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Articles by Gary Ackerman
Existential Terrorism: Can Terrorists Destroy Humanity?
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How We Handle Ethics in #edtech
Ethics and Educational Technology: Reflection, Interrogation, and Design as a Framework for Practice by Stephanie L. Moore and Heather K. Tillberg-Webb (9780415895088) could not have arrived as a more propitious time. For six months, we in education (k-12, community college, university, professional, and all other settings) have been dealing with ChatGPT and other generative AI.
Why COVID probably hasn’t helped bioterrorists, despite fears
The cult Aum Shinrikyo is infamous for its deadly chemical weapons attacks on metropolitan Tokyo in the 1990s. Less well known is the ambitious biological weapons program that preceded the group’s chemical exploits. Aum tried to weaponize the anthrax bacterium, create a bacterial toxin, and develop ways to disseminate its wares. Despite the group’s enormous resources and expertise, however, its bioweapons appear to have caused no casualties at all.
Going Viral: Implications of COVID-19 for Bioterrorism – Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract: COVID-19 has drawn greater attention to the prospect of biological weapons use. But when it comes to bioterrorism, the pandemic probably has not moved the needle much. Although COVID-19 might encourage apocalyptic cults, some radical environmentalists, some extreme right-wing groups, and some Islamist extremist groups toward biological weapons, most other terrorist groups are more likely to be discouraged.
May 2022 – Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
From the Editor With more than a million Americans dead from COVID-19 and the pandemic associated directly or indirectly with around 15 million deaths globally by the end of 2021 according to World Health Organization estimates, it is essential to reassess the global biological threat landscape, including the possibility that bioterrorists or other bad actors might seek to exploit advances in biotechnology to engineer a future pandemic.
A Plague of Locusts? A Preliminary Assessment of the Threat of Multi-Drone Terrorism
ABSTRACT Emerging technologies provide new opportunities for terrorist organizations. Future terrorists may use multiple drones—either en masse or coordinated with each other in cruder or more sophisticated ways—to cause harm, potentially at scale. This study explores the topic via theoretical exploration and threat assessment. The first half explores relevant literatures on terrorist innovation; suicide bombing; airpower; and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism.
The Internet of Very Cold Things
Much of the public discussion around the Internet of Things (IoT) focuses on smart cities and how the IoT is revolutionizing urban services such as parking, lighting and transportation. But less discussed is how the IoT is moving into and changing the nature of remote environments. Deserts, oceans, and space present harsh conditions for mundane activities, let alone for the use of remote technology.
The Internet of Very Cold Things
Much of the public discussion around the Internet of Things (IoT) focuses on smart cities and how the IoT is revolutionizing urban services such as parking, lighting and transportation. But less discussed is how the IoT is moving into and changing the nature of remote environments. Deserts, oceans, and space present harsh conditions for mundane activities, let alone for the use of remote technology.
Philanthropists back Question 1 for better higher education; quality of life
By Kris Engelstad McGarry and Gary Ackerman Friday, Oct. 30, 2020 | 2 a.m. As individuals with deep ties to Southern Nevada and a commitment to community betterment, we know firsthand just how important higher education is to the development of a thriving community. As a state, our focus should be on educating future leaders, fostering workforce development programs and improving college attainment rates.
The Top 10 Ways COVID-19 Could Impact Terrorism
The COVID-19 pandemic presents both challenges and opportunities for terrorists. On the one hand, terrorists are not immune to the coronavirus. Shutdowns, lockdowns and other social distancing measures, as well as the fear of infection, will tend to inhibit numerous aspects of terrorist operations, from the movement of operatives within and across borders, to the acquisition of vehicles, weapons and equipment.
Innovation Age Schools?
Educators are fond of adding various adjectives to the word age to capture the nature of schools that reflected the realities of school during that age. We can also trace the history of our schools through some of the vestiges that remain: Summer breaks are a remnant of Agrarian Age Schools when children’s labor was needed oi the farm. Bell schedules are a remnant of Industrial Age Schools which were designed to prepare children for the highly scheduled and specialized work in factories.
Today's refugees are not unlike those aboard the St. Louis
The tragic “Voyage of the Damned” aboard an ocean liner called the St. Louis occurred 80 years ago, yet anger and despair still permeate much of the extended American Jewish community. How could then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt – a hero and a political icon to so many; the world’s democracy-saver, the upholder of human rights and the personification of decency – allow so grievous a sin? One which, in the light of historical facts, was as much a sin of commission as it was one of omission?
Opinion: A Democrat’s plea to save the GOP
When anyone today says the word “unhinged,” virtually everyone immediately thinks: Donald Trump. But then there are those who are acolytes and even some who are simply embarrassed because they might have supported him, who get jumpy and immediately say something deflective, like, “Oh yeah?
