“Roughly a quarter of U.S. adults (27%) say they haven’t read a book in whole or in part in the past year, whether in print, electronic or audio form, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted Jan. 8 to Feb. 7. Who are these non-book readers? Several demographic traits correlate with non-book reading, Pew… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: September 2019
Contributing Data to Deepfake Detection Research
Google Blog: “…So-called “deepfakes“—produced by deep generative models that can manipulate video and audio clips—are one of these. Since their first appearance in late 2017, many open-source deepfake generation methods have emerged, leading to a growing number of synthesized media clips. While many are likely intended to be humorous, others could be harmful to individuals… Continue Reading
This Website Will Turn Wikipedia Articles Into “Real” Academic Papers
BuzzFeedNews – “The digital product agency MSCHF released a site called M-Journal on Tuesday that will turn any Wikipedia article into a “real” academic article. You can screenshot it, you can cite it — and you can send a link to your teacher. What MSCHF did was republish the entirety of Wikipedia under its own… Continue Reading
BBC experiments with negative news filters on its homepage to help readers with anxieties
journalism.co.uk – As one third of audience switches off from news, the public broadcaster is testing a tool that would allow readers to blur out stories that may impact their mental health – “Would you filter out bad news if you could? This is the question that Alicia Grandjean, software engineer at BBC and Tim Cowlishaw,… Continue Reading
Immigration Officials Have Used Google Translate to Vet Refugees
ProPublica – “It’s a common internet experience: throw a foreign phrase into Google Translate or any other online translation tool and out comes a farcical approximation of the real thing. That’s why many experts — even Google itself — caution against relying on the popular Google Translate for complex tasks. Google advises users that its… Continue Reading
5 Inexpensive Things to Beef Up Your Digital Security
The New York Times – Here are a few simple things to at least prevent the worst problems and keep most of your private information as safe as possible from hacks or security negligence. “Everything you do online is tracked, logged and studied by someone, either through advertising or more malicious means. Being watched is… Continue Reading
Congress releases whistleblower complaint alleging Trump abused his office
The New York Times – “After hearing that President Trump tried to persuade Ukraine to investigate a 2020 campaign rival, senior officials at the White House scrambled to “lock down” records of the call, a whistle-blower alleged in an explosive complaint released Thursday. In an attempt to “lock down” all records of the call, in… Continue Reading
One-in-five Americans now listen to audiobooks
Pew – “Americans are spreading their book consumption across several formats, and the use of audiobooks is on the rise. Roughly seven-in-ten U.S. adults (72%) say they have read a book in the past 12 months in any format, a figure that has remained largely unchanged since 2012, according to a Pew Research Center survey… Continue Reading
Fortune Global 500
“The world’s 500 largest companies generated $32.7 trillion in revenues and $2.15 trillion in profits in 2018. Together, this year’s Fortune Global 500 companies employ 69.3 million people worldwide and are represented by 34 countries. Click here to view past years’ lists: 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 InteractiveVisualize the Global… Continue Reading
Webinar – GBTQ History: Supporting Diversity in Research and Teaching, and Why It Matters
ACRL-Choice webinar, LGBTQ History: Supporting Diversity in Research and Teaching, and Why It Matters (Sept. 20, 2019), with Prof. Nancy Unger (Santa Clara U. history dept.). [thanks to Mary Whisner] Continue Reading
Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate
Press release – “The IPCC approved and accepted Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate at its 51st Session held on 20 – 23 September 2019. The approved Summary for Policymakers (SPM) was presented at a press conference on 25 September 2019. Factsheet – Recording of press conference on Youtube and Facebook – List… Continue Reading
Digital twins — precise, virtual copies of machines or systems — are revolutionizing industry
nature – Virtual models boost smart manufacturing by simulating decisions and optimization, from design to operations, explain Fei Tao and Qinglin Qi. “Digital twins — precise, virtual copies of machines or systems — are revolutionizing industry. Driven by data collected from sensors in real time, these sophisticated computer models mirror almost every facet of a… Continue Reading
