Geek Stuff category archive
Facebook Frolics 0
Professor of Communications Joseph B. Walther explores why persons continue to use Facebook despite the recent spate of revelations about the craven venality of its algorithmic manipulative tactics and porous “security” protection. A snippet (emphasis added):
(snip)
The psychological tendency at work here is called “the third person effect,” the belief that media don’t fool me, and maybe don’t fool you, but all those other people are sitting ducks for media effects.
Ironically, this dynamic can encourage people to support restrictions on media consumption – by others. If someone uses, say, a social media site and feels immune to its negative influences, it triggers another psychological phenomenon called the “influence of presumed influence.” When that happens, a person worries that everyone else falls victim, and supports efforts to protect others, even if they think they themselves don’t need the protection.
I commend the piece to your attention.
Gamed 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Andrew Fishman notes that U. S. Senator Josh Hawley has introduced a bill to ban “free to play” games that include “loot boxes” and other money-making “features.” Fishman a look at the pros and cons of the legislation and some of the issues involved. Here’s a bit;
Most of their revenue is earned by relying on “whales,” an industry term for the tiny percent of players who choose to spend money on otherwise free games. Even though whales usually constitute less than 5% of all players, they pay enough to subsidize the game for everyone else.
(snip)
Regardless of whether or not it is a true addiction, few would argue that this type of game is not a problem, especially because games that include optional spending often specifically target children.
Much more at the link.
Facebook Frolics: A Question of Identity 0
At the San Francisco Chronicle, John Diaz considers Facebook’s half-hearted and sporadic efforts to reign in hate speech. After pointing out that Facebook is a private entity and can limit speech if it chooses to, he cuts to what he considers a crucial issue:
Facebook has essentially claimed each role, depending on the convenience of the moment.
Follow the link for his reasoning.
Geeking Out 0
The Fluxbox window manager on Slackware 14.2.
(I posted this solely because I find the background image quite striking and you should to.)
The Snaring Economy 0
Philadelphia takes Silicon valley scofflaws to court.
Plus the New York Times Sunday business section had an interesting exploration of Uber, the aforementioned scofflaw, its history of questionable workplace conduct which led to its dumping its CEO and founder, and its IPO.
Aside:
This fits right in with the Bret Stephens column that I cited earlier today.
Geeking Out 0
Windows 8 running in a VirtualBox virtual machine on Ubuntu MATE with the Fluxbox window manager on a Zareason Mediabox.
Aside:
I had a hardware issue with the Mediabox. It was still under warranty and Zareason stood behind their product like Hank Aaron stood at the plate.
Since a freak lightning strike on a nearby tree blew away my Lenovo graphics tablet, all three of my computers–two desktops and a laptop–are now Zareasons.
“Phubbed”* 0
Martin Graff explores why some persons fall into their “smart” phones and ignore the world (and the people) around them.
_______________
*”Phone Snubbed“
Make TWUUG Your LUG 0
Learn about the wonderful world of free and open source. Use computers to do what you want, not what someone else wants you to do. Learn how to use GNU/Linux and its plethora of free and open source software to get stuff done with computers.
It’s not hard; it’s just different.
When: Monthly TWUUG meeting at 7:30 p. m. on the first Thursday of the month (May 2, 2019). Pre-meeting dinner at Chicago Uno, JANAF shopping center, 6:00 p. m. (map)
Who: Everyone in TideWater/Hampton Roads with interest in any/all flavors of Unix/Linux. There are no dues or signup requirements. All are welcome.
Where: Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital in Norfolk Training Room (map). (Wireless and wired internet connection available.) Turn right upon entering, then left at the last corridor and look for the open meeting room.
The Misinformation Highway 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Ira Hyman wonders whether we will be able to save ourselves from drowning in falsehoods. A nugget:
I’m optimistic because people in various disciplines see and understand the problems of misinformation in social media and the news.
(snip)
But I also remain pessimistic.
Follow the link to learn why his emotions are mixed.
Geeking Out 0
The Fluxbox window manager on Ubuntu MATE. If you seen some of my other screenshots, you already know that I like an analog clock in the upper right and GKrellm in the lower right.
The New Overseers 0
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on the spread of an Amazonian tyranny of quotas in the workplace. A snippet:
- At the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, housekeepers can’t go home until they clean a predetermined number of rooms, even though, housekeepers say, rooms vary in cleanliness depending on factors like length of stay and whether guests declined service during their stay.
- At retail chains, workers say they have to convince a certain number of customers to share their email addresses or open store-brand credit cards, or else face a cut in their work hours.
- UPS uses sensors to track its drivers’ stop times, backup speeds, and seat belt use. The company is not allowed to fire workers based on these numbers but only because the Teamsters, the union that represents UPS drivers, fought for that language in their contract.
It’s All about the Algorithm 0
Youtube’s algorithm can’t tell Notre Dame from the World Trade Center.
Remember, “artificial intelligence” is not intelligent. It’s just fast.
It can be fast and wrong just as easily as it can be fast and right.
Facebook Frolics 0
Facebook, connecting the world to you.