Showing results for "Secrecy and Science" in All Categories

One of the greatest scientific feats of our era is the astonishing progress made in understanding biology-the intricate machinery of life-a progress to which the period we are living in right now has contributed the most.As you read these words, researchers are delving ever deeper into the workings of living systems, turning their discoveries into new medical treatments, improved methods of growing food, and innovative products that are already changing the world.

Shadowy groups are increasingly capable of collective action. Using military-grade encryption, rerouting software, and cryptocurrencies, anonymous and pseudonymous actors can now communicate, solve problems, recruit members, and manage resources across multiple public and semipublic spaces. This swirling mix of secrecy and openness enables people to move through cyberspace like nomads with verifiable personas, which makes them impossible to stop.

Forty years ago, a majority of Americans were highly engaged in issues of war and peace. Whether to go to war or keep out of conflicts was a vital question at the heart of the country's vibrant, if fractious, democracy. But American political consciousness has drifted. In the last decade, America has gone to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, while pursuing a new kind of warfare in Yemen, Somalia, Libya, and Pakistan.

Our national security increasingly depends on access to the most sophisticated and advanced technology. Yet the next time we set out to capture a terrorist leader, we may fail. Why? The answer lies in a conflict between two worlds. One is the dynamic, global, commercial world with its thriving innovations. The other is the world of national security, in which innovation is a matter of life or death. The conflict is about secrecy. Innovating in a Secret World is a detailed examination of the current trends in often secret national security-related research and development (R&D).

"Secrecy Reigns as U.N. Seeks a New Secretary-General" is from the July 21, 2016 World section of The New York Times. It was written by Somini Sengupta and narrated by Sam Scholl.

"Secrecy of Settlements at Fox News Hid Bad Behavior" is from the August 18, 2016 Business section of The New York Times. It was written by James B. Stewart and narrated by Caroline Miller.

Secrets and Leaks examines the complex relationships among executive power, national security, and secrecy. State secrecy is vital for national security, but it can also be used to conceal wrongdoing. How then can we ensure that this power is used responsibly?

"Cloak of Secrecy Fuels Anxiety over Trans-Atlantic Trade Talks" is from the May 16, 2016 World section of The New York Times. It was written by Celestine Bohlen and narrated by Keith Sellon-Wright.

This podcast uses the fictional events of Prime Target as a lens to explore real-world challenges in today’s digital era—cryptography, cyberattacks, surveillance, and the ethics of information security. Each episode, 6 total, connects narrative moments from the series to the broader implications of controlling, protecting, and weaponizing information in our connected world. This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to the creators of Prime Target. We use the series as a lens to explore broader themes—cryptography, secrecy, power dynamics, and the ethics of...