Ai on Terminal

Cloudflare Just Shut the Door on AI: 20% of the Internet Now Off-Limits.

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Cloudflare Just Told AI to Get Fcked: 20% of the Internet is Now Members Only

Here’s what just happened: Cloudflare, which protects a staggering one-fifth of all websites, now blocks AI companies from scraping its clients’ content by default. Additionally, their new “pay per crawl” rule means AI developers must pay just to access each web page. Major publishers are already on board. In short, the endless AI data buffet is closed.

6 Burning Questions That Follow:

1. What happens when 20% of the internet is blocked from AI? Imagine AI models as trick-or-treaters, and suddenly, 20 out of every 100 houses on the block go dark. Will these AIs go hungry, or will they start rummaging through whatever scraps are left? Is this part of the internet filled with prime content like Wikipedia and major news sites, or is it mostly low-value clickbait?

2. Are we witnessing a ‘Data Land Grab’? It’s the era of paywalled data. AI startups will need to spend heavily on “crawl credits” just to train effectively. Those without a budget might be limited to lower-quality, openly available content or outdated Wikipedia edits.

3. Is this an alliance among publishers, or dividing lines? Big publishers are teaming up against free AI scraping, with Cloudflare acting as the enforcer. Meanwhile, smaller creators are left wondering if they’ve just become invisible. If only wealthy companies can afford access, will advanced AI become a luxury for the rich?

4. Will this make the internet worse for everyone? If leading websites are locked away, top search results and AI answers could become less accurate or more outdated. The next time you ask an assistant for a joke or a fact, it might give you a dusty meme or an old reference.

5. Who wins and who’s left behind? Winners: Large publishers protecting their content, Cloudflare (holding the keys), and inevitably lawyers. Losers: Small AI startups, users expecting free, current answers, and the 20% of sites still open (soon to be flooded by desperate bots).

6. Does this change the game? For ecommerce: AI won’t know about your shop or product launches unless you pay for access. For content creators: Your work now has a price tag. For users: Expect AIs to provide less fresh, less accurate information unless paywalls come down.

The Bottom Line: The internet has become a gated community, accessible only to paying users. Will ChatGPT become less intelligent? Will everything eventually require payment? There’s no clear answer yet, but one thing’s certain: the era of free data is coming to an end.

AVITUDE BLOG POST 012 - Blog Post Formatting Prompts

Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Blog Post Formatting Prompts

Here are pre-scripted prompts you can use to format different types of blog posts. Source: Claude 3.7 Sonnet

General Blog Post Structure

Create a well-structured blog post titled “[TITLE]” about [TOPIC]. Include:

An attention-grabbing introduction
3-5 main sections with descriptive subheadings
Relevant examples or statistics in each section
A compelling conclusion with a call-to-action
Format for easy readability with short paragraphs, bullet points where appropriate, and subheadings

List-Style Blog Post

Create a list-style blog post titled “[TITLE]” featuring [NUMBER] [TOPIC]. For each item:

Include a bold subheading
Write 2-3 paragraphs explaining the item
Add a key takeaway or practical tip
Format for skimmability with plenty of white space

How-To Tutorial Blog Post

Create a step-by-step tutorial blog post titled “How to [TASK]” that includes:

A brief introduction explaining why this skill matters
Required materials/prerequisites list
Numbered steps with clear instructions for each
Screenshots or image placement recommendations
Troubleshooting tips for common issues
A conclusion summarizing the benefits of mastering this skill

Product Review Blog Post

Create a comprehensive product review blog post for [PRODUCT NAME] including:

Opening with key specifications and overview
Pros and cons section with bullet points
Detailed analysis of main features
Comparison with similar products
User experience section
Value for money assessment
Final verdict with star or numerical rating
Who should buy this product

SEO-Optimized Blog Post

Create an SEO-optimized blog post about [TOPIC] that:

Uses the target keyword “[KEYWORD]” in the title, first paragraph, and 3-5 times throughout
Includes 3 related secondary keywords naturally throughout
Contains H2 and H3 subheadings with keywords where appropriate
Is 1200-1500 words in length
Includes meta description suggestion of 150-160 characters
Suggests 2-3 internal linking opportunities
Has a readable, conversational tone while maintaining expertise

Example blog:

https://waitbutwhy.com/2014/06/taming-mammoth-let-peoples-opinions-run-life.html

https://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-1.html

Tim Urban-Style Instructional Blog Post Prompt

INTRODUCTION

Start with a relatable, everyday scenario that illustrates why people struggle with [TOPIC]
Use a conversational, slightly self-deprecating tone
Introduce an intriguing question or problem that will hook readers
Add a humorous aside or parenthetical thought (Tim often uses these)
Promise a deep dive that will genuinely help readers understand this complex topic

