We’ve Updated Our Reference Style!
We have made some changes to how we reference sources in our articles. Formerly, we used hyperlinked footnote numbers in brackets, as well as a reference list at the bottom of the page. We found this was not the most accessible way to reference sources online—footnotes are not ideal for screen readers. An example of […]
A New Frontier for Art: AI Image Generators
When you think of creating art, you may picture someone delicately painting a portrait on a canvas, or perhaps someone snapping photos of a sunset. You probably don’t think of artificial intelligence creating a “psychedelic pencil sketch of karl marx eating ice cream” or a photorealistic image of a “gaming chair as a toilet”. With […]
Is the Price of Convenience a Loss of Privacy?
Connected objects and devices (aka the Internet of Things) are on the rise.[1] You probably have encountered an IoT object if you own a smartwatch or fitness tracker, or have a smart assistant like a Google Home. While these can be helpful gadgets, we suggest making some considerations before purchasing a smart object—check out what […]
Hacking Horror: How My Digital Identity Was Stolen, and How I Got it Back
If you haven’t had one of your social media accounts hacked, consider yourself lucky—but don’t assume that you will be safe forever.[1] According to a survey by the University of Phoenix, nearly two thirds of adults have had a social media account hacked.[2] Often, scams start by sending an automated link from an already-compromised friend’s […]
Unmotivated, Exhausted, Burnt Out: Fighting Screen Fatigue at University
We are often told that we should be on our screens less. Overuse of screens can lead to poor sleep, neck and back pain, and eye strain and issues with focus, sleep, and more.[1][2][3] This narrative is often directed at personal screen use. It is common to get advice about how to go on social […]
What to Consider Before You Start Content Creating
Guest Post by Ozioma Nwabuikwu Over 4 billion [1] people around the world are on social media, and almost half of them use TikTok.[2] This is just one example of how rapid advancements in communication technology over the past few decades have increased access to information. With this access comes an increased need for information and that’s where content […]
Encrypted Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Private: A Look at WhatsApp Privacy Concerns
Guest Post by Karen McInnes What’s up with WhatsApp? You may have noticed increased news coverage on WhatsApp, this post will break down some of the privacy concerns being discussed. This all started in 2014, when WhatsApp was bought by Facebook. Two years later, WhatsApp began sharing user data with Facebook, unless users specifically chose […]
Fake News is BS: Here’s What You Might Want to Know
Guest Post by Sydney Brogden What do fake news, clickbait, misinformation, and yellow journalism all have in common? They all fit under the broader umbrella of bullshit (BS). BS is communication that demonstrates little or no concern for truth, evidence, or established…knowledge” [1]. This implies that BS-ing is more about the impression the communication creates […]
The Surveillance Economy: How Amazon Uses Your Alexa Data to Drive Profits
The Surveillance Economy: How Amazon Uses Your Alexa Data to Drive Profits Guest Post by Jill Pineau Voice AI assistants collect massive amounts of highly personal user data. Of the corporations that sell these devices – including Google, Apple, Microsoft and Amazon – Amazon’s data harvesting is arguably the most concerning, as the company itself […]
The Rise of the Digital Worker: How Digital Labour Platforms are Changing the Future of Work
The Rise of the Digital Worker: How Digital Labour Platforms are Changing the Future of Work Guest Post by Olenna Hardie Imagine you’re browsing the internet, looking for a job, and an ad catches your eye: Be your own boss! Choose your hours! Work from anywhere! You click through and end up on a site […]
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