Mark J

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You know what Dave. You come across as a proper toddler.

Almost light at 9pm

My name is Johansen and I love disco dancing.

Do you really think that shooting paramedics is the right thing to do? They (Israel) said that they had no lights on. They clearly lied. Why do you think they lied? How can you say "good work" about that?

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Video footage appears to contradict Israeli account of Gaza medic killings WWW.BBC.CO.UK The footage was reportedly filmed by a Palestinian paramedic killed by Israeli forces along with 14 others in March.

I don't think washing a chicken in chlorine kills HN51. Cooking does. Not that you'd want to handle an infected bird.

Yup, Bluesky's tree map is better but you have to pay for it. National Tree Map | Bluesky International Limited BLUESKY-WORLD.COM Bluesky’s National Tree Map™ (NTM™) is the most detailed dataset of its kind ever produced, with coverage across Great Britain and Ireland.

Colours denote: lone trees (dark green), groups of trees (light green), and small woodlands (turquoise).

I was just going to post that. Useful resource.

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Who are Cambridge Analytica? Cambridge Analytica was a British political consulting firm founded in 2013 as a subsidiary of SCL Group. The company specialized in using data analytics and psychological profiling to influence voter behavior. It became infamous for its role in the Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal, where it improperly harvested the personal data of up to 87 million Facebook users to create targeted political advertisements. This data was used in high-profile campaigns, including Donald Trump's 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. The company declared bankruptcy and ceased operations in May 2018 following global backlash and investigations into its practices147. Did Cambridge Analytica Play a Role in Brexit? The firm's involvement in the Brexit referendum remains controversial: Allegations of Involvement: Documents and testimony from whistleblower Brittany Kaiser suggest that Cambridge Analytica worked with Leave.EU and UKIP, analyzing data to assist the pro-Brexit campaign. However, there was no formal contract between the parties, and payments were made indirectly25. Denials and Investigations: Both Leave.EU and Cambridge Analytica denied formal collaboration during the referendum. Investigations by the UK Electoral Commission found no definitive evidence of their involvement in Brexit campaigning, though some MPs have called for further scrutiny based on emerging evidence258.

How Algorithms Sway Public Opinion Through Social Media Social media algorithms are powerful tools that shape public opinion by controlling the visibility and dissemination of content. Their design prioritizes engagement, often amplifying sensational, emotionally charged, or polarizing material. Below are key mechanisms through which algorithms influence public opinion: 1. Amplification of Polarizing Content Algorithms prioritize content that generates strong emotional reactions—such as outrage or fear—because such material drives higher engagement. This can escalate political controversies and deepen societal divides13. For example, during protests in Lebanon (2023), algorithms amplified sensational posts, spreading misinformation and heightening public tensions1. 2. Creation of Echo Chambers Algorithms curate content based on users' past behavior, leading to "filter bubbles" where individuals are exposed primarily to information that aligns with their existing beliefs. This reduces exposure to diverse viewpoints and fosters ideological polarization16. Facebook’s algorithm has been criticized for reinforcing ideological bubbles, inadvertently deepening political divides1. 3. Spread of Misinformation Political actors exploit algorithms by creating fake accounts and bots to flood social media with manipulated narratives. These bots amplify certain messages, making them appear more popular and credible than they are124. A notable example occurred during the 2024 political unrest in Dhaka, where a manipulated video falsely depicting a government official fueled violence and chaos1. 4. Computational Propaganda Governments and political parties use algorithms, automation, and big data to conduct organized manipulation campaigns. These campaigns spread disinformation, incite violence, and lower trust in democratic institutions4. The Oxford Internet Institute identified such campaigns in over 80 countries, highlighting their global prevalence and impact on democracy14. 5. Manipulation Through Bots Social media bots fabricate large volumes of posts, comments, and likes to create the illusion of widespread support or opposition for specific viewpoints. This shapes public opinion subtly but effectively2. Bots also manipulate trending topics by strategically using hashtags and keywords to amplify their messages2. 6. Influence on Elections Algorithms determine the visibility of political content during elections, influencing which campaign messages reach voters. This can sway electoral outcomes by amplifying biased or misleading narratives7. Challenges and Ethical Concerns The use of algorithms raises critical questions about balancing technological advancement with ethical considerations: Polarization vs Diversity: While algorithms can expose users to opposing views, they often make extremist voices more visible while hiding moderate perspectives3. Disinformation: The rapid spread of false information undermines informed public discourse and democratic processes4. Safeguarding Against Manipulation To mitigate algorithmic influence: Question the credibility of information encountered online. Follow diverse news sources for balanced perspectives. Engage in discussions with people holding different viewpoints. Report false or misleading content to curb misinformation1. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/how-are-algorithms-used-in-swa-R29fiS1eT8GId25DX1Ebig

Abject luck, and a complete inability to see any other option.

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Algorithms are powerful things.

Trump’s tariff math is crazy, says ‘Wisdom of Crowds’ author – POLITICO WWW.POLITICO.EU James Surowiecki challenges the White House’s rationale for punishing Europe, China, India and Japan with reciprocal tariffs.

Kompromat. https://old.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/1jq75ps/trumps_tariffs_list_is_missing_one_big_country/ml5869p/

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Musk alone was worth $428 billion in January, before he started Sieg Heiling.