#tech-culture

#tech-culture

As the world is now acutely aware - with self-driving cars, job-stealing AI, around-the-clock Orwellian surveillance and a plethora of other nightmares that sci-fi novels warned us about - the fruits of tech's progress have not been 100% positive. We know that legitimately terrifying developments are already in full swing, even though our brains - and our lawmakers - can scarcely keep up with the speed of it all.

AI itself is known for its bigness - it's in the name, large language model. On the ground, techies are going small. AI heads are crawling for exclusive, small-batch merchandise to flaunt on X and show just how inner circle they are. As AI merch booms, it's clearer than ever that these companies - both massive foundation model companies and startups - have hit the mainstream.These days, AI status symbols are popping up everywhere.

"You'd think, wouldn't you, that if you were immensely powerful and rich like Elon Musk and all these other tech bros and members of that podcast community," the former politico told The Guardian, "that you'd reflect on your good fortune compared with most other people?"

The mannequin representing Claude 3 Sonnet lay on a stage in the center of the room, draped in lightweight mesh fabric and adorned with a black thigh-high sock marked with the word "fuck". Attendees laid offerings of flowers, colorful feathers, a bottle of ranch, and a 3D-printed sign at its feet.

Dining in Mountain View is more than tech-sponsored catering; downtown offers a range of culinary experiences from impressive venues for investors to cozy noodle spots.

The Gold Club is back in business, reviving its $5 fried chicken buffet, a popular lunch spot for tech employees known as 'Conference Room G'.