Dear Fedi friends,

If you can set aside 11 minutes today, I highly encourage to watch @vkc's latest video: "I stream nothing, and I am happy."

🔗​: https://tinkerbetter.tube/w/ns3WDZZgAoe1SfrDCAUrni

It is ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT and should be shown in media literacy and digital literacy classes everywhere. Actually, everyone should watch it (I'm about to send it to my family and friends).

My favorite part comes up towards the end. Veronica eloquently explains (9 min 27 sec in):

"I feel like we owe it to ourselves and to those who follow us to try and break free of algorithms, which tell us what we should like, who we should believe, and how we should feel about it.

It may sound melodramatic and maybe it is, but I see the increased dependence on algorithmically-driven entertainment as a symptom of that larger problem: uber-convenience that separates us from our critical thinking.

We're learning to abandon reason for small decisions, and wouldn't you know it, now it's easier to ignore reasons for the larger ones.

I'm not here to tell you what to think. I was raised in a "mind-your-own-damn-business" household and that's where my head is at. But I do want to implore all of us to think critically about how streaming media, autoplay, and the algorithm are impacting us."

I'm super proud to be a backer of her Patreon and I cannot thank her enough for this incredible video... which comes at the perfect time, as I was already planning to set up #Jellyfin next week.

If you can, join me in supporting Veronica's work here: https://www.patreon.com/VeronicaExplains

#DigitalLiteracy #BigTech #SelfHosting #independence #resist #MediaLiteracy

@elena @vkc

and what do i give tomorrow at @haufegroup ?

a "digital literacy course" ;)

#DigitalLiteracy #BigTech #Selfhosting #resist #MediaLiteracy

Dear Fedi friends,

If you can set aside 11 minutes today, I highly encourage to watch @vkc's latest video: "I stream nothing, and I am happy."

🔗​: https://tinkerbetter.tube/w/ns3WDZZgAoe1SfrDCAUrni

It is ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT and should be shown in media literacy and digital literacy classes everywhere. Actually, everyone should watch it (I'm about to send it to my family and friends).

My favorite part comes up towards the end. Veronica eloquently explains (9 min 27 sec in):

"I feel like we owe it to ourselves and to those who follow us to try and break free of algorithms, which tell us what we should like, who we should believe, and how we should feel about it.

It may sound melodramatic and maybe it is, but I see the increased dependence on algorithmically-driven entertainment as a symptom of that larger problem: uber-convenience that separates us from our critical thinking.

We're learning to abandon reason for small decisions, and wouldn't you know it, now it's easier to ignore reasons for the larger ones.

I'm not here to tell you what to think. I was raised in a "mind-your-own-damn-business" household and that's where my head is at. But I do want to implore all of us to think critically about how streaming media, autoplay, and the algorithm are impacting us."

I'm super proud to be a backer of her Patreon and I cannot thank her enough for this incredible video... which comes at the perfect time, as I was already planning to set up #Jellyfin next week.

If you can, join me in supporting Veronica's work here: https://www.patreon.com/VeronicaExplains

#DigitalLiteracy #BigTech #SelfHosting #independence #resist #MediaLiteracy

The Publication Facts Label (PFL) is now available for OJS 3.3 – 3.5.
Think of it as a “nutrition label” for research, making editorial practices visible, transparent, and trustworthy.

For developers, sysadmins, and editors working in Open Access, this is a step toward healthier scholarly communication.

🔗 https://pkp.sfu.ca/2025/10/31/pfl-available/

#OpenAccess #OpenInfrastructure #MediaLiteracy #ScholComm #PKP #OJS

We're not marching towards fascism. We're scrolling through it.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/how-lies-and-big-tech-algorithms-can-lead-to-real-world-violence/105591802

#disinformation #democracy #medialiteracy

We're not marching towards fascism. We're scrolling through it.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/how-lies-and-big-tech-algorithms-can-lead-to-real-world-violence/105591802

#disinformation #democracy #medialiteracy

If you’re feeling the same way, if you’ve been questioning what’s real, what’s right, and what’s worth rebuilding, join us inside the Profit Without Oppression (PWO) community.

This is not just a learning space. It’s a doing space. A place for people ready to lead differently, live more fully, and divest from the lie that profit requires harm.

Link in Bio

#History #MediaLiteracy #Unlearning #TruthTelling #Disinformation #CommunityMatters #PWO #ProfitWithoutOppression #LiberationWork

…“It’s extraordinary,” said Simon Willison, an independent #AI researcher who’s been testing the tool. “You can ask it a sort of pointed question that is around controversial topics. And then you can watch it literally do a search on X for what #ElonMusk said about this, as part of its research into how it should reply.”

#Grok #tech#MediaLiteracy #bias

One example widely shared on social media — & which Willison duplicated — asked #Grok to comment on the conflict in the #MiddleEast. The prompted question made no mention of #Musk, but the #chatbot looked for his guidance anyway.

As a so-called reasoning model, much like those made by rivals #OpenAI or #Anthropic, #Grok4 shows its “thinking” as it goes through the steps of processing a question & coming up with an answer.

#tech#MediaLiteracy #bias

…“It’s extraordinary,” said Simon Willison, an independent #AI researcher who’s been testing the tool. “You can ask it a sort of pointed question that is around controversial topics. And then you can watch it literally do a search on X for what #ElonMusk said about this, as part of its research into how it should reply.”

#Grok #tech#MediaLiteracy #bias

The latest version of #ElonMusk’s #AI chatbot #Grok is echoing the views of its billionaire creator, so much so that it will sometimes search online for #Musk’s stance on an issue before offering up an opinion.

The unusual behavior of Grok 4, the AI model that Musk’s company #xAI released late Wednesday, has surprised some experts.

#tech#MediaLiteracy #bias
https://apnews.com/article/grok-4-elon-musk-xai-colossus-14d575fb490c2b679ed3111a1c83f857

It's once again time for the Breaking News Consumer's Handbook:

1. In the immediate aftermath, news outlets will get it wrong.
2. Don't trust anonymous sources.
3. Don't trust stories that cite another news outlet as the source of the information.
4. There's almost never a second shooter.
5. Pay attention to the language the media uses.
   • "We are getting reports"…could mean anything.
   • "We are seeking confirmation"…means they don't have it.
   • "[News outlet] has learned"…means it has a scoop or is going out on a limb.
6. Look for news outlets close to the incident.
7. Compare multiple sources.
8. Big news brings out the fakers. And photoshoppers.
9. Beware reflexive retweeting. Some of this is on you.

Once again, see the original blog post for elaboration and comments on all these points.

(via @Sheril)

#MediaLiteracy #breaking #news

The #disinformation also added to the confusion over what exactly was happening on the streets, which was portrayed in digital & #SocialMedia [& #RightWing news #media] through starkly divergent #ideological lenses. Many posts created the false impression that the entire city was engulfed in violence, when the few clashes were limited to only very small parts.

#MediaLiteracy #moderation#TrumpLies#Trump #propaganda#LosAngeles#LAprotests #immigration #protests

Misleading photos, videos & texts have spread widely on social #media as #protests against #immigration #raids unfolded in #LosAngeles, rehashing old conspiracy theories‘ to support #Trump’s actions.

The flood of falsehoods appears intended to stoke outrage toward #immigrants & #Democrats.

#MediaLiteracy #moderation#TrumpLies #propaganda#Resist
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/technology/la-protests-conspiracy-theories-disinformation.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare