DL 343
Responsible Innovation Team
Welcome back! Here's Digitally Literate, issue #343.
🔖 Key Takeaways
- Whistleblower Reveals Twitter's Vulnerabilities: Peiter "Mudge" Zatko's testimony exposes critical security flaws in one of the world's most influential platforms.
- Teacher Shortage in the U.S.: Addressing systemic challenges requires innovative recruitment and retention strategies.
- Doomscrolling Dangers: Excessive news consumption linked to stress, anxiety, and health issues.
📚 This Week’s Highlights
1. Twitter Whistleblower Peiter "Mudge" Zatko
In November 2020, Peiter Zatko joined Twitter as its security lead to address major vulnerabilities. His whistleblower complaint reveals a platform riddled with privacy and security issues, influenced by foreign entities, and potentially jeopardizing national security.
Why this matters: Twitter’s issues mirror broader concerns across social networks, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in tech.
2. Framing the News: An Example
James Fallows discusses how the framing of news stories—what is emphasized, omitted, or contextualized—shapes public perception far more than overt bias.
Why this matters: Understanding media framing empowers us to critically evaluate the information we consume and its broader implications.
3. A Broken Pipeline: Teacher Shortages in the U.S.
The Biden administration’s new partnership aims to address the teacher shortage exacerbated by COVID-19. Christopher Morphew argues for treating teacher recruitment like corporate talent acquisition.
Why this matters: Ensuring educational equity requires systemic changes to how teachers are valued and supported.
4. Will Nonbelievers Really Believe Anything?
Scott Alexander reflects on the role of religion as a "mind antivirus" and its absence creating susceptibility to ideological "viruses." Inspired by this Twitter thread.
Why this matters: Whether you agree or disagree, the discussion prompts deeper thought on belief systems and their societal impacts.
5. Doomscrolling Linked to Poor Mental and Physical Health
Research highlights how compulsive news consumption can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and negative health outcomes. The study identifies "severely problematic" news habits in 16.5% of participants.
Why this matters: Developing healthier media habits can significantly improve well-being.
6. Meta Disbands Its Responsible Innovation Team
Meta dissolves the team tasked with evaluating the societal harms of its products. The group previously advised on ethics and civil rights issues.
Why this matters: The move raises concerns about accountability and prioritizing profit over social responsibility in tech.
🛠️ DO: Explore Texas Twinkies
What do cream cheese, brisket, jalapeños, and bacon have in common?
A Texas Twinkie is a jalapeño stuffed with cream cheese and brisket, wrapped in bacon, and deep-fried. Top it with BBQ sauce or salsa for extra indulgence.
Why this matters: Indulge responsibly! 😋
🌟 Closing Reflection
“Language is courage: the ability to conceive a thought, to speak it, and by doing so to make it true.”
— Salman Rushdie
Reflect and Engage
- What frameworks should tech companies adopt to ensure responsible innovation?
- How do media framing and doomscrolling shape societal narratives?
- What role does belief (or its absence) play in shaping our personal and collective resilience?
Sometimes I doubt myself.
Other times, I feel like this: (•̀ᴗ•́)و
Watch the video for inspiration.
Thank you for reading Digitally Literate. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions. Connect with me at hello@digitallyliterate.net or explore Newsletter Index for all past issues.