April 2022 - nexa - server-nexa.polito.it

Re: [nexa] ‘Democracy will wither’: Barack Obama outlines perils of unregulated big tech in sweeping speech | Barack Obama | The Guardian

by fabio chiusi

Qui la trascrizione del discorso integrale: https://techpolicy.press/transcript-barack-obama-speech-on-technology-and-d… Buon w/e a tutti f. Il venerdì 22 aprile 2022, 19:18:49 CEST, Maurizio Borghi <maurizio.borghi(a)unito.it> ha scritto: Una reazione a caldo: il discorso mi sembra un capolavoro di doppiezza e ipocrisia, che suggella il patto del diavolo tra democratici americani e big tech. Con la scusa del terrapiattismo e della "disinformazione che uccide" (non bastavano le "fake news") si chiudono sempre più gli spazi di critica e dissenso, oltre che le voci degli avversari politici. In cambio, si farà chiudere un occhio, anzi due, all'antitrust e agli altri regolatori pubblici che ultimamente hanno alzato un po' troppo la cresta. Buon 25 Aprile a tutti, MB Il giorno ven 22 apr 2022 alle ore 09:57 Alberto Cammozzo via nexa <nexa(a)server-nexa.polito.it> ha scritto: <https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/21/obama-stanford-speech-big-t…> Technology companies must be reined in to address the “weakening of democratic institutions around the world”, Barack Obama said Thursday, in a sweeping keynote speech on the perils of disinformation. Speaking at Stanford University in Silicon Valley, the former president made his most extensive remarks yet about the technology landscape, which he said is “turbo-charging some of humanity’s worst impulses”. Barack and Michelle Obama to end exclusive podcasting deal with Spotify, reports say Read more “One of the biggest reasons for the weakening of democracy is the profound change that’s taken place in how we communicate and consume information,” he said. The address came as Obama has increasingly focused his post-presidential messaging on misinformation and what should be done about the largely unchecked power wielded by big tech. On Thursday, he solidified those calls, endorsing specific legislation. “Do we allow our democracy to wither, or do we make it better?” Obama asked. “That is the choice.” ‘People are dying because of disinformation’ Obama’s speech called attention to the grave impacts of disinformation and misinformation – including manipulation of the 2016 and 2020 elections and the rise of anti-vaccination sentiments. He was candid about regrets he had surrounding Donald Trump’s election, saying his administration had long known that Russia had incentive to manipulate US democracy but he underestimated the effectiveness of the efforts. “What still nags at me is my failure to appreciate at the time just how susceptible we had become to lies and conspiracy theories,” Obama said. A Senate panel report in 2020 found conclusively that Russia had interfered in the 2016 elections to sway votes in favor of Trump, echoing findings from a prior report published by the Department of Justice. In addition to impacting the results of those elections, disinformation and misinformation has also caused many Americans to reject the results of democratically sound elections, Obama said – noting that the majority of Republicans doubt the legitimacy of Biden’s 2020 win. Much of these issues can be attributed to a decline in media literacy, the erosion of local news sources, and an “information overload” as we come into contact with limitless content each day. “The sheer proliferation of conflict and the splintering of information and audiences has made democracy more complicated,” Obama said. ‘Need another north star’ Obama took aim at the business models at the heart of big tech firms, noting that “inflammatory content attracts engagement” and that “the veil of anonymity platforms provide” make it easier to spread misinformation. He said while rising industry standards are helpful, solid regulation is needed to address social media companies’ business models and the way they design their products. “These companies need to have some other north star other than just making money and increasing market share,” Obama said. In particular, Obama addressed the frequent refrain of tech companies that their algorithms are proprietary business secrets, saying they have become “too guarded” and “need to be subject to some level of public oversight and regulation”. To do so, Obama endorsed the Platform Accountability and Transparency Act, a bill introduced by US Senators Chris Coons, Amy Klobuchar and Rob Portman that would require social media companies to share certain platform data and allow vetting from independent researchers. He also called for reform of Section 230, a law that shields platforms from legal liability for content posted on their sites, saying that “wholesale repeal is not the answer” but “we need to consider reforms” to the measure. “As the world’s leading democracy, we have to set a better example. We should be at the lead on these discussions internationally, not in the rear.” ‘Yes we can’ for the age of disinformation Despite dire warnings about the imminent crumbling of democracy under the disinformation epidemic, Obama called for a return to the hope present in the early days of big tech. “Today’s social media has a grimness to it,” he said. “We’re so fatalistic about the steady stream of bile and vitriol that’s on there. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, if we’re going to succeed, it can’t be that way.” Obama’s tone harkens back to an age of tech before the 2016 elections shook the world’s faith in companies like Facebook. His own presidency took place at a time when social media was still thought of as a force for good – stoking democratic revolutions like the Arab Spring. His election in 2008 is also largely thought of as one of the first to be fueled by grassroots social media campaigns – with supporters of Obama having been significantly more engaged online than those of McCain. Obama said at the time there was “a certain joy of finding new ways to connect and organize”. “Social media is a tool. At the end of the day, tools don’t control us, we control them,” Obama said. “It’s up to each of us to decide what we value and then use the tools we’ve been given to advance those values.”_______________________________________________ nexa mailing list nexa(a)server-nexa.polito.it https://server-nexa.polito.it/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nexa _______________________________________________ nexa mailing list nexa(a)server-nexa.polito.it https://server-nexa.polito.it/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nexa

