Good morning and welcome to volume 2!

You may have noticed our absence from your mailbox in the last month and I’m here to tell you that we will be making up that ground plus some more in 2024!

Chain Reaction’s original goal was to bring crypto and web3 news to a larger audience and now we have found ourselves at a transition phase that can take this newsletter to new heights. We are now providing a wider array of news and insights to your inbox daily.

You read that correctly, the Decent Media team will be delivering concise and easy to read stories spanning business, startups, crypto, entertainment, lifestyle, technology, and just about anything else that is going to have a lasting impact on the day-to-day of everyone living in the digital world.

You’ll notice some things have changed around here as well, we still consider the structure and branding to be under construction, but we are closer than ever to landing on a format that provides the most value.

A special thanks to our friends over at Incogni for sponsoring the first edition of a fresh feel. Find out how you can save 60% on protecting your SSN from the dark web down below.

Business

Boeing Hits More Air Pockets

It turns out Boeing's in for a bit more than only regular turbulence. The FAA, known for keeping a hawk-eye on aviation safety, has thrown a curveball by pointing out possible electrical issues in more Boeing 737 models, and not just the infamous MAX.

This news is crucial, especially considering Boeing’s not-so-smooth history with the MAX. Here’s what it means: Boeing's stock might have to navigate through some unexpected air pockets. Investors, already skittish from previous issues, are now looking at a wider safety concern and shares have dropped 4% in after hours trade.

The takeaway for the rest of us? The aviation industry’s safety checks might need a serious upgrade. When we’re cruising at 30,000 feet, you’d hope that we are all about safety first. For Boeing, charting a course through this latest issue might require some serious strategizing. But for now, let’s all keep an eye on how they steer through this latest cloud cover.

On This Day

41CE: Claudius I Ascends to Power

History took a dramatic turn when Claudius I became the Roman Emperor, following the assassination of his nephew Caligula (Gaius Caesar). Known for his scholarly nature and often underestimated due to his physical disabilities, Claudius proved to be a capable and pragmatic ruler. His reign, marked by significant administrative reforms, expansion of the Roman Empire, and major construction projects, defied the expectations of many.

Technology

2024 Tech Watch

As we step into 2024, the horizon of technological innovation is more exhilarating than ever. From groundbreaking AI applications to the mysteries of the human body, these seven tech marvels are charting the course for the future (but also kind of remind us of Umbrella Corp.).

Seven Technologies to Watch in 2024:

1. Deep Learning for Protein Design: AI's groundbreaking role in crafting novel proteins, potentially revolutionizing drug development and disease treatment.

2. Deepfake Detection: Developing robust AI tools to sniff out sophisticated deepfakes, crucial in maintaining digital authenticity.

3. Large-Fragment DNA Insertion: Enhancing gene-editing capabilities to insert significant DNA fragments, offering new hope for genetic disease treatments.

4. Brain-Computer Interfaces: Advancements empowering individuals with neurological impairments, changing lives through improved communication and control.

5. Super-Duper Resolution Microscopy: Pushing the boundaries of microscopy to reveal molecular details at an unprecedented scale.

6. Cell Atlases: Comprehensive mapping of the human body at the cellular level, leading to breakthroughs in understanding diseases and health.

7. 3D Printing of Nanomaterials: Innovations in printing ultra-small structures, opening doors to novel applications in materials science and beyond.

Each of these technologies carries the promise of transforming science, medicine, and our daily lives, making 2024 a year to watch closely.

Decent Headlines

Unleashing the Power of AI and Blockchain: Addressing the Impacts of the Internet for a Better Future

Exploring the synergy of AI and blockchain, the article discusses how their amalgamation promises to enhance internet security, privacy, and efficiency, shaping a future where digital technology aligns with sustainability and equity.

Disney's Holotile Paves the Way for a Virtual Future

Disney’s Holotile emerges as a groundbreaking VR technology, offering an immersive experience that could redefine entertainment and interactive digital environments, signifying a leap towards a more engaging virtual world.

Avalanche’s $100M Memecoin Madness: Genius Move or Crypto Clown Show?

Analyzing Avalanche Foundation's investment in memecoins, the piece probes the implications for the cryptocurrency sector, debating whether this strategy represents a visionary approach or a frivolous gamble in the evolving crypto landscape.

Decent Destinations

Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain

Tucked away in the province of Cádiz, Andalusia, Setenil de las Bodegas offers a unique charm that's quite unlike anywhere else. This small town is famous for its dwellings that are built into rock overhangs above the Rio Trejo. The streets in Setenil are literally under rocks, creating a striking visual effect as houses seamlessly blend into the natural rock formations.

Sports & Entertainment

Netflix Wrestles into Live Entertainment with WWE Deal

Netflix is stepping into the live sports entertainment ring with its new deal to stream WWE’s flagship program, Raw.

Starting January 2025, the streaming giant is partnering with TKO Group Holdings in a hefty $5 billion, 10-year agreement. It's a strategic lunge into a domain traditionally dominated by networks, but Netflix isn't pinning its whole strategy on live sports yet.

This move follows a trend where major sports have been cozying up to streaming services. The NFL, for instance, handed exclusive rights for some playoff games to Peacock and set Amazon up with exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football.

Netflix's leap into wrestling entertainment could be just the beginning. As the streaming wars intensify, this move puts Netflix in the ring, ready to play with the big players of sports broadcasting.

Cryptocurrency

Meta Under the Microscope: Maxine Waters Questions Crypto Trademark Plans

Intensifying scrutiny over tech giants' entrances into the crypto space has led to US Congresswoman Maxine Waters aggressively questioning Meta about its blockchain and cryptocurrency ambitions. This comes amid Meta's filing of five crypto-related trademarks, raising eyebrows and questions about its future.

As pivotal elections loom, the political landscape is increasingly focused on the implications of technology giants like Meta expanding into cryptocurrency, a sector already under the microscope for its need for regulation and potential market impact.

What’s Not News

Queen's Cane Con

Grifters exist everywhere, not just in crypto.

A man attempted to cash in on the death of Queen Elizabeth II by listing a supposed walking stick of the late monarch on eBay. Claiming to be a former senior footman at Windsor Castle, the seller advertised that proceeds from the sale would support cancer research. This eyebrow-raising auction reached almost $700 before being halted when the seller caught wind of an investigation.

The police, however, weren't amused, branding it a scam. The seller's defense of it being a mere joke didn't hold up in court, leading to his conviction for fraud​​.