All Tacks media-and-change

1,135 tacks

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,

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.

Why the era of cheap streaming is over

Streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus have increased prices, leading consumers to adopt strategies like “serial churning”—subscribing and unsubscribing based on content preferences—to manage costs.

The Guardian view on smartphones and children: a compelling case for action | Editorial

The Guardian editorial argues for stricter regulation of smartphone use by children, citing a correlation between increased smartphone use and rising mental health issues. While acknowledging potential counterarguments, the editorial contends that the risks of inaction outweigh the

‘Time is running out’: can a future of undetectable deepfakes be avoided? | Deepfake | The Guardian

The rapid advancement of generative AI, particularly image generators, poses a significant challenge in detecting deepfakes. While manual detection methods exist, they are time-consuming and becoming increasingly ineffective as AI models improve. Tech companies are implementing labeling and

Social media is making kids sad – and it’s bad news for democracy | Van Badham

Young people have been made to fear an outside world that is actually safer than the one theyâ??re exposed to online

‘It’s very easy to steal someone’s voice’: how AI is affecting video game actors

The increased use of AI to replicate the voice and movements of actors has benefits but some are concerned over how and when it might be used and who might be left short-changed

The slow death of Twitter is measured in disasters like the Baltimore bridge collapse

The online response to the Baltimore bridge collapse exemplifies the decline of Twitter as a reliable source for breaking news. Conspiracy theories and misinformation spread rapidly, overshadowing verified information and causing distress to the local community. While some