Noupside

Noupside , 5 days ago to random

“In an alternate universe, I run a sweeping cabal. Its goal, according to the contrarian newsletters, crank blogs, and breathless podcasts where the fantasy plays out—is to silence right-wing populists on behalf of the deep state.…”

Here is my reflection on what happened last year, and how a conspiracy theory about our work upended that work, and a lot more.

#weekendreads

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/06/cia-renee-censorship-conspiracy-twitter/678688/

Noupside , 12 days ago to random

“A SPECTER IS HAUNTING right-wing dissident Substackers—the specter of Renée DiResta.”

My book is reviewed in The Bulwark today — and it’s a very entertaining read! 😊

https://www.thebulwark.com/p/influencers-bullshitters-losing-shared-reality

Noupside , 12 days ago to random

Last week was the 1st disclosure from OpenAI confirming that state-linked actors were using their tools for influence operations —something that’s always been a question of when, not if, if it would happen.

But we also got a disclosure from Meta, incl some of the same ops — bc after you create content you have to spread it. Theirs showed that this time, it got no pickup…

https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/06/08/1093356/propagandists-are-using-ai-too-and-companies-need-to-be-open-about-it/

Noupside , 1 month ago to random

🧵 I wrote ab the “is Signal secure?” manufactroversy on X. The Guardian wanted an explainer on why Elon & Jack were “concerned” about Signal. The answer, though, has nothing to do w/Signal’s product. It was part of an extended fight over whether woke NPR should be defunded & the CEO fired. Why? Because the CEO of NPR is on the board of Signal; by the Transitive Property of Bad People, Signal is thus compromised.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/may/18/npr-elon-musk-signal

rodhilton , 1 month ago to random

When Jack first started talking about Bluesky, in the very early phases it involved the blockchain. I remember suggesting that I thought the reason he liked the idea was that he could theoretically build a version of Twitter where no tweets could ever be deleted, and therefore there'd be no pressure on him to moderate or ban anyone. He wanted to not have the power.

People always thought I misunderstood Jack's motivations but it turns out I was right about him all along.

https://www.engadget.com/jack-dorsey-claims-bluesky-is-repeating-all-the-mistakes-he-made-at-twitter-234326121.html