April 22, 2022

Re: [nexa] ‘Democracy will wither’: Barack Obama outlines perils of unregulated big tech in sweeping speech | Barack Obama | The Guardian

by Maurizio Borghi

Una reazione a caldo: il discorso mi sembra un capolavoro di doppiezza e ipocrisia, che suggella il patto del diavolo tra democratici americani e big tech. Con la scusa del terrapiattismo e della "disinformazione che uccide" (non bastavano le "fake news") si chiudono sempre più gli spazi di critica e dissenso, oltre che le voci degli avversari politici. In cambio, si farà chiudere un occhio, anzi due, all'antitrust e agli altri regolatori pubblici che ultimamente hanno alzato un po' troppo la cresta. Buon 25 Aprile a tutti, MB Il giorno ven 22 apr 2022 alle ore 09:57 Alberto Cammozzo via nexa < nexa(a)server-nexa.polito.it> ha scritto: > < > https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/21/obama-stanford-speech-big-t… > > > > Technology companies must be reined in to address the “weakening of > democratic institutions around the world”, Barack Obama said Thursday, in a > sweeping keynote speech on the perils of disinformation. > > Speaking at Stanford University in Silicon Valley, the former president > made his most extensive remarks yet about the technology landscape, which > he said is “turbo-charging some of humanity’s worst impulses”. > Barack and Michelle Obama to end exclusive podcasting deal with Spotify, > reports say > Read more > > “One of the biggest reasons for the weakening of democracy is the profound > change that’s taken place in how we communicate and consume information,” > he said. > > The address came as Obama has increasingly focused his post-presidential > messaging on misinformation and what should be done about the largely > unchecked power wielded by big tech. On Thursday, he solidified those > calls, endorsing specific legislation. > > “Do we allow our democracy to wither, or do we make it better?” Obama > asked. “That is the choice.” > ‘People are dying because of disinformation’ > > Obama’s speech called attention to the grave impacts of disinformation and > misinformation – including manipulation of the 2016 and 2020 elections and > the rise of anti-vaccination sentiments. > > He was candid about regrets he had surrounding Donald Trump’s election, > saying his administration had long known that Russia had incentive to > manipulate US democracy but he underestimated the effectiveness of the > efforts. > > “What still nags at me is my failure to appreciate at the time just how > susceptible we had become to lies and conspiracy theories,” Obama said. > > A Senate panel report in 2020 found conclusively that Russia had > interfered in the 2016 elections to sway votes in favor of Trump, echoing > findings from a prior report published by the Department of Justice. > > In addition to impacting the results of those elections, disinformation > and misinformation has also caused many Americans to reject the results of > democratically sound elections, Obama said – noting that the majority of > Republicans doubt the legitimacy of Biden’s 2020 win. > > Much of these issues can be attributed to a decline in media literacy, the > erosion of local news sources, and an “information overload” as we come > into contact with limitless content each day. > > “The sheer proliferation of conflict and the splintering of information > and audiences has made democracy more complicated,” Obama said. > ‘Need another north star’ > > Obama took aim at the business models at the heart of big tech firms, > noting that “inflammatory content attracts engagement” and that “the veil > of anonymity platforms provide” make it easier to spread misinformation. > > He said while rising industry standards are helpful, solid regulation is > needed to address social media companies’ business models and the way they > design their products. > > “These companies need to have some other north star other than just making > money and increasing market share,” Obama said. > > In particular, Obama addressed the frequent refrain of tech companies that > their algorithms are proprietary business secrets, saying they have become > “too guarded” and “need to be subject to some level of public oversight and > regulation”. > > To do so, Obama endorsed the Platform Accountability and Transparency Act, > a bill introduced by US Senators Chris Coons, Amy Klobuchar and Rob Portman > that would require social media companies to share certain platform data > and allow vetting from independent researchers. > > He also called for reform of Section 230, a law that shields platforms > from legal liability for content posted on their sites, saying that > “wholesale repeal is not the answer” but “we need to consider reforms” to > the measure. > > “As the world’s leading democracy, we have to set a better example. We > should be at the lead on these discussions internationally, not in the > rear.” > ‘Yes we can’ for the age of disinformation > > Despite dire warnings about the imminent crumbling of democracy under the > disinformation epidemic, Obama called for a return to the hope present in > the early days of big tech. > > “Today’s social media has a grimness to it,” he said. “We’re so fatalistic > about the steady stream of bile and vitriol that’s on there. But it doesn’t > have to be that way. In fact, if we’re going to succeed, it can’t be that > way.” > > Obama’s tone harkens back to an age of tech before the 2016 elections > shook the world’s faith in companies like Facebook. His own presidency took > place at a time when social media was still thought of as a force for good > – stoking democratic revolutions like the Arab Spring. > > His election in 2008 is also largely thought of as one of the first to be > fueled by grassroots social media campaigns – with supporters of Obama > having been significantly more engaged online than those of McCain. Obama > said at the time there was “a certain joy of finding new ways to connect > and organize”. > > “Social media is a tool. At the end of the day, tools don’t control us, we > control them,” Obama said. “It’s up to each of us to decide what we value > and then use the tools we’ve been given to advance those > values.”_______________________________________________ > nexa mailing list > nexa(a)server-nexa.polito.it > https://server-nexa.polito.it/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nexa >

