Columbus, OH

“Perhaps it isn’t such a big deal if the algorithm knows me well enough…but what if that kind of surveillance is taken to its logical extreme?” Helen Phillips on writing speculative fiction in the age of AI. | Lit Hub In Conversation. Take it from a life-long...

Lit Hub Daily: August 6, 2024

May Webb sees her first hum standing at a bus stop, and mistakes it for a sculpture. One year later, in the anxious “now” of Helen Phillips’ new novel Hum, AI-based robots called “hums” have taken over many jobs, or rendered them obsolete (May’s job working on AI communications has been erased). In fact, as the novel opens, a hum is performing facial recognition obscuring surgery on May’s face. May is being paid well to be a guinea pig in this test, a choice she may come to regret. Reading Hum is like shifting your perspective a couple of years into a dystopian future. Everything could turn out this way. In fact, it seems likely this is where we might be headed, based on the current state of climate change, artificial intelligence, surveillance, and government control.

Helen Phillips on Writing Speculative Fiction in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

According to my feed, the book of the summer is a tie between Miranda July’s sexy midlife-crisis drama, All Fours; the new Sally Rooney galley; and a slim experimental novel published in 1979. Elaine Kraf’s The Princess of 72nd Street lyrically details the seventh “radiance” experienced by a young figure painter named Ellen who, during fits of seeming psychosis, believes herself to be the sovereign ruler of West 72nd between Broadway and Central Park. Ellen/Princess Esmerelda makes witty observations about creativity, femininity, and public life with a voice that feels startlingly modern: Of Eastside men flirting with her kingdom’s subjects, she says, “We don’t like to be bullied by slick strangers in Gucci jeans.”

Melissa Broder On The Oddball 1979 Novel Having A Summer Renaissance

New York City, NY

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Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

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Herbie J Pilato

Actor Buddy Ebsen, who died at age 95 in 2003, found fame by starring in two of the most popular classic television shows in history: The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 1962 to 1971) and Barnaby Jones (CBS, 1973 to 1980). On the Hillbillies, he played former Tennessee country mountain-folk-turned-wealthy Beverly Hills resident Jed Clampett. On Barnaby Jones, he was one of TV's most senior, slyest, health-conscious detectives. Ebsen, however, almost became even more famous for a certain big-screen classic film in which he ultimately did not appear.

'Beverly Hillbillies" Actor Buddy Ebsen Was "Bitter" about not playing the Tin Man in 'Wizard of Oz'

In the mid-1970s, Good Timesmade a star of actor/comedian Jimmy 'JJ'/'Dynomite' Walker. However, behind the scenes, the tension between the stars was relatively challenging. According to what Jimmie Walker once relayed, most of the show's cast rarely had any interaction behind the camera. Walker didn't recall having any conversations with actress Esther Rolle, who played his TV mother, Florida Evans, or actor John Amos, who played James Evans, his TV mother.

Actor/Comedian Jimmie "JJ" Walker Behind the Scenes of TV's 'Good Times' in the 1970s

DoYouRemember?

Following that little inner voice is usually one of the most valuable pieces of advice out there—just beware whose inner voice is being heeded. Bombshell star Jayne Mansfield might have further cemented her place in the cultural zeitgeist of her era as Ginger in Gilligan’s Island had she not followed just the wrong advice she received in the midst of a romance that was messy even by Hollywood standards.

Jayne Mansfield Turned Down ‘Gilligan’s Island’ Because Of A Whirlwind Love Affair

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

First For Women

Gain some insight from these facts about 'Goodfellas' and learn more behind-the-scenes secrets from Martin Scorsese's 1990 mob film.

Take These ‘Goodfellas’ Secrets and Facts to the Grave … or Else; You Know What We’re Sayin’?

South Carolina State

Colleton County, SC

Explore Beaufort SC

Some beachgoers were in for a surprise this week when a bizarre looking prehistoric fish washed ashore in Colleton County along Edisto Beach at Edisto Beach State Park. It turned out to be an atlantic sturgeon.

