Category Archives: Human Behavior

Human Behavior

‘I’ll Be Gone in the Dark’ dives into much more than hunting for a killer – Metro US

True crime is something that many are fascinated by.

The thought that there are people among us who prey on the pain and misfortune of others isnt exactly a new notion, but it is one that can spark an obsession. For Michelle McNamera, that sentiment came from the Golden State Killer. The writer who was married to comedian Patton Oswalt was working on an investigative book surrounding the mystery man who had raped 50 people and murdered 12 in California for decades without being captured.

While working on her book, Ill Be Gone in the Dark, McNamera began to delve into much more than just the crime, for her it became something more personal and brought out her own traumas. Before the book was finished, McNamera passed away in her sleep from an accidental prescription drug overdose, but the hunt to find the Golden State Killer did not stop there. With the help of crime writer Paul Haynes and investigative journalist Billy Jensen, Oswalt was able to help finish the book and it was published posthumously almost two years after McNameras death. Two months later, the Golden State Killer was taken into custody after over 40 years of alluding capture.

Its this exact wild ride that is the focus of HBOs six part docu-series, Ill Be Gone in the Dark. The series doesnt just delve into the case, but also explores the fascination humans have with dark behavior and how we process our own traumas, as well as shining a light on the victims and survivors of the Golden State Killer himself.

Director Liz Garbus sat down with Metro to discuss more on what went into making HBOs Ill Be Gone in the Dark.

When you were first approached by HBO for this series, what was it that really hooked you and made you want to sign on with this project?

So much, this was a man who was responsible for 50 rapes and 12 murdersits just a mind-boggling number and it was really not on my radar. As a New Yorker, I was not aware of this story at all, and so I read Michelles book a little bit before it came out and was published. The approach that Michelle used in the book I found really inspiring. It was kind of victim-centered and survivor-centered, [and] always foregrounded their stories and really resisted kind of fetishizing at that time the unknown killer. [It also really was a story of our own obsession into these cases with Michelle being our avatar, so it was really all of those things that made me feel like this was really rich and multi-layered.]

When you watch these documentaries about crime, a lot of them are hyper-focused on the crime and the killer itself. With Ill Be Gone in the Dark, you go more in-depth with Michelle and her story. Why was that important to show?

I think it speaks to so many of our interests in these kinds of cases. We as a society are always fascinated by these extreme, malignant versions of human behavior, and Michelles voice and her reflection was like an avatar for the rest of us. I felt like there was a lot for us to learn there as well through the survivors and their stories. For me, it was a really rich storyline and I think it brought up other issues that I really related to as a working mother and a working woman trying to balance the demands of life, parenting, being a wife, being an artist and all of her aspirations on being a writer. I found all of those things really relatable.

Why choose actress Amy Ryan to convey Michelles words for this series?

I had worked with Amy Ryan on Lost Girls and she is a phenomenal actor. She brings a kind of precision and depth to her roles and I just thought she would be perfect to bring Michelles voice to life where we didnt have the original archival recordings.

With this film covering all of this intense and dark subject matter, how are you able to stomach it all?

I think having the support of a team. I think one of the things that was hard for Michelle, and we talk about it in the series itself, was getting all of these materials and all of these crime scene photos. [She was] alone at night looking through it and trying to see what was missed in that crime scene photo, or what could she draw out to help find out who did it to help solve the case? For me, I had a team and I had people working with me and we could talk about this stuff together and you can process it, so youre able to share your feelings and take a break when you need to. So, I think for that, my support system is really important.

Everything in this film is shocking, but what struck me was the amount of victim-blaming going onwas there anything in the film that also struck a chord with you to the same degree?

Its shocking that this person could prey on so many of these people and do it for so long without being caught, but I [also] think that its hard in this day and age to remember that we still have some trouble with how we deal with sexual assault as a crime. Obviously, some people dont come forward because they feel like they wont get a fair chance, but in the 70s of course, it was way worse. What you see in both the police talking to these victims about, Oh yeah, I can see he chose the pretty one, or parents saying to teenagers who have been raped, Were not going to talk about thisthose kinds of attitudes and what these survivors had to go through and [then] kind of jut out the other end where they are today is just really stunning. I have such admiration for them.

How was it working with Patton Oswalt through all of this? You got to work with him closely on something that Im sure was an extremely emotional time in his life.

Patton was amazing, he did very similar [with me] to [what he did] finishing the book when he found Paul Haynes and Billy Jensen and said he wanted to finish it for Michelle. He gave them everything, and they did it and did it beautifully. Similarly here, he gave up everythingall of her videos, all of her notes, everything for us to mine through and be able to make us feel like we were really on the journey with Michelle. His trust was extraordinary, and he also said Im here as a resource, but this is what you do. There was no sort of interference or trying to control the process in any way other than just being supportive and helpful.

Since you spent so much time delving into these cases, when the news did break that Joseph DeAngelo was being taken into custody, what was that like for you?

