Minimizing Collateral Damage

This cool article about how software engineer Thanassis Tsiodras rooted his Android tablet reminded me of some things I’ve been thinking about for a while.  We have spent decades learning how to minimize collateral damage in technology.  For example, on Thanassis’s tablet, getting shell access wasn’t enough because the SELinux configuration provided another line of defense.  Why haven’t we applied what we have learned in the tech space to the wider world?

The US elections are tomorrow.  No matter who wins, hundred of millions of people are going to be unhappy.  Let’s revisit how we can apply technological structures and design patterns (not technology itself, for once!) to minimize the collateral damage our leaders do.

I write this now so you’ll know it’s not sour grapes.  No matter who wins tomorrow, I will be working on this series.  

Long live the scene

Ars Technica has a great article on the history of the demoscene, particularly on the Amiga. I found it on pouet – check it out! Part Eight: The demo scene