The story revolves around a series of interconnected events involving a group of performers who execute a dance routine on a driverless bus, a Google employee named Lisa Kroenig, and a hostage situation on a Google staff bus. The performers, Iker, Paulo, and Molly, are part of the 'unconnected' community living in Charleston Park, who are affected by the city's technological advancements and the resulting social divide. Lisa, a Google R&D employee, becomes a hostage when a hijacker demands justice for the Charleston Park murders, believing Google has evidence. The situation escalates into a standoff with the police, resulting in the hijacker's death and Lisa being shot. The aftermath includes Google's response to the crisis and Lisa's recovery, with lingering questions about the hijacker's motives and actions.

The study evaluates the robustness of cancer-cell intrinsic subtypes for stratifying patient samples in colorectal cancer biopsies, focusing on the CMS and CRIS molecular classifiers. It finds that CRIS provides a more robust classification than CMS, particularly in biopsy samples which may contain varying levels of stromal intratumour heterogeneity. The research suggests that CRIS classification is less confounded by intratumour heterogeneity and may be better suited for patient stratification in clinical trials using biopsy samples. The study supports the use of CRIS transcriptional subtypes for patient stratification in prospective colorectal cancer trials.

The article discusses the proliferation of A.I.-assisted weapons in the context of the assassination of an Iranian scientist, exploring the possibility of such technology being used in the incident.

Chabad rabbis from around the globe traditionally meet in Brooklyn each year, but due to the pandemic, they convened over Zoom. The author, Eli Reiter, shares his experience of participating in this virtual event during his eighth month of extensive Zoom usage for grad school.

The OneZero editorial team, led by Dave Gershgorn, shares a holiday gift guide featuring gadgets and services that have brought them joy and helped them endure the year. The list includes popular items like AirPods, iPads, and Nintendo Switches, as well as other products such as color-changing lightbulbs and deck-building video games. Senior editor Sarah Kessler refers to their workspaces as 'desk/prisons.'

The National Labor Relations Board has filed a complaint alleging that Google illegally surveilled and fired employees Laurence Berland and Kathryn Spiers for participating in organizing efforts. Berland was terminated after opposing Google's use of technology by government agencies and organizing against the hiring of union-busting firm IRI Consultants. The complaint underscores workers' rights to address ethical business concerns and management's role in society.

Emil Michael, Uber's former chief business officer, discusses the company's business prospects, culture, leadership, and controversies on the Big Technology Podcast. The interview touches on Uber's challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, its fundraising efforts, mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and the management of its China business.

The Digital Divide was significantly influenced by telco accounting scandals, which the IRREGULATORS and New Networks Institute have been addressing for over a decade. The video featuring Aunt Ethel, a significant figure in telecommunications history, aims to simplify the explanation of these issues. With a new president and a Democrat-led FCC, there is uncertainty whether the new leadership will rectify the problems or if companies like AT&T and Verizon will dominate the FCC once more.

Silicon Valley, known for its forward-looking tech industry, has neglected to honor its historical roots, as exemplified by the unremarkable RAMAC Park, named after the first hard disk drive. The park lacks informative signs, and the only nearby memorial is a modest structure in a Lowe's parking lot, marking the former site of an IBM research facility. Despite San Jose's plans to build an 'iconic landmark' for Silicon Valley, the current state of historical recognition is underwhelming.

An unprecedented surge of activism is occurring in the tech industry, particularly among Google engineers and Uber drivers, who are increasingly voicing their concerns and demands for better working conditions and rights. This movement is part of a broader trend of labor organization within Silicon Valley.

Design fiction, a movement that blends design, technology, and speculative storytelling, has been co-opted by corporate interests, losing its original critical edge. Early works like Sascha Pohflepp's Buttons: Blind Camera and Julian Bleecker's Slow Messenger used speculative objects to critique and explore future societal implications. However, as the practice gained popularity, companies like Corning and Amazon appropriated the aesthetic for marketing, stripping it of its anarchic, critical attitude. Despite this, agencies like Near Future Laboratory and Superflux continue to balance corporate work with personal projects, striving to maintain the critical spirit of design fiction.

A study by Duke University researchers published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that tweets from Russian agents did not significantly change the political opinions, attitudes, or engagement of U.S. Twitter users who encountered them. This challenges the narrative of Russian trolls' effectiveness in influencing American politics on social media platforms.

