The Exformation Newsletter

The Exformation Newsletter explores the interaction between technology, policy, and society with a focus on the impacts and ethics of the attention economy, digital regulation, healthcare advancements, and environmental concerns. It delves into tech innovation challenges, political dynamics, the implications of digital engagement, and the evolution of policy in a tech-driven world.

Tech Policy and Regulation Digital Economy and Attention Economy Privacy and Data Regulation Science and Innovation Healthcare and FDA Regulations Environmental and Social Impacts of Technology AI and Technology Adoption Challenges Social Media Ethics and Regulation Economic Theories and Work Patterns Historical Analysis of Technology and Power

The hottest Substack posts of The Exformation Newsletter

And their main takeaways

Unpacking the Executive Order on AI

98 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Regulation Legal Policy Government
  1. The Executive Order on AI has raised concerns about legal challenges and the impact on the rule of law.
  2. Government policy decisions can have long-lasting effects, as seen in examples like the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and technical requirements for new technologies.
  3. The Executive Order gives the White House new authority over 'dual use foundation models,' raising questions about regulation and potential impacts on innovation.

King Tut's meteorite dagger: A weapon from the heavens

157 implied HN points • 16 May 23
💾 History Minerals Ancient Civilizations Artifacts Archaeology
  1. King Tut's iron dagger made from a meteorite was more valuable than his gold one, showcasing the significance of minerals in history and power.
  2. Ancient Egypt's peak power was not during the time of the pyramids, but between 1550 BC and 1200 BC when they were a Great Power expanding their empire.
  3. Minerals like tin were crucial for advancements like bronze, highlighting their importance in shaping ancient civilizations and trade patterns.
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Reasons to celebrate Trump's return to Facebook

117 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech
  1. Meta's reinstatement of Trump's accounts highlights the power of self-regulatory organizations.
  2. The Oversight Board played a key role in Trump's return to Facebook, showing the effectiveness of this pathway for social media regulation.
  3. Meta's response to the Oversight Board's review showcases the influence and potential of non-governmental self-regulatory organizations in shaping industry standards.

The attention economy: a history of the term, its economics, its value, and how it is changing politics

255 implied HN points • 20 Jul 22
  1. The attention economy and surveillance capitalism are intertwined in digital spaces, focusing on supply and demand.
  2. The attention economy values attention as a limited resource with opportunity costs, impacting choices in digital interactions.
  3. Understanding the value of the attention economy involves considering the time individuals spend on platforms as a form of cost, revealing the worth placed on digital engagement.

As if we needed more evidence there's a privacy-competition tradeoff

58 implied HN points • 03 Mar 22
  1. Small changes in privacy settings can greatly impact competition in digital markets.
  2. Privacy laws, like GDPR, can have lopsided effects and exacerbate inequality between large and small businesses.
  3. Disproportionate costs exist in data regulation, showing a tradeoff between privacy and competition.

The just say no campaign was a good idea. It just should have been applied to social media and called tethics.

19 implied HN points • 27 Aug 21
  1. The idea of 'just say no' from the past could be a good approach to handle social media, emphasizing empowerment.
  2. Online power laws show that a small group of users generate a large portion of content, impacting discussions on platforms like Twitter and Reddit.
  3. The majority illusion in online spaces can make rare viewpoints seem common, highlighting the influence of a small number of users and trolls.

The 15 hour workweek is a dream in search of economic roots

0 implied HN points • 19 Jul 21
  1. Keynes predicted a 15-hour workweek but reality took a different turn.
  2. Modern society is trapped in a cycle of constant pursuit of growth and wealth.
  3. The intersection of income and leisure choices influences work patterns over time.

A progress report on the Emergency Broadband Benefit program

0 implied HN points • 05 Nov 21
  1. Congress allocated $3.14 billion for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program to help low-income households.
  2. County-level data and maps show enrollments are going to low-income communities.
  3. Leaders need to consider the broader impacts of expanding broadband access beyond just connecting households.

There might be too much advertising, but not for the reasons you think

0 implied HN points • 30 Jul 21
  1. Advertising effectiveness studies show that many brands spend too much on ads with little effect on sales.
  2. Deep uncertainty exists in the advertising industry on connecting specific ads to conversions.
  3. The variability in ad spending among companies of similar size and market indicates deep uncertainty in advertising effectiveness.

Instead of being eradicated, should mosquitoes be vaccinated?

0 implied HN points • 21 Jun 21
  1. Mosquitoes can be 'vaccinated' through a method involving Wolbachia bacteria to reduce diseases like dengue fever.
  2. The practice of eradicating mosquitoes has been debated due to their ecological role and impact on food chains.
  3. Innovative methods like Wolbachia offer a scalable and cost-effective approach to controlling mosquito populations.

Should the FDA make aging a disease?

0 implied HN points • 28 Jun 21
  1. The House marked up bills for reforming antitrust, leading to a partisan split.
  2. The FTC under Chair Lina Khan is signaling a change in course with its first open meeting in decades.
  3. Pressure on the FDA to classify aging as a disease for funding overlooks ongoing anti-aging trials already in progress.

Inequality in the attention economy has its benefits

0 implied HN points • 14 Jun 21
  1. The Internet has made media more competitive and empowered audiences to become more informed.
  2. Online audiences are not representative of the general population and tend to be more partisan and vocal.
  3. In the attention economy of social media, a small minority dominates the conversation, leading to inequality in what gets attention.

This house believes in science and so it believes in human challenge trials

0 implied HN points • 13 Jul 21
  1. This post discusses the importance of believing in science and supporting human challenge trials
  2. Human challenge trials can potentially accelerate vaccine development and reduce infections and deaths
  3. There is a willingness among the public to participate in challenge trials to help end the pandemic

Every way of seeing (like a platform) is also a way of not seeing

0 implied HN points • 07 Jul 21
  1. Every way of seeing, like a platform, also involves not seeing everything.
  2. Courts put a hold on Florida's social media bill and reduced the FTC case against Facebook.
  3. The discussion on platform legibility is crucial, but the focus should also include the concept of illegibility to understand the limitations of platforms.