THE BIG CONCEPT

Introduce a central metaphor or mental model that will frame the entire post (like the “Social Approval Mammoth” or the “Instant Gratification Monkey”)
Define this concept with simple language but profound implications
Create a simple stick figure illustration using basic shapes and lines to represent the concept in a humorous way.
Explain why this mental model is useful for understanding the topic

EVOLUTIONARY/HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Go back to prehistoric times or historical origins to explain why humans think/behave this way
Connect ancient patterns to modern problems
Use humor to make this history lesson entertaining

BREAKING DOWN THE PROBLEM

Divide the main concept into 3-5 distinct components or patterns
For each component: * Create a catchy, slightly absurd subheading * Explain with a mix of logic and humor * Provide real-world examples that readers will recognize in their own lives * Include a surprising insight or counterintuitive fact

THE SPECTRUM

Create a spectrum or matrix showing different types of people/behaviors related to the topic
Label the extremes with humorous but accurate descriptions
Place yourself somewhere on this spectrum (usually not at the ideal point)
Explain the consequences of being at different points

GOING DEEPER (THE TANGENT)

Take a fascinating detour into a related but unexpected aspect of the topic
Start with “Now let’s talk about something interesting…”
Make connections that most explanations of this topic don’t cover
Return to how this connects to the main concept

PRACTICAL STRATEGIES

Introduce 5-7 actionable techniques for mastering this concept
For each technique: * Give it a memorable name * Explain the psychology/science behind why it works * Provide a concrete example of implementing it * Address common obstacles or misunderstandings

PHILOSOPHICAL IMPLICATIONS

Zoom out to the bigger life questions this topic connects to
Discuss what mastering this concept means for human happiness/fulfillment
Share a personal reflection or realization
Acknowledge the difficulty of implementing these ideas

CONCLUSION

Return to the central metaphor/mental model
Summarize the key insights in a non-generic way
End with a thought-provoking question or call-to-action
Add a humorous final stick figure or aside

BONUS SECTION

Include a “Wait But What About…” section addressing common questions/objections
Add a recommended reading list with quirky descriptions of each source

NOTES:

Intersperse humor throughout, especially when explaining complex concepts
Use casual language and occasional profanity for emphasis
Create simple but effective diagrams at key points
Make paragraphs short and readable
Use bold text for key concepts worth remembering
Include numerous examples that make abstract ideas concrete
Embrace occasional tangents if they’re genuinely interesting
Don’t be afraid of length - Wait But Why posts are comprehensive

AVITUDE BLOG POST 011

Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Digital Stamp of Truth: How We’ll Know What’s Real in the Age of AI

These days, something feels different. It’s not just because the internet is faster or because we have small computers in our pockets. It’s a bigger shift in how we see the world and what we believe. We get so much information constantly that it can be hard to keep up. One big reason for this is content made by artificial intelligence, or AI.

It’s challenging nowadays to distinguish reality from fiction. While fake news is prevalent, it represents just a fraction of the issue. It’s also about trusting what we see daily, whether pictures, news articles, or the voices we hear. How can we connect with others or understand the truth if we can’t tell what is genuine?

When Reality Gets Blurry

Recall a few years back. Most of the pictures you found online were taken by someone. The words you read in an article were penned by a person. If you heard a voice, it was usually a human speaking. There were always some fakes, of course, but it was often quite easy to distinguish them.

Now, things are changing at a speed that makes your head spin. AI can create images that look exactly like photos, even of events that never happened. It can write entire articles that sound just like they were written by a human. It can even generate voices that sound so real you might think your friend is calling you when it’s just a computer.

I recall encountering an AI-generated image of a dog in sunglasses at a small café table. It appeared incredibly realistic, absurd, and utterly implausible simultaneously. For a brief moment, my mind attempted to process it as if it were a genuine moment caught on camera. And that’s merely an amusing image. What occurs when the images aren’t amusing, or the words carry more weight than entertainment?

This is where the idea of a “digital stamp of truth” comes in. How do we protect ourselves if AI can make anything look and sound real? How do we build a shared understanding of what’s true? It’s like we’re building a new world, and we need new rules and tools to help us navigate it.

Searching for Certainty in a Digital World

One of the biggest names in tech, Google, is trying to help with this. They recently talked about a new tool called “SynthID Detector.” Think of it like a special magnifying glass for content.

According to Google DeepMind’s Pushmeet Kohli, this tool is “a verification portal” that can “quickly and efficiently identify AI-generated content made with Google AI.” He also says it can “highlight which parts of the content are more likely to have been watermarked with SynthID.”

So, how does it work? It’s pretty clever.

Invisible Watermarks: When Google’s AI tools (like Gemini for text, or Imagen for pictures) create something, they put a secret, invisible “watermark” on it. You can’t see or hear this watermark.
The Detector’s Job: When you use the SynthID Detector, it scans the content. It’s looking for that secret watermark.
Pointing Out the AI: If the detector finds the watermark, it tells you the content was made with Google’s AI. And it doesn’t just say “yes” or “no.” For pictures, it can show you which parts of the image have the watermark. For audio, it can point to specific sections.

