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Ever feel like your phone knows you better than your best friend? Does your newsfeed seem less like a window to the world and more like some weird fun-house mirror? Mine too. They may even be a little too good. And they’re only going to get better. But here's the secret: you can opt-out. A growing cadre of tech gurus, renegade artists and unstoppable activists are throwing a wrench in the system. Big Tech's algorithms are good. There was no escape. Breathe, eat, and sleep. That was all there was to life in the machine." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World is not a word commonly used by the masses. The idea of independence feels like a betrayal. Talking about “freedom” sets off triggers. But autonomy is a dynamic force. Today it’s making a global comeback.  If you look closely you can spot it in  tech, art and activism. Autonomy It adapts and evolves with our ever-changing world. It’s a mindset that says “ ” I’m not going to be controlled by outside forces and external interests. Here’s some non-breaking news. The traditional work compact, in which employees traded hard work and loyalty in exchange for job security is shattered. Thought so. How many times have you gone job-hunting in your life? But consider this. boasts . He remixed the for the most recent Super Bowl in Las Vegas. DJ Steve Aoki more than 3 billion music streams NFL on CBS theme Here’s what he said at Gala Music: “In the 10 years I’ve been making music … six albums, and all those advances … in one drop last year in NFTs, I made more money.” - Steve Aoki Want to opt-out and join the revolution? Connect with techs and developers building a . Why give your personal information to some faceless corporation? web where you are in control Learn from artists minting their creations as . For the first time, it’s possible to cut out the middleman and take ownership of your work. Discover how activists bypass the financial gatekeepers. Now you can use crowdfunding to fuel your movements directly from the people. NFTs Keep reading to see how the coolest tools and platforms are putting you back in control. Let’s get this show on the road. Get ready for an empowered future. The Rise of Autonomy Early in my entrepreneurial journey, a millionaire mentor gave me some advice on autonomy. He said, “ How often are your decisions based on your own values and goals? Norm whoever controls your time controls your income. I suggest it be you who does it.” The concept drove my parents. “Get an education. Get a good job. Retire there.” In their day people often stayed with the same company for their entire career. They were even called “a company man” or “company gal.” Life goals consisted of building deep connections with colleagues and a strong sense of pride in your work. company loyalty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4F9u8Z84YI&embedable=true Back then companies invested in their employees through training programs and full benefits. When I started in sales my big tech employer had a “no-layoff” policy (it ended while I was there). The global creator economy is projected to reach $104.2 billion by 2028, reflecting the increasing number of individuals leveraging online platforms to express themselves creatively and generate income independently. - Creator Economy Over the course of several decades, cracks began to appear in the model. Tech advancements led to increased job insecurity. One of the first job killers I remember was voicemail. Yep. It eliminated the need for receptionists to answer phones, take messages, and write them down on those little pink slips for salespeople returning to the office. Wage freezes and layoffs increased and the "good job" became less common. As the internet took hold in the 90’s globalization became sexy. The social contract between employer and employee collapsed, Companies chased cheap labor and maximum profits for shareholders -  wherever they could find them. But in public, they sought to maintain the illusion of the Golden Age. Their corporate PR departments were quite busy. Today despite the perception of freedom your autonomy is limited. own social media networks. They control the search engines and video production platforms. Their TOS and centralization secure their dominance. Maximize profits for the few. Sound familiar? This traditional model locks out millions of creators worldwide. Big tech giants “The goal of most people for the last half century was to get the good job that paid well with benefits..” - Anthony Spadafore, Director Pathfinders Autonomy Success Story My friend Sarah is a graphic designer with six years of experience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she lost her job at a big ad agency. After chasing hundreds of job posts she decided to be her own boss. Now she works remotely as a freelance designer. Instead of being assigned clients, she sets her own schedule. Her boring projects got replaced by gigs that aligned with her interests. She earns more on her own than she did going into the office. And now she finds personal meaning in her work. The Back-to-Office Push and the Autonomy Challenge A remote work revolution is sweeping around the world. Set free from the confines of the physical office, employees are discovering a newfound sense of autonomy. Do you thrive in an environment tailored to your work style? Can you manage your schedule and responsibilities better with more flexibility? For most of us, the answer is YES! This newfound control increases productivity and boosts morale. Many companies are actively encouraging, some even demanding, a return to “in-office” work. Their  push-back against remote work poses a challenge to employee autonomy. But big business CEOs, government bureaucrats, and even Elon Musk don’t like it. Here's why: :  Remote work helps employees manage their work schedules around personal needs and responsibilities. If your productivity is solid and profits are up why poke the bear? A forced return to the office disrupts this balance and increases stress. Goodbye Flexibility, Hello Frustration : It’s the time and money stupid. We all have 24 hours in our day. Having to commute to the office, pay to park, and upgrade your wardrobe eats into personal time and monthly budgets. The impact on working parents or people with long commutes is huge. The Commute Crisis : Most employees I speak with enjoy the flexibility and convenience of working from home. Some never had this opportunity before COVID-19. Now they realize they can do their job more conveniently. Forcing them back into the office feels like a slap in the face. Morale Killer I think companies that are inflexible with remote work options will lose valuable talent. The job market is competitive. The creator economy allows people like my friend Sarah to level up their skills and create jobs for themselves. The pull of autonomy is strong. Collaboration: Tech, Art and Activism Disruption accelerates when tech, art and activism come together. From interactive installations to digital art platforms, technology has enabled artists to reach wider audiences. You can also spark important conversations about social issues and reform. Techpreneurs are launching tools that empower artists and activists. Modern artists are wielding technology to create art that raises awareness for social causes. Activist groups are reaching a global audience with every social media post. This is the future we're building. A world where creative expression meets social justice. And the power of technology is at the core. - Norm Bond Tech Creators Build Worlds Beyond Reality Tech developers and creators are building alternative platforms to traditional activities. Can you imagine stepping into a painting instead of just looking at it in a museum? You can with . Van Gogh Exhibit: The Immersive Experience The exhibition has been ! This blend of art and cutting-edge technology ranks among the 12 best immersive experiences in the world by CNN. touring since 2017 with +5,000,000 visitors Take a walk alongside Van Gogh during a visually rich journey. It’s a 20,000 square feet sound and light spectacular. The two-story projections leave visitors in awe. You discover the inspiration behind eight of Van Gogh’s iconic works. is one of my favorites. The Starry Night Artists Go Indie with Tech Blockchain technology provides innovative tools for artists to monetize their work through smart contracts, NFTs and crypto. This strategy allows creators to sell their work directly to collectors . Artists are creating digital art and minting it as NFTs. without the need for traditional galleries or intermediaries London's glitchy artist , averaging over $23,000 per sale and topping the charts. His work captivates collectors and redefines the limits of digital art. His signature style is a mesmerizing blend of flashing visuals and dark themes (his website includes a flashing media warning). XCOPY is minting millions with his dystopian NFTs Here’s the thing. XCOPY’s work isn't just visually arresting. Sure there are lots of flashy NFTs and dystopian styles. But his NFT’s spark conversations. He challenges the status quo in the art world. He’s using his creativity to provide a unique commentary on our digital age. . Is a sign of a future where artists control their destinies, or a blip in a system that still favors the powerful? Don’t just wait to see what happens. Take action on YOUR dream. Telling your own story and controlling distribution is an expression of autonomy XCOPY How Activists Use Tech to Win The murder of George Floyd was recorded and spread virally across social media. It ignited Black Lives Matter like a rocket. This wasn't just a tragic event. It was a spark that . The case study reveals how activists can use social media to amplify their message. Consider this. lit the fuse of a movement already simmering online In the month Floyd’s murder, was tweeted more than 400 thousand times. But in the month , the . before #BlackLivesMatter after hashtag spiked and was shared more than 100 million times Nordstrom posted #BlackLivesMatter to Facebook and received more than 5-million likes. The from the brand. engagement was nearly 90 times the level of typical posts Colleges and universities joined in. More than 107 shared . Healthcare systems, nonprofits, corporations, and sports teams also climbed on the #BlackLivesMatter juggernaut. #BlackLivesMatter The entire internet was ablaze with social posts, videos, CEO statements, and brand platitudes to support this trending social movement. It shook the system. The Future of Autonomy The dream of dumping the 9-to-5 and living life on your terms is more than just a hashtag. It’s a call to action. One fueled by a deep desire for autonomy – the freedom to create, work, and live by your own rules. Don’t let it just be a pipe dream. The total value locked (TVL) in DeFi protocols surpassed $300 billion in 2023, demonstrating the growing interest in alternative financial systems that promote individual control over assets and transactions. - DeFi Pulse Revolutionary art movements, tech-driven innovation, and modern activism are converging. This shift provides a path to an exciting future. Break free from traditional structures. Now is your chance to build something empowering. It's a world where you can set the pace, call the shots, and shape your days around your passions. There are lots of challenges ahead. Working together is often necessary for maximum impact. Finding the right balance between maintaining individual artistic vision and working within a collective - can be difficult. But let's keep it real. Breaking free from traditional structures means leaving the financial security that these systems can provide. Artists, activists and techs still have bills to pay. Do you have alternative means of funding your work in place? With the rise of new technologies, there’s a need to ensure that ethical practices are followed. You need to address concerns regarding data privacy. There are questions regarding intellectual property rights to be sorted. The environmental impact of tech-driven projects like crypto and NFTs are a dealbreaker for some people. These challenges will have to be met to increase adoption and scale. They require innovative solutions, resilience and funding. To build a more equitable and creative future demands continuous learning and adaptation. Conclusion We’ve covered a lot. You know the journey toward autonomy is an exciting yet challenging one. This trend in tech, art and activism is attracting more people looking for a way out. The digital age provides new tools to take control of your life. It has never been easier to express yourself and reach a target audience. Artists can leverage blockchain technology. Tech creators can build alternative platforms. Activists can fuel movements without traditional limits. Working collectively can exponentially grow results for both individuals and organizations. But the road ahead is not all roses and sunshine. Challenges include navigating concerns about the environment. Ethical considerations riddle the increased use of AI and ML. Building tools that engage marginalized communities is critical in a market-based economy. Long-established traditional systems are not going to just roll over and embrace change. So take the long view if you want to embrace this autonomy trend. If you’re an artist, technologist or activist it’s time to redefine the possible. I’m in. Let’s create and cause the change you want to see. right here on HN to connect. Visit my profile

Breaking Rules: Autonomy in Tech, Art and Activism

নিয়ম ভাঙা: প্রযুক্তি, শিল্প এবং সক্রিয়তায় স্বায়ত্তশাসন

Regeln brechen: Autonomie in Technologie, Kunst und Aktivismus

Rompiendo reglas: autonomía en tecnología, arte y activismo

Briser les règles : autonomie dans la technologie, l'art et l'activisme

नियम तोड़ना: तकनीक, कला और सक्रियता में स्वायत्तता

ルールの破り: テクノロジー、アート、アクティビズムにおける自律性

규칙 위반: 기술, 예술 및 행동주의의 자율성

Quebrando regras: autonomia em tecnologia, arte e ativismo

Нарушение правил: автономия в технологиях, искусстве и активизме

Kuralları Çiğnemek: Teknolojide, Sanatta ve Aktivizmde Özerklik

Phá vỡ các quy tắc: Quyền tự chủ trong công nghệ, nghệ thuật và hoạt động

打破规则：科技、艺术和行动主义的自主性

Political Story Opinion By Jesse Wood “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke. Israel has time to online bully climate activists with autism disorder, but not to answer for their war crimes. But the Israel IDF refuses to answer for their war crimes, violations of international law, or ethnic cleansing of Palestinian civilians via collective punishment and maximized collateral damage. See: https://x.com/jrhwood/status/1715362471228452998?s=20 Yesterday, I called them out very publicly on this, and they remained silent. They chose to neither refute nor justify my accusations of war crimes. The comment in X (formerly Twitter) received a tremendous amount of attention and support through organic online engagement. See: https://x.com/payette_lake/status/1715685481953083749?s=20 Then there were reports it was not being shown properly and failed to load in the X browser client and on Apple IOS. This is not an accusation of censorship, but I have yet to receive a response from X.com Support although I reached out to them both publicly and via direct message. I am truly sickened by Israel's flagrant violation of international law, blatant war crimes, and genocide, or ethnic cleansing, of the 2.2 million strong Palestinian civilian population with collective punishment and maximized collateral damage. Israel is not Hamas. They aren't Islamic Jihadists. Now, it is time for them to start acting like it. See: https://x.com/PalestineRCS/status/1714956642314338699?s=20 They need to immediately cease bombing babies, women, children, the elderly, churches, bakeries, humanitarian volunteer aid workers (e.g., ), and the West Bank  (e.g., ). PalestineRCS Dr Shtayyeh “The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. And even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained” ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956 It is completely unacceptable, and unequivocally evil and villainous. And they deserve the heavy condemnation they received from the international community at the United Nations summit in Cairo, which said just that. Even Putin, who is currently raging a war in Ukraine, and the Iran Ayatollah Qassim, who is an Islamic Republic, think Israel is too hardcore for them. Hypocrisy, and a performative contradiction yes, but a lie? No! Genocide and the Ethnic cleansing, of the Palestinian civilian population with collective punishment and maximized collateral damage, is a pure evil genocide of the innocent, that Israel IDF carried out to justify an open-air prison apartheid state in Gaza and the West Bank. "Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind." - John F. Kennedy 🇮🇱🕊️💔🕊️🇵🇸 Also published here

Israel Has Time to Bully Climate Activists With Autism, but Not to Answer for Their War Crimes!

