In this incredibly fun read, Oyler explores whether the formulaic nature of relationships can be replicated in a fulfilling way by AI. Could it really solve our loneliness epidemic, or is it a symptom? \u201cWhat feels lonelier than a bad, imbalanced relationship? What is delusion if not total isolation?\u201d<\/p>\n
Notable quote: On naming her AI boyfriend, \u201cSeveral years ago I considered writing a short story about a woman who goes out with three guys named Matt at the same time, inspired by the month I slept with three guys named Matt in a row. So, Matt.\u201d<\/p>\n
How long will it take to read: Ten minutes.<\/p>\n
Further reading: Australian musicians sounded the alarm this week after Nick Cave, Kylie and many more were \u201cslurped\u201d (ghastly term) into AI training tool<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2. Tracking down Taiwan\u2019s tallest treesResearcher Rebecca Hsu and her team have spent more than a decade mapping and measuring Taiwan\u2019s tallest trees. Photograph: Steven Pearce\/The Tree Projects<\/p>\n Every metre you climb up a tree, Dr Rebecca Hsu says, \u201cthe temperature, the wind, the sun, the light is different\u201d. The locals change, too \u2013 an owl here, a flying squirrel<\/a> there. Hsu and her team have been mapping Taiwan\u2019s tallest trees, including one aged over 1,000 years and measuring 20 storeys high.<\/p>\n As the saying goes, however, it\u2019s not how big it is but how it\u2019s used \u2013 the tallest trees are home to generations of species, and drink up carbon that would otherwise warm our planet. But they are at risk. In the past decade, Hsu says, their death rate has been \u201cbeyond our imagination\u201d.<\/p>\n Notable quote: \u201cWhen you\u2019re thinking about massive trees like old growth redwoods, their branches aren\u2019t just branches like normal trees, they\u2019re neighbourhoods.\u201d<\/p>\n How long will it take to read: Five minutes.<\/p>\n Further reading: Readers remember the Sherwood Forest tree that has failed to produce leaves for the first time in 1,000 years<\/a>.<\/p>\n 3. \u2018A child goes to bed and doesn\u2019t wake up\u2019Gordon Thoms lost his 23-year-old daughter, Alexandra, to sudden cardiac arrest in 2023. Photograph: Christopher Hopkins\/The Guardian<\/p>\n Travel, home ownership, a double degree \u2013 Alexandra had packed a lot into her 23 years, \u201calmost as if she knew tomorrow may never come,\u201d her dad says. One person under 35 has a cardiac arrest every day in Australia, writes Jonathan Barrett in this extremely moving read. Some live, some die<\/a>.<\/p>\n Why does this occur, and how do loved ones grapple with it? \u201cForensic pathologists conducting autopsies on young people often find a heart without an obvious flaw,\u201d Barrett writes. And if a genetic cause is found, it can add another layer of pain \u2013 what does it mean for their brothers and sisters?<\/p>\n Notable quote: \u201cThe younger you go, the more likely it is that the heart will look entirely normal and you won\u2019t find a reason.\u201d<\/p>\n How long will it take to read: Six minutes.<\/p>\n Further reading: The kindness of strangers is epitomised in this beautiful story of a grief-stricken plane ride and a shoulder to cry on<\/a>.<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a><\/p>\n Sign up to Five Great Reads<\/p>\n Each week our editors select five of the most interesting, entertaining and thoughtful reads published by Guardian Australia and our international colleagues. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Saturday morning<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n 4. Trump hijacks America\u2019s special 250th birthdayDonald Trump speaks during the kick-off ceremony for the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington DC. Photograph: Nathan Posner\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n \u201cIf that\u2019s the way America celebrates its birthday, you would not want to be present at its funeral.\u201d So begins a truly spectacular political sketch<\/a> from David Smith, reflecting on the bizarre milestone anniversary event marking 250 years since the nation\u2019s independence.<\/p>\n It is an immediate classic of Trump coverage, the repeated new lows of which our US colleagues have suffered through for years. The US president is \u201can 80-year-old convicted criminal who appeared in Home Alone\u201d who \u201cpromised to drain the swamp of Washington [but] has created one all of his own\u201d. Sometimes all you can do is laugh \u2013 and commiserate from afar.<\/p>\n Notable quote: \u201c\u2018Your favourite president will be speaking, so please show up,\u2019 Trump implored, sounding like Jeb Bush begging: \u2018Please clap.\u2019 Sounding, in fact, like a lame duck.\u201d<\/p>\n How long will it take to read: Three minutes.<\/p>\n Further reading: Trump is under pressure to back up his claim of sabotage<\/a> over his \u201cAmerican flag blue\u201d reflecting pool that went green. Enjoy the graphic that shows the daily shades.<\/p>\n 5. A YouTube video reveals Libya\u2019s elusive ghostA sand cat is the world\u2019s only felid adapted to true desert conditions. Photograph: Mohammed Almuntasir<\/p>\n A small cat digs around before flopping down in the shade for a kip. It may sound like just another cat video on the internet but wildlife experts were astounded \u2013 it proved that the elusive \u201cghost of the desert\u201d<\/a> did indeed walk the savannah of Libya.<\/p>\n It kicked off a truly remarkable era for photographer Mohammed Almuntasir, he tells Amr Fathallah, embarking a years-long collaboration to protect the sand cat. Venturing out with hunters in the south-west region, which is known for smuggling, he carried \u201ca camera instead of a rifle\u201d.<\/p>\n Notable quote: \u201cAll Libyans should be involved in conservation efforts. They need to feel a sense of responsibility, that these species represent their environment and represent their country.\u201d<\/p>\n How long will it take to read: Three minutes.<\/p>\n Further reading (well, watching): A cat decided it was the main character<\/a> during the final scene of a Romeo and Juliet performance by the Imperial Russian Ballet Company.<\/p>\n Thoughts? Please feel free to email me. emma.elsworthy@theguardian.com<\/a><\/p>\n If you would like to receive these Five Great Reads to your email inbox every weekend, sign up here<\/a>. And check out out the full list of our local and international newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Hello. Wishing you a very warm and restful Saturday morning. 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