Pluralistic: “Of course you should do everything you can to prevent fires – and also, you should build fire exits, because no matter how hard to you try, stuff burns. That includes social media sites. Social media has its own special form of lock-in: we use social media sites to connect with friends, family members,… Continue Reading
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Author Archives: Sabrina I. Pacifici
The Best Dark Web Browser for Your Device
MakeUseOf: “When you want to access the dark web, you need a special browser. Popular browsers, like Chrome and Safari, are unsuitable; You need a special dark web browser to open the encrypted dark web while preserving your anonymity. Whether exploring the hidden internet for curiosity or privacy, these are the best dark browsers. Tor… Continue Reading
Harvard Is Releasing a Massive Free AI Training Dataset Funded by OpenAI and Microsoft
Wired – “The project’s leader says that allowing everyone to access the collection of public-domain books will help “level the playing field” in the AI industry. Harvard University announced Thursday it’s releasing a high-quality dataset of nearly 1 million public-domain books that could be used by anyone to train large language models and other AI… Continue Reading
TIME Person of the Year Fact Check Transcript
Fact-Checking What Donald Trump Said in His 2024 Person of the Year Interview With TIME. Question..has TIME ever fact checked the statements of their choice for Person of the Year? They had to interpret, clarify, restate and correct his statements. TIME has published the transcript of that conversation. In addition, below is a review for… Continue Reading
Teens, Social Media and Technology 2024
Pew: Most teens use social media and have a smartphone, and nearly half say they’re online almost constantly. “Nine-in-ten teens report using YouTube, slightly down from 95% in 2022. Roughly six-in-ten teens say they use TikTok and Instagram, and 55% say the same for Snapchat. YouTube tops the list of the online platforms we asked… Continue Reading
Senate Armed Services Committee Advance Policy Questions for Lloyd J. Austin Nominee for Appointment to be Sec Def
This 125 page document may serve as a template for a Senate confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth for this role commencing in 2025. [h/t Bert Chapman, Purdue University Libraries] Continue Reading
Website Shows How Much Google’s AI Can Glean From Your Photos
Wired – A photo sharing startup founded by an ex-Google engineer found a clever way to turn Google’s tech against itself. “…Last month, Ente launched https://Theyseeyourphotos.com, a website and marketing stunt designed to turn Google’s technology against itself. People can upload any photo to the website, which is then sent to a Google Cloud computer… Continue Reading
Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
2024 Winners Portfolio – “The free competition is open to all wildlife photography novices, amateurs and professionals and celebrates the hilarity of our natural world. From a surprised otter to a swearing turtle, Comedy Wildlife’s photographs transcend cultures and ages to bring a smile to everyone’s face. You can find out more about our competition,… Continue Reading
How to responsibly get rid of the stuff you’ve decluttered
The Verge: “While we’re always being told how to simplify our cramped living spaces and get rid of all the stuff we’re no longer using or wearing, it’s often hard to figure out just how to do it responsibly without adding to the world’s excess trash. Because just dumping them isn’t an option, reusing and… Continue Reading
Courtroom Seating Pilot Program
The Supreme Court is implementing a pilot program in which members of the public may apply for Courtroom seating through a fully automated online lottery. Individuals who receive tickets through the lottery will be able to come to the Court knowing that they have reserved seating for a particular argument or non-argument session. The pilot… Continue Reading
This Paper Alternative Helps Me Be More Productive Than a Tablet
MakeUseOf: “Traditional tablets can be distracting, with notifications and bright screens pulling you away from your work. That’s why the reMarkable paper tablet has been a breath of fresh air. Its minimalist design and paper-like display let me focus on what matters most without the usual distractions.” [I have not used nor do I endorse… Continue Reading
Trump Advisers Seek to Shrink or Eliminate Bank Regulators
WSJ via MSN – Trump Advisers Seek to Shrink or Eliminate Bank Regulators – “The Trump transition team has started to explore pathways to dramatically shrink, consolidate or even eliminate the top bank watchdogs in Washington. In recent interviews with potential nominees to lead bank regulatory agencies, Trump advisers and officials from his newfound Department of… Continue Reading
