Although Michelle Obama has previously been the subject of public scrutiny, the digital fake that made news last November was nothing like it. A purported $100 million defamation lawsuit against Senator John Kennedy began on Facebook, made its way into YouTube commentary, and then burst into viral memes. These tweets claimed that the former First Lady had sued the vocal Louisiana senator for defaming the reputation of her foundation. They also claimed that one witness in the purported courtroom scenario “shattered her legacy in nine seconds.” Nothing about it was true. Since there was obviously no room, there were no…
Author: errica
The surprise payment is a legitimate result of a $2.5 billion settlement between Amazon and the Federal Trade Commission, not a scam. According to the FTC, Amazon employed misleading designs that made it remarkably simple to sign up for Prime and surprisingly challenging to cancel. Customers who were inadvertently auto-enrolled in Prime are now receiving refunds as a result of this settlement. The $51 recipients belonged to a particular group that the FTC determined was especially impacted: consumers who signed up using deceptive enrollment pages between June 2019 and June 2025 and who hardly used the service thereafter. Their story…
The settlement in Stark et al. v. Patreon Inc. has come to represent how the digital creator economy is figuring out how to deal with the changing privacy landscape. Although Patreon’s $7.25 million settlement may appear to be just another corporate settlement, the underlying problem is much more profound and concerns the silent sharing of personal information that underpins a large portion of online communication. Previous lawsuits against streaming platforms that conflate user consent with corporate analytics bear a striking resemblance to this one. The case revolves around the purported use of Meta Pixel, a tracking tool developed by Meta…
Apprenticeships are making a stunningly modern yet archaic resurgence, fusing ageless craftsmanship with precision from the digital age. They have evolved from being a representation of traditional trades to the remarkably successful solution to today’s talent shortages, providing a structured path that combines learning, earning, and purpose. It’s a strikingly similar story to how history repeats itself with a contemporary twist. The tradition of mastery and mentoring endures from da Vinci’s studio to Zurich Insurance’s offices in Illinois. What was formerly a blacksmith’s forge is now a desk used by data analysts or insurance trainees. The idea hasn’t disappeared; rather,…
Joe Holloway remembers how teachers were hailed as national heroes in the early years of the pandemic. The applause was sincere and the gratitude felt real. However, that fleeting moment of gratitude has since vanished into silence, to be replaced by exhaustion, scrutiny, and a relentless pace that has emotionally depleted many educators. What was once a purpose-driven career has evolved into one that is characterized by survival. As a result of laws, technology, and expectations that have significantly increased access to education while also undermining those who provide it, teacher burnout has emerged as the unstated cost of progress.…
Gamification is quickly taking over as the foundation of contemporary education and is no longer just a teaching gimmick. At the intersection of psychology and technology, gamified learning is reshaping how students absorb, retain, and even crave knowledge. Though it sounds provocative, the phrase “education made addictive” captures a powerful truth: students are willingly returning to class with the same fervor that they once reserved for video games. By adding features like leaderboards, levels, and badges, educators are essentially rewriting the way motivation works in the classroom. For example, Duolingo’s success is due to its clever use of dopamine-triggering feedback…
Universities all over the world are turning their admissions offices into international bargaining tables. The race for top athletes and international students has become remarkably similar, with the only difference being that the prize is financial survival rather than a medal. International enrollments are now a strategic tool of influence and an economic lifeline for universities from Boston to Berlin. Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust frequently underlined during her tenure that the best education creates bridges between different societies. Due to economic pressures that are changing the missions of universities, that ideal has become especially pertinent. International student tuition has proven…
Policymakers are frequently reminded by Pasi Sahlberg that education is about the quality of experiences rather than the amount of work. His position is remarkably similar to that of many other nations that have reduced or eliminated homework completely. Quebec, Finland, and Poland have all made bold moves, claiming that fewer homework assignments result in better learning outcomes and much higher levels of wellbeing. This change represents a redefinition of what real education ought to entail: more purpose, less pressure. Sahlberg’s theories have influenced national policy in Finland, where the method of instruction is incredibly successful. Less homework, longer breaks,…
Coding will become as necessary as reading, according to Bill Gates. When we consider how technology currently influences creativity, communication, and commerce, his statement becomes incredibly evident. Once regarded as a specialized technical skill, coding is now the basis for problem-solving, career development, and idea expression. It’s remarkably comparable to picking up a new language, which enables us to communicate with machines directly and turn our creativity into functionality. The literacy of innovation is now coding. Coding today opens doors to industries, ideas, and influence, much like reading did centuries ago. Knowing code gives one a particularly creative edge, regardless…
Tim Cook’s composed leadership style has frequently been characterized as a combination of steady foresight and quiet discipline. However, beneath that serene exterior, Apple’s approach to educational technology reveals a remarkably similar level of precision: strategic, purposeful, and noticeably privacy-protective. Apple’s strategy has been to foster loyalty through design, experience, and the belief that learning should inspire rather than impede, while Google and Microsoft strive for scale through data-driven ecosystems. Apple’s iPads, which give students a canvas on which to explore ideas, draw, design, and code, have become symbols of creativity in classrooms across continents. Cook views education as fostering…