Blogging to work out my thinking about issues in technology, programming, religion, and politics.
So forgive me if I can’t even get marginally excited for this latest kerfuffle over the new X branding. Primarily because of just how utterly removed the discourse around it is from a good-faith assessment of the merits of the particulars. It’s all turned into an endless proxy war, and every argument is wielded only in service of yet another petty ideological skirmish.
Source: X marks the motivated reasoning
Mocked in this article:
The pain is barely tolerable when you reach
dependencies. So, so many of them. There’sleft-pad, the legendary tiny package that broke all internet, collectively causing the amount of pain and drama comparable to the destruction of Alderaan.
Discussed here:
I know just enough about the Javascript frontend world to understand that this is a good description of what it entails. When people try to gaslight me about how great Javascript is, pointing to Stack Overflow’s consistent top-tier ranking of the language, I know this is the part that isn’t being said out loud.
I’m just sitting over here enjoying the fact that my app isn’t big enough to warrant separating the front end from the back, and I can blissfully get away with server side rendering built into Rails, with bits of Javascript in the page, only for convenience.
Compared to the website’s average daily volume over the past month, the 52,121,649 visits Reddit saw on June 13th represented a 6.6 percent drop.
A day later, that metric fell to seven minutes and 17 seconds, or the lowest that stat has been in the past three years.
Source: Reddit’s average daily traffic fell during blackout, according to third-party data | Engadget
Well, so much for a “blackout.” I suppose it depends on how sensitive Reddit’s revenue is on these numbers, but given that they haven’t backed down from any of the behavior that led to this, my guess is “not much.”
That’s apparently what I get for calling him on conflating two very controversial, yet very different issues, and asking why he would do that. It’s too bad. I mean, I know we have different politics, but he’s a great writer with a lot to say, and he’s smack-dab on the money about the corporate “enshittification” of every online service, and, indeed, every business in America these days. On the other hand, he’s one of the charter members of the he-man Musk haters club, and says he’ll be “leaving” Twitter soon, so I guess I’ll have a chance to get blocked on Mastodon or something in the future.
This issue has raised questions about the risks of smart home technology.
Source: Amazon Locks Man Out of His Smart Home After Baseless Racism Accusation
However, despite clearing the air with Amazon, Jackson’s account was still locked for an entire week.
I mean… what?! The craziest part of Orwell’s dire warnings about total surveillance and control by the State is that the whole thing was subcontracted to corporations for tax benefits to avoid the Constitutional ramifications. Not only that, but “we” are lining up in droves to pay for the equipment to enable this in order to, say, save 10% on things bought through the poster child of an “enshittified” corporation.
Following the messy ordeal, Jackson said he is “seriously considering discontinuing” his Amazon Echo devices.
On what planet would someone who went through this not immediately rip out any and all Amazon-connected devices from their home? Why would anyone continue to install it with just this one story as an example of what can happen when you give a faceless corporation control over your home? Not only have the “lizard people” been revealed by this situation, this guy — and we, collectively — are saying, “Well, maybe they’re not so bad.” I literally can’t even.
I’m not clear what about my profile someone in Germany could find offensive, but here we are. I appreciate this notice, and the German law that required it. We should have more of this kind of thing, to reduce the abuse of reporting systems that get accounts taken down over wrong-think.
I have great respect for Jason, but it feels like there’s an important point being elided here. Since her uncle owns it, Musk is accusing the Internet Archive of removing evidence of Taylor Lorenz’s online footprint, for the purpose of shielding her from her own embarrassing and/or incriminating writing. At first blush, this seems to be an attack on the mission of the Archive.
However, something like 15 years ago, I needed a fresh start with my online presence, and contacted Jason directly, and had him remove my site (this site) from the Archive. I had to send a copy of my driver’s license, which I thought was eminently reasonable.
What I didn’t know is that this would exclude this site from the archive forever. I suppose I could ask it to be re-added, but I think it’s fine. I don’t need to waste any more bits on any more hard drives.
