I thought this was interesting. When PRISM is looking at data, it tries to determine “foreignness.” I wonder how you determine foreignness of emails and stuff on the web? Here’s some of my guesses:
INDICATIONS OF FOREIGNNESS
* Talks about other countries than America like they exist and are important.
* No mentions of Tim Tebow.
* Expresses that Obama is doing a good job.
* Contains text strings such “Sure is great here in another country than America” and “I am foreign.”
* Subtle, specific errors indicate person was driving on left side of the road while posting on Twitter.
* Talks a lot about kicking a football, but no mentions of catching or tackling.
* When the name “Ronald Reagan” appears, there is no “(pbuh)” after it.
* It’s not in English.
* Talks about eating foods that Americans would never touch – for example, dog.
… obviously, misquotes the number of U.S. states as 57; pronounces “corpsman” as “corpseman,” . . .
… does not know the tune “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch….”
… says “I got an apple for Trick or Treat. Great!!”
. . . requests the use of your bank account in moving currency belonging to a deposed Prince out of an African country that might not even exist – you’re an American, how would you know?
*is well written and grammatically correct
*is poorly written with awful grammar
*no emoticons
*has no concept of what a Big Gulp is
*still thinks of America as a free country
*regards dogs, cats and horses as entrees not friends
* Thinks ‘popcorn’ is some kind of funny American humor.
* Doesn’t have an Obamaphone.
* Says things like “he’s in hospital.” (problems with prepositions)
uses words like job, work, responsibility, patriot, and freedom.
Phrases such as attending church, or the PTA.
*Refers to him/her self as a renter and not a landlord.
*Complaints that their beaver pelts (what we call money) smell like maple syrup.
– Bacon is described in a negative context
Advocates spying on Americans.