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

Why HN readers recommended it

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

This is a summary from the source dataset, not an endorsement by Hacker News or the video creator.

Video & recommendation details

Creator / channel

USENIX

Topic

security and ml skepticism

Format

talk

Level

general

HN recommenders in dataset

10

HN mentions in dataset

20

Recommendation years in dataset

2018–2026

These counts and years describe the included Hacker News records; they are not YouTube views or the video’s publication date.

From the original HN conversations

Excerpts from the recorded comments. Follow each source for the full comment and surrounding discussion.

• 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]

• 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]

• > 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 …