Digital Life

A screenshot from a video promoting "The Netherlands Second."

If America's No.1, Who's No. 2? European Nations Compete For The, Uh, Honor

5:15pm February 06, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

"We totally understand it's going to be America First," a Dutch show said two weeks ago. "But can we just say The Netherlands Second?" Now they've got competition, as other countries join the fray.

The people involved in organizing and promoting cryptoparties say the presidential election spurred activists, journalists and everyday citizens to attend the get-togethers to learn how to anonymously use the Internet.

Cryptoparties Teach Attendees How To Stay Anonymous Online

4:33pm February 06, 2017

by Jon Kalish

In these days of cyber intrigue, journalists, activists and ordinary citizens are interested in learning how to navigate the Internet anonymously. At cryptoparties, they learn how to do just that.

Facebook has become so powerful that, for some people, having a Facebook account is more important than a driver's license. But when you lose that account, there's no recourse.

Building, And Losing, A Career On Facebook

12:54pm February 03, 2017

by Aarti Shahani

What a meme-maker and an investigative journalist teach us about the power of the Facebook empire, and how its opaque decisions harm real people.

Multiple Twitter accounts claiming to be run by members of the National Park Service and other U.S. agencies have appeared since the Trump administration's apparent gag order. The account owners are choosing to remain anonymous.

It's Not Just The Park Service: 'Rogue' Federal Twitter Accounts Multiply

7:53pm January 27, 2017

by Wynne Davis

What started as one "unofficial resistance" Twitter account has grown to a list of more than 80 "rogue" accounts advocating for the science community and climate change research.

Merriam-Webster's Twitter account weighs in on trending words and phrases and has waded into linguistic matters in politics, including a big campaign question: Did Donald Trump say "bigly" or "big league"?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary Has Been Trolling Trump On Twitter For Months

1:32pm January 26, 2017

by Samantha Raphelson

Throughout the presidential campaign, the linguistic institution developed its funny style of delicately poking at Donald Trump and his associates on Twitter.

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new Apple TV app during a product launch event in Cupertino, Calif., in October. The company now plans to make original movies and TV programming, according to sources.

Economy

Apple Looks To Compete With Netflix Originals, But Making Hits Is Hard

12:10pm January 25, 2017

by Laura Sydell

Apple is about to join Amazon and Netflix and get into the content-making business, sources say. Apple stands to boost revenue, analysts say, but finding success in Hollywood isn't easy.

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Visitors photograph each other while standing on concrete slabs at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin in 2016.

Satirist Takes Berlin Holocaust Memorial Selfie-Takers To Task

5:29pm January 24, 2017

by Esme Nicholson

A Berlin-based Israeli satirist tweaks selfies taken at the memorial to elicit discomfort — and reflection. The memorial, he says, is "not just another backdrop for goofy selfies."

Writer and critic Jason Sheehan calls Red Dead Redemption his favorite Western of all time — surpassing even The Outlaw Josey Wales.

Arts

Reading The Game: Red Dead Redemption

1:56pm January 23, 2017

by Jason Sheehan

Our occasional series on storytelling in video games continues with the epic Western Red Dead Redemption. It's the tale of a reformed gunslinger tasked with hunting down the members of his old gang.

Computer scientist Avi Rubin speaking at TEDxMidAtlantic.

What Happens When Hackers Hijack Our Smart Devices?

9:48am January 13, 2017

by NPR/TED Staff

Computer scientist Avi Rubin says all our smart devices — cars, phones, even fitness trackers — can be hacked. He warns that our network of connected technology puts us at risk for cyberattacks.

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Newly hired Spokane County Sheriff's Deputy Russell Aldrich chats with strangers in a shopping mall. The exercise is meant to help rookies build up the subtle people skills that older police trainers claim are lacking among many millennial recruits.

National

In Social Media Age, Young Cops Get Trained For Real-Life Conversation

3:58pm January 12, 2017

by Martin Kaste

Some police officials say their millennial-aged recruits are so used to communicating using social media that they need training in talking with people face to face.

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