Top Five Friday 23-8
news recap February 17-23 - Will digital technology lead to centralized or decentralized power? Or a continuation of both?
(This edition is titled “23-8” because it is the eighth week of 2023.)
Digital technology has already empowered both tyranny and liberty in different ways and has potential to continue empowering both in ways only a science fiction writer could’ve imagined a generation ago. Can both of these influences continue side-by-side or will one give way to the other?
(you can comment below if you’re a paid subscriber)
Over time, I’ll be focusing more and more on the advancements in technologies like digital currency, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics and drones.
This week’s Top Five:
New York Post: Chicago’ mayoral election is a warning to big cities everywhere. (From what I know of Chicago → Lightfoot loses big this Tuesday - Vallas and Garcia go to runoff → Garcia is next mayor.)
The American Conservative: Rod Dreher offers his thoughts on the Asbury revival with first hand account from a faculty member.
The Free Press also reports from the ground:
centralized digital ascendancy
Breitbart: Centralized digital currencies are a threat to financial privacy.
Business Insider: Microsoft’s new ChatGPT-powered Bing could be the real-life version of Skynet from Terminator films.
PC Magazine: Microsoft is using ChatGPT to control robots & drones.
Business Insider: Top ten job fields in which A.I. may replace humans.
The Federalist: A.I. can never fully replace humans.
decentralized digital autonomy
Forbes: What is cryptocurrency? (decentralized digital currency)
“The Network State”: Cryptocurrency advocate Balaji Srinivasan wrote a book and started a podcast about his decentralized digital nation idea.
The Guardian: European leaders ban TikTok due to cybersecurity threat.
Washington Examiner: FL Governor Ron DeSantis’ Digital Bill of Rights.
social unity vs. social fragmentation
Fox News: Vivek Ramaswamy declared candidacy for president, talking unity around what makes us American vs. divisive identity politics.
Newsweek: Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor-Green proposed national divorce to solve America’s “irreconcilable differences.”
The Federalist: Eastern Oregon wants to secede & join Idaho, and Idaho house approved annexation talks.
Others see national fragmentation as a far-fetched delusion:
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