Seattle tech sex trafficking

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/online-site-where-men-rated-prostitutes-is-shut-down-charges-to-be-filed/http://www.newsweek.com/metoo-microsoft-amazon-trafficking-prostitution-sex-silicon-valley-755611https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/25/amazon-microsoft-employees-sex-trafficking-sting/http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-42120800
from the article excerpts posted on slashdot.org:Newsweek's National Politics Correspondent reports on "a horny nest of prostitution 'hobbyists' at tech giants Microsoft, Amazon and other firms in Seattle," citing "hundreds" of emails "fired off by employees at major tech companies hoping to hook up with trafficked Asian women" between 2014 and 2016, "67 sent from Microsoft, 63 sent from Amazon email accounts and dozens more sent from some of Seattle's premier tech companies and others based elsewhere but with offices in Seattle, including T-Mobile and Oracle, as well as many local, smaller tech firms." Many of the emails came from a sting operation against online prostitution review boards, and were obtained through a public records request to the King County Prosecutor's Office.

"They were on their work accounts because Seattle pimps routinely asked first-time sex-buyers to prove they were not cops by sending an employee email or badge," reports Newsweek, criticizing "the widespread and often nonchalant attitude toward buying sex from trafficked women, a process made shockingly more efficient by internet technology... A study commissioned by the Department of Justice found that Seattle has the fastest-growing sex industry in the United States, more than doubling in size between 2005 and 2012. That boom correlates neatly with the boom of the tech sector there... Some of these men spent $30,000 to $50,000 a year, according to authorities." A lawyer for some of the men argues that Seattle's tech giants aren't conducting any training to increase employees' compassion for trafficked women in brothels. The director of research for a national anti-trafficking group cites the time Uber analyzed ride-sharing data and reported a correlation between high-crime neighborhoods and frequent Uber trips -- including people paying for prostitutes. "They made a map using their ride-share data, like it was a funny thing they could do with their data. It was done so flippantly."

cretaceous period dinosaur eggs

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/669804/jurassic-park-dinosaurs-eggs-preserved-found-china-jiangxi-province

Google AI voice indistinguishable from humans

https://qz.com/1165775/googles-voice-generating-ai-is-now-indistinguishable-from-humans/

Genetics dating app

Dating app: Genetics + personality + social media results:
https://www.pheramor.com/

Article:
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/article/To-find-true-love-check-your-DNA-12455521.php

My thoughts:

If this used only genetics, it might be interesting, but washing in the other factors dilutes the results.

It makes sense, but it would be more interesting to filter each aspect - genetics, personality, and social media -  and compare results. The implications drive at the very heart of the nature vs nurture debate.

I could also see how machine learning might be employed make sense of all of this 'data' - what about contextual awareness? Pulling keywords from social media might identify common interests, but doesn't indicate attitudes towards the issues. Maybe the personality tests might aid in establishing some prediction - I've seen tests that suggest certain personalities tend to vote one way or another.

While the ramp up of a user base will be the initial challenge, I can imagine how the promise of finding 'true love' may drive adoption, with people giving away their personal information to a singular source, the results might be lackluster for the user but worth a lot to the host.

Facebook propaganda

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-12-21/inside-the-facebook-team-helping-regimes-that-reach-out-and-crack-down?utm_source=google&utm_medium=bd&utm_campaign=HP&cmpId=GP.HP

California cell phone warning

http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article189586129.html

BY BARBARA ANDERSON

banderson@fresnobee.com

• • LINKEDIN
  • GOOGLE+
  • PINTEREST
  • REDDIT
  • PRINT
  • ORDER REPRINT OF THIS STORY

Put your cellphone down – and keep it away from your pillow, the California Department of Public Health is advising.

Smartphone use continues to increase in the U.S., especially among children, and the health department said some people and health professionals have concerns about the radio frequency energy emitted from cell phones. The scientific community has not reached a consensus on the risks of cell phone use, but the health department said research suggests long-term, extensive use may affect health.

“We know that simple steps, such as not keeping your phone in your pocket and moving it away from your bed at night, can help reduce exposure for both children and adults,” said Dr. Karen Smith, state public health officer. Smartphones emit radio frequency energy when they send signals to and receive them from cell towers.

