Superconductor Superconfusion, KOSA’s Hidden Costs and HatGPT

<p>Researchers in Korea claim they’ve identified a material that could unlock a technological revolution: the room temperature superconductor. Material scientists are skeptical, but enthusiasts on Twitter are enthusiastic. Why is the internet so excited about superconductors?</p><p>Then, the Kids Online Safety Act is headed to the Senate floor. Would it actually keep children safe? And how would it change the internet?</p><p>Plus: Kevin and Casey play HatGPT.</p><p><strong>Additional Reading:</strong></p><ul><li>South Korean researchers <a href="https://sciencecast.org/casts/suc384jly50n" target="_blank">released a video</a> they claimed was a superconductor showing levitation at room temperature. <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/viral-new-superconductivity-claims-leave-many-scientists-skeptical/" target="_blank">Scientists were skeptical</a>.</li><li>The New York Times reporter Kashmir Hill profiled <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/29/technology/mike-masnick-techdirt-internet-future.html" target="_blank">Mike Masnick</a>, who <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/2023/07/27/congress-pretends-its-fixed-all-the-problems-with-kosa-it-hasnt/" target="_blank">wasn’t so sure about KOSA</a>.</li></ul>