Geek Stuff category archive
It’s All about the Algorithm 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Arthur Dobrin explains that algorithms are amoral. Here’ are his key point; follow the link for his reasoning.
- Machines making decisions has become commonplace.
- The choices machines make reflect the biases and values of the programmers.
- Morality is too complex to be solves by an algorithm.
- Machines can’t be any more moral than the people who program them.
Aside:
Methinks the last point goes a long way to explaining why “social” media isn’t.
It’s All about the Algorithm, Forensic Science Fiction Dept. 0
The EFF questions the justice of trial by algorithm. Here’s a bit from the introduction to the article (emphasis added):
The software vendors claim both that the software contains valuable secrets that must not be disclosed and that their methods are so well-vetted that there’s no point letting a defendant question them. Obviously, both can’t be true, and in fact it’s likely that neither is true.
Remember, those magical “forensic” results you see on television shows like the CSI’s and NCIS are fiction. Based on actual forensics, yes, but carried to extremes. For a dose of reality, watch Forensic Files.
Aside:
I do like NCIS (the original, that is), but one thing I find really annoying is the flying windows on the computer screen when McGee is hacking into a computer. Real hacking is not like that (I know–I’ve studied it in legal–and safe–tutorials). Real hacking is almost all tedious command line activity. And the last thing any hacker wants to do is use so much of the target computer’s computing power that it attracts notice. All those flying windows would put the target computer’s cooling fans into high gear . . . .
Grumble grumble grumble.
The Disinformation Superhighway 0
I think I have noted before that I regularly turn off “autoplay” in Youtube because I don’t want Youtube’s algorithm making choices for me, and Youtube turns it back on when I’m not looking.
And around and around we go.
Recommended Listening, It’s All about the Algorithm Dept. 0
I’m behind on my podcast listening because I am not alone in the house and I can’t bring myself to go around with earbuds in my ears all day, as I did when I pursued a solitary existence. I can be rude, but not that rude.
So I only recently listened to this episode of Bad Voltage when I took one of the cats to the vet for routine maintenance. It is a thoughtful and reasoned discussion by persons in the tech industry regarding methods by which Facebook (and, by extension, other “social” media platforms) might ameliorate the algorithmic amplification of malevolent messages.
I commend it to your attention.
Geeking Out, Christmas Dept. 0
Ubuntu MATE with the Fluxbox window manager and Xsnow. The wallpaper is from muy Christmas collection.
A Taxonomy of Tale-Telling 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Susan A. Nolan and Michael Kimball discuss the differences among misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation (yeah, that last one is a new one on me, also; they define it at the link and methinks it a useful coinage). It’s a worthwhile read in these days of viruses, viral memes, and “social” media.
Speaking of the “Social” Media Surveillance State 0
Toni Birdsong offers seven hints for protecting your digital privacy.
Decorated 0
Ubuntu MATE with the Fluxbox window manager. The wallpaper is from my Christmas collection.
I have been having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit this year. Part of the problem is that it’s been a year of lousy news, but I think an even bigger issue has been that the climates they are a-changing. When the temperature’s in the 70’s, it just doesn’t seem very Christmasy for these parts.
For Pete’s sake, I drove to the recycling center with the top of my new(er) Mustang convertible down a couple of weeks ago.
In December.
(I must admit, though, that the last few days have felt a bit more like winter late fall.)
The Boulevard of Beta Testers 0
Alex Pareene talks with Sam and his crew about Elon Musk’s “self-driving” (sic) cars. Pareene offers a theory regarding Musk’s disregard of the public safety and the seductive appeal of anything labeled “tech.”
Facebook Frolics 0
Snopes offers some hints for spotting Facebook phonies. Here’s one:
Follow the link for more and remember, “social” media isn’t.
Geek Stuff 0
Running Spybot S & D in a VirtualBox virtual machine of Windows 8 on Ubuntu MATE with the Plasma desktop environment.
If you use Windows, you really should be using Spybot. It protects you from many variants of spyware.
“Social” Media Isn’t, Reprise 0
At the San Francisco Chronicle, Kevin Frazier argues forcefully that the proliferation of “smart” devices and social media is–er–not beneficial to school children. A snippet:
Students survived without a tether to their iPhone for most of human existence. Let’s get back to that era. Let’s figure out how to deal with the logistical problems we understand — like how to coordinate rides home in the absence of phones — rather than continue to test if social media is as bad as “many researchers” think it is.
Plenty of Phish in the Sea 0
Above the Law explores the successful phishing attack on Robinhood (the investment outfit, not the outlaw of legend) and discusses some of the methods used by the attackers. The article is oriented towards attacks on businesses, but, as spams and scams seem to be increasing against both businesses and individuals, the article is well worth your while.
Here’s a bit (the article’s business orientation in clear in this snippet):
Successful phishing subject lines included these in the top 10 for 2021:
a. Password Check Required Immediately
b. Vacation Policy Update
c. Important: Dress Code Changes
d. ACH Payment Receipt
e. Test of the (insert law firm name) Emergency Notification System
f. Scheduled Server Maintenance – No Internet Access
g. COVID-10 Remote Work Policy Update
h. Scanned Image from (insert domain name)
i. Security Alert
j. Failed Delivery
While on the subject of spams and scams, I will mention that some of our most frequent callers in recent weeks has been auto warranty scammers. And now they are using the U. S. mail.
In the past three days, I’ve gotten three official-looking letters telling me that my warranty is about to expire (it’s not; I checked just on general principles) and directing me to call a toll-free number (I didn’t). The three letters had one feature in common.
No return address.
There was official looking verbiage where the return address was supposed be, but nowhere in any of them was a mailing address for a place of business.
(Syntax error corrected.)
NFTs Are BFDs 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Bence Nanay tries to make sense of the brew-ha-ha over “non-fungible tokens.”
Facebook Frolics 0
Have you ever had the sneaking suspicion that the Zuckerborg has morphed into a slavering, stumbling, bumbling monster beyond control?
If you have, I can’t imagine how you could have ever thought such a thought.
Then, again, maybe I can.