Steve Silberman, a writer for two decades at Wired, author of the book NeuroTribes, a fan of the Grateful Dead, and a friend of David Crosby, dies at 66 (Relix Media)

Mediagazer: Steve Silberman, a writer for two decades at Wired, author of the book NeuroTribes, a fan of the Grateful Dead, and a friend of David Crosby, dies at 66 (Relix Media)

Top News:

Hong Kong Free Press:

A Hong Kong court finds two former editor-in-chiefs of defunct outlet Stand News guilty of sedition, the first such conviction of journalists there since 1997— Two former chief editors of defunct outlet Stand News have been found guilty of sedition, marking the first such conviction …
Discussion: Reuters, Associated Press, @klustout, @tomgrundy, The Guardian, @xinqisu, @tripperhead, Agence France-Presse, @tomgrundy, @shibanimahtani, Financial Times, @pete_radcliff, @tomgrundy, @thomasvlinge, @galileocheng, @behlihyi, @tmclaughlin3, Al Jazeera, @rasmus_kleis, @tomgrundy, Hong Kong Free Press HKFP, @1br0wn, Committee to Protect …, Newser, Wall Street Journal, BBC, Reporters Without Borders, CNN and Fox News

Discussion:

Kanis Leung /
Associated Press: Hong Kong court convicts 2 journalists who openly criticized the government amid a crackdown on dissent

Kristie Lu Stout /
@klustout: “Journalists do not have to be loyal to anyone, support anyone or be enemies of anyone. If we really have someone to be loyal to, it will be the public &only the public because we believe in freedom of the press&freedom of speech” -Stand News ex-editor Patrick Lam/ht @hkchrislau

Tom Grundy /
@tomgrundy: 1/ 🚨BREAKING: Two former chief editors of defunct outlet Stand News have been found guilty of sedition, marking the first such conviction of journalists in Hong Kong since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. In full: https://hongkongfp.com/... [image]

Helen Davidson /
The Guardian: Two Stand News journalists in Hong Kong found guilty of sedition @xinqisu: Chung Pui-kuen, Stand News founding editor who was just found guilty of sedition, leaves court. [video]

Aaron Busch /
@tripperhead: 🇭🇰👨 ⚖️ List of articles found to have sedition intentions in the Stand News trial. List via @HKFP [image]

Tom Grundy /
@tomgrundy: Prosecutors said Stand sought to incite hatred against the gov't through 17 website articles. Included interviews w/activists, op-eds by democrats like Nathan Law, a feature about protests & a hard news piece about an activist winning a rights prize. 11 were found ‘seditious.’

Shibani Mahtani /
@shibanimahtani: Stand News' editors were defending the entire profession of journalism in Hong Kong when they pled not guilty. They pushed back against charges that op-eds, features and articles were anything other than normal journalism. Their guilty verdict will have profound implications.

Pete Radcliff /
@pete_radcliff: The heroic editors of Hong Kong's Stand News found guilty of sedition. Journalists and activists for democracy across the world need to stand in solidarity with them.

Tom Grundy /
@tomgrundy: 1/ A critical, years-long trial has concluded, with Stand News journalists facing jail over 11 “seditious” articles — a top story across the world. An interesting time to check on local news homepages: [image]

Thomas van Linge /
@thomasvlinge: Another low in #HongKong. Back in 2019 Stand News was one of the best outlets to follow for minute-to-minute coverage of the mass protests. Now its chief editors are being send to prison for doing a great job.

Galileo Cheng /
@galileocheng: Judge Kwok Wai-kin argues Stand News was a media “supporting and promoting Hong Kong localism and autonomy...a tool of smearing and criticizing the Central and Hong Kong Government” 11 out of 17 articles were found seditious https://legalref.judiciary.hk/ ...

