The official line on U.S. control of TikTok’s algorithm sounds benign. By “U.S.,” I mean the federal government—or the corporations it influences or directs. The purported benefits include: National Security / Foreign Influence ConcernsThe fear is that China, through ByteDance or Chinese law, could compel TikTok to share data or manipulate its algorithm to push … More Political Agendas and the TikTok Algorithm
Living in Bubbles I have always found utility in living within bubbles. Long before Australopithecus introduced bipedal locomotion, I suspect its precursors discovered that small-group living offered clear survival advantages. It’s not a stretch to imagine that these early tribes had shared worldviews that differed from the tribe across the holler. These bubbles—tight-knit groups—provided security … More The “Bubblefication” of Society
Imagine it’s a quiet evening and you’re watching TV with a close friend and someone starts banging on your door. You get up and open it a crack and you think you recognize the man as a distant acquaintance. He pushes open the door and starts arguing with you about politics. Even though you barely … More Cell phones dominate our existence and gave us Trump and the insurrection
A few weeks ago, I went down the rabbit hole of trying to understand why some people appear willing to follow Trump to the ends of the earth. My conclusion was that neurophysiology may make a significant contribution to their eagerness. Since writing that blog post, I’ve come across a recent article that suggests his … More What the Hell is wrong with you people?
Confronting Mediocrity 