April 22, 2022

Re: [nexa] lettera dell'EDRi ai membri del Parlamento Europeo sulla proposta di riforma dell'Europol

by Enrico Nardelli

Ho chiesto e mi hanno detto che la possono inviare anche i singoli cambiando ovviamente le parti necessarie -- sent from mobile, please forgive typos and conciseness =================== Prof. Enrico Nardelli Univ. Roma Tor Vergata =================== > Il giorno 22 apr 2022, alle ore 12:04, maurizio lana <maurizio.lana(a)uniupo.it> ha scritto: > > caro Enrico, nella lettera allegata la prima riga recita: >> We the undersigned civil society organisations ... > la cosa è vincolante, quindi chi non è un'organizzazione non può scrivere? > parrebbe di sì, perché in più punti introduttivi si parla di organizzazioni, e di possibilità di modifiche solo alle parti opzionali > Maurizio > > Il 22/04/22 11:43, Enrico Nardelli <nardelli(a)mat.uniroma2.it> ha scritto: >> Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2022 11:43:11 +0200 >> From: Enrico Nardelli <nardelli(a)mat.uniroma2.it> >> To: Nexa <nexa(a)server-nexa.polito.it> >> Subject: [nexa] lettera dell'EDRi ai membri del Parlamento Europeo sulla proposta di riforma dell'Europol >> >> This is an email template created by European Digital Rights (EDRi) and relates to the upcoming vote on the new Europol Regulation in the European Parliament’s plenary. >> >> The vote will take place between 2 and 5 May 2022, most probably on 3 May afternoon. Ideally you would send this email during the two weeks before: 18 April-2 May. >> >> The main message of this email is to ask for the rejection of the entire text as the reform aims at expanding the law enforcement agency’s powers without any accountability and with as little fundamental rights safeguards as possible. We have included a list of resources at the end of this document should you want to explore the topic further. >> >> The email template is designed in a way that you can pick and choose the paragraphs that are most relevant to your organisation’s missions and that you would want to stress in particular. Feel free to adapt any wording in these optional paragraphs to better match your usual framing. However the main message (the parts in blue) should ideally remain the same. >> >> ... > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > |mural of Giulio Regeni in Mohammed Mahmoud Street, Cairo > the source is https://alwafd.news/images/thumbs/752/new/027f918bb62bf148193d5920ca67ded7.… > the meaning of the place https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-20395260| > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Maurizio Lana > Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici > Università del Piemonte Orientale > piazza Roma 36 - 13100 Vercelli > tel. +39 347 7370925 > _______________________________________________ > nexa mailing list > nexa(a)server-nexa.polito.it > https://server-nexa.polito.it/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nexa