Beh Lih Yi /
@behlihyi: Journalism is not seditious. Let's be clear: all they are guilty of is doing journalism. This oppressive ruling shows #HongKong is descending further into authoritarianism #StandWithStandNews

Timothy McLaughlin /
@tmclaughlin3: “...our biggest opponent is the regime...” Chung Pui-Kuen, former chief editor of Stand News who was convicted today of sedition in Hong Kong, gave an unfortunately prescient response to an academic when asked about the media environment in Hong Kong in 2019. [image]

Rasmus Kleis Nielsen /
@rasmus_kleis: “Stand News was among the last openly pro-democratic publications until its closure in December 2021, which saw seven arrested.” Now, editors Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam have been found guilty of “sedition”. #journalismisnotacrime https://www.bbc.com/...

Tom Grundy /
@tomgrundy: 2/ Stand News' ex-editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen, 54, appeared in front of judge Kwok Wai-kin on Thur to hear the long-awaited verdict. The outlet's ex-acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam, 36, was not present for the hearing due to a health issue, HKFP learned. [image]

Hillary Leung /
Hong Kong Free Press HKFP: Guilty verdict in Stand News sedition trial shows ‘necessity’ of editors' arrests, national security police say

Ian Brown /
@1br0wn: Starmer is busy cosying up to Xi, so sadly doubt we'll see any significant pushback from 🇬🇧 (and how can the few remaining British judges not now resign from 🇭🇰 Court of Final Appeal?) Committee to Protect Journalists: CPJ condemns Hong Kong's conviction of 2 Stand News editors for sedition

Austin Ramzy /
Wall Street Journal: Hong Kong Editors Convicted of Sedition in Landmark Press-Freedom Verdict

Nick Marsh /
BBC: HK journalists found guilty in landmark sedition case Reporters Without Borders: Hong Kong: RSF condemns the guilty verdict for Stand News editors-in-chief

Chris Lau /
CNN: Hong Kong journalists found guilty of sedition in case critics say highlights decline in press freedom

RELATED:
Reuters: A profile of Stand News, a nonprofit founded in 2014 that was Hong Kong's leading online media outlet before coverage of protests in 2019 led to its closure

Discussion:
Semafor, Reuters, New York Times, Al Jazeera and Hong Kong Free Press HKFP

Discussion:

Marta Biino /
Semafor: Hong Kong court convicts two editors of sedition, underscoring fears for press freedom

Adweek:

Sources: former Fortune CEO Alan Murray is joining The Wall Street Journal this fall, where he will play a key role in building out its events business— The former chief executive of Fortune, Alan Murray, is joining The Wall Street Journal this fall, where he will play a key role in building …

Discussion:
Talking Biz News and Mark Stenberg on LinkedIn

Discussion:

Washington Post:

Reuters denies Russia's claim that slain security adviser Ryan Evans was a UK spy and calls Russia's claim that Western agencies control Reuters “ludicrous”— Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman connected the killing of security adviser Ryan Evans to foreign mercenaries aiding Ukrainian troops.

Discussion:
Reuters, @siobhan_ogrady, @jefffisch, @macwbishop and Talking Biz News

Discussion:

Elizabeth Piper /
Reuters: Ryan Evans, killed in Ukraine, played a vital role for Reuters

Siobhán O'Grady /
@siobhan_ogrady: A beautiful tribute to Ryan that captured him perfectly “I knew Ryan would be the person who would keep them safe in a war zone & still have time to feed the local dogs & make sure the team had enough sweets in the car and a decent playlist.” https://www.reuters.com/... @jefffisch: I swear. If Russia killed the Pope in an errant bombing, they'd claim he was an Italian spy before admitting fault. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...

Mac William Bishop /
@macwbishop: Incidentally, this claim could figure in establishing the mens rea element of command responsibility for the Russian military deliberately targeting civilians, in future war crimes prosecutions...

Chris Roush /
Talking Biz News: Reuters denies claim that killed staffer was spy

Relix Media:

Steve Silberman, a writer for two decades at Wired, author of the book NeuroTribes, a fan of the Grateful Dead, and a friend of David Crosby, dies at 66— Steve Silberman, the award-winning writer and editor known for journalistic coverage in the Bay Area, including a two decades stint with Wired magazine, has passed away.

