W45/24: Midweek

Election-night in the US is behind us.

In the words of Monty Python: Now, for something completely different.

Japan launched the world's best-smelling satellite made of hinoki wood in an experiment to evaluate alternate materials and construction methods for space exploration. Centuries old techniques employed in novel ways? Captivating.

Ridley Scott lamented his lack of legal ownership over some of his biggest franchises, including 'Alien' and 'Blade Runner'. A reminder to stop and think when the creative urge beckons.

Airtime launches in Thailand, another stitch in the streaming and cloud-based world of media. The aggregator is working alongside TV manufacturers to create a hardware-supported deal.

'Directional Living' turns the tables on the Ten-Year Plan™, suggesting an iterative, flexible approach to success. Megan Hellerer's new book feels a lot like unpacking many Hollywood success stories: make change happen in the present, but know where you're going.

AI-led research discovered a new vulnerability at Google that previous methods of interrogation failed to discover. Sure, AI might ruin everything, but at least it will do so securely.

Netflix is removing almost all of its Interactive Specials, leaving behind only four. Overall, it feels like a disappointing end to what could have been a new and exciting form of bridging the worlds of video gaming and traditional film and television.

Mozilla is laying off 30% of its staff in a sad turn of events for the Firefox browser and the open web. Further, the advocacy division is being decommissioned, slightly quieting a much needed voice.

Daniel Craig is pushing Netflix for a theatrical release of 'Knives Out 3', showing that even James Bond has to negotiate with the studios get a movie in movie theatres these days.