Data - get 'em while their hot!12.19.2006
US 2007
FYI: The US Census has just released the 2007 Statistical Abstract of the United States. From population changes, to election results, to comparisons with other countries, it's all here.
Data - get 'em while their hot!
Data - get 'em while their hot!
12.18.2006
Group think
Caution - editorial:
Howard Rheingold, writing at SmartMobs, points to an interesting site put together by researchers at Los Alamos, Collective Decision Making Systems.
A lot of the new media types are similarly tempted to follow the faith of journalist James Surowiecki's "Wisdom of Crowds," a re-hash of the dream that somehow mobs are less likely to make poor choices than specialists.
The idea that a "free market of ideas" is an unparalleled, universal solution expands the faith of neoclassical economics into yet another social sphere, with the same blind spots and gradual impoverishment to follow. "The market" is neither natural nor monolithic; every society in every era forms and reforms the rules and realities of exchange to benefit their projects, and rarely are these rules truly free or fair.
Some inflections reflect the power of a few to bend the rules to their own ends. Yet others reflect cultural and social values that are sometimes lost by "market failures," instances where "collective decision making" is fatally flawed. The reality is that these are not at all uncommon, despite what the orthodox would have us believe.
Wise crowds? Perhaps. But the anonymity of crowds is at least as likely to enable collective irresponsibility. My point is that there is real danger in blindly adopting decision systems without an understanding of who's in, who's out, and who stands to benefit most. The devil's in the details.
Howard Rheingold, writing at SmartMobs, points to an interesting site put together by researchers at Los Alamos, Collective Decision Making Systems.
A lot of the new media types are similarly tempted to follow the faith of journalist James Surowiecki's "Wisdom of Crowds," a re-hash of the dream that somehow mobs are less likely to make poor choices than specialists.
The idea that a "free market of ideas" is an unparalleled, universal solution expands the faith of neoclassical economics into yet another social sphere, with the same blind spots and gradual impoverishment to follow. "The market" is neither natural nor monolithic; every society in every era forms and reforms the rules and realities of exchange to benefit their projects, and rarely are these rules truly free or fair.
Some inflections reflect the power of a few to bend the rules to their own ends. Yet others reflect cultural and social values that are sometimes lost by "market failures," instances where "collective decision making" is fatally flawed. The reality is that these are not at all uncommon, despite what the orthodox would have us believe.
Wise crowds? Perhaps. But the anonymity of crowds is at least as likely to enable collective irresponsibility. My point is that there is real danger in blindly adopting decision systems without an understanding of who's in, who's out, and who stands to benefit most. The devil's in the details.
Persons of the Year
Well, the news is out. TIME Magazine has decided that user-generated content is the biggest thing of the year.
They're probably right - but I'm also pretty sure we're only seeing a bare glimmer of the changes that radical interconnectivity will bring us.
I re-read Vannevar Bush's "As We May Think" over the weekend; fascinating stuff. That in 1945 he wrote about so much that we think is novel, even today, is both exciting and sobering. We're finally beginning to see broader adoption of some of his predictions, but tell me again why it took 60 years?
Now, how do I reference this in my curriculum vitae?
They're probably right - but I'm also pretty sure we're only seeing a bare glimmer of the changes that radical interconnectivity will bring us.
I re-read Vannevar Bush's "As We May Think" over the weekend; fascinating stuff. That in 1945 he wrote about so much that we think is novel, even today, is both exciting and sobering. We're finally beginning to see broader adoption of some of his predictions, but tell me again why it took 60 years?
Now, how do I reference this in my curriculum vitae?
Co-recipient, "Person of the Year" Award, Time (2006)
12.14.2006
Identity vs privacy
Earlier this month, Techdirt.com reported on MPAA lobbying to successfully block a California bill to outlaw "pretexting" (a major means of identity theft*). Their justification?
*This same tactic recently got (former) HP Chair Patricia Dunn fired and charged with a felony.
"We need to spy on people to catch file sharers."
(a paraphrase)
(Not so) remote justice
Reuters is reporting about a Brazilian, traveling in Germany, whose home security system (in Brazil) sent him a text message that his home had been broken into.
Sr Wettlauser logged onto his home webcam, saw the thief was still in the house; he then called his wife (in Sao Paulo), who called the police, who arrested the thief.
My point? Just that a novel use of otherwise innocuous technologies may lead to questions about traditional ideas on surveillance and policing. I doubt many of us would have connected text messaging and home security.
Sr Wettlauser logged onto his home webcam, saw the thief was still in the house; he then called his wife (in Sao Paulo), who called the police, who arrested the thief.