Discussion:
@alanpaul66@threads.net, @harrietcannon@threads.net, @allenginsbergofficial …, @joshuacraigvalentine …, @ericmgarcia14@threads.net, @digiphile@threads.net, @GottaLaff@mastodon.social, @Susan60@aus.social, The US Sun, @mikemccaffrey@pdx.social, @ianrosewrites@scicomm.xyz, @jeridansky@sfba.social, @wardqnormal.bsky.social, @aetiology.bsky.social, @wardqnormal.bsky.social, @brianvastag@sciencemastodon …, @alexwild@mastodon.online, @Carl_Zimmer@mastodon.social, @joshsternberg.bsky.social and @ericmgarcia14@threads.net

Discussion:

Alan Paul /
@alanpaul66@threads.net: Oh man... another big loss for the musical community. Steve Silberman, uber mensch, thoughtful Deadhead commentator, dear friend of David Crosby's, author of Neuro Tribes, a landmark book on autism and neuro divergence, has passed away. He was a gracious online friend for years, thought we never met. …

Harriet Cannon /
@harrietcannon@threads.net: Deeply saddened to hear that Steve Silberman has died. A kind man, generous with his time and respectfully curious, NeuroTribes changed the narrative around autism. I met him a few years ago at the Bradford Literature Festival and we kept in touch online afterwards. An absolute gent, and a huge loss to us all. … @allenginsbergofficial@threads.net: Sad to share the news our dear friend Steve Silberman passed away this moring. There's just so much to say but will keep it short for now, and celebrate the joy, cheer and good humor he brought to our lives. Love and condolences to his close friends, family and his awesome amazing husband Keith! …

Josh Valentine /
@joshuacraigvalentine@threads.net: The lovely @Steve.Silberman has passed away. He was a proud San Franciscan, the ultimate, well-connected Deadhead, and a New York Jew who stood up for the autistic, LGBTQ+, and the oppressed. A brilliant writer, award winner, and staunch liberal, I'm sad he won't see Kamala's victory this fall. …

Eric Michael Garcia /
@ericmgarcia14@threads.net: Steve and I texted literally a few days ago. He listened to my problems as a writer and journalist, kept me in check when I needed it and unapologetically championed my work. I used to tell my mom he was my big gay uncle. He was incredibly hilarious, would rib me about getting married (like any uncle). …

Alex Howard /
@digiphile@threads.net: I was saddened to learn that @steve.silberman passed away last night from his husband, @wardqnormal, who shared the news on Bluesky. Steve was a true mensch: kind, funny, generous, passionate in righteous fury & compassionate. He helped countless people understand neurodiversity, spoke truth to power, & shared joy in good music, great food, & clever humor. …

Laffy /
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social: Oh no! 😭 #RIP Journalist, Editor and Counterculture Enthusiast, Steve Silberman — https://relix.com/... @Susan60@aus.social: Just saw this article and I'm in tears. I had a couple of brief but lovely interactions with him on here while reading his amazing book, Neurotribes. #actuallyautistic @actuallyautistic — https://relix.com/...

Alexandra Chomik /
The US Sun: Author & Grateful Dead superfan Steve Silberman dies age 66 as husband pays tribute to ‘best friend’ after tragic news @mikemccaffrey@pdx.social: Oh no, @stevesilberman has suddenly passed away! He did more than anyone else I know of to normalize and improve the public understanding of #neurodivergence, and was also just an all-around great guy. — https://relix.com/... #SteveSilberman

Ian Rose /
@ianrosewrites@scicomm.xyz: I just saw that Steve Silberman died. What a loss for the autistic and neurodivergent communities, and for all of us who followed his personality and work for decades. “NeuroTribes” is a kind and important book, and was my gateway into understanding so much about myself and the beauty of different minds. …

