Earlier, I suggest that NSA put the effectiveness of the PRISM program to the test, by performing something easier, like fixing the "No Fly List", long plagued by inaccuracies. As it turns out, I spoke too soon. I thought about it some more, and I realized that an obvious RESULT of the PRISM program would be a "No Fly List." As it turns out, the PRISM program was … [Read more...] about NSA PRISM Program Linked to Creation of “No Fly List” And “Drone Kill List”
If NSA’s Cyber-Snooping Is So Effective, Why Can’t It Do Any Thing Vaguely Useful? Like (Pour Me a Beer or) Fix No-Fly List
I saw a funny clip of comedian Lewis Black on the Daily Show the other day. When discussing Microsoft's new Kinect system that can interpret user expressions and even skin changes, Lewis raised a middle finger, and told Microsoft to "F* off". Then, when a follow up clip showed that some guy built a robot that determine when a person needed beer refill, and pour beer for that … [Read more...] about If NSA’s Cyber-Snooping Is So Effective, Why Can’t It Do Any Thing Vaguely Useful? Like (Pour Me a Beer or) Fix No-Fly List
What Snowden Affair Teaches About Corruption, Trust, and Government in the World
Corruption thrives in an atmosphere of low trust. When people trust their fellow citizens, they are more likely to behave honestly toward them. Corruption is high when generalized trust is low and particularized trust is strong, as Gambetta argues for the Italian Mafia. Particularized trust makes it easier for people to cheat people who are different from … [Read more...] about What Snowden Affair Teaches About Corruption, Trust, and Government in the World
Film Review: “Free China: The Courage to Believe”
This weekend, I went to see "Free China: The Courage to Believe". This hourlong movie by Michael Perlman, who previously directed "Tibet: Beyond Fear", boasts a few awards from some small indie, human rights, and "awareness" festivals. Like the similarly propagandistic but much less affordable Shen Yun dance performance, Falun Gong foot soldiers had plastered posters and … [Read more...] about Film Review: “Free China: The Courage to Believe”
What Snowden Hasn’t Revealed, Piecing Together The Much Bigger US Surveillance Picture
As reports and interviews are rolling in just the last few days, NSA insider Edward Snowden has revealed and confirmed some details of the US surveillance and cyber-espionage machinery. A picture is emerging from the pieces, but until we see the rest of the 37 pages of the NSA powerpoint document, it will be hard for us to assess the nature of the US intelligence … [Read more...] about What Snowden Hasn’t Revealed, Piecing Together The Much Bigger US Surveillance Picture