Erkan Saka

A video: “The Rise and Fall of Corporate Consulting”

Nobody will cry after the corporate consulting, but in this state of affairs, they will continue to profit. I am sure! Key Insights by Merlin AI The Legacy of Swiss Air: A Cautionary Tale Swiss Air was once celebrated as a national symbol of…

Spain as the new “kardeş ülke” (brother country)! There's a massive, viral trend on Turkish X right now (early March 2026) where Turkish users are celebrating Spain as the new "kardeş ülke" (brother country). The reason? Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez's firm "No to war" stance — specifically refusing to let the US use Spanish bases for any attacks/escalation involving Iran, plus Spain's long-standing pro-Palestine position on Gaza. Turks are going all-in with love, gratitude, and memes.

Spain as the new “kardeş ülke” (brother country)!

There's a massive, viral trend on Turkish X right now (early March 2026) where Turkish users are celebrating Spain as the new "kardeş ülke" (brother country). The reason? Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez's firm "No to war" stance — specifically refusing to…

How many times Americans allegedly betrayed Kurds? As Israel and the US are planning to support Kurdish militias on the ground against Iran, here is a reminder: There is no single agreed-upon number, but historians and journalists usually highlight 4–7 major episodes where US policy is widely described as “betraying” the Kurds.[1][2][3] Post‑World War I promises (1920s): Kurds point to US and Western backing for the Treaty of Sèvres (which envisaged a possible Kurdish state) and then the shift to supporting the new Iraqi and Turkish states under later agreements, which left Kurds without a state and under hostile regimes.

How many times Americans allegedly betrayed Kurds?

As Israel and the US are planning to support Kurdish militias on the ground against Iran, here is a reminder: There is no single agreed-upon number, but historians and journalists usually highlight 4–7 major episodes where US policy is widely…

Disinformation in the Iran-Israel-US War: Major Cases and Patterns as of 6 March 2026 erkansaka.net/2026/03/06/i...

Anna’s Archive resists with new domain names Anna’s Archive is still online and active, but it is under heavy legal and domain pressure, and its main .org and several country domains have recently been suspended or deleted. Domains and access The original annas-archive.org domain was put into “serverHold” status by the Public Interest Registry in early January 2026, effectively suspending it.arstechnica+2 After that, the project relied on several country-code domains (.li, .se, .in, .pm, .gs at various times) as alternates.byteiota+1…

Anna’s Archive resists with new domain names

Anna’s Archive is still online and active, but it is under heavy legal and domain pressure, and its main .org and several country domains have recently been suspended or deleted. Domains and access The original annas-archive.org domain was put into…

Chronicle of a war: Day 5 and 6 – (3-4 March 2026) Here is what we have received so far: Turkey announces downing of Iranian ballistic missile Day 5 – 3 March 2026

Chronicle of a war: Day 5 and 6 – (3-4 March 2026)

Here is what we have received so far: Turkey announces downing of Iranian ballistic missile Day 5 – 3 March 2026

Thoughts on academic life (8)- The Accreditation Trap- Quality Assurance or Bureaucratic Theater? - Erkan's Field Diary Does accreditation improve education—or fuel audit culture? A critical look at bureaucratic compliance, neoliberal governance, and university workload.

Thoughts on academic life (8)- The Accreditation Trap- Quality Assurance or Bureaucratic Theater? erkansaka.net/2026/03/04/a...

Chronicle of a war: Day 4 – 2 March 2026 The obstacles encountered by an Iranian missile until it reaches its target (listed in the attached 28 points) are listed. Artificial intelligence converted this into a graph. There is no direct confrontation on the ground. There is a massive, organized, and technologically superior defense bloc against a single actor (Iran). After overcoming bases, radars, and military vehicles on the ground, at sea, and in the air in the region, the Iranian missile must ultimately overcome Israel's multi-layered defense systems.

Chronicle of a war: Day 4 – 2 March 2026

The obstacles encountered by an Iranian missile until it reaches its target (listed in the attached 28 points) are listed. Artificial intelligence converted this into a graph. There is no direct confrontation on the ground. There is a massive, organized,…

A video: “What Really Killed MSN Messenger?”

