'Commentary'
The Saturday Share – 11/0516
5 NOV 2016 0
We've got synth, security, and the Simpsons in this week's pile of interesting things. I'm okay with this.
1. This Bloomberg article provides a fascinating look at Twitter, what the public sees, the rich stream of data it actually collects, and how agencies and governments are embracing the service as a way to identify and collect information on activists, dissidents, and others. Of course, the stand out take away from the piece has to be an Oregon intelligence agent freaking about over a Public Enemy T-shirt. Nobody remembers '90s hip-hop?
2. Ever wonder how the rich synthy sounds of John Carpenter's earlier films came together? This video does a great job breaking down some of the most iconic film scores of the '80s to figure it out. Gotta love that moog.
3. What the heck is "Simpsonswave?” Well, it's weird vaporware music played over top of trippy, edited clips of the Simpsons. Why? I don't think anyone knows for sure.
4. A bitcoin launderer who facilitated an untold number of ransomware schemes plead guilty last week, earning a 16 months in jail. While that seems fairly light for a con-artist who was involved in at least $150k worth of extortion, any justice is better than none.
5. Some amazing tips on creating a stellar portfolio in this article. A good portfolio isn't something that can only help a graphic designer or artist, there are all kinds of ways to showcase your work.
6. An interesting look at the idea of a robot CEO. While the article is able to envision a world where surgeons and doctors have been replaced by robots, it just can't see a world where the most human of jobs, the corporate CEO, is replaced by an unfeeling machine. Weird, I could have sworn most companies where already run by heartless automatons.
7. A malware attack (most likely ransomware) earlier this week shutdown two major UK hospitals, disrupting services and forcing non-emergency patients to go elsewhere for care. Scary stuff. Essential services need to be more aware of threats like these.
8. New York passed its "Freelance isn't Free” Act, stipulating protection and legal recourse for freelancers stiffed by a client or contractor. As we rapidly barrel towards "the gig economy,” freelance work is becoming less of a niche concern and more of a way of life. Laws everywhere will need to adjust to accommodate that.
9. Prodigious blogger Seth Godin has 10 quick rules for new IT professionals, but really, they're just great rules in general.
10. Guitarist Dave Rosser for the rock band The Afghan Whigs has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer, the band is holding a crowdfunding campaign and benefit concert to raise money for his treatments. I spent many of my teenage years acting surly and listening to the Whigs tortured soul-rock, helping them out now is the least I can do.