The internet, dumbing us down? 03/04/2011
You’re probably well-aware that Facebook’s News Feed and Google’s search results adjust based on your behavior and demonstrated preferences. But are these and the web’s other algorithms making us collectively uninformed as a society? That’s the argument that Eli Pariser, the former executive director of MoveOn.org, made in a TED talk on Thursday in Long Beach, California. Pariser started his talk by noting a trend he saw on Facebook. Over time, he said, the conservative friends he had started following to ensure a diverse set of viewpoints (Pariser describes himself as “progressive” politically) gradually started disappearing. As he would soon discover, that was a result of him clicking far more frequently on the links posted by his more liberal friends. This “invisible algorithmic editing of the web,” as Pariser describes it, “moves us to a world where the Internet shows us what it thinks we need to see, but not what we should see.” Beyond Facebook, Pariser notes the huge diversity of search results his friends find on Google about topics like Egypt, where one friend sees news about recent protests and Lara Logan, while another sees results about travel and vacations. In turn, Pariser believes we’re collectively creating what he calls a personal “filter bubble,” which is also the title of a book on the subject due out in May. And while he falls short of arguing that the trend towards personalization must end, he says the likes of Facebook and Google need to “have a sense of civic responsibility, and let us know what’s getting filtered … [and offer] controls to let us decide what gets through and what doesn’t.” What he’d like to see is an information world that “gives us a bit of Justin Bieber and a bit of Afghanistan,” marked by controls that let us filter content by its relevance, importance, comfort (topics that can be difficult to discuss or read), challenge level, and points of view (with an option to see “alternative”). Of course, much of that goes against the history of the Internet, which has been marked by its ability to connect like-minded people, both for good and for bad. In other words, Google and Facebook could build such controls and even bake more human editing into their algorithms, but do people even want them? What do you think? Is the personalization of the Web making us less informed? Do the companies driving innovation on the web have a civic responsibility to give us a fuller world view? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment  Come enjoys the sounds of DJ Natty Boom & the up and coming, DJ Prizm! Happy hour specials and dope art from myself, Dawn J. aka Tree. FYI: I'vebeen working hard on some new pieces!! A Nova is an explosion in the sky producing gamma rays in the process. I'm exploding. Rays are my soul. Tree Work it, it's right in front of your face! 02/28/2011
We can either be passive consumers of ideas or we can actively use what we learn, to build a better future. We can use information in order to achieve our best results ever or become an eternal gatherer of insights and guidance, which we never use. We live in an age where there has never been greater access to business development information-in books, free workshops, school and the drop of your finger to the keyboard with the fast pace of the internet. Much of this is written by accomplished, respected experts – People we know we can trust. It’s there right now, just waiting to be read and acted on. I often wonder how many struggling small business owners would be millionaires today, if they decided to act on some of the great information they gathered; rather than simply gathering more and more ideas that they never put into action. Free Online Tax filing. Right on! 02/24/2011
Free Online Tax Filing: The Beehive If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, you can file both state and federal returns FOR FREE* at www.MyFreeTaxes.com/dceitc! * Free for everyone who earned less than $57,000 per year The DC EITC Campaign and its two primary partners, CAAB and Community Tax Aid, are working with One Economy, the Walmart Foundation, the United Way of the National Capital Area and The Real Economic Impact Tour to offer this FREE online service through The Beehive, a program created by DC-area nonprofit One Economy to be “the place to go for information and resources around the things that matter in our lives: money, health, jobs, school and family.” Learn How to File Your Taxes on Your Own! Trained IRS-Certified Volunteers will help you learn to file your taxes on your own with MyFreeTaxes at sites throughout the DC area. Check out the schedule below to see when we will be in your neighborhood. Special Session: Deaf taxpayers who need assistance filing can get help from ASL-speaking volunteers: Tuesday, March 1st, 3:30 - 7:30 pm MLK Library Adaptive Services, 902 G St. NW, Room 215 Mobile Tax Van Schedule The Mobile Tax Van will provide individuals and families with access to computers and online tax preparation platforms. It will be equipped with laptops, tables and chairs, and will travel to sites around the Washington Metropolitan Area. Individuals can visit any of the sites listed below, but must have an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of less than $57,000 per year to participate. Date and Time Location Friday, February 25 10:00 am – 3:00pm Boat People SOS 6066 Leesburg Pike Suite 100 Falls Church, VA 22041 Saturday, February 26 10:00 am – 1:30pm Operation Hope 2509 Good Hope Rd., SE Washington, DC 20020 Wednesday, March 2 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Operation Hope 2509 Good Hope Rd., SE Washington, DC 20020 Thursday, March 3 11:00 – 3:00 pm Operation Hope 2509 Good Hope Rd., SE Washington, DC 20020 Friday, March 4 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Operation Hope 2509 Good Hope Rd., SE Washington, DC 20020 Saturday, March 5 10:30 am – 2:30pm Greater Washington Boys and Girls Club 4103 Benning Rd., NE Washington, DC 20019 Money Management 101 02/23/2011
Capitol Area Assets Builders (CAAB) offers its Money Management 101 workshop series on a regular basis. This 5-part series will cover the basics of money management, including setting financial goals and tracking expenses, budgeting and saving, credit and compound interest, and credit reports.