For me, it was definitely a bump on a rollercoaster of this project, it was our first day of shooting. I thought well maybe this guy will be found while were in production, but really he had alluded people for so many years and frankly he had stopped. Michelle, Billy Jensen, Paul and all these guys thought he was alive, and in my mind I thought how could he be alive? But they were right. So, I felt happy for the survivors. I didnt know them yet, but I thought wow, this is going to be monumental for them and it was also bittersweet for Patton, Billy and Paul just hearing this and how much it would have meant to Michelle. That was exciting because justice was being done but also very painful because that was something she would have really cherished.

Is there anything you hope audiences take away after watching the series?

This is not just a story about stuff that happened to other people, its also very personal and its about how you process trauma. We all have our own struggles, hopefully though many of us have not gone through the torture that Jospeh DeAngelo inflicted on the survivors, very few people have had that kind of trauma. But I think what you learn from them and also the things that Michelle went through with her own traumas is how important it is to kind of unbury those demons and bring them out into the light. When you do that you can go on with your life. So I think that theres something in there for everyone about lifes darkest moments and how you move on from them.

Ill Be Gone in the Dark premieres June 26 on HBO.

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'I'll Be Gone in the Dark' dives into much more than hunting for a killer - Metro US

Human Behavior

Adapting in the pandemic is a must – The Jakarta Post – Jakarta Post

As we enter mid-2020, it's safe to say that none of us ever imagined this would be the year in which hand-washing would be the number one activity across the globe. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March and since then, mandatory stay-at-home measures have been enforced by closing schools, businesses and public areas. Surviving the pandemic became our primary concern and in less than 30 days, human behavior got remodeled.

Some are enjoying more time to rest and take care of their homes and loves ones. Others are affected differently and are required to modify their daily approach to the extreme. Based on a Manpower Ministry report 1.7 million workers were laid off and forced to take unpaid leave by May.

This situation has also caused technology usage to increase more than ever. Screen time has spiked while the internet connection has become the lifeline for daily activities. From working at home to health care, COVID-19 has forced society to adapt in ways that should endure. For some, it may not be enjoyable but its a must.

Healthier me is the new me

Personal health is the main defensive resource and this is reflected in how household supplies related to health have become a main priority. Fresh ingredients are regarded as compulsory, with jamu (traditional herbal drinks) and homegrown vegetables trending on search engines. Based on a local survey in Indonesia, fresh food and vegetables are at the top of the priority list for more than 60 percent of consumers. Alcohol, soft drinks and candies are found at the bottom of the list.

Digitalization knows no age

The pandemic isolation has forced almost everyone to stay at home and adapt to the digital world. Video conference apps have become the social platform for all ages and shopping online is unquestionably the new normal.

Digitalization has also become inherent in the entertainment element, as live-streaming expands to live music and religious activities. As a reference, the hours spent by Indonesians on video-streaming apps has increased by more than 15 percent.

Everyone is a "social businessman"

Less time spent on commuting gives more space for urbanites to learn new skills. As incomes have decreased for some, they have gotten creative and seen a new light in being entrepreneurs.

From WhatsApp to social media platforms, from protective screens to learning about mentorship, many are exploring new ventures and the phenomenon is not likely to fade when things get back to normal.

The pandemic has turned normal lives upside down and many feel that they are more connected to their communities, friends and families.

Have we embraced the new normal? Or it is just a momentary distraction? (wng)

***

Matthew Airlangga leads the GDP Venture marketing research and strategy department. With marketing experience in the financial industry, Matthew is currently assisting five companies in building audience data and implementing data-decision making to reach business goals.

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.

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Adapting in the pandemic is a must - The Jakarta Post - Jakarta Post

Human Behavior

AI experts say research into algorithms that claim to predict criminality must end – The Verge

A coalition of AI researchers, data scientists, and sociologists has called on the academic world to stop publishing studies that claim to predict an individuals criminality using algorithms trained on data like facial scans and criminal statistics.

Such work is not only scientifically illiterate, says the Coalition for Critical Technology, but perpetuates a cycle of prejudice against Black people and people of color. Numerous studies show the justice system treats these groups more harshly than white people, so any software trained on this data simply amplifies and entrenches societal bias and racism.

Lets be clear: there is no way to develop a system that can predict or identify criminality that is not racially biased because the category of criminality itself is racially biased, write the group. Research of this nature and its accompanying claims to accuracy rest on the assumption that data regarding criminal arrest and conviction can serve as reliable, neutral indicators of underlying criminal activity. Yet these records are far from neutral.

An open letter written by the Coalition was drafted in response to news that Springer, the worlds largest publisher of academic books, planned to publish just such a study. The letter, which has now been signed by 1,700 experts, calls on Springer to rescind the paper and for other academic publishers to refrain from publishing similar work in the future.

At a time when the legitimacy of the carceral state, and policing in particular, is being challenged on fundamental grounds in the United States, there is high demand in law enforcement for research of this nature, write the group. The circulation of this work by a major publisher like Springer would represent a significant step towards the legitimation and application of repeatedly debunked, socially harmful research in the real world.

In the study in question, titled A Deep Neural Network Model to Predict Criminality Using Image Processing, researchers claimed to have created a facial recognition system that was capable of predicting whether someone is likely going to be a criminal ... with 80 percent accuracy and no racial bias, according to a now-deleted press release. The papers authors included Phd student and former NYPD police officer Jonathan W. Korn.

