Links 23/12/2023: More Microsoft Cuts and Battleground Setbacks in Ukraine
Contents
- Leftovers
- Education
- Hardware
- Health/Nutrition/Agriculture
- Proprietary/Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Security
- Defence/Aggression
- Transparency/Investigative Reporting
- Environment
- Finance
- AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics
- Censorship/Free Speech
- Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press
- Civil Rights/Policing
- Internet Policy/Net Neutrality Monopolies/Monopsonies
-
Leftovers
-
Hackaday ☛ Saving The Planet With Carefully Cut Paper
You may not think much of origami or its cousin-with-cutouts kirigami, but the latter could (and already is) helping to save the planet. But let’s back up a bit.
-
Manuel Moreale ☛ P∓B: Chris Butler
This is the 17th edition of People and Blogs, the series where I ask interesting people to talk about themselves and their blogs. Today we have Chris Butler and his blog, chrbutler.com
-
Education
-
Society for Scholarly Publishing ☛ Guest Post — Scholarly Social: Findings from the SSP Social Media Survey
The top three social media platforms selected for individuals were LinkedIn (85%), Facebook (63%), and Instagram (62%). When asked on which channels their organization was active, X/Twitter moved to the top position (88%), followed by LinkedIn (83%) and Facebook (70%).
-
Pro Publica ☛ Christopher Newport University’s Relationship With Black Communities
More than most public colleges, Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, is the embodiment of one person’s vision.
Paul Trible was CNU’s president from 1996 to 2022, serving almost three times as long as anyone else. He remains a distinguished professor at the school and its highest-paid employee, making more than half a million dollars a year. A former congressman and U.S. senator, Trible took over a young university and transformed it from a commuter school into a residential campus. He boosted the school’s endowment from $300,000 to $64 million. Construction during his presidency included a student union, dormitories, a theater and concert hall, a baseball stadium and a chapel. The CNU library underwent major renovation and was renamed after Trible and his wife.
-
-
Hardware
-
Tom's Hardware ☛ ASML ships groundbreaking new chipmaking tool to defective chip maker Intel — High-NA lithography tool needed for next-gen process nodes could cost ~$400 million
ASML on Thursday announced that it had begun shipping the industry's first extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography tool with a 0.55 numerical aperture (High-NA) to Intel.
-
Tom's Hardware ☛ New CPU from China's sole x86 chipmaker grapples with AMD's Bulldozer in Geekbench results — lower-end model isn't the fastest, but it gives Zhaoxin a full roster of CPUs for use in the country
Zhaoxin's KX6640MA x86 processor has popped up on Geekbench 6, and it's about as good as AMD's old Bulldozer chips.
-
The Drone Girl ☛ 4 reasons why the United Kingdom is one of the world’s top drone markets
The drone market in the United Kingdom has been a powerhouse, and the folks over at Drone Industry Insights sought to understand why. DII is a German-based consulting and analytics group that conducts an annual survey, the latest being the 2023 Drone Industry Survey (you can download the full white paper from DII here). DII’s analysis was based on online survey responses from 1,113 drone industry participants across 85 countries, so — while it’s not necessarily a comprehensive drone market study — it’s a solid glimpse into the DACH regional drone market.
-
Hackaday ☛ Hackaday Podcast Episode 249: Data By Laser And Parachute, Bluetooth Hacks, Google’s Gotta Google
‘Twas the podcast before Christmas, and all through the house, the best hacks of the week are dancing around Elliot and Tom’s heads like sugar-plums. Whatever that means.
-
Hackaday ☛ Spice Up Your Earrings With Microelectronics
We’ve covered [mitxela] in the past and if you know him, you’ll likely know him for putting the micro in microelectronics. This year, he’s at it again with his LED Industrial Piercing.
-
Hackaday ☛ Will We Recycle FPGAs In The Future?
If you really want to look at how much something costs, you need to look at total cost of ownership, not just the sticker price. Same goes for things like pollution and carbon footprint. A vehicle, for example, might have a low carbon footprint in operation but require more carbon in the manufacturing or disposal processes. Researchers have noted that FPGA accelerators get replaced and may wind up as e-waste in as little as two years. They propose REFRESH, an architecture that recycles old FPGAs into new ones by joining multiple FPGA dice with a simple interposer to coordinate the work.
-
-
Health/Nutrition/Agriculture
-
YLE ☛ Finnish supermarket ends sale of "world's hottest" chips over safety concerns
The extremely spicy tortilla chips were removed a few days after they arrived.
-
Associated Press ☛ Ukraine lawmakers vote to legalize medical marijuana and help ease stress from the war with Russia
The new law, which will come into effect in six months’ time and which also allows cannabis to be used for scientific and industrial ends, passed by 248 votes in the 401-seat parliament in Kyiv. A full breakdown of the vote wasn’t immediately available. The law was proposed by Prime Minister Denys Smyhal.
-
Bloomberg ☛ Ukraine Moves to Legalize Medical Marijuana to Treat Veterans
The legislation to regulate medical, scientific and industrial use of cannabis passed with a majority of 248 in the 450-seat assembly in Kyiv, lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said on Telegram. A total of 16 members opposed the motion.
-
Business Insider ☛ Ukraine is legalizing medicinal marijuana to treat stress and cancer among war survivors
Ukraine is legalizing medicinal cannabis to treat psychological trauma and stress-related diseases caused by Russia's war.
-
Futurism ☛ Smoking Cigarettes Does Something Horrifying to Your Brain, Scientists Find
After crunching the numbers, the researchers are convinced that daily smoking leads to smaller brains rather than the other way around — and that heavier smoking results in greater brain matter loss, according to the study. The more years a person smokes, strikingly, the more brain volume is irreversibly lost.
-
Tim Bray ☛ Planes, Cameras, Capitals
Plague protection · Given that each episode of Covid incurs a 5-10% chance of progress to some flavor of Long Covid, which my wife is already suffering from, and that the top medical recommendation for Long Covid sufferers is “Don’t get Covid again”, I was extra ultra paranoid about the possibility of infection. So I wore a KN95 in all public indoor spaces, to the extent possible, which means except when I was actually putting food or drink in my mouth. As I write this, I won’t know for a few more days whether or not it worked.
Other people? not so much. The entire population has decided to “put Covid behind them” I guess. I can’t begin to understand how they see the trade-offs. I don’t think I’m crazy and it’d be ungenerous to think that everyone else is.
-
The Verge ☛ Microsoft just paid $76 million for a Wisconsin pumpkin farm
The land, which also includes the Land of the Giants pumpkin farm and a nine-acre corn maze, neighbors another 641 acres of land purchased by Microsoft from the village of Mount Pleasant — for a total of $99.7 million. The end goal for Microsoft is to build a data center campus in the area, in which it plans to invest over $1 billion.
