Blockchain has a far-right past. Does it have a future in Rhode Island?
Here is a list of some of the figures who have shown interest in bitcoin cryptocurrency and its associated “blockchain” technology: white nationalist Richard Spencer, who called bitcoin “the currency of the alt right.” Former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon, who has had private meetings with cryptocurrency investors. Peter Thiel, the PayPal founder and libertarian […]
Michael Field, Leo Wold lead AG’s net neutrality efforts
Two assistant attorney generals from Rhode Island have been conferring with other states about suing the Federal Communications Commission for repealing net neutrality, the concept that every site and user on the internet are treated equally. “It is anticipated that Rhode Island will join a coalition of States signing-on to a net neutrality lawsuit once […]
How Rhode Island can help restore net neutrality
The Federal Communications Commission’s voted 3 to 2 to repeal net neutrality, the Obama-era government regulations that guaranteed all websites on the internet get treated equally by service providers. Here are four ways Rhode Island can respond. 1. Sue the FCC. A growing number of states have already said they will do this, including California, […]
Can fruit-picking robots from Brown help create a more sustainable future?
Ursula works at Brown University learning how to pick flower petals from a daisy. It’s not difficult work for a human, but Ursula is a robot and picking flower petals represents a skill set automation hasn’t been able to master yet. The Humans to Robots Laboratory at Brown, featured in a recent New Yorker article […]
In light of Minneapolis shooting, ACLU urges revised police body cam policies in Providence and Newport
“…were a similar tragedy to occur here, police officers’ cameras likely would not have been activated either under the department’s current policies.”
March for Science in Providence showcases women scientists
About a thousand people braved the rain on Saturday, Earth Day, to gather at the Rhode Island State House to stand up for Science and against the anti-science of the Donald Trump administration. The March for Science in Rhode Island joined scientists and science enthusiasts around the globe in nearly 500 satellite marches, held in […]
Providence to vote on shady body-cameras contract
To say that TASER, the company providing the police body cameras is shady is an understatement, as its body-camera deals have been dogged with controversy around the country.
Innovation spotlighted at RIDE conference
Hundreds of educators, school administrators, and students came together at the RI Convention Center today for the fifth annual “Innovation Powered by Technology” conference, sponsored by the RI Dept. of Education. Across dozens of small discussions, panels, and demos, participants from all across the state had the chance to share best practices, learn about innovations, […]
Rep Ucci needs to disclose financial ties to Raytheon ahead of drone bill considerations
Depending on the kinds of laws, rules and regulations that Rhode Island adopts, Raytheon and other drone manufacturers can either be helped or hindered in their efforts to market drones in our state. This could mean more or less money for Raytheon and have real financial implications for anyone who maybe invested in the company, like Rep. Stephen Ucci.
Drone store opens amid calls for privacy and safety legislation
Randall Rose, member of Rhode Island Coalition to Defend Human and Civil Rights, said “Although drones do have legitimate and important uses, Rhode Islanders’ quality of life will suffer if inadequately regulated drones become widespread. Except in an emergency, drones should not be allowed to collect personally identifiable or re-identifiable information on residents without their consent.
The Verizon, union standoff and the future of privacy
Within the past few years, the issue of privacy in telecommunications has become a major controversy. Following the revelations by Edward Snowden and the WikiLeaks organization, the role of the providers in collaboration with the National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other law enforcement agencies has become a subject of debate. On August […]
Online voter registration bill passes RI House
The House floor saw heated debate Wednesday as representatives discussed the implications of bill H6051, which would allow electronic voter registration. The action would make Rhode Island the 28th state to do so, following a trend that has saved other states money and time, as well as helped to clear voter rolls during elections. Supporters […]
Police body cameras a priority for Providence mayoral candidates
All stops conducted by police officials with such equipment shall be recorded. The recording shall begin no later than when an officer first signals the vehicle or individual to stop or arrives at the scene of an ongoing stop begun by another law enforcement officer, and the recording shall continue until the stop is completed and the subject departs, or until the officer’s participation in the stop ends.
Open data and the next mayor of Providence
Some readers may recall that yours truly advised Angel Taveras’s 2010 mayoral campaign on the issues of information technology, web services and open government (known then as “government 2.0”). Later, I served on the transition committee studying these same issues and served on the Open Providence Commission for Transparency and Accountability that met throughout 2012. […]
Code Island to host Wiki-a-thon Sunday
[Neither your Frymaster nor RI Future in general support the raw posting of press releases. But seein’ as how I wrote this press release, I say “fair game!” Please re-blog this far and wide. (Lookin’ at you, Righty.)] Code Island, Rhode Island’s newly established Code for America brigade, will host a National Day of Civic […]
Surveillance or education: which is a better use of technology
What to do about our government surveillance problem? This post is about ensuring that our children get to live in a free world. Step One is relatively easy: we turn the NSA’s Utah Data Center into the world’s next Great Library. I’m not kidding. The forces that labor for our security are not composed of […]
Thanks for standing against domestic spying, Congressman Cicilline
It is rare for me to call my elected representatives, and rarer to call them allies. Like many Rhode Islanders, I swim against a tide of cynicism. However, Congressman Cicilline, whatever brand of patriotism has motivated you to oppose the NSA and its spying, for that patriotism you have my own honor in accord. I […]
Democracy 3 Reviewed
I was the President of the United States. I was working hard to end homelessness, stop vigilante mobs from taking the law into their own hands, and reduce our out-of-control deficit. And then a black power movement assassinated me. And that’s how my first game of Democracy 3 ended. Democracy 3 is Positech Games’ extraordinarily […]
Julian days and Healthcare.gov
There is a great deal of gnashing of teeth going on about healthcare.gov, the Obamacare portal for people who live in a state that refused to create its own exchange. I’m sure that some of the well-reported woes of the web site are deserved, but it seems fairly obvious that a large number of the commenters, […]
Progressives ‘confront’ Langevin tonight at town hall
Progressives will “confront” Congressman Jim Langevin at a town hall meeting he is hosting in Cranston tonight at 6:30 for his support of the NSA spying on Americans. “It’s time for him to hear from his constituents,” said David Segal, a former Rhode Island state representative who is the executive director of Demand Progress, a […]
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