In response to the open letter, Springer said it would not publish the paper, according to MIT Technology Review. The paper you are referring to was submitted to a forthcoming conference for which Springer had planned to publish the proceedings, said the company. After a thorough peer review process the paper was rejected.

However, as the Coalition for Critical Technology makes clear, this incident is only one example in a wider trend within data science and machine learning, where researchers use socially-contingent data to try and predict or classify complex human behavior.

In one notable example from 2016, researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University claimed to have created an algorithm that could also predict criminality from facial features. The study was criticized and refuted, with researchers from Google and Princeton publishing a lengthy rebuttal warning that AI researchers were revisiting the pseudoscience of physiognomy. This was a discipline was founded in the 19th century by Cesare Lombroso, who claimed he could identify born criminals by measuring the dimensions of their faces.

When put into practice, the pseudoscience of physiognomy becomes the pseudoscience of scientific racism, wrote the researchers. Rapid developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning have enabled scientific racism to enter a new era, in which machine-learned models embed biases present in the human behavior used for model development.

The 2016 paper also demonstrated how easy it is for AI practitioners to fool themselves into thinking theyve found an objective system of measuring criminality. The researchers from Google and Princeton noted that, based on the data shared in the paper, all the non-criminals appeared to be smiling and wearing collared shirts and suits, while none of the (frowning) criminals were. Its possible this simple and misleading visual tell was guiding the algorithms supposed sophisticated analysis.

The Coalition for Critical Technologys letter comes at a time when movements around the world are highlighting issues of racial justice, triggered by the killing of George Floyd by law enforcement. These protests have also seen major tech companies pull back on their use of facial recognition systems, which research by Black academics has shown is racially biased.

The letters authors and signatories call on the AI community to reconsider how it evaluates the goodness of its work thinking not just about metrics like accuracy and precision, but about the social affect such technology can have on the world. If machine learning is to bring about the social good touted in grant proposals and press releases, researchers in this space must actively reflect on the power structures (and the attendant oppressions) that make their work possible, write the authors.

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AI experts say research into algorithms that claim to predict criminality must end - The Verge

Human Behavior

Nature’s heroes: Gail ‘Rock and Roll’ Taylor vs. the destruction of nature – WWF-Canada Blog

WWF / Sindre Kinnerd

Though conservation victories are hard won, protecting our planet comes naturally to our donors. To say thank you to natures heroes, were dedicating a week to telling your stories. And who doesnt like a good hero story?

Gail Rock and Roll Taylors love for nature was born of a childhood playing outside in a small northern Ontario town. She has fond memories of picking wild blueberries with her cousins while singing loudly so any nearby bears stayed away. It was then that Gail first connected her love of music and nature.

After retiring from a career in finance to pursue music, Gail wrote her first single You Probly Wont Stay The Not So Ideal Tenants about humanitys tragic love story with the environment.

She wanted to reach people like herself, people who are part of the problem but also care deeplyabout the environment. The song is a tragic love story where humans are apologizing for overusing the planets resources while acknowledging the current damage and possibility of completedestruction if things dont change.

The worlds population uses up as much ecological resources as if we lived on 1.75 Earths. In other words, were harvesting more fish than can reproduce, logging more trees than we can grow back and emitting more carbon dioxide than the environment can absorb. To borrow Gails metaphor, humans are the type of tenants that stop paying their rent part way through the year but continue to eat your groceries.

The cost of our collective ecological debt is climate change and widespread wildlife loss.

Thrilled by the great response she received from the singles initial release, Gail saw an opportunity to increase her impact by raising funds for the cause that inspires her music. Using her songs powerful message, Gail activated her network and fans. In the campaigns first week, she raised over $2,000 for WWF-Canada and even matched the first $1,000 herself.

You can help Gail hit her goal of $5,000 here.

Gail was also drawn to support WWF-Canada because of our work to safeguard polar bears. She sees them as a symbol of Canadian pride and believes we have a responsibility we protect these majestic creatures and their homeland.

I really believe if we want to make the world a better place, our footprint has to shift to a more nature-friendly position from all levels of society, says Gail.

With the support of natures heroes, like Gail, WWF-Canada is working to reduce our unsustainable demands on the planet and become better tenants.

Were partnering with Arctic communities to help them shift to renewable energy, build sustainable fisheries and protect future climate refuges for species as the climate crisis alters their ranges. Were also using nature-based climate solutions to reduce the release of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere and increase our adaptation and resilience to the changes that have already begun.

What is this heros superpower? I would like to provoke astronomical positive change in human behavior through my music to create songs that inspire millions of listeners to shift toward their best selves and [have] more compassion for everything and everyone, including wildlife and our only planet.

Our work is made possible through the generous contributions of donors like you.

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Nature's heroes: Gail 'Rock and Roll' Taylor vs. the destruction of nature - WWF-Canada Blog

Human Behavior

DREAM Collective To Host Webinar On Free Speech And Anti-Blackness In US Higher Education – RiverBender.com

EDWARDSVILLE The DREAM (Dismantling Racism through Education, Advocacy and Mobilization) Collective at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will host a webinar featuring LaWanda Ward, JD, PhD, at 2 p.m. CDT Friday, June 26.

