​An unknown threat actor has stolen the sensitive personal, financial, and health information of nearly 870,000 Columbia University current and former students and employees after breaching the university’s network in May.

Established in 1767 as King’s College, Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university with a budget of $6.6 billion in 2024, over 20,000 employees, including 4,700 academic staff, and over 35,000 enrolled students across 19 schools and special programs.

The breach was discovered and reported to law enforcement authorities following an outage that affected some of its systems on June 24, following an investigation with support from external cybersecurity experts.

In notification letters filed with the office of Maine’s Attorney General on Thursday, August 7, the university said that the data breach affects 868,969 individuals, including employees, applicants, current and former students, and family members.

“Our investigation determined that, on or about May 16, 2025, an unauthorized third-party gained access to Columbia’s network and subsequently took certain files from our system,” Columbia University said. “To date, we have no evidence that any Columbia University Irving Medical Center patient records were affected.”

The university first confirmed the data theft last week in a statement, following reports that the alleged hacker claimed to have stolen 460 gigabytes of data from the compromised systems.

On Wednesday, the university issued another statement, confirming that the stolen data belongs to current and former students, applicants, and some Columbia employees.

According to the letters sent to affected individuals via the U.S. Postal Service, the stolen data includes a combination of personal, financial, and health information.

“The affected data included your name, date of birth, and Social Security number, as well as any personal information that you provided in connection with your application to Columbia, or that we collected during your studies if you enrolled,” the university added.

“This included your contact details, demographic information, academic history, financial aid-related information, and any insurance-related information and health information that you shared with us.”

While Columbia University has no evidence that the data has been misused in identity theft or fraud attempts, it will provide two years of free credit monitoring, fraud consultation, and identity theft restoration services through Kroll to those impacted by this data breach.

Imagine you’re heading to your college graduation ceremony, and you have to choose between one of these two graduation speakers: Kermit the Frog, or the person currently in charge of the United States. For me, it’s not even a choice—it’s 100% Kermit the Frog, every single time.

The University of Maryland was lucky enough to snag ol’ Kermie as its commencement speaker last week. I’ve listened to the speech and I gotta say, it’s brilliant, funny, poignant, and uplifting. 

The New York Times provides some details about the speech, which was written by a writer from the Muppets and voiced by puppeteer Matt Vogel:

The University of Maryland said it had chosen Kermit to deliver its commencement address to honor the legacy of Mr. Henson, who died in 1990.

Kermit had plenty of words of wisdom, and some ribbing, for the Class of 2025 from a muppet’s life of swamp-swimming and hanging out on Sesame Street. One piece of advice, he said, was sharing life with the right people — even a spotlight-hogging pig. . . . 

From the lectern on Thursday, he said, “Life is not a solo act; no, it’s not. It’s a big, messy, delightful ensemble piece, especially when you are with your people.” He called on the graduates to help each other whenever possible. . . .  He told students to stay connected to their loved ones and to their dreams, “no matter how impossible they seem.”

Here’s one of Kermit’s best lines from the speech—I think it’s something we all need to hear right now: “Rather than jumping over someone to get what you want, consider reaching out your hand and taking the leap side by side, because life is better when we leap together.”

Unpredictably, lots of MAGA folks are criticizing Kermit’s speech for being too “woke.” I guess they’d prefer soaking in all of Trump’s wisdom about “trophy wives” that he dispensed in the “rambling” and “incoherent” graduation speech he recently gave at West Point Military Academy. BuzzFeed reports that the speech was so weird that the “White House reportedly erased the transcript from its website.”

For me, though? Again, give me Kermit any day of the week. I think the University of Maryland graduation ceremony crowd agrees with me, too. Near the end of the speech, Kermit began a short sing-along to “Rainbow Connection,” and, judging from all of beaming faces in the crowd and all of the happy people gleefully joining in—even in the midst of gloomy weather—it’s clear that Kermit the Frog was exactly who they all wanted to see.

Watch the full fifteen-minute speech here, and skip forward to 11:14 if you want to go straight to the Rainbow Connection sing-along.

Previously:
• Willie Nelson and Kermit the Frog sing ‘Rainbow Connection’
• Here’s the Piers Morgan vs. Kermit the Frog fashion showdown you never knew you needed
• Kermit the Frog covers ‘Gin & Juice’ by Snoop Dogg
• Kermit the Frog sings Radiohead’s Creep
• Watch Debbie Harry and Kermit the Frog sing together
• Kermit the Frog in everything

Editor’s take: The University of Arizona could become the birthplace of the world’s first petahertz-speed transistor. If successful, this research work could mark the dawn of a new era in computing, where the speed of light, rather than electricity, sets the pace for innovation.

A team of scientists has unveiled a breakthrough that could one day propel computers to operate at speeds millions of times faster than today’s most advanced processors.

The discovery, led by researchers at the University of Arizona and their international collaborators, centers on harnessing ultrafast pulses of light to control the movement of electrons in graphene – a material just one atom thick.