Nostalgia and Social Dynamics of MSN Messenger - MSN Messenger was more than a chat app; it was a social ritual that shaped online interactions, fostering feelings of excitement and connection. - Features like the green dot signaled availability,…

Chronicle of a war: Day 3 (1 March 2026) - Erkan's Field Diary A verified overview of Iran’s ongoing retaliation strikes in March 2026, including Gulf explosions, US casualties, and the wider Israel–US regional escalation.

Chronicle of a war: Day 3 (1 March 2026) erkansaka.net/2026/03/02/i...

Chronicle of a war: Day 3 (1 March 2026)

Chronicle of a war: Day 3 (1 March 2026)

Chronicle of a war: 28 February 2026 – Day 1 and 29 February 2026 – Day 2 Joint US–Israeli operation hits leadership, IRGC and military sites around Tehran and other locations, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior commanders. This is a list of retaliatory acts by Iran and its allies. Information is still fragmentary and evolving, and no outlet has anything close to a complete, verified “every act” list yet, so this can only be a provisional overview rather than an exhaustive tally.

Chronicle of a war: 28 February 2026 – Day 1 and 29 February 2026 – Day 2

Joint US–Israeli operation hits leadership, IRGC and military sites around Tehran and other locations, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior commanders. This is a list of retaliatory acts by Iran and its…

As power users migrate to Claude.ai, How to Use It More Productively Anthropic's Claude has experienced a dramatic rise in early 2026, fueled by a high-profile Pentagon dispute, a viral Super Bowl ad campaign, and a wave of new model releases. Meanwhile, ChatGPT's market share has eroded as users migrate to Claude for its writing quality, ad-free commitment, and powerful productivity features. This report covers the key recent events and compiles a comprehensive list of tips—from prompting fundamentals to advanced agentic workflows—for getting the most out of Claude.

As power users migrate to Claude.ai, How to Use It More Productively

Anthropic's Claude has experienced a dramatic rise in early 2026, fueled by a high-profile Pentagon dispute, a viral Super Bowl ad campaign, and a wave of new model releases. Meanwhile, ChatGPT's market share has eroded as users…

OSINT Sources for Following the US-Israel-Iran Conflict I saw two platforms mentioned several times on X  (World Monitor and USvsIran.com) and asked Perplexity to compile similar sources. Here you are: OSINT Sources for Following the US-Israel-Iran Conflict World Monitor (worldmonitor.app) and USvsIRAN.com — represent a growing ecosystem of open-source intelligence (OSINT) dashboards built for real-time conflict monitoring. World Monitor is an open-source project that tracks over 220 military bases, live aircraft, dark ships, and nuclear facilities, while…

OSINT Sources for Following the US-Israel-Iran Conflict

I saw two platforms mentioned several times on X  (World Monitor and USvsIran.com) and asked Perplexity to compile similar sources. Here you are: OSINT Sources for Following the US-Israel-Iran Conflict World Monitor (worldmonitor.app) and…

Opening the AI Black Box: Notes from My Talk at Özyeğin University One of the most promising anthropology departments in Türkiye is at Özyeğin University, and they have organized Anthropology Days this year. I was invited to give a talk. The talk was livelier and anecdotal, but with the help of Claude.ai, I converted it into an essay with proper citations. Have a look. The Anthropology of Black Boxes: Examining Artificial Intelligence Systems Using Ethnographic Methods…

Opening the AI Black Box: Notes from My Talk at Özyeğin University

One of the most promising anthropology departments in Türkiye is at Özyeğin University, and they have organized Anthropology Days this year. I was invited to give a talk. The talk was livelier and anecdotal, but with the help of…

President Erdoğan’s Ramadan home visits When I saw a few Twitter messages about the home visits, I asked Perplexity to compile what is noted about President Erdoğan's and also a few other governmnent officials' home visits during the Ramadhan. I have also added a gallery of visit images. I understand that some staging needed in any case, but it could be done better? An X user, Serhat Ayan, …

President Erdoğan’s Ramadan home visits

When I saw a few Twitter messages about the home visits, I asked Perplexity to compile what is noted about President Erdoğan's and also a few other governmnent officials' home visits during the Ramadhan. I have also added a gallery of visit images. I…

A video: “OpenAI is Suddenly in Trouble”