My point? Just that a novel use of otherwise innocuous technologies may lead to questions about traditional ideas on surveillance and policing. I doubt many of us would have connected text messaging and home security.
LivesConnected
Peter A Mayer, a New Orleans advertising agency, has put together LivesConnected, a flash-based oral history of the experiences of those (staff members*) who survived hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.
Organized by respondent and key issues in their narratives, the quasi-network layout appears to be pure design (i.e., not theoretically driven). But it's easy to see how social scientists might use similar techniques to publish fieldwork interviews.
* The site is vague on this point, but I've looked at roughly a quarter of the interviews, and so far all appear to be caucasian (NOLA was 67% African-American in 2000). Thus, it doesn't seem to be based on a random sample of (former) NOLA residents.
Organized by respondent and key issues in their narratives, the quasi-network layout appears to be pure design (i.e., not theoretically driven). But it's easy to see how social scientists might use similar techniques to publish fieldwork interviews.
* The site is vague on this point, but I've looked at roughly a quarter of the interviews, and so far all appear to be caucasian (NOLA was 67% African-American in 2000). Thus, it doesn't seem to be based on a random sample of (former) NOLA residents.
12.13.2006
Imaginations of computing
Matt Kirschenbaum (MITH) has drawn attention to Willard McCarty's address to the National Humanities Center: "The Imaginations of Computing."
Prof McCarty is the 2006 winner of the R W Lyman award, given to scholars in recognition for innovative use of IT in humanities scholarship and teaching.
The sound quality could be better, but it's still worth your time (though I wish they made a vod/podcast available)
Prof McCarty is the 2006 winner of the R W Lyman award, given to scholars in recognition for innovative use of IT in humanities scholarship and teaching.
The sound quality could be better, but it's still worth your time (though I wish they made a vod/podcast available)
How to share presentations
Presentation Zen (a brilliant, amazing site) just posted an in-depth discussion of Slideshare and various other means of sharing presentations online.
Contrasting how various technologies support or delimit the depth of a range of communication styles, Mr Reynolds sketches a landscape that most of us are only beginning to discover. As more and more academics adopt these more advanced visual aids (for both traditional and distance learning), I suspect that essays like this will help some to avoid the bogs and fens of imperfect tools and techniques.
If you're serious about improving your ability to communicate with groups (e.g., classrooms, job talks), Garr Reynolds is someone you will want to read.
Contrasting how various technologies support or delimit the depth of a range of communication styles, Mr Reynolds sketches a landscape that most of us are only beginning to discover. As more and more academics adopt these more advanced visual aids (for both traditional and distance learning), I suspect that essays like this will help some to avoid the bogs and fens of imperfect tools and techniques.
If you're serious about improving your ability to communicate with groups (e.g., classrooms, job talks), Garr Reynolds is someone you will want to read.
12.12.2006
UCLA hacked
Washington Post is reporting that UCLA recently notified 800,000 students, alumni, faculty and staff that a computer system containing their personal information, including names, SSN, home addresses, and birth dates.
A friend of mine was recently phished; it's not a hell I would wish on anyone. When are we going to get serious about dealing with such vulnerabilities?
A friend of mine was recently phished; it's not a hell I would wish on anyone. When are we going to get serious about dealing with such vulnerabilities?
cfp: DigiGov 2007
The Digital Government Society of North America recently announced the 8th Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research, to be held May 20-23, 2007 in Philly.
Suggested topics include: Social Science Research and Citizen Interactions; Computer Science and Information Technology Research to Support Government; and IT-Enabled Government Operations and Government Application Domains.
Deadline for completed papers (10 page limit) is December 18th. Organizers are also preparing pre-conference workshops and tutorials.
To stay up on these and other events, consider subscribing to the DigiGov newsletter. Or check back here.
Suggested topics include: Social Science Research and Citizen Interactions; Computer Science and Information Technology Research to Support Government; and IT-Enabled Government Operations and Government Application Domains.
Deadline for completed papers (10 page limit) is December 18th. Organizers are also preparing pre-conference workshops and tutorials.
To stay up on these and other events, consider subscribing to the DigiGov newsletter. Or check back here.
Technopolitics camp
Anyone who can make it to San Francisco this coming weekend (Dec 17, 9:30-5:30) may be interested in the Technology and Politics Camp, held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility.
There are already over 30 people signed up, but I'm not seeing many academics on the list. Could be an amazing opportunity for any grad students interested in these issues, or who might still be looking for a good dissertation topic.
Participation is FREE, though you should plan on bringing food.
There are already over 30 people signed up, but I'm not seeing many academics on the list. Could be an amazing opportunity for any grad students interested in these issues, or who might still be looking for a good dissertation topic.
Participation is FREE, though you should plan on bringing food.