The next MM 101 series will be held: Mondays from February 28th to March 28th (5 weeks) 6:30-8:30pm or Saturdays from February 26th to March 26th (5 weeks) 10am-12pm All classes will be held at Martin Luther King Library (901 G. Street NW, Rm. A-5) Register: call: 202-419-1443 or email: seminar@caab.org Give it up for the HEALTHY girl! 02/23/2011
Full Figured Fashion Week™ is looking for freelance (new faces) and agency runway models for shows & events during the month of June 2011. The deadline to submit is Friday, March 4, 2011. What are We Looking For?
1. Mandatory Video Submission - In an attempt to further reduce cost, models who reside out of the state of New York are required to submit a video clip of your runway ability when you submit your application below. So, that means you must submit your two photos (see above), a video and your application to be considered. 2. You should upload your video clip to www.YouTube.com and send us the URL to the YouTube.com page in the space provided on the application below. If you indicate that you live out of the state of New York but do not send us a link attached to your application, your submission will be voided upon receipt. Tips for Submitting Your Video:
Note to ALL Models:
I AM a DREAM CHASER! 02/22/2011
Yup. Ima see my used to wanna be baby daddy! 02/22/2011
MC Common will lead a talk with entrepreneur Tai Beauchamp at the Cramton Auditorium as part of his Black History Month speaking tour. Type: Speaker/Lecture/Reading Price: Free tickets are sold out Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm Tags: blackhistory, free LGBT Paid Internship, get out! 02/21/2011
Paid LGBT Internships for Post-Graduates The R. Scott Hitt Foundation is offering funding for qualified candidates with the vision to be future leaders in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) movement. Applicants do not need to identify as LGBT in order to apply. The pro-LGBT sponsoring organization that you choose to apply with will receive funding to compensate your internship position while you strengthen your resume and gain valuable skills towards becoming a leader of the future. The DC Center welcomes inquiries from qualified, highly-motivated students with LGBT organizing experience who are interested in applying for this internship and working at the DC Center. THE SCOTT HITT INTERNSHIP IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 13, 2011 Applicants must be post-graduate students with strong academic records. Internships last 7-9 months, 40 hour week. The maximum grant for an internship is $20,000. Applicants must partner with an established 501(c)3 nonprofit with a commitment to the advancement of LGBT equality. Applicant contacts host organization which they want to work with and co-develops a successful curriculum encompassing these key elements: communications, fundraising, board development and grassroots policy R. Scott Hitt was the former Chair of President Clinton's HIV/AIDS Advisory Council and the founder of numerous activist and community organizations. He was a passionate advocate for civil rights and equality in all communities. The R. Scott Hitt Foundation accepts between two and four applicants into this program per year. DC's Own Entertainment Group & The Downtown Players *Winner, Best One-Act Drama at the 2010 DC Black Theatre Festival for The Airport Piece* Watch video clips on their Facebook site! Seeking actors of color for upcoming full-length play entitled, DCPS, an original production written & directed by Rahima Rice-Marsh. Prepare a 1-2 minute contemporary monologue or poem. Bring headshot and resume. ... Saturday, March 12th & Sunday, March 13th, 2:30-5:30pm (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY) DC Arts Center (DCAC) 2438 18th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20009 Red Line Metro: Woodley Park Zoo/Adams Morgan Play Description: It's lunchtime at District High. Every clique has their place in the cafeteria. Athletes. Cheerleaders. Nerds. Fashionistas. Gays. Outcasts. Teachers. Ms. Crenshaw loves teaching. The Gym Teacher loves Ms. Crenshaw’s attention. Ohaji loves the old Kiya. Monique loves the real Kiya. Kiya loves her goals & ambitions. Rebecca loves film, her laptop and Starbuck’s. Stefan loves gossip and fashion. Eva loves being with Monty. Monty loves who he is becoming. What they have in common is their connection to D.C., and the belief that love, friendship, passion and the truth are what matter most when life throws them an inevitable curveball. Characters: Ms. Crenshaw-Female, early 30s, Humanities Teacher, sophisticated look The Gym Teacher-Female, early 30s, Cheerleading Coach, overly confident Ohaji-Male, 17, High School Senior, class clown type Kiya-Female, 16, High School Junior, Head Cheerleader, hood trendy Rebecca-Female, 16, High School Junior, artsy nerd Stefan-Male, 18, High School Senior, fashionable and flamboyant Eva-Female, 16, High School Junior, Head Cheerleader, proper and snooty Montgomery-Male, 18, High School Senior, Football star and overachiever Paul-Male, 18, High School Senior, pretty boy with an attitude ALL SPEAKING ROLES PAID Also seeking background ensemble. Crew positions are also available: Lighting & Sound Tech, Assistant Stage Manager, (2) Stage Hands Rehearsal: April 7th-May 11th Performances: May 12th-14th, 7:30pm & May 14th, 3pm For audition appointment send email to: rahima@dcsownentertainmentgroup.com For more info about our company visit our website: www.dcsownentertainmentgroup.com |
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