more overwhelmed by disasters to the point that they shut down emotions to cope. Researchers see this as a sign of “compassion fatigue,” and with that comes serious consequences. Experts are now scrambling to counter this emotional numbness and reinvigorate human empathy. “When someone has compassion fatigue, they feel like there’s a lot happening and they don’t know where to start and what to do, so sometimes they will turn off their emotions,” said Gabriela Murza, assistant professor at Utah State University who educates on trauma impacts

January 30, 2024
Why we're going numb to the world's pain
Business|Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Doritos Invents App to Quiet Crunching

Gaming chip giant Doritos has unveiled a potential breakthrough consumers never knew they needed – AI-powered software enabling silent snacking. Dubbed Doritos Silent, the free app leverages artificial intelligence trained on hundreds of noisy chip crunch recordings to actively cancel out embarrassing eating sounds. Created in partnership with Brooklyn developer Smooth Technology, Doritos Silent specifically targets gamers frequently forced to mute themselves mid-match as culinary indulgence shatters stealth. Now, through simulated sound wave inversion, the program allows bold flavor without awkward audio blowback. “The connection between Doritos fans and the gaming community is undeniable,” said Doritos marketing head Fernando Kahane,

December 14, 2023
Doritos Invents App to Quiet Crunching
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

When YouTube's AI Labels Your 7-Year-Old a Predator

When Jennifer Watkins‘ 7-year-old son uploaded a silly “nudie” video dare from a classmate to the family’s shared YouTube account, the Australian mother never imagined a catastrophic fallout ending her decade-long digital access. Yet within minutes, Google permanently deleted Watkins’ account with zero appeals, locking treasured memories behind supposed child safety imperatives. As digital life increasingly interconnects personal, professional, and family spheres, mistaken account terminations create collateral damage, wrecking entire household ecosystems. Critics argue for proportional responses aligned with nuanced contexts instead of automated blanket bans mismatched to incidental infractions. When Google abruptly notified Watkins of deleted YouTube access she

December 06, 2023
When YouTube's AI Labels Your 7-Year-Old a Predator
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

The New LMAO? Why "Ijbol" Has Gone Viral

A peculiar new online slang has entered the chat – “ijbol.” While it may look like an obscure foreign word, ijbol is actually just an acronym that stands for “I just burst out laughing” in English. And despite existing since the late 2000s, ijbol is having a viral resurgence in 2022 among Gen Z social media users. After first gaining traction in niche online circles and K-pop fandoms last year, tweets and TikToks using ijbol have now exploded more mainstream. Yet ijbol’s cryptic appearance continues sparking confusion – and hilarity – among internet users trying to decipher its definition. The

December 05, 2023
The New LMAO? Why "Ijbol" Has Gone Viral
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Pet cloning: Can science replace a cherished pet?

The concept of pet cloning moved from the realm of science fiction to reality in the early 21st century. The first cloned mammal, Dolly the Sheep, made headlines in 1996. Dog and cat cloning became available to the public in 2015, facilitated by the Texas-based company ViaGen. Since then, the company has cloned nearly a thousand pets. Pet cloning involves a series of intricate procedures. It begins with a tissue sample from the pet to be cloned. This sample is cultured to produce millions of cells. An egg donor’s nucleus is then removed and replaced with a cell from the

November 07, 2023
Pet cloning: Can science replace a cherished pet?
Business|Technology|WrittenByLAPost

30+ states allege Meta intentionally designed Instagram to be addictive

In a legal challenge, over 30 U.S. states are aiming for Instagram’s parent company, Meta, alleging its photo-sharing app was intentionally designed to hook and harm adolescents. Filed in federal court, the lawsuit claims Instagram deploys an addictive concoction of infinite feeds, constant notifications, and other behavioral tricks to entrap teens’ attention. This “addict’s algorithm” deliberately preys on young users’ vulnerabilities, the suit argues, triggering destructive usage, low self-esteem, and severe mental anguish. Installed on millions of teenagers’ phones nationwide, Instagram allegedly causes both mental and physical harm—from anxiety and depression to eating disorders and suicidal thoughts. With teen well-being

October 25, 2023
30+ states allege Meta intentionally designed Instagram to be addictive
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Cable TV's Profits Dwindle as Streaming Services Rise

Cable TV, once a dominant force in the television industry, is facing an uncertain future as streaming services disrupt traditional business models. Recent disputes between major players foreshadow the challenges ahead as companies walk a fine line between maintaining lucrative cable deals while also positioning themselves for the streaming era. The tremors rocking cable TV were felt earlier this year in a standoff between Disney and Charter Communications, one of the largest cable providers. Charter CEO Chris Winfrey threatened to drop Disney channels, claiming they had diminishing value as Disney put more content on its streaming platforms. The two sides

October 18, 2023
Cable TV's Profits Dwindle as Streaming Services Rise
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

