Thursday, October 29, 2026Edition No. 36

The Gayzette

A personal daily by Patrick and Travis, written with a little help from AI.

Copilot Fusion picks the AI model for you, at half the cost

Front page · AI

Copilot Fusion picks the AI model for you, at half the cost

Fusion went generally available Oct 28 and routes each prompt between models, so you stop choosing one yourself.

By The Gayzette, with Claude · 2 min read · Wonder ◆◆◆◆◇

On Oct 28, GitHub made Copilot Fusion generally available. Instead of picking a model for each task, you choose Copilot Fusion and an effort level (Standard, High or Max), and it routes and orchestrates models for every prompt. It runs one of three workflows: Single (one model does the task), Cascade (a cheap model drafts, then a check accepts it or escalates to a stronger model), or Critique (one model drafts, another reviews, the first revises).

BIG MODELFAST MODELCHEAP MODELI'll pick this one!
Illustration · The Gayzette

The headline number: on the Artificial Analysis Coding Agent Index, Fusion Max scored 60, within two points of Claude Code with Opus 5.5 Max. GitHub says it got there at about half the average API cost per task, with about half the tokens and about 40% less time. You pay each model at its standard rate, and paid Copilot plans get a limited-time 30% discount on model costs. The caveat: those figures come from GitHub, against one setup, and the changelog does not name which models Fusion routes between. Disclosure: Anthropic makes Claude, the model that helps make this paper.

On your desk: if your vault automations and Claude Code skills keep burning budget on one big model, Fusion is a cheap experiment. Select Copilot Fusion in the model picker and run one usual chore through it to compare cost.

Read the original at GitHub Changelog: Route and orchestrate models with GitHub Copilot Fusion →
Receipts (3)

Editor's note

The Managing Editor

Good afternoon, and sorry for the late paper: today's edition fired about ten hours after its usual 4:30 a.m. start, so you're reading the morning news with dinner. The lead is GitHub's Copilot Fusion, which picks an AI model for each job; then free API credits for ChatGPT Pro, a new top-ranked Gemini, and automations written as plain Markdown.

Spirit runs two slightly older items (Oct 25 and 26) because it was a quiet week: a mushroom that makes people see tiny humans, and 610 public comments to the FDA on psychedelics. Crop Circle Watch revisits the 1996 Julia Set. Grant Watch and the Droplet Desk were quiet.

For budget, the lead was written by Sonnet instead of Opus (the art is Opus's), and The Good Ten runs 8. World Straight runs 5, including a near-final Israel count. Reactions are unchanged and no beat decisions were saved, so the lineup stays as is. The Human Design transits ran from the toolkit.

Clouds tonight, low near 62, with a slight chance of rain after 11. Vance's leftovers are soaking Mexico and New Mexico, not us.

ChatGPT Pro and Business subscribers can claim $100-$500 monthly API credits

AI

ChatGPT Pro and Business subscribers can claim $100-$500 monthly API credits

OpenAI says paid ChatGPT plans now include a monthly API budget you claim yourself.

OpenAI announced that eligible ChatGPT Pro subscribers can claim $100, $200 or $500 a month in API credits, depending on their Pro tier. Business plans get $20 per paid Standard seat or $100 per paid Premium seat, pooled up to $500 per workspace. You claim the credits at chatgpt.com/settings/billing, then create an API key (the password a program uses to call the model) with the OpenAI Developers plugin in ChatGPT or Codex. OpenAI's announcement thread says the credits can be claimed every month.

The caveat is the fine print: the announcement does not define "eligible." Forum users report that App Store and Google Play subscribers do not see the claim option, and at least one $200 Pro user saw nothing to claim.

On your desk: if you already pay for ChatGPT Pro, check the billing page this week. A monthly API budget could fund a vault automation, or a small helper for The Stacy Show pipeline, at no extra cost.