Anyway, my point is that this sort of thing happens. Whether it happened because Lorenz asked, or her uncle directed it, and for whatever reason, people have a right to not be tracked. Further, the Archive may be the only site in the world that I trust to actually delete data when asked. Seems like a good time to expound the integrity of the institution. Instead, he indulged in some Musk Derangement Syndrome, as evidenced by the “emerald mine” reference, which isn’t actually a thing.
Can you suggest songs that are similar to Rock Lobster?
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Certainly! “Rock Lobster” by The B-52’s is a unique and energetic song with a distinct sound. While it’s challenging to find songs that perfectly replicate its style, here are a few suggestions that capture a similar blend of upbeat, quirky, and danceable qualities:
“Love Shack” by The B-52’s: This is another popular song by The B-52’s that features catchy hooks, playful lyrics, and a lively, dance-inducing vibe.
“Whip It” by Devo: Known for their eccentricity and new wave sound, Devo’s “Whip It” carries a similar energy to “Rock Lobster” with its offbeat lyrics and catchy synth-driven rhythm.
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and The Waves: This song shares the same upbeat and infectious spirit as “Rock Lobster.” It’s a feel-good, pop-rock anthem that’s hard to resist singing and dancing along to.
“Once in a Lifetime” by Talking Heads: While stylistically different from “Rock Lobster,” Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime” is a quirky and captivating song that merges elements of new wave, funk, and art rock. It possesses an infectious rhythm and thought-provoking lyrics.
“Weird Science” by Oingo Boingo: As a new wave and alternative rock band, Oingo Boingo offers a similar sense of fun and eccentricity. “Weird Science” embodies their unique sound, blending catchy melodies, synths, and a touch of quirkiness.
“Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel: This song is a vibrant fusion of rock, funk, and pop with an infectious groove. It shares a dynamic and lively atmosphere that aligns with the spirit of “Rock Lobster.”
While these songs may not be exact replicas, they capture elements of the energy, quirkiness, and danceable nature found in “Rock Lobster.” Enjoy exploring these suggestions!
Maybe not a great answer, but all of those songs are on my 80’s playlist.
In announcing his long-shot candidacy for president Wednesday, Kennedy vowed to “end the corrupt merger of state and corporate power that is threatening now to impose a new kind of corporate feudalism on our country.”
Source: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a Democrat challenging Biden. But what is his platform? | Fox News
“Threatening?” Threatening!? Threatening to impose…
We’re way past “threatening.”
But other than that, I like everything I’m hearing from of this guy.
One of the straightest paths to purpose in life is to take responsibility for something (or someone). Becoming a person whose presence and competence benefits others. For both your sake and theirs.
Jordan Peterson calls this the “meaningful burden” in 12 Rules for Life, and downright posits it as an antidote to depression. Echoing Victor Frankl’s famous quote “he who has a why to live for can bear almost any how” from Man’s Search for Meaning.
There’s something inherently counterintuitive about this notion that people who feel overwhelmed by life, or lost in its endless possibilities, might not need a lighter load, but a more meaningful burden instead. It reminds me of the version of burnout that stems not from overwork, but from under-purpose. Sometimes, the answer to “it’s just all too much” is, weirdly, “can I have some more, please”.
Source: The responsibility is the reward
This may or may not be exactly what I needed to hear at this juncture of life. With my ongoing struggle with nerve pain, I will admit that I have fully lost any sense of “why” in my life. I’m going to have to look inside and find one again. The universe is reminding me to get back to the work of reading certain things, like Frankl, which I started, then stopped.
I talk with the doc who led me to surgery again next week, for more options, but I’ve become burdened with the forced acceptance of the notion that I may never be completely pain free in my life again. I should probably start talking to other people similarly affected, to get more perspective on what it’s like to live with this sort of thing long term, but I haven’t wanted to give into the idea that I can’t get free of this somehow.
Since surgery helped quite a bit, I can’t help thinking that more surgery would help more, but there’s a process to follow here, before undertaking something potentially more risky than the procedure I had done before.