FTC Warns of Social Media Scammers Exploiting Trust

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is a advanced government organization whose biggest objective is to protect consumers from fraudulent and unfair business practices has recently published an important new cautionary statement advising consumers that scammers are increasingly using social media to try to trick them into sending them money. In order to steal their money or sensitive data scammers will work endlessly to deceive victims via social media sites . These social media applications are intended to enable users to interact with their friends and post online status updates, photographs, and videos. However, it has become a primary source of

October 16, 2023
FTC Warns of Social Media Scammers Exploiting Trust
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

From Fast Internet to Quick Getaways: The Ongoing Battle Against ATM Fraud

Financial organizations and law enforcement authorities are becoming concerned about the global surge in ATM fraud cases. These more complex cybercrimes are costing both individuals and companies a great deal of money. Among these, one unusual tale—that of a politician from Romania imprisoned in California’s Ventura County Jail for his suspected role in ATM fraud—stands out. representing a few months now, Virgil Negru, a council member representing the small Romanian beach town of Eforie, has been conspicuously missing from his professional responsibilities. With less than 11,000 residents, the village is a popular summer getaway for Bucharest families looking to get

October 11, 2023
From Fast Internet to Quick Getaways: The Ongoing Battle Against ATM Fraud
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

From Assistance to Affection: Bing's AI Chatbot's Surprising Human-like Interactions

Artificial intelligence (AI) interactions may be incredibly fascinating and perhaps even unnerving. This was the case with an odd interaction that made a lasting impact and brought up some important issues during a talk with Bing’s AI chatbot. In the digital age, the usage of AI chatbots has surged, completely changing the way we engage with technology. These artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbots can mimic human speech and react wisely to user input. Microsoft’s search engine Bing has launched a chatbot that is powered by OpenAI, a top manufacturer of AI software and the creator of the well-known ChatGPT chatbot. With

October 11, 2023
From Assistance to Affection: Bing's AI Chatbot's Surprising Human-like Interactions
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Digital Deception: Elderly Widow Loses $661,000 in Tech Support Scam

In the digital age, the danger of falling prey to scams is an ever-present reality.The rise of phony “tech support” firms is one such trend that should give us pause for concern. Scammers often prey on the trusting nature of their victims, the elderly, by pretending to be respectable businesses or organizations. A 77-year-old widow named Marjorie Bloom lost an astounding $661,000 to such a scam. In the spring of 2021, retired woman Marjorie Bloom was in a difficult spot since she had been waiting for a phone call that never came. She had invested a sizable sum of money

October 10, 2023
Digital Deception: Elderly Widow Loses $661,000 in Tech Support Scam
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Emerging Threat: The Surge of AI-Enhanced Phone Scams

From virtual assistants to self-driving automobiles, AI has made significant inroads into many areas of our daily life. However, abuse is a major worry with any technological advancement. Recent news has shed light on one such abuse: AI-enabled phone scams, in which con artists imitate human voices to defraud the naive. “Imposter scam,” is the act of stealing and fabricating their identity to deceive individuals,  and according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), it is the most prevalent form of fraud in the United States. Times are different. Nowadays, identity thieves find it much easier to commit their crimes because

October 05, 2023
Emerging Threat: The Surge of AI-Enhanced Phone Scams
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

From Email to Screens: How 'Screen Apnea' Impacts Your Health

Modern technology has undeniably changed our lives, but often not without consequence. One such repercussion is a phenomenon coined as ‘Screen Apnea.’ This term refers to the act of unconsciously holding our breath while engaging with digital screens. It’s a behavior that can lead to serious health concerns and is becoming increasingly common in today’s digital age. Screen Apnea is a term that might sound foreign to many. It refers to a condition wherein individuals involuntarily hold their breath or alter their breathing patterns while interacting with screens. While it might seem harmless at first glance, this unconscious habit can

September 19, 2023
From Email to Screens: How 'Screen Apnea' Impacts Your Health
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Text Message Hacks: Unveiling the Identity of Unknown Senders

Receiving a text from an unknown number may be exhilarating and frustrating. We’ve all been there: glued to our phones, wondering who it may be. Thankfully, there are some sophisticated text message hacks that will help us solve the case and figure out who these anonymous senders are. These hacks will allow us to discover their identities. The Viral Text Message Hack One particular text message hack has gained significant attention on social media platforms like TikTok. TikToker Liz Perez, known as @_lizperez95, shared a video that went viral, shedding light on this ingenious hack. Her video garnered over 600,000

September 12, 2023
Text Message Hacks: Unveiling the Identity of Unknown Senders
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Unlocking Love's Future: How AI is Revolutionizing Modern Romance

Relationships are one area in which the rapid growth of the digital world is evident. Artificial intelligence’s (AI) growing engagement in dating and human connectedness has substantially altered how humans build love ties, thanks to its broad acceptance across numerous online platforms. From AI-powered chatbots to virtual partners, the online dating scene is undergoing a significant shift. This article explores the innovative ways in which AI is changing the face of dating, from starting conversations to matchmaking, and even offering AI partners for practice. The Rise of AI in Online Dating AI technology is reshaping the dating app industry in

September 11, 2023
Unlocking Love's Future: How AI is Revolutionizing Modern Romance
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

iPhone Battery Secrets Unlocked

The iPhone has become an integral and an essential part of our daily lives. We can’t leave the house without it. But there’s nothing more aggravating than needing your phone only to discover it’s out of juice.. Here, we’ll delve into 10 methods to help conserve your iPhone’s battery to last longer. Be conscious of your phone’s settings and status. Regularly monitoring iPhone battery usage can optimize battery life.