April 22, 2022

Nuovo libro: "Concealing for Freedom"

by Francesca Musiani

Care colleghe e cari colleghi, Sono felice di annunciare la pubblicazione del mio libro con Ksenia Ermoshina, "Concealing for Freedom: The Making of Encryption, Secure Messaging and Digital Liberties" (Mattering Press, aprile 2022, con prefazione di Laura DeNardis). Il libro è pubblicato in open access ed è disponibile qui in vari formati digitali: https://www.matteringpress.org/books/concealing-for-freedom Vi preghiamo tuttavia di considerare l'acquisto una copia cartacea se potete (o se puo' farlo la vostra biblioteca di riferimento!), aiuterà Mattering Press a prosperare. La pubblicazione è accompagnata da un blog post che riflette sul rapporto di fenomeni ed eventi descritti nel libro con l'attualità: https://www.matteringpress.org/blog/encryption-and-technologies-of-power-in… Grazie a tutti/e coloro che ci hanno supportato durante questa ricerca e durante la scrittura, e in anticipo a tutti/e coloro che considerano la lettura e/o l'acquisto del libro. Cari saluti, Francesca -- Francesca Musiani, Ph.D. Chargée de recherche | Associate Research Professor, CNRS <http://www.cnrs.fr> Directrice adjointe | Deputy Director, Centre for Internet and Society <https://cis.cnrs.fr> (UPR 2000 & GDR 2091 CNRS) Chercheuse associée | Associate Researcher, i3-CSI <http://www.csi.ensmp.fr/>, MINES ParisTech Global Fellow, Internet Governance Lab <https://internetgovernancelab.org>, American University I'm involved in: CPT-IAMCR <https://iamcr.org/s-wg/section/cpt> | Internet Policy Review <https://policyreview.info> | RESET <https://journals.openedition.org/reset/> | ISOC France <https://www.isoc.fr> | ResisTIC <https://www.resistic.org> On the Web <https://cis.cnrs.fr/francesca-musiani/> | On Twitter <https://twitter.com/franmusiani>

April 22, 2022

lettera dell'EDRi ai membri del Parlamento Europeo sulla proposta di riforma dell'Europol

by maurizio lana

caro Enrico, nella lettera allegata la prima riga recita: > We the undersigned civil society organisations ... la cosa è vincolante, quindi chi non è un'organizzazione non può scrivere? parrebbe di sì, perché in più punti introduttivi si parla di organizzazioni, e di possibilità di modifiche solo alle parti opzionali Maurizio Il 22/04/22 11:43, Enrico Nardelli <nardelli(a)mat.uniroma2.it> ha scritto: > Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2022 11:43:11 +0200 > From: Enrico Nardelli <nardelli(a)mat.uniroma2.it> > To: Nexa <nexa(a)server-nexa.polito.it> > Subject: [nexa] lettera dell'EDRi ai membri del Parlamento Europeo sulla proposta di riforma dell'Europol > > This is an email template created by European Digital Rights (EDRi) and relates to the upcoming vote on the new Europol Regulation in the European Parliament’s plenary. > > The vote will take place between 2 and 5 May 2022, most probably on 3 May afternoon. Ideally you would send this email during the two weeks before: 18 April-2 May. > > The main message of this email is to ask for the rejection of the entire text as the reform aims at expanding the law enforcement agency’s powers without any accountability and with as little fundamental rights safeguards as possible. We have included a list of resources at the end of this document should you want to explore the topic further. > > The email template is designed in a way that you can pick and choose the paragraphs that are most relevant to your organisation’s missions and that you would want to stress in particular. Feel free to adapt any wording in these optional paragraphs to better match your usual framing. However the main message (the parts in blue) should ideally remain the same. > > ... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |mural of Giulio Regeni in Mohammed Mahmoud Street, Cairo the source is https://alwafd.news/images/thumbs/752/new/027f918bb62bf148193d5920ca67ded7.… the meaning of the place https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-20395260| ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maurizio Lana Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici Università del Piemonte Orientale piazza Roma 36 - 13100 Vercelli tel. +39 347 7370925

