Author's archive
The Courage of Their Conviction 0
Seth takes a closer look at Republicans’ reactions to the Trump hush money business fraud trial.
It’s All about the Algorithm 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Jessica Koehler explores a number of ways in which “social” media isn’t. Here’s one of those ways (emphasis in the original):
Echo Chambers Leading to Confirmation Bias
Algorithms often create echo chambers by displaying content that aligns with users’ existing beliefs. This phenomenon reinforces negative thought patterns and contributes to polarized thinking. A report from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences emphasized that social media plays a significant role in creating these echo chambers. The resulting increased isolation and misunderstandings in social contexts can be profound. Similarly, a report by the Guardian highlighted how algorithms on platforms like Facebook and Twitter exacerbate these echo chambers, intensifying political and social divides. This limited exposure to diverse perspectives leads to a narrower and more biased worldview.
Follow the link for more ways in which “social” media isn’t and for Koehler’s suggestions as to how to ameliorate its antisocial effects.
It’s Bubblelicious 0
Sam and the crew discuss the Fox News bubble and how it is divorced from reality.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Another incident of courtesy on the concrete.
Afterthought:
I was chatting with a neighbor a couple of days ago and she mentioned that, when she goes to watch her niece play lacrosse for her school, she has to go through a metal detector to get to the stands.
We are a broken society that has sacrificed civility at the feet of the idol of the portable phallus.
Courting Disaster 0
More Cannon law.
Left Unsaid 0
Writing at the Las Vegas Sun, Mark Peckham notes a curious omission.
American Taliban 0
Thom discusses the danger posed by right-wing evangelical they-call-themselves Christians.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Yet another “responsible gun owner” indulges in a random act of politeness.
The Party of Flaw and Disorder 0
In related news, Republicans announce plans to end the rule of law, at least insofar as it applies to Donald Trump.
No Place To Hide 0
The EFF explores how some car manufacturers’ are tracking your movements and selling their findings. Needless to say, the EFF thinks oversight is required. Here’s a bit of the article.
Car manufacturers including General Motors, Kia, Subaru, and Mitsubishi have some form of services or apps that collect, maintain, and distribute your connected car data to insurance companies. Insurance companies spend thousands of dollars purchasing your car data to factor in these “select insights” about your driving behavior. Those insights are then factored into your “risk score,” which can potentially spike your insurance premiums.
Afterthought:
It’s ironic, is it not?
Many persons sweat bullets about government surveillance, which has rules and regulations (and is nowhere nearly so extensive as some would have us believe), then run nekkid through industrial for profit tracking of their day-to-day activities.