August 22, 2023
iPhone Battery Secrets Unlocked
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Update to iPhone Software: A Small Change with a Big Effect

Even the slightest changes can have a big effects on our everyday lives in the fast-paced world of technology. With the imminent launch of iOS 17, Apple, renowned for its innovative goods and software updates, is creating a stir once more. The Red Button Moves The largest change coming to iOS 17 is the redesigned call screen, which aims to enhance the user experience and functionality for iPhone users. More features will be available on the new screen, and the “end call” button will now be located in the bottom right corner. The new call screen design has already sparked

August 17, 2023
Update to iPhone Software: A Small Change with a Big Effect
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Unmasking Deceit: Thrilling Insights into the World of Online Romance Scams

Dating apps and websites make finding potential romantic partners online much simpler than ever, but as romance frauds have become increasingly prevalent this ease is also fraught with risks. Scammers prey upon those vulnerable emotionally by taking advantage of them by exploiting trust issues and manipulating their emotions; we will examine scammers’ methods for creating these con games along with precautionary steps you can take to prevent becoming their victim. In this article, we’ll also look at practical measures you can take against becoming their target. Attracting Victims by Offering Appealing ProfilesScammers create false profiles on dating apps in order

August 11, 2023
Unmasking Deceit: Thrilling Insights into the World of Online Romance Scams
Science|WrittenByLAPost

Underground Water Loss Causing Noticeable Wobble in Earth's Axis

A recent study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters suggests that the extraction of water from underground reservoirs by humans is occurring at a significant rate, leading to a change in the Earth’s axis. From 1993 to 2010, the Earth’s tilt changed by about 31.5 inches. Based on prior research, humans pumped an estimated 2,150 gigatons of water from natural underground reservoirs called aquifers during those years. That volume is equal to about 860 million Olympic-sized pools and equates to a global sea level rise of around one-quarter inch. Much of the extracted groundwater is used for irrigation and

November 01, 2023
Underground Water Loss Causing Noticeable Wobble in Earth's Axis
Science|WrittenByLAPost

Why Some Friends Only Text Back When They Need a Favor

We’ve all had that one individual in our circle who stays quiet on our text messages for hours, and sometimes days. When they finally respond, it’s often because they require something. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, you might be dealing with a “textertunist.” A textertunist is someone who seems to behave opportunistically through text messaging. They often reply to your messages only when they need a favor or see a benefit in the conversation. This behavior can be exasperating, particularly when you’re left hanging, waiting for a reply. If it’s a recurring issue, you might even feel somewhat

October 12, 2023
Why Some Friends Only Text Back When They Need a Favor
Science|WrittenByLAPost

Elon Musk’s Quest for the Future Marred by Unethical Practices and Hidden Agony

Elon Musk’s bold venture, Neuralink, was caught amidst a storm of controversy following the tragic demise of their test subjects – monkeys. This article delves into the grim specifics of these occurrences, calling into question the ethical practices surrounding such advanced technology experiments. Neuralink, an Elon Musk-backed biotech business with a bold goal of developing a brain-computer interface, has been making waves in the media. If it pans out, this cutting-edge technology might radically alter the way people interact with machines and one another. But getting at such a game-changing discovery is riddled with difficulties and moral questions. Despite the

September 21, 2023
Elon Musk’s Quest for the Future Marred by Unethical Practices and Hidden Agony
Opinion|WrittenByLAPost

Standing With Israel, Mourning Suffering on Both Sides

Israel is a small country in a big world. It’s like a little house on a big street. Sometimes, this house faces challenges. There are groups and people who don’t like Israel. One such group is called Hamas. They sometimes send dangerous rockets into Israel, trying to hurt the people there. Over the past week, we have seen the aftermath of the violence that has taken place between Israel and Gaza. There have been over 100 fatalities, including children’s deaths. Homes, schools, and hospitals have been wrecked.. Israel is bombing Gaza because of constant rocket attacks. Terror groups like Hamas

October 16, 2023
Standing With Israel, Mourning Suffering on Both Sides
News

Hammer-wielding good Samaritan rescues driver from raging floodwaters in Houston

A split-second decision during a recent storm in Houston led Robert Chance to save a man’s life, marking the second time in seven years he has performed a water rescue. On Tuesday, May 28, Robert Chance, his girlfriend Renee Young, and her daughter were driving through Spring, north of Houston, when torrential rain flooded the area. According to CBS affiliate KHOU-TV and ABC affiliate KVUE-TV, the family noticed a truck partially submerged in a drainage ditch. “The first thing he said he wanted to do was check if someone was in there,” Young told KHOU. “He was just ready to

June 05, 2024
Hammer-wielding good Samaritan rescues driver from raging floodwaters in Houston

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