After almost twenty months, the Internet Giant Microsoft has completed its deal to acquire Activision Blizzard for 69 billion dollars. The deal took this long because of the restrictions from the authorities of the Western countries, mainly the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. The parliament and lawmakers of these countries were arguing that Microsoft would end the competition in the gaming industries after acquiring one of the most popular game studios, Activision Blizzard. Activision Blizzard is a holding company that owns Activision -the publisher of Call of Duty, - Blizzard Entertainment, and King - the publisher of Candy Crush. The company is based in Santa Monica, United States, and was valued at around 72 billion dollars in 2021. gaming Microsoft completed the deal today, on 13th October 2023, and now owns the rights to titles like Diablo, Call of Duty, Candy Crush Saga, Warcraft, and Spyro the Dragon. The United States and the European Union authorities had already given their approval for the deal long back. The only hurdle was the Competition and Market Authority of the United Kingdom. The Competition and Market Authority argued that Microsoft will make popular Activision titles like Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox, which will affect the market of Sony’s PlayStation. After Microsoft assured the UK regulators that it is not going to make any of the games exclusive to Xbox anytime soon, the Competition And Market Authority gave the clean cheat to the deal on Friday. “ We now have all regulatory approvals necessary to close, and we look forward to bringing joy and connection to even more players around the world,” Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said in a statement to employees. “ ” We delivered a clear message to Microsoft that the deal would be blocked unless they comprehensively addressed our concerns and stuck to our guns on that,” CMA chief Sarah Cardell said. “With the sale of Activision’s cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft, we’ve made sure Microsoft can’t have a stranglehold over this important and rapidly developing market. The gaming industry is valued at around 250 billion US dollars and is expected to reach around 600 billion US dollars by 2023. Microsoft already holds a big share of this market, and along with other big players, the market for small and new game developers is less than 10 percent, which is going to reduce. Activision also made a deal with Ubisoft to sell its cloud gaming rights. Mergers and acquisitions are good, but they usually kill innovations, and there is no chance for new companies. Let us explain it with an example. Take a few companies: A, B, C, and D. All companies make games according to their definite style and suited for their targeted audience. Now, company A acquires company B and company C. Company A will adopt the styles of making games of the other two companies, but it will mostly make games according to its style as the higher ranking employees would usually be from company A. Also, the previous market share was divided equally among the four companies, which is 25% each. Now, company A controls 75% of the market share, so it has a monopoly. Company A can set the prizes of the titles according to its wishes, and the people who play those titles have nothing else to do but buy them. In conclusion, mergers are not a bad thing, but monopoly is. The authorities need to intervene in deals like these as companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft already control almost everything we do on the internet. Also published here

Microsoft Completes $69 Billion Acquisition of Activision Blizzard Amid Regulatory Hurdles

The digital world is growing, and surveillance is growing with it. Governments, companies, and even other individuals are now pretty capable of following our virtual steps —including the financial ones. That’s why a group of activists emerged in the late 20th century with a mission to safeguard individual liberties through the development of decentralized money. The term "cypherpunk" is a blend of "cypher," referring to cryptography, and "punk," which reflects their rebellious and nonconformist nature. So, they’re mostly computer science and cryptography experts aiming to create new digital tools to foster privacy and social change. These activists, known as cypherpunks, laid the groundwork for the creation and popularization of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. The movement gained momentum in the 1980s and 1990s as individuals concerned about the increasing surveillance and control of digital communications and transactions sought ways to counteract these trends. We can say it started with , an American cryptographer who is widely recognized for inventing the first forms of digital cash —no, it wasn’t Satoshi Nakamoto alone. David Chaum A prolific mailing list The first started in 1992 as an initiative by Eric Hughes, Timothy C. May, John Gilmore, and Judith Milhon. For more references, Hughes invented the first anonymous remailer (a server to increase privacy in emails), and May discovered the issue in computer chips. Gilmore is one of the founders of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to defend digital rights. For her part, Milhon helped to create the first public computerized bulletin board system, besides being a writer and editor (she coined the “Cypherpunks” name). Cypherpunk mailing list Alpha Strike which describes the main purpose of the group and this kind of activism: In 1993, Hughes wrote and shared the , Cypherpunk Manifesto “Privacy is necessary for an open society in the electronic age (…) We cannot expect governments, corporations, or other large, faceless organizations to grant us privacy (…) We must defend our own privacy if we expect to have any (…) Cypherpunks write code. We know that someone has to write software to defend privacy, and (…) we're going to write it.” The number of subscribers to the list (and, likely, to the movement) reached over 2,000 individuals by 1997. But this isn’t the reason why we’re stating that the mailing list was prolific. From this mailing list and this ideal came up numerous talented people that developed a diverse set of digital tools to fight for privacy. To name a few of them: Julian Assange (WikiLeaks), Adam Back (Hashcash & Blockstream), Eric Blossom (GNU Radio Project), Phil Zimmerman (PGP Protocol), Bram Cohen (BitTorrent & Chia), Hal Finney (First Proof-of-Work), Nick Szabo (First Smart Contracts), Wei Dai (B-Money), Zooko Wilcox (Zcash), and, of course, Satoshi Nakamoto (Bitcoin). Most of them are still alive and active in 2023. Before and after Bitcoin One of the most significant contributions of cypherpunks was their role in conceptualizing and promoting the idea of decentralized digital currencies. Influenced by the works of cryptographic pioneers like David Chaum, who introduced the concept of "e-cash," and Wei Dai, who proposed the idea of "b-money," cypherpunks envisioned a system where money could be transferred electronically without the need for intermediaries. This vision laid the foundation for the creation of Bitcoin, the first and most well-known cryptocurrency. As we mentioned above, Nakamoto didn’t do it all by themselves. The process was more like putting together puzzle pieces: Hal Finney’s PoW, some features from e-cash, Hashcash, and b-money, public-key cryptography by Ralph Merkle, and time-stamping by W.S. Stornetta and Stuart Haber. Finally, in 2008, Nakamoto published the . It describes a peer-to-peer electronic cash system that utilized cryptographic techniques to secure transactions and maintain a public ledger. The principles of decentralization, pseudonymity, and cryptographic security closely aligned with the cypherpunk ideals, making Bitcoin the first realization of their vision. Bitcoin whitepaper Decentralization didn’t stop there though. A DAG-based cryptosystem like doesn’t have miners or intermediaries at all. It doesn’t have blocks, either. Only Order Providers (OPs) whose transactions serve as waypoints for ordering everything else —but they don’t have other powers and aren’t needed to “accept” transactions, like Bitcoin miners. By eliminating such big power centers as miners, . Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) systems are the . next step of decentralization Obyte DAG achieves more even distribution of power than blockchains Cypherpunks' visionary contributions formed the puzzle of cryptocurrency evolution. Bitcoin's whitepaper, embracing decentralization and cryptographic security, materialized cypherpunk ideals. As technology advances, like Obyte emerge, furthering decentralization without middlemen. DAG systems Featured Vector Image by jcomp / Freepik

