What we’re reading this week – Sept. 21, 2018

An Ink Factory illustration demonstrating the dawn and doom aspects of technology.

Leading up to the fifth Dawn or Doom conference, the Dawn or Doom crew of writers, marketers and interns will be sharing some of their favorite dawn or doom-esque stories that both inspire and scare us. To better understand the nuanced landscape of technology, we’re reading about all the ways artificial intelligence, algorithms, drones, cyber security and the internet are shaping our lives. Read along with us!

The good

Robot jellyfish could be used to patrol fragile coral reefs

“Could schools of robot jellyfish soon be patrolling the world’s oceans, monitoring fragile environments such as coral reefs? That’s the dream of U.S. researchers, comprising of scientists from Florida Atlantic University and the U.S. Office of Naval Research.”

The neutral

Stealing From a Cashierless Store (Without You, or the Cameras, Knowing It)

“A start-up uses visual tracking and behavioral data to operate a new San Francisco market, which lets shoppers walk out unimpeded. And sometimes mischarged.”

The bad

Keurig's attempt to 'DRM' its coffee cups totally backfired

“…the brewer’s advanced scanning system that locks out any coffee pods not bearing a special mark. It’s essentially a digital rights management system, but for coffee, and it’s proving to be the brewer’s downfall.”