Jeri Dansky /
@jeridansky@sfba.social: So incredibly sad to learn that Steve Silberman, @stevesilberman, died last night — announced by his husband on Bluesky. His memory will definitely be a blessing to so many. — https://bsky.app/... #RIP #autism @wardqnormal.bsky.social: I hadn't seen this. It is so perfectly Steve. He hated that shit. — Thanks to everyone for all of the love. I'm not going to reply or like or anything, but your messages are giving me so much joy to throw onto the pile of sadness. It helps immensely. He had a big impact on this world, for the better. …

Tara C. Smith /
@aetiology.bsky.social: What an enormous loss. From his FB page; will be thinking of this today, and his loved ones still here. [embedded post]

@wardqnormal.bsky.social:
Hi everyone. — Sorry to start your day with bad news. It's my very sad duty to inform you all that @stevesilberman.bsky.social , my wonderful husband and best friend, passed away last night. — I'll have more info later. For now, please take a moment to remember his kindness, humor, wisdom, and love.

Brian Vastag /
@brianvastag@sciencemastodon.com: Steve Silberman was such a kind soul, a trenchant writer and observer of culture, and just a straight up truth-telling honest dude. We were friendly acquaintances I guess but I really enjoyed the few times we hung out. Huge loss. — https://bsky.app/...

Alex Wild /
@alexwild@mastodon.online: Just learned that the great @stevesilberman unexpectedly passed away last night. What a tremendous loss. — https://bsky.app/...

Carl Zimmer /
@Carl_Zimmer@mastodon.social: Just got the awful news that the writer Steve Silberman died. I was just talking story ideas with Steve the other day. If you haven't yet read his book NeuroTribes, it is well worth your time. https://bsky.app/...

Josh Sternberg /
@joshsternberg.bsky.social: i am so sorry for your loss. i cherish the time i got to spend with him over the years, and the out-of-the blue phone calls of him ‘just saying hi.’ he was such a special person and sending you all my love.

Eric Michael Garcia /
@ericmgarcia14@threads.net: I am devastated at the loss of my friend @steve.silberman. His book Neurotribes changed my life. Without his work, I never would have come around to accepting myself as an autistic person. We met in person only once on a train to New York City but he became a sounding promoter of my work, my mentor, and finally, my friend. …

Second Rough Draft:

California's Google deal shows journalists lack deal-making expertise and need to work on candor and staying true to principles, avoiding calling defeat victory— Avoiding Newspeak and knife fights with gunslingers — Welcome to Second Rough Draft, a newsletter about journalism in our time …

Discussion:

Anita Chabria /
Los Angeles Times: Google rolled over California lawmakers. What does it mean for news?

Richard Tofel /
Richard Tofel on LinkedIn: Avoiding falling into Orwellian Newspeak and getting into knife fights with gunfighters. This week's Second Rough Draft newsletter

Matt Pearce /
Matt Pearce on LinkedIn: Richard Tofel on Google's rout of antimonopoly legislation in California: “Three California publishers I deeply respect and like personally felt …

Nic Dawes /
Nic Dawes on LinkedIn: Just a few short months ago, it looked as if the California legislature was set to impose what would have been significant new taxes/fees on platform companies …

Rich Jaroslovsky /
Rich Jaroslovsky on LinkedIn: The estimable Richard Tofel offers a clear-eyed look at the outcome of the effort to extract support for California news outlets from Google. …

Columbia Journalism Review:

Mathew Ingram, chief digital writer for Columbia Journalism Review and formerly a senior writer for Fortune and GigaOm, is leaving after nearly seven years— Before we go any further, I should note that this is my last newsletter for CJR, as I am moving on from my job as the magazine's chief digital writer.

