A recent, popular Internet video of Destin Sandlin riding a bike with reverse steering led me to reflect on our tendency to equate knowledge with things that computers do. If we could formulate a “science of learning,” we would be able to design algorithms that help people learn faster and much more reliably. As Destin struggles to understand why he cannot ride the bike, he reveals how our common sense is blind to embodied knowledge. Continue reading Why We Don’t Know Know-How
The Facebook Method of Dealing With Complexity
Computer systems used to be weak, so we had to make their world simple and standardized. They now can handle almost endless complexity—but we still need to understand how to make the world simple, so we don’t risk burdening the majority of users with the needless complexity of the few. Continue reading The Facebook Method of Dealing With Complexity
Government Surveillance Will Fragment the Internet
The U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), in the role of protector of U.S. citizens, wants to watch over the Internet and its users through backdoor mechanisms and/or code breaking. This “weak encryption” policy has its “strong encryption” opponents who argue government surveillance of Internet companies, users, and foreign governments violates the fundamental constitutional rights of privacy and liberty. Continue reading Government Surveillance Will Fragment the Internet
Will the Internet Crash Democracy?
Many people in the Western world believe Internet freedom equals freedom of social and political life. The more access we get, the more freedom and democracy we will have. But, there is little to support this Western meme. Internet access during the Arab Spring may have fanned the flames of rebellion, but it did not lead to democracy. In fact, it may be the opposite—the Internet may have the potential to destroy democracy. Continue reading Will the Internet Crash Democracy?