Free-market capitalist economies not only allow but encourage and, frequently, reward even the most disruptive technological innovations. Indeed, the very term “disruptive” has become an honorific and a term of uncritical approval. Yet the events of recent years have offered up a veritable bouquet of expressions of regret from pioneers of aspects of the internet and online life. […]
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How many of the images we see in the mass media, in textbooks, and in other vehicles, are such spurious, falsified “factoids?” Does anyone in the field consider the consequences to the subjects of such images generated by such misuse? And, on a larger scale, the consequences to the citizenry when its informational network is thus compromised and corrupted? […] Photographs made of people on the street or in other public places without the consent of the subjects raise questions of ethics as well as aesthetics. What rights do we have as citizens over the control of representation of ourselves, and what rights do photographers have in regard to making images in public situations? […] Do you want to live in the police state that the reelection of Trump will enable? Have you registered to vote? Have you requested your absentee ballot? Have you planned how you will cast your ballot in this election — by mail or in-person? If the latter, where? Will you vote early if possible in your state? Are you urging everyone in your circle to vote? The survival of this flawed democracy hangs in the balance between now and November 3. Get woke. Stay woke. […] |
 SPJ Research Award 2014 |
Cabin Fever: Bits & Pieces 2021 (1)
Astonishing to watch Q-Anon’s bizarre reprise of the Salem witch trials writ large (satanism, pedophilia, Bill and Hillary Clinton as ruler of the vast coven) combined with a lightly veiled version of a classic anti-Semitic trope, the blood libel of Democrats (for which read leftists, for which read Jews). To cite Richard Kirstel yet again, “Scratch a good American and you’ll find a good German.” […]