-
The Business Journals ☛ Microsoft completes purchases of Mount Pleasant sites, pays hold-out landowner $76 million
Microsoft now owns about two square miles of land east of Interstate 94 in Mount Pleasant, where it plans a multibillion-dollar investment to build new data centers. A first phase covering about 215 acres is already under construction and is a more than $1 billion investment.
-
Science Alert ☛ Alarming Increase in Microplastics Detected in Human Placentas
In just the past few years, preliminary research has turned up microscopic bits of plastic floating in a few dozen samples of human placenta – the organ that provides oxygen and nutrients to a growing fetus.
A new analysis on donated placental tissues now expands on those results and hints at an alarming trend.
-
-
Proprietary/Artificial Intelligence (AI)
-
Tom's Hardware ☛ Microsoft is deprecating Windows Mixed Reality — it will be removed from a future version of Windows
Microsoft has deprecated Windows Mixed Reality, and the software will be removed from a future version of Windows.
-
The Informant ☛ Is Microsoft abandoning virtual reality forever? This new announcement is not a good sign.
Its dedicated VR teams have also been significantly reduced. Of the thousands of layoffs implemented in 2023, a large portion of them concerned employees working on Windows Mixed Reality, AltspaceVR, and MRTK, projects that are now history. However, the company is expected to continue developing projects for niche markets for some time to come.
-
Silicon Angle ☛ Report: Up to 240 million PCs could be scrapped following end of support for backdoored Windows 10
The backdoored Windows 10 operating system is rapidly approaching its end of life, with Abusive Monopolist Microsoft Corp. set to pull the plug on support updates in October 2025. Although that date is still a fair way off, it could result in millions of personal computers being consigned to the scrap heap.
-
Techdirt ☛ 2023: The Year Of AI Panic
In 2023, the extreme ideology of “human extinction from AI” became one of the most prominent trends. It was followed by extreme regulation proposals.
-
-
Security
-
Privacy/Surveillance
-
Security Week ☛ FTC Proposes Strengthening Children’s Online Privacy Rules to Address Tracking, Push Notifications
The FTC has proposed strengthening children’s online privacy rules to address tracking and push notifications.
-
MIT Technology Review ☛ How 2023 marked the death of anonymity online in China
In reality, it’s already impossible to be fully anonymous online in China. Over the years, to implement a stricter regime of online censorship, the country has built a sophisticated system that requires identity verification to use any online service. In many cases, posting politically sensitive content leads to account removal, calls from the police, or even detention.
But that didn’t necessarily mean everyone else knew who you were. In fact, I’ve always felt there were corners of the Chinese internet in which I could remain obscure, where I could present a different face to the world. I used to discuss the latest pop music and cultural phenomena on the forum Baidu Tieba; I started a burner blog to process a bad breakup and write diaries; I still use Xiaohongshu, the latest trendy platform similar to Instagram, to share and learn cat-care tips. I never tell people my real name, occupation, or location on any of those platforms, and I think that’s fine—good, even.
But lately, even this last bit of anonymity is slipping away.
-
The Register UK ☛ FTC wants to crack down on Big Biz profiting from kids' data
Some of the proposed COPPA changes would mandate that businesses maintain a children's personal information security program and data retention policy that only allows them to keep kids' data for as long as is needed to fulfill the specific purpose for which it was collected.
They are also requiring a separate opt-in from parents to allow websites to disclose kids' info to third-parties, including advertisers. Plus, it would prohibit companies from limiting access to online services based on parents' opting in.
-
Federal Trade Commission ☛ 16 CFR Part 312, RIN 3084-AB20, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule
The Commission proposes to amend the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule, consistent with the requirements of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The proposed modifications are intended to respond to changes in technology and online practices, and where appropriate, to clarify and streamline the Rule. The proposed modifications, which are based on the FTC’s review of public comments and its enforcement experience, are intended to clarify the scope of the Rule and/or strengthen its protection of personal information collected from children.
-
Eesti Rahvusringhääling ☛ Interior abandons plan to ban non-personalized prepaid SIM cards
According to the draft, anyone could buy a calling card, but in order to activate it, it would have to be linked to a specific person to whom the number belonged. This would have made it easier for law enforcement, at least according to the ministry's assessment at the time.
-
[Old] Wired ☛ How Your New Car Tracks You
Using industry sales data, WIRED ran 10 of the most popular cars in the US through the privacy tool to see just how much information they can collect. Spoiler: It’s a lot. The analysis follows previous reporting on the amount of data modern cars can collect and share—with estimates saying cars can produce 25 gigabytes of data per hour.
[...]
As well as information about who you are, Toyota can also collect your “driving behavior.” This includes information such as your “acceleration and speed, steering, and braking functionality, and travel direction.” It may also gather your in-vehicle preferences, favorite locations saved on its systems, and images gathered by external cameras or sensors.
-
[Old] Privacy First ☛ Connected cars generate seas of data
Privacy First follows the data trail of connected cars, starting at the beginning: the hundreds of sensors that generate endless streams of ones and zeros. Part of the many Gigabytes of data generated per hour by a modern car is passed on to the manufacturer. The advent of 5G opens up possibilities for them and others that were not there until recently.
-
[Old] Privacy First ☛ Privacy First dives into the world of connected cars
Big data generated by modern cars (up to 25Gb per hour) are sent straight back to the manufacturer, albeit sometimes somewhat delayed. Connected cars, also known as smart cars in fact, are first and foremost in contact with what are often referred to as the Original Equipment Manufacturers ('OEMs'). This is done with a view to monitoring performance, (predictable) maintenance, software updates (increasingly over the air) and overall product improvement.
However, it is not just about technical data such as oil level, engine temperature, fuel consumption, and mileage, also personal data (personally identifiable information, PII) are collected. In many cases, this is not so much out of necessity as for commercial reasons. By no means every motorist is aware of this. The phone apps to keep abreast of a car's overall status also appear to collect more personal data than necessary. In doing so, the car has become yet another tool that the privacy of hundreds of millions of people. The imagery is by now somewhat trite, but the latest cars can rightly be called smartphones on wheels.
-
Silcon Republic ☛ How much data does your car collect? More than you think
But do we truly understand what is being processed, even in today’s soon-to-be dated, early-stage connected cars?
According to a McKinsey & Company estimate, connected cars create up to 25GB of data per hour, which equates to dozens of movies stored in HD every 60 minutes.
-
-
-
Defence/Aggression
-
The Strategist ☛ Australia’s ‘softly, softly’ approach leaves China holding the big stick
As 2023 draws to a close, how should we assess progress on the government’s stated objective of ‘stabilisation’ in Australia–China relations? On the face of it, the Australian government has built significant momentum this year [...]
