Political Theatre category archive
The Rule of Lawless 0
It’s something that happens when the lawless try to remake the rules.
The “Attention Economy,” Dis Coarse Discourse Dept. 0
The “attention economy” refers to how hockey puck spread on “social” media can lead to–er–less than optimal decisions.
That phrase was mentioned almost in passing early in Harry Shearer’s interview with Edward Niedermeyer about Niedeermeyer’s book about Tesla, Ludicrous: The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors. I commend the interview to your attention, if only through the example of the “attention economy” at work.
And, remember, “social” media isn’t.
Trolling the Troll 0
Sam and the crew discuss Gavin Newsome’s masterful trolling of Trump and the Trumpettes.
Emoluments 0
Farron runs the numbers.
Lies and Lying Liars 0
Apparently, the Trump maladministration believes that, if they don’t talk about it, it didn’t happen.
Devolution, Reprise 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Matthew Facciani writes about an AI TikTok account that fooled millions into thinking it was real life human being and suggests some steps we can take–not as individuals, but as polity–to protect against such fakery.
He makes three main points:
- The viral “MAGA Megan” TikTok showed clear AI traits yet still fooled large audiences.
- AI fakes spread by aligning with identity, leveraging networks, and gaming algorithms.
- Combating AI misinformation requires media literacy, awareness or our biases, and platform action.
Methinks this a valuable and timely read, especially as Big Tech seems determined to stuff AI down our throats, as illustrated by yesterday’s post about the Zuckerborg.
A Loafsome Attack 0
Via Kathryn Rubino at Above the Law, this tribute to the Trump maladministration’s decision to throw the book at someone who threw a sandwich is circulating on “social” media.
Rubino’s post has commentary which is well worth a read. A tiny excerpt (emphasis added):
The Policy Statement 0
Donald Trump’s foreign policy strategy in one short paragraph:
- Nice little export you have there. It’d be a shame if anything happened to it.
“History Does Not Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes”* 0
Over at The Rectification of Names, Yastreblyansky hears a rhyme all the way from Rome.
And here’s a bonus rhyme.
_______________
*Mark Twain.
The Control Freak 0
Via the Charlotte Observer, the Kansas City Star’s Melinda Hennenberger offers what methinks is a simple lens through which to view the actions of the Trump maladministration. Here’s a tiny bit from her article: