DOUG'S BLOG

This past year brought us an abundance of news on the modern-day space race, with China, in particular, pulling further […]

When it comes to AI safety, the laws being introduced often focus on certain types of regulations that address concerns […]

Even one of the foundational creators of modern-day AI seems to be regretful of his life’s work. Earlier this week, […]

AI has aided the police in many ways, from its use in the forensic field and surveillance to crime forecasting. […]

Do you trust how true crime is presented when you listen to or watch it? While journalists may not host […]

In 1865, Jules Verne’s book, From the Earth to the Moon: A Direct Route in 97 Hours, 20 Minutes, fascinated […]

Despite AI’s recent popularity, most people would still agree that some things about it can be eerie or even dystopian, […]

Even AI Understands the Space Race. And it knows the U.S. may be losing to China. An article from July […]

In an installment of fiction becoming fact, I was fascinated by a recent report that scientists have found underground caves […]

On June 25, after a 53-day mission, China’s Chang’e 6 spacecraft returned to Earth with five pounds of rocks and […]

The world of AI news is moving at an unprecedented pace. When I began writing about the dead internet theory […]

The contest for the White House isn’t the only race that should concern the United States and, perhaps, the world. […]

How much is AI changing the landscape of the internet as we know it? According to the dead internet theory, […]

I was fascinated by a May 4 article by CNN reporter Ashley Strickland.  In it, she writes about the competition among […]

Have you heard of the dead internet theory?  While it’s a relatively recent conspiracy theory that came about somewhere between […]

If you follow tech news, it’s impossible to escape how AI has taken over the conversation.  No matter how frivolous […]

When AI-generated deepfakes first became a concern on the internet, it was mostly centered around video. Some of the deepfakes […]

It’s not uncommon to hear that someone has implemented elements of AI in their day-to-day workflow. In fact, it’s becoming […]

In 2017, California police released an image of a potential suspect in the murder of Maria Jane Weidhofer, a cold […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Douglas J. Wood receives national recognition through the INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD®! The INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD, one of the most prestigious […]

Can AI predict crime? In past blogs, I’ve written about crime mapping, a technique where police data is used to […]

Despite the controversy around AI, it has a wide range of practical applications across many fields. Among those is law […]

In 2023, there were an unsettling number of missing persons cases that went unanswered and strange murders left unsolved. Between […]

Every year we continue to see great accomplishments in space exploration and research and the upcoming year is shaping up […]

For younger users and those who grew up with the internet, it’s common knowledge that any time you use a […]

Cyber-security is a topic that I feel should be on everybody’s radar. While it’s easy to fall behind in this […]

The use of robotics in law enforcement isn’t new, but is a topic getting more and more attention as AI […]

Global Positioning System—commonly known as GPS—is a tech that’s become ubiquitous in our daily lives but is actually only one […]

The FBI is known for a great many things but most often people associate it with large-scale, high-profile criminal investigations […]

The FBI has been a prominent entity of government law enforcement in the U.S. since it was first founded in […]

In my last blog, I scratched the surface of how smart appliances can help in police investigations. One appliance I […]

If you’ve been in the market for a new home appliance, you already know that it is becoming increasingly difficult […]

In the late 80s and early 90s, the US saw a spike in gun-related deaths—historically, until 2021, this had been […]

On August 11, 2023, Russia launched its unmanned Luna 25 mission to the moon, hoping to make a soft landing […]

The world of technology seems to be ever-expanding and advancing, but it’s important to keep a finger on the pulse. […]

Often times when the FBI is looking for a serial killer, they will begin building a criminal profile to help […]

Anyone who uses the internet leaves a digital footprint. Each footprint can be an unwanted intrusion into your private life.  […]

My newest novel, The Shakespeare Killer, is officially out! A sequel to Blood on the Bayou, my latest thriller continues […]

In the world of true crime and crime fiction, it’s a cause for celebration when a notorious killer is caught—such […]