12.11.2006
Blogs on Internet Politics
Alan Rosenblatt, from the Internet Advocacy Center has posted a list of "Recommended Blogs on Internet Politics" to the APSA-ITP listserv:
"There are a growing number of blogs focused on the intersection of politics and the internet that I think are well worth reading. These can be very valuable as we develop and implement our research agendas.Addendum: Alan will be keeping an running list on www.drdigipol.com.
First, my own blog, www.drdigipol.com, ranges from short snippets on the latest online tools to longer strategy and analysis ssays on internet politics.
Second, www.epolitics.com is Colin Delany's excellent How To blog on Internet strategy.
Third, www.Frogloop.com focuses on how technology can help non-profits. Check out the guest bloggers, as well.
Fourth, www.mobileactive.org focuses on ways mobile technology is being used in politics and advocacy.
Fifth, http://nten.typepad.com/newsletter, like frogloop, focuses on technology for the non-profit sector.
Sixth, PoliticsOnline.com's blog, along with the rest of the site, is a fantastic resource for internet politics info.
Seventh, Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet's blog always includes good cutting edge information.
Eighth, Zack Exley, who has provided internet strategy to MoveOn, John Kerry, and Tony Blair, has his own blog http://zackexley.com.
Ninth, Idealware provides a consumer review service for software and strategies to the non-profit community.
Tenth, the Bivings Group publishes their blog on online political strategy.
Eleventh, Steve Clift, the guru of online local issues forums, writes
for his DO-Wire.
12.10.2006
Smarter Google Searches
Michael Miller, writing at informit.com, has offered up "Ten Tips for Smarter Google Searches":
1: Use the Correct MethodologyI think most of us already know several of these, but I found a few (e.g., #4, #7) that were new to me.
2: Conduct an "Either/Or" Search
3: Include or Exclude Words in Your Search
4: Search for Similar Words
5: Search for an Exact Phrase
6: List Similar Pages
7: Fine-Tune Your Search with Other Operators
8: Search for Specific Facts
9: Search the Google Directory
10: Use Googles Other Specialized Searches
12.09.2006
Data-sharing and tagging
Academic Commons is reporting that the Alexandria Archive Institute is beta testing Open Context, an online data repository to support the interexchange of information among archaeologists and museums. The project was funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
The idea is that individuals will add and review images and texts, tagging (i.e., folksonomy) and annotating items as they see fit. Such strategies have proven themselves useful in other highly dynamic, content-rich areas, but this may be the first large-scale experiment within a scientific community.
I'm certain it will take time to iron out the kinks, and there are relevant questions that remain unresolved (e.g., privacy concerns), but I fully expect that similar systems - distributed scholarly content and commentary - will eventually become the norm for the practice of science.
The idea is that individuals will add and review images and texts, tagging (i.e., folksonomy) and annotating items as they see fit. Such strategies have proven themselves useful in other highly dynamic, content-rich areas, but this may be the first large-scale experiment within a scientific community.
I'm certain it will take time to iron out the kinks, and there are relevant questions that remain unresolved (e.g., privacy concerns), but I fully expect that similar systems - distributed scholarly content and commentary - will eventually become the norm for the practice of science.
12.08.2006
Podcasting for educators
CFP: Empowerment Tech
The Institute of Communications Studies at the University of Leeds (UK) has announced its Call for Papers for a May 18th conference "Communication Technologies of Empowerment."
From the announcement:
From the announcement:
"New forms of communication have become a key tool for global social movements. Whether their struggles are focused on questions of global justice, class, gender, race or the environment, activists have found in the decentralized and inexpensive nature of the Internet and mobile telephony the media the media they need to organise themselves and make their actions public..."Deadline for proposals: Jan 31, 2007.
12.07.2006
Crowd solvent
Wired News is reporting on a new "non-lethal" Air Force weapon system that is designed to fire "millimeters waves" (longer than x-rays, shorter than microwaves) into crowds to disperse them.
It makes those targeted feel as if they have "been dipped in molten lava."
Festive.
After "extensive testing," the USAF has certified the system as "safe when used properly" (i.e., causing no long-lasting physical damage). Which is not the same thing as saying that being dipped in molten lava won't lead crowds to respond in ways that cause long-lasting physical damage.
The system has been cleared for use in Iraq.
It may (or may not) be that such technologies are not qualitatively distinct from other "non-lethal" tools (e.g., tear gas, rubber bullets), and it may (or may not) be true that such technologies will only be used "properly." Still, I wonder whether such tools might change local demographic and protest dynamics for those who wield them - and that's gotta be as tempting as all get-out.
