In this era of information overload, censorship works by drowning us in too much undifferentiated information, crippling our ability to focus. These dumps, combined with the news media's obsession with campaign trivia and gossip, have resulted in whistle-drowning, rather than whistle-blowing: In a sea of so many whistles blowing so loud, we cannot hear a single one.
-- Zeynep Tufekci (NYT Nov. 4, 2016)

⬆ #Wisdom #Quotes #ZeynepTufekci #Censorship #InformationOverload

⬇ #Photography #Panorama #ChacoCanyon #Panopainting #NewMexico

"Artificial #GoodEnough Intelligence can unleash chaos and destruction long before, or if ever, #AGI is reached. Existing AI is good enough to blur or pulverize our existing mechanisms of proof of accuracy, effort, veracity, authenticity, sincerity, and even #humanity. The tumult from such a #transition will require extensive technological, regulatory, and societal effort to counter. But the first step to getting started is having the #rightnightmares."
#ZeynepTufekci

https://slideslive.com/39055698/are-we-having-the-wrong-nightmares-about-ai

RE: https://sigmoid.social/@spdrnl/115836455271494700

Interesting, I didn't know her. Thanks for sharing.

Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter_and_Tear_Gas

https://www.twitterandteargas.org

#Protests #Internet #SocialMedia #Twitter #ZeynepTufekci

As the #Texas Floodwaters Rose, One Indispensable Voice Was Silent

Opinion - Zeynep Tufekci
July 9, 2025

from #NewYorkTimes #NYT
[gift article - link can be shared. Expires in 30 days.]

[as usual, independent thinking from #ZeynepTufekci ]

"What Kelly didn’t mention, but which has since become well known, is that the Weather Service employee whose job it was to make sure those warnings got traction — Paul Yura, the long-serving meteorologist in charge of “warning coordination” — had recently taken an unplanned early retirement amid cuts pushed by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. He was not replaced."

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/opinion/texas-floods-nws.html?unlocked_article_code=1.VU8.MnN2.jkfSYN7hrG5h&smid=url-share

#news #press #climate #FEMA #NWS
#NationalWeatherService #DOGE #emergency

[en below]

Inspirierender Beitrag von @RainerMuehlhoff zum US-Umsturz, den er digitalen Staatsstreich nennt https://rainermuehlhoff.de/DLF-Radiofeuilleton-Staatsstreich-Trump-Musk/

#ZeynepTufekci nennt es in der #newyorktimes den Autoritären den #root Zugang geben.

Es wäre bezaubernd, wenn wir in Europa nicht die gleichen Fehler machten!
--
There is an intriguing piece by Mühlhoff on the #digitalcoup in the #US under #Trump & #Musk

Tufekci called it giving the #authoritarians root access in the #NYT

Please do not copy-paste, Europe!

"Here Are the Digital Clues to What Musk Is Really Up To" in which Zeynep Tufekci explains how the same thing -- in this case root access -- can be a boon or bane depending on who wields it.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/opinion/musk-doge-personal-data.html?unlocked_article_code=1.yk4.WWo0.7A0qjo-h4LwO&smid=url-share

#uspol #musk #computers #sysadmin #RootAccess #NYT #ZeynepTufekci

Zeynep Tufekci on
"An Object Lesson From Covid on How to Destroy Public Trust"

In 2000 "…as I reported on these topics, one theme kept coming up: High-level officials were afraid to tell the truth — or just to admit that they didn’t have all the answers — lest they spook the public."

"…paternalistic, infantilizing messaging backfires. Transparency and accountability work."

#COVID #PublicHealth #PublicTrust #ZeynepTufekci

Gift link: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/08/opinion/covid-fauci-hearings-health.html?unlocked_article_code=1.yU0.y6gh.N_GBuWfjX5rw&smid=url-share

From a favorite writer, #ZeynepTufekci

A Strongman President? These Voters Crave It

"Authoritarian leaders project qualities that many voters — not just Trump voters — admire: strength, a sense of control, even an ends-justify-the-means leadership style. Our movie-hero presidents, Top Gun pilots and crusading lawyers often take matters into their own hands or break the rules in ways that we cheer."

#fascist #fascism #dictator #trump #voteblue #GiftLink
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/14/opinion/trump-voters-iowa-caucus.html?unlocked_article_code=1.N00.AMe1.Wlvo_VEd04hB&smid=nytcore-android-share