Last week I discussed what criminal profiling is and its history, particularly related to the FBI and how it is […]

Crime fascinates many people, especially when it’s violent. For some, this is because it’s difficult to understand what compels someone […]

Can laws keep up with the rapid advances in technology and artificial intelligence (AI)? This is something that most nations […]

While “calling card” has a context in crime, the term has its origins in an 18th century social practice. Often, […]

You’ve undoubtedly heard the term “copycat killer.” It’s often used as a popular trope in crime dramas and police procedurals […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD® announces the 2023 Winners & Distinguished Favorites! Douglas J. Wood receives national recognition through […]

We’ve known for a long time now that an excess of social media can be detrimental to one’s mental health. […]

The other week I gave an overview of how AI is currently being used by police in criminal investigations. In […]

As a novelist, I sometimes enjoy reading the diatribes of conspiracy theorists.  They’re often great grist to conjure up fictional […]

What makes a serial killer? While that’s a provocative question, I mean it here in the most literal sense: What, […]

If you’ve heard anything about artificial intelligence (AI) recently, it has most likely concerned its impact on the artistic community […]

John Wayne Gacy. Jeffrey Dahmer. Ted Bundy. The Zodiac Killer. Son of Sam. Even people who don’t actively seek out […]

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation was created in 1908 by Attorney General Charles Bonaparte. At the time, the U.S. […]

In my last blog, I discussed the ways that a lot of forensic science in pop culture is taken on […]

If you’re a fan of true crime, you’re likely familiar with many of the forensic methods police and detectives use […]

True crime has been a popular genre for several decades.  At this point, it’s common for people to watch a […]

Several months ago, OpenAI’s image generator, DALL-E Mini, entered the popular lexicon, trending on social media to the point where […]

Commonly, biometric data is used to provide security in our day-to-day lives. We unlock our phones and open private apps […]

The period from 1970 until the late 1990s is popularly known as the “Golden Age” of serial killers in the […]

I’ve spent some time in the past discussing biometric data and all of the privacy concerns that come along with […]

New Orleans is known for a great many things.  High among them are lavish celebrations and a tradition of knowing […]

My newest novel, Blood on the Bayou, is centered in New Orleans, one of the most unique cultures in the […]

Did you know that monetary gain is one of the top reasons that serial killers, and murderers in general, kill […]

Continuing our true crime tour of New Orleans, next up is the gruesome murders of Theresa and Leonide Moity—more widely […]

From May 1918 to October 1919, the people of New Orleans found themselves terrorized by a serial killer who became […]

In a recent article in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Susan D’Agostino presents provocative views faced by the artificial […]

New Orleans is a glamorous city known for its unique culture, from Cajun cooking to the raucous parties associated with […]

If you live in the United States it’s likely you’ve at least heard of Mardi Gras, best known for its […]

In my latest novel, Blood on the Bayou, the culture of New Orleans takes center-stage. Voodoo is of particular interest […]

Time and time again, the advancements made in technology have been applied in warfare to increase efficiency and get an […]

Today is the last day to pre-order Blood on the Bayou, my new crime thriller based in New Orleans. Head […]

A chilling statement in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists presents yet another example of the dangers of pursuing technology […]

In my recent novel, Dragon on the Far Side of the Moon, I weave a thriller where the U.S. and […]

Today, everyone knows about computer hacking in one way or another. Even those who weren’t born as digital natives are […]

In past blogs, I’ve written about the ramifications of the International Space Station’s scheduled decommissioning in 2031 when it will […]

A comment in The Economist on January 7, 2022 caught my eye.  It read, “An airstrike on a UN refugee […]

My last blog covered some of the basics of a phenomena often referred to as “crowdsourced investigations”, a reference to […]

True crime as a genre has been captivating audiences for the better part of the last decade. While true crime […]

If you have any iteration of a modern cell phone, it’s likely set up to use biometric data whether you […]

You may have already heard of the Allen Institute for AI’s newest project, “Ask Delphi”, after it went viral on […]

