Robert Paterson – Page 4

Who would know best about the web?

Seems to me that Sir Tim Berners-Lee would be the best placed person to showcase what he thinks the web should, or shouldn’t be.

Hence my signing up to this: https://contractfortheweb.org/

It places the various responsibilities at three doors, governments, businesses and individuals.

If we all do the right thing, by this contract, then the web will continue to be the valuable data source it has been for 30 years.

If we let situations like “fake news” or other duplicitous mechanisms (factcheckUK anyone?) to pervade the web, then nothing is trustworthy and the web will fail.

Do your bit, sign up and share.

PS – read this about what Sacha Baron Cohen has to say re Facebook as well: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50525884

Solar powered concrete

OK, so maybe not quite as the title describes, but very close – and a significant step forward in the clean energy market for business that we are almost certain to need in the near- to mid-term.

This “secretive” start-up’s revelation is key and shows we can do more.

Read on: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/19/business/heliogen-solar-energy-bill-gates/index.html

Facebook misusing the iPhone camera?

So, Facebook is again in the forefront of a privacy issue, this time for using the camera whilst the user is using Facebook. It is a limited issue, so it may be accidental.

However, the fact that it has happened, is Facebook and could be misused, is a problem.

Be safe, make sure your settings are relevant to your use and remember to be wary of any organisation that fails to be completely transparent about their privacy policy and stance.

https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/11/12/facebook-app-accesses-iphone-camera-without-users-knowledge

An external perspective on Brexit October 2019

CNN is a recognised and lauded news organisation. It is always interesting to read what they say about our own news.

They tell an interesting tale of Brexit: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/26/uk/brexit-was-not-meant-to-be-like-this-analysis-intl-gbr/index.html

This aligns to what is often shared and discussed by those on the Brexitcast podcast.

Brexit is not easy, is not going to happen quickly and if done, will be costly at least short term and probably long term.

I still see it as us taking a gun, pointing it randomly somewhere on the leg area, and when the trigger is pulled, seeing what level of discomfort and harm we’ve caused ourselves.

Oh no, Christmas is at risk!

Why? No or too few “pigs in blankets”.

Why’s that? Too few workers from the EU.

Why’s that? Because of Brexit.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50205951

Battery woes could be a thing of the past…

But it needs the scientists to do some big work, basically to make it real. All theoretical to date, but amazingly interesting.

Imagine your phone never needing to charge!

https://futurism.com/the-byte/quantum-battery-never-loses-charge

Cambridge Analytica v2?

I’m fascinated by technology and love how it enables us. I’m equally fascinated by privacy and how technology is impacting how we’re manipulated.

Should you be worried?

Well, listen to this 21 minute podcast and see why you should be.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07rfjj9

If you don’t start getting worried or feeling that your fears are now well founded, you’re either Steve Bannon or Dominic Cummings.

DNA editing – the latest

Our DNA is what makes us who we are – at least the physical aspects. Not going to talk about nature v. nurture, instead I am going to revel in the fact science is moving apace.

DNA editing happens, as this article explains, but prime editing takes it to another level.

I’ve also been watching a program about eugenics, which one might argue this gene editing could lead to. However, I believe there is a subtle difference and would still mean folk would be born but without issues or stigma associated to their physical being.

See the BBC news item about prime editing: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-50125843

See the first episode of the BBC iPlayer series about eugenics: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0008zc5/eugenics-sciences-greatest-scandal-series-1-episode-1

A landmark moment

Boris has always been someone who polarises opinions.

Today will have been no different.

What am I talking about? :https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49813639

Laura is not exactly known as being a left winger, often friends who are staunch Labourites have highlighted that she is well biased to the right. Personally I think she is more balanced than that.

However, her summary of Boris’ key actions to date is heavy in condemnation.

How long can Boris stay in power?

More to the point, what about Dominic Cummings? Nigel Farage has a clear view on that: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-news-resign-nigel-farage-parliament-brexit-supreme-court-dominic-cummings-a9117986.html

Amazing times.