BLOG

In Netflix’s limited series Zero Day , a political thriller fronted by Robert De Niro, the United States is thrust into a distinctly modern crisis: a coordinated cyberattack that cripples the nation’s critical infrastructure, igniting political turmoil, media manipulation, and widespread panic . For one harrowing minute, mobile phones, computers, and communication networks across the country go dark. Trains derail, planes lose contact with control towers, and critical hospita

In years gone by, parents would worry about letting their children play out in the street. Nowadays, it’s the potential dangers lurking online that are just as likely to keep mums and dads awake at night. The explosion of games, apps, and video content has happened faster than regulators and the rest of us can possibly keep up with. In that respect, the internet is like the new Wild West. Some countries are now turning to facial recognition to identify the age of those consum

Thanks to social media, it has never been easier to connect with people from the past. Curious about what that old classmate is up to now? Their profile is only a couple of clicks away. What’s more, most of us now use our social media feeds as a kind of virtual photo album. If you’re of a certain age, then a scroll through the older photos will no doubt take you on a trip down memory lane which rekindles memories of long-forgotten nights out, old friends we lost touch with an

Chatbots are proliferating rapidly thanks to advancements in AI. Most of us have come into contact with them, commonly in a customer service capacity. Formulaic responses aside, they can save a lot of time. Who wants to spend over an hour on hold, only to be hung up on? Chatbots mimic whatever information is fed to them. The result is a reflection of the integrity (or otherwise) of whoever programmed the information. Given the nefarious potential, it’s left some to question i

There’s arguably no emotion more powerful than shame. From an early age, we learn the discomfort brought on by feelings of having done "wrong". Without the heaviness of shame, you might not know your behavior is unacceptable. Public shaming has undergone a digital renaissance, thanks in large part to Twitter and online social media commentary. If you don’t stand corrected, then fear not – someone out there is more than happy to step up to the task. The flip side of today’s tr

Would you let your boss microchip you? Not an everyday question I ask myself, I must admit. But, with technology advancing and security systems becoming more prevalent in our society, could this be the ID card of the 21st century? In January this year, The Wall Street Journal explored this very topic . "For many employees, the workday starts by swiping a plastic ID card to enter the office. But employers can’t always be sure who’s holding the card. "That humble ID badge is st

A lot of things that come from the mouth of Elon Musk — or his Twitter account, for that matter — should be taken with a shovel-load of salt. But when he talks about the potential species-ending threat that Artificial Intelligence (AI) poses, perhaps we’d do well to sit up and listen. Quoting the Monty Python line, “Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition”, Musk hasn’t been shy in sharing his fears that one day — in the not-too-distant future — AI will turn on us. Way back in

Since lockdown began, the prospect of drone delivery from Amazon has gone from a wacky pie-in-the-sky idea to a genius innovation. What better way to offer contactless delivery to the masses during a pandemic than by utilising an army of flying robots to do the deed? It’s amazing how quickly perceptions can change. Amazon wouldn’t be “taking over the world” — it’d be saving it.  ​ As with all futuristic out-of-the-box ideas, however, some land better than others.  Take  Key  

Every year there’s at least one new drama on television that gets everyone talking — the “must-see”, water cooler, trending on Twitter phenomenon… 2019 was the year of BBC’s The Capture — a riveting six-part series led by Holliday Grainger and Callum Turner.    Having been acquitted of a war crime in Afghanistan, former Special Forces Lance Corporal Shaun Emery (played by Turner) finds himself accused of the kidnap and murder of his barrister. CCTV footage clearly shows the p

Be honest with yourself; did you lightly sway your head waiting for the gorilla to thrash out that Phil Collins drum solo? Or ask your kid if th­ey had to choose, would it be Daddy or chips? Did you even go so far as to vote for Adam and Jane’s wedding song after watching their relationship unfold through a love of broadband?   Whether you’ve eaten a Dairy Milk bar, popped some McCain fries in the oven or switched your internet provider to BT, it’s likely that these ads ring

I recently happened upon a short  video   by Frank W. Abagnale on Big Think website on the subject of hackable technology. In it, Abagnale — a frequent lecturer at the FBI Academy — ponders: "We develop a lot of technology but we never go to the final step and that is the last question of the development in how would someone misuse this technology and let’s make sure it can’t be done." ​ It’s a thought-provoking statement that led me down a deep internet rabbit hole. What I d

With all the political posturing in the UK that surrounded December’s General Election, it was no surprise that cutting crime rates was a central talking point — after “oven-ready” Brexit deals, of course! ​ In January 2019, violent crime in England and Wales had risen by 19% in a year — the highest since 2007.  For the year ending June 2019, the Office for National Statistics  reported : ​ 5% decrease in the number of homicides following a period of increases over the last f

If you’ve seen the Black Mirror episode “Nosedive”, then you’ll be familiar with the concept of social credit and how one’s actions can affect their socioeconomic status. What you may be surprised to hear, however, is that a similar social credit system is already active in China.  ​ Representing China’s attempt to restore trustworthiness in its economy and society, their system combines traditional western-style credit scores with more intrusive measures. Individuals are ran

As alluded to in blogs gone by I don’t have a lot of free time, so when I finally do dedicate an hour or so to watching a film or TV programme I want to ensure it’s of the highest quality. Black Mirror is one such programme.  ​ From humble beginnings on Channel 4, Charlies Brooker’s dark, dystopian and thought-provoking anthology series has evolved into an Emmy award-winning juggernaut for Netflix. Not bad for the guy we’re used to seeing angrily critiquing shows from his so

Some techy terminology is inherently intriguing. The World Wide Web, for instance. Or quantum computing, blockchain, artificial intelligence… These terms serve to pique your interest and desire to find out more. They sound exciting and futuristic, perhaps evoking memories of sci-fi novels and movies. But the 'Internet of Things'? What’s that about?!  It sounds like something you say when you’ve forgotten the right words. What is the definition of a 'thing' and why do they nee

If you’ve never completed a CAPTCHA before, chances are this is the first time you’ve ever logged on to the World Wide Web. In which case, welcome! What kept you?! For the rest of us internet obsessives, however, encountering a CAPTCHA can occur multiple times a day.   From setting up a new email account to buying concert tickets, that trusty “I’m not a robot” check box is never far away. Nor are the incessant requests to “Select all squares with… vehicles / storefronts / str

Surely it’s only a matter of time before “knock, knock” jokes become a thing of the past? Video doorbells such as Ring and Nest Hello are certainly playing a big part in their demise. After all, there’s something fundamentally unfunny about questioning “who’s there?” when you can quite clearly see for yourself on your smartphone screen from anywhere with a decent Wi-Fi or 4G connection.  It’s surprising that the widespread adoption of video doorbells didn’t catch on earlier.

I’m someone who travels frequently for work. From adventures across the Atlantic to long-haul flights to China and beyond, it can feel like I spend most of my time in planes, trains and automobiles. And whilst I can appreciate nostalgia for the public transport of yesteryear — the golden age of steam locomotives and such — I relish every technological advancement that changes the way we travel.  A feeling of mild dread envelops me every time I see an older electric train trun