Sharing data
The (preview) version of Swivel shows signs of promise. Serving as a sort of "data clearinghouse," Swivel allows users to upload and download datasets and graphs, as well as rate them according to their quality.
Of course, not all datasets are equally useful, but as first efforts go, this is not bad. The ratings help us to sort out the irrelevant, but I suspect we'll begin to see limited membership groups (e.g., subscription or credential-based) emerge over time, as well.
I find it difficult to imagine a world 20 years from now where this sort of service isn't commonplace. It may take another 5-10 years, but (social) research is about to make a qualitative leap forward.
Of course, not all datasets are equally useful, but as first efforts go, this is not bad. The ratings help us to sort out the irrelevant, but I suspect we'll begin to see limited membership groups (e.g., subscription or credential-based) emerge over time, as well.
I find it difficult to imagine a world 20 years from now where this sort of service isn't commonplace. It may take another 5-10 years, but (social) research is about to make a qualitative leap forward.
CFP expanded, extended
The 3rd International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry has just announced that it is extending the deadline for proposals to their next (May 2-5, 2007) meeting (UI-Urbana Champaign) until January 15th, 2007.
They are also actively soliciting papers on two additional topics: Tenure Issues for Qualitative Researchers, and Publishing Opportunities for Qualitative Research.
Moreover, there's still time to register for several of the pre-conference workshops:
- "New Indirections for Qualitative Research", Ian Stronach
- "The Critical Use of Focus Groups", Gregory Dimitriadis and George Kamberelis
- "State of the Art: The Latest in Qualitative Software Advances", Ray Maietta and Cesar Cisneros
- "In the PARticulars: Critical dilemmas and radical possibilities of participatory action research", Michelle Fine
- "An Introduction to Constructing Grounded Theory", Kathy Charmaz
- "Interpreting, Writing Up and Evaluating Qualitative Materials", Robin Jarrett and Angela Odoms-Young
- "Mixed-Method Social Inquiry: Possibilities and Strategies", Jennifer C. Greene
- "Computer Assisted Software for Qualitative Data Analysis: How to Integrate Software into Your Analysis of Qualitative Data ", Sharlene Hesse-Biber
12.06.2006
Selected qual research resources
From my presentation yesterday to UM's Dept of Government and Politics Working Group on Qualitative and Mixed Methodologies:
Qualitative Research Groups at the University of Maryland:
MITH Dialogues (most Tuesdays, 12:30-1:45 in the McKeldin basement): Discussion, presentation, and intellectual exchange on a range of projects relating to the MITH (Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities) central mission – much of which may be useful to qualitative social science www.mith2.umd.edu/programs
Qualitative Research Interest Group (meets several times each semester): a working group of faculty and graduate students who use qualitative methods in their work www.crge.umd.edu/research/qualitativerig.htm
Forum: Qualitative Social Research: peer-reviewed multilingual online journal for qualitative research www.qualitative-research.net/fqs/fqs-eng.htm
First Monday: peer-reviewed journal on and about, the Internet www.firstmonday.dk
CONTENT: news and discussion about content analysis www.aime.ua.edu/archives/content.html
Humanist Discussion Group: “electronic seminar” on humanities computing and the digital humanities, addresses intellectual, scholarly, pedagogical, and social issues – much of which may be useful to qualitative social science www.princeton.edu/~mccarty/humanist
QUALRS-L: Qualitative Research for the Human Sciences www.listserv.uga.edu/archives/qualrs-l.html
SOCNET: Official listserv of the International Network for Social Network Analysis www.insna.org/INSNA/socnet.html
Online QDA: training materials for Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) methods and selected Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS) software http://onlineqda.hud.ac.uk
12.05.2006
Cellular eavesdropping
Another sign of the times - according to an opinion published by NY District Judge Lewis Kaplan, the FBI has the legal power to remotely activate a cell phone to listen to nearby conversations.
Of course, this implies that they have the technical power to do the same.
Food for thought, certainly.
Addendum: Blogger Lauren Weinstein offers us details on how a cell phone might be used as a bug.
Of course, this implies that they have the technical power to do the same.
Food for thought, certainly.
Addendum: Blogger Lauren Weinstein offers us details on how a cell phone might be used as a bug.
12.02.2006
Economic e-warfare
According to the Associated Press, the US Computer Readiness Team (DHS) has warned the NY Stock Exchange and NASDAQ of a possible electronic attack by "radical Muslims."
The evidence apparently comes from a "Jihadist website," and according to officials has not been confirmed.
We may still be some distance from black ice, but I suspect this is something we'll hear more and more about with time.
The evidence apparently comes from a "Jihadist website," and according to officials has not been confirmed.
We may still be some distance from black ice, but I suspect this is something we'll hear more and more about with time.
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