Geek Stuff category archive
The Crypto Con 0
Froma Harrop explains how it works. A snippet:
Follow the link for details.
Artificial? Yes. Intelligent? Not So Much. 0
Without precedent? Just ask these lawyers.
DOGE Ball 0
Security maven Bruce Schneier looks at how Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (which, incidentally, is not a government department in any legitimate sense of the term) has compromised federal computer systems and concludes that it can legitimately be considered a cyberattack on “the sinews of government.”
Here is a little bit from his article:
Artificial? Yes. Intelligent? Not So Much. 0
As trustworthy as that phone call telling you that you owe money to Walmart when you haven’t set foot in a Walmart in a decade?* You should be so lucky.
_______________
*Based on a real life experience.
Artificial? Yes. Intelligent? Not So Much. 0
Seductively manipulative? Darn tootin.
That’s why Bruce Schneier favors truth in packaging:
Follow the link for his reasoning.
(Slightly edited for more snark 2025-02-05 14:17 EST.)
“Just the Fakes, Ma’am” 0
Security maven Bruce Schneier takes a look at why fact-checking fake memes on “social” media seems futile. A nugget:
Artificial? Yes. Intelligent? Not So Much. 0
Up in your business? Darn tootin’.
Artificial? Yes. Intelligent? Not So Much. 0
The dialog, spoken by a policeman: No fixed address.
The closed caption: I’ll fix the dress.
The dialog (in the same episode): Nottingham Shire?
The closed caption: Knotting, I’m sure.
The intelligence: Artificial.
The stupid: Real.
The Crypto Con in This New Gilded Age 0
Here’s the lede, via Truthout. Follow the link for the details
Not that those pushing crypto might have any ulterior motives . . . .
Facebook Frolics 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Michael Patrick Lynch argues that, given the reach of Facebook and its sister “social” media apps, the Zuckerborg’s decision to eschew fact-checking has serious implications for the future of democracy. He cites Hanna Arendt:
Follow the link for his arguments.
Artificial? Yes. Intelligent? Not So Much. 0
Infallible? I got a bridge for sale in Brooklyn, sucker.
Security maven Bruce Schneier offers some thoughts how to deal with AI mistakes.
Facebook Frolics 0
Zeynep Tufekci offers a theory as to why Mark Zuckerberg seems to have thrown his lot in with Donald Trump (while simultaneously getting rid of fact-checking). Here’s the gist:
Follow the link for context.
Have You Been Assimilated by the Zuckerborg?
Do You Want To Free Yourself?
0
My friend got a message yesterday from a friend informing her that said friend was leaving Facebook “because facts matter.”
Coincidentally, this appeared in my feeds:
the EFF offers some pointers as to how to dis-assimilate oneself from the Zuckerborg.
Artificial? Yes. Intelligent? Not So Much. 0
Truthful? Let Beloit professor Robin Zebrowski answer that:
Follow the link for the context of that statement.
