Internet of Restaurants in the New York Times: Rah Rah Data Mining

Last May I went to the annual National Restaurant Association meeting with Bruce Schneier, a well known technologist, and listened to Internet of Things pitches. Here’s what we found: Some of the sales pitches are compelling: Companies offer to harvest customer data so the restaurant can better track its clientele’s needs. They offer to manage … Continue ReadingInternet of Restaurants in the New York Times: Rah Rah Data Mining

Portlight – Disaster Relief for People with Disabilities

Today at Pacific Standard, I have an interview with Paul Timmons, co-founder of Portlight Strategies. They provide inclusive disaster response to make sure that emergency responders respect the civil rights of disabled folks, they repatriate people with their mobility devices, and they coordinate relief. I’ve been watching on social media as Portlight has been helping … Continue ReadingPortlight – Disaster Relief for People with Disabilities

AL School Official: Segregate Disabled Students to Help Test Scores

From Alabama: Is it against the law for us to establish perhaps an academy on special education or something on that order,” asked Bell, “so that our scores that already are not that good would not be further cut down by special-ed’s test scores involved?” When Bell’s colleagues mentioned LRE, she didn’t seem to understand. … Continue ReadingAL School Official: Segregate Disabled Students to Help Test Scores

Savannah Leckie

Savannah Leckie, an autistic teenager, seems to have been murdered by her mother. The autistic community, led by ASAN, has long sought victim-centered narratives when such murders happen. This, from Ozark County Times, tells us about Savannah. Over the next few weeks, we will see increasing discussion of the killer’s mental health. We won’t see … Continue ReadingSavannah Leckie

Southern Nationalism = White Supremacy (with Bonus Templar Content)

This is well-known (I gather, not my world) cosplayer Alisa Kiss and her boyfriend at Charlottesville Nazi rally, chanting “Jews will not replace us.” Note his Templar shield (which is what caught my interest). A gif of the white supremacist march in Charlottesville. A white man holds the hand of a white woman. He has … Continue ReadingSouthern Nationalism = White Supremacy (with Bonus Templar Content)