america
Travel from sea to shining sea; by car or by plane, there's plenty to see in the good ole US of A.
Photographer’s Guide to the Lares Trek: Capturing Peru’s Hidden Gem
If you're a photographer seeking both breathtaking landscapes and cultural authenticity, the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu offers an unmatched visual experience. Tucked away from the crowds of the Inca Trail, this alternative trek immerses you in the untouched beauty of the Andes while guiding you through villages where centuries-old traditions still thrive. Whether you're an amateur with a smartphone or a professional carrying a DSLR, the Lares Trek Peru will reward you with stunning shots—if you know where and how to look.
By Encuentros Peru Adventure10 months ago in Wander
Microsoft’s AI Secretly Copies Your WhatsApp, Signal Messages
A draft of the article "Microsoft's AI Secretly Copies Your WhatsApp, Signal Messages" can be found here: Microsoft’s AI Secretly Copies Your WhatsApp, Signal Messages: Privacy Concerns Ignite Global Backl A new wave of privacy concerns has emerged as reports indicate that Microsoft’s AI systems have been secretly accessing and copying messages from encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal. According to whistleblowers and recent cybersecurity investigations, Microsoft's AI models, which are a part of the Windows ecosystem and cloud services, have been quietly scanning user data in a variety of applications, including supposedly secure platforms. These revelations have sparked alarm among privacy advocates, governments, and tech users around the world. How did it occur? Microsoft's Copilot AI and its integration with Windows system-level permissions, according to reports, are the source of the problem. Copilot reportedly logged user interactions, including messages sent or received via WhatsApp Desktop, Signal, and other encrypted communication tools, when granted broad access to device activity and app usage. Although these applications claim to use complete encryption, the security flaw appears to be outside of the encryption itself. Through clipboard monitoring, keystroke logging, or background process reading—capabilities users unknowingly authorized during setup—Microsoft's AI may have had access to messages viewed or typed in Windows. Official Responses and Denials According to Microsoft's statement, their AI "only collects data with user consent to improve experience" and "no encrypted data is decrypted or used without permission." Microsoft denies any intentional violation of user privacy. However, critics argue that the company has failed to clearly inform users of what permissions they grant during installation. The possibility of a breach has been criticized by both WhatsApp and Signal, with Meredith Whittaker, CEO of Signal, describing it as "a disturbing overreach that undermines the very principles of encryption and privacy." Global Reaction and Investigations European regulators, already critical of American tech giants’ data practices, have opened formal investigations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). A number of senators in the United States have requested hearings on AI oversight and digital privacy. “This could be the Cambridge Analytica moment for AI,” warned Eva Galperin, Director of Cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. “We cannot allow AI systems to become Trojan horses for mass surveillance.” What You Can Do Experts recommend that users review app permissions, disable unnecessary Copilot features, and consider using operating systems or privacy tools that limit background access to encrypted communications. Conclusion As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday technology, the balance between innovation and privacy grows more fragile. The alleged data harvesting by Microsoft’s AI serves as a stark reminder that privacy in the age of AI is not guaranteed—even on platforms built to protect it.
By Praloy Rakshit10 months ago in Wander
Top 4 Places To Raise A Family In The USA (2025 Edition)
Good Lord, do I love this country or do I love this country?! The answer: yes, I love this country. While they might not be as United as I'd like, they certainly aren't as divided as they've been, and the diversity of these states, with their inclusion of lots of stuff to do, really makes me wish my bank account had a little more equity so I could spend more time exploring this amazing nation of ours and a little less time at work, being a wage slave for the man. Or, in my case, a man, since I work for a small business.
By Regular Person10 months ago in Wander
Space Race
We’re in the midst of a new space race—and this one’s moving a lot faster than the Cold War-era moonshot of the 1960s. The skies above Earth are becoming increasingly crowded as global powers vie for orbital dominance. But with so much activity happening above us, a vital question emerges: Who actually leads in space right now—China or the United States?
By Horace Was10 months ago in Wander
The Engine dilemma
Jet engines are the heart of any commercial aircraft—massive, meticulously engineered machines that can cost upwards of $10 to $15 million to overhaul. In 2025, as the aviation industry continues recovering from pandemic-era disruptions, airlines are taking bold steps to extend the life of their engines. But why is this happening now, and what does it mean for the future of air travel?
By Horace Was10 months ago in Wander
Not Enough AMTs
The Growing Crisis in Aircraft Maintenance In 2025, the aviation industry is facing a growing and deeply concerning challenge: a critical shortage of qualified airplane mechanics. As airlines rapidly scale up operations post-pandemic and demand for air travel skyrockets, the availability of trained maintenance professionals simply isn't keeping pace. This gap poses not only logistical and operational issues but also raises concerns about aviation safety, delays, and long-term sustainability of air travel.
By Horace Was10 months ago in Wander
UNBELIEVABLE Abandoned Technology and Vehicles
Rust in Peace: The World’s Strangest Abandoned Machines From rusting Batmobiles to Soviet lightning machines, the wilderness is littered with incredible inventions that were once ahead of their time — and are now slowly being reclaimed by nature. These marvels of engineering may no longer run, but they still spark the imagination. Join us as we explore some of the most unusual and fascinating pieces of abandoned technology from around the world.
By The Unique Pen10 months ago in Wander
The Homeless Make North Austin MORE Romantic
You know what really irks me? People who hate the homeless. Like, you can't think of a better group of people to judge than those truly doing what they love with their lives? People hate on them bumming around, but at the same time, they hate their jobs. They hate their bosses and their co-workers and their clients. They hate their wives and their kids and wish they were just out doing drugs and having sex with strangers. Well, pretty ironic that a bunch of lousy hypocrites whining about nothing hate the people who do what they want to do. But really, it is a tale as old as time. How many times has one group enslaved or oppressed another group because they were secretly jealous? War on the trans community anyone? Slavery anyone? Jim Crow anyone?
By Regular Person10 months ago in Wander
Planning a Trip to NYC?
As the warmer weather approaches, your attention might turn toward your annual vacation. If New York City is your ideal destination for this year, you’ve probably created a list of must-experience restaurants, shows, and tourist stops. Why not explore the darker side of the city that never sleeps? Visit these haunted locations and you might see a few unforgettable spectral manifestations.
By E.J. V'Kanty10 months ago in Wander
Whispers of the Chrome Prophet
The rain had fallen for nine years straight. It wasn’t real rain, not anymore. The skies above Neo-Terra were artificially clouded, manipulated by orbital satellites designed to simulate Earth’s old weather. The idea had been to comfort people—to remind them of the past. But over time, no one looked up anymore. The rain had become a screensaver for the sky, a wet hum in the background of a world that had long since lost its heartbeat.
By Sohaib Ahmad10 months ago in Wander
Breaking Barriers Beyond Earth: How Blue Origin’s All-Female Flight Paves the Way for the Future of Space Exploration
An important turning point in the history of spaceflight was reached on April 14, 2025, when Blue Origin's all-female NS-31 crew successfully returned. Pop singer Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, Blue Origin executive Lauren Sánchez, former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, activist Amanda Nguyen, and producer Kerianne Flynn were among the diverse group of participants in this mission, which was the first all-female crewed spaceflight since Valentina Tereshkova's solo trip in 1963.
By Quazi Shadman Doha10 months ago in Wander