The research, recently published in Nature Communications, demonstrates that electrons can be made to bypass barriers almost instantaneously by firing laser pulses lasting less than a trillionth of a second at graphene. This phenomenon, known as quantum tunneling, has long intrigued physicists, but the team’s ability to observe and manipulate it in real time marks a significant milestone.

Mohammed Hassan, an associate professor of physics and optical sciences at the University of Arizona, explained that this advance could usher in processing speeds in the petahertz range – over a thousand times faster than the chips powering today’s computers. Such a leap, he said, would transform the landscape of computing, enabling dramatic progress in fields ranging from artificial intelligence and space research to chemistry and health care.

Hassan, who previously led the development of the world’s fastest electron microscope, worked alongside colleagues from the University of Arizona, the California Institute of Technology’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Their initial focus was studying how graphene conducts electricity when exposed to laser light. Typically, the symmetrical structure of graphene causes the currents generated on either side to cancel each other out, resulting in no net current.

However, the team made a surprising discovery after modifying the graphene samples. They observed that a single electron could “tunnel” through the material – and that this fleeting event could be captured in real time. This unexpected result prompted further investigation and ultimately led to the creation of what Hassan calls “the world’s fastest petahertz quantum transistor.”

To achieve this, the scientists used a commercially available graphene phototransistor, enhanced with a special silicon layer. They exposed it to a laser switching on and off at an astonishing rate of 638 attoseconds – each attosecond being one quintillionth of a second. The result was a transistor capable of operating at petahertz speeds, a feat previously considered far beyond reach.

Unlike many scientific breakthroughs that require highly controlled laboratory environments, this new transistor functioned in everyday, ambient conditions. This opens the door for the technology to be adapted for commercial use and integrated into future generations of electronic devices.

Hassan and his team are now working with Tech Launch Arizona to patent and commercialize their invention. Their next goal is to develop a version of the transistor that operates using standard, commercially available lasers, making the technology more accessible to industry partners.

In a nutshell: Generation Z, typically defined as those born between 1997 and 2012 (give or take), is a group struggling to find jobs. Statistics show that over 4 million people in this demographic are not in school, training, or work in the US. And while many blame laziness or selectiveness, some experts say the fault lies with universities that offer worthless degrees.

It’s estimated that more than 4.3 million young people in the US are classified as NEETs – not in employment, education, or training. The UK is facing a similar situation, where 100,000 more Gen Zs found themselves in this category last year alone.

Worldwide, about a fifth of people aged between 15 and 24 in 2023 are currently NEETs.

In the UK, political commentator, broadcaster, and author Peter Hitchens said much of the blame should be placed on universities offering worthless degrees.

Hitchens said that Gen Z would have been better off becoming apprentices to plumbers or electricians than doing these types of courses.

To find which degrees are less likely to lead to good jobs, or any employment, Georgetown University analyzed wages for 137 college majors. It found that at the entry level, health majors earn $41,000 annually. At the other end of the scale, humanities and liberal arts majors earn $29,000 annually.

Health-related degrees seem like an even better choice these days. Because of generative AI, computing and coding degrees aren’t the guarantee of a lucrative career that they used to be, and it’s expected that over a million new jobs will be created among home health aides, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners across the next decade. Nurse practitioner is the third-fastest-growing job in the US, with a median annual pay of over $126,260 in 2023.

Some of the degrees less likely to lead to a well-paid job include Ethnic and Gender Studies, Music/Performance Arts, Art History, Fashion Design, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Photography, Sociology, English Literature, Communications, History, Anthropology, Liberal Arts, and Culinary Arts.

It’s not just degrees with less obvious career paths that are having an impact on Gen Z’s job prospects. AI is having a big effect, and the rising costs of everyday goods are pricing some young people out of work, leaving them unable to afford transport, commuting, or other essentials.

There’s the other argument, of course. Some claim many Gen Zers refuse to take jobs that they consider beneath them, or expect to walk straight into a well-paid position rather than working their way up from the bottom.

Masthead: Yunus Tuğ

This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here.

This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here.

This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here.

Austin University (UATX) is working to host Satoshi Papers Symposium in partnership with the Texas Bitcoin Foundation, Bitcoin Policy Institute and Unchained

press release

Austin University (UATX) is working hard at the Texas Bitcoin Foundation (TBF), Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI), Unchained and Asset Management to host Satoshi Papers Symposium, an academic conference celebrating the launch of TBF’s first book. Satoshi’s paper: Reflection on the post-Bitcoin political economy.

Sato’s Essaypublished by BPI and edited by TBF Executive Director and fellow BPI Natalie Smolensky, takes inspiration from 18th-century American debates between federalists and anti-federalists about the role of government in protecting individual and community freedom. The book features open exchange of ideas among scholars about the relationship between money and nation in the post-Bitcoin world.

“Sato’s Essay Natalie Smolensky, founder and executive director of the Texas Bitcoin Foundation, said:

Bitcoin Policy Institute, a DC-based policy think tank, will be releasing the book’s publication imprint Sato’s Essay.