Ward, an assistant professor of education and research associate in the Center for the Study of Higher Education at the Penn State College of Education, will speak on the topic Still Searching for Justice: Free speech and anti-Blackness in U.S. Higher Education.

Register for the webinar at http://bitly.ws/8Q2T.

Wards commitment to social justice, equity and inclusion in higher education is influenced by her family of educators. Her research agenda centers on critically analyzing legal issues in higher education including race-conscious admissions, free speech and academic freedom.

This is the second public offering coordinated by the DREAM Collective. The Collective is committed to serving the southern Illinois and greater St. Louis area through supporting community members, educational organizations and professionals in the process of naming, addressing and dismantling racism through education, advocacy and mobilization.

Its team of faculty activists seek to create effective programming and foster cultural competency in responsive educators and community members. Members include the SEHHBs Dean Robin Hughes, PhD, and education faculty Jennifer Hernandez, PhD, Jessica Krim, EdD, J.T. Snipes, PhD, and Nate Williams, PhD.

For more information, visit the DREAM Collective on Facebook at @DREAMCollective20, Twitter at @DREAMcollect20 or Instagram at @DREAMCollective20, or email TheDREAMCollective@siue.edu.

The SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior prepares students in a wide range of fields including public health, exercise science, nutrition, instructional technology, psychology, speech-language pathology and audiology, educational administration, and teaching. Faculty members engage in leading-edge research, which enhances teaching and enriches the educational experience. The School supports the community through on-campus clinics, outreach to children and families, and a focused commitment to enhancing individual lives across the region.

$10 for $20 Half Price Deals at deals.riverbender.com

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DREAM Collective To Host Webinar On Free Speech And Anti-Blackness In US Higher Education - RiverBender.com

Human Behavior

Empathy is both a trait and a skill. Here’s how to strengthen it – jacksonprogress-argus

Having empathy for other people goes a long way in fostering strong relationships. In fact, empathy is a fundamental building block for conflict resolution and understanding and bonding with others.

Psychological science has defined the term in many ways, but simply, it's "the ability to perceive accurately what another person is feeling," said Jennifer Lerner, a psychological scientist and the Thornton F. Bradshaw professor of public policy, decision science and management at the Harvard Kennedy School in Massachusetts. Her research examines human judgment and decision-making.

We need empathy because it motivates us to take action when we see that people are suffering, said Sarah Konrath, an associate professor of philanthropic studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

"Across time and situations, humans need empathic skills and empathy in order to make societal cooperation possible," said Lerner, also a former chief decision scientist for the US Navy. "As Charles Darwin [observed in 1872], the ability to recognize 'the expression of emotion in man and animals' plays a profound role in all societies, including nonhuman primate societies."

And "in a time like the present, when the Covid-19 pandemic and brutal acts of racism are causing so much suffering," Lerner added, it's important to accurately perceive what others are feeling even if we don't share those feelings.

What better time than now to strengthen your abilities to express different types of empathy and practice them in your everyday life?

Types of empathy

Empathy is more about looking for a common humanity, while sympathy entails feeling pity for someone's pain or suffering, Konrath said.

"Whereas empathy is the ability to perceive accurately what another person is feeling, sympathy is compassion or concern stimulated by the distress of another," Lerner said. "A common example of empathy is accurately detecting when your child is afraid and needs encouragement. A common example of sympathy is feeling sorry for someone who has lost a loved one."

Each is more called for in different situations. But a "common mistake is to leap into sympathy before empathically understanding what another person is feeling," Lerner said. Two types of empathy can prevent that relationship blunder.

Emotional empathy, sometimes called compassion, is more intuitive and involves care and concern for others.

Cognitive empathy requires effort and more systematic thinking, so it may lead to more empathic accuracy, Lerner said. It entails considering others' and their perspectives and imagining what it's like to be them, Konrath added.

Some work managers and colleagues, for example, have had to practice empathy for parents juggling remote work with child care and virtual learning duties, said David Anderson, senior director of national programs and outreach at the Child Mind Institute, in an episode of CNN podcast "Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction with Dr. Sanjay Gupta."

But since the outset of the pandemic in March, that empathy has faded reflecting the notion that cognitive empathy does take effort.

It takes work to interpret what someone is feeling by all of his cues: facial expressions, tones of voice, posture, words and more. Then you have to connect those cues with what you know about him and the situation in order to accurately infer his feelings.

"This kind of inference is a highly complex social-cognitive task" that might involve a variation of mental processes, Lerner said.

You've likely heard people call themselves "empaths," in that they're so deeply affected by the struggles of others that they take on the anguish and emotional burden. But there's a difference between empathy and this state, which psychologists call "emotional contagion."

Overwhelmingly feeling exactly what another person feels when she's upset is actually somewhat self-focused and can lead to depression and poor well-being, Konrath said.

It also doesn't help the person who's struggling, because she would end up with a friend who feels as badly as she does and thus doesn't do anything to help her.

"Empathy does not require that someone share the feeling of another although it may sometimes involve that," Lerner said. Emotional and cognitive empathy are better for both you and the person who needs help.

Genetic or learned? What studies have suggested

Empathy is both a trait and a skill.

Some research has found that specific genes are associated with empathy, such as genes that trigger oxytocin the "love hormone" that rises when we make physical contact with another human, helping us to bond, Konrath said. It also may influence human behaviors and social interactions such as recognition and trust.