-
YLE ☛ Poll: Backing for Nato remains high in Finland
A fresh Helsinki University-led security policy poll found that over 80 percent of Finns support the nation's membership of Nato.
-
CS Monitor ☛ Prague grapples with worst mass shooting in Czech history
Over a dozen people have been killed in a mass shooting at a Prague university, according to Czech police. The alleged shooter has been identified as a student.
-
The Straits Times ☛ China lifts ban on Taiwanese grouper fish imports in carrot and stick diplomacy
China has already eased some import bans on Taiwanese pineapples, sugar apples and wax apples.
-
The Record ☛ Kazakhstan to extradite Russian cyber expert to Moscow despite US requests
Kazakhstan will reportedly extradite a prominent Russian cybersecurity expert to Moscow after refusing to send him to the U.S.
Nikita Kislitsin, who was detained in Kazakhstan earlier in June at the request of the U.S., will face hacking and extortion charges in his home country, according to Moscow’s Prosecutor General’s Office.
There was no official confirmation from Kazakhstan at the time of writing. In October, the Kazakh prosecutor’s office said that Kislitsin’s extradition decision could take up to one year to make. The agency hasn’t responded to a request for comment.
-
Space ☛ China's space plane apparently deployed 6 'mysterious wingmen' in orbit
The six mystery objects have been designated OBJECT A, B, C, D, E and F. According to satellite tracker and amateur astronomer Scott Tilley, OBJECT A appears to be emitting signals reminiscent of those emitted by objects that China's space plane has released on previous missions.
-
JURIST ☛ France passes law aimed at ‘controlling’ immigration
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his support for the new law the day after the adoption of the immigration law, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that ensures effective immigration control while fostering integration. In the program C à vous on France 5, he highlighted the importance of coherent policies that align with national interests and the significance of collaboration with local authorities and international partners.
-
ANF News ☛ Cologne bows to Turkish racists, removes Armenian Genocide monument
French senator Valerie Boyer wrote on her X account that "Cologne has bowed to the Turkish National Visionists who impose the denial of the 1915 Armenian genocide". Boyer said, "This is a direct consequence of Turkish immigration to Germany... It is a harbinger of bitter days in Europe".
-
DeSmog ☛ Shareholder Activism Faces Big Oil Obstruction Playbook When Pushing for Climate Action
In the face of increasing shareholder activism, fossil fuel companies are resistant. In fact, shareholders are getting a taste of the oil and gas obstruction playbook, too.
“Fossil fuel companies have been fighting shareholder proposals tooth and nail,” Benson explained. “It’s common for management to table counter proposals and lobby shareholders to vote for their own resolutions, rather than the more progressive ones filed by activist investors.” The company resolutions can be dressed as positive climate action, but too often just seek to reinforce the status quo, Benson noted.
-
PBS ☛ Border crossings surge in remote areas as Congress, White House weigh tougher restrictions
The number of daily arrivals is “unprecedented,” Miller said, with illegal crossings topping 10,000 some days across the border in December. On Monday, CBP suspended cross-border rail traffic in the Texas cities of Eagle Pass and El Paso in response to migrants riding freight trains through Mexico, hopping off just before entering the U.S. The Lukeville border crossing is closed, as is a pedestrian entry in San Diego, so that more officials can be assigned to the migrant influx.
Arrests for illegal crossings topped 2 million for the first time each of the U.S. government’s last two budget years, reflecting technological changes that have increased global mobility and a host of ills prompting people to leave their homes, including wealth inequality, natural disasters, political repression and organized crime.
-
New York Times ☛ Man Accused of Ramaswamy Death Threat Is Charged With Threatening Christie
Tyler Anderson of New Hampshire was charged on Wednesday with threatening the lives of Chris Christie and another unnamed presidential candidate.
-
Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine
-
Meduza ☛ Russian border guards reportedly seizing Russian citizens’ passports over typographical errors under new law — Meduza
-
Meduza ☛ ‘I have no emotions left’: A former investigator on how the Russian press and justice system tried to blame her for her own rape — Meduza
-
Meduza ☛ Russian rapper jailed for 15 days after attending ‘almost naked’ party — Meduza
-
Meduza ☛ Russian deputy foreign minister says diplomatic relations with U.S. could be severed if frozen Russian assets are seized — Meduza
-
Meduza ☛ Former Wagner Group mercenary arrested in St. Petersburg on suspicion of organizing murder — Meduza
-
Meduza ☛ Russia to provide one-time payment to children ‘injured by Ukrainian aggression’ — Meduza
-
Meduza ☛ Russian drone attack on Kyiv damages high-rise apartment building, injures two — Meduza
-
European Commission ☛ EU sends additional 500 power generators to Ukraine
European Commission Press release Brussels, 22 Dec 2023 The EU is mobilising a further 500 power generators from its strategic rescEU reserves to strengthen Ukraine's energy resilience.
-
Latvia ☛ Latvia reports over 1% of GDP in donations to Ukraine
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Latvia has provided significant support to the Ukrainian government and residents in the amount of EUR 32 million. The amount of aid exceeds 1% of Latvia's gross domestic product (GDP), the Finance Ministry reported on December 22.
-
Medevel ☛ Together App: Facilitating Close-Knit Communities, Ensuring Privacy and Security During The Ukrainian War
The Ukrainian nation has been disrupted by the Russian invasion, causing millions to be dislocated and at risk. Ukrainian businesses are playing a key role in providing aid and coordinating humanitarian efforts. Together App aims to help organizations support their members by facilitating communication, assistance, and human connection.
-
JURIST ☛ Biden signs executive order targeting Russia defense industry
US President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Friday sanctioning the Russian defense industry. The order comes amidst a congressional deadlock over further US funding to Ukraine in their ongoing war against Russia.
-
RFERL ☛ Ukraine, Poland Vow To Increase Cooperation, Work On Resolving Trucker Blockade
Ukraine and Poland say they are ready to try to resolve "problematic" issues in their relations, starting with a pledge to work to resolve a Polish truckers' blockade of several border crossings.
-
RFERL ☛ Biden Signs Order Expanding U.S. Authority To Punish Banks For Facilitating Russian Defense Procurement
U.S. President Joe Biden on December 22 signed an executive order paving the way for Washington to impose sanctions on financial institutions that help Russia evade sanctions imposed over its war in Ukraine.
-
RFERL ☛ Two In Russia's Far East Sentenced To Prison For 'Financing' Ukraine's Armed Forces
A court in Russia's Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk said on December 21 that two individuals have been sentenced to prison terms of eight and seven years on charges of financing Ukraine's armed forces.