The idea of technology and machines making some jobs easier- or even obsolete- is not a new concept. It’s been […]

The Dark Web has its fair share of urban legends and myths because of its mysterious nature and barrier to […]

Once mysterious, the term Dark Web has become understood to be a place on the Internet that harbors criminals and […]

A little while back, the term NFT entered the popular lexicon. The acronym stands for “non-fungible token”, which does little […]

If you’ve been keeping up with space news, you’ll know that this summer has been busy. Between the private sector […]

I’ve written a few times now about the looming implications of the internet being so heavily tied to our infrastructure. […]

In our modern world, one of the most frustrating things is not being able to get online. Whether your modem […]

Previously, we discussed the nature of social media and its influences on behavior. If you haven’t read the first part […]

Tomorrow is National Moon Day (July 20) and we are supposed to celebrate all things Moon related.  Chances are, however, […]

It’s not news that social media is impacting our behavior. Researchers have long said that the changing landscape of the […]

Ransomware has been around for a long time. The first case originates in the late 80s with something called the […]

Have you ever been sitting at your desk, using your laptop and noticed the light next to your webcam flash […]

On April 29, China launched its first module for the new Tiangong space station aboard its Long March 5B rocket. […]

On May 12, in the wake of the hack into the Colonial Pipeline that shut off gas supplies to millions […]

In February, Facebook was hit with backlash due to its privacy updates to the popular chat platform, WhatsApp. According to […]

Two weeks ago, I reported on the alliance between China and Russia to build a permanent base on the Moon they call the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).  While a specific timetable has yet to be laid out, there is an aspect of this project worth adding to my earlier comments.

You may have missed the news on March 9 that China and Russia formed a new alliance. They will work together to build a research station on the Moon.  They even have a name for it – the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). 

The use of biometric data has expanded exponentially, from using thumbprints for unlocking phones to voice activation technology. Facial recognition […]

During the past weeks, space nerds everywhere have been marveling at the videos, photos, and sounds Perseverance has been broadcasting from Mars.

While the Terminator has not arrived (yet), robotics and artificial intelligence have made quantum leaps toward reality.

Recent press reports indicate that NASA has announced it is postponing until April 30, 2021 its decision to award a contract to one of three bidders for the development of a human lunar landing system. 

The dark web is a seemingly endless, horrifying place where people can anonymously live out their worst impulses.

On December 1, 2020, after a number of failures by cables and the sockets holding them, the massive aperture spherical radio telescope at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico suddenly collapsed.  Miraculously, no one was hurt.

While China has been making unprecedented progress on space travel for the past few decades, this most recent mission drives home just how far behind the US is lagging in the space race.

SpaceX, the private space exploration company owned by Elon Musk, is working on a solution called StarLink. In order to provide the entire world with access to dependable Wi-Fi 24/7, the company has created a series of satellites that can, in theory, allow a consumer to have high-speed Internet access in any location.

While both the private and public sectors are active, there are pros and cons to each side.

While a far cry from living years or perhaps a lifetime in space or on another planet, different nations – including China – continue to research the best ways to make other astrological bodies habitable.

China advances are undaunted and launched more rockets into space in 2019 than any other nation in the world with plans to repeat that feat in 2020. And don’t forget China’s lead in artificial intelligence and computer learning. Put it all together and the conclusion is inescapable.

It is indisputable that the scientists and researchers behind the latest testing trials of the COVID-19 vaccine are heroes, but as with every story with a hero, there is also a villain.

Facial recognition technology isn’t new. In fact, since 2017, most people who use an iPhone have the ability to set up their phones so that it unlocks automatically when it recognizes their faces. The technology itself has been around even longer. So why is the conversation around facial recognition getting so much attention in the media?

Much has been written about leaks from John Bolton’s new book where he claims President Trump asked Ukrainian President Zelensky to investigate the Bidens as a condition of releasing aid to Ukraine – the now infamous quid pro quo.