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Most people have the fundamental capacity to be empathic, Lerner said, which involves a brain network of the mirror neuron system, the insula and the limbic system.

Mirror neurons mimic the actions and behaviors of others, and are linked to more intuitive, emotional empathy. The insula regulates the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which control the fight-or-flight response and relax the body, respectively. The limbic system regulates bodily functions in response to emotional stimuli and reinforces behavior through memories.

"When we see someone else doing something, in our bodies we have sort of a parallel response," Konrath explained. "If we see someone is expressing emotion, for a moment you might feel a reflection of that emotion that can help motivate you to actually figure out what's going on and try to help them. That can help to explain a little bit about how we are wired for empathy."

In this case, many empathic processes are automatic, but they can also be activated in situations when you have an incentive to be deliberately empathic for example, when you're trying to read your manager's mood.

The other component of empathy is environmental, meaning it can also be reinforced by socialization. Our cultural, school, work and home environments and the values within them can build up or diminish our capacity to express empathy, Konrath said.

One of the best ways to incentivize empathy, Lerner said, is to create interdependence between people.

"If I depend on you for something," she said, "then I have to become motivated to understand what you are feeling and vice versa."

Building and implementing your capacity for empathy

Empathy can be learned, and you can start by practicing how you behave in your relationships with others, Konrath said.

When you're talking with someone, try to imagine what her life is like for her.

Read his body language and utilize reflective or active listening, of which the purpose is to understand the person rather than prepare to respond while he's talking.

During conversations, focus your full attention and time on listening then doing whatever you can so the person feels understood. To accurately perceive his feelings, you can ask questions: "It sounds like you're feeling dejected. Is that right?" Or, "Is it fair to say that you're feeling optimistic?"

Spending time with babies, children and animals can be helpful, Konrath said since they can't verbally express their needs, you'd have to more intuitively assess their needs.

Awareness of someone's pain can feel overwhelming, so you might turn away from it especially if you think you don't have the time to deal with it, Konrath said. But during difficult times, what people really need is someone to be there it's not about saying the right thing, but rather being present, listening and understanding.

"Learning to regulate our emotions and have the capacity to tolerate negativity is very, very important for mature empathy," Konrath added.

The upsides of empathy

When you become more empathic, the people in your life might feel more loved, supported and cared for, Konrath said.

You might also feel more united with others, be able to resolve conflicts faster and achieve greater satisfaction at work, Lerner said.

"Unless you accurately perceive that your child or significant other is mad at you, you don't have the knowledge needed to even begin resolving a conflict," she added.

A mindset focused on others' needs can lower stress hormones as well. Empathic people score lower on scales for depression, Konrath said.

"Empathy is such an important biological system in our bodies that, of course, there's going to be some sort of benefits right back at the empathic person," Konrath said. "Being able to experience a hormonal change that would allow you to continue to care for somebody is very important for human survival."

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Empathy is both a trait and a skill. Here's how to strengthen it - jacksonprogress-argus

Human Behavior

Lockdowns changed animal behaviour. Researchers want to know what that means. – The Weather Network

Wednesday, June 24th 2020, 2:41 pm - Researchers hope the findings will inspire new ways to co-exist with nature post-COVID-19.

A widespread and prolonged reduction in human activity due to COVID-19 lockdowns is likely changing animal behaviour, and a global team of researchers has been formed in response, according to an article published this week in Nature Ecology & Evolution.

We already have anecdotal evidence of animals changing their movements, with multiple reports of animals roaming in areas normally bustling with human life.

And this isn't just happening in Canada -- there have been reports of altered animal behaviour in parts of Europe and Asia as well.

The authors of the new study have dubbed the lockdown period 'anthropause' -- a nod to the slowdown in several sectors.

While some animals are thriving under the new conditions, like the dolphins that have returned to Italy coast now that cruise ships are docked, other animals are struggling.

In a statement, the paper's authors point to city rats or monkeys in urban-dwelling areas, both of which rely on human leftovers to survive.

A map of animal movements. Courtesy: MPIAB/ MaxCine.

While the authors stress humanity's priority is ending the pandemic, they note researchers have a unique, large-scale opportunity to study animal behaviour.

In response to this, a global consortium called the COVID-19 Bio-Logging Initiative has been created. Researchers will work together to "investigate animals' movements, behaviour and stress levels, before, during, and after Covid-19 lockdown, using data collected with nifty animal-attached electronic devices called "bio-loggers," the authors say in a statement.

A cheetah wearing a 'bio-logger' on its ear. Courtesy: Sergio Izquierdo.

"All over the world, field biologists have fitted animals with miniature tracking devices," explains lead author Professor Christian Rutz, a biologist at the University of St Andrews, UK, and President of the International Bio-Logging Society.

"These bio-loggers provide a goldmine of information on animal movement and behaviour, which we can now tap to improve our understanding of human-wildlife interactions, with benefits for all."

Results from several species of animals will be logged, including fish, birds, and mammals.

A mallard wearing a solar GPS tag. Courtesy: Sergio Izquierdo.

