844 tacks
The AI grift that can literally poison you
The rise of AI and low-cost production has flooded Amazon with misleading, low-quality ebooks, endangering readers and undermining genuine authors, all driven by a race-to-the-bottom profit model.
Australia urged to impose big tech tax to fund trusted media and fight disinformation | Australia news | The Guardian
Australia is being urged to impose a tax on big tech companies to fund trusted media outlets and combat misinformation. The proposal aims to counter the harmful effects of disinformation on society by supporting quality journalism and providing more reliable information.
What are smartphones doing to children?
Two months ago, Daisy Greenwell and Clare Fernyhough set up a WhatsApp group to discuss how to stave off their young children’s demands for smartphones. After they posted about their plans on Instagram, other parents wanted in. Now their group, Smartphone-Free Childhood, has more than 60,000 followers debating how to keep their children away from the demon devices – a debate they are naturally conducting on smartphones of their own.
Fear and anger are dominating our world right now, but are we being manipulated for profit? - ABC News
Fear and anger are being engineered for profit, fueling manipulation in politics, media, and leadership. While these emotions can drive social change, overuse fosters distrust, apathy, and "rage exhaustion."
Social media lies can unleash a dangerous contempt for others. We can stop it | Max Jeganathan
Social media lies and misinformation, fueled by contempt for others, are eroding social trust in Australia. This contempt, exacerbated by virtualization and the spread of misinformation, dehumanizes those with differing viewpoints. To combat this, we must prioritize empathy, vigilance, and shared experiences to rebuild social cohesion and trust.
The demise of Twitter: How a ‘utopian vision’ for social media became a ‘toxic mess’
Since Musk's acquisition of Twitter (now X), dismantling its verification, moderation, and safety systems has led to a decline in influence, increased misinformation, and an exodus of users and researchers.
WhatsApp and the Wakeley riot: how a messaging platform became a fake news broadcaster | Sydney | The Guardian
A knife attack during a church service in Sydney sparked chaos, with misinformation rapidly spreading via WhatsApp, escalating tensions, prompting community unrest, and injuring police officers.
Peter Dutton backs Elon Musk and contradicts Sussan Ley on ‘silly’ demand for global removal of stabbing footage | Australian politics | The Guardian
Peter Dutton criticized the eSafety commissioner’s request for global removal of stabbing footage, arguing Australia cannot dictate content for other countries. While acknowledging the need to address harmful content online, Dutton emphasized the importance of respecting international boundaries.
The charts that prove social media has bigger dangers than Elon Musk’s ego
This article examines how social media platforms pose greater threats to democracy than any single figure like Elon Musk. Using charts and global data, it shows that online misinformation, algorithmic amplification, and the viral spread of outrage have more profound, systemic effects than individual actors. The piece highlights the need for broader regulatory responses that address structural problems in the tech ecosystem, not just high-profile personalities.
Facebook: Meta predicts higher spending, weaker sales as it pushes into AI
Meta forecasts increased spending despite weaker sales as it pivots heavily into AI development. While profits have risen due to cost-cutting, the company is investing aggressively in infrastructure to support generative AI. Analysts note tension between Meta’s long-term AI ambitions and near-term financial expectations. Investors are watching closely as Meta balances innovation, user engagement, and regulatory pressure in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
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