The Cost of Control

Welcome back, Core readers!

Sometimes, it feels like the world is moving faster than ever—big tech building the future, airports timing our hugs, and TikTok trying to fix our wallets. But hey, that’s why we’re here: to catch the chaos, make sense of it (or at least laugh about it).

So grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s dive into today’s ride—you won’t want to miss a single twist.

Here's everything you need to know today:

Last night, South Korea dabbled in nostalgia—if your idea of nostalgia includes soldiers, martial law, and democracy. Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a dramatic televised address, citing shadowy "anti-state" forces. You know, the usual suspects: North Korea, opposition lawmakers, and grandma's knitting circle.

But democracy couldn't have it. Yoon's decree was lifted within six hours by the opposition-led National Assembly, voting unanimously (even from his party!). Soldiers awkwardly packed up and left the parliament building, chanting for Yoon's resignation as protesters spilled into the streets.

Yoon faces calls for impeachment, mass protests, and a public not in the mood for flashbacks to the '80s dictatorship. There are resignations, the opposition is circling, and South Koreans wonder if they just survived democracy's wildest night.

Scroll for Cure

Let's dive into the surprising, heartwarming, and undeniably frustrating world of TikTok users tackling medical debt. "For You" is America's newest savior facing its healthcare crisis.

It's easy for creators like Alexis Pruitt to get viewers to stick around, rack up views, and turn those clicks into cash. This heartfelt dance party video with her kids earned her 6.3 million views and $2,500, enough to pay for her son's medical bills.

What’s the secret sauce? The Creator Rewards Program of TikTok pays users based on engagement with videos. Have 10,000 followers, rack up 100,000 views, and boom—you’re in. But don’t expect to retire; payouts hover around $0.34 per thousand views. Still, for families drowning in healthcare costs, every penny counts.

#DebtTok has become GoFundMe, except the currency is attention. It's like Gen Z and TikTokers everywhere said, "We'll fix what the system won't." But experts warn there are limits to this crowdsourced compassion. The likes and shares might keep the lights on today—but tomorrow? The system still needs saving.

Prime AI

So, Amazon wants to play in the AI big leagues, and they’re not holding back. In collaboration with Anthropic, they've launched Project Rainer, the world's largest AI supercomputer. Think of it as the Death Star of data crunching—but without the planetary destruction thing (hopefully).

With hundreds of thousands of Trainium 2 chips, the supercomputer promises five times the power of Anthropic's current system. Translation: faster AI, smarter tools, and maybe a future where chatbots don’t think 2+2 equals fish.

What’s driving this? Well, Amazon has already invested $8 billion in Anthropic. They're aiming for Nvidia's crown in AI chips. Amazon’s not looking to be flashy here (no ChatGPT-style showmanship). They're quietly positioning themselves as an AI infrastructure powerhouse. This is a bold, calculated move that might reshape AI.

Hug Police

Airports are emotional rollercoasters—tears, hugs, and dramatic goodbyes. But Dunedin Airport in New Zealand now has a timer for heartfelt farewells. You’ve got three minutes, folks. Hug it out, but keep it moving.

Why the cuddle crackdown? Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono says the goal is to keep traffic flowing in the drop-off zone. He even cites research that says 20 seconds of hugging releases oxytocin (aka "love hormone").

The signs are clear: “Max hug time three minutes. For fonder farewells, please use the parking lot.” Want to savor that last embrace? You have 15 minutes to hug to your heart's content in the lot. Beyond that, get a room.

Some call it a quirky genius move; others call it a violation of human rights (apparently to endless public displays of affection). The message is clear: Dunedin wants hugs, not hold-ups.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

Fall foliage 2024: Dramatic photos of a vibrant seasonal change.

🧮 Core Count: 13

Number of letters in the Hawaiian alphabet.

🗓️ Flashback:

1534 - Baghdad is occupied by Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.

1619 - The first US Thanksgiving was celebrated when thirty-eight colonists from Berkeley Parish, England, disembarked in Virginia.

1791 - Britain's "The Observer" first publishes the oldest Sunday paper in the world.

1829 - In India, Britain outlaws "suttee," a Hindu practice in which a widow burns herself to death on her husband's funeral pyre.

I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Fatih Taskiran