I had way too many links to share this week, and I had to cut it down a lot to be able to handle all of it. That said, here’s what’s left.
Social Media
We Built a Broken Internet. Now We Need To Burn It To The Ground
The author argues that the state of social media, especially of Twitter, where harassment is baked into the platform, are a result of white cis men building a platform for themselves and not really thinking about other users. We can compare to Mastodon, where the anti-harassment features of the design largely result from trans women pestering the main developer, Gargron (white cis man), during the early development process.
How Covert Agents Infiltrate the Internet to Manipulate, Deceive, and Destroy Reputations
The Intercept releases a PowerPoint presentation that’s a few years old about how GCHQ (Britain’s NSA) attacks people on social media. The contents aren’t very surprising, unless you believe that the US and Britain don’t do exactly the same kinds of things as China and Russia.
How to Think About Breaking Up Big Tech
A defense of anti-trust law in general, and Elizabeth Warren’s proposal for big tech in particular
DC Comics
“People are afraid of what they don’t understand”
The definitive take-down review of Man Of Steel, part of a re-watch series.
Eobard Thawne arrested after 3-hour stand-off in Athens, TN
So, apparently some guy, a crooked ex-cop, is actually named Eobard Thawne, and was arrested in Tennessee. This is a new low for the Reverse Flash.
Misc
A Roundup of Posts Against Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is not an organization by or for autistic people.
The Irrationality of Alcoholics Anonymous
Twelve Step programs don’t work very well, and there are other strategies that work well. Why don’t we, as a society, do what works?
Shooting and Capturing
A Native American photographer is doing insider photography of every recognized Native American tribe.