6.20.2020

A cautionary caution

This…

Protesters, Here's How To Set Up a Cheap Burner Phone


…is an excruciatingly thorough article from The Intercept on how to almost entirely protect your privacy while taking part in a protest or, for that matter, just walking down the street. Almost entirely. Almost.

As formidable as the defenses it describes are, a determined opponent with sufficient funding can still defeat them all, and in fairly shot order, too.

And yet it doesn't even consider other surveillance methods that don't involve a phone.

The point here is, you will not go unnoticed in this world. Your secrets will always be at risk. 

You will learn to live that way.

Or turn you into a superhero, maybe

Bacteria Found in Nuclear Reactors Could Be the Secret to Faster, Cheaper Vaccines

Scientists have called D. radiodurans "a robust 'generalist'" capable of persevering amid prolonged exposure to everything from toxic chemicals and corrosive acids to desiccating desert heats and subzero temperatures.

6.18.2020

If you're looking for a new career IT would be a good choice; teaching would not

As Businesses Reopen, A New Storm Of Cybercrime Activity Looms

Remote work has hastily spread everywhere, making IT departments justifiably cautious, even scared, as their users work in new environments with new tools. 


Meanwhile we're looking at an extra-small baby crop next winter. Social distancing and all that.

Absolutely you betcha

The Technology 202: Twitter's voice tweets raise concerns about disinformation and abuse that's harder to police - The Washington Post

"Any new medium for distribution creates additional moderation challenges," Redgrave said.


Can not have all that distribution running around unsupervised. Next thing you know all that information will be running wild in the streets, shouting through megaphones. Imagine the confusion. I'm not kidding, either.

And don't even get me started about police.

6.17.2020

Maybe it depends on how batty a person is

Why does coronavirus kill some people and spare others? - The Washington Post

6.16.2020

Sure, reopen the schools, just without the teachers

Children are only half as likely to get infected by the coronavirus, study finds - The Washington Post

The findings could influence policymakers who are facing tough decisions about when and how to reopen schools and day-care centers. 

Fly away

Agenda

The fireworks are canceled this year. This is bad news for the mosquitos in the park.

The County Fair is canceled this year. This is bad news for the growers of tomatoes and the lovers of fried dough (especially with cinnamon and powdered sugar).

The County Fair parade is, of course, canceled too.

Most of Main Street is closed, which is bad news if you need to get your fingernails painted (you have to be here).

The only restaurant in town with outdoor seating only serves fried fish. Wait, also burgers.

Summer starts in a few days.

Not today

Send in the clowns… Oh, wait

Poll: Americans are the unhappiest they've been in 50 years

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Spoiler alert: 2020 has been rough on the American psyche. Folks in the U.S. are more unhappy ...

Read the full story


6.15.2020

Facial recognition 1865


Library of Congress

Oh come on, tell us what you really think

Ted Cruz's College Roommate Says Texas Senator Has Been 'Pathetic Since 1988'

6.14.2020

Wait. Consider? What? Massachusetts? Holy ********

Massachusetts lawmakers to consider banning chokeholds, tear gas and 'no-knock' warrants - masslive.com

Oh come on, tell us what you really think

Michael Flynn Writes Op-ed Confirming He's Definitely Insane

How to judge this op-ed? It is difficult to evaluate without knowing whether Flynn's objective was to advance a policy agenda or to help his legal team plant an insanity defense.

If the virus doesn't get you the politicians will

'There is no emergency': W.H. economic advisers shrug off feared 'second wave' of coronavirus - POLITICO


Or, sorry, economic advisors /snark>