Moving forward in Pittsburgh

The New Year started with a boom in Pittsburgh, and this period of calenderial transition portends more changes than usual. When I returned to Pittsburgh this past summer after an extended absence I had to steel myself for the changes wrought by the pandemic. It seemed unfathomable that a popular nightlife spot like Brillobox would … Continue reading Moving forward in Pittsburgh

Critical perspectives on the Isla Vista spree killer, media coverage

  Immediately following Elliot Rodger's spree killing in Isla Vista, CA last month Internet users discovered his YouTube channel and a 140-page autobiographical screed, dubbed a "manifesto" by the media. The written document and the videos documented Rodger's sexual frustration and his chronic inability to connect with other people. He specifically lashed out at women … Continue reading Critical perspectives on the Isla Vista spree killer, media coverage

Zimmerman media coverage, remediation in Game of Thrones, Scorcese on reading cinema, and much more

William Saletan at Slate shows how media coverage has misrepresented Juror B29's comments on the Zimmerman trial verdict:The reports are based on an ABC News interview with Juror B29, the sole nonwhite juror. She has identified herself only by her first name, Maddy. She’s been framed as the woman who was bullied out of voting … Continue reading Zimmerman media coverage, remediation in Game of Thrones, Scorcese on reading cinema, and much more

Google settles over privacy violations, Social media segregation, the era of big data, and more…

Google is reportedly reaching a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over an incident in which the Internet search giant violated an agreement with the FTC by tracking Safari users' data. From the Associated Press: Google is poised to pay a $22.5 million fine to resolve allegations that it broke a privacy promise by secretly … Continue reading Google settles over privacy violations, Social media segregation, the era of big data, and more…

in medias res: bridging the “time sap” gap, DIY politics, Google thinks you’re stupid, and more

When researchers started using the term "digital divide" in the 1990s they were referring to an inequality of access to the Internet and other ICTs. Over time the issue shifted from unequal access to emphasizing disparities of technological competency across socioeconomic sectors. The new manifestation of the digital divide, according to a New York Times … Continue reading in medias res: bridging the “time sap” gap, DIY politics, Google thinks you’re stupid, and more