Center for Applied Ethics and Professional Practice
Alan Stockdale of the Education Development Center has written a detailed primer on recording and transcribing interviews. Though it's slightly dated, there's still a TON of useful information.
A similar (and more recent) essay by Nicolas Sheon.
Both are well worth a read.
5.31.2005
Media reform podcasts
2005 National Conference for Media Reform
Keynote address by Bill Moyers, plus additional workshops and plenaries, all available as mp3 downloads. Really, too much to list here.
Keynote address by Bill Moyers, plus additional workshops and plenaries, all available as mp3 downloads. Really, too much to list here.
Mapping as learning
Wired News
Most learning is a form of theory-building, and many theories (especially taxonomies and causality) can be visually mapped. Researchers at Florida's Institute for Human and Machine Cognition are have launched an experiment that brings the FREE concept mapping software Cmaps into classrooms.
I often rely on some form of concept mapping to help me clarify ideas, or organize observations. I imagine I'm not the only one.
Most learning is a form of theory-building, and many theories (especially taxonomies and causality) can be visually mapped. Researchers at Florida's Institute for Human and Machine Cognition are have launched an experiment that brings the FREE concept mapping software Cmaps into classrooms.
I often rely on some form of concept mapping to help me clarify ideas, or organize observations. I imagine I'm not the only one.
Lurching towards Oceania
Wired News
It seems the Administration is disappointed that federal judge Victor Marrero revoked their ability to conduct secret searches on the records of communications (read ISPs) providers. Last week the Administration asked the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals to restore such powers.
Believe it or not, the issue is not whether the FBI should be able to look at such records without a court order, but rather that the Administration does not want citizens to have the right to contest such searches, and whether service providers can be legally barred from acknowleding that such searches have occurred.
Again, how will we know things have gone too far?
It seems the Administration is disappointed that federal judge Victor Marrero revoked their ability to conduct secret searches on the records of communications (read ISPs) providers. Last week the Administration asked the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals to restore such powers.
Believe it or not, the issue is not whether the FBI should be able to look at such records without a court order, but rather that the Administration does not want citizens to have the right to contest such searches, and whether service providers can be legally barred from acknowleding that such searches have occurred.
Again, how will we know things have gone too far?
5.30.2005
Who reads your email?
Enron email dataset
If you haven't seen any of the projects that have been based on this data, you're in for a few surprises. Containing over 600,000 emails from more than 150 users, it's been used not only for forensic purposes (remember, a bunch of people got ripped off), but also as test data for a whole host of data analysis and visualization experiments.
If you haven't seen any of the projects that have been based on this data, you're in for a few surprises. Containing over 600,000 emails from more than 150 users, it's been used not only for forensic purposes (remember, a bunch of people got ripped off), but also as test data for a whole host of data analysis and visualization experiments.
5.27.2005
Microsoft national identity system
Hewlett Packard
HP just announced that it has developed a national identity tracking system, built atop the Microsoft .NET platform.
That's a real comfort - at least they're basing it on a secure system.
...
HP just announced that it has developed a national identity tracking system, built atop the Microsoft .NET platform.
That's a real comfort - at least they're basing it on a secure system.
...
Cybercrime
DOJ Computer Crime and IP Division
The Bush Administration on what you need to know.
I especially like the "text only version" option - saves the time needed to download one 34K jpeg.
The Bush Administration on what you need to know.
I especially like the "text only version" option - saves the time needed to download one 34K jpeg.
5.26.2005
Confession of an online activist
Word of Net
Michael Stein is pretty much like the rest of us - concerned and engaged with a lot of issues, but also very busy. This is his take on what it means to be involved, online.
Again, all you political scientists: this isn't an epiphenomenon, and it's not going away. It'll be a lot easier to understand where online activism goes next, if we understand it better now.
Michael Stein is pretty much like the rest of us - concerned and engaged with a lot of issues, but also very busy. This is his take on what it means to be involved, online.
Again, all you political scientists: this isn't an epiphenomenon, and it's not going away. It'll be a lot easier to understand where online activism goes next, if we understand it better now.
Encryption = criminal intent
CNET News
Wow. Not exactly a case I'd want overturned, but it could well lead to other outcomes (i.e., further erosion of personal legal protections) that are also quite "unappealing."