Cypherpunks: The Activists Behind Decentralized Money

Cypherpunks: los activistas detrás del dinero descentralizado

Cypherpunks : les activistes derrière l'argent décentralisé

साइफरपंक्स: विकेंद्रीकृत धन के पीछे के कार्यकर्ता

サイファーパンク: 分散型マネーの背後にある活動家

Cypherpunks: os ativistas por trás do dinheiro descentralizado

Cypherpunks: Các nhà hoạt động đằng sau tiền phi tập trung

密码朋克：去中心化货币背后的活动家

The story of LSD in America is one of deception, manipulation, and control. Initially developed as a chemical weapon by the CIA, LSD was tested secretly on unsuspecting American citizens for decades in the 1950s and 1960s. to harden them against such an attack. Some experiments were, however, with willing participants at universities. From inmates to addicts paid in drugs, the CIA experiments with LSD even dosed agents themselves What started as "scientific research" at universities soon spiraled out of control. Timothy Leary, a Harvard psychologist, began advocating its recreational use and formed an cult among students. Under the guise of academic freedom, LSD then spread from the labs onto college campuses. Once he was fired, Leary helped launch the psychedelic counter-culture by popularizing LSD use among the emerging hippie movement. LSD Meanwhile, the media downplayed the dangers of LSD. Time Magazine, owned by the pro-CIA Luce family, published glowing reports depicting LSD as a spiritual and consciousness-expanding drug. "Acid tests" hosted by Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters glorified psychedelic experiences. However, as Abbie Hoffman noted, the drug-focused hippies actually distracted from meaningful anti-war Before the hippie movement, anti-war protesters were "clean-cut, normal-looking, all-American college students." But after the CIA introduced LSD-fueled orgies, hippies, and opposition to the war were associated with dirty, ignorant, communist, drug-addicted VD-infested degenerates. activism. Due to the clandestine nature of the agency, it's hard to prove whether this was an intended effect, or if they simply had agents that dropped the ball and let a mind-control drug into the crowd of dissenters. Based on the consequences to those dissenters that started communes and how the status quo lives on, it is not irrational to suspect this was intentional, even if it was perpetrated by a select few agents abusing their power. The agency isn't really known for making mistakes. Journalist Steven Kinzler is quoted as saying "Gottlieb wanted to create a way to seize control of people's minds, and he realized it was a two-part process," We didn't get too far on number two, but he did a lot of work on number one." "First, you had to blast away the existing mind. Second, you had to find a way to insert a new mind into that resulting void. Or did they? Brainwashing is not a new idea. It was once called putting someone under a spell. Introduce new ideas and entrancing music, after destroying the ego with drugs. It's not new. The official conclusion was If so, why has it been known to be used for thousands of years? So was this drug used en masse to brainwash dissenters protesting against the Vietnam War? that it is not possible. At the height of the hippie counterculture in 1968, Middle America elected Richard Nixon - the ultimate "anti-hippie" who then promptly escalated the war. We know the CIA, through figures like Miles Copeland Jr., had a hand in proliferating LSD during this time. The real goal appears now to have been dispersing and discrediting the anti-war movement - not spiritual awakening. It was only scandal that got Nixon and the war nixed. The notion that LSD functions solely as a source of amusement and amazement trivializes the tremendous psychological disruption the drug is capable of inducing. When administered carefully and deliberately, even at modest doses, LSD has the potential for disrupting individuals, and coordinated group efforts in multiple ways. Some subjects in the CIA experiments even died tragic deaths and others were sent to mental institutions. The true toll is not even known. Financial records indicate the CIA operative George White, under an alias of Morgan Hall, received over 200 checks signed with the code "STORMY" in the memo field, their CIA codename for LSD. Hall lured targets to a bugged apartment under false pretenses before dosing them with LSD and observing their drugged states through a one-way mirror from what he called his "portable toilet observation post" while getting drunk on martinis. For him, it was fun. The larger MK -ULTRA program operated on a far grander scale across 86 known institutions with unwitting participation from researchers, doctors, and university staff to agents themselves. Seemingly through happenstance, one MK ULTRA subject would go on to catalyze the 1960s counterculture revolution: Ken Kesey. The money from his CIA experiment at Stanford University funded the acid tests that helped launch the psychedelic era. Where an onlooker may have seen frivolity, LSD's power to fundamentally disrupt established cultural norms (and more) was on full display. Kesey inspired the visionaries who would redefine art, music, and politics for the Boomer generation. The events surrounding MK-ULTRA remind us that moments perceived as transitions to more free and creative cultural eras were and are under attack by clandestine and coercive circumstances, with authorities wielding powerful tools of psychological influence on unwitting citizens. “I didn’t believe it for a long time,” Kesey told NPR’s Terry Gross in 1989, “It was being done to try to make people insane – to weaken people and to try to put them under the control of interrogators.” “I found that my key opened a lot of the doors to these doctor’s offices,” He told Gross, “where these drugs were being kept.” Before being introduced to LSD, he was a fairly straight-laced athlete. Then Kesey became part of an experiment he was told had the aim of helping mentally insane people. He didn’t understand that it was intended to make him insane. Let us pause to reflect on the deeper implications of these anecdotes. It seems almost comical to think this was an accident. Is it possible LSD and even other drugs were introduced to society for malicious purposes? MDMA for example is often used at "raves", where entrancing music is performed. Could it be that this is not only tolerated but promoted and meant to keep people in line or for some other reason? After all, it too, was part of MK-ULTRA experiments. Though we only know of animal studies they conducted on it, many records were destroyed in 1973, so we may never know. Kesey was unwittingly recruited into an insidious program of social engineering and psychological manipulation. Though he intuitively distrusted authority, he could not have envisioned the far-reaching impact his actions would have. When one person is given the tools to disrupt others' mental faculties, it raises profound ethical questions. Kesey embraced psychedelics as a path to enlightenment, but the actual goal of those enabling him appears to breed dependence, weakness, and compliance to those holding the keys. By popularizing LSD, Kesey catalyzed a cultural shift that undermined traditional values and authority. But his revolt was seemingly orchestrated by unseen hands pulling strings from above, even if indirectly. If the hippie ethos of "free love" and drug use didn't arise organically from the collective; it was engineered and then distributed as a social virus that devastated the movement with overdoses, disruption to family and community structures, and much more. The perfect clandestine weapon against the "commie hippies". Kesey thought he was a rebel, but he may have unwittingly become a pawn in a larger game. His defiance was co-opted to sow the seeds of societal destabilization, focused on the communes that threatened the police state with self-governance much like our nation's founders had intended it to be. The illusion of freedom masks the fact that those who control the drug supply ultimately determine the parameters of people's experiences. Selecting people with the right mild psychosis, and the right dose could drive them insane. Given to another individual with grandiose ideas, they may start preaching. Give the same drug to a group he preaches to, and they might develop a type of mass psychosis that adopts these perverted, though well-meaning ideals. If you or someone you know has been trained to think fun is a synonym for drugs or sex, remember that these are not their original ideas. They were planted in these people by/at some unethical party, and their biggest crime is lying to themselves and allowing these ideas to possess their minds. The murderers of presidents felt threatened, so it appears they attacked in a covert way. Those peaceful protesters became targeted. The women of the movement were trained to seek out “free love” in the form of drugs and sex, burning up resources, time, and the real love of the families and men around them, and any love that was in their own hearts. Their families broken, children suffering, and the men drained of their resources and love until they become savage abusers that wind up in prison after hurting or killing someone… This may all be an indirect result of CIA conditioning from the top down. While the counterculture may have unleashed creative sparks, it was distorted and twisted with lies telling women they could have free love through hollow sexual pursuits. The ability to alter people's consciousness comes with profound ethical responsibilities that were not heeded. Kesey played his part unknowingly, but history will mark him as a vessel through which forces beyond his understanding shaped the world for decades to come. The story of LSD in America is one of deception, manipulation, and control. Initially developed as a chemical mind control weapon by the CIA, LSD was tested secretly on unsuspecting American citizens for decades in the 1950s and 1960s. The operation was so covert and effective, we aren't sure if it was lone actors within the agency, or an official operation that saw the hippies latch onto it. But one thing is for sure- it devastated the movement, so much so, that the war raged on until scandal and other arguments shifted opinions to the side of the anti-war crowd. Also published . here

How The CIA Dissolved Anti-War Activism with LSD 

Microsoft, one of the biggest tech giants, announced in January last year that it would acquire Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. Activision Blizzard is the holding company that owns one of the most popular game publishers, Activision, which is the creator of top games like Call of Duty, Candy Crush, World of Warcraft, Diablo, StarCraft and Overwatch. The acquisition - if succeeded, will be the biggest takeover of one company by another in gaming history - is opposed by many governments as they believe that the purchase of Activision will give Microsoft too much power over the gaming industry. The American, UK and Canadian governments have expressed concerns over this deal. Activision is known for making one of the best games played by millions of people, and the company earns billions through in-game purchases. If Microsoft purchases Activision, it can make the future Activision games exclusive to Xbox, which can significantly hurt the market of its competitor Sony. Citing these issues, the UK’s Competition and Market Authority (CMA) has . CMA said it was concerned that the acquisition would offer reduced innovation and fewer choices for gamers in the fast-growing cloud gaming business. blocked the deal in the UK Microsoft and Activision hit out at the decision and said they would appeal. “The CMA’s report contradicts the ambitions of the UK to become an attractive country to build technology businesses,” a spokesperson for Activision said. CMA replied, “We will work aggressively with Microsoft to reverse this on appeal.” Brad Smith, vice chairman and president of Microsoft, said, “The CMA’s decision rejects a pragmatic path to address competition concerns and discourages technology innovation and investment in the United Kingdom.” The company was still committed to the acquisition, he added. Microsoft needs approval from regulatory bodies in the United States, European Union and UK to complete the deal. CMA is the first to block the deal, and its decision can impact the decision of other regulatory bodies in the US and European Union. The UK body said it was not concerned that the deal would distort competition in the console gaming market. The UK is concerned for its people as the country is going through economic instability. It fears that Microsoft could raise the prices of popular titles. Activision Blizzard is based in the US, but it has subsidiaries in Europe and the UK, so Microsoft needs the approval of the regulatory body of the United States along with the bodies in Europe and the UK to complete the acquisition. Microsoft needs the deal to be approved by the regulatory bodies of either the UK or European Union to make its case in the US, where both companies are headquartered. Microsoft has been investing heavily in cloud gaming - seeing its potential in the future - recently. Microsoft sells the subscription service Game Pass which allows players to play the games hosted on servers elsewhere. The players do not need to buy the game as they can stream any game with a monthly subscription, just like Netflix. Microsoft needs a vast catalogue of games for its subscribers. Unfortunately, it does not make high-quality popular games like its rival Sony which is the creator of popular titles like God of War, The Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima and many more. So, Microsoft needs a game studio that can make these high-quality titles, and one of the best in the market is Activision which Microsoft had been planning to acquire for a long time. Microsoft’s rival Sony is expressing concerns that in the future, Microsoft will not allow the popular Activision games on Sony’s PlayStation. also owns Mojang, the creator of , GitHub, Nuance, Skype and LinkedIn. Microsoft Minecraft Also published here

Microsoft's  Activision Blizzard Acquisition Just Got Blocked by The UK

It has been over a year since announced a some-what unexpected decision to buy Activision Blizzard Inc. — the maker of , , and — for a whopping . This would be one of the biggest, if not biggest, acquisitions in the video gaming industry. And yet, the Windows maker is to actually buying the company because of regulatory hurdles and resistance from gamers and video game makers, specifically Sony. Microsoft World of Warcraft Call of Duty Diablo $68.7 billion in cash the no closer other Until this past week. Microsoft finally got a break on two fronts in its quest to purchase Activision Blizzard Inc., one in the and another in the UK, which may give it some hope in being able to complete the acquisition. U.S. The company was facing a consumer antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. by gamers concerned that the acquisition would lead to "higher prices, less innovation, less creativity, less consumer choice, decreased output, and other potential anticompetitive effects." Unfortunately for them, the judge overseeing the case ruled that said gamers did not provide enough evidence of how that might happen, the lawsuit out. Ouch! throwing However, the biggest win may have come from the UK, where the country's competition authority took a U-turn on whether the purchase would hurt competition. Having that the transaction could result in higher prices, fewer choices and less innovation — particularly in the console market — the U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) now believes none of that is possible since doing so would only hurt Microsoft. initially suggested "We have now provisionally concluded that the merger will not result in a substantial lessening of competition in console gaming services because the cost to Microsoft of withholding Call of Duty from PlayStation would outweigh any gains from taking such action," Martin Coleman, who is reviewing the acquisition on behalf of the U.K.'s competition authority, said in a . He was referring to concerns that Microsoft would make the games exclusive to its console (the Xbox) following the acquisition and bar Sony's PlayStation from having access to them in the future. statement Call of Duty Coleman's comment makes sense! is the best-selling first-person shooter video game in the world, and limiting past, current, and future titles from appearing on Sony's PlayStation — which, to be clear, 70% of the global console market —  would only hurt Microsoft. Call of Duty captures For now, investors are with what they have, with Activision Blizzard Inc.'s stock price shooting up on Friday: happy Microsoft is still not out of the weeds, though, since the CMA may change its position again ahead of a final decision expected on April 26. Of concern is also Microsoft's dominance in the "cloud gaming market," i.e. the Xbox Game Pass, which gives gamers to high-quality games in exchange for a nominal fee every month. "Our provisional view that this deal raises concerns in the cloud gaming market is not affected by today’s announcement. Our investigation remains on course for completion by the end of April," Coleman said. access The CMA still believes the deal could harm competition there, perhaps because Microsoft could refuse to allow Call of Duty to appear on Sony's Game Pass competitor PS Plus. Microsoft has, of course, denied such claims and instead suggested entering a deal with Sony that would guarantee that games would appear on its competitor's platforms for a 10-year period — sufficient time for Sony to develop its own shooter, . Call of Duty should they deem it necessary to do so Elsewhere, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission is still seeking to the merger over concerns that the Xbox maker would "would gain control of top video game franchises, enabling it to harm competition in high-performance gaming consoles and subscription services by denying or degrading rivals’ access to its popular content." block Microsoft continues steaming ahead. The company ranked #71 on HackerNoon's this week. Tech Company Rankings 👋 You’re reading HackerNoon's Tech Company News Brief, a weekly collection of tech goodness that combines HackerNoon's proprietary data with internet trends to determine which companies are rising and falling in the public consciousness. Subscribe to receive the newsletter in your inbox every Tuesday! here In Other News.. 📰 Elon Musk thinks , which ranked #17 this week, is less than half of what he paid for the social media company. Twitter worth Microsoft does not want its competitors to its internet-search data to train their own AI products. use CEO Tim Cook is China, and can't stop saying nice things about the country 🥲. Apple ranked #7 this week. Apple visiting Intel co-founder Gordon Moore has . 😞 passed away And that's a wrap! Don't forget to share this newsletter with your family and friends! See y'all next week. PEACE! ☮️ — Sheharyar Khan, Editor, Business Tech @ HackerNoon Featured image created using Stable Diffusion 2.1 using the following prompt: “Microsoft's XBox playing on a large screen TV”