April 22, 2022

lettera dell'EDRi ai membri del Parlamento Europeo sulla proposta di riforma dell'Europol

by Enrico Nardelli

This is an email template created by European Digital Rights (EDRi) and relates to the upcoming vote on the new Europol Regulation in the European Parliament’s plenary. The vote will take place between 2 and 5 May 2022, most probably on 3 May afternoon. Ideally you would send this email during the two weeks before: 18 April-2 May. The main message of this email is to ask for the rejection of the entire text as the reform aims at expanding the law enforcement agency’s powers without any accountability and with as little fundamental rights safeguards as possible. We have included a list of resources at the end of this document should you want to explore the topic further. The email template is designed in a way that you can pick and choose the paragraphs that are most relevant to your organisation’s missions and that you would want to stress in particular. Feel free to adapt any wording in these optional paragraphs to better match your usual framing. However the main message (the parts in blue) should ideally remain the same. ... (continua nel documento allegato) -- EN ===================================================================== Prof. Enrico Nardelli Presidente di "Informatics Europe" Direttore del Laboratorio Nazionale "Informatica e Scuola" del CINI Dipartimento di Matematica - Università di Roma "Tor Vergata" Via della Ricerca Scientifica snc - 00133 Roma home page: http://www.mat.uniroma2.it/~nardelli blog: http://link-and-think.blogspot.it/ tel: +39 06 7259.4204 fax: +39 06 7259.4699 mobile: +39 335 590.2331 e-mail: nardelli(a)mat.uniroma2.it online meeting: https://blue.meet.garr.it/b/enr-y7f-t0q-ont ===================================================================== --

April 22, 2022

CFP: Special Issue on Cyber(in)security || Review of Digital Politics

by Mauro SANTANIELLO

Dear colleagues, A new call for papers has been issued by the Review of Digital Politics for a special issue on cyber(in)security. This issue will investigate the political dimension of cybersecurity, including public policy making, relationships between public institutions and private actors, political controversies emerging in different national contexts, and the processes of negotiation, cooperation and conflict resolution occurring in international arenas as well as in multistakeholder global fora. Articles may be written in English or Italian. The full call for papers is available at: https://www.digitalpolitics.it/call-for-paper-n6/#cfp3-english Further information about the Review of Digital Politics is available at: https://www.digitalpolitics.it/rivista/#en *Key dates:* Abstract submission deadline: 19 May 2022 Notification of acceptance: 26 May 2022 Full contribution deadline: 1 October 2022 We look forward to receiving your submissions. Best wishes, Mauro Santaniello (PhD) *Professor, Internet Governance and Digital PolicyDirector, Internet & Communication Policy Centre (ICPC)* *Scientific Coordinator, Salerno Winter School on Internet Governance (SWING)* *Department of Business, Management and Information Systems * *Università degli Studi di Salerno * *Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 84084 Fisciano (SA) - Italy * *E. msantaniello(a)unisa.it <msantaniello(a)unisa.it> * *W. http://docenti.unisa.it/mauro.santaniello <http://docenti.unisa.it/mauro.santaniello>* *Skype: internetpolicy * *T. twitter.com/webvoodoo <http://twitter.com/webvoodoo>* *Recent publications* M.Santaniello (2021) "From Governance Denial to State Regulation: A Controversy-Based Typology of Internet Governance Models." In Haggart B., Tusikov N., Scholte J.A. (eds.) *Power and Authority in Internet Governance. Return of the State? *Routledge. N.Palladino, M.Santaniello (2021).* Legitimacy, Power, and Inequalities in the Multistakeholder Internet Governance. **Analyzing IANA Transition*. Palgrave Macmillan. *Pubblicazioni recenti in italiano* M. Santaniello (2021) "Fortezza Internet. L’incastellamento del cyberspazio e il regime feudale della cyber security." In Amoretti F.* Per una cultura della sicurezza democratica* Pag.131-148 Soveria Mannelli Rubbettino. F. Amoretti, M. Santaniello (2021) "Sovranità (con)tese. Le digital corporation nello spazio pubblico globale." In F.Tuccari; G. Borgognone *La sovranità* Pag.175-194 M. Santaniello (2021) "Sunburst. La grande eclissi della cybersecurity Usa." *Rivista di Digital Politics*. Vol. 1/2021. Pag.179-194. F. Amoretti, M. Santaniello (2021), "Partecipazione politica e opinione pubblica online in tempo di crisi." *Iride* Vol. 92. Pag.57-67. F. Amoretti, R. Fittipaldi, M. Santaniello (2021), "Poteri monocratici e comunicazione politica ai tempi della pandemia. Dal governo Conte II al governo Draghi". *Comunicazione politica, n. *3/2021, pp. 333-356.

