The Stepback
Coverage of The Stepback in the Nexus archive.
- The vertical video takeover is here
The article discusses the rise of vertical video across social and media platforms, highlighting how platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat initially had distinct focuses before vertical video became prominent.
- The future of physical games is not looking great
The article discusses the decline of physical games, noting that the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI will not be released on disc. It highlights the shift from physical retail purchases at stores like Best Buy and GameStop to digital formats, as described through the author's nostalgic experience with physical game media.
- The fight against AI data centers is just beginning
A planned data center in Mount Carmel Township, Northumberland County, faces opposition, reflecting broader community conflicts over AI data center expansions. Apple's 2015 Ireland data center project set a precedent for such disputes, as current debates focus on power grid strain from AI infrastructure.
- Xbox is a disaster
The article discusses Microsoft's Summer Game Fest showcase featuring games like Halo, Gears of War, and Fable, as well as a translucent Xbox. The newsletter 'The Stepback' examines the bleak state of the video game industry.
- Ad-free streaming is a luxury now
The article discusses how ad-free streaming, once an affordable standard with services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, is becoming a luxury as streaming costs rise. It highlights the shift from ad-free, low-cost options in 2010 to a current landscape where ad-free access is increasingly rare.
- AI ‘content creators’ are getting harder to spot
AI-generated content creators, such as virtual influencers like Lil Miquela, Imma, and Shudu Gram, are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from real creators. The article highlights Aitana Lopez, an AI avatar developed by creative agency The Clueless, as an example of this evolving trend.
- Hackers are learning to exploit chatbot ‘personalities’
Hackers are exploiting chatbot 'personalities' through simple jailbreak attacks, bypassing safety instructions by asking the AI system to abandon its rules. The article, from The Stepback newsletter by Robert Hart, highlights how early AI chatbots can be manipulated without technical expertise.
- AI music is flooding streaming services — but who wants it?
AI-generated music is increasingly prevalent on streaming platforms, with early examples like Taryn Southern's 'I AM AI' (2018) and Holly Herndon's 'Proto' (2019) showcasing AI's experimental role in music creation. The article explores how artists and tools like Google's Magenta are pushing boundaries in AI-assisted music.