Susan Cunningham
@susancunningham.bsky.social
Writer, editor, reporter, swimmer. Tech, culture, travel. Asia know-it-all.
Pinned
My #whiteLotus #thailand story for #fodors was cut a lot. Well, there are 4 hotels on 2 islands! Besides Four Seasons #KohSamui, island's Anantara BoPhut (pix of its entrance) and Anantara Lawana play parts. On #Phuket, there are lagoons & spa of Anantara Mai Khao.
fodors.com/.../where-wa....
fodors.com/.../where-wa....
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
I wrote about Rob Reiner:
www.vulture.com/article/rob-...
www.vulture.com/article/rob-...
Rob Reiner Was Good
The beloved director was better than most at making classic movies, Hollywood careers, and California policy change.
www.vulture.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I wrote about Rob Reiner:
www.vulture.com/article/rob-...
www.vulture.com/article/rob-...
#Meta’s ad business was thriving in #China, reaching over $18 billion in annual sales in 2024, more than 1/10 of the company’s global revenue. About 19% of that money came from #ads for #scams, illegal #gambling,pornography & other banned content www.reuters.com/investigatio... #facebook #Zuckerberg
Meta tolerates rampant ad fraud from China to safeguard billions in revenue
A Reuters investigation reveals the owner of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp decided to accept high levels of fraudulent advertisements from China. Internal company documents show Meta wanted to mini...
www.reuters.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:48 PM
#Meta’s ad business was thriving in #China, reaching over $18 billion in annual sales in 2024, more than 1/10 of the company’s global revenue. About 19% of that money came from #ads for #scams, illegal #gambling,pornography & other banned content www.reuters.com/investigatio... #facebook #Zuckerberg
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
“Starting next year, OpenAI will be able to use Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Ariel, and Yoda in its Sora video-generation model… None of this makes much sense—unless Disney was fighting a battle it couldn’t win.” www.wired.com/story/disney...
The Disney-OpenAI Deal Redefines the AI Copyright War
Disney is hedging against the future. OpenAI is clearing a path for Sora. And together they’ve made a blueprint for how AI and Hollywood can move forward.
www.wired.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:52 PM
“Starting next year, OpenAI will be able to use Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Ariel, and Yoda in its Sora video-generation model… None of this makes much sense—unless Disney was fighting a battle it couldn’t win.” www.wired.com/story/disney...
#WashingtonPost's #AI #podcast disaster:errors have ranged from relatively minor pronunciation gaffes to significant changes to story content, like misattributing or inventing quotes and inserting commentary. #WaPo www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Exclusive: Washington Post’s AI-generated podcasts rife with errors, fictional quotes
Errors in the Post’s new AI-generated podcasts have frustrated the paper’s journalists.
www.semafor.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:13 AM
#WashingtonPost's #AI #podcast disaster:errors have ranged from relatively minor pronunciation gaffes to significant changes to story content, like misattributing or inventing quotes and inserting commentary. #WaPo www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
More on the ASPI report:
www.aspi.org.au/report/the-p...
www.aspi.org.au/report/the-p...
The party’s AI: How China’s new AI systems are reshaping human rights - ASPI
This report shows how the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming China’s state control system into a precision instrument for managing its population and targeting groups at home and abroad.
www.aspi.org.au
December 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
More on the ASPI report:
www.aspi.org.au/report/the-p...
www.aspi.org.au/report/the-p...
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
Undercover investigation by The Collective reports that forged & falsified fire safety certifications for scaffolding mesh like the ones that contributed to the Tai Po fire can easily be bought online on Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao for as low as CNY$ 50 (US$ ∼7).
December 8, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Undercover investigation by The Collective reports that forged & falsified fire safety certifications for scaffolding mesh like the ones that contributed to the Tai Po fire can easily be bought online on Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao for as low as CNY$ 50 (US$ ∼7).
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
Seeing the news of Thai airstrikes on the Cambodian border & thousands again fleeing their homes is heart breaking.
This conflict is being used by those in power on both sides to maintain their control & power, It's ordinary people that suffer the impacts.
Hoping that it doesn't escalate further
This conflict is being used by those in power on both sides to maintain their control & power, It's ordinary people that suffer the impacts.
Hoping that it doesn't escalate further
December 8, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Seeing the news of Thai airstrikes on the Cambodian border & thousands again fleeing their homes is heart breaking.
This conflict is being used by those in power on both sides to maintain their control & power, It's ordinary people that suffer the impacts.
Hoping that it doesn't escalate further
This conflict is being used by those in power on both sides to maintain their control & power, It's ordinary people that suffer the impacts.