About 95 percent of Americans own a cell phone, and 12 percent rely on their smartphones for everyday Internet access, the health department said. In addition, the average age when children get their first phone is now just 10, and a majority of young people keep their phones on or near them most of the day and while they sleep. “Children’s brains develop through the teenage years and may be more affected by cellphone use,” Smith said. “Parents should consider reducing the time their children use cellphones and encourage them to turn the devices off at night.”

Other tips for reducing exposure to radio frequency energy from cellphones: Keeping the phone away from the body, reducing cellphone use when the signal is weak, reducing the use of cellphones to stream audio or video or to download or upload large files, keeping the phone away from the bed at night, removing headsets when not on a call, and avoiding products that claim to block radio frequency energy because they may actually increase your exposure.

scripted Wolverine podcast

Years ago, I was thinking of how the old radio shows were the core of what became television, and wondered about the possibility of a revitalization. I listened to Gunsmoke episodes and was impressed how the acting and foley created an experience as immersive as film. Audio is perhaps a superior option for mobile experiences.

https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/05/marvel-wolverine-podcast-stitcher-premium/?utm_source=spotim&utm_medium=spotim_recirculation&spotim_referrer=recirculation&spot_im_comment_id=sp_f76RE06N_post-23298159_c_6UFwID

Marvel is making a scripted 'Wolverine' podcast for Stitcher

'The Long Night' will debut next spring.

Timothy J. Seppala, @timseppala

15h ago in AV

Marvel is taking Logan to the internet. The comics publisher has entered a partnership with Stitcher to produce a premium podcast starring the razor-clawed mutant called Wolverine: The Long Night. Weapon X will be voiced by Richard Armitage, who has lent his voice to Netflix's Castlevania series as Trevor Belmont. Of course, he was also Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy. Needless to say, his geek cred stacks up. As for the rest of the production, TechCrunch notes that the 10-episode season finds Wolverine hounded by investigators tracking a serial killer, and that it will debut next spring.

This won't exist on Stitcher's free service, though. Ben Percy (Green Arrow, Batman: Detective Comics) is on writing duties, and the cast also includes Scott Adsit (Pete Hornberger on 30 Rock) and veteran podcaster Chris Gethard. Sound effects will be recorded in surround sound too, which, combined with the cast, explains why Wolverine: The Long Night will live on Stitcher's $35 yearly Premium subscription (or $5 per month). After an exclusivity period, it'll arrive on other platforms next fall.

From the sounds of it, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Marvel's Dan Silver described the podcast to Variety as "the ideal premiere vehicle" and that Marvel will keep exploring the medium. With how well podcasts like Serial, Crimetown and Heaven's Gate have done, and how comic heroes have invaded pop culture, this seems like an area ripe for expansion -- especially given that this is a murder mystery. Wolverine as the star is just the icing on the cake here.

Samuel Jackson waiting in line for a sandwich

Last night around 8:15, I was on my way to check out at Publix and noticed a tall black guy wearing a funky camouflage outfit, standing in line for a sandwich at the deli.

I walked up and commented enthusiastically how the pattern was reminiscent of the old G.I. Joe toys from the 70s, and as I looked up, the man had pulled off his earphones to receive my comment and was peering back through stylish tan tortoiseshell glasses, chiseled face, baseball hat. Studying his features, I paused for a few moments and then remarked astutely, "Oh, you look like what's-his-face..."  coming to the disconcerting realization that I was very likely, and then most certainly speaking face-to-face with Samuel Jackson. Smiling, he replied, "Yeah, I do look like him."  Yeah, like what's-his-face. Way to go, me.

The guy was a good couple of inches taller than me and I'm 6'1", I had no idea he was so tall, quite a presence and so completely caught me off guard. At that point, I didn't want to draw more attention to him and said flatly, "Oh, sorry, man...good to see you!" nodded politely and headed for the checkout.

When I reached the checkout aisle, the guy in front of me greeted my wide eyed shit-eating grin with the remark, "I didn't know he was such an asshole." I replied, "I'm the asshole! What happened to you?" He said when he asked for Jackson's photo that the response was "What if I ask for your photo?"

By contrast, my experience was totally delightful. I can imagine he's used to it but he seemed amused by my total oblivious bumbling into ambush. Guess that G.I. Joe camo works after all. I'm at that Publix almost daily and you just don't expect to run into Jules in the deli line.