Hello, friend. Everyone’s talking about AI — even the subject of today’s trivia. Billionaire Warren Buffett once said AI will change everything and likened it to the development of the atomic bomb. So, is this next sentence true or false? Warren Buffett lives in the same home he bought in 1958. Think you know the answer? You’ll find it at the end!

Let’s make this “Share Sunday.” Share this newsletter, my podcasts or my radio show with just one person in your life. This is how we make the world tech-smart and safe! Appreciate you. Let’s dive in. — Kim

This is one of those stories you can talk about with your family and friends. A few years ago, has-been companies went viral with investors, and their stock prices went sky-high out of the blue.

Because everything is a cycle, it just happened again. After you read this, you’ll know why no one can shut up about GameStop, a company that sells video games, gaming platforms and accessories primarily from its brick-and-mortar retail stores across the country.

To the moon

This past week, GameStop stock shot up 74%, and trading had to be stopped nine times! Movie theater chain AMC’s stock caught the wave, too. A couple of days later, the hype fizzled, and both stocks deflated — but not without leaving a big mess.

Armchair investors pushed prices up so much that short sellers betting against the companies were forced to buy back their positions, losing a billion dollars.

The man behind the mayhem? "Roaring Kitty," the same guy who fueled the 2021 GameStop stock mania. He posted on X for the first time in nearly three years, and that sparked it all. A single meme of a cartoon man leaning forward in a chair was all it took for people to think he knew something.

Stop it right meow

To understand what's going on now, you’ve gotta know the backstory. Investor Keith Gill, aka "Roaring Kitty," caused chaos on Wall Street during the pandemic, but then he went dark on X in 2021.

Back then, Gill famously posted tons of videos on why investing in GameStop stock was a good idea, and it caught on like wildfire. Users on X and Reddit followed Gill's advice, causing GameStop's shares to rise in value by 2,000% in less than one month.

This drove up the stock prices for some other failing companies, too, including BlackBerry, Bed Bath & Beyond, and, yep, AMC. But we all know what goes up must come down — and boy, did they.

Trading apps like Robinhood put a pause on the buying and selling of GameStop stock. Prices crashed and burned, and tons of people ended up with stock worth way less than what they paid.

You've gotta be kitten me

Back in 2021, Gill was called to testify in front of the House, but (shocker) claimed he did nothing wrong. He said he only invested in GameStop because of its growth potential. Remember, we’re talking about a chain of retail stores operating when retail as we know it is dying.

Whenever a market frenzy like this happens, it's over almost as soon as it starts. We all want to think we can still get in while things are hot but wind up losing big instead. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

If you want to get a firsthand look at the “Roaring Kitty” fiasco and the fallout it caused for investors, check out the 2023 movie "Dumb Money" starring Seth Rogan and Paul Dano. (Warning: The trailer has some F‑bombs.)

PSA: Don't take investment advice from a dude on X, Reddit or wherever. These guys aren't credentialed financial advisors, a role that's heavily regulated and taken very seriously in the real world.

🐬 My first real estate investment was for campers and dolphins. It was for all in‑tents and porpoises!

Your next flight might be BYOS — Bring Your Own Screen — which is fine until your arm starts falling asleep from holding up your phone for so long. I’ve got three options for hands-free watching. Psst, these are also nice for watching videos at home.

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Three strikes and you’re out: There are three important high-income skills (paywall link) an AI chatbot can’t replicate: Problem-solving, personal branding and communication. This is your reminder that these skills are where you need to shine to keep AI from taking over your career … for now.

The average American spends 95 minutes a day on TikTok: And that number will be going up, as TikTok is fixin’ to (Barry taught me that Southern term for when he’s “fixin’ to get ready.”) let folks share 60-minute videos. Did you know about 170 million people in the U.S. alone use TikTok every single day? Wow, what a waste.

