As a Designer, Senior Web Developer & SEO Specialist, I find it crucial to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in data ethics. Completing the University of San Francisco Data Institute's course on Applied Data Ethics is part of my journey.
While none of this information is new. The Applied Data Ethics course did reinforce my awareness of the ethical considerations in data-focused work. The curriculum and lectures showcased (again) how ethical principles plays out in real-world scenarios.
The Applied Data Ethics course overlaps with several recent books that I have reviewed, including "Design Justice" by Sasha Costanza-Chock, "Automating Inequality" by Virginia Eubanks and "Race after Technology" by Ruha Benjamin. These books discuss the ways in which technology can perpetuate and exacerbate systemic inequalities. The Applied Data Ethics course similarly emphasizes the need for ethical considerations in technology and data-related work. While exploring the principles of community-led design and its potential to create a more just and equitable society.
The Applied Data Ethics course also aligns with the Center for Humane Technology Certification, which encourages ethical design practices and promotes technology that benefits humanity.
Applied Data Ethics, is essential for all working in tech
University of San Francisco Data Institute covering disinformation, bias & fairness, ethical foundations, practical tools, privacy & surveillance, the silicon valley ecosystem, and algorithmic colonialism.
Consider the claim that the Universe was not created by a benevolent God.
Derek Parfit
Rediscovering Reasons and Persons: A Journey of Reflection and Growth
Once upon a time, nestled in the corner of a quaint library in Northern Ireland, there stood a long narrow metal bookshelf. This particular bookshelf was quite special, standing proudly as if towering towards the heavens. The bookcase silently witnessed the transformative power of knowledge, as readers like myself found inspiration within its shelves. They held a treasure trove of wisdom and insights on our interconnectedness with the world and beyond. This particular bookshelf held a collection of philosophical works.
Among these books was a gem called "Reasons and Persons." With its intriguing title and profound ideas, it captured the attention of my curious mind seeking to explore the depths of human existence.
The library was my sanctuary of knowledge. As a teenager, I found myself grappling with the profound ideas presented in Reasons and Persons, particularly the section that explored the concept of personal change.
exploring the methodology of personal change
By exploring the methodology of personal change, symbolized by the notion of people traveling to another planet. The book presents the idea that instead of physically transporting oneself to a new world, one's personal data would be transmitted while the physical body remains on Earth, allowing a new version of oneself to exist and flourish on the distant planet. This intriguing notion challenges our understanding of identity and raises profound questions about the nature of self and the implications of such a transformative process.
Initially, the process was a simple one-to-one transfer. A person steps into the teleporter on Earth, presses the button, and their entire body and everything else is transformed into data and sent to Mars. The data is then reassembled on Mars, following a similar process seen in Star Trek.
As technology progresses, a new and secure teleportation system has been developed to address concerns about cost and potential data loss. With this advanced system, individuals step into the teleporter with confidence, knowing that a thorough scan of their data will be transmitted to Mars. Once on Mars, scientists utilize the data to recreate an accurate copy of the person.
The person on Earth will step out of the teleporter and remain alive for 5 more days until their natural resources run out. The new copy on Mars will continue as normal. It is worth noting that both the original person and their copy will maintain constant communication throughout this entire process.
two individuals coexisting at the same time
The idea of two individuals coexisting at the same time perfectly captures the notion of personal growth and transformation. It implies that there is an older version of oneself and a newer, improved version. Although they are the same person, both individuals possess a strong desire to live and thrive, with no intention of giving up on life. While the seasoned individual is well-versed in all aspects, the newcomer is still navigating their way. In a clever twist, the experienced person outsmarts the novice and regains control once more.
From a young age, I understood that true transformation requires the new version of oneself to surpass and outlast the old. It's crucial to acknowledge that the old version may resist this change, as its sole purpose is to extinguish the new and improved you.
transformation requires the new version of oneself to surpass and outlast the old
Reasons and Persons written by the brilliant philosopher Derek Parfit. Was first published in 1984 and has since become one of the most influential works in moral philosophy.
The book explores a wide range of topics related to ethics, personal identity, and rationality. Parfit's main goal is to examine the ways in which our moral decisions and personal choices are interconnected. He questions the traditional views of morality and poses new and thought-provoking ideas. Parfit uses rigorous logic and compelling arguments to challenge common intuitions and encourage readers to reconsider their own moral beliefs.
Do give yourself at least 5 years to read, and lifetime to understand.
William Yang is an Australian photographer, born in 1943 in North Queensland. He is known for his documentary-style photography that captures the diversity of Australian society.
Yang's early work was mainly in the field of theatre where he worked as a set designer and lighting technician. He began taking photographs in the 1970s, which he used as visual aids in his theatre work.
Yang's "Sydney Diary" is a remarkable photographic series that started in 1977 and has since become widely celebrated. Through this series, Yang documents the dynamic evolution of Sydney into a thriving city with an international reputation. His powerful images showcase the city's transformation into a modern metropolis and its emergence as a cosmopolitan hub, making it an invaluable resource for both historians and art lovers alike.
Yang's "Sadness" is a poignant and impactful work that showcases his artistic skill and social awareness. The series of portraits portrays the tragic impact of the AIDS epidemic on his friends, capturing their pain and grief in a powerful way. It is a testament to his talent as an artist to be able to convey such raw emotion through his work.