Read the original at OpenAI Developer Community (official announcement) →
A mushroom that makes people see tiny humans has no known psychedelic

Spirit

A mushroom that makes people see tiny humans has no known psychedelic

Utah researchers named the species behind "little people" visions; its active compound is still a mystery.

University of Utah researchers Colin Domnauer and Bryn Dentinger used DNA sequencing to identify Lanmaoa asiatica as the mushroom behind hallucinations reported in Southwest China ("Jian shou qing") and the northern Philippines ("Sedesdem"). Until now the species was thought to grow only in China. Chemical and genetic testing found no evidence of any known psychoactive compounds, including psilocybin. Domnauer estimates about 90% of people who have the visions describe elf-, clown- or fairy-like figures roughly 3 to 30 cm tall, often in the dozens or hundreds. The paper is in Mycologia, funded by the NSF.

Caveats: the active compound has not been isolated, so "new" rests on the absence of known compounds, and the 90% is the lead researcher's estimate, not a survey. This is science reporting, not medical advice.

On your desk: a fine thread for Consciousness University. Many people in different places report the same tiny figures, and nobody yet knows the chemistry. Sort that into the "unexplained, but being measured" pile.

Read the original at ScienceDaily / University of Utah →

More in Spirit

610 public comments reach the FDA's psychedelics docket, mostly supportive

Read the brief

Psychedelic Alpha counted the submissions for a Part 15 public hearing and called them "mostly supportive, somewhat divided."

In July 2026 the FDA opened docket FDA-2026-N-7542 to take public comment ahead of a Part 15 public hearing (a formal FDA hearing open to the public) on psychedelics. The docket closed Oct 5. Psychedelic Alpha analyzed what had been posted to Regulations.gov and counted 610 submissions: about 500 distinct, nearly 100 template-style and 14 duplicates.

Caveats: Psychedelic Alpha used AI (Claude) to sort and summarize the comments. This is regulation reporting, not medical advice.

On your desk: a good civics moment for Consciousness University. Federal rules on psychedelics are being shaped with public input, with counts you can cite. Worth a slide on how a docket works.


Read the original at Psychedelic Alpha: Mostly supportive, somewhat divided →
High-speed train hits stopped train near Toledo, Spain; at least 68 dead

World

High-speed train hits stopped train near Toledo, Spain; at least 68 dead

ConfirmedOn Wed Oct 28, near Urda in Toledo province on the Madrid-Seville high-speed line, a Renfe train from Madrid hit the back of a stopped train run by the private operator Iryo. Two carriages derailed. The Castilla-La Mancha regional government put the death toll at at least 68. Figures differ by source: regional government spokeswoman Esther Padilla said 397 passengers were on the Renfe train and 147 on the Iryo train; regional head Emiliano Garcia-Page said about 80 were injured, about 50 seriously and 15 critically; the regional government said 58 remained in hospital. ADIF suspended high-speed service between Madrid and Andalusia, and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared three days of mourning, Oct 29-31. A crash on the same line nine months ago, involving the same two operators, killed 46.

Claimed by Transport Minister Oscar Puente, PM Pedro Sanchez, union spokesperson Joan RodriguezPuente says a computer fault in the safety system stopped trains along a 63 km stretch at 8:30 a.m.; the collision came at 8:53 a.m. after an "inexplicable" order from a central command center let the Renfe train restart while a stop signal was active, and he says the engineers were not to blame. He said, "I am not attributing responsibility to anyone, I am just stating the facts." Sanchez says the two crashes appear to have unrelated causes and that the government will investigate. Rodriguez questioned whether upkeep kept pace with opening high-speed service to private operators, while saying he was "not saying it was a determining factor."

Read the original at PBS NewsHour / AP: Dozens dead in Spain after high-speed train slams into another →
Receipts (2)

More in World

Pentagon puts Iran war cost at $47.1B as Tehran pushes Hormuz plan

What is known

ConfirmedAP obtained a U.S. Central Command estimate, given by the Pentagon to Congress, putting the cost of the war (launched by the U.S. and Israel in late February) at $47.1 billion as of Oct 16, up from about $43.6 billion in early September. It breaks down as about $29B munitions replacement, about $11.9B operations and about $6B equipment losses, and leaves out damage to U.S. bases. AP reports 21 U.S. service members killed and 865 wounded.

