5 Things To Know

1. TikTok has introduced a new feature allowing users to upload custom thumbnail images for their videos

2. YouTube is testing a new ad format

3. Amazon strikes e-commerce deals with TikTok and Pinterest

4. Alesso Set to Headline Forumla 1

5. Does Astrology work? This guy found out so you won’t have to

Susan Wojcicki
Former Youtube Ceo
… DEAD AT 56

From renting her garage to Google's founders in 1998 to becoming YouTube's CEO in 2015, Wojcicki's journey epitomizes Silicon Valley's Scrappy Startup to Meteoric rise.

Wojcicki's story is not just about corporate success; it's a testament to how one person's vision, unwavering faith, can shape culture forever. This is the story of Susan Wojcicki - the tech world's ultimate behind-the-scenes superhero and YouTube powerhouse who sadly passed away at 56.

Picture this: It's 1998, and two nerdy guys named Larry and Sergey are looking for a cheap place to set up their tiny search engine company. Enter Susan, a cash-strapped student with a garage to rent. Little did she know that $1,700 monthly rent would intertwine their fates turn into a tech empire worth billions.

Fast forward to 2015, and Susan is running the show at YouTube. Under her watch, this video-sharing platform exploded from a cat video haven to a $30 billion behemoth with nearly 3 billion users.

Breaking glass ceilings

Susan didn't just break through the glass ceiling; she shattered it and then used the pieces to build a ladder for others to follow.

As a driving force in Google's early days and a champion of the company's $1.65 billion YouTube acquisition in 2006, her impact is undeniable. Later, as YouTube's CEO from 2014 to 2023, she left an indelible mark on the platform's trajectory.

Yet, Wojcicki openly shared her journey as a working mother, using her platform to inspire change. Amidst a culture where leaders like Marissa Mayer and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have pledged to minimize time off after childbirth, Wojcicki prioritized self-care. She took a 15-week maternity leave with her youngest child, recognizing that a CEO sets the tone for a healthy work-life balance.

Take it from Sheryl Sandberg, the former Facebook COO who cut her teeth at Google under Susan's wing. Sheryl says Susan was her go-to guru, helping her navigate the wild west of early tech.

Susan wasn't just a tech whiz; she was a mom of five. While other execs were poring over spreadsheets, Susan was watching her kids' viewing habits, getting the inside scoop on what the cool kids were into.

From renting out her garage to running a global platform, Susan showed us that sometimes the biggest revolutions start in the most unlikely places. She didn't just lean in; she leaned all the way in and reshaped how we connect, learn, and entertain ourselves in the digital age.

May her legacy continue to inspire the next generation of tech trailblazers; Keep scrolling, keep creating, and remember - the next scrappy entrepreneur could start

Burning Man
Holy Smoke
… tickets are on fire sale

Hey Burners,

The dust has settled, and Burning Man is back for its third edition since the world reopened. While 2020 and 2021 saw no official Burning Man, the theme for this year, "Curiouser & Curiouser," is a nod to Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, celebrating the bizarre, the absurd, and the irrational. The art, performances, and community will once again come together in a blaze of creativity.

So, who’s got the ticket plug? Last year's search volume for Burning Man tickets hit an all-time high since 2018, but Google Trends suggests a slight dip this year. In a surprising turn, Burning Man 2024 has yet to sell out its 73,000 tickets, even with the festival just weeks away! To boost sales, the organizers have launched the OMG Sale, offering tickets to non-registered buyers for the first time ever. If you've always wanted to experience the Playa but thought tickets were impossible to get, now's your chance!

Rumors are swirling that last year's weather woes, which left thousands of Burners stranded in the rain, might be behind the slower sales. Even Chris Rock and Diplo dipped out early.

Burning Man has long been a hotspot for Silicon Valley's elite. From Elon Musk's infamous declaration that Burning Man "is Silicon Valley" to Mark Zuckerberg's grilled cheese popup, tech's fingerprints are all over the event. The tech world's influence is palpable, from startup-backed camps to luxurious setups sponsored by YCombinator and AI talks from the likes of Sam Altman. Burning Man is undeniably where tech and art collide.

As Marian Goodell, CEO of Burning Man Project, noted, "Experiencing the awe, inspiration, creativity, and community of Burning Man in Black Rock City is the antidote to today's societal division and polarization." Yet, the festival is about so much more than any one industry. The Burn offers a unique respite from the "default world" - a place where gifting replaces commerce and self-expression knows no bounds. It's a celebration of creativity, and community. Whether you're a Silicon Valley mogul or simply a lover of the surreal, Burning Man remains.

Jake Paul
“I'm sick and tired of waiting around”
… Sets Sights on 2028 Olympics

— Jake Paul has announced his plans to compete in the boxing event at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The Olympics have dropped the distinction between professional and amateur boxers, clearing the way for Paul's participation. Paul's boxing journey, which began as an amateur six years ago, has been marked by his determination and ability to attract attention. Despite initial dismissal from many, the social media star has expressed his aspirations for a world title and believes the Olympic path could be his route to achieving championship status.

— Paul stated, "I'm sick and tired of waiting around...I'm not retiring. I just added a couple more years to my boxing career." The 27-year-old had considered competing in this year's Olympics but missed the qualification cut-off. However, a rule change in 2016 allows professional boxers to re-enter amateur Olympic competition, opening the door for Paul's potential Olympic debut.

—November, Paul will face former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in a highly anticipated match this at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This event will be the first combat sports event to stream live on Netflix, further showcasing Paul's ability to bring significant attention to his boxing career. As Paul trains for this fight, the International Olympic Committee will decide if boxing will be included in the 2028 Olympic lineup.

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