This week, I’ve been watching (thanks in part to the awesome PD+ premium subscription service) some pretty interesting world/tech events. Here are some of the most interesting links:
- Britain experiments with randomized control trials for public policy
- US Consulate in Shanghai’s 80,000+ follower social media account disappears
- A new initiative maps Egyptian military influence in Egypt
- A controversial bill proposed by Iraqi MPs would sentence web users for life for ill-defined internet crimes
- A tourism campaign in the Maldives goes horribly wrong (or right, depending on whose side you’re on)
- Neo-Nazis are getting better at using social media to recruit young people
Meanwhile, U.S. comedian Tosh.O attacks an audience member by inviting the audience to imagine her getting gang-raped, leading to well-deserved fury from many sides. This thoughtful response from a fellow comedian is one of the best. A choice quote:
“Your job as a comedian is to take us through pain, transcend pain, transform pain. And if you don’t get that, you are a fucking bully, and I’ve got zero time for bullies.”