April 22, 2022

‘Democracy will wither’: Barack Obama outlines perils of unregulated big tech in sweeping speech | Barack Obama | The Guardian

by Alberto Cammozzo

<https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/21/obama-stanford-speech-big-t…> Technology companies must be reined in to address the “weakening of democratic institutions around the world”, Barack Obama said Thursday, in a sweeping keynote speech on the perils of disinformation. Speaking at Stanford University in Silicon Valley, the former president made his most extensive remarks yet about the technology landscape, which he said is “turbo-charging some of humanity’s worst impulses”. Barack and Michelle Obama to end exclusive podcasting deal with Spotify, reports say Read more “One of the biggest reasons for the weakening of democracy is the profound change that’s taken place in how we communicate and consume information,” he said. The address came as Obama has increasingly focused his post-presidential messaging on misinformation and what should be done about the largely unchecked power wielded by big tech. On Thursday, he solidified those calls, endorsing specific legislation. “Do we allow our democracy to wither, or do we make it better?” Obama asked. “That is the choice.” ‘People are dying because of disinformation’ Obama’s speech called attention to the grave impacts of disinformation and misinformation – including manipulation of the 2016 and 2020 elections and the rise of anti-vaccination sentiments. He was candid about regrets he had surrounding Donald Trump’s election, saying his administration had long known that Russia had incentive to manipulate US democracy but he underestimated the effectiveness of the efforts. “What still nags at me is my failure to appreciate at the time just how susceptible we had become to lies and conspiracy theories,” Obama said. A Senate panel report in 2020 found conclusively that Russia had interfered in the 2016 elections to sway votes in favor of Trump, echoing findings from a prior report published by the Department of Justice. In addition to impacting the results of those elections, disinformation and misinformation has also caused many Americans to reject the results of democratically sound elections, Obama said – noting that the majority of Republicans doubt the legitimacy of Biden’s 2020 win. Much of these issues can be attributed to a decline in media literacy, the erosion of local news sources, and an “information overload” as we come into contact with limitless content each day. “The sheer proliferation of conflict and the splintering of information and audiences has made democracy more complicated,” Obama said. ‘Need another north star’ Obama took aim at the business models at the heart of big tech firms, noting that “inflammatory content attracts engagement” and that “the veil of anonymity platforms provide” make it easier to spread misinformation. He said while rising industry standards are helpful, solid regulation is needed to address social media companies’ business models and the way they design their products. “These companies need to have some other north star other than just making money and increasing market share,” Obama said. In particular, Obama addressed the frequent refrain of tech companies that their algorithms are proprietary business secrets, saying they have become “too guarded” and “need to be subject to some level of public oversight and regulation”. To do so, Obama endorsed the Platform Accountability and Transparency Act, a bill introduced by US Senators Chris Coons, Amy Klobuchar and Rob Portman that would require social media companies to share certain platform data and allow vetting from independent researchers. He also called for reform of Section 230, a law that shields platforms from legal liability for content posted on their sites, saying that “wholesale repeal is not the answer” but “we need to consider reforms” to the measure. “As the world’s leading democracy, we have to set a better example. We should be at the lead on these discussions internationally, not in the rear.” ‘Yes we can’ for the age of disinformation Despite dire warnings about the imminent crumbling of democracy under the disinformation epidemic, Obama called for a return to the hope present in the early days of big tech. “Today’s social media has a grimness to it,” he said. “We’re so fatalistic about the steady stream of bile and vitriol that’s on there. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, if we’re going to succeed, it can’t be that way.” Obama’s tone harkens back to an age of tech before the 2016 elections shook the world’s faith in companies like Facebook. His own presidency took place at a time when social media was still thought of as a force for good – stoking democratic revolutions like the Arab Spring. His election in 2008 is also largely thought of as one of the first to be fueled by grassroots social media campaigns – with supporters of Obama having been significantly more engaged online than those of McCain. Obama said at the time there was “a certain joy of finding new ways to connect and organize”. “Social media is a tool. At the end of the day, tools don’t control us, we control them,” Obama said. “It’s up to each of us to decide what we value and then use the tools we’ve been given to advance those values.”

