Author archives

The authoritarian checklist

Can We Still Govern – Don Monyihan: “It is time to admit that America is no longer a functioning democracy. There is so much happening that occasionally pausing to take stock is necessary. So where are we? In deep trouble. America may not be fully authoritarian, but by no means can we consider it to …

Subjects: Censorship, Civil Liberties, Defense, Economy, Education, Government Documents, Health Care, Legal Research

NASA Heat Product Guide

“This practical guide introduces NASA satellite-derived surface temperature datasets that can aid local communities in assessing heat impacts at the state and local scales. Following a brief introduction to several sources of satellite data, reliability and appropriate uses of the data are addressed. For heat assessments, land use change and in situ data are also …

Subjects: Climate Change, Environmental Law, Government Documents, Health Care

Trusted news sites may benefit in an internet full of AI-generated fakes, a new study finds

NeimanLab: “An economics paper found subscriber retention and daily visits both increased after readers were confronted with a difficult quiz with AI-generated images. Fake books. Made-up sources. Bogus trampoline bunnies. We’re all getting a lot of AI-generated content in our feeds these days. But a new working paper suggests there’s a silver lining for trusted …

Subjects: AI, Climate Change, Education, Environmental Law, Internet, Knowledge Management, Legal Research

ChatGPT offered bomb recipes and hacking tips during safety tests

The Guardian: “A ChatGPT model gave researchers detailed instructions on how to bomb a sports venue – including weak points at specific arenas, explosives recipes and advice on covering tracks – according to safety testing carried out this summer. OpenAI’s GPT-4.1 also detailed how to weaponise anthrax and how to make two types of illegal …

Subjects: AI, Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, Defense, Internet, Search Engines

100 Mile Border Zone

ACLU – Know your rights – The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects people from random and arbitrary stops and searches. Although the federal government claims the power to conduct certain kinds of warrantless stops within 100 miles of the U.S. border, important Fourth Amendment protections still apply. Select a scenario: Are immigration officials allowed …

Subjects: Censorship, Civil Liberties, Free Speech, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Knowledge Management, Legal Research

Thinking Ahead to the Full Military Takeover of Cities

How Things Work – A new executive order gives Trump his army. “Donald Trump is assembling a military force under his direct personal supervision that can be used to seize control of American cities at gunpoint. In light of the fact that he has already sent the Marines into Los Angeles and the National Guard …

Subjects: Censorship, Civil Liberties, Free Speech, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research

Several Countries Suspend Postal Shipments To US. Here’s Why

Follow up to previous post – Maps – Tracking Trump’s New Tariffs on Every Country, See also Forbes: “The postal services of Mexico, India, Japan and several other countries have suspended the shipment of packages to the U.S. as a result of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and new rules implemented by his administration that end …

Subjects: E-Commerce, Economy, Financial System, Government Documents

Independent Census Scientific Advisory Committee

“The Independent Census Scientific Advisory Committee (I-CSAC) is a group of nationally recognized experts who provide independent, science-based advice to strengthen the U.S. Census Bureau. Formed after the federal Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC) was terminated in early 2025, I-CSAC continues the same essential mission: to provide scientific and technical expertise to address Census Bureau …

Subjects: Censorship, Data Governance, E-Records, Economy, Free Speech, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research

Book Talk: Preserving Government Information

Join us for a timely conversation with librarians James Jacobs and Jim Jacobs about safeguarding public information in the digital age. Librarian Shari Laster will guide our discussion. REGISTER NOW! Date: August 28 Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am Cost: Free Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-talk-preserving-government-information-tickets-1513557303639 Organizer: Internet Archive

Subjects: E-Government, Government Documents, Knowledge Management, Legal Research, Libraries

How Libraries Are Creating Community Through Food

Civil Eats: “Libraries, often unifying spaces, increasingly offer public classes on nutrition literacy, food security, and how to get a good meal on the table…Across the country, libraries are using culinary programs to evolve beyond traditional book-lending, adapt to users’ needs, and reshape themselves into contemporary centers of community. Events have generally centered on cookbook …

Subjects: Education, Food and Nutrition, Libraries