Claimed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, President Donald Trump, Senate Minority Leader Chuck SchumerAraghchi says Tehran remains "in close and ongoing contact" with mediators on carrying out its seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; the source does not give the plan's terms or name the mediators. Trump, in a social media post reported by Al Jazeera, says he approved Vice President JD Vance's request to contact Iran over Tehran's "need for help with medical supplies" and denies telling Vance to restart peace talks. Schumer said, "Trump and his ego led us into this war with no plan, no authority, and no exit strategy."

  • Iran: Presents diplomacy as still possible through mediators.
  • White House: Describes the Vance contact as humanitarian, not peace talks.
  • Congressional Democrats: Focus on the war's cost and its legal authority.

Read the original at PBS NewsHour / AP: American taxpayers' bill for Iran war grows to an estimated $47.1 billion →
Receipts (2)

UN General Assembly votes 130-17 to condemn U.S. embargo of Cuba

What is known

ConfirmedThe non-binding General Assembly resolution passed 130 in favor, 17 against, 25 abstaining. Last year more than 160 nations voted yes and 12 abstained. The no votes included Bosnia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Lithuania, Morocco, North Macedonia, Paraguay and Slovenia; PBS reports most of them voted no for the first time.

Claimed by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, U.S. Ambassador Mike WaltzRodriguez said, "Cuba is not a threat. The blockade is a threat." Waltz told members "your vote today is the only thing standing between the corrupt, kleptocratic communist regime and using this body and your vote for another propaganda victory at the expense of the Cuban people."

  • Cuba: Calls the embargo economic warfare against a UN member state.
  • United States: Lobbied for no votes and abstentions; Waltz framed the vote as a choice against a "propaganda victory" for Cuba's government.

Read the original at PBS NewsHour: UN condemns U.S. economic embargo of Cuba →

Iraqi prime minister visits Damascus, first since Assad's fall

What is known

ConfirmedIraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the People's Palace in Damascus, the first visit to Syria by an Iraqi prime minister since Bashar al-Assad fell. According to Iraq's state news agency INA, they discussed exporting Iraqi oil through the Baniyas pipeline, more trade and joint agricultural development. No new signed agreements were reported. In July the two countries signed agreements to revive the Haditha-Baniyas pipeline, plus an MoU with a three-company consortium that includes Chevron.

Claimed by Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi (via INA)Al-Zaidi said, "The Iraqi and Syrian people are one people in two countries."


Read the original at Al Jazeera: Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi meets Ahmed al-Sharaa in historic Syria visit →

Israel's near-complete count leaves neither bloc with 61 seats

What is known

ConfirmedBy Thursday afternoon about 97% of votes had been counted. Netanyahu's bloc has 53 seats, the Eisenkot-led opposition 48 and the Arab parties 19 (Joint List 11, Ra'am 8) in the provisional count, unchanged since Wednesday night. That Arab-party total of 19 would be a record. The majority threshold is 61 of 120. More than 500,000 double-envelope ballots (soldiers, diplomats and others) were still to be counted as of Wednesday night; that count was reported complete Thursday evening with no change in seats. The Central Elections Committee says the results are not yet final, and President Isaac Herzog begins consultations next week once official results are released.

Claimed by Likud, the Joint ListLikud alleges Arab parties stole votes through bribery, threats and forgeries, and says it is passing evidence to the police, Shin Bet and the Central Elections Committee; Al Jazeera reports these as allegations. The Joint List says Arab turnout kept Netanyahu short of a majority, and that it could back an anti-Netanyahu government from outside but would not join one.

