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USENIX Security '18-Q: Why Do Keynote Speakers Keep Suggesting That Improving Security Is Possible?

USENIX Security '18-Q: Why Do Keynote Speakers Keep Suggesting That Improving Security Is Possible?

USENIX
10 HN recommenders · discussed 2018–2026
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About this video

James Mickens's humorous USENIX Security keynote argues that improving security and trusting opaque technology like machine learning is far harder than the industry admits.

Why it appears in the archive

HN considers it a classic, hilarious and sobering talk on ML inscrutability and tech hubris, often rewatched.

AI-generated summary and labels from the source dataset; verify important details against the video. Source & credits.

From the Hacker News discussion

_wldu · 2019-10 · strong rec

I've always been a fan of his talks. His keynote at USENIX Security 2018 is by far the best summation of the dangers of ML that I've ever seen. It's hilarious too. [VIDEO]

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jamesblonde · 2024-01 · strong rec

Nearly all talks by James Mickens are a laugh a minute. The guy is the only computer science standup comedian I have ever encountered. He is also technically excellent. This one is a classic: [VIDEO]

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tomxor · 2024-07 · strong rec

> ML models is most often inscrutable, with the consequence that decisions taken by ML models cannot be fathomed by human decision makers Yup, James Mickens planted this seed 6 years ago, well worth the watch, even if you already agree it's brilliant cathartic humour (the subject isn't really "security"). [VIDEO]

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vizzier · 2026-01 · strong rec

James Micken's talk from almost a decade ago now covers this stuff perfectly... [VIDEO] I re-watch it fairly often, and we just keep getting worse.

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tempodox · 2018-10 · rec

You might be interested in this keynote by James Mickens: [VIDEO] titled “Why Do Keynote Speakers Keep Suggesting That Improving Security Is Possible?”.

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w8rbt · 2019-08 · rec

I think James Mickens (Harvard CS) has it right. ML is inscrutable, black-magic that no one really understands. This is long, but worth watching: [VIDEO]

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specialist · 2020-06 · rec

"What matters now is impact, not intent." James Mickens, using logic and humor, makes this point in a way that even geeks might understand. "Why Do Keynote Speakers Keep Suggesting That Improving Security Is Possible?" [VIDEO]

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bawolff · 2021-09 · rec

I generally dislike consuming computer content in video form, but there is plenty of interesting content out there. Lots of conferences video tape sessions. Plenty of noise but some good things too. E.g. one of my faves: [VIDEO]

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