-
RFERL ☛ Russia Launches Probe Against Self-Exiled Opposition Politician Leonid Gozman
Sources in Russian law enforcement on December 22 said a probe had been launched against self-exiled opposition politician Leonid Gozman on charge of spreading "fake" information about Russia's armed forces involved in Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
-
YLE ☛ Finland sending 21st military aid package to Ukraine
Finland has provided around 1.6 billion euros of military aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country nearly two years ago.
-
New York Times ☛ U.S. Increasingly Isolated Over Israel and Gaza After Leading on Ukraine
The United States finds itself in a defensive crouch and at odds with even staunch allies like France, Canada, Australia and Japan.
-
New York Times ☛ Ukrainians Urge Spending Shift as War Drags On
Protesters are lobbying city councils to freeze urban renewal projects and buy military equipment instead, part of a wider call to put Ukraine on a war footing.
-
New York Times ☛ Japan Relaxes Weapons Export Policy To Sell Patriot Missiles To U.S.
The policy change could shore up American supplies of the weapon, allowing Washington to send more to Ukraine to help in its war against Russia.
-
Latvia ☛ State Security Service raids Rīga 'Moscow House' over potential sanctions breach
Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) said December 22 it had carried out "criminal procedural activities" at the 'Moscow House' in central Rīga which is owned by Moscow municipality in Russia.
-
New York Times ☛ U.S. to Clamp Down on Financial Firms That Help Russia Buy Military Supplies
President Biden signed an executive order granting the Treasury Department broader powers to curb the flow of weapons components.
-
New York Times ☛ Russia Makes Small Battlefield Gains, Increasing Pressure on Ukraine
Although there is no clear breakthrough in sight, the progress is prompting Ukraine to consider a possible large-scale recruitment push.
-
RFERL ☛ Deputy Director Of Russian Space Agency Charged In Multimillion-Dollar Fraud
The deputy director of Russia's space agency has been charged with fraud over suspected embezzlement. Oleg Frolov and two other suspects are accused of a "large-scale fraud," the Investigative Committee said.
-
RFERL ☛ Uzbekistan Summons Russian Ambassador Over Statement By Ultranationalist Writer
The Uzbek Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Oleg Malginov on December 22 and told him that statements by ultranationalist pro-Kremlin writer Zakhar Prilepin a day earlier are "provocative and may have a negative impact" on Uzbek-Russian relations.
-
Atlantic Council ☛ How to hold the Islamic Republic of Iran accountable in European courts
While there are no viable domestic routes toward accountability within Iran, national judicial systems in other states present an alternative path to justice. This report examines prospects for initiating prosecutions against IRI perpetrators in European jurisdictions.
-
RFERL ☛ Tehran Appears To Criticize Moscow's Stance On Persian Gulf Islands
Ali Akbar Velayati, the senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has apparently criticized Russia's position on the long-standing dispute over Iran’s sovereignty of three strategic islands in the Persian Gulf.
-
RFERL ☛ Kremlin, Asked About Report On Mercenary Prigozhin's Death, Talks Of 'Pulp Fiction'
The Kremlin accused The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) of publishing "pulp fiction" on December 22 after the U.S. newspaper reported that the death of mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash had been orchestrated by Russian security official Nikolai Patrushev.
-
Meduza ☛ Lena and the Wolfs: One family’s story of separation and survival in the Soviet Union — Meduza
-
Latvia ☛ Latvian Foreign Ministry gives funding to document human rights violations in Belarus
On December 22, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a financial contribution of EUR 35,000 into the European Endowment for Democracy with the funds to be channelled to the International Accountability Platform for Belarus, which collects and preserves evidence of human rights violations in Belarus, as well as providing support to victims of political repression.
-
Latvia ☛ Ministry says construction of Latvia-Belarus border fence is on track
Construction of the fence on the Latvia-Belarus border is going according to plan and the parts on dry land will be completed by the end of the year, according to the Ministry of the Interior (IeM)
-
-
-
Transparency/Investigative Reporting
-
The Dissenter ☛ Unauthorized Disclosure: Last Show of 2023
-
-
Environment
-
Energy/Transportation
-
Interesting Engineering ☛ In a first, Reliable Robotics tests a cargo aircraft without a crew onboard
With remote pilots in place, air cargo companies have the potential to enhance efficiency. A pilot could conduct an early morning flight on the East Coast and seamlessly transition to guiding a plane on the West Coast. According to Reliable Robotics, this lack of physical tethering between pilots and aircraft enables more flexible repositioning of planes to align with areas of highest demand.
-
[Old] GO Media ☛ Your New Car Is Watching You And Collecting Your Data
Modern cars, however, are also recording detailed driving data, including date and time of use, vehicle speed, acceleration and braking, and the details of any given trip, such as location, weather, and route taken. Some of the latest models are also tracking “refueling activity,” battery levels, images from onboard cameras, and even biometrics such as facial recognition and fingerprint data.
-
Kev Quirk ☛ That Time I Crashed My Motorbike
Thanks to the footage, the whole insurance thing was cut and dry. You can clearly see my speedo in the footage and I wasn't speeding (it was a 60mph road). The van driver was at fault, so the insurance company paid out pretty quickly. Actually, within a week.
I pressed charges against the driver for careless driving. It went to court and he was found guilty and given an £80 fine. Pretty shit, considering he could have killed me. 🤷♂️
Now things became fun. You see, the footage was shown in court and therefore became public record, so all the big media outlets got hold of it. It ended up splattered all over the Internet, including the BBC.
-
YLE ☛ Commuter fall injuries spike as capital freezes over and pavements turn slippery
Snow cover can conceal slippery streets, with fall victims causing a spike in emergency department visits in the capital region on Thursday.
-
DeSmog ☛ Op-Eds Linked to Climate Science Deniers Bash Canada’s New EV Mandate
Canada’s three largest newspapers ran opinion pieces attacking a planned phase-out of gas and diesel powered passenger vehicles within hours of the government’s official announcement that it would do so.
Canadian environment minister Steve Guilbeault outlined his government’s plan to gradually eliminate fossil fuel-powered cars and light trucks at a Toronto news conference held December 19.Officially known as the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, the new regulations give automakers until 2035 to adjust production so they only produce electrically powered vehicles, or otherwise face large fines.
-
DeSmog ☛ A Texas Community Is Being Bombarded by Cancer-Causing Benzene. State Officials Have Known for Nearly Two Decades
For nearly 20 years, Texas environmental regulators have kept a disturbing secret. People living in a small, unincorporated community east of Houston are routinely breathing dangerous levels of benzene, a chemical linked to leukemia and other blood cancers. Emerging research also connects it to diabetes and reproductive problems.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or TCEQ, has not told residents about the health risks they face. And it has done little to rein in the facility that the agency knew was releasing large amounts of benzene. Instead, the TCEQ has allowed K-Solv, a chemical distribution company nestled in Channelview’s Jacintoport neighborhood, to expand its operations four times since the problem was discovered in 2005. Today K-Solv is legally allowed to release almost 20 times more volatile organic compounds — a class of chemicals that includes benzene — into the air each year than it did back then.
