Connect with execs from The New York Times, TIME, Dotdash Meredith and many more

I lost my keys. Got new copies of them. Then found the old set. Awesome. Here are some links for you to check out if you feel like it.
I very recently booked accommodations using Airbnb for the first time. I was kind of nervous about it, but the private bedroom in a historic house looks good enough for two nights in Rhode Island and it’s cheaper than staying in a hotel. But anyway, CouchSurfing, Airbnb’s predecessor, is no longer non-profit and has since raised $22 million in venture capital. But unlike Airbnb, which is a rental service, CouchSurfing is about creating a sense of community and helping people connect with locals. That is why the service is still essentially free – and why you shouldn’t expect super-swanky quarters. (Wired)
Who doesn’t love a bright and shiny infographic? Here is one on the presidential candidates’ social media usage. Obama has way, way more Twitter followers than Romney. Just saying. (Ad Age)
Is it possible to make “non-creepy” personalized technology? It seems unlikely that developers will ever be able to completely get around the natural human paranoia about technological advancement. You know, science going too far, machines taking over, etc., etc. (Slate)
Fortune writer Jessi Hempel says we don’t need more tools to help us digest more information and be more connected; instead, we need tools to help us unplug and avoid information overload. (Fortune)
And because it’s Friday in August — why aren’t you on vacation? — watch this video of a bulldog puppy making cute and weird sounds. (Buzzfeed)
More in Media

Retail media meets publishing: News UK, Future and Ocado tap clean room tech for smarter data targeting
News UK, The Independent, Immediate Media and Future are teaming up with retail media network Ocado to test clean room-powered data matching.

From sidelines to spotlight: Esports events are putting creators center stage
Esports events’ embrace of content creators reflects advertisers’ changing priorities across both gaming and the wider culture. In the past, marketers viewed esports as one of the best ways to reach gamers. In 2025, brands are instead prioritizing creators in their outreach to audiences across demographics and interest areas, including gaming.

Condé Nast and Hearst strike Amazon AI licensing deals for Rufus
Condé Nast and Hearst have joined the New York Times in signing a licensing deal with Amazon for its AI-powered shopping assistant Rufus.