(The Big Disrupt) Driveless cars: Google vs Uber

If you’re like most people, you hate your morning commute. It’s an unfortunate fact of life for many of us. Bus, train, car, or subway, many of us have to get from point A to point B for a variety of reasons. The internet may be a killer tool and fun place to play, but the fact remains that certain activities simply cannot be accomplished on a computer.

There is up and coming technology that may change how we understand, and use, transportation: self-driving vehicles. These machines have long been the topic of intrigue, but the idea has only been taken seriously since the turn of the century. In the early 2000’s a number of auto manufacturers started taking an interest in autonomous vehicles. Big names like Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, and Tesla, to name just a few. In 2015, five states in the USA were pioneers that allowed for the testing of such vehicles on their roads (under heavy regulation).

As one can expect, there is fierce competition around this topic. Just like Bell Telephone and other industry pioneers, there is a lot money to be made as the first to a new market. And where there is big money, there are big risk-takers. Case in point: Google just filed a suit against the freelance taxi company, Uber, on February 23rd, 2017 (WIRED). The basis for this suit is Google’s allegation that a former Google employee, Anthony Levandowski, stole proprietary information and, after resigning, used that information to start a self-driving truck company. This trucking company, Otto, was recently acquired by Uber. As part of the acquisition Levandowski was placed in charge of their self-driving tech. According to the NY Times the acquisition happened about seven months after Levandowski left Google.

It certainly seems suspicious doesn’t it?

As the sparks fly between Google’s parent company, Alphabet, and Uber it is worth noting that the two companies have friendly ties in their past. Alphabet had invested in Uber once upon a time and even shared an executive with Uber’s board of directors. Oddly enough, that executive had stepped down due to ‘overlap between the two companies’ shortly before the theft is reported to have happened. Coincidence?

The more tech we invent and involve in business, the more frequently this is going to happen. It is getting easier and easier to pull stunts like this and, most likely, what we see publicly is not the half of it. A person no longer has to be an ‘expert’ to be able to accomplish these acts. There are plenty of people out there who are motivated by money and all it takes is with a thumb drive and the right motivation. As life and business become easier and more streamlined with new technology, so too does corporate espionage.

(The Big Disrupt) Google: Is The EU About To Break Up Google? Don't Hold Your Breath

In what feels like a sustained attack on the search giant, the EU has once again ramped up the pressure on Google with the European Parliament passing a resolution for the breakup of the company’s search business which control 90%  of search advertising in the continent.

Google has been embroiled in a four year antitrust case with the EU over its dominant position in search[1]. 

The Silicon Valley giant has tried to settle offering a number of compromises but as things stand, the case is still open. Google hasn’t been the only company that has fallen foul of the EU’s tougher stance with Microsoft getting whacked for £613m “for monopolistic practices” last year[2]. Two months ago, the EC reopened its investigation into Google’s lucrative search advertising operation and was rumoured to targeting Google’s dominant position in the Smartphone OS space[3]

Bowing to the wave of criticism levelled at the body by ministers of from two of “big three”, other commissioners in the EC and Google’s competitors, the EC was forced open the long running investigation it clearly wants to put to bed. Almunia, clearly not keen on taking action on Google, refused to put a timeline on what has become a four year investigation as he said “we work in a rigorous way, as always, trying to understand the arguments of the complainants and trying to extract from Google solutions to these solid arguments. We are in this process.”[4]

The investigation has instead been passed over to new competition commissioner Margrete Vestager who seems just as cautious as her predecessor[5] . Stressing caution in her opening public remarks, Vestager told the European Parliament “"The issues at stake in our investigations have a big potential impact on many players, they are multifaceted and complex. I will therefore need some time to decide on the next steps”[6]. She has also ignored calls to widen the scope of the investigation by Google’s competitors as she insisted that she “will focus entirely on competition”[7]

However, Vestager, just a few weeks into her new role, has had a world of pressure foisted upon her by the European Parliament after the body put forward a draft proposal for the breakup of Google’s search business. “The European Parliament doesn't have the power to break up Google, but the motion could apply political pressure on the European Commission, which sets the region's legislative agenda. The Commission itself is investigating Google's competitive practices”[8]

The United States was less than pleased with the news of the proposal concerned about its’ obvious political nature[9]. However the United States really has nothing to worry about as Vestager seems even more cautious than her predecessor who was prepared to squeeze concessions or a fine Google for its’ transgressions[10]. Nontheless, on the 27th, the proposal passed as a “non binding resolution” by a wide 210 vote margin

However, for all the bluster and headlines generated by the European Parliament proposal and subsequent resolution, it’s hard to see the EC taking Google to court never mind winning the case. What is more likely to happen is that the EC will try to squeeze more concessions out of Google and maybe even a hefty fine as the body clearly doesn’t want to increase political tensions between the EU and the US.