Microsoft Inches Closer to Buying Activision Blizzard

মাইক্রোসফ্ট অ্যাক্টিভিশন ব্লিজার্ড কেনার কাছাকাছি ইঞ্চি

Microsoft ist dem Kauf von Activision Blizzard immer näher gekommen

마이크로소프트, 액티비전 블리자드 인수 임박

Microsoft, Activision Blizzard'ı satın almaya bir adım daha yaklaştı

Microsoft's acquisition history dates back to July 30, 1987, when it made its first acquisition. Forethought was a computer software company founded in 1983. The company developed a computer program best known as Microsoft PowerPoint today. Ten years later, Microsoft merged Hotmail into its MSN group of services after purchasing Hotmail.com for , at the time its largest acquisition. $500 million After that, Microsoft went on to acquire over . 225 companies From acquiring Hotmail.com on December 31, 1997, to moving to buy Activision Blizzard on January 2022, Microsoft seems to always make headlines each year with its buyout of companies, the company has purchased an average of a year. six companies Between 2005 and 2008, the company acquired more than ten businesses annually, with its 18 acquisitions in 2006 being the biggest in a single year. Today, Microsoft is on it again. The purchase of Activision is famed to be the biggest deal in video game history, no doubt Microsoft is paying so much for it. But why is the FTC on Microsoft's tail? “Because of the vote taken by the FTC commissioners earlier today, Microsoft is going to have a much harder time completing the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.” - Joe Troyer, CEO & Head of Growth, DigitalTriggers The enforcement of civil antitrust law and the promotion of consumer protection are the main responsibilities of the Federal Trade Commission, an independent agency of the US government. According to information on the organization's , they have been doing that for over 100 years. website The organization has a reputation for battling Big Tech.  Almost the same lawsuit it has with Microsoft now was fought head-on with in the middle of last year. Facebook The FTC aims to prevent Microsoft's acquisition of Activision, according to the agency, by giving the tech behemoth ownership over Activision's most popular video game properties, the $69 billion merger might stifle Xbox competitors. The FTC's lawsuit asserts that the Xbox maker would obtain ownership of major video game properties, giving it the ability to hurt competition in high-performance gaming systems and subscription services by limiting or weakening rivals' access to its well-liked content. “The FTC’s decision not to approve the Microsoft buyout of Activision Blizzard is a significant setback for the company. However, the FTC’s analysis is only one factor that must be considered in any antitrust decision. The key question is whether the proposed acquisition would result in anticompetitive effects. Microsoft has presented a number of arguments in support of the proposed acquisition, and the FTC will now consider these arguments.” - Rick Costa, Houselectric.com The FTC  claims that some of the most well-known video games in the world are produced by Activision and that Microsoft might raise the cost of these games or make it more difficult, if not impossible, to play them on rival platforms. “Microsoft has already shown that it can and will withhold content from its gaming rivals,” Today we seek to stop Microsoft from gaining control over a leading independent game studio and using it to harm competition in multiple dynamic and fast-growing gaming markets.” - Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. Holly Vedova, However, Microsoft claims that the transaction will improve competition and benefits customers. https://twitter.com/BradSmi/status/1600939963377254400?embedable=true The US government agency will go on to give examples of how Microsoft has done in the past with its acquisition of brands and its promises of a better future. Pointing to Microsoft's history with Bethesda, a video game studio it acquired in the FTC said, “Microsoft decided to make several of Bethesda’s titles including Starfield and Redfall Microsoft exclusives despite assurances it had given to European antitrust authorities that it had no incentive to withhold games from rival consoles.” 2021 for $7.5 billion Microsoft has had quite a reputation for making acquisitions and promises, the question is, how much of the FTC concern is justified? What Has Happened To Each Studio Microsoft Has Purchased? In 1999, studios launched in 1995 under the name FASA Interactive Technologies. FASA provided two MechAssault titles for the Xbox when Microsoft first entered the console market. The studio created MechCommander 1 and 2, MechWarrior 4, Mechassault 1 and 2, and other mech-focused games. In order to produce the action arcade flying game Crimson Skies in 2003, it momentarily broke away from walking armor and in 2007, . Microsft bought FASA Microsoft shut it down Remember Halo Wars? It was an offshoot of Microsoft's longest-running video game series, produced by Ensemble. The company was bought by and Halo Wars, which was under production throughout 2006 and 2007, was almost finished when Microsoft decided to shut the studio down. Microsoft in 2001 The list goes on and on. For game studios, being acquired by Microsoft should be advantageous. Now that they are connected to a significant player in the gaming industry, success seems to be assured, doesn't it? But now we see that a company might experience anything from hugely successful games to total oblivion if the experiences of past game development companies that Microsoft acquired give any hint. Somehow, it didn't seem like Microsoft was buying Mojang, the maker of Minecraft, for its own platforms when it paid $2.5 billion for the business in 2014. The popular video game Minecraft is playable on all major platforms, including smartphones. Microsoft has been quite clear that it is not interested in exclusives, and it still says so. previously “Microsoft has entered into a 10-year commitment to bring Call of Duty to __ __following the merger of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard King.  Microsoft is committed to helping bring more games to more people – however, they choose to play. @Nintendo ” @ATVI_AB - Head of Xbox Phil Spencer, But all of a sudden the strategy seems to be focusing on exclusive games. With Bethesda games like Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6 , we can immediately question if the same thing should not be anticipated with Activision Blizzard’s catalog in the future. available only on Xbox Maybe FTC concerns are justified after all. “Ultimately the FTC blocked this acquisition because their mandate is to prevent monopolies, and I agree that it would not be ideal. It’s clear that Microsoft was interested in Activision Blizzard as a way to advance their metaverse efforts, however, the whole idea of the metaverse revolves around the concept of decentralization.” - Colin Fitzpatrick, CEO of Animal Concerts The most well-known and ambitious games from Activision Blizzard, like Call of Duty and Overwatch, have always been accessible on all major platforms, but that may suddenly change. If it does, that means that the upcoming Call of Duty game will be an Xbox exclusive and may not even be released on the PlayStation 5. Microsoft has indicated that it would not back out of the agreement and would fight in court to maintain the acquisition, and Bobby Kotick, Activision’s chief executive supports that motive. “I want to reinforce my confidence that this deal will close, the allegation that this deal is anti-competitive doesn’t align with the facts, and we believe we’ll win this challenge.” - , Vice Chair and President Microsoft. Bobby Kotick Lulu Cheng Meservey, executive vice president of corporate affairs and chief communication officer at Activision Blizzard also thinks FTC doesn’t have a business suing Microsoft. “The FTC’s job is to protect consumers, not competitors, this vote departs from precedent but the law hasn’t changed. Any claim the deal is anticompetitive ignores facts; the deal benefits gamers and the industry, especially given competition from abroad. We look forward to proving our case in court and closing our deal with Microsoft.” - , CCO, Activision Blizzard. Lulu Cheng Meservey Eventually, when (and if) the acquisition of Activision Blizzard is completed, we'll finally see how it all turns out. Is it likely that this deal will be successfully completed, or do you believe there may be obstacles or issues that could prevent it from being finalized?

The Story of Microsoft Buyouts: Why the FTC Won’t Let Them Acquire Activision

La historia de las adquisiciones de Microsoft: por qué la FTC no les permite adquirir Activision

L'histoire des rachats de Microsoft : pourquoi la FTC ne les laissera pas acquérir Activision

माइक्रोसॉफ्ट बायआउट्स की कहानी: एफटीसी उन्हें सक्रियता हासिल करने क्यों नहीं देगा

マイクロソフト買収の話: FTC が Activision の買収を許可しない理由

A história das aquisições da Microsoft: por que a FTC não permite que adquiram a Activision

Câu chuyện mua lại Microsoft: Tại sao FTC không để họ mua lại Activision

微软收购的故事：为什么 FTC 不会让他们收购 Activision

In 2014, investor Mark Mobius declared: “Shareholder activism is not a privilege—it is a right and a responsibility.” Essentially, Mobius believed investors ought to be actively involved in company decision-making and use their power to bring about positive change in corporate structures. Shareholder activism is hardly a new concept. For example, activist investors like attracted significant attention in the 80s for aggressively pushing for change at portfolio companies. Carl Icahn Shareholder activism in recent years, as investors find ways to coordinate and express their views on company issues. Today, activist investors promote positive changes, such as greater institutional commitment to environmental sustainability and diversity and inclusion, financial transparency, and more. has become more popular [ ] Image source However, the flawed nature of modern corporate governance limits the effectiveness of shareholder activism. Problems such as centralization of decision-making and inadequate participatory mechanisms reduce investor capacity to have their voice heard in corporate settings. Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) are a new class of institutions that democratize corporate governance. DAOs operate on peer-to-peer protocols (like blockchains) and abandon hierarchical structures in favor of vertical power distribution. With their decentralized nature, DAOs can empower investors and create favorable conditions for shareholder activism. But, before we go further, let's look at shareholder activism in detail. What Is Shareholder Activism? According to Investopedia, a shareholder activist is "a person who attempts to use their rights as a shareholder of a publicly-traded corporation to bring about change within or for the corporation." The objectives of shareholder activists can vary between the financial (increasing investor dividends) and the non-financial (promoting employment diversity). Whatever the motive, shareholder activism is a major tool for investors to express their views on matters concerning a company. Mark Mobius, whom we earlier quoted, said of shareholder activism: "When we invest in a company, we own part of that company and we are partly responsible for how that company progresses. If we believe something is going wrong with the company, then we, as shareholders, must become active and vocal." [ ] Image source Shareholder activism exists because investors cannot always trust company management to act in their best interests. This problem is captured in a strand of political-economic theory known as the "principal-agent problem." In a principal-agent arrangement, the agent is allowed to make legally binding decisions on behalf of the principal. However, a problem occurs when the interests of the agent aren't aligned with those of the principal. Rogue agents may use their proxy power to authorize decisions that benefit them at the expense of principals. The principal-agent problem is often on full display in companies where the agent (an elected board of directors) may be at odds with the principal (shareholders). In absence of effective checks, company directors might pursue policies that harm investor interests. Shareholder activism prevents corporate management from running rampant and executing selfish action (like taking fat compensation packages). However, modern-day shareholder activists need better tools if they are to successfully force change. The Many Problems of Traditional Corporate Governance In most cases, investors looking to participate in company decision-making have to wait until the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM is a yearly ritual with the outlined purposes of providing up-to-date information on company activity, enabling discussion, and facilitating voting on important decisions, like mergers or appointments. AGMs are ideal for shareholder activists because it provides a forum to air concerns and, more importantly, allow them to table or vote on proposals. However, modern-day AGMs fail to deliver on their promises and stifle shareholder participation. [ ] Image source For starters, the limited timeframe of these yearly meetings makes it impossible for an extended discussion on issues. With mere hours to cover a large agenda, activist investors may be prevented from sparking a debate around pressing matters. We also have the problem of logistics. Not every investor is able—or willing—to travel miles to a company's HQ to sit through a half-day meeting. Doing so may be sensible for large shareholders, but smaller shareholders may deem the cost too high, leading to at shareholder voting sessions. massive declines in turnout Companies have tried to solve this problem by introducing proxy voting. Here, investors receive documents outlining issues under consideration, before the meeting. They can choose to vote on these proposals through mail or via the agreed electronic system. However, proxy voting has flaws. For instance, there's no way for shareholders to verify if votes were correctly counted and ballot results represent the majority's wishes. The notorious case of Procter & Gamble vs Nelson Peltz illustrates this point: On the heels of its 2017 shareholder meeting, Procter & Gamble that shareholders had voted to reject activist investor Nelson Peltz's bid to join the company's board of directors. However, an independent audit P&G's claim and instead awarded the victory to Peltz, leading to the latter's . announced disputed appointment to the board [ ] Image source Scenarios like the one described above discourage well-meaning investors from exercising their rights as part owners of a company. We have seen the major problems with modern-day governance, namely: Annual shareholder meetings are limited avenues for discussion due to their short duration Logistical costs (time, travel, effort) prevent shareholders, especially retail investors, from participating in meetings Proxy voting systems are susceptible to mismanagement and may disenfranchise voters These problems exist because the thinking around companies and governance has remained unchanged for years. For example, article 70 of the UK's 1856 states: Joint Stock Companies Act "Once at the least in every year the directors shall lay before the company in general meeting a statement of the income and expenditure for the past year, made up to a date not more than three months before such meeting." What's surprising here is that sections of the 2006 contain very similar provisions. These two laws may have been enacted centuries apart, but they share the same flawed thinking. UK Companies Act Improving corporate governance and enhancing shareholder activism in corporations requires novel solutions that empower stakeholders and facilitate transparent decision-making. As Albert Einstein noted, "we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that created them." This is where DAOs come into the picture. Why Shareholder Activism Needs DAOs A DAO is a collective of individuals who pool resources together to achieve specific objectives. This could be governance (Aragon), provision of financial services (MakerDAO), or in the case of BanklessDAO, media production and education. DAOs are like companies, except they operate differently. Instead of issuing shares, a DAO sells tokens to prospective members (investors). These tokens confirm holders' membership of the DAO and empower them to participate in governance. In a DAO, power is distributed across the membership. Every decision must be ratified by the majority of token holders, and no entity can arbitrarily make decisions on behalf of others. Moreover, any member can initiate proposals and seek support from their colleagues. The rules governing a DAO are encoded into a smart contract and recorded on a transparent and immutable blockchain, preventing any alterations (except when agreed on by the majority). Voting is conducted on-chain, with DAOs allowing stakeholders to cast their votes in an open, decentralized, and secure process. [ ] An example DAO governance process. Image source DAOs solve the principal-agent problem by distributing decision-making power across board. There is no board of directors or CEO calling the shots and pulling the strings for private benefits. More importantly, DAOs streamline corporate governance and make it easier for investors to initiate or weigh in on proposals. DAOs are location-agnostic institutions and mostly operate through online forums and social networks like Discord. This reduces participation barriers, promoting higher stakeholder engagement in discussion and decision-making. Besides, DAOs encourage members to submit proposals and give feedback regularly—which means no one has to wait months to table important matters before other stakeholders. The involving the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) and its Director of Operations Bryant Millegan is a good example of how DAOs make it easier to call for changes in an organization. case After Millegan was accused of homophobia and misogyny over a series of resurfaced tweets, DAO members initiated a proposal for his removal. Here's a screenshot showing the final results of that proposal: Now, Millegan eventually held on to his position because the majority voted in his favor. But to focus on the failure to remove him is to miss the forest for the trees. In a traditional organization, a proposal to remove a high-ranking member would've been a drawn-out process doomed to fail. Or, the decision would've been placed in the hands of a board whose decision may fail to reflect the majority's wish. However, the ENS DAO's flexible governance structure allowed members to initiate a proposal for change. More importantly, it allowed the entire community to coordinate and express their position on the issue . seamlessly This is why DAOs matter for activist investors. Finally, it's important to note that the use of on-chain voting in DAOs increases the integrity of shareholder voting. Thus, it becomes difficult for the management to manipulate results to block activist efforts, as P&G did with Nelson Peltz. Already, voting tools like Snapshot and Tally ease voting on proposals for DAO participants. Since blockchain transactions can be viewed by anyone, voters can verify results for themselves. And cryptographic security mechanisms make information stored on blockchains immune to alteration. Why Don't We Just DAO It? The idea of using blockchain technology to improve corporate governance has old origins. In his 2016 , Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster called modern shareholder voting a 'daisy-chained system of share ownership', describing blockchain technology as a "superior external solution" to problems confronting corporate governance. Council of Institutional Investors Keynote Speech While early experiments at mixing company ownership with blockchains, such as , failed—the industry has matured since then. Today, there are more DAOs than ever, bringing together people from different backgrounds to coordinate and produce value. The DAO If applied correctly, DAOs have the potential to give power back to investors and strengthen their capacity to positively influence company policies. Shareholder activism won't be limited to hedge funds and deep-pocketed investors anymore; retail investors, too, can make their voices heard on issues. There's still a long road before DAOs become mainstream and provide these benefits. However, if the last years have shown us anything, it's that transformation is starting to happen quickly. With time, DAOs may replace traditional companies—and shareholders will be better off for it. Cover image courtesy of Financial News