April 22, 2022

Re: [nexa] RMS available to speak in Italy

by M. Fioretti

Hi Michele and Andy, Michele, Andy Oram is the former editor at O'Reilly, with a long record of FOSS advocacy: http://praxagora.com/, who asked me whether I knew someone interested in RMS talks in Italy Andy, Michele Orrù is a post-doc researcher from Sardinia,now at Berkeley: https://tumbolandia.net/ This is what Michele answered when I passed your request around: > We can provide a flight MXP - OLB for the 15th May through easyjet (U2 2909) > and have one of our colleagues (Graziano M.) pick RMS up at the airport, with > flight back on the 18th May (U2 2908). Flight is about 1hour. > We can host RMS in a hotel in the Supramonte area that in the past hosted > artists. Our budget is about 400EUR total, excluding accommodation. I leave the discussion to you now, and of course will forward further proposals to Andy if they come. Have fun! Marco -- Help me write my NEXT MILLION WORDS for digital awareness: https://stop.zona-m.net/2021/10/funding-2021-2022/

April 22, 2022

Re: [nexa] Fwd: RMS available to speak in Italy

by Michele Orrù

Marco, grazie mille! Capisco benissimo per il modesto compenso, rispondo in inglese cosicché possa inoltrare facilmente ai tuoi contatti e mi scuso per il ritardo! We can provide a flight MXP - OLB for the 15th May through easyjet (U2 2909) and have one of our colleagues (Graziano M.) pick RMS up at the airport, with flight back on the 18th May (U2 2908). Flight is about 1hour. We can host RMS in a hotel in the Supramonte area that in the past hosted artists. Our budget is about 400EUR total, excluding accommodation. -- Michele. On Fri, Apr 15, 2022 at 7:01 PM M. Fioretti <mfioretti(a)nexaima.net> wrote: > On Fri, Apr 15, 2022 11:43:03 AM +0200, Michele Orrù wrote: > > > A me piacerebbe invitarlo nel supramonte di Orgosolo verso metà > > maggio! Pensate di potercelo mandare? > > Buonasera Michele, > > Grazie per la domanda, ma non dipende affatto da me. Io ho solo > inoltrato un messaggio che mi hanno chiesto di far circolare, ma non > sono e non saro' coinvolto in alcun modo nel tour europeo di > RMS. Tieni presente che per venire ha bisogno (credo dipenda dal fatto > che non e' piu' presidente FSF, con relativi "benefit" o stipendio > base) di rimborso spese e "modesto compenso" da parte di chi lo > invita. Il messaggio completo originale che ho ricevuto dice: > > > Do you know anyone who would like to book him, and pay for modest > > travel costs and an honorarium? He'll be in Italy, but is willing to > > travel further. > > Immagino che nel tuo caso questo significhi vitto e alloggio in loco, > piu' viaggio a/r da Milano o Roma in Sardegna, piu' "honorarium", che > non ho idea quanto significhi. Magari e' a offerta libera, ma ne so > quanto te. Quindi decidi tu, se avete budget e interesse per pagare > questi costi, fammi sapere e ti mettero' in contatto diretto con > l'amico di RMS che mi ha scritto, e poi usciro' di scena. Se non > potete, nessun problema, come dicevo sono solo un messaggero :-) > > Marco > -- > Help me write my NEXT MILLION WORDS for digital awareness: > https://stop.zona-m.net/2021/10/funding-2021-2022/ >

April 22, 2022