Dr. Matthias-Claudio Loretto, a Marie Skodowska-Curie Fellow at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Radolfzell, Germany, says the lockdown will give researchers a unique opportunity to quantify the impact that human activity has on some animal species.

"We will be able to investigate if the movements of animals in modern landscapes are predominantly affected by built structures, or by the presence of humans," Dr. Loretto says.

"That is a big deal."

Scientists hope the findings will inspire new proposals that will improve human and wildlife co-existence.

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Lockdowns changed animal behaviour. Researchers want to know what that means. - The Weather Network

Human Behavior

The Surprisingly Simple Way Researchers Say a Second COVID-19 Wave Could Be Avoided – SciTechDaily

A Second COVID-19 Wave Could Be Avoided if Social Distancing and the Use of Face Masks Are Maintained

A model developed by ISGlobal shows that deconfinement must be gradual and that individual behavior is a key factor.

Individual behavior has a significant effect on preventing a large second wave of COVID-19 infections. In fact, maintaining social distancing and other interventions such as the use of face masks and hand hygiene could remove the need for future lockdowns, according to a modeling study performed by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), an institution supported by the la Caixa Foundation. The findings, published in Nature Human Behaviour, also show that, in countries that have not yet reached the peak of active cases, lockdowns must remain in place for at least 60 days and deconfinement must be gradual in order to decrease the risk of second waves.

Several countries that initially imposed strict lockdown measures to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 are in the process of lifting them. However, how and when to ease the restrictions is a difficult decision a delicate balance between the need to reactivate the economy and the risk of a second wave of infections that could overwhelm healthcare systems. The problem is that assessing this risk is difficult, given the lack of reliable information on the actual number of people infected or the extent of immunity developed among the population, explains Xavier Rod, head of ISGlobals Climate and Health program. In this study, Rods team present projections based on a model that divides the population into seven groups: susceptible, quarantined, exposed, infectious not detected, reported infectious and confined, recovered and death. It also allows to simulate both the degree of population confinement and the different post-confinement strategies.

Our model is different because it considers the return of confined people to the susceptible population to estimate the effect of deconfinement, and it includes peoples behaviors and risk perception as modulating factors, explains Xavier Rod. This model can be particularly useful for countries where the peak of cases has not yet been reached, such as those in the Southern hemisphere. It would allow to evaluate control policies and minimize the number of cases and fatalities caused by the virus explains co-author and ISGlobal researcher Leonardo Lpez.

The use of face masks, hand hygiene and shelter in place mandates have already demonstrated benefits. The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate their relevance as containment strategies. The results clearly show that the length of the first confinement will affect the timing and magnitude of subsequent waves, and that gradual deconfinement strategies always result in a lower number of infections and deaths, when compared to a very fast deconfinement process.

In Spain, where the deconfinement was fast for half of the population and gradual for the rest, individual behavior will be key for reducing or avoiding a second wave. If we manage to reduce transmission rate by 30% through the use of face masks, hand hygiene, and social distancing, we can considerably reduce the magnitude of the next wave. Reducing transmission rate by 50% could avoid it completely, says Rod.

The results show that, even in countries that do not have the resources to test and trace all cases and contacts, social empowerment through the use of masks, hand hygiene, and social distancing, is key to stopping viral transmission.

Simulations also show that loss of immunity to the virus will have significant effects on the spacing between epidemic waves if immunity has a long duration (one year instead of a few months), then the time between the epidemic waves will double.

The model considered total lockdowns and used data available until May 25, but did not take into account a possible effect of temperatures on viral transmission.

Reference: The end of social confinement and COVID-19 re-emergence risk by Leonardo Lpez and Xavier Rod, 22 June 2020, Nature Human Behaviour.DOI: 10.1038/s41562-020-0908-8

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The Surprisingly Simple Way Researchers Say a Second COVID-19 Wave Could Be Avoided - SciTechDaily

Human Behavior

Colombia experiments with blockchain to curtail corruption – Contxto

Don't worry, we speak : Espaol (Spanish), too!

Contxto Gimme your lunch money! While thats usually the type of phrase that comes from your playground bullies, its also used by other punks: government officials in Colombia who tamper with public funds tagged for school meals.

So to cut back corruption, the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Office of the Inspector General of Colombia partnered up.

And last Wednesday (17), they announced that through a joint team theyve developed blockchain-based proof-of-concept (PoC) software. Through it they hope to reduce corruption within government procurement processes.

Dubbed Unlocking Government Transparency with Blockchain Technology this system was designed and tested to add transparency to a public-school meal program.

The Programa de Alimentacin Escolar (PAE) is a public initiative in Colombia for procuring lunches to vulnerable children. According to the WEF, the PAE has been the object of corruption for quite a long time.Primarily in the vendor bidding process.

But thats also why the team chose the PAE to pilot its new permissionless blockchain software that works over the Ethereum network.

As a result of the trial, the WEF concluded that there were a few unexpected challenges in relation to the use of permissionless blockchain to reduce corruption.Primarily when it came to scalability and handling vendor anonymity.

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The team concluded that adopting a hybrid approach with blockchain might be a better approach to manage scalability.