“Starting a Publication Imprint is a natural next step for BPI as we continue to advance the Bitcoin Policy Intellectual Foundation. Sato’s Essay “We’re looking forward to seeing you in the future,” said Grant McCarty, co-founder of BPI.

Atsoshi Papers Symposium, which will be held at the UATX campus on April 16, 2025, features presentations by the authors of the atsoshi Papers Symposium. Sato’s Essay He is also a BPI fellow, including Avik Roy, Josh Hendrickson, Craig Warmke and Natalie Smolenski. Faculty at Austin University discuss the discussions the authors have in their books.

“Austin University is committed to a fearless pursuit and rigorous debate of truth about ideas that shape our world,” says Chad Tebnott, Austin University’s SVP of Progress and Communications. “Satoshi Papers Symposium is a perfect example of its commitment, bringing together scholars and students to explore the economic and political implications of Bitcoin. We are honored that UATX will be the platform for convening for this important conversation.”

The symposium independently encourages student participation. Thanks to generous donations from Strive Asset Management, a financial services company co-founded by Vivek Ramaswamy, all students in UATX’s first class will receive copies of Sato’s Essay An invitation to participate in discussions during the symposium.

Matt Cole, CEO of Strive, said: In light of the inevitable volatility that characterizes the early lives of rapidly monetizing new assets, deep education is essential for investors to build and maintain convictions in their allocations. Sato’s Essay It is an important contribution to Bitcoin education and we are honored to partner with holding the symposium. ”

The symposium is generously supported by Unchained, Bitcoin’s Austin native financial services company.

“We’re looking forward to seeing you in the future,” said Joe Kelly, Unchained co-founder and CEO and director of Texas Bitcoin Foundation. Sato’s Essay It challenges you to think critically about economic sovereignty. By allowing individuals to control their own Bitcoin, we ignore it and create something real. We are proud to support this symposium and the broader efforts to ensure economic freedom for future generations. ”

Unchained will hold public receptions, book sales and signatures Sato’s Essay At Bitcoin Commons on the evening of April 16th.

About Austin University

Austin University (UATX) is a new private, nonprofit, nonprofit university in Austin, Texas, dedicated to fearless pursuit of truth. Its innovative faculty curriculum combines rich inheritances from the past with the most persuasive ideas and initiatives of the present. Each student will undertake a four-year Polaris project to build, create and discover something that will serve humanity. Austin University’s first freshman class began its journey in the fall of 2024. Find out more at uaustin.org.

About the Texas Bitcoin Foundation

The Texas Bitcoin Foundation (TBF) is a public charity dedicated to research and education on Bitcoin and the political and economics. Founded in 2021 by Natalie Smolensky, the foundation brings together academics in disciplines around the world to explore the social and political influence of decentralized digital technologies. For more information, please visit txbitcoinfoundation.org.

About Bitcoin Policy Research Institute

The Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank located in Washington, DC. It is dedicated to educating policymakers and the public about Bitcoin and disruptive digital technologies, providing research-based insights to inform US sound policies. For more information, please visit btcpolicy.org.

About Unchained

UNChained is the most trusted name in Premium Bitcoin Financial Services, protecting over 100,000 BTC through a joint custody model that combines institutional-grade security with white glove services for the wealthy, families and businesses. Find out more at Unchained.com.

About efforts

Co-founded by Vivek Ramaswamy in 2022, Strive is a financial services company with a mission to maximize the value of its clients through incompatible capitalism. The company has grown rapidly to manage its $1.7 billion assets since the launch of its first fund in August 2022, and is directly competing with the world’s largest financial institutions by strengthening Americans’ sole focus on maximizing shareholder value. With an effort, he recently launched the Wealth Management Business Unit to provide true financial freedom, including a coordinated integration of Bitcoin into the everyday American portfolio. For more information, please visit strive.com.

The brand-new native token of a layer-1 blockchain focused on intellectual property (IP) has skyrocketed by 164% in price in its first week of existence.

Story (IP) launched on February 13th at the listing price of $2.26 and is now trading at $5.98 at time of writing.

It’s already the 71st-largest crypto asset by market cap and has surged by nearly 120% in the past 24 hours alone.

Story is a scalable intellectual property solution that aims to serve as a blockchain where rights holders can upload IP, set the terms of use and monetize it throughout the protocol’s application ecosystem.

The project announced on Monday that it was joining Stanford University’s Future of Digital Currency Initiative (FDCI).

“Our engineering team will be assisting Stanford FDCI on open research problems in blockchains. This research collaboration will accelerate Story’s roadmap. 

Research is a critical piece of shaping the future of blockchain execution environments. Story will support Stanford FDCI in the following research areas:

– High-throughput concurrent processing for real-world applications
– Seamless integration with Story’s existing multi-core architecture
– Hardware-level smart contract execution that maintains robust verification.”

Story also published its technical roadmap on Thursday on the social media platform X. The roadmap includes a “comprehensive” network upgrade in the third quarter of the year that will aim to improve performance and governance.

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