Trolling
A tidal wave of disinformation
Grotesque conspiracy theories merge and snowball, with serious global consequences. James Ball proposes a Digital Health System to counter the ‘pathogens’
Web of deceit: disinformation could prove the most powerful weapon of all
We could begin almost anywhere. But let’s start in Ukraine, with Babar Aliev. Babar is a former gang leader who…
I have seen the future, and it’s a racist, filthy-mouthed teenage robot
‘I’m a nice person,’ said the robot. ‘I just hate everybody.’ Maybe you know the feeling. The robot in question…
High life
One reason I do not tweet, text, use Facebook or Instagram, and only wield a mobile when a landline is…
Lulzfags v. moralfags
It is almost a century since the Michelin brothers had the brainwave of supplementing their motorists’ guide with information about…
Who knows what evil lurks?
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the world wide web, and I wonder whether its inventor, Tim Berners-Lee, would…
The joy of being hated
I know it’s not for everyone, but an online bitch-fight is so bracing
When scaremongering stops being funny
My grandmother, Nanny Nancy, is 99 and going strong. But it can’t be denied that while she’s all there mentally,…
Sorry, but internet trolling will be with us forever
This is not to be a column about Twitter. Can’t abide columns about Twitter. I’ve written a few, I know,…