In sum, the EU maybe taking a tougher stance on the Google front but clearly not too hard a stance breaking up Google would set a precedent that neither the EC or its’ competition commissioner is willing to set.

---

[1] Ibid

[2] Ibid

[3] http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/08/european-commission-reopens-google-antitrust-investigation-after-political-storm-over-proposed-settlement

[4] Ibid

[5] https://gigaom.com/2014/09/10/googles-eu-search-antitrust-case-will-definitely-pass-over-to-the-next-competition-chief/

[6] http://www.zdnet.com/incoming-eu-antitrust-chief-google-probe-wont-end-overnight-7000035679/

[7] Ibid

[8] http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/us-expresses-concern-over-eu-proposal-to-break-up-google/

[9] Ibid

[10] http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/26/does-europe-have-the-power-to-break-up-google

(Movies) The Internet's Own Boy: Hot Docs Q&A with Director Brian Knappenberger

Director Brian Knappenberger Talks about his new film "The Internet's Own Boy", at Hot Docs Q&A 

(What's Dope) Ta-Nehisa Coates: The Case for Reparations

Ta-Nehisi Coates

“Two hundred fifty years of slavery. Ninety years of Jim Crow. Sixty years of separate but equal. Thirty-five years of racist housing policy. Until we reckon with our compounding moral debts, America will never be whole”[1]

I’ve read my fair share of essays from a great deal of writers from William George Orwell to Gore Vidal but Ta-Nehisi Coates “The Case For Reparations” is easily one of the best I’ve read.

For good reason “The Case for Reparations” has been lauded by his peers and beyond as it was powerfully written and argued as it succeeded in portraying the horrors and injustice of slavery and the shockingly racist and debilitating government policies (including the much praised New Deal) that systemically thwarted the economic and social progress of African-Americans for decades.

The power of the piece is profound, thought provoking and, if you have morsel of affinity with human race, horrifying as Coates unapologetically shines a light on a number of sins that are well documented but notably not discussed in the public sphere or even that much among black intellectuals.

While argument for reparations are rarely heard or made in public sphere by black intellectuals, it’s even rarer to read one of the fiercest and convincing cases for the measure yet penned by someone who not too long ago was against it. In his piece “Inverse nationalism”, Coates actually argued against reparations and had scathing but thought provoking remarks regarding Henry Louis Gates, a prominent African American scholar, who was ironically making and argument against reparations by citing the role of Africans in the slave trade[2]. 

Coates, none too pleased with Gates targeting the role of Africans in the slave trade and others who had “commit the fallacy of judging the sins of the past via the racial tribalism of today”, cited his distaste at Gates’ argument against Africans as he, like others, are guilty of apportioning blame as he wrote:

“Gates is not interested in ending "the blame-game," as much he's interested in fiddling with the foul-count. The vocabulary of blame is key--instead of speciously blaming  white Americans for the crimes of their presumed ancestors, Gates speciously blames Africans. The vocabulary of blame proceeds from a simplistic morality play in which someone, by virtue of simple biology, must play the villain and someone else must play the victim. Gates has no problem with the play, he just wants new actors for the roles”[3] 

Coates went on to address directly the roots of his opposition against reparations by pointing at the element blame attached to the measure that seems almost unavoidable but as we see in “The Case for Reparations”, Coates makes it a point not to point the finger but detail a number of actors, institutions and policies that cumulatively engaged in the systematic degradation of African American promise, clearly a decision he made when writing this piece and stands as one of the many strengths.

Even in “Inverse Nationalism” where he stated his opposition to reparation, the roots to his change of heart is present as he saw the element of blame he stated that the issue of blame forces us to look backwards at past sins rather than address their consequences when he wrote:

 “From my perspective, the most interesting and provocative modern questions around America's racial dilemma, like any societal dilemma, do not necessitate blame. To put it differently, I am not concerned about gender equality because I think I'm to blame thousands of years of sexism, I'm concerned about  gender equality because it matches my moral center. Blame is irrelevant. In the context of race, the question isn't "Who is to blame for the Middle Passage, slavery, and Jim Crow?" it's "What, tangibly, can we do to counter its generational effects?"“[4]

In sum, “The Case for Reparations” is a brilliant piece of journalism and confirms Ta-Nehisi Coates as one of the better writers on the black and indeed the American experience.

Read the brilliant "The Case for Reparations" here.

connect with The Carnage Report on Twitter @TCRblogspot.