This is just nasty, no matter which way you cut it.
Wow. Not exactly a case I'd want overturned, but it could well lead to other outcomes (i.e., further erosion of personal legal protections) that are also quite "unappealing."
This is just nasty, no matter which way you cut it.
Cell phones for civic engagement
MobileActive
Activists have long led innovative uses of new technologies, of which textmobbing is an excellent example. Well, if you're able to make it to Toronto next month (June 23-25), you can attend a conference for just that sort of thing.
Activists have long led innovative uses of new technologies, of which textmobbing is an excellent example. Well, if you're able to make it to Toronto next month (June 23-25), you can attend a conference for just that sort of thing.
Blogopolis
The Blog Herald
If you're reading this, you're probably not surprised that blogs are a big thing. But just in case you have friends who don't see it, here's a factoid:
There are now over 60 million blogs worldwide.
Clearly, most of these are inactive, even more are sorta dumb. But it is clearly emerging as a significant arena of communications. And where people talk, they often talk about issues that matter to them (including politics).
Hint, hint.
If you're reading this, you're probably not surprised that blogs are a big thing. But just in case you have friends who don't see it, here's a factoid:
There are now over 60 million blogs worldwide.
Clearly, most of these are inactive, even more are sorta dumb. But it is clearly emerging as a significant arena of communications. And where people talk, they often talk about issues that matter to them (including politics).
Hint, hint.
Anatomy of a worm
SecurityFocus.com
Okay, maybe this is a bit far afield of social science - it's an entry-level description of a serious worm attack that occurred last year.
I'm linking to it here, not just because I geek-out on this stuff, but because it reveals how we need to think differently about things like national security. See, the attack began from a single machine, and its first targets were vulnerable computers on a US military base.
It infected - and then erased - over 12K machines in just over an hour.
Remember how everyone got their undies in a bunch about Y2K? This is potentially far, far worse. Like a couple of parsecs mo' bad.
Okay, maybe this is a bit far afield of social science - it's an entry-level description of a serious worm attack that occurred last year.
I'm linking to it here, not just because I geek-out on this stuff, but because it reveals how we need to think differently about things like national security. See, the attack began from a single machine, and its first targets were vulnerable computers on a US military base.
It infected - and then erased - over 12K machines in just over an hour.
Remember how everyone got their undies in a bunch about Y2K? This is potentially far, far worse. Like a couple of parsecs mo' bad.
5.25.2005
How to hack a database
Wired News
Well, turns out the Secret Service was able to track down the kids who hacked into LexisNexis back in January and February.
Interesting not just for what it says about how easy this is, but also about motive - it's not always about money, folks.
The 21st C. equivalent of stealing road signs?
Well, turns out the Secret Service was able to track down the kids who hacked into LexisNexis back in January and February.
Interesting not just for what it says about how easy this is, but also about motive - it's not always about money, folks.
The 21st C. equivalent of stealing road signs?
House passes anti-spyware bills
5.24.2005
e-xtortion
CNET News
This is really quite clever. Some bad people have developed a new way of making money: encrypt files on users' computers from a remote location, then demand money to decode the data.
Fascinating.
This is really quite clever. Some bad people have developed a new way of making money: encrypt files on users' computers from a remote location, then demand money to decode the data.
Fascinating.
Yet another copyright tussle
The Industry Standard
Apparently, Google's recently announced plan to digitize the complete contents of several university libraries has given more than just the French indigestion.
The Association of American University Presses has told Google it sees the project as "systematic infringement of copyright on a massive scale."
Shouldn't we be able to find an acceptable middle ground that protects private effort, while advancing shared knowledge?
Apparently, Google's recently announced plan to digitize the complete contents of several university libraries has given more than just the French indigestion.
The Association of American University Presses has told Google it sees the project as "systematic infringement of copyright on a massive scale."
Shouldn't we be able to find an acceptable middle ground that protects private effort, while advancing shared knowledge?
e-Social Science
National Centre for e-Social Science
The first international conference on e-Social Science will be held June 22-24 in Manchester, UK. While the deadline for proposals has already passed, you can still register to attend (£ 143 for students until May 27th).
