#CyberFest is the North East’s biggest cybersecurity festival and has now completed its second year. With 11 events, 700 attendees and over 60 speakers it has become one of the highlights of the regional tech calendar. There are huge ethical issues in cyber security both in terms of those who perpetrate criminal and antisocial behaviour … Continue reading NEBIzEthics as part of #CyberFest
Advertising stereotypes
When I first heard that the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it will ban adverts that promote gender stereotypes that are likely to cause harm, or serious or widespread offence, I thought here we go, political correctness has gone mad. The more I think about it, however, the more I support their approach. According to … Continue reading Advertising stereotypes
Telegraph
I am continuing my foray into the world of the printed media in an attempt to spread my understanding of other people’s opinions and support the work of paid journalism. I’m not sure if I am making any difference but then again we all have to do our own bit. This time I lurched to … Continue reading Telegraph
Time to fight back
It’s time to fight back. Our data is being used to profit from us, influence us and even trick us. The question is what can we do about it? Well, we already have a lot of power under the law. We can demand from companies to treat our data in accordance with General Data Protection … Continue reading Time to fight back
Young people trapped in small towns
The headline in the Big Issue (issue #1362) said that spiraling rents are forcing young people to stay in small towns instead of moving to cities with better jobs. This follows some research by the Resolution Foundation. The implication is clear, small towns are bad for young people. They do not offer them the range … Continue reading Young people trapped in small towns
Dynamo on the Wear
This was my sixth Dynamo North East conference. There have only been six and so I have a 100% attendance record. All of them have been good, most of them have been great but this one was exceptional. Why? I have been asking myself that very question. Firstly, the venue was great. Sunderland University’s campus … Continue reading Dynamo on the Wear
Pants on fire
In a now famous broadcasting moment, Rory Stewart, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live about Brexit, when he made the claim that ‘80 percent of the British public support this [withdrawal agreement] deal.’ Thankfully the presenter, Emma Barnett was quick to question him where this … Continue reading Pants on fire
Buy a newspaper
I’ve done something I haven’t done for a long time. I’ve bought a newspaper. It must be fifteen years or so since I last bought one and this was around the time when online news was starting to take off seriously. This isn’t the reason I stopped however. I had been reading a copy of … Continue reading Buy a newspaper
Enough hot air
Another round of local elections but this time the usual parties have fared less well. The two main parties of Conservative and Labour have lost significant numbers while the Liberal Democrats and Greens have been successful. Independent candidates have also done very well while the UKIP vote has all but collapsed. The dust has not … Continue reading Enough hot air
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 