Discussion:

Jon Allsop /
@jon_allsop: I'm very sad that @mathewi is leaving CJR! He's always been a generous colleague and an incisive writer at the intersection of media and tech. Read his final reflections on his work for us here: https://www.cjr.org/... Columbia Journalism Review on LinkedIn: So long, and thanks for all the fish: Mathew Ingram looks back on some of the changes he has seen in his seven years as CJR's chief digital writer https://lnkd.in/gHMQFGmH

Chris Roush /
Talking Biz News: Ingram departing Columbia Journalism Review

Mathew Ingram /
@mathewi: @Jon_Allsop Thanks Jon — I have probably seemed more incisive thanks to your editing! 😀

New York Times:

Michael Lacey, co-founder of the classified ad site Backpage, gets five years in prison and a $3M fine for money laundering; two other executives get 10 years— Michael Lacey, 76, co-founded the website that became known for its ads for prostitution. He was convicted on a money laundering charge …

Discussion:
Arizona Republic, US Department of Justice and Associated Press, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Richard Ruelas /
Arizona Republic: Former Phoenix New Times editor sentenced to prison in Backpage trial that centered on prostitution Associated Press: Backpage founder Michael Lacey sentenced to 5 years in prison for money laundering

Axios:

At ESPN's media day, executives said ESPN plans to lean heavily into sports betting, streaming, and social media, including by supporting influencers— - Its biggest priority is a forthcoming streaming service that will include all of its TV networks and its current streaming service ESPN+ …

Discussion:
The Desk, @jenni4iowa.bsky.social, @beninquiring.bsky.social, @hobdat.bsky.social, @spartysubs.bsky.social, @schneidremarks.bsky.social, @chocotaco.bsky.social, The Streamable, @publichealth.bsky.social, @geographer.bsky.social, Timothy B Baysinger on LinkedIn, @dubleahy.bsky.social, @colewagoner.bsky.social, @uncle6.org, @russbengtson.bsky.social, Sara Fischer on LinkedIn, @apocalypticanow.bsky.social, @sarafischer, @2xaught7.bsky.social, @maybeacrook.bsky.social, Advanced Television, Engadget, Associated Press, Front Office Sports, Ars Technica, Awful Announcing, Deadline, The Hill, Variety and The Verge

Discussion:

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: Sports fans open to streaming, but still favor broadcast TV

Jennifer Rose /
@jenni4iowa.bsky.social: That skeet got worse by the word.

G.T. /
@hobdat.bsky.social: it's wild to see them come out and just say that they think sports betting is more important than journalism [embedded post] @spartysubs.bsky.social: I have to hand it to them, they are finding ways to finally make the in-stadium experience more appealing than watching from the comfort of my own couch [embedded post] @schneidremarks.bsky.social: When I was 13 years old, I got invited to a private chat room to talk with Stuart Scott, highlights were published in ESPN Magazine. I wanted to be a sports journalist, and this was the highlight of my young life. — Stuart Scott is dead, ESPN Magazine is dead, and “sports journalism” is casino ads. …

David Satin /
The Streamable: Fans Open to Sports on Streaming, But Platforms Have to Make Things Easier

Sean /
@publichealth.bsky.social: i recently uninstalled their app because it's all about betting now. an app that everyone's kids can and often do install [embedded post]

Nicholas Campiz /
@geographer.bsky.social: One thing about sports betting is that it's inherently an individual thing and sports experiences are best when shared. — I don't mind my friends' fantasy talk, at least there's a communal aspect to it. But every convo about a person's bets invariably peters out quickly with a “Huh, cool, I guess.” …

Timothy B Baysinger /
Timothy B Baysinger on LinkedIn: ESPN is preparing for life after cable by transitioning from a TV news network into a sports lifestyle brand. …

Dub Leahy /
@dubleahy.bsky.social: Probably smart financially, but I cannot pass on this faster. [embedded post]

Cole Wagoner /
@colewagoner.bsky.social: This fucking sucks guys [embedded post] @uncle6.org: “ESPN's media day” is all you need to see to know it's all done shit shaped [embedded post]

Russ Bengtson /
@russbengtson.bsky.social: getting real close to simply bailing on sports entirely (although honestly all I really care about anymore are cycling grand tours/one day events and getting mad at the mets/arsenal) [embedded post]

