Uber, Social Algorithms, Netflix, Petra Discovery, Halloween Candy

Weekly Review of News in Technology, UX and AI

Here’s the latest news, resources, and use cases from the world of product, UX, AI and technology. Let’s go:

• 💊 Personalized Health

• 🚗 Uber and Lyft

• 🤖 Social Media Algorithms

• 🎬 Netflix

• 🪨 Petra Excavation

• 🎃 Halloween Candy

Podcast

Personalized Nutrition: How AI, Data, and 3D Printing Are Transforming Health with Ari Tulla of Elo

In this episode of Prodity: Product by Design, Kyle sits down with Ari Tulla, co-founder and CEO of Elo, a smart nutrition service using AI and data to personalize health solutions. Ari shares his fascinating journey from his early passion for gaming and technology to becoming a leading figure in the healthcare space. He discusses how Elo is turning the concept of "food as medicine" into reality, using biometric data, wearable devices, and AI to create personalized nutrition solutions. Ari also delves into the challenges and innovations that come with building a product in a space where technology, health, and human experience intersect, emphasizing the importance of balance in life and business. Join us to learn more about the future of health and how personalized nutrition is set to revolutionize wellness.

News and Useful Reads

Protesters Say Uber and Lyft Are Still Failing Their Blind Passengers

One of the major promises of ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft has been the ability for those who can’t drive to get transportation. But, like so many tech companies today, very little has been done to design for inclusivity. And those with disabilities and visual impairments (who often need transportation the most) are left out.

Protesters have long claimed that drivers will decide to not pick up passengers with a visible disability, which includes people who require a wheelchair or guide dog, and do not face repercussions. Passengers say that when they report incidents like this to Uber or Lyft, they often go ignored.

How have social media algorithms changed the way we interact?

“In its early days, social media did function as a kind of digital public sphere, with speech flowing freely,” Kai Riemer and Sandra Peter, professors at the University of Sydney Business School, tell the BBC.

However, “algorithms on social media platforms have fundamentally reshaped the nature of free speech, not necessarily by restricting what can be said, but by determining who gets to see what content”, argue Professors Riemer and Peter, whose research looks at why we need to rethink free speech on social media.

“Rather than ideas competing freely on their merits, algorithms amplify or suppress the reach of messages… introducing an unprecedented form of interference in the free exchange of ideas that is often overlooked.”

The economics of Netflix aren’t what they used to be... they’re a lot better

While all of us hate that Netflix cracked down on password sharing, it seems like it didn’t hurt them at all. It actually did exactly what Netflix wanted, and helped them continue to grow their subscribers.

With the most expensive Netflix package now costing $22.99 per month in the US, the company’s business model — which requires spending tens of billions of dollars on content every year — is starting to show the benefits of its scale. It turns out that raising prices, while still growing your customer base, is an unsurprising recipe for success: Netflix’s third quarter was the company’s most profitable in its history, with profits up 41% year on year.

Other Interesting Finds

In Jordan, a ‘Stunning’ Discovery Under Petra’s Ancient Stone

I haven’t had the chance to visit Petra yet, though hope to someday. My wife has, though, as she spent time in Jordan as an archaeologist helping at a dig over a summer. So we find this particularly fascinating.

An excavation has revealed an untouched tomb in Petra’s famed Treasury structure, containing 12 human skeletons and a wide collection of grave offerings, discovered just opposite of the initial find from 2003.

The Best Candy to Hand Out to Trick-or-Treaters, According to Kids

With Halloween coming up quickly, it’s time to think about candy. I don’t necessarily agree with everything in this article. I know my kids don’t either. My daughter loves sour candy, though I know most kids don’t. And I will happily eat all the Twizzlers and 100 Grands.

But we can all agree that full size candy bars are best, if you can make that happen. And raisins and toothbrushes have no place in candy bags on Halloween.