Themes include: case studies; e-research practices; large-scale collaborative research; methodological innovation; socio-technical issues; new data sources; tools for data mining, visualisation, analysis, modelling and collaborative research.
Get in on the ground floor, you can help pick the drapes.
The first international conference on e-Social Science will be held June 22-24 in Manchester, UK. While the deadline for proposals has already passed, you can still register to attend (£ 143 for students until May 27th).
Themes include: case studies; e-research practices; large-scale collaborative research; methodological innovation; socio-technical issues; new data sources; tools for data mining, visualisation, analysis, modelling and collaborative research.
Get in on the ground floor, you can help pick the drapes.
5.23.2005
My mind is a garden hose
Too much knowledge can be bad
Apparently, the culprit is categorization (sometimes known as stereotyping). Once we find a box in which we can fit something, we usually move on, ignoring other details that might help us to recognize individuals.
I suppose it helps to have this confirmed experimentally, but really - don't we all see the same "experiment" repeated every day?
Apparently, the culprit is categorization (sometimes known as stereotyping). Once we find a box in which we can fit something, we usually move on, ignoring other details that might help us to recognize individuals.
I suppose it helps to have this confirmed experimentally, but really - don't we all see the same "experiment" repeated every day?
I thought it was amor
Google Translator: The Universal Language
Apparently, those scary-smart people over at Google have developed one of the best translation programs ever.
Could be a huge boon to scientists studying other cultures.
Apparently, those scary-smart people over at Google have developed one of the best translation programs ever.
Could be a huge boon to scientists studying other cultures.
5.22.2005
Find Bacon or Meatloaf
LivePlasma
This has been out there for awhile, but I still think it's one of the coolest visualization tools yet. Type in the name of a band, artist, movie, director or actor, and LivePlasma produces a dynamic graph of related agents.
Trust me, this is really cool.
This has been out there for awhile, but I still think it's one of the coolest visualization tools yet. Type in the name of a band, artist, movie, director or actor, and LivePlasma produces a dynamic graph of related agents.
Trust me, this is really cool.
5.21.2005
Interactive Journalism
J-Lab
"The Institute for Interactive Journalism helps news organizations and citizens use new information ideas and innovative computer technologies to develop new ways for people to engage in critical public policy issues."
Cool.
"The Institute for Interactive Journalism helps news organizations and citizens use new information ideas and innovative computer technologies to develop new ways for people to engage in critical public policy issues."
Cool.
The library as crime scene
Chicago Tribune
Public libraries in Naperville, Illinois are installing fingerprint scanners on their computers, to make sure they know "people who are using the computers are who they say they are."
Again, when do we know things have gone too far?
Public libraries in Naperville, Illinois are installing fingerprint scanners on their computers, to make sure they know "people who are using the computers are who they say they are."
Again, when do we know things have gone too far?
5.20.2005
Freebird?
Free Software Magazine
David M Berry has written a philosophical treatise on the various meanings of the word "free."
Not my cup o' tea, but I thought maybe a political theorist might find it interesting. Of course, that assumes that theorists know how to use computers.
David M Berry has written a philosophical treatise on the various meanings of the word "free."
Not my cup o' tea, but I thought maybe a political theorist might find it interesting. Of course, that assumes that theorists know how to use computers.
Networking in isolation
Crooked Timber
Eszter Hargittai recently posted an interesting discussion of "small world" phenomena and re-invention of the wheel (i.e., network theory) within disciplinary cul-de-sacs.
The main theme (repeated in the comments) questions whether it's useful or appropriate to apply concepts from physics to human behavior. Although I've simulated Brownian motion in more than one mosh pit, I'm inclined to be skeptical as well.
One might make similar observations about economic theory.
And of course, a rebuttal.
Eszter Hargittai recently posted an interesting discussion of "small world" phenomena and re-invention of the wheel (i.e., network theory) within disciplinary cul-de-sacs.
The main theme (repeated in the comments) questions whether it's useful or appropriate to apply concepts from physics to human behavior. Although I've simulated Brownian motion in more than one mosh pit, I'm inclined to be skeptical as well.
One might make similar observations about economic theory.
And of course, a rebuttal.
