Last week Facebook was fined for poor privacy practices by the Federal Trade Commission. Probably around $5 billion — A chunk of change to be sure. But when your net profit is $7 billion a quarter, the fine seems kinda skimpy. Put Another Zero on Facebook’s Fine. Then We Can Talk. By Kara Swisher for… [Read more]
Thoughts
Computational Inference
Thanks to “data inference” technology, companies know more about you than you disclose. Think You’re Discreet Online? Think Again. By Zeynep Tufekci for The New York Times on April 21, 2019 People concerned about privacy often try to be “careful” online. They stay off social media, or if they’re on it, they post cautiously. They… [Read more]
The Web at 30
Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the man who created the world wide web in 1989, has some regrets. He has seen his creation debased by everything from fake news to mass surveillance. Can it be fixed? He seems to think so. The world wide web turns 30. Where does it go from here? Opinion By Tim Berners-Lee… [Read more]
Goodbye Mr. Kelleher
Herb Kelleher, the co-founder, former CEO, and chairman emeritus of Southwest Airlines died on Thursday, January 3 at age 87. I don’t have many heroes in the business world, but Mr. Kelleher was one of them. Thank you Herb. Rest well. We have a strategic plan. It’s called doing things. — Herb Kelleher / Southwest… [Read more]
Worst logo of the year?
For those who don’t know, Be Best is a public awareness campaign promoted by United States First Lady Melania Trump. The program focuses on well-being for youth, and advocates against cyberbullying and drug use. In their own words: The mission of BE BEST is to focus on some of the major issues facing children today,… [Read more]
Is the Apple era over?
Apple’s warning on Wednesday about weak iPhone demand in the holiday quarter is a serious deal for Wall Street, and the tech industry in general. Kara Swisher explains … Is This the End of the Age of Apple? By Kara Swisher for The New York Times / January 3, 2019 … some other terrible news… [Read more]
Carole Penny Marshall
Penny Marshall died on Monday, December 17, 2018. I enjoyed the world a little bit more just knowing she was in it. I haven’t thought of her in ages, but I miss her already. This is the way it’s going to be, I think. Penny Marshall, ‘Laverne & Shirley’ Star and Movie Director, Dies at… [Read more]
How could it be so?
Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, Was singing! Without any presents at all! He hadn’t stopped Christmas from coming! It came! Some how or other, it came just the same! And the Grinch … … with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so?”… [Read more]
All about Christmas
Linus explains the true meaning of Christmas. Charlie Brown: “Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don’t know what Christmas is all about. Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus: “Sure Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” Lights please … And there… [Read more]
The majesty of thunderstorms
The gods were still asleep on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 6:33 AM when a spark ignited an inferno that devoured the gentle towns of Concow and Paradise in Northern California. The totality of the destruction was unprecedented. Having lived near Paradise for almost 40 years, I’ve seen enough of fire and the charred remains… [Read more]
