The Algorithm of Treachery

YouTube, Russia, Trump, Facebook…this one has it all.

Money Quote, Nov. 6 2017

Well, I was planning on writing a full throated column today, but the unfriendly skies, coupled with a failing laptop, denied us of that outcome. So here are the links I’m reading. It’s an abbreviated version of Money Quote, but it’ll have to do this time. More soon. I’m on the road most of the week, so keep your fingers crossed the Apple Store in Austin or Boulder can help…

Something is wrong on the internet (Medium)

Yes, it is. And while this story is about out of control capitalism mixed with uncontrollable algos on YouTube with kids’ programming, it’s essentially the same thing that’s happening with Russian bots.

Kremlin Cash Behind Billionaire's Twitter and Facebook Investments (New York Times)

This story owned the weekend, and rightly so. It’s huge. And we’re staring at the tip of it, there’s a mass under the water that strikes me as yet unexplored.

Alphabet’s Eric Schmidt On Fake News, Russia, And “Information Warfare (Medium)

This is old, from August. But it’s ripe.

Do social media threaten democracy? (The Economist)

Short answer: yes.

Russia funded Facebook and Twitter investments through Kushner associate (The Guardian)

Oh my.

How Facebook's Oracular Algorithm Determines the Fates of Start-Ups (New York Times)

Let’s just call it what it is: Innovation killing.

Like if You Want the Truth to Win (Medium)

Josh has a great roundup of the week here.

The Upside of Bowing to Big Tech (Medium)

Well, maybe. But…no.

Russian Twitter Support for Trump Began Right After He Started Campaign (Wall Street Journal)

Timing is everything.