Mastodawn

Revealing piece on the scale and scope of AI-induced psychosis:

"There seem to be three common delusions [..]. The most frequent is the belief that they have created the first conscious AI. The second is a conviction that they have stumbled upon a major breakthrough in their field of work or interest and are going to make millions. The third relates to spirituality and the belief that they are speaking directly to God. “We’ve seen full-blown cults getting created”

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/mar/26/ai-chatbot-users-lives-wrecked-by-delusion

#ai

Marriage over, €100,000 down the drain: the AI users whose lives were wrecked by delusion

One minute, Dennis Biesma was playing with a chatbot; the next, he was convinced his sentient friend would make him a fortune. He’s just one of many people who lost control after an AI encounter

The Guardian

Jonathan Worth Feb 20

RE: https://mastodon.social/@dangillmor/116100649068550383

Could not agree more.

Jonathan Worth Feb 20

Vee Feb 20

Jonathan Worth Feb 20

Rafael Pérez 🌱Feb 20

What kind of app do you mostly use to interact with Mastodon?

Please consider boosting for a larger sample.

#poll #fediverse #mastodon #app #formfactor

Official web app.

24.7%

A mobile app.

68.3%

A cli app.

0.4%

Other, please comment.

6.6%

Poll ended at Feb 27 at 3:52am.

Jonathan Worth Feb 11

Dan Gillmor Feb 11

If you have a Ring (Amazon) camera, you are -- or will become -- a tool of the surveillance state. Is that really what you want to be?

https://www.404media.co/with-ring-american-consumers-built-a-surveillance-dragnet/?ref=daily-stories-newsletter&attribution_id=698b47cbe724d10001786209&attribution_type=post

With Ring, American Consumers Built a Surveillance Dragnet

Ring's 'Search Party' is dystopian surveillance accelerationism.

404 Media

Jonathan Worth Feb 9

iFixit Feb 9

BMW’s latest “innovation” isn’t about performance or safety. It’s a logo-shaped screw designed to keep owners out of their own cars. We dug into the patent, the intent behind it, and why Adafruit is already working on a custom bit to undo BMW’s attempt to block repair. Learn more at the link below.

http://ifixit.com/News/115528/bmws-newest-innovation-is-a-logo-shaped-middle-finger-to-right-to-repair
—
#iFixit #RightoRepair #FixTheWorld

Jonathan Worth Feb 9

Allen but one of the good ones Jan 29

Well well well, if it isn't exactly what privacy nerds have been warning about forever! https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/27/ice_data_advertising_tech_firms/

ICE knocks on ad tech’s data door to see what it knows about you

: Agency looks to understand the extent of identifying information available to its masked agents

The Register

Jonathan Worth Feb 9

RE: https://cosocial.ca/@cogdog/116041507288812009

This is something I do with my students and it’s you’re useful - I missed Kevin Kelly’s template though this takes it to an entirely different level. Thank you @cogdog you pedagogic beauty you xox

Jonathan Worth Jan 30

Electronic Frontier Foundation Jan 30

Locking down your phone, being mindful of what you're wearing, and coming up with plans to communicate with others are all key steps to take before attending a protest. https://ssd.eff.org/module/attending-protest

Attending a Protest

For quick reference, we've created a handy guide designed to be printed, folded, and carried in your pocket (PDF download). Now, more than ever, citizens must be able to hold those in power accountable and inspire others through the act of protest. Protecting your electronic devices and digital assets before, during,...

Jonathan Worth Jan 27

Charlie Stross Jan 27

RE: https://social.vivaldi.net/@LonM/115966748145817371

UK PEOPLE: this is REALLY IMPORTANT. If the government bans under-16s from using VPNs, then logically they must intend to REQUIRE AGE VERIFICATION FOR ALL VPN USE. Which will affect adults too!

*Your* privacy and right to anonymous web browsing is at risk!