A video: “How China’s BYD is Dominating the EV Industry”

BYD, a company you’ve probably never heard of, is making huge gains in the electric car market, worrying both Tesla and the European car companies. In this video, we’re taking a look at who BYD is, where do they come from, how are they so successful, and why is it making everyone worried? Main highlights: … Read more

This may be the most detailed work so far: “The Impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Elections Across the Globe”

The Center for Media Engagement at UT Austin released a vital report. The executive summary is below. For the full report, click here.  Generative AI (GenAI) has emerged as a transformative force in elections playing out across the world. In a series of reports, the Center for Media Engagement investigates GenAI’s role before, during, and … Read more

My Google Maps photos performance-250 million views. Still lots of place to visit…

It has passed 250 million views now! You can see the rest in my Google Maps, but let me share the most viewed one:  

A video: “Cryptocurrencies – The future of money?”

  Highlights 00:06 Bitcoin’s impact on the economy and society 03:19 Bitcoin’s value rise benefitted charitable initiatives in El Salvador 08:42 Bitcoin’s impact on traditional banking and its speculative nature 11:38 Bitcoin faces challenges as a global currency due to high volatility and limited acceptance. 16:40 Regulation is necessary to prevent further damage and secure … Read more

Return from Vilnius

After a productive and collegial workshop environment and a few trips, I am back, and the classes for the new semester started yesterday. Let me here point out a few places we visited. I am glad I could unpin a few places I saved in my Google Maps lists. Hill of Crosses is majestic. I … Read more

Politics makes strange bedfellows. Some Jihadists happy with the assasination of Nasrallah

A quick look at the Turkish Twittersphere confirmed my expectations. Some Jihadists and Islamists are actually happy. Since the civil war in Syria, many Turkish jihadists lost their uneasy sympathy with Hezbollah, who supported the Asad regime. But the actual celebrations come from “the Syrian opposition:” Celebrations in Opposition-Controlled Areas While the Syrian government officially … Read more

A video: Unix vs Linux

00:02 Difference between UNIX and Linux explained 01:50 Evolution of Unix to UNIX operating system 03:35 Evolution of UNIX into BSD versions in the mid-80s 05:20 UNIX philosophy and compatibility standards defined by System 5 and BSD. 07:03 Linus Torvalds overcame the deficiencies of MINIX and Unix to create Linux 08:46 Linux is a clone … Read more

New York City Mayor Eric Adams seems to have made real ties with some Turks

…not in a good way, I guess. According to the 57-page indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, there are significant alleged ties to the Turkish government. Here are the key points: Connections to Turkish Officials The indictment outlines an alleged scheme involving Turkish government officials and business leaders connected to Turkish President Recep … Read more

In Vilnius, for the GRADE workshop

I arrived in Vilnius yesterday to attend a workshop for the COST GRADE project. A little walking around led me to Level 9 on Google Maps. It’s a pretty city. I could not make it, but there are many walking tours. I recommend. I saw many groups walking around. And now the workshop starts. I am in … Read more

Orhan Pamuk as an homeowner

I saw a news piece in a pro-government newspaper: Orhan Pamuk’s quick eviction sparks outrage in Istanbul Residents of an apartment building in Istanbul, where Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk owns seven flats, are facing eviction as Pamuk initiated proceedings without waiting for a court decision. He obtained an eviction order from the local municipality despite … Read more

A FP piece claimed that Sinem Dedetas Is the Future of the Women-Led Opposition

Sinem Dedetas Is the Future of the Women-Led Opposition – Foreign Policy the piece reminded me of a few other moments: Let’s remember Time’s cover: I frequently cite a Guardian piece about Gaye Su Akyol: Make war against fascists!’ Gaye Su Akyol, Turkey’s psychpop powerhouse She is a musician, all right, but never really made … Read more

A video: “John McAfee – The Millionaire Madman”

John McAfee – The Millionaire Madman: John McAfee has been described as many things… Eccentric tech millionaire. International fugitive. Presidential candidate. And suspected killer. Honestly, John McAfee’s life is one of the most fascinating and bizarre stories I’ve ever heard. And opinion is split on whether John McAfee was a hero, or the devil. You … Read more

My opening speech at Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2024

I was honored to be part of the opening speeches at Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2024. The meeting started today. Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2024 (#WMCEE) is an annual conference centered on Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia and other related projects) in countries of Central and Eastern Europe (more recently, also in Central Asia). It features presentations on Wikimedia projects, other wikis, … Read more

Narin Güran case is a mess- so far

The family is close to the counter-insurgency establishment in the region. They apparently know how to diverge and disguise a crime. Family members were quick to point out a foreign conspiracy! Besides, continuous leaks to the press make the case complicated and mostly misleading. The case of Narin Güran, an 8-year-old girl who went missing … Read more

Software meets hardware in the war. Pager “bomb” attack in Lebanon

    The Attack Hundreds of handheld pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded nearly simultaneously across Lebanon and parts of Syria on September 17, 2024[1][2]. At least 9 people were killed, including an 8-year-old girl, and around 2,750-3,000 people were injured, with about 200 in critical condition[1][4][7]. The explosions occurred in multiple locations, including Beirut’s … Read more