Rare Atlantic sturgeon washes ashore on South Carolina beach

Massachusetts State

Camilo Díaz

(MA) Meet Yoda, a tiny 9-pound senior Shih Tzu who is ready to steal your heart. This little pup is an older boy who has lived his life loved by a caring owner. Sadly, his owner recently passed away, and their family was not able to take care of Yoda. Luckily, Great Dog Rescue New England was able to take him in and place him safely with a foster. He still has a lot of life left in him, and he hopes to spend the majority of it snoozing in YOUR bed.

This Tiny Shih Tzu Who Lost His Owner Is Now Looking For New Family

Devra Lee

Disclaimer: This content was written by Devra Lee for general informational and entertainment purposes only. This service is to provide astrological information that has been researched, recorded, and observed by the author.

Horoscope of the Day, Wednesday, August 7th

Woman and Home

As the darkly funny film arrives on Netflix, viewers have been curious about what inspired Wicked Little Letters

Is Wicked Little Letters based on a true story? The real tale behind the film revealed

TVShowsAce

Hallmark may not have released its Fall Into Love 2024 schedule, but Erin Cahill is already dishing about her Autumnal movie Autumn on Apple Hill. In this Fall movie, she stars with Wes Brown, her Every Time A Bell Rings costar. What does Erin have to say about her new...

Erin Cahill Dishes On Hallmark’s ‘Autumn On Apple Hill’ With Wes Brown

Illinois State

MOD Pizza has over 500 locations across the country with 22 restaurants in Illinois. The Washington-based chain offers fast-casual fare known for its customized, artisan-style pizzas. Customers can choose from over 40 toppings and 8 sauces to create their own masterpiece.

Bankruptcy Looms for Major Pizza Chain With Chicago Suburban Locations

Kansas State

Missouri State

CJ Coombs

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) helps to locate missing children. Since July 1, 2024, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), 174 children have been reported missing in the U.S. Since January 1, 2024, there was a total of 1,445 reported missing in the country.

Missing Missouri children as of July 17, 2024, according to the NCMEC

Denny's was once a staple of the American diner landscape. In recent years, it has had its ups and downs, especially post-pandemic. The dining habits of people also change. Some customers have a more discerning taste.

Denny's: a legacy of serving customers for over 65 years including 27 locations in Missouri

Denver, CO

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David Heitz

Two immigrants from south of the border told the City Council Monday they were harassed when using hotel vouchers for shelter in Denver. Speaking through an interpreter, Leivy Ortega and Henry Aguilar said they received vouchers for hotel stays from an unnamed non-profit. But they had problems using the vouchers, they said. Ortega said she came to Denver from Connecticut and lived in her car for 15 days. She received a three-day hotel voucher, she said, but hotel staff initially would not honor it. She did not name the hotel. She said staff finally looked at her paperwork and gave her a room, but they wanted to charge her. for it. She said they initially weren’t going to allow her to stay because she has a service animal.

Immigrants allege Denver hotel staff mistreated them

It's been 45 years since TV's I Dream of Jeannie co-star Emmaline Henry succumbed to brain cancer on October 8, 1979. Born on November 1, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Henry became best known for her role as Amanda Bellows on the classic 1960s TV supernatural sitcom.

In Memory of TV's 'I Dream of Jeannie' Actress Emmaline Henry: 45 Years After Her Tragic Death

Morristown, NJ

Morristown Minute

NEWARK, N.J. – Sixteen individuals have been charged in connection with a widespread "grandparent scam" that defrauded elderly Americans out of millions of dollars. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

16 Charged in Nationwide 'Grandparent Scam'; Millions Stolen

NewsBreak

Regina Porter! Kafka! True crime with eels! 26 new books out today.

August is upon us! It’s been quite a summer already, filled with heat waves, international political chaos, wildfires, and more. Still, as I always say, there’s...

Regina Porter! Kafka! True crime with eels! 26 new books out today.

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