[kwlug-disc] OT: CIGI talk on surveillance

doug moen doug at moens.org
Wed Feb 21 12:11:56 EST 2018


Mikalai said: When I was infront of that mic, the first two seconds I felt
a rush. Make it the rush. I consciously said to my brain "Thank you for
mobilizing me. Yet, infront of me is not a tiger, and it isn't boxing. I
need blood in language regions."

YES I have had this exact experience.

What fixed me was presenting a tech paper in front of an auditorium of 200+
people at a Usenix convention. Yes, I was paralyzed and unable to speak for
what seemed like 10 seconds (probably shorter). Fortunately, I had
memorized my talk word-for-word the previous day, practicing in my hotel
room. Once I got my mouth moving, the speech came out fine. And since then,
I have not had a problem with public speaking.

On 21 February 2018 at 11:46, Mikalai Birukou via kwlug-disc <
kwlug-disc at kwlug.org> wrote:

> Let me make a few remarks here:
>
> 1) @chamunks, you sounded well, with only light infliction in voice closer
> to the end. Even though you might've felt from the *inside* that your
> stressing out was obvious to everyone. Your speaking was great. And, yey to
> speaking out in public!
>
> 1.1) When I was infront of that mic, the first two seconds I felt a rush.
> Make it the rush. I consciously said to my brain "Thank you for mobilizing
> me. Yet, infront of me is not a tiger, and it isn't boxing. I need blood in
> language regions." This *reappraisal* of *internal state* switched off the
> distraction and let me talk. Yes, closer to the end of my remark I had a
> difficulty to find that English word. Of cause, some blood did drain from
> my bilingual neo-cortex. Duh! :)
>
> 1.2) While reading (1.1), you may think WTF he is talking about. It is the
> same sort of reaction that a person, who doesn't know vim's internals or
> vim's approach, would say to the talk about "Ctrl- what? You do this in a
> mere text editor?". Yes, nobody gave us a manual for our brain. Its even
> worse than vim without -h. So, is there a manual for brain, or a good -h?
>
> 1.3) David Rock's dense talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeJSXfXep4M
>
> 1.4) If the beginning of the 20-th century was a revolutionary time in
> physics, beginning of this, 21-st, century brings the similar level of
> correctness and usefulness to psychology. David Rock articulates modern
> findings in an actionable form, tailored specifically to tech audience. Do
> apply, and do test what he preaches. Do cross-reference with other
> research, like you would do it in physics.
>
> 1.5) I selflessly recommend David Rock and his book, to all tech folks.
> Cause from my millage it works. It describes brain correct enough for my
> brain to be able to adjust behavioral patterns.
>
> 1.6) Note that when you adjust a line of code, program changes
> *immediately*. Does neural net algorithm output (behavior?) changes
> *immediately* on showing one learning input? No! By extension, don't expect
> it from your brain either! Repetition and noticing little signs of progress
> do work.
>
> 1.7) Last fall, there was a security-talking event in Accelerator Center,
> organized by C3RM. The last talk was by ... , you guessed it, by a
> psychologist! After her talk, mentioning SCARF (watch David's talk)
> lightened her up, and on my "why schools don't teach a modicum of brain
> literacy", she said that at least a school with her child is starting to do
> something in this literacy area. There is hope. Yet, our generation should
> pick up brain literacy after classes, just like older generations had to
> pick up computer literacy after classes.
>
> 2) It seems to me that this CIGI event, having been centered around the
> book, was too fear-spreading onto non-geeky public. It would be analogous
> to talking about car fatalities without mentioning that seat belts can be
> added to cars, airbags, and that may be cable brakes are not enough for
> 200mph monsters, and hydraulics better be used. Remarks from Magnetic
> Forensics guy, coupled with Trudeau socks, were not for honest tech
> discussion, but rather influenced by some internal context of what brought
> all speakers onto the podium last night. And the tone was 100% apologetic,
> pro-surveillance, both corporate and militarized.
>
> 2.1) May I humbly suggest buying David Rock's book? It will be more useful
> :) .
>
>
> On 2018-02-21 12:36 AM, Chamunks wrote:
>
> That was fun.  I don't think my question was too adversarial.  I was
> stressing out apparently quite a bit but I think it landed well.
>
> On Tue, Feb 20, 2018 at 4:47 AM Paul Nijjar via kwlug-disc <
> kwlug-disc at kwlug.org> wrote:
>
>> This is moderately off-topic but seems relevant to the group.
>> Unfortunately I got the word out very late; the event is Tuesday
>> evening.
>>
>> https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/look-whos-watching-
>> surveillance-treachery-and-trust-online-registration-42212797614
>>
>> It will be interesting to see what the perspective of the Magnet
>> Forensics representative will be.
>>
>> - Paul
>> --
>> http://pnijjar.freeshell.org
>>
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