It's the business model
The problems with research and publishing can't be solved if the business model doesn't change. It's unfortunate to see lots of otherwise good work ignore this fundamental issue.
Topic
Links & Sundry
A collection of 71 issues
Covid and the conspiracy conspiracy
Did science communicators learn nothing from the CDC's early mask mess-up? By refusing to even acknowledge good-faith questions about the virus's origin, we risk repeating the mistake and driving skeptics further to the fringes.
Minding the gap
New-York's forgotten hyphen obscures a shameful legacy and serves as a timely reminder of the power of erasure.
Bread, beer, and the state
Important bread vs. beer update! It might matter quite a bit if alcohol came first. Seriously.
Rugged individualism vs. privacy
America's cult of individualism is being put to the test in the fight for digital rights.
Venture, crypto, and the better returns trap
I would rather live in the present than give myself a second job hunting for better returns. But if you do get crazy rich on crypto, please consider inviting me to your yacht parties. You can make fun of me for this post.
Influencer marketing, fascism, and the hypernormalization of culture
Everything is fine.
The Diamond Age arrives?
We need to talk about the low end of GPT-3, too.
Resisting impact algorithms in academic publishing models
The problem with impact algorithms isn't that they exist, but that when they dominate, they coerce others into conforming to shapes designed to satisfy profit-driven needs rather than the community's needs.
The black holes are leaking
Reality is too full.