Eli Pariser: Beware online "filter bubbles"

A short lecture on the problems with personalized web content:



Also, a related book:

One review, from Amazon:

One of Eli Pariser's central points is that personalized internet services--Google, Facebook, advertising--can put you into a "you loop", in which they show you what you think you want, and then you wind up wanting those things more because you see them more often. Invisibly, your momentary impulses (click on this, ignore that) shape your reality, and your reality shapes what you respond to.

Since reading the book, I've found myself compulsively testing one of its main case studies: Google's automatically personalized search results. Try searching for "guns": I don't see the NRA on the first page, but friends do. Huge differences on "abortion" too: some people see Planned Parenthood, other people see Catholic.com. Even searching for "bias" shows different results to me vs my wife!

Drawing on history, academic research, exclusive interviews, and a huge range of other sources, the author takes a hard look at the algorithms that increasingly shape how all of us think. He contends that unchecked profit-centric personalization threatens democracy. When you read the book, you'll come away convinced. And you'll appreciate how the book itself makes our democracy stronger.

The Internet in Society: Empowering or Censoring Citizens?

"Google Goes 'Evil' "

[Google] announced a new policy recommendation that would kill the Internet as we know it, if implemented by FCC Chair Julius Genokowski and other policy makers. [...] And they're now asking the public to accept two Internet experiences -- a great experience for the old Internet that will soon cease to exist, and an experience filled with discrimination and lack of a level playing field for the entire future of the Internet.

And another editorial: "Google-Verizon Pact Proves Need for Real Net Neutrality":

Now, Google and Verizon come along like wolves in sheep's clothing--developing a proposal to very narrowly define net neutrality, and with enough built-in intricacy and double-speak to leave the door wide open for industry players to interpret net neutrality to fit their needs. Putting "net neutrality" lipstick on that pig didn't really fool anyone, though, and ultimately Google and Verizon helped the FCC cause for real net neutrality and did the general public a favor by proving why it's needed.

Sen. Franken on corporate consolidation and net neutrality

Antivirus Software Conspiracy Theory

Basically, this theory goes like this: antivirus (and computer security) software companies enjoy increased revenues when there are more security threats, like viruses and malware. As a result, they have an incentive to fund the development of malicious software—thus increasing demand for their products.

One guy on a forum claims:

i actually know a computer savvy guy who used to get paid in cash by a large anti virus company to develop viruses. food for thought

Beyond that, I've yet to find any evidence in support of these theory.

Further reading:

• Top 10 Explanations to Believe in a Computer Virus Conspiracy
• Could the Antivirus Industry Be Writing the Viruses that Cause Us to Buy Their Products?
• Debunking Antivirus Conspiracy Theories

Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media

Excerpt (the book was originally published in 1988): http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Herman%20/Manufac_Consent_Prop_Model.html

Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufacturing_Consent:_The_Political_Economy_of_the_Mass_Media

Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media (1992 Documentary): http://www.hulu.com/watch/118171/manufacturing-consent

Chomsky on the propaganda model and the internet (2008): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnLWSC5p1XE#t=27m38s

"A Look Inside North Korea"

June 2010 - A journalist from the BBC made a rare visit to North Korea and documented what she saw.  Includes an article and 15-minute exposé.