-
-
Wildlife/Nature
-
Science News ☛ The Endangered Species Act is turning 50. Has it succeeded?
Teerlink, who focuses on ocean critters, agrees. “Extinction is forever. The future depends on us being considerate and intentional in what we leave behind.”
-
-
Population
-
Gizmodo ☛ California Could Solve Its Water Woes by Flooding Its Best Farmland
Restored floodplains in the state’s agricultural heartland are fighting both flooding and drought. Their fate rests with California’s powerful farmers.
-
CNBC ☛ Tech companies like Google and Meta made cuts to DEI programs in 2023 after big promises in prior years
Some companies have laid off DEI staffers and leaders of diverse employee resource groups, downsized learning and development programs, and cut budgets for external DEI groups by as much as 90% in 2023, sources told CNBC.
-
These women's stories illustrate how speaking out against a culture or an institution can come at great personal cost
Silicon Valley likes to lionise disruptors, but for women in the tech industry who speak out, there can be a high price to pay for rocking the boat.
-
-
-
Finance
-
India ☛ X owes millions in unpaid bonuses to former employees: US federal court
Elon Musk last year committed to providing employees with half of their targeted 2022 bonuses but failed to fulfil this commitment.
-
Atlantic Council ☛ #AtlanticDebrief – How does China’s economic trends impact Europe? | A Debrief from Niels Graham
Rachel Rizzo sits down with Niels Graham to discuss his report on Chinese manufacturing overcapacity and impacts to EU and global green goods trade.
-
YLE ☛ Mid-range income purchasing power up €750 next year
The Taxpayers' Association of Finland calculates that the purchasing power of middle-income earners will rise in 2024 after three years of decline.
-
Latvia ☛ Latvian central bank promises scrutiny of IT systems in financial sector during 2024
The Latvian central bank (Latvijas Banka, LB) said December 21 that next year it "will pay closer attention to IT security and the availability of financial services" in the banking sector.
-
MoneyControl ☛ Layoffs in 2023 were 58% higher than in 2022; Experts say trend to continue
In India, Byju's laid off the most number of employees at 3,500 in two rounds, followed by Unacademy (12 per cent of total employees), ShareChat (500), Swiggy (380), Ola (200) and Physics Walla (120)
-
Tech Industry Faces Job Perception Shift Amid Layoffs and Changing Demands
The technology sector, once a beacon of stability and profit, is now grappling with a significant shift in job perception. The industry, which has seen a surge in layoffs in companies like Microsoft, Meta, Cisco, Twitter, Amazon, Lyft, Intel, and Stripe, is prompting employees to acquire recession-proof tech skills to secure their jobs. The change in the job landscape in the tech sector is a stark reminder of the volatility of the industry and the imperatives for professionals to remain flexible and continuously update their skills.
-
Pro Publica ☛ Why Most Wisconsin Dairy Workers Are Excluded From Workers’ Compensation
For most workers in Wisconsin who get hurt on the job, the state’s workers’ compensation system is there to cover medical expenses and pay a portion of their wages while they heal.
“One of the bedrock principles of worker’s compensation is universal coverage,” the state’s Department of Workforce Development, which oversees the workers’ compensation system, says on its website. “That means that virtually every employee is covered.”
-
Layoffs 2023: Experts predict continuation of 58 per cent higher layoffs in 2023 compared to 2022
Byju's led the layoffs in India, releasing 3,500 employees in two separate rounds. Following closely, Unacademy downsised 12 per cent of its total workforce. ShareChat, Swiggy, Ola, and Physics Walla followed suit with 500, 380, 200, and 120 layoffs respectively
-
India ☛ OpenAI to raise more funds at $100 billion valuation [Ed: It ran out of money to burn, looks for more people to defraud with a bubble and buzzwords, pure hype]
OpenAI is said to be in talks regarding a potential funding collaboration for a novel chip enterprise with G42, a company based in Abu Dhabi.
-
Softonic ☛ Microsoft says goodbye to Mixed Reality: farewell, Windows Mixed Reality - Softonic
Among the thousands of layoffs that Microsoft has carried out recently...
-
-
AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics
-
Reason ☛ Abortion-Funding/-Supporting Groups' Challenges to Texas Abortion Laws Can Proceed for Now
The district court just dismissed certain procedural objections to them, though it wasn't asked to consider the substantive arguments.
-
Press Gazette ☛ Top 50 biggest news websites in the world: Global news brand traffic slump in November post Surveillance Giant Google updates
Press Gazette's monthly ranking of the top 50 news websites in the world, using Similarweb data.
-
Robert Reich ☛ Can We Still Find Common Ground?
-
The Nation ☛ CoExist
-
Insight Hungary ☛ Orbán calls Ukraine war a 'military operation' during annual press conference
Hungary's far-right prime minister Viktor Orbán called Russia's invasion of Ukraine a "military operation" during his annual press conference in Budapest. Russian President Vladimir Putin often uses the term military operation. It was not the first time Orbán used a different word for the war that resulted in numerous casualties. “There was no declaration of war between the two countries. When Russia declares war, there will be war,” the Hungarian leader explained to journalists.
Orban's proximity to Russia and lack of support for Ukraine, including advocating for the removal of economic sanctions against Moscow, has drawn criticism from Hungary's EU and NATO allies. He blocked the European Union's $54.8 billion financial aid package for Ukraine last week. Having met with Putin in October in Beijing, Orban is the first EU leader to engage with the Russian president since an international arrest warrant was issued for war crimes in Ukraine.
-
BIA Net ☛ AYM unanimously calls for the implementation of its decision on imprisoned MP
"It has been decided, with 3 dissenting votes and by a majority, that the right to be elected and engage in political activities guaranteed by Article 67 of the Constitution, as well as the right to personal liberty and security guaranteed by Article 19, has been violated," the Constitutional Court stated in the "violation decision" for Can Atalay.
-
Democracy Now ☛ Sônia Guajajara, Brazil’s First Indigenous Peoples Minister, on Climate Crisis & Protecting the Amazon
Sônia Guajajara is Brazil’s first Indigenous cabinet minister and the country’s first-ever minister of Indigenous peoples. We recently sat down with Guajajara at the COP28 summit in Dubai to discuss the role of Indigenous communities in the rapidly developing climate crisis. She discussed her work within the administration of Brazilian President Lula to stop Amazon rainforest deforestation and to wrest back Indigenous governance from extractive industry. “We have little time left,” Guajajara warned. “We’ve lost more than 60% of our native plants in the forest. So climate change is not just a problem of the future. We’re experiencing the consequences right now.”