5.19.2005
Social bookmarks
D-Lib Magazine
Tony Hammond et al., have written an essay about the emerging practice of "semantic tagging" (e.g., Technorati, Furl). A good introduction for those new to this sort of thing.
Tony Hammond et al., have written an essay about the emerging practice of "semantic tagging" (e.g., Technorati, Furl). A good introduction for those new to this sort of thing.
The best of American rhetoric
Top 100 Speeches
Most are available in mp3 format, others in Real Audio, all in full text.
An excellent teaching resource, I would think.
Most are available in mp3 format, others in Real Audio, all in full text.
An excellent teaching resource, I would think.
We know where you live
I thought I was workin' for the man
... but apparently it was really just my Big Brother, all along.
2005 Electronic Monitoring & Surveillance Survey
More than 1 in 5 employers have now fired someone over "misuse" of the Internet. Don't get me wrong, I understand employers' position on this; I once returned from vacation to find a temp had installed gynecologically explicit wallpaper on my computer.
Other lessons from the survey: more than 3 in 4 companies monitor Internet use; more than 1 in 3 track computer use closely (e.g., keystroke monitors); and over half store and review employee's computer files (including email).
It only gets weirder, folks.
2005 Electronic Monitoring & Surveillance Survey
More than 1 in 5 employers have now fired someone over "misuse" of the Internet. Don't get me wrong, I understand employers' position on this; I once returned from vacation to find a temp had installed gynecologically explicit wallpaper on my computer.
Other lessons from the survey: more than 3 in 4 companies monitor Internet use; more than 1 in 3 track computer use closely (e.g., keystroke monitors); and over half store and review employee's computer files (including email).
It only gets weirder, folks.
Learn ATLAS.ti in two days
SdG Associates
For $600, on July 6-7th, you can learn the ins and outs of one of the most sophisticated qualitative research software packages available. You must bring your own laptop.
It's not for everyone or every project, but ATLAS.ti is really quite impressive. There's also a FREE trial version available (w/limits on project size and complexity), for those who want to kick the wheels before they buy. The cost is $190 for a fully working student license.
For $600, on July 6-7th, you can learn the ins and outs of one of the most sophisticated qualitative research software packages available. You must bring your own laptop.
It's not for everyone or every project, but ATLAS.ti is really quite impressive. There's also a FREE trial version available (w/limits on project size and complexity), for those who want to kick the wheels before they buy. The cost is $190 for a fully working student license.
5.18.2005
What would de Tocqueville blog?
Election Law
The original source for the entry directly below, rich in content and sober in approach.
An excellent source for all things electoral.
The original source for the entry directly below, rich in content and sober in approach.
An excellent source for all things electoral.
Touch-screen Voting
Does Voting Technology Affect Election Outcomes?
Economists David Card and Enrico Moretti have just published a working paper that analyzes correlations between voting technologies and electoral outcomes.
Short story: when people could, they tended to touch W, and touching tended to depress turnout (especially in districts with larger ratios of Hispanic voters). Somehow, this did not seem to reflect fraud, since the affected counties did not seem strategically "important."
I'm still not bubbling over with confidence.
Economists David Card and Enrico Moretti have just published a working paper that analyzes correlations between voting technologies and electoral outcomes.
Short story: when people could, they tended to touch W, and touching tended to depress turnout (especially in districts with larger ratios of Hispanic voters). Somehow, this did not seem to reflect fraud, since the affected counties did not seem strategically "important."
I'm still not bubbling over with confidence.
Because it's there
ABC7Chicago
Two students at a Chicago high school accessed ("stole") the SSN of all students and staff at the school - apparently, just to prove it could be done. The 21st century equivalent of putting the Principal's car in the cafeteria.
Of course, there's no one out there with better computer skills and worse motives, right?
Two students at a Chicago high school accessed ("stole") the SSN of all students and staff at the school - apparently, just to prove it could be done. The 21st century equivalent of putting the Principal's car in the cafeteria.
Of course, there's no one out there with better computer skills and worse motives, right?
Digital scholarship
ACH/ALLC 2005
I must say, it seems odd to me that the deadline for submissions is less than a month prior to the conference itself, but that seems to be the norm in some parts of the academy.
The emphasis here is more on humanities scholarship than social science, but of course, it's all about text, so there's substantial overlap.
