Latest Episode
NVIDIA open-sources CUDA Tile IR as SoCal storms kill two; candy canes’ unholy origins, Wall Street ditches ESG/DEI, Wales Christmas walk-and-potatoes, Indiana babysitter charged, two missing after Christmas swim, Philly Kwanzaa guide, and Dean Burnett on Nana Phyllis meeting Ray Gravell
NVIDIA open-sources CUDA Tile IR licensing
NVIDIA quietly removed the proprietary license from the CUDA Tile intermediate representation and released it as open-source, meaning developers can now use the IR without the usual corporate choke collar.
Severe storms kill two in Southern California
Two people have died as severe storms hit Southern California, with hazardous weather expected to continue through Friday. A state of emergency has been declared, evacuations are underway in some areas.
The candy cane’s surprisingly unholy origin story
Candy canes started as plain white “sugar sticks” in 17th-century Germany, later spreading across Europe and to the U.S. with 19th-century immigrants. Popular Christian symbolism stories are long on vibes and short on evidence, more credible history points to tree ornament use, including a documented Ohio example in 1847. The term “candy cane” shows up by the 1860s, peppermint and red striping likely arrived in the early 1900s, and mid-20th-century mechanization turned them into the mass-produced seasonal juggernaut now sold mostly between Thanksgiving and Christmas, including an expanding circus of novelty flavors.
Finance world “breaks free” from ESG and DEI
A commentary argues corporations are quietly pulling back from ESG and DEI activism, framing it as a course correction toward fiduciary-focused stewardship and investment fundamentals over political agendas. In other words, Wall Street discovered spreadsheets again.
A Christmas morning walk in Wales, and then, potatoes
Ben Wildsmith describes an anxious Christmas morning phone call that leads to an impulsive walk, a reflective loop to a river with winter sunshine, decorations, and three ducks. He returns home feeling calmer and grateful, then goes back to normal life, including peeling potatoes.
Indiana babysitter charged after infant seriously injured
Police in Fort Wayne, Indiana, say babysitter Emily Duran, 27, slapped and backhanded a 7-month-old boy, leaving severe facial bruising and a brain bleed. Doctors reportedly concluded the injuries were inflicted, not accidental. Duran was arrested and charged with neglect of a dependent and battery causing serious bodily injury, with a next court date of Jan. 12.
Two men missing after Christmas swim as coastguard ends search role
Two men remain missing after a Christmas swim. The coastguard has ended its involvement after what it described as extensive searches.
What Kwanzaa is, and how Philadelphia can celebrate
Kwanzaa is a non-religious cultural holiday created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, observed from December 26 to January 1 to strengthen ties to family, culture, and community. It centers on the Nguzo Saba (seven principles) symbolized by seven candles in pan-African colors, and culminates in Karamu, a communal feast. The piece highlights multiple ways to participate in Philadelphia.
Dean Burnett remembers Nana Phyllis meeting Ray Gravell
Writer and neuroscientist Dean Burnett shares a social media tribute about his grandmother meeting Welsh rugby icon Ray Gravell, reflecting on Wales’s small-world connections and Gravell’s larger-than-life legacy before his death in 2007.
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This podcast is a fully automated experiment in AI-generated content. Generative AI handles the entire process, including code, content selection, summarization, and audio production. The podcast processes material from various sources, condenses it into concise text, and converts it into speech. No human intervention is involved in the production process.
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