The first recorded instance of spam, not yet referred to as ‘email,’ was sent on May 3, 1978, to several hundred ARPANET users. It was an advertisement for a Digital Equipment Corporation presentation showcasing their DECSYSTEM-20 products, sent by Gary Thuerk, one of their marketers. The Air Force, outraged by the misuse of their open network, sent a stern letter to Gary and implemented policies to prevent further incidents.
Reflect on that for a moment. We were dealing with spam as far back as 1978. Did those policies make a difference?
Apologies to Rishi Sunak, I admire him and his UK AI Safety Summit and the iconic photograph featuring him surrounded by AI ‘leaders’ in suits. Wow. So powerful and really these are the people who have any hope of containment. However, I sense your stance is reminiscent of the Air Force officer who sent that stern letter. Not trying to challenge anyone here as I am no one, but really…what are you really doing? How are you going to contain as I have not witnessed a solid plan yet.
Who was that person at the Air Force who sent that letter and why was there no real follow through? Can anyone name them as we sure can name Gary. Can you reader? Genuinely love to know.
The crucial difference today is that AI will serve as both the perpetrator and protector in an unending SPAM battle, one that we mere mortals, regardless of our attire, will struggle to keep pace with. Who do you align with? My vote is on AI saving us well before someone in a suite does as they have tribal needs first and foremost even if presented as other. If that makes you uncomfortable…I am glad you are here on this decentralized platform as it will not be posted anywhere else. It is for your food for thought and I welcome your comments/ discourse.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F97w3KPakAAYQ4L?format=jpg&name=4096x4096
As is generally the case, only a relative few have enough power to actually do something meaningful, and as the winners of the countless battles that had to be fought as they crawled their way up whichever hierarchy to the top of which they now cling, they tend to be ruthless, self-serving, dishonest, amoral and entirely heartless, hiding behind a convincing-enough veneer of principles and integrity.
So as is generally the case, the world can be roughly divided into those who could do something but won’t. those who would do something but can’t, and those who aren’t paying attention, for whatever reason.
Spam is primarily contained as an illicit act. Normal corporations can’t engage in spam activities without some regulation. Around the world there are limitations on spam. As we know it, unstoppable spam is nothing in comparison to unstoppable heavy hitter DDOS type attacks.
If legal you would have to pay email providers to get out from under it. Think ads!
Wait… we think we can contain AI? Since when?
Shit dude we got one water heater here
