Will Autonomous Killer Bots Need Driver’s Licenses?

by Garrison Walters

A major debate in the tech world at the moment is whether we should allow the creation of autonomous killer robots for the military. “Autonomous” means the bots make their own decision about when to shoot. Many buzzkill scientists have come out against the idea.

This whole discussion seems pointless to me. I mean, you know where the NRA is going to come down on this. Because bots are programmed, they are obviously part of the Second Amendment’s “well regulated militia.” And what the NRA wants…

The Introvert’s Guide to Social Media

by Garrison Walters

“He who lived well, hid well.”  -- Rene Descartes

If you’re a serious, hard-core introvert like me, the very word “social” gives you a chill, a quick sense of something ominous just ahead.

Add the word “media” to “social” and you have a vision of hordes of celebrities invading your private space, the light from their shiny teeth illuminating the darkest corners of your life.

We’ll, I’m here to tell you that image is wrong, In fact, social media is much worse than that. It’s the death of privacy. It’s offering yourself up for sacrifice on the altar of extroversion.

Why I’ve Taken the BBC Off My Reading List

by Garrison Walters

Somewhere back in the spring, along about March I think, I was doing my regular cycle of web pages when I saw something ominous:  the BBC was inviting me to “preview their new look.”

I didn’t click because I knew what it would be:  lots more white space and way more use of videos.

Sure enough, a few days later that’s what I saw.