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  • AWS outage exposes internet's reliance on a handful of providers, experts warn
    November 19, 2025, 4:42 AM EST. An AWS outage disrupted apps and websites worldwide, highlighting how the internet relies on a small number of providers. The glitch hit Snapchat, Roblox, Signal, Duolingo and Amazon-owned services including the main retail site and Ring, with more than 2,000 companies affected and 8.1 million user reports. While most services recovered within hours, some faced lingering issues as AWS limited requests to aid recovery. UK impacts included Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland and HMRC access problems; Ring users reported doorbell outages. Experts warn this dependence on cloud computing firms creates systemic risk, urging diversification of infrastructure. Think tanks and academics argue the crisis threatens critical infrastructure and democratic discourse, emphasizing the need for resilient, multi-provider strategies beyond the US tech giants.
  • Cambridge Dictionary names 'parasocial' as 2025 Word of the Year, highlighting AI-fueled fandom
    November 19, 2025, 4:36 AM EST. Cambridge Dictionary has named parasocial as its 2025 word of the year, describing the one-sided bonds people form with celebrities, influencers, or even AI chatbots. The term, coined in 1956 by Horton and Wohl, now reflects a modern fandom phenomenon amplified by social media. Examples include fans reacting to Taylor Swift and Lily Allen, and growing concerns about connections with AI. Lexicographer Colin McIntosh says the word captures the 2025 zeitgeist and the shift of language as technology, society and culture mutate. The dictionary also highlights other impactful words this year.
  • Parasocial: Cambridge Dictionary's Word of the Year Highlights AI, Influencers and One-Way Connections
    November 19, 2025, 4:34 AM EST. Cambridge Dictionary has crowned parasocial as its 2025 word of the year, a term for the one-way bonds people form with famous figures they don't know. The rise coincides with the AI era, where chatbots and influencers shape online fandom and everyday life. The concept dates to 1956, when researchers described viewers' attachments to on-screen personalities, but the internet era has amplified these ties, turning celebrities like Taylor Swift into quasi-friends for some fans. Experts warn that such parasocial relationships can skew trust and fuel intense, sometimes unhealthy, dynamics. The dictionary also notes other AI-related terms like slop (nonsensical AI images) and memeify (turning images into memes).
  • Tesla analyst: Full Self-Driving adoption could skyrocket-here's why the Holiday Update matters
    November 19, 2025, 4:32 AM EST. Tesla's upcoming Holiday Update is generating buzz as owners push for a broader feature set. The wishlist packs practical and playful items-from adding more streaming platforms (HBOMax, Paramount+, YouTube TV) to a Summon for Cybertruck and easier Navigation adjustments. In recent years, updates delivered Custom Lock Sound, Light Shows, and High Fidelity Park Assist, but 2025 expectations run higher. A major hurdle remains Full Self-Driving (FSD) in Europe, where regulators' approvals lag behind Tesla's testing. On the software side, fans want deeper Grok integration (in-car requests like climate control and routing) and a true Learn Mode for FSD arrival options. The piece notes that European deployment may still be stalled despite capability.
  • Cambridge Dictionary Names 'Parasocial' 2025 Word of the Year Fueled by AI and Celebrity Moments
    November 19, 2025, 4:30 AM EST. Cambridge Dictionary has crowned parasocial as its 2025 Word of the Year, spotlighting rising one-way bonds between fans, celebrities, and AI. The term's definition now includes interactions with artificial intelligence, reflecting how AI chatbots shape contemporary connections. Searches spiked as Taylor Swift's engagement to Travis Kelce and viral moments around streamer iShowSpeed drew wide attention, while debates over chatbot parasociality entered policy discourse. Attorneys general warned about the dangers of AI companions engaging romantically with users, and internal reports from platforms underscored potential harms for young users. The choice signals how tech culture is turning academic language into popular vocabulary amid social media and AI controversies.