Key Insights by Merlin AI OpenAI's Current Challenges Increased Competition: OpenAI is no longer the dominant force in AI, facing significant competition from companies like Anthropic and Google’s Gemini. Market share for ChatGPT has decreased from 86% to…

2026 Spring Reading List for my doctoral course (COMM 720: Theories of New Media) Drop me a line if you are having difficulty finding the readings (erkan.saka@bilgi.edu.tr) This is my signature course in which we work on new readings but also new book projects here at İstanbul Bilgi University. COMM 720-2026 Syllabus Course Name Theories of New Media Lecturer Prof. Erkan Saka (erkan.saka@bilgi.edu.tr) Description On Mondays, 19:00-22:00 E4 Publica Room E4-219 This advanced course for PhD students in Communication examines contemporary theoretical frameworks and critical debates in new media studies.

2026 Spring Reading List for my doctoral course (COMM 720: Theories of New Media)

Drop me a line if you are having difficulty finding the readings (erkan.saka@bilgi.edu.tr) This is my signature course in which we work on new readings but also new book projects here at İstanbul Bilgi University.…

My talk at the KİD Summeet 2026: Being a corporate communicator at the age of AI Last week, I attended a panel at Kurumsal İletişimciler Derneği's summit. The association described the event as such: At KİD Summeet 2026, under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Communication: Meaning and Responsibility in the Age of Algorithms,” we explored how AI is transforming communication, discussed its practical applications, ethical boundaries, and the competencies required in this new era. We brought together our members, academics, members of the press, and young communicators to discuss how artificial intelligence isn’t just a technological topic, but represents…

My talk at the KİD Summeet 2026: Being a corporate communicator at the age of AI

Last week, I attended a panel at Kurumsal İletişimciler Derneği's summit. The association described the event as such: At KİD Summeet 2026, under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Communication: Meaning and…

A video: “Major Platforms Need New Domains Soon | The .io Domain Drama”

Key Insights Overview of Domain Types - Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs): These domains, such as .com, .net, and .org, are globally accessible and can be registered by anyone. A common rule is that gTLDs have three or more…

Congrats to Emin Alper at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival I am losing my respect for Wim Wenders fast, but I continue to admire Emin Alper. I remember Emin from our college days as a nice, calm person. Here's what happened at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale 2026): The Context: Wim Wenders' Controversy German filmmaker Wim Wenders, serving as jury president of the 76th Berlinale, sparked controversy during the festival's opening press conference when asked about the war in Gaza and Germany's role.

Congrats to Emin Alper at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival

I am losing my respect for Wim Wenders fast, but I continue to admire Emin Alper. I remember Emin from our college days as a nice, calm person. Here's what happened at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale…

From Obscenity to Money Laundering: The OnlyFans Crackdown in Turkey Recently, Sixteen detained over 'laundering OnlyFans income'. I have asked Perplexity to round up the OnlyFans ordeal in Türkiye: OnlyFans has been formally blocked in Turkey since June 2023 and, since late 2023, authorities have escalated criminal investigations and financial-crime probes targeting creators who earned income from the platform. Access ban and legal basis Access to onlyfans.com was blocked by an İstanbul penal judgeship of peace on 7 June 2023 (decision no.

From Obscenity to Money Laundering: The OnlyFans Crackdown in Turkey

Recently, Sixteen detained over 'laundering OnlyFans income'. I have asked Perplexity to round up the OnlyFans ordeal in Türkiye: OnlyFans has been formally blocked in Turkey since June 2023 and, since late 2023, authorities have…

We always had this problem now the Americans? “The American Passport Is Losing Its Power” A Conda Nest Traveler piece: The American Passport Is Losing Its Power Global travel is booming again, with record passenger numbers and spending, but the U.S. is losing billions in tourism as stricter entry rules and expanded travel bans deter visitors. The administration has extended its travel ban to 39 mostly African countries and increased visa fees and processing hurdles for others, framing these measures in harsh anti-immigrant rhetoric.

We always had this problem now the Americans? “The American Passport Is Losing Its Power”

A Conda Nest Traveler piece: The American Passport Is Losing Its Power Global travel is booming again, with record passenger numbers and spending, but the U.S. is losing billions in tourism as stricter entry…

A book that covers the recent state of hacktivism: “Coding Democracy” I have just finished reading Coding Democracy: How a Growing Hacking Movement Is Disrupting Concentrations of Power, Mass Surveillance, and Authoritarianism. I have recently moved away following hactivist initiatives as the latter also lost steam. I happened to see this book and decided to read it. It does not cover all, but provides a good human portrayal of many major movements.

