WeeklyTech #153

The disastrous moral harm of California’s transgender ‘refuge’ bill

On Sept. 28, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a controversial new bill designed to promote California as a place of “refuge” and sanctuary for those seeking gender-affirming care. This is in response to how many states have sought to ban these types of medical treatments for youth and to punish medical providers and/or parents who allow it. After signing the bill into law, Newsom touted the openness and inclusivity of Calfornia as he decried the 22 Republican-led states who are currently seeking to block gender-affirming care for youth and children as demonizing and promoting hate toward transgender youth.

This type of bill coming from one of the most populous and influential states in the union is deeply concerning and immoral, as it will lead to irreparable harm for children, youth, and their families. What’s being promoted is a false view of the self under the auspices of moral autonomy and freedom — especially toward children and youth — that is at odds with basic biological and moral realities.

The Rundown

White House’s AI “Bill of Rights” enters crowded field – Margaret Harding McGill and Ina Fried | Axios

The White House issued a call for artificial intelligence systems to be developed with built-in protections Tuesday, even as the tech industry barrels forward in an AI free-for-all.

Musk Revives $44 Billion Twitter Bid, Aiming to Avoid Trial – Jef Feeley, Ed Hammond, and Kurt Wagner | Bloomberg

Elon Musk revived a bid to buy Twitter Inc. at the original price of $54.20 a share, backtracking on his effort to quit the deal and potentially avoiding a contentious courtroom fight.

Bluey’s Beautiful Conservatism – Brett McCracken | The Gospel Coalition

Children’s entertainment today has become a primary forum for progressive social conditioning. From Disney’s alarming trajectory to Lightyear’s same-sex romance to the recent news that Peppa Pig—until now a wholesome celebration of a healthy nuclear family—introduced a character with “two mummies,” it’s clear Christian parents need to be cautious in vetting media their children consume.

SCOTUS to hear challenge to Section 230 protections – Rebecca Kern | Politico

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a case that threatens tech companies’ broad immunity to lawsuits over content hosted on their platforms.

HHS reinterprets healthcare discrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity | ERLC

On Aug. 4, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule that would significantly reinterpret the Affordable Care Act’s Section 1557 nondiscrimination provision by expanding the definition of “sex” to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy-related conditions.

PayPal won’t fine users for misinformation posts, policy posted “in error” – Ivana Saric | Axios

PayPal on Saturday denied that it intends to fine users who use its service to “promote misinformation,” saying an earlier policy update notice describing such a change was sent “in error.”