-
-
Censorship/Free Speech
-
Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Last of 12 Hongkongers caught by China during escape bid to plead guilty to 2019 protest charge
A Hong Kong man who served a prison term in China after being caught by mainland coastguards while trying to flee the city is expected to plead guilty to a 2019 protest charge. Tang Kai-yin, 34, appeared at District Court on Thursday.
-
France24 ☛ Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy after $148 million defamation judgment
Rudy Giuliani has filed for bankruptcy, days after being ordered to pay $148 million in a defamation lawsuit brought by two former election workers in Georgia who said his targeting of them led to death threats that made them fear for their lives.
-
Marcy Wheeler ☛ Bankrupt!
Rudy declared bankruptcy so he can avoid paying Ruby Freeman while he appeals.
-
Reason ☛ #TheyLied Libel Lawsuit Over Allegations of Sexual Harassment Can Proceed,
recommends a Magistrate Judge, in a case brought over defendant student organization chair's claims that plaintiff had engaged in "sever[e], consisten[t], and widespread" misbehavior.
-
BIA Net ☛ Report: Turkey blocked over 4,400 Ex-Twitter URLs in 2022
Most of the tweets were related to irregularity allegations against public officials and “violation of personal rights” was the most common reason, according to the Free Web Turkey report.
-
Public Knowledge ☛ A Ruling in Favor of Missouri v. Biden Would Mean Worse, Less Informed Content Moderation
While we must ensure that platforms are not under undue pressure from the government, decisions that restrict informed, independent, and responsible content moderation will likely lead to the further deterioration of our information ecosystem.
-
RFA ☛ Rights activist Li Qiaochu stands trial in Shandong for subversion
Li was detained in 2021 after posting allegations that jailed friends had been tortured.
-
Meduza ☛ Russia’s Justice Ministry updates ‘foreign agent’ list to include theologian Andrey Kuraev and political scientist Alexander Baunov, among others — Meduza
-
Meduza ☛ Russia’s federal censor claims to find ‘LGBT propaganda’ in photos from celebrity-filled ‘almost naked’ party — Meduza
-
Deutsche Welle ☛ Hong Kong court won't quash Jimmy Lai's sedition charge
The 76-year-old Lai founded the now shutdown Chinese-language tabloid Apple Daily — a pro-democracy newspaper that was critical of Beijing.
He is a British citizen and his imprisonment has been condemned by the UK and the US, which have also demanded his release.
His case has gained international attention as it is being viewed by many as a litmus test for Hong Kong's political freedom and judicial independence.
-
Daniel Miessler ☛ Blogging and Podcasting Are Gatekeeping Concepts
Everyone on Earth should be enabled to learn, and grow, and think—and to share their thoughts and opinions with others. They shouldn’t have to, of course, but it should be normal to do so. They should be raised to think that it’s part of their value as a human to think for themselves, and to have ideas and opinions that are valuable to others.
Right now that’s not the case. Think about what percentage of people in the world think they have ideas to offer. I’d guess over 99% of the world (who knows the real number) thinks having and sharing ideas is special, and not for someone like them.
-
The Hindu ☛ Mobile Internet suspended in J&K’s Poonch, Rajouri amid massive anti-terrorist operation
While both Army and civil authorities are tight-lipped on the ground situation, official sources said mobile Internet services were suspended both in Poonch and Rajouri districts as a precautionary measure to check rumour-mongering and prevent miscreants from creating any law and order problem.
-
Techdirt ☛ The EU Is Now Targeting Porn Sites
Back in April we noted that the EU had designated 17 sites as “VLOPs” (Very Large Online Platforms), the “ROUSs” (Rodents of Unusual Size) of the internet. Some of those sites are still contesting the designation, but in the meantime, the EU Commission has dug deep into its porn viewing habits and designated three more sites, all adult content focused, as VLOPs. Pornhub, Stripchat, and XVideos (not to be confused with ExTwitter’s videos), are all designated as VLOPs, and needing to comply with the DSA’s VLOP obligations by February 17th of 2024.
-
Techdirt ☛ South Dakota Agrees To Stop Censoring Vanity Plates Following ACLU Lawsuit
Governments know the difference between right and wrong. It’s just that they often don’t seem to care.
-
-
Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press
-
Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong court upholds media mogul Jimmy Lai’s sedition charge in national security trial
A Hong Kong court has upheld a sedition charge against former media mogul Jimmy Lai following the defence’s argument that the charge was laid after a six-month statute of limitations had expired.
-
BBC ☛ Jamal Khashoggi: Wife of murdered journalist wins US political asylum
They are seeking compensation from Saudi Arabia for Mr Khashoggi's death and are working to obtain the journalist's electronic devices from the Turkish government.
-
New York Times ☛ Widow of Jamal Khashoggi Is Granted Political Asylum in the U.S.
The assassination of Mr. Khashoggi, a legal permanent resident of Virginia who was critical of the Saudi government in his columns, was approved by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto Saudi ruler, according to an intelligence report released by the Biden administration in 2021.
-
VOA News ☛ Widow of Journalist Killed by Saudi Arabia Granted Asylum in US
Hanan Elatr went into hiding in Washington after her husband was killed in an incident that U.S. intelligence officials concluded was ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
-
The Hill ☛ Jamal Khashoggi’s widow granted political asylum in US
In an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier in September, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that “anyone involved” in Khashoggi’s murder is “serving jail time.” This comment stood in contrast to a U.S. intelligence report that found Salman behind the approval and likely the ordering of the journalist’s death.
-
Press Gazette ☛ Ian Birrell says we need ‘strong journalists’ in ‘difficult times’ after Public Service Journalism win
Birrell, a former deputy editor-in-chief of The Independent who has written regularly for the Mail titles and the i in recent years, was honoured last week for his “incomparable” work on public interest investigations.
-
Lusaka ZM ☛ Zambias Access to Information Bill: Navigating the Path to Transparency Amidst Potential Challenges
The language within Section 23(2)(a) of the bill, specifically addressing third-party consent, raises alarm about inadvertent consent instances, where individuals might unknowingly grant consent, such as when signing contracts without a comprehensive understanding of implications. To fortify this, a rephrasing emphasizing informed consent becomes imperative to ensure individuals fully comprehend the consequences of their actions.
-
-
Civil Rights/Policing
-
RFA ☛ Dalai Lama calls for greater harmony among different Buddhist communities
A forum in Bodh Gaya draws more than 2,000 monks and leaders from around the world.
-
The Hill ☛ Thinking about quitting your job? So are 39% of US employees
A new piece of research has found 39% of employees who have been with a company for less than six months plan to leave within the next 12 months, a six point increase from last year.