Plus it's in Victoria BC, the most beautiful city in the world.
I must say, it seems odd to me that the deadline for submissions is less than a month prior to the conference itself, but that seems to be the norm in some parts of the academy.
The emphasis here is more on humanities scholarship than social science, but of course, it's all about text, so there's substantial overlap.
Plus it's in Victoria BC, the most beautiful city in the world.
Right Search Engine, Right Time
Ariadne Issue 43
Phil Bradley has written a brief essay on what makes search engines different, and how to pick the one that will help you find what you seek.
Phil Bradley has written a brief essay on what makes search engines different, and how to pick the one that will help you find what you seek.
5.12.2005
Interdisciplinary qualitative research
Qualitative Interest Group 2005
QUIG will be holding its 19th Annual Conference next Jan 6-8 at the University of Georgia. The theme is "Local knowledge, global contexts: mapping the terrain of qualitative research in the 21st Century."
Topics include: ethics in qualitative research; subjectivity and interpretation; support technologies; commercialization of higher ed; and globalization of the academy.
Deadline for submissions is May 18th.
QUIG will be holding its 19th Annual Conference next Jan 6-8 at the University of Georgia. The theme is "Local knowledge, global contexts: mapping the terrain of qualitative research in the 21st Century."
Topics include: ethics in qualitative research; subjectivity and interpretation; support technologies; commercialization of higher ed; and globalization of the academy.
Deadline for submissions is May 18th.
Agent-based modeling and complexity
PNAS 99 (Suppl. 3)
Back in May 2002, the National Academy of Sciences published a special issue on agent-based modeling. Whether or not this is your cup of tea (it's a bit too deductive for my tastes), there are some fascinating discussions here:
M W Macy and A Flache. "Learning dynamics in social dilemmas"
J M Epstein. "Modeling civil violence: An agent-based computational approach"
K M Carley. "Computational organization science: A new frontier"
E Bonabeau. "Agent-based modeling: Methods and techniques for simulating human systems"
L Henrickson and B McKelvey. "Foundations of "new" social science: Institutional legitimacy from philosophy, complexity science, postmodernism, and agent-based modeling"
R J Lempert. "A new decision sciences for complex systems"
B J L Berry, L D Kiel, and E Elliott. "Adaptive agents, intelligence, and emergent human organization: Capturing complexity through agent-based modeling"
E Elliott and L D Kiel. "Exploring cooperation and competition using agent-based modeling"
R Lempert. "Agent-based modeling as organizational and public policy simulators"
Back in May 2002, the National Academy of Sciences published a special issue on agent-based modeling. Whether or not this is your cup of tea (it's a bit too deductive for my tastes), there are some fascinating discussions here:
M W Macy and A Flache. "Learning dynamics in social dilemmas"
J M Epstein. "Modeling civil violence: An agent-based computational approach"
K M Carley. "Computational organization science: A new frontier"
E Bonabeau. "Agent-based modeling: Methods and techniques for simulating human systems"
L Henrickson and B McKelvey. "Foundations of "new" social science: Institutional legitimacy from philosophy, complexity science, postmodernism, and agent-based modeling"
R J Lempert. "A new decision sciences for complex systems"
B J L Berry, L D Kiel, and E Elliott. "Adaptive agents, intelligence, and emergent human organization: Capturing complexity through agent-based modeling"
E Elliott and L D Kiel. "Exploring cooperation and competition using agent-based modeling"
R Lempert. "Agent-based modeling as organizational and public policy simulators"
Connectedness
Bruce Hoppe
For those of you who are interested in examples and analysis of social networks, Connectedness is a focused, content-rich blog.
Quality work, well done.
For those of you who are interested in examples and analysis of social networks, Connectedness is a focused, content-rich blog.
Quality work, well done.
5.11.2005
E-supporting community participation
Robin Good lives in Rome. While he drives to work, he thinks of all sorts of interesting things, like how blogs and wikis could be used to facilitate greater citizen involvement in local politics.
TV, radio, newspapers either have too much on their plates, or know that civic activism isn't gonna bring home the pancetta.
So why not have local, virtual spaces, where neighborhood issues get air time?
Great idea.
TV, radio, newspapers either have too much on their plates, or know that civic activism isn't gonna bring home the pancetta.