Using DAOs for Shareholder Activism to Overcome Traditional Corporate Governance

In this thread, the team at Hackernoon discusses what we think of the recent acquisition of Activision by Microsoft. We discuss, why they bought them and what this means for the gaming industry. slogging This Slogging thread by occurred in slogging's official #gaming channel, and has been edited for readability. Jack Boreham Jan 18, 2022, 2:33 PM Microsoft just bought Activision!!! What do you think of this acquisition? Limarc Ambalina Jan 18, 2022, 3:58 PM . THIS IS A BIG ONE. Jose Hernandez Blake Cram Evgeny interested to hear your thoughts! https://www.windowscentral.com/report-microsoft-going-buy-activision-blizzard-xbox Adrian Morales Jan 18, 2022, 5:50 PM This is such crazy news, and there is so much to speculate about for the gaming industry's future with this acquisition. I honestly don't know if I love this decision. On the one hand, I am a massive fan of games, and I generally purchase every major console from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft because I will go wherever the games are. As a platform-agnostic consumer, this won't affect me much. But on the other hand, this is now a massive shift from the days where Microsoft and Sony would purchase individual studios like Obsidian or Bluepoint that, while strong, could use some financial backing. The market is starting to get very sectioned off. With the purchase of Bethesda and now Activision, Microsoft clearly has its sights set on bringing mega publishers into the fold, effectively taking a lot of third-party games away from other consoles. And they can do this because Microsoft has a deep, deep wallet that Sony cannot compete with. Inevitably Sony will have to respond. I can only speculate that they would probably purchase Square Enix or Capcom as they have close relationships with those companies. Still, this will only further section off third-party support across all consoles, which is a huge part of gaming for most gamers. They fill in the gaps between the major console exclusives of the year, but it seems like everything will be some sort of console exclusive in one way or another very soon. What purchase is next? EA? Ubisoft? How divided will the market become in the next five years as the big three become more competitive? It is a crazy time to be a gamer in this market. Jose Hernandez Jan 18, 2022, 6:56 PM This is like 8 times the amount they paid for Zenimax. This is borderline unbelievable Blake Cram Jan 18, 2022, 7:04 PM Damn. We thought Xbox buying out Bethesda was huge… this is Microsoft seriously balling out to make a dent in the console wars. Here are my quick thoughts: Game Pass is going to be an even more insane bargain than it already was. I don't know how much money Microsoft has, but they've gotta be in the hole on all of these investments (streaming services like Netflix still haven't turned a profit with that model), so I'm curious how this business strategy will turn out. Don't feel great about the Bobby Kotick aspect of this. It's unclear whether Microsoft will allow him to be CEO when the deal finalizes, but this is an opportunity for Phil Spencer and Xbox to make a big statement on industry misconduct. Regardless, it feels like Kotick is getting a really easy out with this deal happening. Blake Cram Jan 18, 2022, 7:05 PM Blake Cram Jan 18, 2022, 7:05 PM Evgeny Jan 18, 2022, 7:50 PM That's really huge. I guess Microsoft is aiming to win the console war and become the mouthpiece of the gaming industry (which they almost already are). Marc Magrini Jan 18, 2022, 10:41 PM I'm not so sure about winning console wars, as Microsoft has been open about putting their games on more platforms - Banjo-Kazooie is finally coming to Switch, after all. But between their acquisitions of ZeniMax and other major studios since 2018, it does feel like this might be part of something bigger. It could also just be them taking advantage of Activision Blizzard's horrible situation, so time will tell how far this truly leads. Jack Boreham Jan 19, 2022, 2:30 PM That guy in the comments sums it up! Jack Boreham Jan 19, 2022, 2:35 PM Great discussion, guys, and some excellent points. I'm a bit torn about this acquisition. On the one hand, I do think it will enable gaming to become more accessible through games pass etc. and x cloud, but on the other, I think it's just huge market capitalisation. Microsoft is carving out the video game market, and PlayStation will probably follow suit. Monopolies are starting to form, and that's never good. Limarc Ambalina Jan 19, 2022, 5:14 PM This one is better Limarc Ambalina Jan 19, 2022, 5:16 PM If it's a business play to make more revenue: I can't see how this wouldn't work. They bought Activision at a good time because of the scandals and their stock was down a bit. From a branding standpoint, did you want to buy a company with tons of sexual harassment complaints? If it's a play "to win the console wars" or be THE gaming company. It's not gonna work IMO. Sure Microsoft owns them, but I still think of Bethesda as Bethesda. I don't really care who owns them. Blake Cram Jan 19, 2022, 10:27 PM I think everyone's points flesh out how complex this is compared to acquisitions like Disney buying Star Wars and Marvel. I think  makes a good point, this is far beyond the old school “console wars” and is more so a war for content. However, games still need to be played on a dedicated machine for now until cloud gaming or streaming takes off. And until then, there has to be some competition for the “box” you use even though Microsoft is playing nice with Nintendo and PC platforms. They'll absolutely be taking CoD from Sony… you don't spend 68 billion dollars to let your competitors use your new toys. This is a big deal because while I absolutely side with  in that I am obsessed enough to own and love multiple consoles, most folks can only buy one— and that choice will fuel at least some competition for where gamers play their games. Blake Cram Jan 19, 2022, 10:33 PM Curious to see what Sony does after this… I think Nintendo will be fine filling their niche. But, I think Sony either has to get ultra-competitive with their rumoured streaming service by acquiring content like Microsoft is doing, or double down on their niche exclusives like Nintendo. Perhaps they can survive by being the system that gives gamers a bit of both, but I think we PlayStation fans have a little reason for concern. Jack Boreham Jan 20, 2022, 9:52 AM Blake Cram, I agree that Playstation might double down on their first-party titles. I think those who think Microsoft will not make some of these games like cod exclusive are in fairy tale land. They need to capitalise on the investment; you don't just splash out  70 billion for “some” exclusivity. Jack Boreham Jan 20, 2022, 9:55 AM They might be taking advantage of the situation, but I think they had Activision in their sites for a long time! It's definitely a games pass ploy. They really believe in it! Sara Pinto Mónica Freitas, what do you guys think about monopolies and acquisitions of this size? Mónica Freitas Jan 20, 2022, 8:52 PM Jack Boreham, I think it's inevitable to get these monopolies. When big corporations got the means to buy practically everything, it doesn't come as a surprise that Microsoft would buy any profitable company that might steal their thunder - that way, they keep increasing their profits. Jack Boreham Jan 21, 2022, 4:40 PM Mónica Freitas do you think it damages industries? Mónica Freitas Jan 24, 2022, 11:56 AM Jack Boreham, I think it annuls competition in part. And may hinder innovation. If you don't have anyone forcing you to do better, be creative, no one to challenge you, you probably keep doing the same old things - this applies to companies as well. Being part of a monopoly can negate each company's original drive for innovation.

Xbox Bought Activision: What this Means for Gaming (Slogging Insights)

Building the metaverse ain’t easy. But someone has to do it. Why not Microsoft? On January 18, Microsoft an all-cash deal to acquire Activision Blizzard, the game development and interactive entertainment content publisher. This is a big move for Microsoft. The deal, if it succeeds, would give Microsoft a stronger foundation to build a metaverse that extends across multiple digital worlds. announced The promise of the metaverse is that human beings can use avatars to jump from one immersive environment to the next. Microsoft already owns one of those environments, Minecraft. Activision Blizzard gives Microsoft access to more of them through games such as Overwatch and Call of Duty. In a press release, Microsoft said, “This acquisition will accelerate the growth in Microsoft’s gaming business across mobile, PC, console and cloud and will provide building blocks for the metaverse.” In a call with investors, CEO Satya Nadella said: Our vision is for a river of entertainment where the content and commerce flow freely, driving a renaissance across the entire industry to make games more inclusive and accessible to all. And together with Activision Blizzard, that’s what we will be able to deliver. Removing these barriers will only become more important as the digital and physical worlds come together and the metaverse platforms develops. When we think about our vision for what a metaverse can be, we believe there won’t be a single, centralized metaverse and there shouldn’t be. We need to support many metaverse platforms, as well as a robust ecosystem of content, commerce and applications. In gaming, we see the metaverse as a collection of communities and individual identities anchored in strong content franchises, accessible on every device. And bringing fantastic entertainment together with new technologies, communities and business models is exactly what this transaction is about. His point was that no company will dominate these immersive worlds, but that many software makers will create many different virtual worlds in the future. All that said, though, Microsoft wants to be one of the companies . building and connecting those virtual worlds Microsoft has already made strong inroads into building the business-to-business metaverse by making it possible for digital twins to operate in or virtual representations of real-world places such as factory floors. For example, Anheuser-Busch InBev has used Microsoft’s to create a digital model of their breweries and supply chain. In 2022, Microsoft intends to make virtual communications more of a metaverse-like experience by introducing (a collaborative platform for virtual experiences) to Microsoft Teams. Azure Digital Twins Mesh Consider now how Microsoft could build: A consumer-oriented metaverse (the focus of the Activision Blizzard deal). A business-to-business metaverse (e.g., Azure Digital Twins). Virtual communication and learning (Mesh for Teams), which applies to business-to-business, business-to-employee, and any learning scenario (such as higher education). To pull all this off, Microsoft would need to provide connected content and experiences. We know the company is loading up on content (in particular, gaming content) in the business-to-consumer space. A real proving ground will occur when Microsoft attempts to make Teams a better experience with Mesh – and success here is by no means assured. For Microsoft to truly build a connected metaverse, the company may need to change its practices. For instance, Microsoft sometimes makes its games exclusive to its own devices, such as its Xbox console. Metaverse builders connect, though. They don’t create wedges. In the near term, Microsoft will be busy helping Activision become a better company, beginning with Activision’s culture. Activision is facing a reckoning right now after ongoing reports of sexual misconduct and harassment among the company’s executives led to the . Microsoft needs to proceed carefully and in a mindful manner here. During an investor conference call, Nadell said, “The culture of our organization is my number one priority.” He added that “it’s critical for Activision Blizzard to drive forward on its” commitments to improve its workplace culture. Now Microsoft will be accountable for ensuring that Activision brings real cultural change. dismissal of dozens of employees on January 17 Keep an eye on Microsoft. Note: I invest in Microsoft

