How dark is the trap?

Tory Shepherd misses an important point in her analysis of the "dark trap" of radicalisation through the web (Net rabbit hole, 24 Sep).

The whole point of web searches and social media is to narrow our thinking. One day we search for tissues, from then on every search will bias tissues in its results. The aim is to narrow our thinking in order to sell us product.

So one day you read an interesting article on terrorism. From then on every search will connect you to terrorism sites. Social media algorithms don't care, they will sell you tissues or terrorism. Because either result earns money for the algorithm owner.

The dark trap of the web aims to narrow our thinking. To narrow our thinking to the point where we buy those tissues. Or buy in to the ideas of terrorism. The only point is to narrow our thinking until we buy.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
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When all else fails, have someone else read the instructions" … per Ginger Meggs
   

Money or Morals

Another excellent article by Ben Harvey (container ship, 19/9).

He points out that Australia is a gnat compared to China. That we make serious money selling to China but that our trade is, to China, insignificant.

Yet, as Harvey points out, if we question China on its lack of democracy, on its brutal treatment of Hong Kong, even on coronavirus history, we are liable to be squashed like a gnat. China, Harvey tells us, is a bully which will not hesitate to employ "coercive diplomacy".

Finally, Harvey speaks to our major business leaders. They have strong opinions: we should kiss the Chinese boots because money is more important than a moral stance.

The message is, plutocrats will accept any immoral act, as long as the money continues to flow into their own already stuffed pockets.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"My science homework ate my dog." ... per Ginger Meggs

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Dying for you to read my blog, at https: // notdotdeaddotyet .blogspot. com. au/ :-)

fighting for weight

Several sports -- fighting sports -- match competitors by weight. A "bantamweight", for example, will only fight another "bantamweight". This leads to competitors  starving themselves in order to compete in a lighter-weight category.

The point is, if you weigh as much as a full-size chicken then you are large enough to thrash the smaller bantams. It's a form of cheating.

The result is, competitors prepare for a competition by starving themselves. And, as a direct result, some would-be competitors starve themselves to death.

The risk of death is treated as less important than the improved chance of winning.

If a sport has weight categories, those categories should be based on actual -- normal -- weight. Weight measured over time, not just the famished weight on the day of a competition. Like drug testing, weight testing should be a permanent feature of being a serious competitor.

For six or more months either side of a competition, competitors are weighed. At random times, with little warning. Whatever weight they are at -- is their competition weight.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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I'm not cynical… just experienced… per Ginger Meggs

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Dying for you to read my blog, at https: // notdotdeaddotyet .blogspot. com. au/ :-)

death and property

It's a good suggestion from the Mayor of Nedlands, to build a children's care residence (a hospice) on the old Sunset Hospital site (Letters, 8/9). There is plenty of room to build, without taking up space which is currently being used for public recreation.

If the government later finds a mega-rich foreigner who wants land to build another personal fortress, that's easy. Deal with the children as a previous government deal with the original tenants of Sunset Hospital.

When the land is worth money, throw the children out. Just as the old men were thrown out. The point is, after all, that the children, like the old men, will soon be dead anyway.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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I'm not cynical… just experienced… per Ginger Meggs

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Dying for you to read my blog, at https: // notdotdeaddotyet .blogspot. com. au/ :-)