A video: “How giant lasers could get rid of space trash”

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

Our appearance at a Marketing Summit

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

The BRICS summit. Western attempts to isolate Russia failing?

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

“Content Creators and Journalists: Redefining News and Credibility in the Digital Age,” Knight Center and UNESCO publish e-book:

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

Big Tech flirting with nuclear energy

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

Social media restrictions after the terror attack targeting Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ)

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

My Sunday morning appearance at Habertürk TV on AI

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

Strange times. Bahçeli invited Öcalan to the Turkish Parliament.

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

End of an era: Fethullah Gülen passed away

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

A four-year-old video: “The Story of Elon Musk”

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

Among all the assassinations, Israel might have created a new hero in Yahya Sinwar’s person

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

A new “Kurdish Peace Process”?

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

A municipality talk, a Youtube video appearance

I was invited to a talk at Fatih Municipality: Prof. Dr. Erkan Saka talked about the transformative effect of artificial intelligence technologies on individuals and the importance of artificial intelligence literacy in the “Artificial Intelligence Talks” program held at Neslişah Sultan Cultural Center. link I commented on “social media addiction” and proposed media literacy, etc … Read more

This is a new low: A gang that exploited medical malpractice related to newborn care (Yenidoğanlar Çetesi)

I prefer not to look at the related news closely as it is quite a heartbreaking case, but here are the key points about the allegations: Criminal Organization: A group of doctors, nurses, and 112 Emergency Call Center employees allegedly formed a criminal organization to exploit newborn patients for financial gain[1][2]. Patient Transfers: The group … Read more

Reşad Ekrem Koçu’s Istanbul Encyclopedia is now online!

http://istanbulansiklopedisi.org is live – The website brings together the printed volumes of Reşad Ekrem Koçu‘s unfinished #İstanbulAnsiklopedisi and archival documents made accessible for the first time. Check out the site here