Microsoft Makes a Bold Move to Build the Metaverse With the Activision Blizzard Deal

Do you remember the first time you watched a cartoon on an old-school slide projector? Or when you listened, as a child, to an audio story? These small and magical childhood memories are experienced on a different level by today's kids. By 2025, 2 billion of the global population will be made up of the youngest generation, generation Alpha. Children born between 2010-2025 were born along with iPhones, iPads and applications. But traditional education is not keeping up. Today's study materials are not adapted to the most technology-infused generation up to date. Tales for the Future is a children's book that includes 11 stories about equality, empathy, tolerance, activism and more, each of them being illustrated by a different artist, and augmented with Augmented Reality technology. Children will be able to watch the animated pictures through their parents' Facebook cameras. "We are witnessing a new era in children's education, one in which Augmented Reality remixes the real world to deliver extraordinary experiences for kids. And we want to be among the first to create such experiences. ” says Andra Bria, author of the book. The 13 artists who worked on the book's illustrations and Augmented Reality effects come from all over the world, from Guatemala to Poland, and from Madagascar to Japan. “We wanted the little ones to discover the stories through the eyes of a diverse palette of artists, so that they could have a multicultural perspective on things. The exposure to a wide range of styles and characters expands a kid's imagination and ensures they are getting a balanced view over the world ” says Andra Bria. The first story the team augmented is called "Akna & The Cosmos" and focuses on STEM education for little girls, encouraging boys and girls alike to learn about space, planets and solar systems. “In order for storytelling to come to life, we worked with Spark AR, a technology developed by Facebook. We also added a sound design component to create an even more special experience for children. ” says Laura Alvarez, AR artist. “For us, this project was a conscious reminder that AR is ideal for education. And education is always something we are personally striving for.” says Allan Berger, AR artist. The book Tales for the Future can be ordered on the website http://talesforthefuture.com/. You can also create a monthly subscription, that delivers you, each month, a new, personalised story, created just for you.

An Augmented Reality Book on Equality and Activism

In response to the many Call of Duty Warzone leaks appearing online, Activision has been filing aggressive takedowns on copyright grounds. According to documents obtained by TorrentFreak, the gaming giant has also obtained a DMCA subpoena from a US court, which compels Reddit to hand over the personal details of a user who allegedly posted a leaked image to the site. Sometime last week, speculation that a new Call of Duty ‘battle royale’ mode might be due for a March launch began to intensify. Noted leaker TheGamingRevoYT (TheGamingRevolution) posted footage on YouTube claiming to be from the ‘Warzone’ mode and as VGC , players were able to glitch into menus following the Season 2 update. reported It didn’t take long to work out that Activision was unhappy with the leaks. The video posted by TheGamingRevoYT was , leaving a notice behind declaring that the video was no longer available due to a copyright claim by the gaming giant. taken down Around the same time – perhaps earlier, perhaps a little later – a Reddit user called Assyrian2410 took to Reddit’s /r/modernwarfare to post a new thread. “I found this image online. Not sure what it is. Possibly Battle Royale,” he or she wrote. The thread linked to an image, hosted by Reddit. According to a e detailing the captured image and crediting it to the user, it shows Call of Duty soldiers standing on top of a downed chopper. Most strikingly, the text in the background shouts “CALL OF DUTY: WARZONE.” sourc According to a user who participated in the Reddit thread, TheGamingRevolution confirmed on Twitter that the image was “legit”. However, the tweet was removed and according to Twitter, that account has now been suspended. , published by a moderator of the /r/modernwarfare sub-Reddit, was also “withheld in response to a report from the copyright holder.” Another tweet Whether any further action is being taken against most of the alleged leakers listed above or indeed the many others around the web remains unclear. However, documents obtained by TorrentFreak show that Activision has taken to a US court in an effort to discover the identity of Reddit user Assyrian2410. In a filing on February 14, 2020 at a California district court, attorneys acting for Activision requested a DMCA subpoena against Reddit. “Petitioner, Activision Publishing, Inc. through its undersigned counsel of record, hereby requests that the Clerk of this Court issue a subpoena to Reddit, Inc. to identify alleged infringers at issue, pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (‘DMCA’), 17 U.S.C. § 512(h),” the request reads. “The DMCA Subpoena is directed to Reddit, Inc. Reddit is the service provider to which the subject of the subpoena – Reddit user ‘Assyrian241O’ – posted infringing Activision content.” As the image shows, the proposed subpoena provides a Reddit URL where the supposedly infringing content was published. However, rather than listing the specific Reddit URL where the actual image was hosted, it instead references the Reddit discussion thread. No infringing content was posted in the thread itself and the actual image URL isn’t mentioned at all in the subpoena request. In any event, the image was deleted days ago. Nevertheless, Activision claims that the image content infringes its exclusive rights under copyright law, “Specifically, it infringes Activision’s rights in its popular video game “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare,” the request adds. The image in question is currently being used on many gaming sites in articles discussing Warzone but it’s unclear whether the Reddit user was the source of the original material. However, an aggravating factor can be found in the thread itself. Contrary to the initial claim, that the user “found this image online”, he or she later confessed to it being sent to them by an “inside source”. That raises the question of who Activision is more interested in – the Reddit user or the person who sent them the image, possibly from inside Activision or a related company. Despite the URL issue, the seemingly deficient subpoena request was signed off by the clerk of the court and will now be delivered to Reddit, which is required to hand over the personal details of its user by February 29, 2020. Whether it will or can comply is currently unknown. The Assyrian241O account but it’s not clear what data Reddit retains on users after such an event, particularly in light of a legal issue. was deleted days ago The DMCA subpoena request and related documents can be found here ( 1 , 2 , 3 pdf) Originally published as “ Activision Subpoenas Reddit to Identify Call of Duty Warzone ‘Leaker’ ” with the Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) license

Activision Subpoenas Ordering a DMCA for Reddit, to Recognize a Modern Warfare's Warzone Leaker

The blockchain managed to gain the reputation of financial technology. Although this is mostly true, deriving from the fact that 99% of its use in the financial sector, it would be a shame if we disregarded it as an amazing system for other purposes as well. Very few have considered the blockchain as a tool for activism, especially in anything besides finances. In this article, I would like to shine a light on the uses of blockchain that can disrupt some of the vilest practices in the modern-day world. I will also touch upon the blockchain’s capabilities of being an activism tool through finances, but let’s focus on other sectors first. The first industry or sector I’d like to focus on is the retail industry. You know, shops like Walmart, Target and various other supermarket brands you can find in your neighborhood. What do these brands have in common with activism and how can blockchain be a tool for it? Well, let’s find out. Blockchain’s role in the retail industry When I mention blockchain in the retail industry, I don’t necessarily mean the usage of cryptocurrencies for buying groceries or any other product that a family or an individual may use on a daily basis. What I mean is the all the way from its raw material form. opportunity to trace the product There are some projects already that target this feature of the blockchain. They simply install barcodes on specific products, strike partnerships with both manufacturers and the retail stores, and give the consumers an opportunity to see where their product came from. It’s quite simple actually. The consumer downloads an application scans the barcode of the product they’re about to purchase and receive information on who manufactured it, where the raw materials came from and some other information about it as well. Now, how could this feature of the blockchain be a tool for activists? Well, it’s not necessarily a tool for every activist out there, but a particular one. The Global Warming activist is the one who can benefit from this the most. When we go shopping in large retail stores, it’s sometimes very hard to remember which manufacturers adhere to the pollution laws, which of them are happy to decrease their carbon footprint, and which of them are ready to pay their workers in factories a living wage. Because of this, even if we want to protest a specific brand to force them to change, we sometimes make the mistake of buying their products. It may seem like an honest mistake that happens just once, but considering that a nation’s population will have made that mistake at least once, that will be millions if not billions of dollars in revenue for that corporation. With the blockchain, we can always track the product’s journey all the way from the factory and onto the shelf we are looking at. If something were to indicate the violation of pollution policies and human rights issues, we simply refrain from purchasing that product. The best way to talk to corporations that have repetitive instances of misconduct isn’t through social media posts or new campaigns, it’s by directly depriving them of sales revenue and making them feel the burn. Activism in finances The next instance where the blockchain instills activism is the finance sector of course. It would have been impossible to write this article without considering this sector, as it’s pretty much why the blockchain was created. In this case, we have to refer to cryptocurrencies, and more specifically, things like privacy tokens and security tokens. One example I have about blockchain activism in the financial sector is the country of Venezuela. Their currency went through huge amounts of inflation, thus rendering it almost useless. Instead of relying on that currency, the population instead and completely revamp the nation’s economy. decided to go for cryptocurrency Through this decision, they managed to not only instill a blockchain-friendly economy in some economies but also avoid the prying eyes of the authoritarian government. It is still one of the best forms of passive activism that we can find information on. Activism against data mining The blockchain is a decentralized network where the identity of the user is always protected. The transparency of the network allows both the users and the owners of the network to keep an eye on the proceedings and the decisions made by both parties. This allows for a lot more accountability from large corporations, meaning that there will be no hiding of data mining, encroachment on privacy and etc. Facebook, Google, and various other large companies for mining their users’ data, but thanks to the large gaps between these fines, the corporations were still able to generate income from the information gained. have already been fined With the blockchain, any instance of mining this information or selling it without the users’ consent would be perceived as fine-able, thus exposing large corporations to crippling payments that they simply cannot maintain long-term.

