Weekly Links & Thoughts #60

Here is a weekly selection of thoughtful opinion pieces, interesting analyses and significant yet under-reported information bits from the digital and technology world. Published and annotated every Thursday (CET), just in time so you have something good to read during the weekend.

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• Inside the Artificial Universe That Creates Itself
  
  This is a thought-provoking and eye-opening read about an upcoming game which simulates a full artificial universe. Reading this also brings back the fascinating question about whether our own world and universe might be a simulation.
• The graphs that show the search for love has changed
  
  The Internet changed everything. No news, yet remarkable to see the full impact of it.
• Mobile, smartphones and hindsight
  
  An insightful look back on how the world of mobile phones and smartphones has evolved over the past 10-15 years. In hindsight, developments always appear a bit different than while they happened.
• What’s Next in Computing?
  
  And here is a knowledgeable outlook on what comes next in computing.
• VR And AR Will Be Mobile’s Demand Driver, Not Its Replacement
  
  A prediction that sounds realistic: When (or if) Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality will hit the mainstream, it’ll be powered by the smartphone as the underlying computing device, instead of a desktop PC/notebook or a computing unit embedded into the VR/AR headset.
• A 19-year-old made a free robot lawyer that has appealed $3 million in parking tickets
  
  I am looking forward to the day on which bots can take over simple but time consuming tasks from me.
• If you hate telemarketers, you’ll love this robot designed to waste their time
  
  Fantastic!
• Apple’s FBI battle is just the beginning of a reality check for the tech sector
  
  Yes, the pressure from governments and state agencies on the leading tech companies will keep increasing.
• European carrier Three to block ‘excessive and irrelevant’ mobile ads
  
  I gave myself a couple of days to think about this move, but still ended up with the same verdict that I felt initially: This is just another unacceptable and unsolicited attempt by a telecommunications operator to interfere with the flow of data – something they should not engage in. The ultimate goal is to establish an extortion scheme similar to the ones of certain ad blocking companies, which charge Internet services in order to not have their ads blocked. There is a lot to be criticized about the online ad industry. Yet I do not think telecom operators should get involved in here, since their interests in that matter are very questionable. Their motivation is not to improve the user experience, but to finally get the long-desired direct cut from the revenue streams of major Internet services.
• Google Is Going to Speed Up the Web. Is This Good?
  
  Google has officially launched its open source boosting technology for mobile websites, AMP. This is a good article explaining the background, the chances and the risks.
• Reactions: Not everything in life is Likable
  
  You might have heard: Facebook now offers 5 alternative “emotions” in addition to the Like button. What looks to be a tiny enhancement to the user experience has been a massive, complex undertaking during its development. Read this if you are interested in how the company approached this change.
• My view on the current situation of Bitcoin and the Blockchain
  
  The well known entrepreneur and investor Joi Ito is worried about the current situation of Bitcoin and the Blockchain.
• DHL Global Forwarding Failed on Software, and That’s Why It’s Being Sold So Cheaply
  
  A cautionary tale about how unsuitable software and failed IT integrations can destroy the value of a billion dollar company.
• You’ve Got Mail – Again: Rethinking the Role of Email Newsletters
  
  The recent rise of curated newsletters is truly astonishing.
• Remember WordPress’ Pingbacks? The W3C wants us to use them across the whole web
  
  I am not too optimistic that such a technology fits into today’s commercialized, app- and platform-centric mobile web but I’d be happy to be proven wrong.
• Twitter Has More Users Than Facebook—in Japan
  
  Japan is always good for a surpise.
• Watch Apps Worth Making
  
  Succinct post explaining which types of apps make sense on a smartwatch.
• Introducing The Forbes Newsbot on Telegram
  
  With its bot approach, the messaging app Telegram is actually ahead of the bigger rivals WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Forbes is experimenting with it by launching a news bot. Another interesting take on the “news delivered through messaging”-approach.

Recent articles on meshedsociety.com

• Turning learning into an addiction
  
  People who don’t continuously practice conscious learning will be made obsolete by technology. That’s the harsh reality of our times. So how to impact people’s attitudes towards learning before it is too late? By turning learning into an addiction, maybe.
• Yik Yak or Jodel?
  
  Two anonymized messaging board apps, one from the United States and one from Germany, are entering a global race for users
• The benefit of a strong Europe
  
  Why a country’s attempt to weaken or leave the EU won’t make things better for this country’s citizens.

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