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Ben Werdmuller

Ben Werdmuller

NotableLinks

Beyond Checkboxes: Privacy Protections That Work for the Future Generation

I think the conclusions here are the right ones. In particular, ensuring privacy by design is a far better strategy than pushing for informed consent, because the vast majority of people are not informed about the implications of data collection (even without considering Gen-Z's ambient comfort with the

26 Oct 2023

Journaling in private with my friends

I kind of miss having something like a LiveJournal. If you missed its heyday about twenty years ago, LiveJournal was a private blogging community that led to much of what we know as social media. You could follow your friends, and they could follow you back if they wanted; your

25 Oct 2023

NotableLinks

Without a Trace: How to Take Your Phone Off the Grid

A really accessible guide to privately using a cellphone. One thing I think might be missing here: you probably shouldn't use the phone near your home or regular haunts. While not connecting to your home wi-fi is probably smart, cell tower records will still show your most common

25 Oct 2023

NotableLinks

Bandcamp Editorial Director: “Fuuuuuck Bandcamp United”

This is a complete misunderstanding of the nature and value of unions: they're not just for low-income workers. Unionization can help all workers and make healthier workplaces for everyone. Even with that aside, this kind of public rhetoric pits a manager directly against his workforce in a way

24 Oct 2023

NotableLinks

Leaving Twitter

Interesting to see this comment from Benedict Evans, who is far from an ideological internet participant: his social commentary very often leans conservative, and he was formerly a partner at Andreessen Horowitz. But enough is enough. Musk's promotion of antisemitic sources and tropes has pushed him off the

23 Oct 2023

NotableLinks

POSSE: a better way to post on social networks

Really fun to see indieweb concepts like POSSE gain attention again. When I built POSSE into Known, I knew it would be a matter of time before API changes cut off access (and it was). These days, in a world made of open source protocols, these restrictions don't

23 Oct 2023

I'm looking for a new adventure

I’m looking for new adventures! These might be: * A full-time position * A paid board or advisory position * A long-term contract Maybe there’s a me-shaped hole in your organization! Let’s talk. What do I do? I’m an experienced technology leader and strategist with an engineering background. I’

23 Oct 2023

NotableLinks

Notes, Links, and Weeknotes (23 October 2023) – Baldur Bjarnason

Baldur Bjarnason talks frankly about the cost of writing critically about AI: "It’s honestly been brutal and it’ll probably take me a few years to recover financially from having published a moderately successful book on “AI” because it doesn’t have any of the opportunity multipliers that

23 Oct 2023

The map-reduce is not the territory

There are two ways to use GPS navigation in a car: The first is to use the directions as gospel. The system has found the right path for you to take; you need to follow them if you’re going to get to your destination. The second is as a

23 Oct 2023

NotableLinks

Patrick Newman's Software Engineering Management Checklist

I have no real arguments here: this is a concise, simple list of things an engineering manager should strive for. There's a world of detail not represented here, of course, but these are the headlines.  #Technology [Link]

22 Oct 2023

NotableLinks

Leading researcher: Strong encryption protects journalism

"In addition to being important for protecting the information that journalists are provided by all types of sources, encryption is key to making sure that information and communications within news organizations are kept safe as well." This is my finding too from my time spent leading technology teams

22 Oct 2023

NotableLinks

IFTAS Fediverse Trust and Safety Needs Assessment Report Q3 2023

An in-depth assessment of moderation needs on the fediverse. Findings here include that most instances aren't incorporated and don't have liability insurance. I'd bet that these numbers are actually better than if they'd done the same study for all community spaces on

22 Oct 2023
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Werd I/O explores the intersection of technology, democracy, and society. It's independently published by Ben Werdmuller, reader-supported, and always free to read.