#social media


# politics    

social media propagandists aren't changing minds, and that's terrible news

The good news is that foreign disinformation trolls aren't changing people's minds. The bad news is that, as it turns out, they don't have to…
social media propagandists aren't changing minds, and that's terrible news

# tech    

fighting for their right to start flame wars

Jordan Peterson is trying to create a safe space for his fans online. He is far from the first right wing celebrity who tried to do just that with results that can only be described as underwhelming.
fighting for their right to start flame wars

# tech    

it takes evil to defeat evil: why researchers built a fake news generator

A new artificial intelligence system called GROVER can create extremely plausible fake news stories. Why would anyone build something like this? Why, to fight fake news of course!
it takes evil to defeat evil: why researchers built a fake news generator

# longform    

the toxic cycle in which empathy dies

In the last 25 years, there's been a steep decline in our average empathy. Why? We're stuck in a self-created loop of misery, woe, anger, and conspiracies. And we must break the wheel.
the toxic cycle in which empathy dies

# tech    

the real reason why hate continues to flourish on social media

What's holding the tech giants back from addressing racists and bigots trying to overrun their platforms isn't the limits of their technology. It's fear.
the real reason why hate continues to flourish on social media

# tech    

tristan harris wants to save you from technology with inane technobabble

As more and more people become disillusioned with social media, a new breed of grifter blaming old human follies on technology is trying to cash in on their misery.
tristan harris wants to save you from technology with inane technobabble

# longform    

why the future of social media is younger, and a lot less social

Tech evangelists promising an internet-powered utopia helped design of social media as we know it. Their plan to unite the world was doomed the minute it met reality.
why the future of social media is younger, and a lot less social

# tech    

how cranks cheat algorithms and silence their critics

It's not your imagination, social media and product rankings are being gamed with very obvious tricks tech companies are refusing to stop.
how cranks cheat algorithms and silence their critics

# tech    

henry kissinger's misplaced warnings about artificial intelligence

Kissinger's concerns about machines displacing human curiosity and turning our brains into useless, gray jelly unsuccessfully mine the same territory as many other technophobes with roughly the same results.
henry kissinger's misplaced warnings about artificial intelligence

# tech    

the six steps we can take to battle trolls, bots, and propaganda on the web

Trolls and bots are taking over social media by the millions. But we're not powerless. We can fight back with just a few easy steps.
the six steps we can take to battle trolls, bots, and propaganda on the web

# tech    

social media and the monsters within

Social media didn't change us for the worse, it merely enabled us to be as bad as we wanted to be and our lack of impulse control would allow.
social media and the monsters within

# tech    

quantum of bigot: fighting trolls with a.i.

If you're going to fight trolls, racists, and bigots with AI, you're going to need a much more comprehensive approach than a few neural networks...
quantum of bigot: fighting trolls with a.i.

# tech    

how the fake news monster grows stronger

If you thought fake news were bad, welcome to the hell that is fake fact checking.
how the fake news monster grows stronger

# tech    

when the world desperately needs an adult

Technology didn't build the post-truth world. We did. And we're the only ones capable of returning to reality.
when the world desperately needs an adult

# tech    

yes, social media is being weaponized

WikiLeaks decided to use Twitter to settle scores, implying a heavy use of doxxing to silence its critics and detractors.
yes, social media is being weaponized

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