Stephen Bach - Marblehead Current

26 Mar

DOC IN A BOX: What technology quietly learns about us

Stephen BachColumns, Opinion, Stephen Bach

Over the past few years writing for the Marblehead Current, I’ve noticed something interesting: The biggest tech stories aren’t usually about the technology itself. They’re about what technology quietly learns about us. And lately, the lesson seems to be this: The internet remembers more about you than you think. Your “anonymous” account probably isn’t.  Many people assume that if they create a second account with a different name, they’re invisible online. But new research suggests otherwise. A recent study found that artificial intelligence can link…

11 Mar

DOC IN A BOX: Why your Wi-Fi struggles in older homes (and what you can actually do about it)

Stephen BachColumns, Stephen Bach

By Stephen Bach If you live in Marblehead or another similar "old home" community, there’s a good chance your home has character. Thick plaster walls. Solid beams. Maybe wiring that’s been updated a few times over the decades. It’s part of the charm. Unfortunately, it’s not part of a strong Wi-Fi plan. One of the most common calls I get at The Digital Docs goes something like this: “Stephen, the internet works fine in the kitchen, but upstairs it’s terrible.” Or, “It drops every time…

18 Feb

DOC IN A BOX: The people in our neighborhood

Stephen BachColumns, Stephen Bach

The Digital Docs have fascinating customers. Today I’m taking a short detour from my regular “Doc in a Box” column to talk about the incredible community we have. I get to meet an amazing number of interesting people from all walks of life and countries of origin, with an incredible range of occupations and experiences. It’s a reminder of how much we all contribute to one another. Here are just a few of the many people I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with over the…

27 Jan

COLUMN: How do you know if what you see on social media is real?

Stephen BachColumns, Local News, Stephen Bach

Social media is filled with more false information than ever before. In recent months, experts have noticed a big rise in misinformation and disinformation online. Misinformation means sharing something wrong by mistake, while disinformation is a lie spread on purpose. Both are spreading quickly on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, and both can cause real damage. False posts spread faster than ever One big problem is how fast a lie can travel on social media. A false post can reach thousands…