As Kohli explains: “When you upload an image, audio track, video, or piece of text created using Google’s AI tools, the portal will scan the media for a SynthID watermark. If a watermark is detected, the portal will highlight specific portions of the content most likely to be watermarked.”

This is a big step. It allows us to check if something came from Google’s AI. It’s like a baker putting a special mark on their bread so you know it came from their shop.

But here’s the thing: this tool only works for content made by Google’s AI systems. What about all the other AI tools out there? What about people who use AI and then try to hide that fact? The problem of knowing what’s real is much bigger than just one company’s tools.

Our Part in the Puzzle

So, what can we learn from this?

First, it shows that even the big tech companies see this problem. They know that trust is important. Their effort with SynthID Detector signals that this is a conversation we all need to have.

Second, it teaches us to be more thoughtful about the content we see every day. We can’t just assume everything is what it seems. We need to be like friendly detectives, asking a few simple questions:

Who made this? Is there a clear source?
Does this feel right? Sometimes your gut can tell you if something is off.
Can I check this elsewhere? Look for other sources that say the same thing.
Am I seeing a stamp of truth? Does it have a watermark or some other sign that it’s verified?

The world is not going to slow down. AI will keep improving at creating things that look and sound like real life. And that’s okay, as long as we have ways to sort through it all. Tools like SynthID Detector are just the beginning. The real work is in how we, as people, adapt our thinking. We need to learn to be curious, to ask questions, and to look for those little signs of truth in a world full of digital wonders.

How will we, as people, build trust in a world where anyone can make anything seem real?

[Source](The Verge)

AVITUDE BLOG POST 009

Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Crypto Projects Set to Take 2025 by Storm

This data highlights exciting cryptocurrency initiatives expected to transform industries and shape the market, categorized into four groups:

Real-Use Case and Innovative Projects:

BlockDAG: Successfully raised $250M. An infrastructure project focusing on a decentralized network.
Web3Bay: A Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) marketplace operating with crypto.
Dragoin: Integrates cryptocurrency into gaming platforms.
Cold Wallet: Ensures secure and private crypto asset storage solutions.

AI Agents:

Unstaked: Offers advanced technology focused on decentralized Artificial Intelligence Agents.
Web3 AI: AI toolkit enhancing applications in the decentralized technology sector.

Online Casinos:

32Play: A blockchain-based platform for secure, fair crypto gambling.
HILO: A decentralized online gambling platform designed for transparency and fairness.

Meme-Fi (Entertainment and Community-driven Tokens):

Elon Cat: Meme token combining humor with crypto investment.
MEME AI: Project merging artificial intelligence with viral meme culture.
Pi Network: User-friendly cryptocurrency mining accessible on mobile devices.

Key Takeaways and Opportunities:

Real-world applications and strong utility continue driving cryptocurrency adoption in diverse sectors.
AI and decentralization open a vast range of opportunities to investors, creators, and communities.
Engagement in communities and staying informed are crucial in utilizing these promising projects.

The landscape for crypto projects is increasingly innovative and diverse, presenting new investment and participation prospects to explore.

Which of these projects do you find most promising or intriguing?

Source

AVITUDE BLOG POST 007

Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

AI Ad Portrays Tech as Escape from Chaos and Despair

Innovation isn’t just about creating something new; it’s about sparking a reaction.

When Pika launched its latest tool, the response was overwhelming. Social media erupted.

This proves the power of resonance in our industry.

Drives engagement: Attention leads to conversations.
Amplifies reach: Viral moments extend your brand’s footprint.
Strengthens communities: Shared excitement fosters connection.

So, how can we harness this energy in our own work?

Embrace authenticity: People connect with genuine stories.
Leverage feedback: Listen to your audience and iterate swiftly.
Create shareable content: Make your message easily digestible and relatable.

Remember, innovation is a journey. What steps are you taking to spark engagement in your projects?

AVITUDE BLOG ENTRY 005

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

AI & soft skills: Thrive in the job revolution!

AI is about to change the game when it comes to jobs. The World Economic Forum says we’ll see a whopping 78 million new job openings by 2030. But there’s a twist—nearly 40% of the skills we use today will soon be old hat.

So, what’s that mean for us?

Get Ready to Learn: We all need to keep learning and growing.
New Doors Will Open: Jobs that need human creativity and problem-solving will be in high demand.
Skill Shortages: Some jobs will be tough to fill because they need new kinds of skills.

Wondering how to keep up?

Keep Learning: Make it a habit to learn new things. Focus on getting better at teamwork, creativity, and thinking outside the box.
Team Up: Work with others to solve problems and come up with new ideas.
Be Adaptable: Stay open to trying new roles as things change around you.

It’s all about seeing the bright side of these changes.

Source Article