One of the most exciting developments in my life is becoming a coordinator of a newly emerging center: Hekimbaşı Advanced Studies Center. We have a fantastic list of on-site seminars starting with Salvatore Maria Aglioti! Body, Brain, and Society: A Psychological and Neuroscientific Journey Salvatore Maria Aglioti Sapienza Università di Roma DATES 18–20 September 2026 … Read more
Brief Summary The video explores the sudden, explosive popularity of AI-equipped smart glasses—specifically the Meta Ray-Bans—and the severe privacy threats they introduce. While previous smart glasses like Google Glass failed, the new generation is selling in the millions because they look like normal eyewear while packing high-resolution displays, cameras, and AI assistants. However, because they … Read more
I have to admit, although I knew about his videos from a very early time, I found them a bit cringe, not on my agenda. But he is persistent and successful in his approach to creating content. The key amplifier was streamer Asmongold: his live reaction brought Çenet’s documentary to a much larger American online … Read more
The global academic landscape is fiercely competitive, and the latest figures from the European Research Council (ERC) emphasize just how intense the pursuit of research funding has become. In September 2026, the ERC announced the awarding of 421 Starting Grants, totaling a massive €705 million investment under the Horizon Europe programme. While these numbers celebrate … Read more
The video explains the fascinating history and counterintuitive business model of WinRAR, the famous file compression software from the 1990s. Famous across the internet for its infinite 40-day “free trial” that casual users famously never paid for, WinRAR somehow still generates tens of millions of dollars annually. It achieved this by allowing everyday people unrestricted … Read more
Iceland’s “No” to the EU: Sovereignty, Geopolitics, and the Digital Misinformation Battle On August 29, 2026, Icelanders headed to the polls for a highly anticipated referendum on whether to resume European Union membership negotiations. The result was a decisive blow to the EU’s enlargement hopes: as Euronews reported in the immediate aftermath, the EU offered … Read more
On August 26, 2026, the U.S. State Department and Treasury took an unprecedented step in the realm of digital rights and counterterrorism by officially placing the Italian tech collective Autistici/Inventati (A/I) on the “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” list. Spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, this decision has sent shockwaves through the digital rights community, … Read more
The video explores the origin and rapid rise of the Brave browser, created by JavaScript inventor Brendan Eich after his controversial ousting from Mozilla. It details how Brave was built as a direct counter to Google Chrome’s surveillance-heavy advertising model. When Google introduced the Manifest V3 update to cripple extension-based ad blockers on Chrome, the … Read more
One of my former graduate students has become an underwater photographer and has shared their work presented on this website. We always emphasize that divers who take photographs and film underwater serve as the eyes and ears of our seas and inland waters. As individuals who have taken on this responsibility, we are fully aware … Read more
The European Court of Human Rights’ Grand Chamber ruling of 25 August means that Turkey is under a binding legal obligation to release Osman Kavala and remedy the consequences of his conviction. The Court said he should be freed “at the earliest possible date” and that the conviction cannot lawfully continue to justify his imprisonment … Read more
Recently, The Guardian reported on the fierce pushback in Scotland, where locals are rallying against the data center boom with a level of objection previously unseen. Communities are questioning why their landscapes and resources are being sacrificed for global tech conglomerates. As we delve deeper into the era of algorithmic governance and the race for … Read more
I have spent most of the summer days back on campus, working on two edited volumes. However, I had a short road trip that included Lesvos, Greece. Ayşe and I took a ferry and drove around the island. I have to tell you, the island is big, and if you like to see around, you … Read more
This video analyzes the rise and fall of the Apple Vision Pro, describing it as a $20 billion bet that ultimately failed. Despite impressive specs, early hype, and selling out within 18 minutes, the $3,500 headset struggled due to its weight, high cost, and lack of compelling apps. The video argues that Apple’s fixation on … Read more
The Eurovision Song Contest 2027, scheduled to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, will go on without the Netherlands. The Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS announced on August 24, 2026, that they will not participate in the upcoming competition, citing a lack of neutrality due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions, primarily surrounding Israel’s involvement amid the conflict … Read more
I stopped by Ayvalık to visit my old and dear friend Çetin. Çetin is doing great stuff there. He has been working on a cologne brand for a while, and I realize that what a nice brand he created. Have a look at its site. Experimental small bottles for grandma smells! Ayvalık Macaron Kolonyası is … Read more