The article reviews five recent books in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres, suggesting them as additions to readers' to-read lists. 'Here and Now and Then' by Mike Chen is a character-driven time travel story. 'Infinite Detail' by Tim Maughan explores a post-techno dystopia after the Internet collapses. 'Drachenfels' by Kim Newman, a vampire story and backstage murder mystery, is reissued under the Warhammer Horror imprint. 'The Bird King' by G. Willow Wilson is a historical fantasy set in the last emirate of Muslim Spain. 'The Time Collector' by Gwendolyn Womack follows a psychometrist in New Orleans who can perceive the past of any object he touches.

The excerpt from Tim Maughan's novel 'Infinite Detail' explores the lives of urban canners in a near-future New York City where technology and data tracking have permeated everyday activities. Frank, a dedicated canner, faces challenges with new recycling machines that reject his collected cans, leading him to navigate a changing cityscape. Meanwhile, Rush, a professional cynic, helps Frank reset the cans' data, highlighting the invasive nature of technology. The narrative delves into themes of urban survival, technological advancement, and personal connections amidst a transforming city.

The Stone Sky, the final book in N. K. Jemisin's The Broken Earth trilogy, is lauded for its poignant, personal, and powerful conclusion to the series. The review reflects on the trilogy's progression, noting that while the second book, The Obelisk Gate, had its criticisms, it played a crucial role in the overall story. The Stone Sky is praised for its complete closure, character arcs, and action sequences, as well as for providing a detailed backstory to the world and magic system of the series. The reviewer expresses renewed faith in Jemisin's abilities and anticipates a third Hugo Award for her work.

The article provides a detailed reread and analysis of the final chapter and epilogue of Brandon Sanderson's book 'Warbreaker', focusing on the characters Vivenna, Siri, Vasher, and Susebron. It discusses the resolution of the conflict with the Lifeless army, the character development of the sisters Vivenna and Siri, and the revelations about Vasher's identity and history. The reread includes spoilers for 'Warbreaker' and other books in the Cosmere universe. The article concludes with the author's personal reflections on the book and its characters, as well as anticipation for a potential sequel and preparation for the release of 'Oathbringer'.

Jeff VanderMeer's fiction is known for encompassing a wide range of styles and genres, from metafictional body horror to detective novels. His work includes contributions to literature beyond his own writing, such as introductions to other authors' books and involvement in publishing through Cheeky Frawg Books. VanderMeer's novels, set in bizarre cities and mysterious locales, explore themes of memory, self, and the transformation of bodies and environments. His Southern Reach trilogy, which has been adapted into a film, delves into the alteration of a landscape known as Area X. VanderMeer's short fiction and non-fiction works, including anthologies, continue to showcase his versatility and the international scope of his literary influence.

The 'Dreamlands: Immersive Cinema and Art, 1905-2016' exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York showcases how artists have historically used moving images to reflect on technology's impact on our perception and experience of the world. The exhibition gains additional context in light of the recent US presidential election, highlighting the role of media, such as fake news on Facebook, in shaping public opinion and perception.

Jack Womack, an avid collector of UFO literature since the mid-1960s, has compiled a coffee-table style art book titled 'Flying Saucers are Real!' featuring hundreds of pulp UFO book covers, accompanied by his commentary. The book, which includes a foreword by cyberpunk author William Gibson, explores the evolution of UFO paranoia into various forms of American paranoia, including its influence on right-wing militias and government mistrust. Womack's collection is also the subject of an exhibition at New York's Milk Gallery. He reflects on the shift in UFO narratives from harmless fads to sinister conspiracy theories and the decline of UFO sightings in the age of ubiquitous camera phones.

Brain City, a computer-generated movie showcasing imagery from neuroscience labs, is being displayed in Times Square every night at 11:57 PM until the end of November as part of the Midnight Moment project. The film, created by Noah Hutton, aims to evoke awe and wonder by presenting a journey through the human brain without any commercial messaging. The sudden transition from the immersive display back to regular advertisements highlights the commoditization of the mind in contemporary culture.

Paintwork is a near-futuristic story set in Bristol, UK, about a virtual-reality graffiti artist named 3Cube who specializes in altering QR codes. He faces a challenge when his works are quickly painted over by an unknown rival. The story explores themes of art, technology, and corporate influence in a society where augmented reality is commonplace. 3Cube discovers that his friend Tera, a hacker, was behind the takedowns as part of a viral marketing stunt by JCDecaux to maintain their billboard contract with Coca-Cola. The story ends with 3Cube stripping his room of old art and starting anew with physical spray paint.