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.
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.”
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”.
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.
After a controversial blog post in which CEO Jason Fried outlined Basecamp’s new philosophy that prohibited, among other things, “societal and political discussions” on internal forums, company co-founder David Heinemeier Hansson said the company would offer generous severance packages to anyone who disagreed with the new stance. On Friday, it appears a large number of Basecamp employees are taking Hansson up on his offer: according to TheVerge contributing editor Casey Newton’s sources, roughly a third of the company’s 57 employees accepted buyouts today. As of Friday afternoon, 18 people had tweeted they were planning to leave.
This came back up in an HN discussion about their new web app deployment tool, MRSK. (And, being a big fan of Capistrano, I really want to try.) I remember this happening, and I remember the outsized reaction to it. Here’s a tiny company of only 57 employees, and yet this story reverberated around the IT news world. The audacity!
On top of that outsized reaction, what hadn’t really registered was that 18 people jumped ship. A third! An entire third of the company was so upset that they couldn’t espouse their politics on internal forums that they had to leave. It’s been about 2 years now, and they’ve launched an entirely new product, so I guess the predictions of their demise were… probably just wishful thinking.
Reminds me of another controversial company changing gears, and being predicted to fail miserably…
“Tucker Carlson’s departure from Fox News is, in part, an admission of the systemic lying, bullying and conspiracy-mongering claimed by our client, former top producer Abby Grossberg,” said Tanvir Rahman, one of Grossberg’s attorneys. “Mr. Carlson and his subordinates remain individual defendants in the [Southern District of New York] case, and we look forward to taking their depositions under oath in the very near term.”
Indeed!
Comedian Jon Stewart ridiculed Carlson to his face on CNN, telling him that “Crossfire,” was “hurting America.” Carlson was told by one network boss that he was too fat.
I remember this, and it was one of the most hypocritical things ever said. Stewart was doing the same thing, but hid behind the fact that his show was “comedy,” as though he wasn’t purposely trying to achieve the same effect as Crossfire, but with a different schtick. The exchange infuriated me at the time, and it still infuriates me today when the LA Times uses it to promote the idea that Stewart caught Carlson out on TV, and made a fool of him, but it’s just another perfect example of the blatant and shameless hypocrisy of our politics and media in the US.
History is already showing itself to be unkind due to these heavily-biased polemical platforms. This is why — love him or hate him — I am very excited about Musk’s promise that they will only censor Twitter according to the law, as I said they should, months ago, but cannot find to reference now.
My name is Lars Wirzenius, and I was there when Linux started. Linux is now a global success, but its beginnings were rather more humble. These are my memories of the earliest days of Linux, its creation, and the start of its path to where it is today.
Great little reminisce. I just thought a couple of quotes were particularly funny.
While this was happening, I was taking a nap, and I recommend this method of installing Linux: napping, while Linus does the hard work.
And..
In the spring of 1994 we felt that Linux was done. Finished. Nothing more to add. One could use Linux to compile itself, to read Usenet, and run many copies of the xeyes program at once.
The first version of Linux I installed was Slackware 3. If memory serves, this was early 1995. I downloaded 54 1.5MB floppy images over a 28.8K modem, using a free PPP service called SlipNet. (I think it was located in California. They were around for a long time after this, but I can’t find any reference to them now.) What I didn’t know was that Slackware was a direct descendant of the first “distribution,” SLS.
