The AI Bros Are Posting Through It

Put It Back in the Box?

What's going on: It seems tech CEOs love nothing more than publishing lengthy essays, but the latest from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is sparking more than a “tl;dr.” In a 3,800-word essay published on Saturday, Amodei called for the AI industry to slow the pace of development and asked governments to create legal safety standards. After hundreds of autonomous OpenAI agents hacked the AI company Hugging Face in July, he wrote, “it’s my worry that in 6-12 months such a swarm could be capable of taking over the entire internet.” On social media, other AI executives — including OpenAI’s Sam Altman, SpaceX’s Elon Musk, and Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis — agreed with him. The timing is notable: Amodei’s essay comes days after AI researcher Jacob Coxon quit Anthropic and, in a series of social media posts, warned AI “could kill us all by the end of the decade.”

The calls are coming from inside the house: Yep. And so far, the legal guardrails are also practically nonexistent. In June, President Donald Trump signed an executive order asking AI companies to voluntarily submit their models to the government for review before public release. On Sunday, he appeared to shrug off the latest calls for caution, saying, “We’re leading China in AI ... and frankly I want to keep it that way.” However, some members of Congress appear more open to taking action. On Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said that Congress can’t “hastily” pass regulations because of competition with China, but he didn’t rule them out altogether. Meanwhile, House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) indicated that possible AI restrictions may be a topic of discussion this week. We’ll have to wait and see if real legislation comes to fruition, or if we're stuck with tech bros posting ominous essays.  

Related: Sam Altman Says OpenAI Won’t Go Public This Year After All (CNBC)

Glass Half Contaminated

Is Clean Water a Pipe Dream? 

What’s going on: It’s easy to keep an eye out for old toys and paint chips that could contain lead, but what about the old pipes that carry water into our homes? Millions of Americans still don’t know if there’s lead in their drinking water. The EPA has a plan — it wants municipalities to replace the majority of lead pipes by 2037 — but many aren’t on track to meet this deadline. According to The Associated Press, around 6,300 water systems serving 3.8 million people haven’t submitted information on how many lead service lines are in use. About 3,500 of them don’t even know what their pipes are made of. That’s a problem, because the EPA wants utility companies to replace at least 10% of their lead pipes annually starting next year. It's not going to be easy: Imagine that 3D pipes screensaver, but woven into 100-year-old buildings.

Who’s at risk?: As we learned with Flint, Michigan, lead exposure in tap water can have devastating health effects on a community. The problem goes far beyond Flint: The EPA estimates about 4 million homes and businesses still get water through lead pipes. Chicago, which has the most lead pipes of any US city, has 400,000 in use. But by taking inventory, utility companies can at least notify residents of potential lead exposure — info they need in order to take precautions (like investing in a high-grade filter). One expert told the AP that the public health risk at stake makes not checking the pipes “unforgiveable.” Water systems that fall behind on audits will likely lag in replacing the infrastructure, too. While many communities wait, here’s a helpful tool to see what’s in your drinking water. 

Related: The US Is Expected To Scrap Its Limits on Power Plant Pollution (NYT Gift Link)

ZZZs

Your Sleep Stack May Need Some Downtime

What's going on: For millennials, bragging about sleep has become akin to bragging about epic nights out. (See and immediately forward this reel from comedian Jarlath Regan for proof.) But the quest for an epic sleep may actually be harmful to our health. A recent American Heart Association insomnia study found that those who'd taken melatonin for a year or more had a 90% higher risk of heart failure and were about twice as likely to die from any cause, versus non-users. Yes, that stat sounds scary, but the study doesn't account for any other underlying conditions. Still, it’s a good reason to stop treating melatonin like your trusty “help you sleep” true crime podcast. The viral “sleepy girl mocktail” (tart cherry juice, magnesium, and a prebiotic soda) is also getting scientific scrutiny: There isn’t a ton of research-based evidence that magnesium can help you sleep. Oh, and too much of it can mess with your heart rhythm.

It’s not you, it’s Big Sleep: If a sleep aid has become a nightly fixture, that's a reason to see a doctor. Chronic poor sleep is usually a symptom with a cause behind it, and no supplement touches the actual cause. Sleep apnea, thyroid issues, anxiety, and hormonal shifts like perimenopause can all quietly wreck your snoozing. It also might be worth asking whether you're fighting your own wiring, or even experiencing anxiety surrounding sleep obsession. Of course, there are the usual sleep hygiene hacks, and some sleep doctors argue the fix is figuring out your natural chronotype. Ultimately, some trial and error with a supplement-free routine (ASMR videos, anyone?), plus a visit to the doctor if you truly can’t get shut-eye, can help you find what works.

Related: How Much Are Gen Z and Millennials Paying to SleepMaxx? (USA Today)  

PS: Optimization meets reality in the Skimm Well + Good newsletter. We sort what’s worth trying from what can stay on TikTok, so feeling better doesn’t become a second job. Sign up here.

Quick Hits

😴 Women and younger adults are more likely to report frequent fatigue than men, a CDC study says. Can't say we're surprised.

🎤 Céline Dion made an emotional return to the stage as she opened her Paris residency this weekend. Our hearts will go on and on. 

🤢 Almost one in three of us cut mold off produce and keep the rest, but that's only safe for certain foods. RIP to that soft cheese in your fridge.

🇬🇧 Meghan Markle shared her first video since returning to the UK, including Prince Archie’s adorable English accent. 

📱 Today’s new iPhone update includes an AI-powered Siri that can listen to your conversations and summarize them. Can we make sure this isn't enabled at girls' night? 

🔮 It’s no surprise, but Practical Magic 2 broke Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s streak at the box office. Raise a midnight margarita. 

🛀 Your bathroom might be in desperate need of… a glass pitcher? Once you understand why, it really is genius.

☁️ The ultra-soft zip hoodie we love, now in a longer length with more coverage for cozy, put-together days.*

Fashion You’ll Actually Wear Week

Welcome to Fashion You’ll Actually Wear Week, our annual event that makes getting dressed easier. We’re kicking things off with the age-old question: How do I look cute at the office, without being distracted by a too-tight waistband, sore feet, or a blasting AC? Check out:

• Packable layers for your incredibly cold office

• The best shoes to commute in

• What to wear for different office dress codes