Hoping that it doesn't escalate further
"this is not even remotely true ... #A.I. #writing is marked by a whole complex of frankly bizarre rhetorical features that make it immediately distinctive to anyone who has ever encountered it. It’s not smooth or neutral at all — it’s weird." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/m... #AI #omniwriter #delve
Why Does A.I. Write Like … That?
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:07 AM
"this is not even remotely true ... #A.I. #writing is marked by a whole complex of frankly bizarre rhetorical features that make it immediately distinctive to anyone who has ever encountered it. It’s not smooth or neutral at all — it’s weird." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/m... #AI #omniwriter #delve
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
A WSJ analysis of satellite images shows clear evidence of the Chinese military’s expanding footprint through a network of facilities that dot the Tibetan plateau.
Chinese Forces Battle Dizzying Altitudes to Expand Military Footprint
A Wall Street Journal analysis of more than 100 satellite images shows clear evidence of the country’s expanding air power and reach.
on.wsj.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:44 AM
A WSJ analysis of satellite images shows clear evidence of the Chinese military’s expanding footprint through a network of facilities that dot the Tibetan plateau.
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
Apple CEO Tim Cook has lived in fear of Trump all year. And now Apple TV+ has pulled a show about right-wing violent extremism after some criticism from MAGA social media accounts.
open.substack.com/pub/telos/p/...
open.substack.com/pub/telos/p/...
Apple Is the New Disney
The tech giant is censoring a show about right-wing extremism.
open.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Apple CEO Tim Cook has lived in fear of Trump all year. And now Apple TV+ has pulled a show about right-wing violent extremism after some criticism from MAGA social media accounts.
open.substack.com/pub/telos/p/...
open.substack.com/pub/telos/p/...
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
You utter fraud. You didn't handle a fucking thing responsibly as a journalist. Why would a camera cramp your style?
@timmiller.bsky.social: "He's being nominated to HHS Secretary…You had information that you could have shared…and you didn't share anything about him. Why? Did you still love him?"
Olivia Nuzzi: "I don't know how to responsibly handle this on camera." lnk.thebulwark.com/4ozkaz8?utm_...
Olivia Nuzzi: "I don't know how to responsibly handle this on camera." lnk.thebulwark.com/4ozkaz8?utm_...
December 4, 2025 at 6:26 PM
You utter fraud. You didn't handle a fucking thing responsibly as a journalist. Why would a camera cramp your style?
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
a fun thing from a class I'm guest teaching tomorrow: which of these will turn out OK for you, and which will be a disaster? (they're all from a single Chinese city between 2010 and 2022)
December 3, 2025 at 8:11 PM
a fun thing from a class I'm guest teaching tomorrow: which of these will turn out OK for you, and which will be a disaster? (they're all from a single Chinese city between 2010 and 2022)
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
As a thought exercise, is there a money-trench-dwelling, market-rigging, child-fucking greedwhore somewhere in federal custody that stands no chance whatsoever of being pardoned by this president?
December 3, 2025 at 8:08 AM
As a thought exercise, is there a money-trench-dwelling, market-rigging, child-fucking greedwhore somewhere in federal custody that stands no chance whatsoever of being pardoned by this president?
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
BREAKING: Lizza drop of Olivia Nuzzi's alleged strategy memo for RFK Jr.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Olivia's Strategy Memo to Bobby
'You are Rocky while the other candidates are Rocky and Bullwinkle.'
substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:19 AM
BREAKING: Lizza drop of Olivia Nuzzi's alleged strategy memo for RFK Jr.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
December 2, 2025 at 7:04 AM
The transfer of #thailand's Bangkok Remand Prison chief has pulled back the curtain on how wealthy “Grey Chinese” inmates allegedly turned parts of the facility into a private paradise, complete with luxury perks, contraband and protected zones. #China #scam www.nationthailand.com/news/general...
“Grey Chinese” crime bosses exposed as VVIPs inside Bangkok prison, sparking urgent shake-up
A secret raid has uncovered how wealthy Chinese inmates allegedly turned parts of Bangkok Remand Prison into a private paradise, prompting a major shake-up
www.nationthailand.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The transfer of #thailand's Bangkok Remand Prison chief has pulled back the curtain on how wealthy “Grey Chinese” inmates allegedly turned parts of the facility into a private paradise, complete with luxury perks, contraband and protected zones. #China #scam www.nationthailand.com/news/general...
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
There's something spiteful and contemptuous about the way Netflix refuses to give a halfway decent theatrical release to creatively ambitious films by brand-name directors. Like they're trying to make sure we all know that they hate doing it.
December 1, 2025 at 6:37 AM
There's something spiteful and contemptuous about the way Netflix refuses to give a halfway decent theatrical release to creatively ambitious films by brand-name directors. Like they're trying to make sure we all know that they hate doing it.