Terminology cheat sheet

Permissionless blockchain: Anyone can participate in the system. In this case, to cut back corruption, permissionless blockchain offers the advantage of evidencing when someone tries to trifle with the data. Although permissionless blockchain can be less scalable because the system is literally overloaded with data to process.

Permissioned blockchain: Implies that a party needs approval to mess with the data stored on the network. It allows for more transactions on the network to be processed quickly because not just anyone can add on information.

Hybrid blockchain: A combination of the previous two. By using two protocol-level blockchain networks, the team believes countries can get the best of both worlds to cut down corruption.

A useful and technical experiment to tackle a problem that plagues most of Latin America. But as the report by the WEF states, it can only do so much.

Technology cannot fully solve what is at the heart of human behavior problems.

To truly kill corruption, tech solutions will prove an invaluable ally. But if the social and cultural practices linked to corruption dont change, then as Metallica put it, nothing else matters.

Related articles: Tech and startups from Colombia!

-ML

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Colombia experiments with blockchain to curtail corruption - Contxto

Human Behavior

The Human Hacking Conference 2021: Plan to be Amazed! – Security Boulevard

Weve got great news! Plans are in motion for The Human Hacking Conference (HHC) 2021, so mark your calendar for March 11-13, 2021. Look for the link to register for the HHC in the Bonus Section of this blog!! Did you attend this years HHC? Then you no doubt agree with HHC trainer Robin Dreeke, who described it as a triumphal event and . . . probably the safest environment you could possibly be in. Everyone was there to help each other learn, grow and collaborate together. From Dreekes comment, its evident that the HHCs core value, leave them feeling better for having met you, influenced the entire event. Whether you are a returning attendee, or plan to attend for the first time, what can you expect from the Human Hacking Conference 2021? Well give you a sneak peek and briefly outline the history of the HHC.

The HHC is sponsored by the Social Engineering Village. It was founded by world-renowned human hacking expert, author, and corporate security advisor Chris Hadnagy. The HHC teaches techniques in human deception, body language analysis, cognitive agility, intelligence research, and security best practices. It features multi-hour learning tracks taught by world-renowned leaders in behavior, physiology, deception, technology, and psychology. They explore such topics as Nonverbal Communication, Pentesting, Physical and Psychological Influence, and Personal Development. The HHC also features a variety of speaking sessions ranging from expert-level presenters with fast-paced content, to panels and keynotes. In addition, there are three evening events plus networking opportunities. So, now that you know about the HHC, its time to introduce you to the trainers.

We have amazing trainers lined up for the multi-hour learning tracks. Returning for the Human Hacking Conference 2021 are Dov Baron, Brittney Caldwell, Robin Dreeke, Joe Navarro, Stephanie Paul, Ian Rowland, and R. Paul Wilson. Joining the HHC trainers in 2021 will be Mark Bowden, Shelby Dacko, Chris Hadnagy, Chase Hughes, Curt Klump, Maxie Reynolds, and Vinny Troia. Heres a preview of what to expect from the workshops.

Baron aka The Dragonist, is a corporate cultural strategist with over 30 years of international speaking on the evolving world of NextGen leadership. Inc. Magazine lists Dov as a Top 100 Leadership Speaker. He is the founder of Full Monty Leadership and a bestselling author. Dovs workshop focuses on finding your Dragon Fire that can and will fuel you, even in crisis, to change anything you want. He discusses the cognitive neuroscience of emotions known as both Emotional Logic and Affective Neuroscience. After attending this workshop, you come away with practical and effective leadership skills and strategies.

Bowden is a bestselling author on body language and human behavior. He is well-known for his GesturePlane System, and the specific use of open palm hand gestures in what he coins as the TruthPlane. In this intriguing workshop, Mark demonstrates his TRUTHPLANE GesturePlane System. Mark shows how Its not often what you say but how you say it that gets results.

Caldwell is a freelance actor, playwright, director, and the owner of The Vacation Theatre Group. She has 15 years of performance experience and directs Social-Engineer, LLCs Masters Level Social Engineering training course. In Brittneys workshop, see how non- verbal behaviors tell your story long before you ever say a word. Brittney teaches how to develop strategies to remain calm and on task while engaging. Brittneys workshop gives you a set of tools enabling you to create non-verbal behaviors that produce exceptional results.

Dacko is a Professional Social Engineer with SocialEngineer, LLC and volunteers for the Innocent Lives Foundation. Her specialties include vishing, OSINT work, and educational material production. Shelby teams up with Curt Klump to teach Day Two of the three-day ALL NEW SE Pentest workshop that takes you through the process of conducting three main aspects of a remote SE Pentest. In Day Two of the workshop, Shelby and Curt focus on vishing. Attendees learn what vishing is, the psychology of vishing, as well as how to develop a flags list and a pretext. And, you get hands on experience in vishing. All exercises in this workshop culminate with information you need for Day Three.

Dreeke is a retired FBI Special Agent and former Chief of the Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program. He is the CEO of People Formula, a behavioral analysis expert and a professional speaker, trainer, facilitator, and bestselling author. Robins workshop consists of three blocks, each with a specific goal and takeaway. To begin with, in Block One you will learn ten specific techniques to develop in-person and virtual rapport. Next, Block Two demonstrates the five steps to building trust after rapport. Robin closes his workshop with Block Three by focusing on the six signs of trustworthiness and predictability.