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[1] T.Coates, 2014, The Case For Reparations, http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/05/the-case-for-reparations

[2] T. Coates, 2010, Inverse Nationalism, http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2010/04/inverse-nationalism/39463/

[3] Ibid

[4] Ibid

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(Celebs) A Celebrity’s Son Accused of Rape in China

In China, a 17 year old son of a popular Chinese military musician has been accused of being part of a gang that raped one girl. His father Li Shuagjiang is famous; he has starred in various television galas and made People’s Liberation Army’s anthems. His father is a well respected musician and the media refers to him as the “general” despite being just a civilian PLA member.

Li Tianyi is minor at the age of 17 years; He told the court he was too drunk and even passed out during the February incident. Tianyi claimed that he did not touch the girl; he neither had sex with nor beat her. He was accused with four others; both lawyer, Tianyi’s and the victim’s released statements through the media and formed a public opinion. This is likely to put indirect effect on the outcome of the case because the Communist party officials’ control courts in China will be influenced. This case brought up the public interest because children of the elite in China are seen as very spoilt. The trial had to be closed because the accused is underage.

Tianyi’s lawyers blamed the bar in Beijing for allowing under aged teenagers drink alcohol. It was not easy for the victim to come forward and report the rape attack because she received threats.

There were big online debates that could not help questioning the reputation of the accused. They lay bare their anger over how the rich and those connected with the powerful people in China go unpunished. This is not the first time this teenager is taken to court. In 2011, he attacked a couple after a small traffic dispute. He also threatened people who gathered to see what was happening and the case got widespread attention.

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(Sport) Football Match Fixing: Another Wart on the Face of the Beautiful Game?

Match Fixing or cheating in general in sport is nothing new with the numerous scandals that have come to light over the last few years notably in cricket and cycling but some reason, cheating or match fixing in football has been greeted with shock with the news of a Europol investigation into the sport finding that “380 matches across Europe… (were) fixed”[1]. Europol also the widespread involvement in match fixing scheme run by a ‘organized crime syndicate’ citing that “around 425 match officials, club officials, players and criminals (are) under suspicions”[2].

In their investigation, Europol made public their suspicions that unbelievably, “World Cup and European Championship qualifiers, two Champions League ties and "several top football matches in European leagues"” were fixed[3]. Some may ask why Match fixing has taken place and the answer is rather simple, money. According to the guardian, “Criminals put 16 million (euros) on rigged matches and made 8 million (euros) in profits”[4].

However for all Europol’s findings in their investigation into the beautiful game, it has been met with ire of footballs biggest football, namely, the FA, UEFA and FIFA due to Europol not giving the football authorities a heads up to their investigation[5]. In light of Europol suspicions that match fixing took place a champions league game  in England, the FA went on the defensive stating that  “"The FA [is] not aware of any credible reports into suspicious Champions League fixtures in England, nor has any information been shared with us."”[6].  this also corresponds with FIFA’s calls for greater “cooperation with law enforcement agencies” and UEFA  restating it stance of ““zero tolerance” for match fixing”[7] .

While Europol’s claims come across as sensational, it would be unwise to argue that football is free of instances of match fixing. Just last month, FIFA  took swift action by banning for life 41  South Korean players “who had been involved in prearranging matches”[8].  Key football figures have warned of the threat Match Fixing poses to football with FIFA official Jerome Valcke citing it as a disease and a threat (that) is on a worldwide basis” [9]. Michel Platini , head of Europe’s ruling football body UEFA, cited  match fixing  as the “greatest threat to football”  as he imagined a scenario that "If tomorrow, we'll see a game and we already know the result, football is dead"[10]. However if match fixing will kill football, it has definitely had taken its best shot in recent years, particularly in Italy.

The most infamous case of match fixing in recent years took place in Italy with the  Calciopoli scandal which ended with the  relegation of Juventus and the stripping of their recently won Serie A title. It is an scandal that still haunts the Italian game with participants in the scandal still making headlines[11].

The game in Italy has been blackened further with revelations of match fixing taking place at the higher reaches of Italian football once again with  a number of players and managers investigated and eventually banned, including Lazio player Stefano Mauri and Juventus’s championship winning coach and former player Antonio Conte[12].The investigation even disrupted the national team’s Euro 2012 preparations when Italian paid a visit to their training base “to speak to Zenit St Petersburg defender Domenico Criscito as part of a wide-ranging investigation into match fixing”[13] .

Italy, unfortunately is not the only country affected by match fixing as the crime has proved itself, like a growing number of crimes, to be a global phenomenon. The Europol investigation found that “in total, 380 European matches are under suspicion, with a 300 in Africa, central and South America and Asia also identified”[14].

