An IT director from Toronto called corporate life quits after doctors told him his son had an ultra-rare neurodegenerative disease with no cure. They said his boy would be paralyzed from the waist down by 10 and quadriplegic by 20. Dad liquidated his savings and teamed up with researchers working on a promising gene therapy. Years later, his son received the treatment and can now stand up.
Life after death: AI chatbots bringing lost loved ones back
For me, the holidays are when I miss my parents, grandparents and loved ones who’ve passed away the most. But maybe we can still keep our lost family and friends with us in a different way.
You see, there’s been an upsurge in people tapping into AI to create virtual versions of their loved ones. I wanted to get a deeper look, and now you can, too.
We are so back
Founded in 2017 (ancient history in tech time), StoryFile offers a couple of options to immortalize loved ones while they’re still on Earth.
At the basic level, a laptop and webcam capture their image and likeness in an interview-style fashion — by an actual historian, for an extra fee. StoryFile’s AI uses the material to create a digital persona. Today, over 5,000 people have created profiles.
Loved ones can ask the persona a question, then the system sifts through corresponding interview clips to find an intuitive response. Just imagine a loved one you’d love to chat with again.
Another company, HereAfter AI, came along in 2019 and added another element: Interactive videos where subjects make eye contact, breathe and blink as they respond to questions. It’s super lifelike … but also surreal.
Legends live on
You might be thinking, “So, who’s doing this?” The answer: Folks from all walks of life.
Lynne Nieto, founder of Life Fitness, created a StoryFile before her husband passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease. She did it mainly for their grandchildren. She watched the file for the first time about six months after he died. Lynne says it was a little hard to view, and it felt a bit raw.
I’m not surprised to hear that. I don’t know how I’d feel about seeing my mom or dad again, but I’m pretty sure it’d be overwhelming.
StoryFile interviewed actor Ed Asner eight weeks before he died in 2021. They sent Ed’s StoryFile to his son, Matt, who couldn’t believe his eyes. He says it was like his dad was looking right at him, answering his questions.
Last-minute Father’s Day gifts
- This wireless 3-in-1 charging station is sweet and works with iPhone 8 models all the way up to iPhone 15.
- For the handy dad, a laser tape measure he’ll play with like a kid on Christmas. (Be sure to click both coupons for a total of 20% off!)
- A cool Carhartt insulated bag is perfect for the office, the lake, the car or anywhere else he goes.
- No one likes warm beer or soda. Love these freezer glasses that’ll keep his beverage of choice ice cold.
- OK, I want this … Press the Dad Joke 3000 to hear, yep, a dad joke (20% off!).
- A smart dashcam on sale for $39.99, and check the box for another 10% off!
- A phone stand with a built-in Bluetooth speaker so he can watch his shows and hear the dialogue.
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Father takes on website after son's tragic death
This episode discusses suicide. If you’re struggling, reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. You’re not alone.
Last year, Brett Allred’s world shattered when his 23-year-old son, Riley, took his own life. While searching Riley’s phone for memories, Brett found screenshots of a website with step-by-step instructions on how to die. Now, he’s on a mission to shut it down.
❤️ A father’s love: An IT director in Toronto called corporate life quits after doctors told him his son had an ultra-rare neurodegenerative disease with no cure. They said his boy would be paralyzed from the waist down by age 10 and quadriplegic by 20. Dad liquidated his savings and teamed up with researchers working on a promising gene therapy. Years later, his son received the treatment and can now stand up. So wonderful.
Trailer: 'Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey'
Netflix’s new docuseries revisits the infamous 1996 murder mystery. It includes interviews with JonBenét’s father and unpacks the embarrassingly bad investigation, media circus, and, of course, the ransom note.
For the dad who DIYs
More sweet Father’s Day ideas … or handy stuff to get for yourself!
- A magnetic wristband ($9.99) for holding nails, screws and bolts while he’s working. You know … dad jewelry.
- Even the dad with the most kitted-out toolbox probably doesn’t have a damaged-screw extractor set ($9.99). Don’t forget to click on the coupon for an additional 20% off.
