How Congress dismantled federal Internet privacy rules
I seem to remember a certain someone claim that his mission was to give power back to the people during his Bane-like inauguration speech. Seems as though part of the power he's giving back to us is the power to be marketed to more effectively by sharing data about how we use the Internet without requiring marketers to ask permission first.
The rules, they said, would cause consumers to miss out on customized promotions.
I didn't realize my interest in maintaining my privacy was causing me to miss out on bigger discounts on underwear! How exciting for me. Thanks Mr. Trump!
Amazon made a small change to the way it sells books. Publishers are terrified.
This is from my sister, who is very smart. People don't understand how technology like Amazon's Buy Box works, so they don't know that clicking a buy button determines whether or not someone gets paid for their work. Amazon is taking the choice to support an author out of the hands of the consumer, which seems like a really terribly precedent for how Amazon chooses to do business going forward (with all products, not just books).
One Teenager’s (Supremely Brilliant) Perspective on Social Media
Let's get one thing straight: this opinion piece is not "supremely brilliant". I have yet to share anything with you, dear readers, that I would deem "supremely brilliant". I'm reserving that level of hyperbole for some article that is truly face-melting, and this is not that.
OK, now that we're clear, this is a decent proof of the quote that "comparison is the thief of joy". It's also a good reminder that the whole Internet thing is still brand new, and we need to continue researching the psychological effects that social media channels have on us – especially at impressionable ages.
Silicon Valley Murder Mystery: How Drugs and Paranoia Doomed Silk Road
Imagine Scarface but instead of a coked-out Cuban gangster you've got a super smart programmer. Comparable megalomania though. This needs to be a movie.
Transcript of AP interview with Trump
I'm sharing this because it made me so self-conscious about what would happen if someone were to record a conversation with me and then transcribe it. I think I would (and you would, probably) sound like an idiot. Now don't get me wrong, I think the way that President Trump speaks is unbearable aurally, but it's even worse written out verbatim. This is super long and mostly sounds like President Trump has Tourette's (has that been ruled out?) but worth a skim. h/t to Trey for this one.
VPNs Are Absolutely a Solution to a Policy Problem
If you care about your online privacy in any way, now is a good time to start learning some new words. This article has a good recommendation, and I got it from my buddy Ted on the Facebooks. And another buddy of mine who is way smarter than you and me recommends this service to set up a VPN if you're interested (thanks Trey).
No Excuses: Immigration — theSkimm
This covers a lot of immigration rules and regulations, a lot of which I'd never heard of. Read this guide to get informed quickly and up your conversation game. Also read this guide if you want to be really sad about the Trump administration's first pass at "immigration reform", or, uh, kicking out people that don't look American (white). Have fun!