Moscow Underground

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy
or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy


We are in strange times and a new phrase has entered our lexicon ‘Fake News’. This is a type of yellow journalism, or propaganda that consists of deliberate misinformation or hoaxes spread via traditional print and broadcast news media or online social media. It intends to mislead to gain financially or politically.

We watch the Donald perform and claim real facts are fake news, as they do not match his opinion. It’s the ‘I think, therefore I am right’ proposition. Me and you however though, we would never be fooled by such clear rubbish. Would we?

On Twitter, Facebook or even Google, how can we trust what we see served up? On Twitter and Facebook we are in an echo chamber of a kind. When I tweet about SocialHousing, which I do a lot, most of which probably share some of my experience and opinions. I have met a lot of my followers, or have worked for a year or more with many. You (dear reader) might have met me propping up a bar or enjoying a cake at some junket or other!

LBC investigates David Jones Locker

But what of a lot of those tweeters, looking to influence us, who we have never met and never will? One account I have come across more than once in discussions, was Brexiteer David Jones (@DavidJo52951945). Seemingly an angry chap from Southampton/Isle of Wight, pro-prexit, anti-EU, anti-immigrant, and a bit anti-Ukraine in the Crimea. That should have rang some alarm bells for me I guess.

I found it interesting reading some of the research carried out by @conspirator0, who has an interesting twitter stream, often covering such subjects.

This Twitter account had over 100k followers, 136k tweets, so quite clearly must have been quite influential. The spooky thing is that this account only seems to tweet between 8am & 8pm, but on Moscow time. It is just like it might be his (or their) job, doesn’t it?

Clocking on/off, the Moscow time 8-8propaganda tweeting pattern

 Clearly this is a human, not bot managed account. It certainly can be imagined how this account and several others, have been influenced towards Brexit, break up of the UK or the suitability of a Trump for the president.

Often I engage with followers and others on Twitter, who are opposed to some of my opinions. Luckily we live in a relatively free society and I will defend anyone’s right to express their opinion. Better they were in the open, than hidden behind closed doors.

I have noticed many articles cited in ‘alternative’ sources lately, have you?  

Here is one from a website, called the ‘Brutalist Press’, which was suggested in response to (an incorrect) suggestion that GDPR was an EU spying plot: https://brutalist.press/posts/3516/european-union-calls-for-massive-internet-censorship GDPR is many irritating things but not this.

The first question I asked, is who on earth are the ‘Brutalist Press’. Strangely, a ‘WhoIs’ lookup, shows it is a Russian website owner.

The Brutalist Press WhoIs entry - Pointing back to Russia again

So it does make you wonder who we are following, listening to, believing, and retweeting, to spread lots of this fake news and mis-information. It could be the Ruskies behind it all.

Read more on @DavidJo52951945 from TheAustralian
Watch James O Brian of LBC's take on fake twitter accounts

Related Post: Don't let the fake twitter bots get you down 

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I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.

Simple Minds - Moscow Underground.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


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Type The Letter

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @hotpixUK
or LinkedIn here uk.linkedin.com/pub/tony-smith-bsc-hons-acih/a/979/351/
 
I encountered a WTF moment, (as you might have had) a few days ago with the news report that the Kremlin were moving back to typewriters to preserve privacy. In some ways good for them. I love the old mechanical typewriter, a machine built to slow down the operator to the speed of its mechanics. I am old enough to have visited the old CCCP/USSR back in 1985. It taught me that capitalism is not perfect, but it’s the best we have and with a safety net (Social Security we used to call it, maybe now it’s the DWP) it’s something we should cherish and appreciate. A fair society is a safe society.

The last British typewriter came off the production line in Wrexham by Brother in 2012. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2235846/Oh-Brother-Last-typewriter-Britain-comes-production-line-companys-factory-million.html

So, now we are in a computer dominated world.

The use of a typewriter took a certain type of determination and accuracy.  Attentiveness is a definite attribute.  No need for electricity, the modern lubrication for everything imaginable, no internet too.  No being tempted by Amazon or Tesco to shop online.

The Kremlin might have overlooked that everyone has a smartphone these days with a pretty good camera. Spys of old would have used a Minox, a tiny spy camera. I own one, a rather nifty 35EL, still close to the size of my Canon G15. My bog standard iphone4 has 5Mp worth so could copy A4 typed docs quite easily, you don’t need a Samsung Galaxy either, most options come with a camera.

Lastly, the most satisfying thing about spying with a typewriter might just be the sound of the keys. Don't you miss that? There’s even more pleasures of typewriters to be experienced. You will have to buy one to join the club....

You can link with me on LinkedIn here - uk.linkedin.com/pub/tony-smith-bsc-hons-acih/a/979/351/ It would be great to connect !

Read on to Trouble In The Message centre:

http://tonysmiththathousingitguy.blogspot.com/2014/08/trouble-in-message-centre.html

Polly Jane harvey- The letter.


(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009

PS As usual, if there are subjects you might like me to tackle on this blog, please get in touch and let me know!

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