One of the co-founders of Facebook thinks the US government should break it up, ethical software alternatives to Facebook and others and AI poems.
NYT Opinion: It’s Time to Break Up Facebook: (30 min read) – link
Chris Hughes – a co-founder of Facebook – writes in the New York Times that Facebook fails the monopoly test and should be broken up. In the article he explains in depth his reasons and provides compelling examples of how Facebook has used its power generally with good intent but ignorant of consequences. Their impact is undeniable and what I wondered about was a scenario where political powers used such a platform for their objectives with the consent of the platform. The role of Facebook in the US elections came to light presumably in part because Facebook was ignorant (or at worst a bystander) of how the platform was being used at the time. If the platform was complicit or behind the scenes controlled by political players how would anyone know or find out?
Helping each other make ethical the new normal – link
Given the article above this collection of ethical software is a great resource and includes some wonderful tools that provide a refreshing alternative to the platforms like those offered by Facebook.
POEMPORTRAITS – an art installation by Es Devlin and Google – link
A Google collaboration resulting in an AI driven collective poem seeded by all of us who visit the site and type in a word. If you’re looking for something to help force your brain into creative mode, reading for a minute or so as this poem evolves will surely sort you out.
“This euphony of the sea, and the sunset,
Our vampire roses are thrown in the seas”