Russia Targets American Politics Again?-Bob Davis Podcast 809

Get ready. A sustained disinformation attack on the top democrat presidential candidates is already in progress. That’s the new story line. These days you can’t be sure. We’ll talk about it in Russia Targets American Politics Again?-Bob Davis Podcast 809.

Breaking News From Politico

Most noteworthy is a series of stories Politico has done about ‘hacking’ the US electoral process. The latest is an article which sources data analysts and other experts. Especially relevant? A new charge by experts. Russia is back to its old tricks.

We take a look at the story and the charge in In Russia Targets American Politics Again?

A Wide Ranging Effort

Natasha Korecki says her Politico story shows a wide ranging effort aimed at Kamala Harris, Beto O’Rourke, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. She reports certainly it is up and running with signs foreign state actors are behind some of it.

It’s Happening Again

According to Politico Weaponized Propaganda picks at the most sensitive issues in our public discourse. Furthermore that propaganda is being pushed across a variety of platforms. It’s happening again.

Wait! Not All Of It Is Organized!

Wait though. Not all the activity is organized. In contrast, a lot of it appears to be regular Joe’s sharing stuff they think is funny or relevant on their feeds.

Sources For Politico Article Include Democrat Operatives

Finally sources for this story include Brett Horvath who has worked for the Mayor of Seattle as well as other operatives who have worked for democrats including Hillary Clinton. Or companies like Storyful who spy on reporters.

No Conclusive Evidence

Even more Korecki writes researchers and others cannot conclusively point to actors behind “the coordinated activity”.

We’re All Trolls Now

Maybe I’m churlish but it seems to me the writer, sources and Politico itself are getting a lot of mileage out of this. The principles in the story are sharing the story on their own feeds. Just slightly Troll Like, don’t you think? Maybe the Russians have switched sides this time!

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Russia Targets American Politics Again?-Bob Davis Podcast 809

FaceBook’s Very Bad No Good Data Breach Elected A Bad Person-Something Must Be Done-Podcast 708

These days when something goes wrong seems like we want a new law. A new social media data breach links FaceBook to the 2016 election outcome. Due to the controversy regulation might not be far away. In FaceBook’s Very Bad No Good Data Breach Elected A Bad Person-Something Must Be Done-Podcast 708.

FaceBook Back In The News

A whistle blower says a data analytics firm duped FaceBook out of tens of millions of social media profiles. What’s more, right wing political operatives used the data to influence voters in the US possibly impacting the presidential race.

This Story Has It All

Shadowy political operatives, Russians, Social Media Companies, and crazy new tactics. Get ahead of the story with FaceBook’s Very Bad No Good Data Breach Elected A Bad Person-Something Must Be Done-Podcast 708.

Was This A Crime or Just Political Shenanigans

Especially relevant is whether this is a serious and illegal data breach. Or just another example of political shenanigans? Much as it stings, did they take your credit card numbers? Personal data? Nope. Probably just your FaceBook history and the histories of your friends.

FaceBook Is Back On The Hot Seat

Most noteworthy is Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar’s announcement that she wants FaceBook’s Mark Zuckerberg to testify. Because the social media giant tried to kill the story then admitted it was true, this testimony could be pivotal.

Your Data? Really?

Truth is, these companies sell data. Consequently, you sign over the rights to your data when you sign up. The question here is who owns the data? Did Cambridge Analytica use fraud to obtain the data from FaceBook? More importantly what election laws were violated if any? If not, it’s civil issue between FaceBook and companies and parties involved in the alleged fraud.

Break Up Big Tech!

Lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum can’t wait to regulate evil Silicon Valley companies.

Get Your Grubby Government Hands Off Information

Nobody likes being manipulated. Yet, do we want the grubby hands of government all over free speech and information? Most of all, does this mean we have to pass laws controlling big tech? Seems like closing the barn door after the horses have escaped.

Bring On The Disruption

Seems like the digital revolution has effected media and politics lately. In addition the interest in regulation in this area is increasing. What if we accelerated the disruption instead?

Who’s to Blame? Where’s the Mirror

In conclusion, a question. Are individual citizens are responsible for themselves? If we get our news from social media and then become confused or feel controlled, maybe we ought to be looking in the mirror. Furthermore, politics is a dirty business. Operatives are always looking for an edge. Finally, while not excusing any illegal behavior, maybe we are all part of the problem rather than the solution.

We’re In Charge Of Our Own Culture

Consequently, it might be time to start taking responsibility for what we believe and the decisions we make.

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FaceBook’s Very Bad No Good Data Breach Elected A Bad Person-Something Must Be Done-Podcast 708

 

Return On Investment Chaotic World-Podcast 646

Fast and sometimes chaotic change sometimes causes people to cling to the old days and old ways. Return On Investment Chaotic World-Podcast 646 focuses on advertising for small business.

An Incredible Time

These days individuals and small business have the ability to achieve the kind of reach only dreamt about in past eras. One of the biggest problems I encounter is the habit of small businesses to fall into small thinking.

You Put A Dollar Into One End Of This Machine and You Get Twenty

Seems like business owners think there’s a machine somewhere that converts one dollar bills into twenty dollar bills and its called ‘Return on Investment‘. Social Media. Digital Advertising. Funnels. SEO. What are these? How do you set your business apart from competitors? We’ll talk about it in Return On Investment Chaotic World-Podcast 646.

ROI Is A Pig In A Poke

You don’t build a brand – as hackneyed as that concept is these days – worrying about ‘return on investment’. You don’t build a brand with ‘Hey Come On Down’ advertising approaches. Old thinking dominates main street and our political process.

Do You Feel The World Change?

Change is especially relevant these days. Chaos is another thing. Problem is if you don’t orient yourself and your business to it, change will become chaos.

There are more yoga teachers in the United States than Coal Miners, but we are developing a major economic policy for coal miners. Internet Commerce is in the process of disrupting and destroying retail. Yet, we’re building more malls. Autonomous machines and software of all kinds is replacing workers but city councils are passing higher minimum wages. In Return On Investment Chaotic World-Podcast 646.

Delivery By Drone

Technology already exists to deliver most of major company’s commerce by drone. Regulation and approval is holding it up. Same with driverless cars and many other innovations.

Meanwhile Back At The Ranch

I think it is probably predictable that in the face of potential chaotic change, people cling to the old ways of thinking and doing. Especially when it comes to advertising and politics. Change waits for no one though. It seems like the more we wait to adapt and improvise the more potential chaos looms.

Mundane to Extraordinary

The Return on Investment trope is the trigger for a romp through a discussion of new technology and its effects. From tanks in World War I to Edward Snowden. From advertising to asymmetric threats. It is here and more is coming. Return On Investment Chaotic World-Podcast 646.

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Return On Investment Chaotic World-Podcast 646