So why not have local, virtual spaces, where neighborhood issues get air time?
Great idea.
5.09.2005
Graphic history
Ars technica
Jeremy Reimer has written a nice, succinct piece on the history of GUIs, for what it's worth to you.
Jeremy Reimer has written a nice, succinct piece on the history of GUIs, for what it's worth to you.
Workshop on semantic networks
ISWC 2005
It's a bit off the radar of most political scientists, but this is fascinating, combining the rapid advances of AI research (now focused more on Englebart's than Minsky's vision) with the equally impressive innovations in network theory.
The result, and the target audience for this workshop, is improved research on web-based social networks and communities. Since internet mobilization is already a major political tool, this means polital scientists, too.
The workshop will be heald at the International Semantic Web Conference, November 6-10th, in Galway, Ireland.
Papers (6-14 pages) should be submitted by July 5th. Notification of acceptance is on August 26th.
It's a bit off the radar of most political scientists, but this is fascinating, combining the rapid advances of AI research (now focused more on Englebart's than Minsky's vision) with the equally impressive innovations in network theory.
The result, and the target audience for this workshop, is improved research on web-based social networks and communities. Since internet mobilization is already a major political tool, this means polital scientists, too.
The workshop will be heald at the International Semantic Web Conference, November 6-10th, in Galway, Ireland.
Papers (6-14 pages) should be submitted by July 5th. Notification of acceptance is on August 26th.
5.07.2005
Brother, can you spare a dime?
BBC News
Ah yes, the holy grail of efficiency. In case you missed it, IBM is cutting 13K jobs worldwide, to boost profits.
I wonder who's going to have enough money to "consume" in 20 years?
Ah yes, the holy grail of efficiency. In case you missed it, IBM is cutting 13K jobs worldwide, to boost profits.
I wonder who's going to have enough money to "consume" in 20 years?
Was that Real ID or Real SUPEREGO?
CNET News
As a passport holder, I'm not really worried by the idea of national ID cards. But I am a bit surprised that this particular administration (with its particular political coalition) pushes the issue.
As a passport holder, I'm not really worried by the idea of national ID cards. But I am a bit surprised that this particular administration (with its particular political coalition) pushes the issue.
5.05.2005
Losing ctrl
CNET News
Apparently, what you can't see can come back and bite you. That recently released report on the checkpoint killing of the Italian intel officer in Iraq? Seems that all of the areas which had been "blacked out" for security concerns were simply highlighted in black.
Is it weird to fear that the world might end because of a typo?
Apparently, what you can't see can come back and bite you. That recently released report on the checkpoint killing of the Italian intel officer in Iraq? Seems that all of the areas which had been "blacked out" for security concerns were simply highlighted in black.
Is it weird to fear that the world might end because of a typo?
5.03.2005
Another computer breach
Washington Post
A couple of weeks back (sorry, I've been crunching on a chapter) Carnegie Mellon University announced that it may have allowed unauthorized access to the SSN and other "personal information" of around 5,000 students, employess and alumni.
Hmm. Will someone have to break into Yale before we get any movement on this sort of thing? How about the Texas DMV?
A couple of weeks back (sorry, I've been crunching on a chapter) Carnegie Mellon University announced that it may have allowed unauthorized access to the SSN and other "personal information" of around 5,000 students, employess and alumni.
Hmm. Will someone have to break into Yale before we get any movement on this sort of thing? How about the Texas DMV?
New First Monday is in
First Monday
Several interesting articles this month:
"Beyond markets and firms: The emergence of Open Source networks" by Federico Iannacci and Eve Mitleton–Kelly
"Interdoc: The first international non–governmental computer network" by Brian Martin Murphy
"Evaluation of digital libraries using snowball sampling" by Elaine Peterson
"WSIS: Whose vision of an information society?" by Ajit Pyati
Several interesting articles this month:
"Beyond markets and firms: The emergence of Open Source networks" by Federico Iannacci and Eve Mitleton–Kelly
"Interdoc: The first international non–governmental computer network" by Brian Martin Murphy
"Evaluation of digital libraries using snowball sampling" by Elaine Peterson
"WSIS: Whose vision of an information society?" by Ajit Pyati
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