Gary Ackerman: This is us
I am of a faith that is small in number, but rich in culture, and largely generous in participation in every aspect of American life. We strive to make our beloved communities and country great. As individuals, we work hard to make our fellow countrymen well, smart, secure and entertained. We are strongly competitive to achieve things good. Unjustifiably, we are mostly, quietly, personally embarrassed should someone associated with our community go astray.
Opinion: Church, state’s uneasy intersection
I never believed it was a good idea to mix church and state, and thought that both the Constitution and the Bible more than caution against it. I never championed the notion of an official chaplain of the House of Representatives. It seemed contrary to my views on separating church and state. I’m certainly not against organized religion, nor do I look upon democratic government properly practiced with anything but favor.
Ominous biosecurity trends under Putin
Regimes of all types throughout history have sought to harness science for war. As a result, otherwise beneficial technology can become ‘dual-use’. Biological weapons are among the starker examples: research meant to save lives is used to take them. Now, in the run up to elections in Russia, and with concerns mounting about the nation’s role globally, biological-weapons specialists Raymond Zilinskas and Philippe Mauger deliver Biosecurity in Putin’s Russia.
Opinion: A president and his dangerous ways
Some folks looked at Donald Trump and saw what he and they wanted to see: A striking swashbuckling billionaire who made it on his own, despite his family’s great wealth and influence. A bodacious, straight-talking, stand-up-to-power man of the people who represented success at any cost, especially if it was someone else’s cost.
What the Scouts taught me
The President of the United States and I are two kids who came up in Queens. I’m a mite more than three years older, and lived a tad less than 3 miles away. But we were really in two different worlds. His Tudor mansion was in a place called the Estates; his wealthy dad built housing for middle-class people who were the envy of my family and friends.
Opinion: Gary Ackerman tells a Trump tale
The Freedom Caucus members of the crew of the U.S.S. House-N-Senate are gathered in small huddles, grumbling as the panic sets in. Seven and a half years ago, despite their oath of loyalty to the mission, these sworn officers publicly pledged that they would mutiny against the ship’s new Commander. They had seen him and didn’t like the cut of his jib. Or whatever. They would resist every order, fight every announced course, and do anything to immobilize the vessel. They wanted “their” ship back.
The Crew: A fable to consider in the era of Donald Trump
The Freedom Caucus members of the crew of the U.S.S. House-N-Senate are gathered in small huddles, grumbling as the panic sets in. Seven and a half years ago, despite their oath of loyalty to the mission, these sworn officers publicly pledged that they would mutiny against the ship’s new Commander. They had seen him and didn’t like the cut of his jib. Or whatever. They would resist every order, fight every announced course, and do anything to immobilize the vessel. They wanted “their” ship back.
Assessing the bioweapons threat
The U.S. government (USG) has taken steps intended to diminish the likelihood of misuse of research—in one recent action, declaring a funding moratorium on gain-of-function studies on influenza until a risk-benefit analysis can be conducted (1). The analysis is expected to examine biosafety concerns, the potential for such research to produce a biological weapons agent, and the possibility that publication may lower barriers to bioweapons development (1).
Assessing the bioweapons threat
The U.S. government (USG) has taken steps intended to diminish the likelihood of misuse of research—in one recent action, declaring a funding moratorium on gain-of-function studies on influenza until a risk-benefit analysis can be conducted (1). The analysis is expected to examine biosafety concerns, the potential for such research to produce a biological weapons agent, and the possibility that publication may lower barriers to bioweapons development (1).
Obama: Public enemy No. 1 from Day 1
They saw who was elected president and couldn't accept it. When they looked in the mirror, they no longer recognized the America they knew. They pledged to derail the presidency of Barack Obama -- from day one, to most recently threatening to scuttle his nominee for attorney general. In their effort to boycott, disinvest and sanction the illegitimate Obama administration, they would employ any means they could envision. After all, he had no right to hold the office. And they committed to destroy it.
Gary Ackerman: When who you are defines what you see
How can witnesses view the same occurrence and describe the facts so differently, each so self-assured that their version of every detail is the absolute truth? It’s the story of the three sightless people who each, with two hands, encounter their first elephant. One thinks it’s a wall, another says it’s a snake, and the third proclaims it’s a tree.
The Middle East destroys itself
What a mess. The world needs someone to blame. Hey, why not the Jews? After all, it’s all Israel’s fault. Everyone else knows that all the problems in the region would be solved if only the Middle East had just one more Muslim country. What could possibly go wrong? A quick review. After the passing of Muhammed in 632 A.D., his adherents, having left no sons, broke into a family feud over who were the real heirs apparent, the true followers.
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