Notices by Aram Sinnreich (aram@aoir.social)

Not concerned yet

In case there was any doubt we're dealing with full-scale fascism, now the Speaker of the House is threatening to "eliminate" a federal court because he doesn't like a judge's ruling.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/speaker-mike-johnson-floats-eliminating-federal-courts-rcna197986

The "quantum cliff" is coming sooner than you think. State secrets, financial information, medical records, private communications—all umasked. Forever.

First accessible by states & corps, then criminals, then everyone.

@jesse & I discussed it in our book The Secret Life of Data: http://www.secretlife.cc

Now there's a good @WIRED article about it: https://www.wired.com/story/q-day-apocalypse-quantum-computers-encryption/

#encryption #privacy #surveillance #quantum #qday

I am one of the organizers of a huge annual international academic conference. This year it's in the U.S.

I don't think I can, in good conscience, recommend that any of our international members attend.

https://www.newsweek.com/britain-issues-travel-warning-us-deportations-2047878

Turns out Pink Floyd was wrong. We do need education.

New article in @TheConversationUS from me and @rwg:

https://theconversation.com/the-fediverse-promises-social-media-without-big-tech-if-it-can-avoid-familiar-pitfalls-247178

#fediverse #bluesky #socialmedia

I don't think the majority of Americans know how close the U.S. university system is to total collapse.

In under 2 months, Musk & the Mad King have eliminated most sources of federal support and threatened to cut the remainder.

If you care about your children's/nation's future, raise your voices.

#HigherEd #academia #academicchatter

My students in Media Law & Policy at American University SOC got to sit in on the taping of CTRL-ALT-SPEECH #podcast with @mmasnick & @benwhitelaw.bsky.social today, and asked some great questions. Full episode is now live: https://podcast.ctrlaltspeech.com/2315966/episodes/16625778-backdoors-and-backsteps

I just played a jazz gig and now I feel happy. Amazing how that works.

The psychology of MAGA (and all bullies and creeps) in a nutshell:

They're scared of everything and they want you to be scared too so they don't feel so bad about being so scared.

They're jealous of your joy and generosity and optimism. Hold onto those feelings, and share them whenever possible.

Bravo American Bar Association 👏👏👏

https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2025/02/aba-supports-the-rule-of-law/

The US gov is asking for public feedback abt its new #AI strategy, presumably replacing Biden's AI Bill of Rights.

They want to remove "unnecessarily burdensome requirements," presumably like regulation, accuracy, and accountability. Now's the time to speak up.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/06/2025-02305/request-for-information-on-the-development-of-an-artificial-intelligence-ai-action-plan

That email from Hulu that you probably deleted says they'll be serving ads to their "ad free" subscription customers.

People keep saying stuff to me like "it's gonna be a long four years"

My dude

Do you really not understand what's going on here?

An autism diagnosis doesn't excuse you from being a Nazi, and it's insulting to autistic people to suggest it does.

Finally! Bookshop.org now sells ebooks.

You can buy a digital copy of "The Secret Life of Data" without fattening the pockets of data billionaires.

Get it here:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-secret-life-of-data-navigating-hype-and-uncertainty-in-the-age-of-algorithmic-surveillance-aram-sinnreich/20412106?ean=9780262377812&digital=t

What's a good online general retailer that hasn't donated $ to Nazis or reneged on their DEI promises?

@janneke great book, great series. Is there a theatrical adaptation?

I just saw a teen theatre production of Hadestown (my kid was Hermes) and I am here to tell you

✅ Theater will save us all
✅ Music is medicine
✅ The kids are alright

What the hellish fuck is happening at Instagram