Stories from Around the Web (Week Ending June 7, 2013)

The Great VC Coin Rush: At the Bitcoin Convention
There has been lots of coverage, from us and others, about the potential importance of bitcoins. Even so I enjoyed how this piece got into the culture of bitcoin.
—Brian Bergstein, deputy editor

Beyond Recognition: The Incredible Story of a Face Transplant
A gripping read about an experimental, life-changing surgery that raises questions about identity and ethics.
—Jessica Leber, business editor

In China, an Empire Built by Aping Apple
How a Chinese company is growing by becoming the “Apple of the East” (including a founder who dresses/acts like Steve Jobs).
—Rachel Metz, IT editor

Robot Journalists Are Closer Than You Think
This thought-provoking read posits that it’s only a matter of time before bots infiltrate the creative class, expanding beyond manufacturing and “blue collar” jobs to become a new breed of content makers. 
—Kyanna Sutton, senior Web producer

Points Is a Smart, Robotic Street Sign That Takes You Where You Want To Go
A new intelligent, rotating street sign parses tweets, check-ins, RSS feeds, and other online data sources to point you to the most interesting things happening around you.
—David Sweeney, marketing communications manager

Iowa City to Ban Red-light Cameras, Drones, and License Plate Readers, Too
Iowa is banning drones and other forms of privacy intrusions.
—Dave Talbot, chief correspondent

Honey. An Intranet People Will Actually Want to Use?
Created by Huge, a Brooklyn-based design and technology agency, Honey just launched as an alternative to Microsoft’s Yammer and Google+’s internal tools. Honey may have a fighting chance. It’s simple and beautifully designed.
—Brent Turner, chief digital officer

Promising New Cancer Drugs Empower the Body’s Own Defense System
A new kind of cancer drug that elicits the immune system to attack tumors is grabbing doctors’ attention at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting.
—Susan Young, biomedicine editor