Thread by @MaricopaGOP

1/X ON "ELECTION PURIFICATION": ELECTIONS EVER LEAVE A "BAD TASTE" IN YOUR MOUTH?

—Comparing Black Box Machine Elections to Water Purification—

Research project takes a turn, so sharing with the general public—to evaluate on its own, & follow up with any concerns or questions.

2/X via Google AI*: "The comparison to 'black box' technology is a common concern when high-stakes systems—elections or water treatment—rely on complex machinery."

(*Subject to confirmations & revisions.)

3/X "However, water purification is designed with 'open-source' accountability through physical laws, independent oversight, & public data that distinguish it from a closed software system."

4/X "1. Verification vs. Obfuscation: While some technologies hide their 'logic' in proprietary code, water treatment relies on physics and chemistry that can be independently verified."

5/X "Physical Barriers: A 'black box' software might have a hidden bug, but a Reverse Osmosis membrane is a physical mesh. If the membrane were compromised, the 'black box' would immediately show a drop in water pressure or an increase in mineral content (salinity)..."

6/X "which is measured by hardware sensors, not just software.

Independent Labs: Each year, a city conducts 5M+ tests & measurements. These samples are analyzed by third-party, state-certified labs that have no financial stake in the city's 'proprietary' technology." (0 stake?)

7/X "2. Public Oversight & Records: Unlike many private technology platforms, the City of Phoenix & the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) are legally bound by public record laws."

8/X "Regulatory Audits: The ADEQ requires all water systems to submit data through the Compliance Monitoring Data Portal (CMDP). This creates a permanent, auditable paper trail of every contaminant detected."

9/X "Public Access: You can search the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) to see every violation, test result, and contact for your specific water provider."

10/X "3. Multiple Human 'Checkpoints': Trust is built through a 'multi-barrier' approach requiring human intervention & professional certification.

Licensed Operators: Every plant is run by certified professionals personally & legally responsible for the water’s safety."

11/X "Stakeholder Scrutiny: Groups like the Technical Advisory Group (TAG)—which includes university researchers, health experts, & community members—publicly review & recommend the rules for these systems before they are even built."

12/X "4. Real-World Traceability: If you suspect the "black box" is failing, you don't have to trust the city's dashboard. Any resident can take a sample of their tap water & send it to a private lab."

13/X "The technology is 'testable' at the point of use, providing a level of end-user verification that software platforms rarely allow."

14/X "The City of Phoenix Water Quality Reports are published every May, allowing you to see the actual data for yourself & compare it against federal standards."

15/X "Testing Services & Estimated Costs: For the most accurate verification of wastewater-to-potable purification, you should request a Comprehensive Lab Panel rather than a basic home kit."

16/X "Comprehensive Lab Panels: Typically cost between $250 and $500 & cover metals, minerals, VOCs, & all regulated contaminants.

Specialized Bacterial Testing: Targeting pathogens like E. coli or coliform bacteria usually starts around $25 to $50 per test."

17/X "Lead & Nitrate Testing: These specific tests generally range from $30 to $100 depending on the lab.

Mail-In Services: Companies like Tap Score provide pre-paid kits that use these same certified labs for independent verification."

Parting Shot: What About Our Skies?

@ThreadReaderApp: Unroll, please. Thank you.