Communication tech

In the months prior to the outbreak of civil war in Syria, I led a State Department delegation on a controversial trip to Syria that included a sit-down with Bashar al-Assad. Our intention was to muscle the Syrian dictator on a series of security issues in the field of technology. The weaponization of widely available consumer technology was making it easier to surveil, spread disinformation, and both develop and destroy political movements. Our delegation was there to apply political and economic pressure to try to get Assad moving in the right direction. advertisement advertisement The thing that made this delegation walking into Assad’s office different from any other was that it was not composed of diplomats or government officials from the Pentagon or CIA. It was comprised of senior executives from American companies including Cisco Systems, Verisign, Microsoft, and others. Our view was that the companies held the power to be more persuasive under … [Read more...] about From Cold War to ‘Code War:’ Why government needs tech talent now

When the Federal Communications Commission voted to institute strong net neutrality rules in 2015, it was because millions of people from across the political spectrum spoke out. If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that cable and phone companies shouldn’t be able to screw us over more than they already do, or dictate which websites and apps we can use. advertisement advertisement When the Trump administration’s notorious FCC chairman Ajit Pai repealed those Obama-era protections in 2017, the move sparked some of the largest online protests in human history. Net neutrality supporters crowdfunded billboards, protested in the streets, and drove millions of phone calls, comments, and emails to regulators and lawmakers. To this day, the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality remains the government action that received the most filed opposition comments by individual people in history. Democrats seized on this outpouring of … [Read more...] about When will Democrats deliver on their promise to restore net neutrality?

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Whether you’re a manager at a company with 3,000 employees or three, something that leaders across industries have learned in the past two years is that giving employees more flexibility is key to retention and recruiting of new hires. The pandemic forced the majority (~70%) of the US workforce to adapt in a plethora of different ways to keep everyone healthy while still continuing to work efficiently. Companies that previously had 0% of their employees working remotely had to figure out how to seamlessly transfer all operations to a 100% digital environment. While obviously a ton of bad things came from the pandemic, that’s not to say there weren’t learnings and lessons discovered across the board. The reality is that more talent in every part of the country, and the world, now has access to greater opportunities because of the increased normalization of remote work. Gone are the days where you have to live in San Francisco … [Read more...] about 30 Executives’ Perspectives On Remote, Hybrid, And In-Office Work

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin With its endless array of events, activities and attractions, not to mention some of the most eclectic restaurants in the country, Los Angeles can present a challenge to curious travelers. “Where to begin?” is often the first question visitors ask themselves upon arrival in this sprawling Southern California city that serves as the center of the nation’s film and television industry. Thanks to Atlas Obscura and Los Angeles Tourism , visiting the city has been made a lot easier. The two have introduced a first-of-its-kind partnership, together creating fresh and innovative ways to discover Los Angeles through keepsake materials. The new spectrum of publications includes a special hardcover edition of The Explorer’s Guide to L.A. , an art-like Official Visitors Map, a Meeting Planners Guide and the bespoke L.A. Luxury Guide, offering a bookmark-worthy range of all that L.A. has to offer. The Explorer's Guide … [Read more...] about New Los Angeles Visitor’s Guide Offers Interactive Component

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Highway 1 is arguably one of the best road trips travelers can take in the United States. Along the way you’ll have the blue, and sometimes roaring, Pacific Ocean on one side, and verdant valleys or rugged cliffs on the other. It’s a beautiful contrast that must be experienced at least once in your lifetime, but there’s a very good chance you’ll fall in love with it and make a return visit. For those who haven’t done the route before, Big Sur is everyone’s go-to stop, but along the coast there are several other towns worth visiting. Three of those underrated destinations are Santa Cruz, Cambria, and Avila Beach. For your next vacation, whether you’re traveling with kids or with fellow adults, this trio of beach towns should be on your list. Below, a guide on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Santa Cruz, Cambria, and Avila Beach for your next Highway 1 road trip. Santa Cruz The best way to thoroughly enjoy … [Read more...] about Highway 1 Road Trip: What To Do In Santa Cruz, Cambria And Avila Beach