-
Democracy for the Arab World Now ☛ A Sham Mass Trial During COP28 Was Proof of the UAE's Contempt for Human Rights
This is not the first mass trial of these human rights defenders. A decade ago, in March 2013, I myself was one of the 94 Emiratis who were given unjust prison sentences in a mass trial now known as the "UAE 94" case. We were all falsely accused of terrorism too. All we had done, in truth, was sign a petition asking for increased political participation and constitutional reforms in the UAE.
I am able to write this piece now because a year before that trial, I was traveling for work in the United Kingdom and was warned that I would be arrested if I returned to the UAE. I was later sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison, and I have never gone back home. Despite having a travel ban put on them, my wife and five of my children were able to flee the UAE themselves in 2014, leaving through a land border and eventually joining me in the U.K. But one of my sons, who was disabled and could not travel, died in 2021 while still in the UAE. I was never able to see him again.
-
Review: Beer drinkers boycott Bud Light over relationship with Dylan Mulvaney
It started in late March over a partnership with transgender social media personality Dylan Mulvaney. Mulvaney, a biological male who identifies as female, received a can featuring the influencer's face to commemorate Mulvaney's "1-year anniversary as a trans woman." Since then, the beer brand underwent one of its worst years, losing its top spot as the most popular beer in the United States.
-
Techdirt ☛ Appeals Court Denies Immunity To Cops Who Stood Idly By While Someone They Said Had Eaten Coke Died Of An Overdose
Qualified immunity rulings are an unqualified mess. The question doesn’t revolve around whether or not rights were violated. In most cases, they were.
-
-
Internet Policy/Net Neutrality
-
Public Knowledge ☛ Biden Administration Urges FCC To Adopt Strong Protections Against Digital Discrimination
The Biden administration moves to support equal access to broadband for all by ending digital redlining.
-
APNIC ☛ BGP in the EVPN model
Guest Post: Using BGP to advertise MAC addresses, with the same operating model as Layer 3 VPNs.
-
Techdirt ☛ Warner Bros Discovery Eyes Paramount Merger, Because Its Last Two Disastrous Mergers Apparently Weren’t Disastrous Enough
By now we’ve well established that this particular series of media mergers — which began with AT&T’s doomed acquisition of Time Warner and ended with Time Warner’s subsequent spin off and fusion with Discovery — were some of the dumbest, most pointless “business” exercises ever conceived by man.
-
Mat Duggan ☛ Tech and the Twilight of Democracy
Widespread surveillance of all Internet traffic will continue to grow and governments will become more willing to turn off or greatly limit Internet access in the face of disruptions or threats. Expect to see even regional governments able to turn off mobile Internet in the face of protests or riots.
-
Techdirt ☛ Verizon Once Again Busted Handing Out Sensitive Wireless Subscriber Information To Any Nitwit Who Asks For It
Half a decade ago we documented how the U.S. wireless industry was caught over-collecting sensitive user location and vast troves of behavioral data, then selling access to that data to pretty much anybody with a couple of nickels to rub together. It resulted in no limit of abuse from everybody from stalkers to law enforcement — and even to people pretending to be law enforcement.
-
-
AbbVie files trade secrets suit against Adcentrx and former employee
AbbVie accused a former employee and a rival oncology developer of stealing trade secrets about its antibody-drug conjugate programs.
-
Patents
-
Software Patents
-
Silicon Angle ☛ Apple suspends sales of Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models as export ban looms
Apple Inc. has pulled the plug on sales of its latest Fashion Company Apple Watch Series 9 and Fashion Company Apple Watch Ultra 2 models via its online store in the U.S., and it will soon stop selling them at its physical stores too.
-
-
-
Trademarks
-
Techdirt ☛ Oatly Defeats Absurd Trademark Opposition In UK Over Using The Word ‘Milk’
We’ve posted about Swedish oat milk maker Oatly several times here at Techdirt and never for good reasons. The company has a reputation as a trademark bully and abuser, starting with its failed attempt to lock out rival companies from using the word “oat”, even though that is a product descriptor, as well as its attempt to lock up the generic word “barista” in Australia.
-
TTAB Blog ☛ TTABlog Test: Do You Recognize Trademark Mutilation When You See It?
The USPTO refused to register the mark shown below left, for baby- and child-related products (such as cribs, basinettes, etc.) in eight classes, finding that the mark in the application drawing is not a "substantially exact representation of the mark as used on or in connection with the goods," as required by Trademark Rule 2.51(a). On the right is a depiction of the proposed mark as it appears on applicant's specimens of use. How do you think this appeal came out? In re Thorley Industries, LLC, Serial No. 90703606 (December 20, 2023) [not precedential] (Opinion by Judge Thomas W. Wellington).
-
-
Copyrights
-
Digital Music News ☛ Is Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ Album Cover Child Pornography? The US Court of Appeals Just Revived the Case
Despite a lower court ruling that the statute of limitations had passed on Spencer Elden’s child pornography lawsuit against Nirvana, a federal appeals court revives the case.
-
Reason ☛ Nirvana Nevermind Cover Baby's Child Pornography Lawsuit Isn't Barred by Statute of Limitations,
the Ninth Circuit rules, though expressly noting that "The question whether the Nevermind album cover meets the definition of child pornography is not at issue in this appeal."
-
Public Knowledge ☛ Why Surveillance Giant Google and Facebook (Farcebook) Don’t Owe Publishers $14 Billion a Year
A new paper proposes that Surveillance Giant Google and Facebook (Farcebook) owe news publishers $14 billion. Here's why that cake is a lie.
-
Torrent Freak ☛ Authors & Copyright Scholars Back 'Internet Archive' in Landmark Legal Battle
A copyright lawsuit filed by several major publishers puts the future of the Internet Archive's scan-and-lend library at risk. In a recent appeal, the non-profit organization argued that its solution is protected fair use and critical to preserving digital books. This position is shared by copyright scholars, the Authors Alliance, and other supporters now backing IA in court.
-
Torrent Freak ☛ Canal+ Demands €7,000,000 From Streaming Pirate, Court Awards €60,000
Despite being ordered to pay around €60,000 by a French court this week, a farmworker who previously ran a pirate streaming service may have dodged a bullet. According to calculations presented by broadcasting giant Canal+, users of the site who clocked up 1.495 million visits avoided paying around 100 euros per month each to access the content legally. The court rejected the company's €7,200,000 claim but will Canal+ accept the court's decision?
-
Digital Music News ☛ Is Mickey Mouse Finally in the Public Domain? Here’s a Quick Rundown
These black-and-white renditions of the characters, as seen in Steamboat Willie and the silent version of Plane Crazy, are scheduled to make their way into the public domain along with other IP [sic] from 1928 as well as recordings from 1923.