🎮 Score cool points with the kids: Share these fun facts. Microsoft is adding its next “Call of Duty” installment to Xbox Game Pass, moving away from its tradition (paywall link) of only selling it as an independent title. By adding it only to their Game Pass subscription service, once that subscription ends, so, too, does your access to the game. Meanwhile, “Grand Theft Auto VI” is expected to drop in fall 2025.

We’re gonna need a pencil over here: Gen Z, who’s now obsessed with all things nostalgic, is bringing back the cassette tape. To play those tapes, new, snazzy portable cassette players are hitting the streets. Break out your tape collection and snag one. Here’s a cheap option, a middle-of-the-road option and a high-end pick.

You have my Word: Tomorrow, Microsoft is announcing a new line of AI-enabled Surface tablets and laptops powered by Qualcomm processors. On Tuesday, look for news of an improved Microsoft Copilot AI using OpenAI’s tech. AI is changing daily.

Finding the best candidate is crucial for your business success, but hiring can be a royal pain in the butt. That’s where LinkedIn steps in.

As the professional network with literally millions of job seekers, LinkedIn is loaded with skilled individuals actively seeking new opportunities. We’ve tapped into this rich talent pool to build our standout team — essential to producing this very newsletter and all our other projects.

Don’t get bogged down sorting through mismatched resumes. Use LinkedIn’s advanced tools to efficiently pinpoint the perfect fit, giving you more time to focus on what really matters.

Work for a nonprofit or school? The more you get for free (or cheap), the better. TechSoup is a solid resource for finding discounts and free stuff you might not know about, like Microsoft Office or IT help.

Quick sharing tip: Want to share a specific section of a webpage? In Google Chrome, highlight the text, right-click your selection and choose Copy link to highlight. Paste in that link, and it'll send your recipient right to that spot.

Where are the cicadas? You can help map the creepy crawlers. Download the free Cicada Safari app for iPhone or Android. Take pics of any cicadas you see and submit ‘em via the app. There’s a great map that shows you where the buggers are, too.

Quick Amazon privacy fix: Remove items from your browsing history to avoid revealing your gift ideas or embarrassing purchases. Hover your cursor over Account & Lists and click on Browsing History. For each item you want to hide, tap Remove from view.

🎙️ Every weekend on my award-winning national radio show heard on over 420 stations, I talk with interesting folks like you. Catch these convos on a station near you or as a podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Plus, Deborah seeks an Amazon Audible side hustle, Mike needs video-editing software, Tom wants info on AI trading bots, Rick has questions about a Zelle scam, and much more!

📆 Let’s talk about anything digital in your life, whether it’s family matters or your business. Make an appointment to speak with me right here.

Protect your home: SimpliSafe* is having a sale — get 20% off any new security system and receive a FREE indoor camera.

Watch: Kitboga poses as a granny to scam the scammers, and he does a great job bringing them down. I asked him how it’s done.

Play: Free online puzzles (think crosswords us normal people can actually finish) from Puzzmo.

Smile: Here’s a list of the Westminster Dog Show winners since 1907. I can’t get over Surrey Spice Girl, a poodle.

Marvel: At the human brain. This is the most detailed map ever created.

Follow me on social: I’m on Instagram, X, YouTube, Facebook and everywhere else!

Barry asked me if I saw the dog bowl. I told him, “I didn’t know she could.”

The answer: True. Warren Buffett lives in a five-bedroom, 6,750-square-foot house in Omaha, Nebraska, that he bought in 1958 for $31,500.

I sat next to Mr. Buffett at a luncheon when I was voted one of the 100 Most Influential Women in America. He showed me his flip phone. I said, “They let you in here with that phone?” He smiled and said, “I still use a fax machine, too. And you know why? No one can hack me!” Ah, he got me on that one!

1️⃣ Just one: That’s all. When you get done reading today’s newsletter, forward it to one person and tell them to subscribe. It’s the best way for me to grow, getting more subscribers. Thank you! Back tomorrow with the best tech newsletter in the USA and major news about your phone and stalkers. — Kim