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These African animators are saving their native languages using cartoons

A YouTube screen grab of CMR KIDS TV -a TV channel on YouTube fteaches young Cameroonian children languages such as Ewondo, Dioula, their culture and history.

Disney+ and Cartoon Network, two major US animation platforms, announced last month they will air four productions by African creators. This comes on the heels of similar announcements by streaming giants like Netflix and Youtube Originals, indicating a demand for representation and homegrown narratives among African audiences amidst a global market boom for animated content.

Source: These African animators are saving their native languages using cartoons

Why Netflix’s push into video games doesn’t make sense

The announcement that Netflix will begin offering video games on its streaming service is rife with red flags. With subscriber growth hitting headwinds in 2021 after a COVID-19-led surge in 2020, Netflix recently made a splashy announcement that it was hiring a gaming executive, Oculus and EA alumnus Mike Verdu , to build up the company’s newly minted interactive division.

Source: Why Netflix’s push into video games doesn’t make sense

What the “Creator Economy” Promises—and What It Actually Does

The influencer is a fading stock character of the Internet’s commedia dell’arte. Often a conventionally attractive white woman, she shows off her aspirational life style via social-media channels. She accrues a large following, and then makes a living by getting companies to sponsor the content of her glamorous life.

Source: What the “Creator Economy” Promises—and What It Actually Does

How Warner Bros. is using ‘Space Jam’ to get into the NFT business

Ever since the NFT phenomenon took off several months ago, it’s been all about exclusivity and the value that exclusivity drives—i.e., a lot of money. Digital artists like Beeple have auctioned off NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, of their artwork for tens of millions of dollars at auction houses like Christie’s.

Source: How Warner Bros. is using ‘Space Jam’ to get into the NFT business

From Macy’s to Ace Hardware, facial recognition is already everywhere

A masked person walks in front of a Rite Aid.Rite Aid had deployed facial recognition in at least 200 stores over eight years, before ditching the technology last year.  Facial recognition is popping up at our favorite stores, but customers are largely unaware.

Source: From Macy’s to Ace Hardware, facial recognition is already everywhere

See also: Black teen misidentified by facial recognition sparks fears of machine-driven segregation

YouTube’s secret algorithm continues to push misinformation on users, from false election fraud claims to conspiracy theories

youtube ios appYouTube’s suggestion algorithm continues to promote videos with misinformation, according to a new study. YouTube keeps the suggestion algorithm a secret, preventing researchers from studying how it works.

Source: YouTube’s secret algorithm continues to push misinformation on users, from false election fraud claims to conspiracy theories, according to a new study

Netflix launches online shop to sell clothing, collectibles

Netflix Shop Merchandise Eden YasukeNetflix has launched its own online shop to sell clothing, toys, and other merchandise from shows such as Eden and Lupin. The streaming giant announced the launch on 10 June during its Geeked Week event. “We’re always looking at how we can extend the world of our stories for fans, from apparel and toys to immersive events and games,” Netflix VP of Consumer Products, Josh Simon, wrote in a statement.

Source: Netflix launches online shop to sell clothing, collectibles