Another Word For It Patrick Durusau on Topic Maps and Semantic Diversity

September 28, 2019

2020 General Election: How Are Your Hacking Skills?

Filed under: Hacking,Politics — Patrick Durusau @ 3:53 pm

5 Websites That Teach You How to Hack Legally by Simon Batt.

Despite news stories of hacks ranging from health providers to porn sites, you don’t hear of hacks of members of Congress. There is an off chance that security for congressional IT is that good. That’s possible but I suspect the real answer is most hackers are looking to make money, not political noise.

But the only way to know if congressional IT security is that good, is to develop hacker skills yourself and get hired to test their security.

The websites Batt has collected will give you a jump start on developing the sort of hacking skills you will need to test, with permission, congressional IT. Who knows? You may be able to add congressional websites to the IT hacking news.

Circulate this and encourage others to develop hacking skills so every member of Congress will have the opportunity for their IT security to be tested.

September 27, 2019

Weaponizing Your Information?

Filed under: Advertising,Fake News,Social Media,Social Networks — Patrick Durusau @ 8:29 pm

Study: Weaponized misinformation from political parties is now a global problem by Cara Curtis.

Social media, a tool created to guard freedom of speech and democracy, has increasingly been used in more sinister ways.

Memory check! Memory check! Is that how you remember the rise of social media? Have you ever thought of usenet as guarding freedom of speech (maybe) and democracy (unlikely)?

The Global Information Disorder report, the basis for Curtis’ report, treats techniques and tactics at a high level view, leaving you to file in the details for an information campaign. I prefer information as “disinformation” is in the eye of the reader.

I don’t have cites (apologies) to advertising literature on the shaping of information content for ads. Techniques known to work for advertisers, who have spent decades and $billions sharpening their techniques, should work for spreading information as well. Suggested literature?

September 26, 2019

Thirty-Two Tips For…Propaganda And Manipulation

Filed under: #DAPL,Environment,Politics,Protests — Patrick Durusau @ 4:30 pm

Thirty-Two Tips For Navigating A Society That Is Full Of Propaganda And Manipulation by Caitlin Johnstone.

Johnstone in full voice and possibly at her best! Her automatic condemnation of propaganda and manipulation does cause concern.

What if propaganda and manipulation could end the $5.2 trillion in fossil fuel subsidies? (direct and indirect) What if propaganda and manipulation could lead to a non-development economy? Or propaganda and manipulation moving us towards less sexism and racism? Any objectors?

I’ll go first. No objections. What about you?

Society being full of propaganda and manipulation isn’t a recent thing. The slaver “founding fathers” of the United States rather handily manipulated the public into the U.S. farce known as a “democracy.” It is a very long way from any sane definition of democracy. The senate, electoral college, supreme court, wage/wealth gaps, just to name a few of the departures from “democracy.”

Climate news grows worse with every report, while industry plots to use the same techniques that drive climate change to save us, for a price. Now is not the time to be picky about how we enlist others to save themselves and the planet.

Study Johnstone’s list to avoid being manipulated and to perfect your techniques for a worthy cause.

September 25, 2019

Banned By Twitter

Filed under: Censorship,Free Speech,Twitter — Patrick Durusau @ 7:28 pm

Twitter is vigilant about protecting the feelings of people who deny vaccines for children and even let them die in their custody. I’m speaking of CBP/ICE agents and the following notice I received from Twitter:

Twitter Suspension

Isn’t that amazing? No doubt had Twitter been around when the Brown Shirts and SS were popular, it would be protecting their feelings as well.

Apologies for the long silence! I hope to resume at least daily postings starting with this one.

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