Author: Robert Paterson

Quirky, geeky and charming techie. All thoughts and posts are my own.

Facebook, good or bad?

The BBC Horizon programme focused on various aspects of Facebook.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0006w19

There’s some great stuff and I admire the ideals espoused in the programme.

However, there’s a big “but” in what they do and offer. They’ve determined what to show based on trained algorithms which learn from what people do on their accounts.

I found that what they showed was based on flawed information. I often research items on behalf of others, something many of us do. That “teaches” their algorithms that we like such items, even if we personally dislike the topic or item.

Their algorithms are good at spotting fake accounts or activity, which is great. This needs sharing to other social platforms, make it a service.

There is still a concern in my mind about data privacy as well. I’ll remain off the main platform until the privacy concerns and quality of recommendations are sufficiently accurate.

The end of the programme highlights the need for the company to better manage and decrease the negative uses and access to its amazing data.

That’s essential.

Apollo 11

50 years ago, on 16 July 1969, Apollo 11 launched towards the moon.

I’ve been listening to Kevin Fong’s podcast “13 minutes to the moon” and I’ve been fascinated by it.

This evening Channel 4 has started its coverage with amazing colour footage of the launch.

I truly can’t believe that it was 50 years ago, I was at my grandparents, watching them land on the moon.

Aged 6 it’s one of my enduring memories and maybe why I got into a technical job. Computers were key to the success of the mission.

We take them for granted now, but boy are they vital to so much, from landing on the moon to guiding you to work.

Thanks to Kennedy, NASA and many many more, they successfully landed – and returned.

I look forward to the world getting back into space. It’s the only way we’ll handle how we’re outgrowing the Earth.

I hope I can be there in my lifetime.

Brexit – No-deal is an issue

Why? Well, this expert suggest that it would be:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48901055

And saying that the civil servant who until he resigned was head of the Brexit department is not an expert, would be like saying the Chancellor of the Exchequer shouldn’t dictate tax policies.

People continue to support Brexit, and even no-deal, and I am certain many have not read into, learned about or otherwise developed a finer understanding of the financial and political consequences of no-deal.

I’d suggest you read the Wikipedia page about Brexit and listen to the Brexitcast podcast episodes to better understand just how much of a big deal this action is.

Don’t let us blindly not just shoot ourselves in the foot with Brexit, but maim ourselves irredeemably with a no-deal.

Could you do without social media for 48 hours?

Like anything, I think if you, like me, believe strongly in personal privacy, you’ll consider this idea of staying off social media for 48 hours from the 4th to the 5th of July 2019. (If you’re in the states that’s 7/4/19-7/5/19).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-48825410

Why is this important?

We do not own our own data if posted to social media. Why? It’s our data… But it helps the social media organisations, most especially Facebook, know who we are, what we like, what we do and – most importantly – what that might translate to for advertising placement.

I know many understand that they are the commodity, but is your data being used for good or…?

I’m all for a 48 hour self-imposed ban, even if now that only means Instagram or Twitter as I deactivated Facebook because I no longer trust the platform. (Equally those who matter the most to me have my details and often communicate to me that way, rather than the Facebook route).

The world – and especially the US – is really crazy

Alabama is a state that has taken significant steps back from allowing women to do what they should without interference.

This article from the BBC highlights just how bad it is…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48789836#

Net, a pregnant woman is shot, loses her baby (she wasn’t the shooter), and is prosecuted for her baby’s death – because in Alabama women are not allowed to abort babies.

Clearly that is not a way any woman would seek to abort a foetus.

Alabama needs to move back in to the 21st century and remove that horrid legislation.

Japan’s view on no deal

Japan’s Foreign Minister is asking both Prime Ministerial candidates to avoid a no-deal Brexit.

Those of us who don’t want any Brexit will no doubt understand that perspective, but do the candidates?

Laura Kuenssberg discusses each candidate‘s elements of character and leadership, her perspective, but she does try to be very balanced and objective.

Whatever happens, whoever wins that race, they will face the same damning issues as Theresa May.

What’s positive for a Remainer, is that there are cross-party MPs working to stop a no-deal Brexit and perhaps that will drive a proper discussion about what people really voted for.

Whatever happens, I don’t believe Halloween will be Brexit day and there will be many more actions that will happen.

Recognising your data self

(Yes, I know the title is a direct reference to “that” advert with Marcus Brigstocke).

This BBC article is an interesting read.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-48434175#

It should spark people to rethink what and where they share. If you submitted a subject access request you may be equally stunned to see what companies know – and surmise – about you.

And as shown, not all the guesses are accurate, perhaps that’s also driving this “fake” world we now seem to inhabit.

A colleague’s view on AI and IA

Full disclosure, Mike is a colleague who I have known for a few years and he is a mighty “brain box”.
Really fun to work with as well.
Anyone knows about AI (Artificial Intelligence) these days and often may be worried about where it’s going.
To be honest it’s a way off being self aware, so panic ye not.
But we do need to understand and better prepare for the future, which needs to include good preparation.
Mike’s blog post explains that in relatively easy terminology, no mean feat in my experience.
Check it out.
https://medium.com/@michael.mccawley/ai-is-not-magic-534af0bba4ff