PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
The Growing Menace of QR Code Scams — and How to Stay Safe (Maria)
The author writes, “If you haven’t been living under a rock over the past 24 months, the chances are that you would have scanned a QR code. … In fact, there are several websites that allow users to create their own QR codes. Even WhatsApp creates one for you on the fly to make it easier to connect to your account via the browser. This is both a tremendous opportunity as well as a raging problem that could be the harbinger of future scams. Now, it turns out that cybercriminals too are watching these developments carefully in the hope of exploiting the convenience that this technology offers.”
Stock Trade Ban Gains Steam Despite Pelosi’s ‘Mind-Boggling’ Resistance (Dana)
The author writes, “In the trenches of TikTok, users are tracking more than just the latest memes or trends. They’re watching the stock trades of members of Congress and their families, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi being a fan favorite. The STOCK Act requires members to publicly disclose their and their spouses stock transactions, which has allowed accounts like CEOWatchlist to use that information to monitor Pelosi’s husband’s trades for more than 1 million followers, calling her the stock market’s biggest ‘whale’ and ending videos with credos like ‘shout out to Nancy for the stock tips.’ If Pelosi has her way, those trades will continue, telling reporters last month that members should have the right to participate in the ‘free-market economy’ like everyone else.”
Judge to Decide Whether Swalwell’s Lawsuit Against Trump Over Capitol Insurrection Can Proceed (Reader Steve)
From the San Francisco Chronicle: “East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell’s effort to take Donald Trump to court over the Capitol insurrection faced a major court test on Monday — one that could prove pivotal in determining whether the former president and his allies can face any legal challenges over the violent riot. In fact, Monday’s court hearing could provide a make-or-break moment for the question of whether anyone who spurred on the rally that turned into a deadly breach of the Capitol but didn’t directly participate can be held accountable for the actions of that day.”
Manchin’s Coal Corruption Is So Much Worse Than You Knew (Laura)
From Rolling Stone: “At this point in human evolution, burning coal for power is one of the stupidest things humans do. Coal plants are engines of destruction, not progress. Thanks to the rapid evolution of clean energy, there are many better, cheaper, cleaner ways to power our lives. The only reason anyone still burns coal today is because of the enormous political power and inertia that the industry has acquired since the 19th century. In America, that power and inertia is embodied in the cruel and cartoonish character of West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who, paradoxically, may have more control over the trajectory of the climate crisis than any other person on the planet right now.”
Ocean Temperatures Just Smashed a New Record for the Sixth Year in a Row (Mili)
The author writes, “Ocean temperatures the world over are building at a relentless rate as humans continue to alter the atmosphere around them. In 2021, according to a new summary of two international datasets, the wave of warmth in our oceans hit a new peak, eclipsing the influence of cooler regional episodes. While last year’s ocean warming is unprecedented, it was no exception. This is the sixth year in a row that the world’s ocean temperatures have exceeded anything we’ve measured before.”
The Big Dream of Yonkers: To Be the ‘Burbank of New York’ (Dan)
The author writes, “Run the World, a Starz television series about four 30-something Black women navigating work and love, is set in Harlem. In its first season, the camera lingers over landmarks in the neighborhood, like the Harriet Tubman statue on West 122nd Street, as well as locations across New York City. But when the show begins filming its second season in two months and Ella (Andrea Bordeaux), Sondi (Corbin Reid), Renee (Bresha Webb) and Whitney (Amber Stevens West) reunite to go clubbing, commiserate over cocktails and tumble into bed with their latest flames, they will be doing much of it slightly north of the city, inside a big film production facility that officially opens today in Yonkers. Great Point Studios, which has created the $500 million campus, Lionsgate Studios Yonkers, claims the ever-expanding facility, scheduled to be completed next year, will surpass anything New York City has to offer.”
Rat Who Detected Land Mines in Cambodia Dies in Retirement (Reader Steve)
The author writes, “A land mine-detecting rat in Cambodia who received a prestigious award for his life-saving duty has died in retirement, the charity for which he had worked has announced. Magawa, an African giant pouched rat, passed away last weekend, said an announcement on the website of APOPO, a Belgium-headquartered non-profit group. The organization trains rats and dogs to sniff out land mines and tuberculosis.”