Sara Fischer /
Sara Fischer on LinkedIn: Visited ESPN at its HQ in Bristol, CT yesterday and the experience was wild — I've been to ESPN media days before. This was very different. … @apocalypticanow.bsky.social: centering entertainment on gambling is as bad as making smoking seem cool. Fuck these people. [embedded post]

Sara Fischer /
@sarafischer: .@ESPN media day was wild —Polished execs touted big digital moves —Then ESPN hosts defended @PatMcAfeeShow as he ripped the media to our faces (fascinating, transparent exchange) —Bottom line: ESPN no longer precious about its brand. Focus is survival https://www.axios.com/... @2xaught7.bsky.social: Once upon a midnight dreary, ESPN was considered too big to fail (more or less). — If this is the ongoing path, I would think there'd be more of an appetite for an alternative. Granted, it's a very steep barrier to entry...so there's that. [embedded post]

Colin Mann /
Advanced Television: Survey: Fans open to more streamed sports

Associated Press:
Your own personalized “SportsCenter”? ESPN working on that for an upcoming streaming service

Dade Hayes /
Deadline: ESPN Launches ‘Where To Watch’ Digital Feature To Guide Viewers To Games Across The Dial

Dominick Mastrangelo /
The Hill: ESPN launching first-of-its-kind ‘Where to Watch’ feature in app

Brian Steinberg /
Variety: ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro says the company has suggested to sports leagues that it could help distribute games to specific markets via its streaming products

Wall Street Journal:

A profile of Disney Experiences Chair Josh D'Amaro, who turned the unit into Disney's main profit engine and is in contention to succeed Bob Iger— Josh D'Amaro, head of the entertainment giant's theme-park division, is in contention to succeed Bob Iger — ANAHEIM, Calif. …

New York Times:

Experts say Pavel Durov's arrest is likely an outlier, as the legal bar is high in the US and Europe to prosecute tech executives for content on their platforms— The indictment of Pavel Durov, Telegram's founder, as part of an investigation into illicit activities on the messaging app set off worries …

Discussion:

Saqib Shah /
London Evening Standard: Tech titans defy calls for stricter social media moderation amid global controversies

Daniela Andrade /
Daniela Andrade on LinkedIn: Can Tech Executives Be Held Responsible for What Happens on Their Platforms? — “The arrest of Pavel Durov, Telegram's founder …

Joshua Foust /
@joshuafoust@appdot.net: This is a great instance of where the Section 230 discourse in the US looks utterly puerile and disconnected from the reality of what has been unleashed on society. Like when SCOTUS ruled YouTube has a solemn constitutional right to algorithmically promote ISIS snuff videos. …

Jeff Jarvis /
@jeffjarvis@mastodon.social: At the dawn of print, the technologists—printers— were held responsible for what came off their presses, then booksellers. Finally authors were responsible, which Foucault says was the birth of the author. I think we will go through a similar sequence with the net & AI: …

Morgan Meaker /
Wired: Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Charged Over Alleged Criminal Activity on the App

Gaspard Sebag /
Bloomberg: Telegram CEO Charged in France for Crimes Committed on His App

Lucas Ropek /
Gizmodo: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Released From Prison

Lowpass:

Sources: The Trade Desk is building its own smart TV OS to license to device makers and promises better revenue sharing deals than its established competitors— Also: Niantic is splatting the world … Digital advertising giant The Trade Desk is getting ready to more directly compete with Roku …

Discussion:
The Desk, TVIQ on LinkedIn and Janko Roettgers on LinkedIn

Discussion:

Tviq /
TVIQ on LinkedIn: Wow - huge potential news from The Trade Desk. The cardinal rule of ad tech is ‘aggregate & move upstream’ and there is nothing more upstream than the operating system. …

Wired:

Facebook, Instagram, Craigslist, Tumblr, the NYT, the FT, The Atlantic, Vox Media, USA Today, Condé Nast, and more block Apple's Applebot-Extended AI crawler— This summer, Apple gave websites more control over whether the company could train its AI models on their data.

Discussion:
9to5Mac and AppleInsider, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

William Gallagher /