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# Compute, Chips, and Code, Borders, Battles, and Barrels, Shopping Carts and Sticker Shock
- URL: https://adjacent.media/scan/2026-10-21-am/
- Published: 2026-10-21T10:15:16.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-21T10:15:17.000Z
- Description: Wednesday’s mix: AI’s compute demand keeps growing, geopolitics keeps showing up in supply chains and satellite orbits, and Walmart wants $120 for a membership covering two of its stores. Sony is selling a gold-plated MP3 player.
- Author: Jonathan Greene
- Tags: #scan-am, #scan

Wednesday's mix: AI's compute demand keeps growing, geopolitics keeps showing up in supply chains and satellite orbits, and Walmart wants $120 for a membership covering two of its stores. Sony is selling a gold-plated MP3 player.

> **$45B** — The size of the compute deal Nscale and Anthropic are reportedly discussing, the latest in a long string of giant Anthropic infrastructure agreements. *(TechCrunch)*

---

### Machines & Minds

#### [Nscale and Anthropic are reportedly in talks for yet another $45B compute deal](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/19/nscale-and-anthropic-are-reportedly-in-talks-for-yet-another-45-billion-compute-deal/?ref=adjacent.media)

"Yet another" in that headline is accurate: $45B deals are now a recurring line item. *(TechCrunch)*

#### [Muse Spark Open, Meta + Apple, Thin and Thick](https://stratechery.com/2026/muse-spark-open-meta-apple-thin-and-thick/?ref=adjacent.media)

Meta ships an open model, and Apple is helping you run it locally. *(Stratechery)*

#### [Former Google DeepMind top researcher launches London "compute-efficient" AI company](https://tech.eu/2026/10/20/former-google-deepmind-top-researcher-launches-london-compute-efficient-ai-company/?ref=adjacent.media)

An AlphaGo co-creator is betting on doing more with less compute, a contrarian position. *(Tech.eu)*

#### [Accused OpenAI spy had folder called "Saudi Gov Docs," FBI says](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/10/accused-openai-spy-had-folder-called-saudi-gov-docs-fbi-says/?ref=adjacent.media)

A court denied release of the former engineer, and the folder naming convention is not helping his case. *(Ars Technica)*

#### [The US sanctions MiraclePlus, a Chinese VC firm founded by ex-Microsoft executive Lu Qi, over alleged ties to Zhisuan](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-10-20/us-sanctions-china-s-y-combinator-in-google-ai-secrets-case?ref=adjacent.media) (paywall)

Washington is now sanctioning the "Chinese Y Combinator" over alleged theft of Google's AI secrets. *(Bloomberg)*

### Connected World

#### [Russian spacecraft maneuvers in "extreme proximity" to satellite used by Ukraine](https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/10/russian-spacecraft-maneuvers-in-extreme-proximity-to-satellite-used-by-ukraine/?ref=adjacent.media)

The first known case of a Russian military satellite crowding a commercial imaging satellite, which puts commercial space inside the battlefield. *(Ars Technica)*

#### [Defense contractors in two NATO allies hacked in recent Russia-linked campaign](https://therecord.media/european-defense-contractors-fancy-bear-espionage?ref=adjacent.media)

Fancy Bear sat inside two defense contractors' networks with a recently documented backdoor. *(The Record)*

#### [The unlikely winners from Trump's Iran war](https://www.ft.com/content/cfa976d5-e320-4ee8-8c86-84733471a4a1?syn-25a6b1a6=1&ref=adjacent.media) (paywall)

From Canada to Argentina, buyers scrambling to replace supply lost to Hormuz disruption are driving a surge in investment and production. *(Financial Times)*

#### [The fossil fuel comeback is here](https://www.theverge.com/science/1013954/fossil-fuel-power-infrastructure-data-centers-report?ref=adjacent.media)

The US is building more fossil fuel infrastructure than in a decade as renewable growth slows, with data centers driving demand. *(The Verge)*

### The New Consumer

#### [Walmart launches joint membership with Sam's Club as it leans into delivery, gas discounts](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/20/walmart-sams-club-plus-membership.html?ref=adjacent.media)

One $120-a-year membership across both banners is Walmart's latest bid to turn convenience into a subscription. *(CNBC)*

#### [General Motors beats Wall Street's Q3 earnings expectations, narrows full-year guidance](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/20/general-motors-gm-earnings-q3-2026.html?ref=adjacent.media)

A beat, a narrower earnings range, and a higher free cash flow outlook make for a tidy quarter in Detroit. *(CNBC)*

#### [Louis Vuitton and Hermès among luxury retailers looted in French riots](https://www.ft.com/content/afaa7a1d-ef43-40ca-a042-4da8de9ff476?syn-25a6b1a6=1&ref=adjacent.media) (paywall)

Authorities are now chasing the loot across Vinted, Amazon and eBay, so the resale market is involved too. *(Financial Times)*

### Connected World

#### [Sony updates the Walkman as a $5,900 gold-plated MP3 player](https://www.theregister.com/personal-tech/2026/10/20/sony-updates-the-walkman-as-a-5900-gold-plated-mp3-player/5304051?ref=adjacent.media)

Android 16, a touchscreen, and a price tag that could buy roughly 5,900 one-dollar songs, if anyone still sold them. *(The Register)*