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Concepts

Ethics and Mores

Ethical dilemmas and changing societal mores

  • China, Leverage, and Values

    If there is a new tech cold war, it is one with shots fired over a decade ago, largely by China. The questions going forward are about both leverage and values.

  • Goodbye Gatekeepers

    Goodbye Gatekeepers

    Harvey Weinstein was a gate-keeper — a position that existed in multiple industries, including the media. That entire structure, though, is untenable on the Internet, and that’s a good thing.

  • The Uber Dilemma

    The Uber Dilemma

    Benchmark’s lawsuit against Uber is extraordinary; that is because Uber, despite everything, remains an extraordinary company. Game theory explains the implications.

  • The New York Times Versus Uber, Uber Versus Apple, Apple Versus Tencent

    The New York Times has a story about Uber and Apple that had a fundamental flaw and lacked context; then, Apple won this round against Tencent, but this is a battle to watch

  • The Arrival of Artificial Intelligence

    What is artificial intelligence? Is it really any different than technology? In my estimation machine learning is truly something new, and the effects on society will be significant.

  • Medium and Bundle Economics, Text vs Music vs Video, Another Uber Scandal

    More on Medium: the company is trying to sell a bundle, but there are no bundle economics in its favor. Then, Uber has another scandal, with a familiar person at the center.

  • Ad Agencies and Accountability

    Google is in hot water again, this time for ads placed against objectionable content. However, ad agencies and brands are just as responsible, and can no longer live in the past.

  • Tech Morality, Facebook and the BBC, Wikileaks’ CIA Trove

    The analysis of technology cannot escape questions of morality, and certainty is dangerous. Plus, the CIA leak, and the difference between exploits and encryption.

  • The Uber Conflation

    It’s easy to conflate criticism of Uber’s regulatory approach with accusations about the company’s culture. That is CEO Travis Kalanick’s responsibility; it’s also a failure of all of tech.

  • Fake News and Facebook, Filter Bubbles and People, Google’s Featured Snippets Problem

    Research says truly fake news isn’t much of a problem; filter bubbles are, but algorithms are less responsible than it seems. That, though, is why Google in particular has a responsibility to do better.

  • Google Assistant Added to Android, Amit Singhal Out at Uber

    Google Assistant is being added to Android, which makes the company’s previous statements and actions even more confusing than they already are. Then, another controversy hits Uber, but Google is implicated as well — along with the entire industry.

  • Crisis at Uber, Uber’s Culture, Who is Responsible?

    Uber is facing explosive allegations of sexual harassment and general corporate dysfunction; the seeds, though, were planted years ago.

  • Manifestos and Monopolies

    Facebook has long had too much power, but Mark Zuckerberg’s expressed willingness to use said power for political ends means it’s time to consider countermeasures.