Curated Commons // Edition 4
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If you can’t beat them…
AI took the fun out of Chess, but now AI’s back to beautify the game!
https://www.wired.com/story/ai-ruined-chess-now-making-game-beautiful/
Curve-fitting Narratives:
I don’t know about you, but my favorite type of analysis always involves post facto rationalization. So much easier to tell a compelling story when you have the outcome in hand. I am reminded of an interview with the co-founder of Mojang (makers of Minecraft - acquired for $2.5 Bn by Microsoft) whenever I read such perfect curve-fitting retrospective analyses.
https://www.ft.com/content/61dccfaa-0871-48a2-80ac-dbe6d5b5b5f8
Notes from…a negotiator of ransomware gangs
In case you’ve been reading up the cybersecurity beat, you’ll realize, the digital transformation of thieves is more or less complete. Dozens of European gangs have made a transition to ransomware, and increasingly big corporations are paying up in Bitcoin. Naturally, that creates an ecosystem of jobs. An interesting read from one such negotiator.
https://bobsullivan.net/cybercrime/whats-it-really-like-to-negotiate-with-ransomware-gangs/
Batteries - Lot more for a lot less
Good read on batteries, and how they might be better for the environment, even when charged from ‘dirty grids’.
When the pandemic makes you feel…stupid?
MBA students at leading b-schools are apparently having buyers remorse. Can’t blame them. The pandemic has laid many a good plan to waste. And it hurts that much more when there’s lots of $$$ involved. Even more when they are made the butt of jokes on WhatsApp!
The terrible legacy of legacy IT
Some interesting stats and a good read on how our connected world runs on a bunch of legacy IT systems. And the occasional prayer!
https://spectrum.ieee.org/computing/it/inside-hidden-world-legacy-it-systems
Since 2010, corporations and governments worldwide have spent an estimated $35 trillion on IT products and services. Of this amount, about three-quarters went toward operating and maintaining existing IT systems. And at least $2.5 trillion was spent on trying to replace legacy IT systems, of which some $720 billion was wasted on failed replacement efforts.
Am reminded of this popular 2016 report from the US Govt on their usage of legacy IT. Be amused. Or scared.
the Department of Defense uses 8-inch floppy disks in a legacy system that coordinates the operational functions of the nation’s nuclear forces.
https://www.gao.gov/assets/680/677454.pdf
In your face…
No better way to illustrate the lack of leadership diversity in tech!
Amazon: The Retailer with private labels, or the consumer goods company that also owns a retailer?
Interesting read from the WSJ on how Amazon restricts rival device makers from buying ads on Amazon. More interesting though, is Amazon’s official response!
You should really listen to Facebook
Xanon - or the perils of people wanting to feel smart online
This is by far the best description of Qanon, that shady conspiratorial online movement. Or for that matter, many online group conspiracies.
AI, but for creating jobs
We are still waiting for AI to take over all jobs and humanity, but in the meanwhile, AI needs a lot of human handholding. And that results in job opportunities. Good read on how a company is creating jobs in suburban India for women in data annotation.
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The pandemic, but as a crushing blow to poverty eradication
Global remittances are expected to plunge 20% this year, and the pandemic looks like it is going to throw millions back into poverty.
https://www.ft.com/content/f3e7f472-03f8-4368-b287-55886670bcd7
Algorithmic moderation - terrific on PPT, terrible in practice
Greater usage of AI moderation apparently led to significant increase in video removals and incorrect takedowns on YouTube. At the same time, YouTube hosts some of the worst content that a human moderator should never have to see (mods end up with PTSD after working on it). The Internet gave everyone a channel. The worst among us use it the most, and increasingly it appears, the best.
Privacy bean counter
If you believe in measuring privacy through the lens of number of cookies left and ad trackers used by a site, you might find this site interesting.
https://themarkup.org/blacklight
And we already have a thread on how Indian news sites fare.
Go slow on those online reviews in alien countries
And finally, a quick reminder that while leaving honest reviews on TripAdvisor will earn you good karma from fellow travelers, you might want to hold back on them till you are in your home country.
Stay safe, and happy reading! And if you liked the newsletter, please do share on your social networks. My DMs on Twitter are always open for any feedback.