William Yang is an important photographer because of his unique perspective on Australian life and culture. His photographs capture the diversity of Australian society, including the experiences of marginalised communities such as LGBTQ+ and Indigenous Australians. Yang's work also reflects his own personal history as a Chinese-Australian, providing a valuable insight into the experiences of Chinese immigrants in Australia.
Been Seen Performance
On the opening day of ‘Seeing and Being Seen’ exhibition, William Yang performed In Search of Home - a storytelling performance with image projection accompanied by music from Timothy Fairless. In the performance, Yang tells stories of his search for identity in Queensland, where he grew up on a tobacco farm. He identifies the harsh country of Dimbulah as his home. Yang met Jill Jordan while studying architecture at the University of Queensland, and Frogs Hollow at Maleny, which she owned, became his adoptive home. Yang has been visiting this community and photographing nature at Maleny for fifty years. The performance combines these stories and images with an evocative soundtrack by Timothy Fairless.
William Yang talks about creating My Generation
Chinese Project
The exhibition includes two new projects: "Life Lines," a collage of portraits of family members with pictures of historical Chinese sites in Australia, and a series of self-portraits tracing Yang's life from early childhood to the present.
William Yang Exhibition
William Yang talks about Blood Line
William Yang talks about the 70's gay culture in Sydney
I am always on the lookout for tools that can supercharge my productivity and streamline my work processes. In pursuit of this objective, I have invested considerable time and effort in meticulously researching and exploring the leading AI tools presently offered in the market.
In this super awesome blog, I spill the beans on my personal adventures with AI tools. Sharing some mind-blowing insights. Whether you're looking to conquer the world or just make your life a little easier, I've got you covered! Let the geeky fun begin!
I've gone ahead and sorted the tools into different categories to make your life easier. Whether you're looking for something to boost your productivity or improve your communication skills, I got you covered. Each category will be jam-packed with resources and links to help you find the perfect tool for all your needs. No more guesswork!
As I continue to test and learn more about each tool, I'll be sharing deep-dive blogs on each one, giving you an in-depth understanding of what each tool has to offer.
Futurepedia.io - a large directory. Set up a free account and bookmark your favorite AI apps. I found the Category AI List easier to navigate.
Art Apps
https://leonardo.ai/ - Text to image
Photo Apps
https://durable.co/ - AI will Generate an image caption
Voice Apps
https://murf.ai/ - Voice over (interesting app. I couldn't locate the create your own voice that I went to the app for. The Basic yearly subscription works out at $9.50 per hour of video ($228 billed annually) upgrading reduces the hourly rate and increases hours of voice generation.
Add yes, there are even more AI tools. Notion AI is one of my personal favorites. Arham Islam list of 50+ New Cutting-Edge AI Tools is a nice range of AI Apps that most people can find a handful of brilliant new tools.
Choosing the right domain name extension for your brand has always had a significant impact on customer awareness and brand loyalty. While .com has been the go-to domain extension for years, it's no longer seen as the correct option. By choosing a custom domain extension that's relevant to your industry and mission, you can establish your brand as hip and cutting-edge, rather than old-fashioned and out-of-touch. Newer, more specialized domain extensions like .ai, .studio, and .me have become popular choices for companies and other forward thinking start-ups.
AI companies are not registering .com domains
Despite the wide-ranging capabilities of AI, there's one thing that many of these companies have in common: they don't use .com domains for their platforms. Instead, they're opting for newer, more specialized domain extensions that better reflect their missions and services. Some of the most popular options include .ai, .io, and .tech.
Buy My .com Domain
The move away from .com
If you're a new .com owner, you're about a decade too late to the party. It's like still using dial-up internet in 2021. You might as well put on your parachute pants and tease your hair while you're at it. Okay, I might be exaggerating a bit, but you get the point. Choosing a .com domain these days is like choosing a flip phone over a smartphone. Don't be that person.
So why are companies moving away from .com? One reason is that .com has become synonymous with traditional, established businesses. While this may be viewed as a positive for some companies, it can also be seen as old-fashioned and out of touch.
Another reason is that .com domains are often seen as generic and lacking in creativity. With so many businesses and organizations using .com, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. By contrast, newer domain extensions offer greater opportunities for companies to create memorable and distinctive branding.
How custom domain establish trust
For an online store, a .store domain extension can be a great choice. This extension immediately communicates to customers that they're visiting an online store, and can help to build trust and brand loyalty.
For a fitness studio, a .studio domain extension can help to establish the brand as a leader in the industry. This extension is memorable and distinctive, and can help to differentiate the studio from other fitness businesses.
For other local businesses, a .city domain extension can be a great choice. This extension immediately communicates to customers that the business is located in a specific city, which can help to build trust and brand loyalty among local customers.
Short-Sightedness of New .com Owners
Racing toward that last unrelatable .com domain
Given these trends, it's clear that new .com owners who fail to consider other domain extension options may be short-sighted. While .com remains a trusted and recognizable extension, it may not be the best fit for every company or organization. In order to stay relevant and competitive in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, it's important to consider all available options. By failing to consider other domain extension options, your business will miss out on opportunities to differentiate your brand and create unique branding opportunities. In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, it's important to stay ahead of the curve and choose a domain extension that reflects your brand and mission.