Hadnagy aka the Human Hacker, is a security consultant, author, speaker, and professional social engineer. He is the CEO of SocialEngineer, LLC, a consulting and training company specializing in social engineering. Chris teams up with Maxie Reynolds for Day Three of the ALL NEW SE Pentest track, which focuses on phishing. Attendees learn what phishing is, the psychology of phishing, and how to set up a corporate phishing program. With the data learned from Days One and Two, attendees develop four levels of a single phish to use against a target. At the end of this course those who graduate receive a certificate of passing if they accomplish all three days of work while remaining within the boundaries and the rules of the class.

Hughes is a bestselling author and the CEO of Applied Behavior Research. He is recognized as one of the top behavior profilers in the United States, with 20 years of creating the most advanced behavior skills courses and tactics available worldwide. At HHC 2021, Chases workshop introduces you to human behavior skills and delves into the six elements of pure influence. Discover how to hear between the lines in less than six minutes. Chase also teaches the fourteen most effective things to look for when reading body language.

A Professional Social Engineer and Human Risk analyst with Social-Engineer, LLC, Curt is a jack-of-all-trades with some level of expertise in construction, acting, directing, music, and biomanufacturing. Curt teams up with Shelby Dacko to teach Day Two of the ALL NEW SE Pentest track, which focuses on vishing. Attendees learn what vishing is, the psychology of vishing, as well as how do develop a flags list and a pretext. In this workshop you get hands on experience in vishing. All exercises culminate with information you need for Day Three.

For 25 years, Joe served as an FBI special agent working both criminal and counterintelligence matters. He is a bestselling author and considered one of the worlds leading experts on human behavior and nonverbal communications. In this workshop, Joe shows how FBI agents use nonverbals in a forensic setting. He also shows how body language is used to assess for inconsistencies between what is said and what is truly felt.

Paul is the founder of Stephanie Paul, Inc which specializes in coaching executives, sales teams, TEDx speakers, and fundraisers to become master communicators. She brings with her twenty-nine years of entertainment experience as an actress and an improv, as well as a stand-up and sketch comedian. Stephanies highly interactive learning track teaches effective skills and tools for developing influential and convincing story structure. As an additional bonus, you also learn entertainment tricks of the trade.

Reynolds is a Physical Pentester and Professional Social Engineer with Social-Engineer, LLC. She is a certified Ethical Hacker, and Digital Forensic Investigator with a background in Oil and Gas. Maxie teams up with Chris Hadnagy for Day Three of the ALL NEW SE Pentest track, which focuses on Phishing. Attendees learn what phishing is, the psychology of phishing, and how to set up a corporate phishing program. With the data learned from Days One and Two, attendees develop four levels of a single phish to use against a target. At the end of this course those who graduate receive a certificate of passing if they accomplish all three days of work while remaining within the boundaries and the rules of the class.

Rowland aka The Mind Man, is a corporate speaker, trainer and consultant. Ian helps people and companies to be more successful by teaching amazing, transformative mind skills that deliver practical benefits in life and in business. Ians workshop, reveals the art of cold reading and how to apply these techniques to business contexts. Rowlands workshop also features live demonstrations and practice sessions. See firsthand that cold reading is an amazing, practical and useful communication skill.

Troia spent nearly a decade engineering and designing security systems for the U.S. Department of Defense, and he has become one of the medias top go-to experts on cyber-related controversies. Troia starts the ALL NEW SE Pentest with Day One Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) gathering. Day One teaches what OSINT is, how it can be used, physical observation skills and examples, as well as Google dorking. Day One culminates with information you need for Day Two.

R. Paul Wilson is a filmmaker, author, and award-winning conjuror and magician. Wilsons highly interactive and entertaining workshop prepares attendees to recognize and evade future attacks based on human deception. Take a deep dive into how con artists, fraudsters, hackers and social engineers design methods of attack to deceive victims around the world.

The HHC is a cornerstone educational event where you receive expert training on how to hack thoughts, actions, and the people around you. The skills and insights you gain from attending the HHC benefit you both personally and professionally. This quote from HHC 2020 trainer Robin Dreeke sums up what you can expect, I was excited to share my content. But even more excited to be an attendee. The cast of characters were phenomenal.

Plan to attend and be amazed by the Human Hacking Conference 2021! Follow us on our social media to see exclusive sneak peek videos with our trainers!

But waittheres more! The registration for the HHC is now live!! Dont delayregister here.

If you missed the first Human Hacking Conference, our special podcast and blog give you a behind the scenes look at HHC 2020.

Social-Engineer podcast host, Chris Hadnagy, speaks with several of the amazing trainers who presented at the 2020 Human Hacking Conference. Get key takeaways from their presentations. You can listen to the podcast here.

You can also read about the 2020 Human Hacking Conference in our blog, The Human Hacking Conference: Year Alpha.

The post The Human Hacking Conference 2021: Plan to be Amazed! appeared first on Security Through Education.

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*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Security Through Education authored by SEORG. Read the original post at: https://www.social-engineer.org/social-engineering/the-human-hacking-conference-2021-plan-to-be-amazed/

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The Human Hacking Conference 2021: Plan to be Amazed! - Security Boulevard