How Activists Can Benefit From Blockchain Technology

There are some places in the world where internet users can rightly expect their activities to be subject to monitoring by private or government entities. In some places, the government exercises the right to order materials it finds objectionable blocked from access by citizens or gives private interests plenty of sway in decisions that force certain content offline. If you ask the average westerner, it’s the kind of behavior they ‘d associate with repressive regimes like those found in China, Iran, or North Korea. Unfortunately, it’s not confined there. It may come as a shock to some that the behavior described above may be found within western democracies, as well. Examples include countries like Germany demand that internet platforms within 24 hours, and the UK, which has been against online pornography since 2015. Those examples, while surprising to some, pale in comparison to the western democracy with the strictest internet censorship policies of all: Australia. Here’s what’s happening, and why it should matter to everyone in the western world. remove objectionable speech fighting an escalating war Online Down Under Photo: alexlmx / Adobe Stock When most people think of Australia, they likely picture a somewhat progressive place and know it to be a young but stable democracy. It’s also a place with a pretty forward-thinking approach to internet access, with now reaching the majority of the country. When it comes to the internet content, however, they have a long history of embracing or at least attempting censorship. The first visible sign of this came in 2007 when the government announced that all ISPs would have to provide what was termed a ‘ ’ to all homes and schools that had been pre-scrubbed of offensive content. Leaving aside the vagaries of such a request, as well as the fact that the government , it marked the beginnings of an aggressive governmental approach to controlling what Australians could see or do online. NBN coverage clean feed eventually abandoned the plan The Slippery Slope The failed ‘clean feed’ filtering plan was by no means the last attempt made by the Australian government to block materials it deemed harmful. In fact, a 2013 effort by the nation’s corporate regulatory body to block 1,200 websites tied to fraud accidentally resulted in being blocked from access within the country. Then, in 2015, the government handed local and international copyright holders the ability to entire websites that they alleged were infringing on their protected works. Privacy and free speech experts described the law as an overreach and blasted it as a vaguely worded statute that would be at best ineffectual, and at worst, abused by rights holders. more than 250,000 other sites force ISPs to block A Prophecy Fulfilled Photo: LP2Studio / Adobe Stock As it happens, the critics had a point. Fast-forward to 2018, and we now have a ruling under the 2015 statute that allowed rights holders to demand that ISPs block, among legitimately infringing websites, a site that is sure to raise some eyebrows: . At first glance, the blocking of a website that provides crowdsourced subtitles for films may elicit a shrug from many people, but in reality, it sets a dangerous precedent. The ruling, in effect, codifies the view that complimentary works, even when offered for free and for fair use purposes may be construed as piracy and punished. Opensubtitles.org That’s significant because the current law in Australia only allows for nationwide blocking of websites when ‘the primary purpose of the online location is to infringe, or to facilitate the infringement of, copyright (whether or not in Australia).’ It seems a stretch to argue that a subtitle file ‘facilitates infringement’ or that there’s no fair use argument that should leave Opensubtitles in the clear, but the ruling stands regardless. If that were the end of the story, it would be disturbing enough, but copyright holders aren’t satisfied. They want more and may get it. A Power Grab Right now, the Australian Parliament is debating an amendment to the existing law that would make it even easier for copyright holders to force websites offline. The , among other things, would modify the existing language of the law to include websites whose ‘primary effect’ is infringement. That means that sites like YouTube and other large video providers could become vulnerable to spurious copyright claims in Australia. draft proposal The proposal would also allow claimants to seek injunctions to prevent search engines from including results that they claim infringe on their rights, with little recourse for website owners, and no clear way for the public to know what’s been removed. That would create a system where abusive practices would become all but invisible to users, who will have no way to know how much of the internet is being shielded from their view. The Next Step Photo: Stringer Image / Adobe Stock Although the changes mentioned above should be enough to worry every Australian internet user, there’s another that should be setting off alarms all over the country and in every other western democracy. Aside from lowering the bar for getting websites blocked, the language would allow court orders that block ‘IP addresses that start to provide access to the online location after the injunction is made’. That means that rights holders could demand further blocking without going back to court and that they could demand that blocking to occur at the IP level rather than by DNS name. That vague language could allow claimants to block things like VPN servers in foreign countries based on the theory that they’re ‘providing access’ to blocked sites, and there would be no oversight by the government or the courts. The Bottom Line Right now, there’s no telling if the language in the current proposal will become law. If it does, it points to an internet future in Australia where users not only may be denied legitimate access to legal sites and services anywhere in the world, and where they won’t get so much as a notification that it’s happening. For residents of other western democracies that may be thinking that it isn’t their problem, consider this — the current legal system for internet censorship in Australia mirrors one that was and another version that . narrowly defeated in the United States went down to defeat in the EU If Australia goes forward with their proposal, expect it to become the model used for new restrictive efforts elsewhere in the world. There’s no guarantee that activists will prevail in a second global fight, so what happens in Australia may be a preview of what’s to come everywhere in the ‘free’ world. If that sounds like a world you won’t want to be a part of, pay attention to Australia and spread the word.

Anti-Censorship Activists Should be Paying Attention to Australia Right Now

What will be the consequences of big tech growing moral failures? . Those were the good old times. People don’t throw rocks on the Google buses anymore because it was described as “a notoriously harmful institution by its diffusion of digital culture”. On Tuesday, La Casemate, a fablab based in Grenoble was vandalized and burned The public policy of supporting the digital transition was also criticized as “City Managers satisfy money-hungry start-ups and geeky geeks by opening Fablabs in trendy neighborhoods These seemingly extremely heterogeneous devices all aim to accelerate the acceptance and social use of the technologies of our disastrous time”. It’s not the first time people turn to violent protests against automation and computers. From 1979 to 1983, in France, was active in the region of Toulouse, where they posed bombs and burned buildings (CII-Honeybull in 1980, International Computers Limited in 1980, Sperry-Univac in 1983, etc.) At the time, they explained to the French Media that they were And that in their view, the Committee for Liquidation or Subversion of Computers (CLODO) “workers in the field of data processing and consequently well placed to know the current and future dangers of data processing and telecommunications.” “ The computer is the favorite tool of the dominant. It is used to exploit, to put on file, to control, and to repress.” And there were others. In 1983, in West Germany, a computer center designing software used in Pershing missiles was destroyed by a group called Rotte Zellen. In 1984, a Belgium group called the Communist Combattant Cells (CCC) bombed and destroyed the headquarters of several companies in Belgium and Germany. In London, a group called the Angry Brigade tried to do the same. And there were similar actions in Asia, in South America and of course in the US. It’s easy to dismiss the actions of these digital “protesters” as mere luddites fantasies. But their point was not that the computing industry would take jobs from people. In August 1983, the CLODO gave , where they explain : “ ” It’s rather that these tools are “ ”, pointing for example “ ”. To be clear, in their 1983 view, “ ” a rare interview in English to Processed World It’s neither retrograde nor novel. Looking at the past, we see only slavery and dehumanization, unless we go back to certain so-called primitive societies. And though we may not all share the same “social project,’’ we know that it’s stupid to try and turn back the clock. perverted at their very origin that the most computerized sector is the army, and that 94% of civilian computer-time is used for management and accounting if microprocessors create unemployment, instead of reducing everyone’s working-time, it’s because we live in a brutal society, and this is by no means a reason to destroy microprocessors. Since the 1983 movie “Wargames”, people have dissociated computer-related terrorism and violence. By insisting on hacking and hackers, it looks like digital politics, protests and violence only take place in some sort of virtual world, and that they belong to a grey zone where moral values are distant and fuzzy. Indeed, their vocabulary of “White Hat”- a good hacker, and “Black Hat”- a bad hacker, seems more related to the Lords of the Ring than to the Communist Manifesto. And since the seminal 1984 book of Steven Levy, “ ”,the digital world has been fascinated by this new storytelling, the claim to be able to break the rules of society. Its leaders always want to present themselves as revolutionaries. They always begun in a garage. They were always former hackers. They all wanted to change the world. Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution But it seems that this storytelling has come to an end. The text posted by the group of Grenoble on Indymedia In their text posted on Friday, the group of Grenoble share the same disappointment as the CLODO. They call the digital promises “a blatant lie”. Echoing recent digital critics such as or even , they ask themselves what’s revolutionary or prophetic in an industry that relies on old-school capitalism, monopolies, micro-work, state regulations and money as a cardinal value. And as they reject the hacker myth, they end up calling a revered place such as the MIT… a “ ”. But people surprised, offended or shocked by this qualification should remember the way after being mistreated by this institution. Douglas Rushkoff myself temple of technocracy Aaron Swartz has been driven to suicide Violence is to be condemned. I feel sad for the people of La Casemate. They are the victims of a discharge of hate and distress. But they are also the victims of the religion of progress and technology that is being sold as an inescapable future for everyone. It’s not the truth, but there is indeed a need for disenchantment in the digital world. In the end, the members of the CLODO were never caught. They were cast aside by the emergence of a new storytelling presenting the digital transition as a revolution in its own right. But there is no new story to tell. And as the promises of this so-called revolution now fail to realize, it was only predictable that people would go back to real protesting and real violence as a result. It’s no surprise that after 20 years of obscurity, . As the negative impact of the digital industry is being felt harder and harder by citizens, actions will not be limited to nice ex-big tech employees speaking in elite conferences, or to smart social science researchers writing outraged papers as they are being financed by technology companies. people are beginning to remember about them Technology is not neutral, and there is no virtual world. Update : I should have mentioned “ ”, aka the Unabomber Manifesto, but that would need another post, or even probably a series of post… just go read it for yourself, if you’ve never done it before… can be a good entry to grasp what it’s about. Industrial Society and its Future the Wikipedia article on Ted Kaczynski Update 2 : I had forgotten but this is actually the second time in a short time that a fablab is burned in France. Last time was last year when La Cantine burned in Nantes. There was no revendication at the time, but it was thought to be a criminal act.

In France, cyber criticism turns violent as “activists” burn a fablab to protest the diffusion of…

Since Trump was elected two weeks ago, I’ve struggled with how to get involved and make a difference. It seems like there are so many needs, so many places to donate, so many people trying to organize, that it’s difficult to know where to start. I came across this series of tweets: And helpful tweets like this, screenshots of text with directions about how to speak out: With all of that in mind, I wanted to make it as easy as possible for someone to find and contact their Congressional representative at their district office. Essentially to call Congress with a tap. That’s why we created . Call To Action It started with a tweet Friday morning: Replies and offers to help — from people of many different backgrounds and disciplines — started pouring in. And even though sites for finding your Congressional reps exist, they’re pretty terrible: (gross) After a pretty crappy week, , from the podcast , asked if anyone had good news. I shared that I was about to start working on a small app. I didn’t realize how big of a need this was until he retweeted me. And again, my replies exploded with people who wanted to get involved. Jon Favreau Keepin’ It 1600 Within a few hours of my original tweet, I had more interest than I knew what to do with. I’ve been building apps and websites for five years but I needed a team to complete this quickly. We assembled 10 people from across the country — different genders, races, backgrounds, and orientations — all coming together over a weekend to build . Call To Action Call To Action is the fastest and easiest way to contact your Congressional reps. You can use it on your Android or iPhone right now: Go to and use your current location or enter your address. Call To Action See who your Congressional representative is. Call them with one tap. (We have a helpful script that you can use and information about what you can expect when you call.) Here are some things that you can call Congress about right now: Opposing Presidential Cabinet nominees Various policy positions Issues you feel are important to you and your community If we can assemble and build this in a weekend, you can spend a minute on the phone with your Congressional rep, having your voice be heard. It’s time to get serious and stay focused. We hope Call To Action will help. Call To Action was created and built by @zackshapiro , @jeremyhfisher , @mitulp91 , @webdevdani , @jhsilverman , @sleepingplanes , @lachlanjc , @buckwilson , @simkhosla , and @bengold . Special thanks also to @kevintwohy and @mrcohen33 for their help this weekend as well. Questions? Reach out at http://twitter.com/usecalltoaction

How 10 strangers came together to build a tool for grassroots activism in a weekend

DOVER, DE, USA, May 8, 2024 —ChainGPT, the AI-powered Web3 infrastructure providing a diverse suite of tools and services, will exclusively launch the IDO of its latest launchpad project, Engines of Fury: a free-to-play top-down extraction shooter designed for Web3. Developed by talents from AAA titles, Blizzard, Activision, Ubisoft, and Unity, its top-down characteristic makes it a first within Web3's free-to-play shooter arena. Set for May 8, Engines of Fury’s IDO leverages ChainGPT Pad’s acceleration program, enabling the game to perfect its product systems, action plans, and roadmaps while receiving expert marketing and promotional support. As a premier decentralized fundraising and incubation platform for Web3 projects of all types, the ChainGPT Pad has been recognized as the most popular launchpad of 2023. The incubation program promotes emerging startups strategically hand-picked by ChainGPT based on their disruptive potential, transforming their ideas into viable business solutions. The program extensively assists in product development, smart contract implementation, and user engagement. Through expert mentorship and access to an extensive network of influential partners and investors, the ChainGPT Pad’s incubation provides Web3 startups with the tools to navigate inevitable challenges and thrive. Engines of Fury immerses players in a dystopian world ravaged by a mutagenic virus from a meteor. Gamers navigate a perilous universe—scavenging for resources, enhancing hideouts, and upgrading gear while honing their abilities through single-player and cooperative modes. With a robust in-game economy driven by its native $FURY token, the game emphasizes a journey of survival, craftsmanship, and community. Engines of Fury’s goal is to create a game that introduces mainstream players to the distinct advantages of blockchain without forcing Web3 elements into core aspects of gameplay. Making it simple for all players to jump into the game, Engines of Fury’s crypto aspects serve as a bonus, not a must. The game includes classic gaming elements with an easy onboarding process for non-crypto natives, with features such as: NFT Mining and Trading: Players discover resources and forge unique NFTS to enhance their character's abilities and appearance. Gamers can trade these NFTs freely on the Engines of Fury marketplace and other compatible platforms.
Play-And-Earn Mechanics: Players can earn in-game virtual currency that can potentially convert to real-world income. Earned crypto assets and NFTs remain fully under the player’s ownership.
Skill-Based Rewards: Top players earn $FURY tokens based on leaderboard rankings, achievements, and in-game activities.
Council Crates: Special, limited-quantity NFTs will be available during the Engine of Fury NFT Presale event.
Cross-Game Interoperability: Engines of Fury collaborates with exciting projects to enable asset interoperability, expanding gameplay possibilities and community engagement. With an overwhelming response, Engines of Fury attracted over 80,000 applications for its Private Alpha Test, extending the game’s original playtest deadline. The enthusiasm following the private alpha test underscores the demand for high-quality Web3 gaming experiences. Engines of Fury IDO information: Token price: $.20


