Good morning and happy Friday!

A big shout out to University of Iowa women’s basketball player Catilin Clark for not only beating my Wolverines yesterday but doing it in style and breaking the NCAA career scoring record in the process.

She has scored 3,569 points in 128 games spanning her 4-year career at Iowa. That means she’s averaging 28.3 points a game. It goes without saying, but Caitlin Clark is a baller.

-Wally

Key Stories

Speedrun

• OpenAI demos a mind-bending AI model

• On This Day

• Handpicked mixes for your weekend endeavors by our in-house DJ

• Headline Palooza

• Decent Destination

• Coinbase is earning space in normies’ heads

Artificial intelligence

Sora Soars: OpenAI's Leap into the Video Generation Game

OpenAI, the same wizards behind jaw-dropping innovations like ChatGPT, have now ventured into uncharted territories with Sora, a text-to-video AI model that's making waves.

The future of video just got a massive turbo boost with OpenAI's latest brainchild, Sora. Typing a sentence and watching it come to life as an acceptable video—it's here, and it's nothing short of mind-blowing.

Now, I know what you're thinking. We've seen AI-generated videos that look like they've been pulled straight from a horror movie, but Sora? It's on another level. This AI model creates coherent, dynamic videos that maintain a narrative without going off the rails into "AI weirdness."

The demos OpenAI and Same Altman showcased are early proof of Sora's power. From photorealistic tours of art galleries to animations of pirate ships battling in a cup of coffee, Sora's versatility is a superpower. Sure, there might be the occasional hiccup where a robot looks a bit too video-gamey or a car decides to defy the laws of physics, but remember, this tech is still in its infancy and it’s the worst it will ever be.

OpenAI's cautious approach to Sora, keeping it under wraps for now, speaks volumes about the potential impact and challenges of this technology (consider the latest drama surrounding Taylor Swift images or Joe Biden robocalls). The possibilities for creators are vast, from revolutionizing film and ad production to redefining how we tell stories. But with great power comes great responsibility, and the potential for misuse can't be ignored.

Just when we thought platforms like Runway were leading the charge in AI-assisted animation, Sora sweeps in, simplifying the workflow from text to video in one fell swoop. This could very well be the wake-up call for niche AI tools, highlighting the relentless pace at which multi-model AI giants like OpenAI are advancing.

In a world where the lines between virtual and reality blur, Sora is a glimpse into a future where AI-generated content could be indistinguishable from the real deal. One researcher from NVIDIA even compared Sora’s capabilities to a high-level physics simulator, fueling debates around the future of simulations. And for all the creators out there, this is a sign that the game is changing, and it's time to get ready to adjust.

So, as we stand on the brink of what could be the next revolution in content creation, one thing's clear: the narrative of video production is being rewritten, and Sora may be the key. Welcome to the future, folks—it's looking pretty cinematic.

On This Day

1957: BBC and ITV End “Toddler’s Truce”

On this day, a unique British TV policy known as the "toddler's truce" was brought to an end by BBC and ITV. This postwar rule had carved out a daily hour-long break from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, aimed at helping parents with the bedtime routine for their children.

Now, the bedtime routine often involves kids dozing off to the glow of YouTube or the lull of a podcast, smart device in hand. Oh, how times have changed since that TV programming break was lifted!

Decent Music

Mix of Mixes - 2/16/24

Weekly list of DJ Mixes (this week available on Apple Music) as compiled by MacEwen Patterson

I pick mixes at random and note the ones that make me wiggle. Got some extra groove in your move? Try these at home, or on the go.

1. Carl Craig Presents All Black Digital 2024: A Celebration of Black History Month (DJ Mix) -  Not your typical club mix, this dips and dives into historical speeches, spirituals, and pivotal pieces placed between some of Carl’s more pounding picks. Great journey.

2. Hannah Laing NYE 2024 (DJ Mix) - Uptempo and peak party choons layered perfectly by this Scottish siren. Not necessarily my favorite cuts but in her hands they stay right on the edge of familiar and inventive.

3. Mr. Scruff - Early Hours (DJ Mix) - Really dig his remixes and production work so I thought I’d check this set out. Great track list and some bold programming choices. Definitely sets a vibe as does this whole “early hours” series.

4. Boiler Room: Fred Again… in London, Jul 29, ‘22 (DJ Mix) - Live looping, a captivated and energized crowd, what more could you ask for? (The video on YouTube? It’s there.)

5. Daria Kolosova NYE 2024 (DJ Mix) - Superb set. Just dynamite. Flawless, seamless, with energetic programming and no cheesy commercial trash. Just bangin’ techno from this Ukrainian DJ.

Got a mix you think I should hear? Let me know. If I like what I see, I’ll peep it. No promises.

MacEwen Patterson DJ’d opening for Stone Temple Pilots, Digital Underground, and Moby among many others in the ‘90’s and early ‘00’s. He is launching a weekly mixshow on Decent Media in the coming months. Watch this space for updates.

Headline Palooza

Decent Destinations

Bohol, Philippines

This tropical paradise is famed for its breathtaking landscapes, from the mesmerizing Chocolate Hills to pristine white beaches. Dive into the rich culture, explore the lush forests, and encounter the unique wildlife, including the adorable tarsiers. Bohol is a blend of natural beauty, adventure, and tranquility, making it a must-visit for those seeking an unforgettable journey.

Crypto

Coinbase's Victory Lap: Crushing Q4 and Setting the Stage for Crypto Domination

Coinbase just threw down the gauntlet with their Q4 earnings blowing past expectations like a Lambo on the Autobahn. With a strategic play that's got them in deep with USDC and providing more emphasis on their blockchain Base, Coinbase is making moves that have everyone from Wall Street to Silicon Valley paying attention.

Let's dive into the meat of it: Coinbase's Q4 trading revenue hit a staggering $529.3 million, with the bulk coming from the likes of you and me, the retail crowd. That's an 80% jump from Q3. Sure, when you zoom out, the year-over-year figures show a 44% dip, but that's the crypto rollercoaster for you.

The real headline grabber? The crypto market's comeback, with the total cap teasing the $2 trillion mark, setting the stage for Coinbase to potentially become a household name. And with the green light on spot bitcoin ETFs, Coinbase is sitting pretty, ready to rake in the benefits.

So, as we strap in for the next chapter in the crypto saga, keep an eye on Coinbase. They've weathered the winter and are now basking in the sun of a well-earned spring. Stay tuned, because this ride's just getting started.