I sometimes wonder about the decision-making process at Foursquare HQ. Recently, I saw that Foursquare is killing its city guide app to focus on the check-in app Swarm and wondered again. A decade ago, they killed their very successful app to promote their check-in app, Swarm. They now decided to kill the app totally and focus on Swarm—such … Read more
I have been honored to be a member of the EASA Media Anthropology Network from the outset. Our mailing list has hosted tens of e-seminars throughout the last 20 years. Currently, network members discuss the 20 years, and here is my contribution: On the 20th anniversary of Media Anthropology Network I was a graduate … Read more
I saw the news that the Netherlands is considering sending some rejected asylum seekers to Uganda. I guess it may all have started with the EU’s agreement with Türkiye, which keeps millions of refugees in the country. Here are some current and recent attempts to send refugees to the third countries: The Netherlands-Uganda Proposal The … Read more
Here are the highlights by merlin.app: 00:03 Space debris posing increasing risk to orbits 01:28 Space debris poses a serious threat to our satellites and spacecraft in low Earth orbit. 02:41 Efforts to remove space debris through innovative technology. 03:55 Lasers can be used to manage small space debris effectively. 05:03 Ground-based or space-based lasers … Read more
As our academic and civic initiatives continue, we also have a commercial entity. Sinem and I now set up a consulting agency: Saka & Saka Consulting. One of our first appearances was a workshop on AI and Marketing at this week’s Global Marketing Summit in İstanbul. Key Statistics to Share: 80% of marketers report increased ROI from … Read more
This might be the most popular video from the summit (!) Erdoğan combing his hair! The most recent BRICS summit was held from October 22-24, 2024 in Kazan, Russia. Here are the key highlights and outcomes: Expansion and Attendance The summit marked the first gathering after BRICS expanded to include new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, … Read more
Bridging the gap between digital content creators and journalists: Knight Center and UNESCO publish pioneering e-book With 105 pages of interviews, research, first-hand accounts from news content creators like Dylan Page (aka News Daddy) and Kassy Cho (founder of Almost), illustrations and best practices, this unique open-access e-book published by the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas, in … Read more
I recently saw Google make a deal to get nuclear energy. The rise of AI complicated energy plans, and Google is not alone! Major technology companies such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are investing in nuclear energy. These companies are exploring nuclear power as a means to meet the growing energy demands of their data … Read more
Right after the talk of a new peace process, the terror attacks happen. We do not know the details yet! A few hours ago, a terrorist attack targeted the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) in the Kahramankazan district near Ankara, Turkey. The incident resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to … Read more
It is in Turkish but here is a long summary in English: Short Summary for Where Is Artificial Intelligence Going? by Merlin The Future of Artificial Intelligence: Insights from Erkan Saka, Bilgi University Professor, on Artificial Intelligence Advancements 00:05 How Artificial Intelligence is impacting recruitment 01:44 AI limited in managing human emotions and human resources … Read more
A new Kurdish peace process is on the way. MHP (Nationalist Movement Party) leader Devlet Bahçeli made some significant statements about PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan during his party’s group meeting today. Here are the key points: Bahçeli called for Öcalan’s isolation conditions to be lifted, suggesting that Öcalan could speak in the Turkish Grand National … Read more
After a long self-exile in the US, pro-Gülenists sources stated that Fethullah Gülen was dead. His massive global movement has already been crushed in the post-2016 coup attempt. Still, there are many followers all around the world. If his movement did not get in a fight with Erdoğan, his funeral would be greeted by millions. … Read more
Before he became more jerky (!) 00:04 Elon Musk’s Early Life and Intellectual Curiosity 01:44 Elon Musk’s early entrepreneurial ventures and work ethic 03:20 Elon Musk focused on bigger visions beyond PayPal. 05:03 Elon Musk’s challenges with personal and professional setbacks. 06:46 SpaceX’s fourth rocket launch attempt saved the company from bankruptcy 08:27 Elon Musk … Read more
I see on Tiktok several promotional videos. He was killed while fighting to the last moment. Israeli soldiers released initial footage probably to humiliate him, but the narrative is built quickly to transform him into a hero. He did not have a broad appeal, but he may have had one gradually. But probably for a … Read more
The unthinkable happened, and the nationalist MHP leader shook hands with DEM deputies. I suspect that after the Sinan Ateş murder, MHP was blackmailed into accepting a possible rapprochement. This may, in turn, be related to new constitution debates. A new constitution may allow Erdoğan to be elected president again. An ‘event’ and afterwards: The handshake … Read more