In sum, Europols’ findings on football match fixing are shocking but not surprising as there has been serious cases of Match fixing is one of the games top leagues and beyond. The institutions involved in policing the game have paid much lip service to the destructive effect that match fixing can have on the beautiful game but have done little to make sure  it keep its integrity.  

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[1] The Guardian, Europol: investigators identify 380 fixed football matches, http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/feb/04/europol-investigation-football-matchfixing

[2] Ibid

[3] Ibid

[4] Ibid      

[5] D. Conn, 2013, Europol’s match-fixing bombshell leaves football authorities in the dark, http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/feb/04/europol-match-fixing-football

[6] Ibid, quoted by Conn

[7] Ibid

[8] P. Pinto and T. McGowan, 2013. FIFA official Jerome Valcke: ‘Match Fixing is a soccer disease’, http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/23/sport/football/match-fixing-fifa-valcke-football/?hpt=hp_bn2

[9] Ibid

[10] The Independent, 2013, Match Fixing great threat to football says Michel Platini, http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/matchfixing-greatest-threat-to-football-says-michel-platini-8461369.html

[11] Sportsnet, 2012, Italian Match Fixing Refs Ordered To Pay $5M, http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/10/17/italian_match_fixing_refs/

[12] A.Johnston, 2012, How Italy has reacted to the latest match-fixing arrests, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18239792

[13] CNN, 2012, Police raid Italian soccer squad’s base in match fixing investigation, http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/28/sport/football/football-italy-match-fixing

[14] R. Scott-Eliot, 2013, Football left in crisis by police report that says match-fixing is rife, http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/football-left-in-crisis-by-police-report-that-says-matchfixing-is-rife-8480648.html

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(Opinion) Avigdor Lieberman: Good Riddance

While most politicians are met with suspicion or indifference, you cannot meet Avigdor Lieberman with either the former or the latter as he has said a comment that will leave you in no doubt that he is “one of the most unpleasant politicians in the middle east”(1).  From considering that Arabs in Israel should “sign loyalty oaths” and openly suggesting that the democratically elected “leaders of the Hamas militant movement in the Palestinian territories be assassinated”, Lieberman has allowed no room for observers to question where he stands in the middle peace process(2).

His ideology is making Jerusalem Israel’s capital has been antithetical to the peace process as further seizure of Jerusalem will  remove the two-state solution as a viable option. Lieberman has no problem sharing his opinion about Jerusalem as in “in addressing a groups of foreign diplomats” Lieberman stated that “Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the state of Israel and that it will never be divided-neither directly nor indirectly”(3). Lieberman is fully invested in this vision as he is seen as a “champion of Jewish settlement in the West Bank and a settler himself”(4).

He has managed to antagonize allies as he told then Egyptian president and one of Israel’s best allies in the Middle East, Hosni Mubarak that he “should visit Israel or “go to hell”(5).  The use of language has been cited as divisive to the point that journalist Robert Fisk compared Lieberman’s language to “Mladic, Karadzic and Milosevic” as his language his rife with references “of executions-of drowning, of hell and legal oaths”(6).

So you can imagine the joy met with the news that Lieberman was resigning in lieu of a “financial scandal”(7). While Lieberman managed to escape the “more serious offences” against him, “including money laundering and bribery”, he did not escape lesser charges as prosecutors “charged Lieberman with the lesser offence of receiving official material from the investigation against him”(8).

However, unfortunately, this is likely not to be the last we will see of Lieberman because of the lesser charge and the lack of evidence of the eye catching indictments. In sum, the world would be a better place without him near a speakerphone or  even better, a diplomatic mission, anywhere.      

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[1] R. Frisk, 2009, Why Avigdor Lieberman is the worst thing that could happen to the Middle East,  http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-why-avigdor-lieberman-is-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-to-the-middle-east-1647370.html

[2] CBC News, 2009, Jewish settlers’ champion could be next Israel I foreign minister, http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2009/03/16/avigdor-coalition.html

[3] B. Ravid, 2010,  Jerusalem is our eternal  capital, it will never be divided, http://www.haaretz.com/news/lieberman-jerusalem-is-our-eternal-capital-it-will-never-be-divided-1.284574

[4] CBC News, 2009, Jewish settlers’ champion could be next Israel I foreign minister, http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2009/03/16/avigdor-coalition.html

[5] R. Frisk, 2009, Why Avigdor Lieberman is the worst thing that could happen to the Middle East,  http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-why-avigdor-lieberman-is-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen-to-the-middle-east-1647370.html

[6] Ibid

[7] BBC News, 2012, Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman charged with breach of trust,                                      

[8] Ibid