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
Breaking news: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s top aide and closest confidant — who also served as lead negotiator in talks with U.S. officials to reach a peace plan to end Russia’s war — resigned Friday amid a widening corruption probe.
Zelensky’s top aide, lead negotiator resigns amid corruption probe
Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, had emerged as one of the most contentious and powerful figures in the country.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Breaking news: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s top aide and closest confidant — who also served as lead negotiator in talks with U.S. officials to reach a peace plan to end Russia’s war — resigned Friday amid a widening corruption probe.
Officials are scrutinizing how #bamboo #scaffolding and other construction materials, including plastic netting and foam panels, ignited and contributed to the rapid Tai Po fire spread. Approximately 2,500 bamboo scaffolders are registered in #HongKong. news.ssbcrack.com/deadly-hong-...
Deadly Hong Kong Fire Sparks Outcry Over Bamboo Scaffolding Safety - SSBCrack News
A catastrophic fire at a residential complex in Hong Kong has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 94 lives, raising urgent questions about the safety and
news.ssbcrack.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Officials are scrutinizing how #bamboo #scaffolding and other construction materials, including plastic netting and foam panels, ignited and contributed to the rapid Tai Po fire spread. Approximately 2,500 bamboo scaffolders are registered in #HongKong. news.ssbcrack.com/deadly-hong-...
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
Spent a little time looking at CGTN's influencer studios. How they operate. Some tricks they use, and how it is helping shape the outlet's future digital strategy.
CGTN and its influencer studios
Social media sleeper accounts. Evading Facebook advertising rules. Teaching university lectures. These are some ways China's biggest media outlet is advancing its propaganda aims.
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Spent a little time looking at CGTN's influencer studios. How they operate. Some tricks they use, and how it is helping shape the outlet's future digital strategy.
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
A new Chinese law regulating influencer speech has gotten applause from social media users and commentators who want similar policies in their own countries. But the truth is far from what's in the news and it's a sad reflection of our internet and media space.
wenhao.substack.com/p/anatomy-of...
wenhao.substack.com/p/anatomy-of...
Anatomy of a Fake Story
A new Chinese law aimed at reducing misinformation set off global discussion. But nobody got it right.
wenhao.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:39 PM
A new Chinese law regulating influencer speech has gotten applause from social media users and commentators who want similar policies in their own countries. But the truth is far from what's in the news and it's a sad reflection of our internet and media space.
wenhao.substack.com/p/anatomy-of...
wenhao.substack.com/p/anatomy-of...
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
The incident of this type that sticks out in my mind are the several times in - I wanna say Hangzhou or Nanjing (maybe both) - that some park/mall rent-a-cops made a huge stink and detained groups of 20-sthing cosplayers for "Dressing Japanese."
They were wearing hanfu.
They were wearing hanfu.
November 26, 2025 at 6:35 AM
The incident of this type that sticks out in my mind are the several times in - I wanna say Hangzhou or Nanjing (maybe both) - that some park/mall rent-a-cops made a huge stink and detained groups of 20-sthing cosplayers for "Dressing Japanese."
They were wearing hanfu.
They were wearing hanfu.
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
British swimmer Simon Holliday became the first person to circumnavigate Lantau, Hong Kong's largest island, a distance of over 65 kilometres, in 20 hours and 56 minutes. The American Edie Hu closely followed, completing her own odyssey of 21 hours and 28 minutes. In full: buff.ly/t1uZrHn
In world first, swimmers conquer 21-hour journey around Lantau
British swimmer Simon Holliday became the first person to circumnavigate Lantau, Hong Kong's largest island, a distance of over 65 kilometres, in 20 hours and 56 minutes. The American Edie Hu closely...
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM
British swimmer Simon Holliday became the first person to circumnavigate Lantau, Hong Kong's largest island, a distance of over 65 kilometres, in 20 hours and 56 minutes. The American Edie Hu closely followed, completing her own odyssey of 21 hours and 28 minutes. In full: buff.ly/t1uZrHn
Reposted by Susan Cunningham
Two noodle vendors "Chuang" & "Tiam" have been charged with Royal Defamation for putting up protest signs in front of their shops with called for the cancellation of section 112 (Lèse-majesté) & calling for the release of political prisoners.
#FreeOurFriends
#FreeOurFriends
Noodle vendors indicted for royal defamation over protest sign
Two noodle vendors have been indicted on a royal defamation charge for putting up protest signs in front of their shops in 2023 calling for the repeal of the royal defamation law and the release of po...
prachataienglish.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Two noodle vendors "Chuang" & "Tiam" have been charged with Royal Defamation for putting up protest signs in front of their shops with called for the cancellation of section 112 (Lèse-majesté) & calling for the release of political prisoners.
#FreeOurFriends
#FreeOurFriends