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> "Apparently, ME is the perfect combination of opaque, obtuse, and obscure. It’s not rocket science, but complicated enough it’s hard to explain well quickly."

> "Apparently, ME is the perfect combination of opaque, obtuse, and obscure. It’s not rocket science, but complicated enough it’s hard to explain well quickly." The way I see it is Intel ME is a processor-level application that has full control of all computer activity and cannot be blocked or disabled and can be accessed and controlled remotely. Would like to hear other people's opinions of what it is.

criddell 9y ago
It's a pretty big thing and parts are necessary, parts are useful, parts are scary, and too much of it is shrouded in secrecy.
pavement 9y ago
The mnemonic "opaque, obtuse, and obscure" is a valid denotation of targeted qualities, not unlike the qualities targeted for drone activity are related, with the mnemonic "dull, dirty or dangerous." So, the three O's is a good conceptual utility, for understanding the combination of traits that can exploit the realities of human psychology, and explain why no one seems to care about how technical paralysis can stifle apparent relevance. It's not only a means of explaining sneaky cloak and dagger stuff. You could describe lots of niche tech staples with this mnemonic. When something is difficult to explain, that's often enough to derail any casual conversation with simple mental fatigue. Opaque: Any number of qualities can render subject matter opaque. A poorly indexed, large volume of data is opaque, but a recursive function may also be opaque in it's behaviors. Obtuse: Intel ME's position in the stack is placed at a key choke point, requiring highly abstract approaches to utility. In other words, it is obtuse. Obscure: It's readily available, but sequestered as a feature behind interfaces non-technical users rarely visit, without advertising to promote, train or recommend it's use. Is it supposed to be an easter egg? For who?

criddell 9y ago

It's a pretty big thing and parts are necessary, parts are useful, parts are scary, and too much of it is shrouded in secrecy.

pavement 9y ago

The mnemonic "opaque, obtuse, and obscure" is a valid denotation of targeted qualities, not unlike the qualities targeted for drone activity are related, with the mnemonic "dull, dirty or dangerous." So, the three O's is a good conceptual utility, for understanding the combination of traits that can exploit the realities of human psychology, and explain why no one seems to care about how technical paralysis can stifle apparent relevance. It's not only a means of explaining sneaky cloak and dagger stuff. You could describe lots of niche tech staples with this mnemonic. When something is difficult to explain, that's often enough to derail any casual conversation with simple mental fatigue. Opaque: Any number of qualities can render subject matter opaque. A poorly indexed, large volume of data is opaque, but a recursive function may also be opaque in it's behaviors. Obtuse: Intel ME's position in the stack is placed at a key choke point, requiring highly abstract approaches to utility. In other words, it is obtuse. Obscure: It's readily available, but sequestered as a feature behind interfaces non-technical users rarely visit, without advertising to promote, train or recommend it's use. Is it supposed to be an easter egg? For who?