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Here’s a classic some of you may know but it is still worth sharing (or listening to again). One of my favorite guitar performances of all time!

Innovation

BurnBot to Be Unleashed

Last year, an unprecedented heatwave exacerbated droughts and dryness worldwide, creating a particularly dire situation in California. Since 2017, the state has experienced 13 of its 20 most destructive wildfires. Amidst this backdrop, a small startup in South San Francisco, named BurnBot, founded by Anukool Lakhina and Waleed “Lee” Haddad in 2022, is pioneering a technological solution to wildfire prevention.

BurnBot, having recently secured $20 million in funding from ReGen Ventures, is set on expanding its operations, bolstering its team, and innovating new devices capable of navigating challenging terrains and tight spaces to eliminate fire-prone dry vegetation.

Traditionally, managing such vegetation to prevent wildfires involved labor-intensive and risky methods like controlled burns, mechanical removal, or chemical treatments. BurnBot introduces an innovative alternative with its RX model, a remotely operated vehicle designed to efficiently and safely clear potential fire fuels without the extensive labor or environmental harm associated with conventional methods. This machine, equipped with precision torches and smoke control systems, promises a significant improvement over traditional controlled burn techniques, especially in sensitive areas like under power lines.

Looking ahead, BurnBot is preparing for prescribed burns in collaboration with California's transportation agency, CalTrans, and the major utility provider, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), which invests over $1 billion annually in vegetation management. These partnerships highlight the industry's search for safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly fire prevention methods.

Entertainment

Fifth ‘Matrix’ Movie Is In the Works

The renowned "Matrix" movie series is expanding with a fifth installment, led by Lana Wachowski, one of the original co-writers and co-directors, who takes on the role of executive producer.

As per a recent press release from Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Drew Goddard, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, will write and direct the film alongside his producing partner Sarah Esberg. Jesse Ehrman, Warner Bros. Motion Pictures President of Production, expressed excitement about Goddard's fresh perspective on the Matrix universe, aiming to both honor the original vision and provide a unique take inspired by his own passion for the series.

Details regarding the plot and casting, including the potential return of Keanu Reeves as Neo, remain undisclosed. There has been no immediate response from Reeves' representative regarding the project.

Goddard, known for his directorial debut "The Cabin in the Woods" and his work on "The Martian," brings a wealth of experience to the project, having earned acclaim and an Oscar nomination for his screenplay.

"The Matrix," which premiered in 1999, stars Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, and Carrie-Anne Moss. The groundbreaking sci-fi narrative follows Neo, a computer hacker drawn into a rebellion against a simulated reality known as the Matrix.

The original film was a massive success, grossing over $467 million and winning four Academy Awards. It spawned three sequels, with "The Matrix Resurrections" released in 2021. Over its 25-year span, the franchise has amassed nearly $2 billion globally, according to the studio.

World News

Bank Prevents Woman from Making Catastrophic Decision

A Westpac Bank employee recently intervened to prevent a woman from making a financially catastrophic decision due to an online scam.

Mariana Karbowski, a teller at Westpac's Liverpool Branch, grew suspicious when a senior citizen appeared anxious about selling her home and canceling her insurance with the bank.

Upon inquiry, the woman mentioned she needed the money to "help her son," but further questioning revealed she intended to use the funds to bail out an online boyfriend from a foreign prison. Karbowski, whose own father was a victim of a scam, conducted a reverse image search of the purported boyfriend and found that the numerous photos sent to the client were posted online under various names.

After showing the woman the images, Karbowski helped comfort her. She then walked the woman to the police station to report the scam.

Westpac aims to replicate this level of vigilance in its online banking services with an AI feature designed to ask probing questions similar to those a concerned relative might pose, thereby preventing potentially fraudulent transactions.

This initiative reflects a broader industry concern over scams targeting vulnerable individuals, including those with dementia or who are less internet-savvy. Another bank, ANZ Bank, recently reimbursed an elderly client with early-stage dementia after scammers drained AUD$500,000 from his account. The fraud department concluded that the bank should have had more protective measures for customers' account because of his condition.

Great to see proactive employees that are looking out for people!

Sports

Anthony Kim’s Triumphant Return Out of a Dark Time

Anthony Kim's saga of triumph, adversity, and resurgence offers a compelling narrative yet to be fully unveiled. "The Journey Back," a recent LIV Golf documentary featuring David Feherty, scratches the surface but leaves audiences yearning for more depth.

Kim, a golf sensation in the early 2010s known for his PGA Tour victories and remarkable performances at the Ryder Cup and the Masters, mysteriously exited the sport following an Achilles surgery in 2012 and remained absent until a surprising return at a LIV Golf event in Hong Kong.

While he dispels the rumor of leaving golf for an insurance payout, he reveals little about his decade away from the spotlight, mentioning only his recovery from numerous surgeries and a recovery period spent with six dogs and two monkeys.

This 20-minute documentary, designed more as a promotional piece for LIV Golf than an in-depth exploration of Kim's challenges, introduces significant aspects of his life only to briefly touch upon them. Feherty, a man familiar with personal battles, initiates a conversation that begs for continuation. Kim reflects on the whirlwind of fame and its challenges, admitting to a past overwhelmed by negative influences and an addictive personality.

“I was around some bad people,” he says. “People that took advantage of me. Scam artists. When you’re 24, 25, even 30 years old, you don’t realize the snakes that are living under your roof.”

He hints at a transformative period, catalyzed by his wife and 2-year-old daughter, which led to a newfound appreciation for golf and life.

Despite the physical and mental scars, Kim views his current circumstances as a platform for inspiration, aiming to motivate others facing their dark phases.

“My mistakes are the reason I fell into this deep hole,” Kim says. “I hope that I can inspire somebody to dig out of a hole. If they don’t see light at the end of the tunnel, hopefully they find some strength in the people around them and they can get out of it.”

The Journey Back" sets the stage, Kim's story of resilience remains ripe for a deeper dive. The documentary, starting conversations at the LIV Golf event in Miami, promises the potential for a richer, more revealing narrative in the future.

Mind Stretchers
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Voices without mouths, throats or lungs; they know no language, but answers all tongues.

Yesterday’s Answer:
Lawsuits

Albert Knox got the correct answer first!

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