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Memes are taking the alt-right’s message of hate mainstream

Dec18
by on December 18, 2018 at 2:00 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Social Media, syndication


Think of an internet meme and you’ll probably smile. The most memorable viral images are usually funny, from Distracted Boyfriend to classics like Grumpy Cat. But some memes have a much more sinister meaning. They might look as innocuous as a frog, but are in fact symbols of hate. And as memes have become more political, these hateful examples have increasingly found their way onto mainstream social media platforms. My colleagues and I recently carried out the largest scientific study of memes to date, using a dataset of 160m images from various social networks. We showed how “fringe” web communities…

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a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Memes are taking the alt-right’s message of hate mainstream

Dec18
by on December 18, 2018 at 2:00 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Social Media, syndication


Think of an internet meme and you’ll probably smile. The most memorable viral images are usually funny, from Distracted Boyfriend to classics like Grumpy Cat. But some memes have a much more sinister meaning. They might look as innocuous as a frog, but are in fact symbols of hate. And as memes have become more political, these hateful examples have increasingly found their way onto mainstream social media platforms. My colleagues and I recently carried out the largest scientific study of memes to date, using a dataset of 160m images from various social networks. We showed how “fringe” web communities…

This story continues at The Next Web

└ Tags: , ,
a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Google reportedly shuts down its Chinese censored search project

Dec18
by on December 18, 2018 at 11:04 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Asia, Google


Google has stopped developing its censored search engine for China, known as project Dragonfly. The tech giant was forced to shut down a data analysis system used for its development after members of the company’s privacy team objected to it, according to The Intercept. Google‘s China project has been highly contested from the beginning, as the company is said to be aiding censorship and surveillance — effectively adding to the country’s human rights violations. NGOs have celebrated news of Google‘s decision to drop Dragonfly, but Amnesty International’s Secretary General Kumi Naidoo was disappointed with the reason behind the move: “It’s worrying…

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Day 7 of TNW’s Advent Deals: Sennheiser headphones, a speaker, and a pocket printer

Dec18
by on December 18, 2018 at 10:45 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Plugged


This holiday period, Plugged is running a very special advent calendar. Over the course of 12 days, we’ll be sharing a selection of sweet, sweet deals. You can thank us later. Want the deals from day 6? Head here, beloved. Today’s deals? Well, they’re just below. On the seventh day of TNW’s advent, the lovely team gave to me… Only $150 for Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee Headphones If you don’t know Massdrop, it’s a retail site that works with its users to make products they want. The items are exclusive to Massdrop and are offered at a lower price than…

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Study: Switching between devices is associated with poorer attention and memory

Dec18
by on December 18, 2018 at 9:00 am
Posted In: Around the Web, syndication


How many times have you sat down to watch TV or a movie, only to immediately shift your attention to your smartphone or tablet? Known as “media multitasking,” this phenomenon is so common that an estimated 178m US adults regularly use another device while watching TV. While some might assume that frequently shifting your attention between different information streams is good brain training for improving memory and attention, studies have found the opposite to be true. Media multitasking is when people engage with multiple devices or content at the same time. This might be using your smartphone while watching TV,…

This story continues at The Next Web

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