-
The Verge ☛ AI companies would be required to disclose copyrighted training data under new bill
Companies that make foundation models will be required to report sources of training data and how the data is retained during the inference process, describe the limitations or risks of the model, how the model aligns with NIST’s planned AI Risk Management Framework and any other federal standards might be established, and provide information on the computational power used to train and run the model. The bill also says AI developers must report efforts to “red team” the model to prevent it from providing “inaccurate or harmful information” around medical or health-related questions, biological synthesis, cybersecurity, elections, policing, financial loan decisions, education, employment decisions, public services, and vulnerable populations such as children.
The bill calls out the importance of training data transparency around copyright as several lawsuits have come out against AI companies alleging copyright infringement. It specifically mentions the case of artists against Stability AI, Midjourney, and Deviant Art, (which was largely dismissed in October, according to VentureBeat), and Getty Images’ complaint against Stability AI.
-
Hackaday ☛ $30 Guitar Build Shows What You Can Do With Amazon Parts
Most guitarists buy their axes fully assembled from big names like Fender, Gibson, and… maybe Yamaha? Sure. But there are a dedicated set that relish in mixing and matching parts and even building and assembling their own instruments. [Danny Lewis] decided to see what he could do with the cheapest guitar parts from Amazon and a body of his own design, and he put together something pretty passable for just $30.
-
Public Knowledge ☛ Public Knowledge, iFixit Urge Copyright Office To Grant DMCA Exemption for Ice Cream Machines
Public knowledge joins iFixit in comments urging Copyright Office to allow people to repair commercial equipment, including soft serve ice cream machines similar to those available at McDonald’s.
-
-
Gemini* and Gopher
-
Personal/Opinions
-
Competence — A new approach to story
One of the most memorable and quoted moments from the biggest blockbuster movie of 2012 is a guy talking about how he successfully copes with his emotions and anger. I’m into that. We have plenty of role models on how to mess up our lives and not a lot in the way of handling things well.
I know, I know, we don’t want all icing and no cake and that’s a great thing to be aware of. But there’s an overly large fear of writing Mary Sues. Sometimes it’s just really satisfying seeing people who have their act together.
-
Anyone else with me on "The Family Man"?
Things are calming down a bit after a grandchild invasion for the sake of cookie making.
Looks like someone will be joining us during the Christmas songs portion of tonight's performance.
-
25 Imagine, don't wait to know !
It's something I don't like in our modern western world, the fact that film trailers are telling too much of a movie, the fact that presentation scenes are talking too much in the films, that some page turners are telling too much of who can be the culprit, etc...I don't like the fact that many young people want to know the answer without trying to find it, and not especially using generative IA. I know that way of thinking, it's Human. When I was young, I sometimes didn't want to take time to answer to a problem. But the teachers didn't congratulate us for that (and they still don't). It's just that many things changed in our society, not helping people to thing and to search by themselves.
-
Sorry for being MIA...
I'm currently reworking my gopherhole and gemini capsule in tandem right now.
-
Kristnaska Koncerto
Wow! The concert was great. I had nothing to worry about, really. I'm up super late, so I'll keep this short.
I'm fortunate that English chant is not as developed, as I was able to improvise a little when I needed too. Moving from chromatic to diatonic is difficult, so I made the movement a little easier by ignoring the notation (I love byzantine music). It sounded good, and that's what mattered. Some of the young chanters wanted to practice English, so I obliged them.
-
Running With and Without A Big Dog
Today I ran 5K straight. It took me about a half hour -- no records broken. I usually run a bit less in a single run as I don't really want to wear out my knees, but it felt good today, so I kept going. I worked up a sweat by the end of it, but wasn't at all out of breath. I have to crank up the speed again to get more of a workout.
I mostly run on a treadmill. For some reason it is much, much harder for me to run IRL -- I don't know if it's dealing with the terrain, too much fresh air, or something else, but outside I run out of oxygen in about 1K, and usually have to slow down or take a break, heaving and hawing. Is it psychological? I suspect running barefoot at home is at least some of the explanation. It's very different, as I never bottom out on my heels when running barefoot -- something almost impossible when wearing shoes.
-
Wholesomedonut's Gemlog: I choose to see the good
I had a lot of thoughts to share, but at the end of the day I'm choosing to withhold them. It delved into tired, jaded, sardonic rhetoric that wasn't going to solve anybody's problems beyond me getting it off my chest.
-
🔤SpellBinding: ALUQRSO Wordo: TIZZY
-
So the Stolen Bike Thing Dragged On
As one should I reported it to the police and to my insurance company. I included a reference number to the police report in the report to the insurance company. As one should.
Then I promptly forgot about it for almost a year. I started using my then-wife's old commuter bike instead and I really like it. I got to keep it in the divorce (dividing up property was easy; I had already moved out some time before and didn't feel like I was missing anything so we just decided that we each kept what we had).
Fast forward to the summer of 2023. I suddenly remembered that I hadn't heard anything from the insurance company regarding the bike. I checked the progress of the report in my app and noticed that the case had been closed without a comment.
-
-
Politics and World Events
-
Disinfo
One of the main goals of disinformation campaigns is, rather to get you to believe what the poster is saying (although they’d love that), it’s instead to get you to doubt everything and everyone.
In times like these it’s extra important to have a solid ground in philosophy.👩🏻🏫 Because if you have that you’re already used to doubting everything and everyone.💁🏻♀️
-
Recursive appeal to probability
So when we say it’s a fallacy, we’re not saying the factual truth behind it is necessarily wrong, we’re just saying it’s not a formal valid logical 100% proven 1+2=3 conclusion. We don’t know for 100% sure that the mom is gonna insist on a yellow daffodil.
In this case, this is called “inductive reasoning” and, since we on this Earth don’t have enough solid facts for 100% deductive reasoning 100% of the time, that means that a large amount of inductive reasoning is an unavoidable foundation of how humanity navigates the world.
-
-
Technology and Free Software
-
Internet/Gemini
-
The small Net is just not there yet....
I want the small internet to thrive but after seeing how most people use the internet I don't see how it is even possible at all. Big platforms give their users powerful tools, easy interfaces, and massive reach with no barriers. The small internet has to have a lower barrier to entry than starting a Whatsapp group in order for there to be any meaningful change in our online spaces.
-
-
Programming
-
I Didn't Know I Was Programming
I loved computers when I was a kid. I had twin uncles that were both electrical engineers and in the military reserves. They tinkered around with guns and electronics, which made them the coolest people in the world to me. One of them would tote his Texas Instruments computer to my house sometimes, and we'd hook it up to the television and play games together.
-
-
-
Monopolies/Monopsonies
-
* Gemini (Primer) links can be opened using Gemini software. It's like the World Wide Web but a lot lighter.