A book that covers the recent state of hacktivism: “Coding Democracy”

I have just finished reading Coding Democracy: How a Growing Hacking Movement Is Disrupting Concentrations of Power, Mass Surveillance, and Authoritarianism. I have recently moved away following hactivist initiatives as the…

Orhan Pamuk’s literary talents again debated with Netflix’s Museum of Innocence Once again, Turkish social media is abounding with debates about Orhan Pamuk's political positioning and literary talents.  Netflix released an adaptation of Pamuk's novel, Museum of Innocence,  and I asked Perplexity to curate the debates in Turkish media:  Orhan Pamuk and the Netflix Masumiyet Müzesi: A Summary of Discussions The Series and Its Backstory Orhan Pamuk's 2008 novel…

Orhan Pamuk’s literary talents again debated with Netflix’s Museum of Innocence

Once again, Turkish social media is abounding with debates about Orhan Pamuk's political positioning and literary talents.  Netflix released an adaptation of Pamuk's novel, Museum of Innocence,  and I asked Perplexity…

A video: “Why Replacing Developers with AI is Going Horribly Wrong”

AI's Impact on Employment in Tech Predictions indicated that AI could replace up to 80% of software developers by 2025, leading to significant layoffs. As of early 2025, major tech firms like Intel and Amazon reduced their…

A weekend in Greece 6 people, 1 kid, and 1 toddler drove to Greece in two cars. I never did it before; I always flew to Greece, but driving through Greece may be a good trip. We had three days, so this wasn't a big trip. We drove to Thessaloniki and passed through Alexandroupolis. You have to arrange the time to cross the border.

A weekend in Greece

6 people, 1 kid, and 1 toddler drove to Greece in two cars. I never did it before; I always flew to Greece, but driving through Greece may be a good trip. We had three days, so this wasn't a big trip. We drove to Thessaloniki and passed through Alexandroupolis. You have to…

Moral police at work: Behemoth and Slaughter To Prevail concerts in İstanbul canceled The Beşiktaş District Governor’s Office banned the shows on public morals and public order grounds after an Islamist-led smear campaign, framing the bands as “satanic” and “against societal values.” Official reason The Beşiktaş District Governorate issued a decision canceling the Slaughter To Prevail (10 Feb) and Behemoth (11 Feb) concerts at Zorlu PSM, stating that the events provoked “public reaction” and were “incompatible with our societal values.”

Moral police at work: Behemoth and Slaughter To Prevail concerts in İstanbul canceled

The Beşiktaş District Governor’s Office banned the shows on public morals and public order grounds after an Islamist-led smear campaign, framing the bands as “satanic” and “against societal values.” Official…

EU vs. Tiktok. Challenging the “addictive design” I saw the news EU orders TikTok to change addictive design or face fines, and wondered what exactly is meant by addictive design and how this can be challenged. Here is what I found: Addictive design refers to interface and algorithmic features that deliberately or foreseeably keep users engaged in a compulsive, hard‑to‑stop way, often by exploiting cognitive biases and attention vulnerabilities.

EU vs. Tiktok. Challenging the “addictive design”

I saw the news EU orders TikTok to change addictive design or face fines, and wondered what exactly is meant by addictive design and how this can be challenged. Here is what I found: Addictive design refers to interface and algorithmic features…

In Memory of Didem Yalınay It is so sad. We have lost Didem, a colleague, an artist, one of our earliest doctoral students. She was under treatment for a long while, and we got the bad news yesterday. In Memory of Didem Yalınay I am very sad to share that my doctoral student, friend, and colleague, Didem Yalınay, has passed away. She was a rare combination of artist, researcher, and media professional, and her absence will be deeply felt by all who knew her.

In Memory of Didem Yalınay

It is so sad. We have lost Didem, a colleague, an artist, one of our earliest doctoral students. She was under treatment for a long while, and we got the bad news yesterday. In Memory of Didem Yalınay I am very sad to share that my doctoral student, friend, and…