📣 PhD and Postdoc call: Using data science to improve epidemic preparedness
https://nerds.itu.dk/2026/03/18/phd-and-postdoc-call-using-data-science-to-improve-epidemic-preparedness/
MiniMax releases M2.7, a proprietary "self-evolving" LLM that the company used to build, monitor, and optimize the model's own reinforcement learning harnesses (Carl Franzen/VentureBeat)
https://venturebeat.com/technology/new
Cuba publishes a guide on readiness for families in the face of the risk of the Imperialist USA attacking.
Cuba publica una guía de preparación ante el riesgo de una intervención militar de EEUU
https://diariosocialista.net/2026/05/1
Infant brains tick at 4Hz – Resonance properties of the developing visual system https://elifesciences.org/reviewed-preprints/110274 "the impulse response function (IRF) of the broadband sequence revealed a perceptual echo of visual information at 4Hz. This echo lasted for ab…
Oh, here it is (July 2018). It's nice that this report back didn't include any names or initials so I didn't need to sanitize it:
Meeting Notes:
Table-top exercise scenario topic was state and far-right repression.
Responses:
Strong networks require redundancy, so no one person is a social connection, skills, or resource gatekeeper. These people are often targeted by the state, and if they get burned out and leave, it also weakens and jeoprodizes groups.
Ways to strengthen our networks:
Mentoring/sharing responsibility. Creating a culture of mentorship and support so new people learn skills, take on responsibilities, and are introduced to other folks. Reducing burden on a few key people too.
Chaos Monkey exercise: ask central people to step back from communications/organizing to see what happens.
Regular check-ins! & Delegates check-in with new members they sign up
Ask well connected folks to introduce people to build social redundancy.
Gaming (D&D, board games, etc) committee could support a more fun, and socially robust network.
Practical safety tool:
Burner phone. Not everyone needs one, but good to have access to.
TO DO LIST:
Make regular announcements at each meeting for people to check-in with folks they know (especially those they haven’t heard from in awhile!)
Start google doc for disaster preparedness zine
Why you should prepare (ideological argument)
What people should have (the basics)
How to prepare
Frame as questions, so people can find the answer that best suits themselves.
Such as “what are you preparing for?”
Where do you spend most of your time? (home? Office? car?)
Make it as easy as possible for folks to get the basics (list locations for supplies, etc.)
Een patatje oorlog voor de goede zaak: boeren proberen aardappelberg van 500 miljoen kilo weg te werken | de Volkskrant
https://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/een-patatje-oorlog-voor-de-goede-zaak-boeren-proberen-aardappelberg-van-500-miljoen-kilo-weg-te-werken~bdd2075e/
Eigenlijk best wel lachen...
Boeren leven (net als veel bedrijven niet van jaar tot jaar, maar hebben nou eenmaal met betere en slechtere jaren te maken. En ja ... Een boer, al in moeilijkheden, heeft t dan in een jaar als deze het moeilijk.
Maar goeie zaak dat mensen weer eens even gewoon aardappels kopen zoals ze goed bewaard worden: ongewassen!
Paraform, which connects tech companies with specialized recruiters, raised a $40M Series B led by Scale VP (Natalie Breymeyer/Axios)
https://www.axios.com/pro/all-deals/2026/03/18/paraform-ai-recruiting-series-b