We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed while reading through the UK online safety draft statement of priorities, reading the Tiktok teen addiction documents and understanding the mass use of open washing throughout the tech corps.
To quote Buckminster Fuller “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.“
You are seeing aspects of this with home workers getting more sleep,
A number of newspapers leaving X citing disturbing content and future smartwatches powered by your skin.
The story behind Silicon valleys pronatalism drive
Ian thinks: There has been much talk about the birth rate but some of Silicon valley billionaires seem to have a certain view which feeds into the religious conservatives and immigration fear narratives. This video starts to explain and hints at the overthrow of roe vs wade in America.
EU AI code of practice
Ian thinks:I know many who will cringe at the very notion of the EU wading into the space of AI. However this is a first draft and sets the direction, which is hard to disagree with. I personally welcome some level headed and thoughtful direction from a large entity underlining the efforts of many smaller organisations.
Interesting times at Mozilla?
Ian thinks: With many service and job cuts, its a tricky time ahead. However with the discussion of Chrome being sliced away from Google, it potentially comes with a huge drop in revenue but also potentially for a more balanced and ethical browser ecosystem?
Scam baiting with Daisy
Ian thinks: Although a bit of promo for O2 in the UK, the very notion of Daisy the AI granny. Is a great feature which we all wish we had. Will it help, is a larger question, but thoughts of how to scale scam-baiting (messing with scammers) has been imagined for years. This might just answer that question.
Another view on AI should do dishes and laundry
Ian thinks: The semi-famous post saying I want AI to do my laundry and dishes not art and writing. Is a interesting one but Runnels, writes a compelling reason why AI shouldn’t do this too. Its written in good spirit and thoughtful in nature.
How to review a privacy policy
Ian thinks: Privacy policies are long, complex and deliberately made for lawyers not people. But without getting into the argument of reforming them. Caltrider’s guide to reviewing them, is ideal ground and uses a lot of the tricks I personally use.
Things to do when facing the political nightmare?
Ian thinks: You can’t fail to notice the impact of the American election on people not only in America. White wrote a very good list of positive things to do now. I wish I had seen this just after the Brexit vote.
The final end of Twitter?
Ian thinks: The final death blow of x/twitter is on a lot of peoples lists right now. This thoughtful overview from a previous staff member is worth reading. I have personally moved on from another twitter. I’m backing the fediverse for many reasons including the portability, ownership and diversity of platforms. Maybe AT Proto will get there but till then, its not a consideration. Also worth reading Cory’s thoughts on Bluesky currently.
Surveilled documentary
Ian thinks: This documentary relooks at the NSO group’s Pegasus. Ideally it would be wider focused than Pegasus but it is timely reminder of the incredible surveillance devices we carry around with us all.
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