  • Netanyahu camp: Disputes the legitimacy of the Arab vote.
  • Eisenkot camp: Is seeking a "Zionist mobilisation government."
  • Both camps: Have ruled out a minority government that depends on Arab-led parties.

Read the original at Al Jazeera: No clear winner in Israeli election with nearly 90 percent of votes counted →
Receipts (3)

Feel-Good

The Good Ten

Small, true, and from this week.

  1. 01

    Rent's 30th-anniversary reunion concert raises $4.57 million for Broadway Cares

    Thu Oct 29

    A one-night Rent reunion at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Oct 26 raised $4,571,464 for Broadway Cares. Original cast members Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Wilson Jermaine Heredia were joined by Idina Menzel, Neil Patrick Harris and others. Rapp opened: "As always, we dedicate this performance to our friend, Jonathan Larson."

    Read the original at Playbill →
  2. 02

    World Ballet Day: 43 companies livestream for 24 hours, free

    Wed Oct 28

    On Oct 29, 43 companies across five world regions stream class, rehearsals and performances for free, including The Royal Ballet, ABT, Paris Opera Ballet and Dance Theatre of Harlem. This year's theme is "How Stories Are Made." Each company streams on its own local schedule, listed at worldballetday.com.

    Read the original at Pointe Magazine →
  3. 03

    American Ballet Theatre signs five-year residency at Segerstrom Center

    Mon Oct 26

    ABT becomes a resident company at Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa, with an annual spring engagement through 2030; it began with Sylvia in April 2026, and The Sleeping Beauty follows in 2027. The partnership goes back to 1987, and Ratmansky's Nutcracker returns Dec 10-24. No financial terms were given.

    Read the original at Dance Informa →
  4. 04

    John Cleese to host Holy Grail charity screening for Tusk

    Thu Oct 29

    Cleese will introduce a one-off screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail at London's Gillian Lynne Theatre on 14 December, followed by a 45-minute audience Q&A with Tusk chief executive Charlie Mayhew. Tusk is an African conservation charity, and Cleese is a patron. He said, "I didn't expect the Holy Grail legacy to continue for quite so long."

    Read the original at Chortle →
  5. 05

    Jumping spiders show two sleep stages, including a REM-like state

    Tue Oct 27

    University of Bonn researchers filmed Australian jumping spiders with infrared cameras over several nights and found two distinct sleep stages, one with REM-like eye movements and twitches. The PNAS study is called the first comprehensive experimental evidence of regulated sleep in spiders. The authors caution that it "does not establish whether spiders dream."

    Read the original at ScienceDaily →
  6. 06

    New South Wales passes Great Koala National Park: 475,000 hectares

    Thu Oct 29

    NSW parliament passed legislation on Oct 23 creating a 475,000-hectare koala park meant to support about 12,000 koalas and more than 100 other threatened species. The state has set aside AU$140 million. Long-term funding leans on a carbon-credit method the Greens call "profoundly and fundamentally flawed."

    Read the original at Mongabay →
  7. 07

    Wetland-plant-inspired filter for microplastics goes live at Atlantic City plant

    Tue Oct 27

    PolyGone Systems, co-founded by Nathanial Banks and Yidian Liu, installed its Polypods at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority wastewater plant after a two-year pilot. The design mimics wetland plants that microplastics stick to, and removed more than 98% in lab tests. The utility calls it a world first; there is no commercial performance data yet.

    Read the original at WHYY →
  8. 08

    NASA's UVEX ultraviolet sky-survey telescope passes a key NASA milestone

    Tue Oct 27

    UVEX passed Key Decision Point C, committing NASA to a $590 million lifecycle cost and a launch no later than January 2031. Led by principal investigator Fiona Harrison of Caltech, it will survey the whole sky in ultraviolet and can slew quickly to catch the aftermath of neutron-star mergers.

    Read the original at NASA Science →

TV and the sky

Tonight, and overhead

On the couch

TV

On the Couch

  • The Celebrity Traitors (UK), Series 2, Episode 9 · UK broadcast (the listing doesn't name the channel) · airs 1:00 PM PT (8pm GMT UK broadcast); time from a Capital FM listing, not a BBC page · streams No US stream verified — Penultimate episode; the finale is Friday Oct 30 (same listing).

The baking competition (not the HBO scripted series) returns Wednesday Nov 4 on Food Network and HBO Max, per TheWrap's premiere-date list. TheWrap: 2026 TV Premiere Dates

Storm watch

Weather

Storm Watch

Los Angeles: Cloudy tonight, low near 62, slight chance of rain after 11 PM; Friday mostly cloudy, high near 72 · Los Angeles

  • Tropical Storm Vance (Eastern Pacific) — Tropical storm · 40 mph peak · 1004 mb. 21.6N 108.8W, about 115 mi SE of the southern tip of Baja California, moving N at 8 mph No watches or warnings. 2-4 in of rain (isolated 5+ in) through tonight in central and southern Sinaloa, far SW Durango and far NW Nayarit, with flooding and mudslides possible; its moisture feeds heavy rain into New Mexico and the U.S. Southern Plains through Friday. (as of Advisory 33, 8:00 AM MST Thu Oct 29) NHC Public Advisory: Tropical Storm Vance

Winter outlook: No other tropical cyclones in the Atlantic or Central Pacific (NHC). Climate Prediction Center, 8 Oct 2026 discussion, still the latest: El Niño continues to strengthen, with a greater than 83% chance of a strong-to-very-strong El Niño through Jan-Mar 2027. The next discussion is due about Nov 12.

Outlook from the CPC discussion dated 2026-10-08.

National Hurricane Center · CPC ENSO Diagnostic Discussion (8 Oct 2026)

The sky tonight

Overhead

Sky

Moon: Waning Gibbous (84% illuminated)

Tonight's sky: An 84% waning gibbous Moon washes out faint stars, but both Taurid showers are active: the Southern Taurids (peak Nov 4-5) and Northern Taurids (peak Nov 11-12), known for slow fireballs. Uranus rises in the early evening (about 7:20 pm by Oct 31, per Griffith), and Jupiter rises around 1:20 a.m. (Oct 31 time, per Griffith). Moon Giant: Moon phase on October 29, 2026 · American Meteor Society: Meteor Shower Calendar · Griffith Observatory Sky Report, October 2026

Human Design transits
  • Patrick: Uranus in Gate 20 (The Now, Throat) sits on one of your own gates and completes the 20-34 channel; Neptune in Gate 25 and Pluto in Gate 41 complete 25-51 and 30-41 with gates you carry; the North Node is in your Gate 30 (Recognition of Feelings). Saturn has left yesterday's Gate 21. Mechanics from the HD Toolkit; meanings are interpretation.
  • Travis: Saturn in Gate 17 (Opinions, Ajna) and Neptune in Gate 25 (The Spirit of the Self, G) both sit on his own gates; neither completes a new channel today. Mechanics from the HD Toolkit; meanings are interpretation.
Crop circle watch

Notebook

Crop Circle Watch

Latest formation — Tue Jul 21 · Wanborough Plain, near Liddington, Wiltshire, England. The latest formation logged on the Crop Circle Connector, reported 21 July 2026.

  • No newer formation is logged: the 2026 index shows 0 for August to December.
  • The index page was last updated 11/08/2026, so the season looks closed.

From the history: The 1996 "Julia Set" formation was found on 7 July 1996, about 100 m from the A303, near Stonehenge. A researcher's corrected measurements are 149 circles, 152 m long and 85 m wide, with a 182 m spiral if unrolled. The famous claim that it appeared in under 45 minutes has no published witness statements, and accounts range from 20 seconds to 45 minutes. John Lundberg and Rod Dickinson have each said they made it, and the researcher concludes it was made by people.

Crop Circle Connector: July 2026 · Crop Circle Connector: 2026 index · Patrick Gross: Stonehenge Julia Set 1996