IDO date: May 13th


Token ticker: $FURY


Allocation size: 250,00


Max supply: 120,000,000


Network: Binance Smart Chain


IMC (without liquidity): $416,667


IMC (with liquidity): $1,376,667


Circulating supply at TGE: 6,883,333


Fully Diluted Valuation at TGE: $24 million


Vesting schedule: 15 percent TGE, 2-month cliff, 12 months linear vesting “It has been a pleasure collaborating with Engines of Fury, who brilliantly blend blockchain-based assets with a high-quality and engaging gaming experience,” says Ilan Rakhmanov, CEO and Founder of ChainGPT. “Engines of Fury exemplifies the unique and inclusive gaming experiences that resonate with a global audience. Their IDO represented an exciting opportunity for the community to support pioneering projects that reshape the gaming landscape for more than 3.3 billion players worldwide.” “With the help of ChainGPT, we’ve crafted a game that serves as a prime example of how gamers and developers can collaborate to build immersive experiences that rival traditional gaming structures,” says Saulius Aleksa, Co-Founder and CEO of Engines of Fury. We are grateful for the collaboration with the talented team at ChainGPT, whose expertise and invaluable guidance have been instrumental throughout the development of our game.” About ChainGPT: ChainGPT is the leading provider of AI-powered infrastructure for crypto, blockchain, and Web3. From a next-generation IDO launchpad and incubator to automated smart contract generation and auditing, as well as an advanced Web3 AI chatbot to AI-powered news aggregation, an AI training assistant, cross-chain swap, and an NFT generator, ChainGPT is a sophisticated, end-to-end solution for AI Web3 infrastructure. By integrating large language models (LLM) with blockchain, the company builds advanced, accessible, and user-friendly tools for all users. Further solidifying its position at the forefront of technological innovation, ChainGPT has established strategic partnerships and received recognition from notable tech leaders such as Google, Nvidia, BNBChain, and Chainlink. ChainGPT aims to advance the use of AI within the blockchain space. For more information, visit: <https://www.chaingpt.org/](https://www.chaingpt.org/) About Engine Fury: Built by a talented team from top Web3 projects, AAA titles, Blizzard, Activision, Ubisoft, and Unity, and backed by industry leaders including Animoca Brands, Metavest Capital, Maven Capital, and Double Peek Group, Engine of Fury is an online survival game that immerses players in a post-apocalyptic world. The game is a free-to-play top-down extraction shooter that combines the thrill of player versus player (PVP) and player versus environment (PVE) gameplay. Engine of Fury incorporates non-fungible tokens (NFTs) into its gameplay, allowing players to own unique digital assets that can be used within the game. These NFTs include unique weapons, armor, and champions that players can use in battle. The game’s deflationary token, $FURY, is used for various in-game actions, including participating in arenas and forging new NFTs. For more information, visit: <https://www.eof.gg/](https://www.eof.gg/) This story was distributed as a release by Btcwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here. DOVER, DE, USA, May 8, 2024 —ChainGPT, the AI-powered Web3 infrastructure providing a diverse suite of tools and services, will exclusively launch the IDO of its latest launchpad project, Engines of Fury : a free-to-play top-down extraction shooter designed for Web3. Developed by talents from AAA titles, Blizzard, Activision, Ubisoft, and Unity, its top-down characteristic makes it a first within Web3's free-to-play shooter arena. Set for May 8, Engines of Fury’s IDO leverages ChainGPT Pad’s acceleration program, enabling the game to perfect its product systems, action plans, and roadmaps while receiving expert marketing and promotional support. Engines of Fury Engines of Fury As a premier decentralized fundraising and incubation platform for Web3 projects of all types, the ChainGPT Pad has been recognized as the most popular launchpad of 2023 . The incubation program promotes emerging startups strategically hand-picked by ChainGPT based on their disruptive potential, transforming their ideas into viable business solutions. The program extensively assists in product development, smart contract implementation, and user engagement. ChainGPT Pad ChainGPT Pad most popular launchpad of 2023 most popular launchpad of 2023 Through expert mentorship and access to an extensive network of influential partners and investors, the ChainGPT Pad’s incubation provides Web3 startups with the tools to navigate inevitable challenges and thrive. Engines of Fury immerses players in a dystopian world ravaged by a mutagenic virus from a meteor. Gamers navigate a perilous universe—scavenging for resources, enhancing hideouts, and upgrading gear while honing their abilities through single-player and cooperative modes. With a robust in-game economy driven by its native $FURY token, the game emphasizes a journey of survival, craftsmanship, and community. Engines of Fury’s goal is to create a game that introduces mainstream players to the distinct advantages of blockchain without forcing Web3 elements into core aspects of gameplay. Making it simple for all players to jump into the game, Engines of Fury’s crypto aspects serve as a bonus, not a must. The game includes classic gaming elements with an easy onboarding process for non-crypto natives, with features such as: NFT Mining and Trading: Players discover resources and forge unique NFTS to enhance their character's abilities and appearance. Gamers can trade these NFTs freely on the Engines of Fury marketplace and other compatible platforms. Play-And-Earn Mechanics: Players can earn in-game virtual currency that can potentially convert to real-world income. Earned crypto assets and NFTs remain fully under the player’s ownership. Skill-Based Rewards: Top players earn $FURY tokens based on leaderboard rankings, achievements, and in-game activities. Council Crates: Special, limited-quantity NFTs will be available during the Engine of Fury NFT Presale event. Cross-Game Interoperability: Engines of Fury collaborates with exciting projects to enable asset interoperability, expanding gameplay possibilities and community engagement. NFT Mining and Trading: Players discover resources and forge unique NFTS to enhance their character's abilities and appearance. Gamers can trade these NFTs freely on the Engines of Fury marketplace and other compatible platforms. Play-And-Earn Mechanics: Players can earn in-game virtual currency that can potentially convert to real-world income. Earned crypto assets and NFTs remain fully under the player’s ownership. Skill-Based Rewards: Top players earn $FURY tokens based on leaderboard rankings, achievements, and in-game activities. Council Crates: Special, limited-quantity NFTs will be available during the Engine of Fury NFT Presale event. Cross-Game Interoperability: Engines of Fury collaborates with exciting projects to enable asset interoperability, expanding gameplay possibilities and community engagement. With an overwhelming response, Engines of Fury attracted over 80,000 applications for its Private Alpha Test, extending the game’s original playtest deadline. The enthusiasm following the private alpha test underscores the demand for high-quality Web3 gaming experiences. Engines of Fury IDO information: Token price: $.20 IDO date: May 13th Token ticker: $FURY Allocation size: 250,00 Max supply: 120,000,000 Network: Binance Smart Chain IMC (without liquidity): $416,667 IMC (with liquidity): $1,376,667 Circulating supply at TGE: 6,883,333 Fully Diluted Valuation at TGE: $24 million Vesting schedule: 15 percent TGE, 2-month cliff, 12 months linear vesting Token price: $.20 Token price: $.20 IDO date: May 13th IDO date: May 13th Token ticker: $FURY Token ticker: $FURY Allocation size: 250,00 Allocation size: 250,00 Max supply: 120,000,000 Max supply: 120,000,000 Network: Binance Smart Chain Network: Binance Smart Chain IMC (without liquidity): $416,667 IMC (without liquidity): $416,667 IMC (with liquidity): $1,376,667 IMC (with liquidity): $1,376,667 Circulating supply at TGE: 6,883,333 Circulating supply at TGE: 6,883,333 Fully Diluted Valuation at TGE: $24 million Fully Diluted Valuation at TGE: $24 million Vesting schedule: 15 percent TGE, 2-month cliff, 12 months linear vesting Vesting schedule: 15 percent TGE, 2-month cliff, 12 months linear vesting “It has been a pleasure collaborating with Engines of Fury, who brilliantly blend blockchain-based assets with a high-quality and engaging gaming experience,” says Ilan Rakhmanov, CEO and Founder of ChainGPT. “It has been a pleasure collaborating with Engines of Fury, who brilliantly blend blockchain-based assets with a high-quality and engaging gaming experience,” says Ilan Rakhmanov, CEO and Founder of ChainGPT. “Engines of Fury exemplifies the unique and inclusive gaming experiences that resonate with a global audience. Their IDO represented an exciting opportunity for the community to support pioneering projects that reshape the gaming landscape for more than 3.3 billion players worldwide.” “Engines of Fury exemplifies the unique and inclusive gaming experiences that resonate with a global audience. Their IDO represented an exciting opportunity for the community to support pioneering projects that reshape the gaming landscape for more than 3.3 billion players worldwide.” “With the help of ChainGPT, we’ve crafted a game that serves as a prime example of how gamers and developers can collaborate to build immersive experiences that rival traditional gaming structures,” says Saulius Aleksa, Co-Founder and CEO of Engines of Fury. We are grateful for the collaboration with the talented team at ChainGPT, whose expertise and invaluable guidance have been instrumental throughout the development of our game.” “With the help of ChainGPT, we’ve crafted a game that serves as a prime example of how gamers and developers can collaborate to build immersive experiences that rival traditional gaming structures,” says Saulius Aleksa, Co-Founder and CEO of Engines of Fury. We are grateful for the collaboration with the talented team at ChainGPT, whose expertise and invaluable guidance have been instrumental throughout the development of our game.” About ChainGPT: ChainGPT is the leading provider of AI-powered infrastructure for crypto, blockchain, and Web3. From a next-generation IDO launchpad and incubator to automated smart contract generation and auditing, as well as an advanced Web3 AI chatbot to AI-powered news aggregation, an AI training assistant, cross-chain swap, and an NFT generator, ChainGPT is a sophisticated, end-to-end solution for AI Web3 infrastructure. By integrating large language models (LLM) with blockchain, the company builds advanced, accessible, and user-friendly tools for all users. Further solidifying its position at the forefront of technological innovation, ChainGPT has established strategic partnerships and received recognition from notable tech leaders such as Google, Nvidia, BNBChain, and Chainlink. ChainGPT aims to advance the use of AI within the blockchain space. For more information, visit: <https://www.chaingpt.org/](https://www.chaingpt.org/) <https://www.chaingpt.org/](https://www.chaingpt.org/) About Engine Fury: Built by a talented team from top Web3 projects, AAA titles, Blizzard, Activision, Ubisoft, and Unity, and backed by industry leaders including Animoca Brands, Metavest Capital, Maven Capital, and Double Peek Group, Engine of Fury is an online survival game that immerses players in a post-apocalyptic world. The game is a free-to-play top-down extraction shooter that combines the thrill of player versus player (PVP) and player versus environment (PVE) gameplay. Engine of Fury incorporates non-fungible tokens (NFTs) into its gameplay, allowing players to own unique digital assets that can be used within the game. These NFTs include unique weapons, armor, and champions that players can use in battle. The game’s deflationary token, $FURY, is used for various in-game actions, including participating in arenas and forging new NFTs. For more information, visit: <https://www.eof.gg/](https://www.eof.gg/) <https://www.eof.gg/](https://www.eof.gg/) This story was distributed as a release by Btcwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here. This story was distributed as a release by Btcwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here . here here

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