- This universal socket adapter for his drill has nearly 20,000 five-star reviews, and it’s 10% off ($8.99).
- If he’s ever smashed his thumb hammering a nail, this nail-holder ($9.99) will be a very thoughtful gift, as well as a nice little callback joke to the time he smashed his thumb hammering a nail.
- A multitool ($11.99) that’s a screwdriver, hex wrench, cord cutter, ruler, box opener, bottle opener and a keychain. Phew!
Sometimes, a guy just needs a very good utility knife (50% off, $12.98).
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This is bad: Cops are using facial recognition to find suspects, and they’re sometimes skipping collecting other evidence before making an arrest. Case in point (paywall link): Christopher, a 29-year-old father, was wrongfully arrested for assaulting a security guard based on a blurry video still. It took more than two years to clear his name.
Re-FundMe: There’s a lot of drama here. Donors to a GoFundMe campaign meant to locate missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi want their money back. The 30-year-old vanished after missing a flight at LAX, but CCTV shows she went to Mexico. The family used part of the $46,000 raised for her father’s funeral; he committed suicide during the search. Don’t give to a GoFundMe unless you know the recipient personally.
Need a break from football? Netflix’s new docuseries “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey” revisits the infamous 1996 murder mystery. It includes interviews with JonBenét’s father and unpacks the embarrassingly bad investigation, media circus and, of course, the ransom note. Watch the trailer here.
Son gifts dad the car he sold to buy diapers 40 years ago
Say a quick prayer for this family: A Pennsylvania father helped the FBI track down the scammers responsible for his son’s suicide. Nigerian fraudsters posed as a woman online, got the boy to send nude photos and then demanded $1,000. Just three minutes after he told them he didn’t have the money, he took his own life. His dad later found the email and phone number linking the criminals to the crime.
Watch your kids, please: Maria Gomez-Perez, 12, was on Facebook telling several adult male strangers she was unhappy at home. On May 29, 31-year-old Antonio Agustin picked her up in Georgia and drove her to his home in Ohio. The other day, Maria told her father on Facebook she wasn’t coming home. Authorities tracked that message’s IP address to Agustin’s home and arrested him.
Not exactly K-pop going viral: “Friendly Father” is a North Korean propaganda tune praising dictator Kim Jong Un. The video features, uh, heartwarming scenes, like a military officer crying in Kim’s arms while children sing along. Gen Zers are dancing to Communist remixes for views and likes, but not everyone gets it. Here’s the full vid.
If it’s not a mother or father, it’s not a parent: Chip and Joanna Gaines, the former HGTV stars known for the hit show “Fixer Upper,” just said they have a strict no-social-media policy for their five kids until the summer before college. Now, juxtapose this sage advice with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s 10-year-old daughter, North, who has 19.2 million followers on TikTok. If you thought yesterday’s child stars were screwed up, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Multitools are the best
Save money and space with one thing that does many things. Time to feel like Inspector Gadget or maybe MacGyver. These are all Father’s Day home runs, too!
- “Write” on: This pen ($9.99) is also a stylus, leveler, ruler, and flathead and Phillips-head screwdrivers.
- 12-in-1: A hammer (21% off, $16.75) that’s also pliers, a serrated knife, a saw, a wire cutter, a prying claw, a nail file, a bottle opener, and flathead and Phillips-head screwdrivers.
- Every car needs one: A flashlight ($23.99) that’s also a seatbelt cutter, a window breaker, a red flashing emergency light, a power bank and an alarm.
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Dead end: A man turned his terminally ill father into a chatbot. After recording hours of his life story, it answers him in Dad’s voice. Would you want your family members to do this for you? If not, talk to them or add a line to your estate documents.
🤰🏻 Born to swim: Couples are turning to Facebook groups to find cheap sperm donors, but the real cost may come in court. In states without clear laws, including Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, if a mom needs public assistance, the donor could be liable for child support — or even declared the lawful father.
298 miles per hour
Speed of record-breaking new quadcopter drone. Father and son Luke and Mike Bell’s remote-controlled Peregrine 2 flew past the competition for the title of world champ. See it in action here. Talk about bonding!