USENIX Security '18-Q: Why Do Keynote Speakers Keep Suggesting That Improving Security Is Possible?
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN considers it a classic, hilarious and sobering talk on ML inscrutability and tech hubris, often rewatched.
What it is
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.
Recommended by 10 HN commenters across 10 different months, 2018 to 2026.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec _wldu · 2019-10 · on “James Mickens’ Tenure Announcement”
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. [this video]
Strong rec jamesblonde · 2024-01 · on “Ask HN: What talks do you consider real gems?”
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: [this video]
Strong rec tomxor · 2024-07 · on “Explainability is not a game”
> 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"). [this video]
Strong rec vizzier · 2026-01 · on “Was Vibe Coding a Ruse?”
James Micken's talk from almost a decade ago now covers this stuff perfectly... [this video] I re-watch it fairly often, and we just keep getting worse.
Recommends tempodox · 2018-10 · on “Google Home (in)Security”
You might be interested in this keynote by James Mickens: [this video] titled “Why Do Keynote Speakers Keep Suggesting That Improving Security Is Possible?”.
Recommends w8rbt · 2019-08 · on “How to Start with Machine Learning”
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: [this video]
Recommends specialist · 2020-06 · on “Police have been spying on black reporters and activists for years”
"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?" [this video]
Recommends bawolff · 2021-09 · on “Ask HN: Have you found it difficult to get quality technical content on YouTube?”
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: [this video]