If you are on the Internet, it’s likely that you have already encountered a deepfake – whether you were aware of it or not.

Both social scientists and media bigwigs are beginning to explore the influence of social media on human behavior. Starting with the whispers of Instagram’s hidden follower and like-count experimentation, Facebook has now thrown its digital hat into the ring – they, too, are prototyping hidden likes privately.

Last week, Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc. released a statement announcing that they were discontinuing plans to transform an area of Toronto’s waterfront called Quayside into a “high-tech utopia.”

Media have largely ignored an incredibly important issue – dark data. Dark data is not, by its nature, as ominous as the title implies. “Dark” or “dusty” data is simply a byproduct of the mass quantities companies collect from users over the web.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Douglas J. Wood receives national recognition through the  INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD®! (NEW YORK, NEW YORK) — The INDEPENDENT PRESS […]

One platform of President Trump’s campaign encouraged a shift to self-reliance with goods and services domestically manufactured in America. One […]

OpenAI, a research organization focused on artificial intelligence, searches for ways to expand and aid online-based programs. Their work with […]

Listen to Part I: Listen to Part II: How far is too far in the advancement of artificial intelligence? Tune […]

Doug’s 5-star review in a pre-contest critique from the Reader’s Favorite Awards for DARK DATA: Control, Alt, Delete. “Wood…has a […]

Douglas Wood discusses his newest novel, DARK DATA: Control, Alt, Delete, that serves as a chilling warning about the dangers […]

Asshole Attorney: Musings, Memories, and Missteps in a 40 Year Career by Douglas J. Wood is a 2019 Winner of […]

Book Review Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers’ Favorite Presidential Conclusions by Douglas J. Wood is a powerful political thriller with compelling […]

Asshole Attorney: Musings, Memories, and Missteps in a 40 Year Career Wood (Please Be Ad-Vised: A Legal Reference Guide for […]

Editor’s Note: This story contains some graphic language.  Gil and Rhoda Wood were an army family who moved from base-to-base every […]

The BookLife Prize will announce winners on December 17th, 2018, but their Critics Report for ASSHOLE ATTORNEY has been released! […]

A lawyer recounts his eventful professional exploits. Wood (Presidential Intentions, 2014) was a peripatetic army brat who grew up in […]

The Midwest Book Review praised ASSHOLE ATTORNEY as a “highly recommended” read, calling it “Raw, candid, and utterly unforgettable.” Read […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ASSHOLE ATTORNEY Musings, Memories, and Missteps in a 40 Year Career By Douglas J. Wood “Doug, I […]

Kirkus Reviews released their review for Douglas J. Wood’s memoir ASSHOLE ATTORNEY: Musings, Memories, and Missteps in a 40 Year […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Author receives national recognition through the INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD®! New Jersey — The INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD recognized PRESIDENTIAL […]

Readers’ Favorite gave PRESIDENTIAL CONCLUSIONS a fantastic review, calling it a “powerful political thriller with compelling characters.” Read the entire review […]

Men Reading Books reviewed PRESIDENTIAL INTENTIONS, the first book in Douglas J. Wood’s political trilogy. Read the review here.

Douglas J. Wood’s interview on WRNJ’s Morning Program in Hackettstown, NJ to discuss his new book, Presidential Conclusions.

Kritter’s Ramblings book blog reviewed the Samantha Harrison political trilogy in its entirety. What she says on the…

In a fantastic new review, The Grumpy Book Reviewer says that “Wood knows how to weave a compelling tale. Conclusions is a true…

In the June 2017 issue of (202) Magazine, Presidential Conclusions is featured in the “Buzzworthy” section. You can find…

From REPUBLICAN COFFEE: “The Presidential Series by Douglas J. Wood is a tale of political manipulation, intrigue and survival. It […]

Douglas J. Wood and PRESIDENTIAL CONCLUSIONS are featured in the Wyckoff/Franklin Lakes Daily Voice, a Bergen County online newspaper. Read the article […]