Head in the Cloud Quotes

“And blanket skepticism can lead one as far astray as blanket credibility can.”
― William Poundstone, Head in the Cloud: Why Knowing Things Still Matters When Facts Are So Easy to Look Up

“In 2014 the FBI drew ridicule for having compiled a list of 2,800 acronyms and abbreviations used in text messages, Facebook, and, yes, Myspace. It was an Urban Dictionary for the oblivious, paid for with tax money. The list contained a handful of abbreviations that are actually used and known to almost everyone (except some FBI agents). They were accompanied by thousands of obscure or obsolete abbreviations that the feds somehow dredged up. BTDTGTTSAWIO, we’re told, means “been there, done that, got the T-shirt, and wore it out.” The FBI effort demonstrated two points. One is that the life of online abbreviations and slang is short. The other is that those who use abbreviations like BTDTGTTSAWIO don’t care whether anyone understands them. Maybe they’re hoping someone will ask.”
― William Poundstone, Head in the Cloud: Why Knowing Things Still Matters When Facts Are So Easy to Look Up