National Security

Who Is Watching Us Online?

October 19, 2017  • Zach St. Louis

What can happen when our every move is being watched? In the wake of the 2016 US presidential election, the terms “hacking” and “fake news” have been used to describe the tactics employed to influence voters on the internet. In this episode of Aspen Insight, cybersecurity expert Clint Watts discusses how our online behavior is being watched and why it is being used to hack not only our computers but also our minds.

You can also hear Aspen Institute President and CEO Walter Isaacson share what he learned while writing his latest biography about the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci. He explains how da Vinci’s genius and creativity came from the Renaissance figure’s ability to blur the lines between art and science, and touches on his remarkable curiosity and desire to observe the world around him. Then, Jon Solomon of the Institute’s Sports and Society program offers his perspective on a recent scandal plaguing the integrity of college basketball.

Finally, amidst the violence in Syria, many journalists have had to flee the country. Amjad Tadros, founder of Syria Direct and 2017 laureate of the John P. McNulty Prize, explains how his organization is helping train Syrian journalists to observe and report on what is happening in their country.

You can download the episode and subscribe to the podcast by searching for “Aspen Insight” on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or Stitcher.  Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media using #AspenInsight. Listen to the full episode below.

To find more information about the topics and Aspen Institute programs featured in this episode, you can visit the links below:

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Confronting Our History
September 21, 2017 • Zach St. Louis