Mike's List 234

6 reasons why the Nashville bombing is a tech story; 4 brilliantly bad ideas; and 3 shameless self promotions

6 reasons why the Nashville bombing is a tech story

A 63-year-old former IT consultant named Anthony Warner appears to have killed himself and injured 3 others in front of a Nashville, Tennessee, AT&T building on Christmas Day. The explosion took out the AT&T building, damaged dozens of other buildings and interrupted mobile service in several cities. 

Here are the 6 reasons why this is, in fact, mainly a technology story. (For paid subscribers)

---

4 brilliantly bad ideas of the day

1. Vaccine passports

People are started today to Kickstart "vaccine passports" -- proof of vaccination designed to enable the bearer access to privileges denied people who have not been vaccinated (travel, access to venues, entry to countries, etc.). One is a card called covIDcard, and another is a digital verification called MyVaxPass. 

2. Survival crocs

Crocs and "experimental artist" Nicole McLaughlin have created a Croc designed for the wilderness. Weirdly, they still have holes along the sides of your feet, but the ankles are protected. Plus, there are random survival objects like rope, a compass and other stuff awkwardly attached to the shoes. Why? 

3. Fake mixtape

Now you can send someone gold mixtape filled with your favorite songs. Except the songs aren't actually on "tape." The faux cassette has a Spotify Code printed on the outside that, when scanned, conjures up your Spotify playlist. Ugh!

4. Google Blob Opera

Google is using machine learning to enable you to create an "opera" by dragging blob singers to hit certain notes. Try it!

---

3 shameless self promotions

1. How social media will become the most reliable source of information

2. Five IoT threats to look out for in 2021

3. Join us for a Gastronomad Experience in glorious Oaxaca, Mexico, for next year's Day of the Dead!