Daily Tech News 1 July 2024

Top Story

Speaking truth to idiots: Rodney Brooks, MIT professor of robotics and founder of iRobot (the Roomba company) thinks that most of the present-day AI people are full of shit. (Tech Crunch)

Well he says they're "vastly overestimating generative AI" but what he means is they're full of shit.
"When a human sees an AI system perform a task, they immediately generalize it to things that are similar and make an estimate of the competence of the AI system; not just the performance on that, but the competence around that," Brooks said. "And they're usually very over-optimistic, and that's because they use a model of a person's performance on a task."
This seems right to me.

People say "oh, this AI gave the correct answer to a complex question, it must understand the topic". But that's not how LLMs work at all. They're exclusive statistical pattern matchers, with no model of anything beyond that.

Humans (and other animals) are statistical pattern matchers too, but even flatworms are capable of learning. LLMs as commonly implemented are not. They are trained, once, then lobotomised to prevent them contemplating heresy and sent out into the world.

Tech News

I was expecting an Earth-shattering kaboom... Oh. Yes, that will do nicely. (Space News)

A static test-fire of a new Chinese-made reusable rocket got spectacularly dynamic, as filmed by two nearby residents.

Worth noting that (a) there doesn't seem to be a self-destruct mechanism on this beast though it was never intended to leave the ground in the first place and the built-in destruct of a rocket full of fuel slamming into the ground worked admirably and (b) people are living close enough to the testing range to film the whole thing from their apartment windows.
The US Department of Justice is planning to charge Boeing with criminal fraud over the ongoing 737 MAX debacle. (Yahoo)

Boeing can either plead guilty or go to trial and be found guilty anyway.

Hard to feel much sympathy for Boeing here.
The Minisforum AtomMan X7 Ti is the company's latest Intel-based mini-PC. (WCCFTech)

It has Intel's 185H laptop CPU with 16 cores (6P, 10E) and graphics that match and sometimes beat AMD's last generation.

It's 70% faster than the Beelink 5560U models I have - at three times the price.
Mt. Gox, a crypto exchange that went bankrupt in 2014 after most of its reserves were stolen, is set to pay back everyone who lost money - with interest. (Tom's Hardware)

A lot of interest.

Since then, the company has working with the courts and law enforcement to try to recover the stolen funds. It has only managed to track down and claw back about 15% of what was lost - but given ten years worth of increasing crypto valuation that's enough to pay back all their customers, their lawyers, and themselves, about five times over.
As John Glover of crypto lending firm Ledn said to CNBC, "Many will clearly cash out and enjoy the fact that having their assets stuck in the Mt. Gox bankruptcy was the best investment they ever made."

Disclaimer: I got my assets stuck in a mountain once, but we don't talk about it.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:40 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 First?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 01, 2024 04:41 AM (omVj0)

2 H'lo, Pixy.

Posted by: m at July 01, 2024 04:42 AM (NHMTR)

3 G'Day everyone
It's Monday again, isn't it?

Posted by: Skip at July 01, 2024 04:42 AM (fwDg9)

4 Morning all.

Skip, if it were not Monday, we might find ourselves in something of a dilemma. Possibly even a quandary.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at July 01, 2024 04:44 AM (BLOW1)

5 Evening and morning to all the early risers and late toilers!

Pixy is shaping up for winter; many of us here in the Northern Hemisphere are stewing or roasting, depending on our location. As I said on the ONT, I'm seeing 98 F. heat index, at 3 am. This is a climate fit only for alligators and cockroaches.

Anyway! 'Tis Monday, true. But when you're still on the upper side of the ground, a Monday (even a hot one) is pretty small kumquats, nicht wahr?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 01, 2024 04:44 AM (omVj0)

6 Actually it's not all that bad, fairly close to home and very short week

Posted by: Skip at July 01, 2024 04:47 AM (fwDg9)

7
Heaven in Michigan yesterday, 72 degrees and a breeze. A wet summer with lots of thunderstorms.

Posted by: Auspex at July 01, 2024 04:48 AM (j4U/Z)

8 Wolfus, check out Ascend West Virginia. It is a program that encourages people who can remote work to apply to live in WV and be given $12,000 ($10,000 in year one and $2,000 in year 2). Can choose from 5 places to live: Greenbrier, Morgantown, New River Gorge, Eastern Panhandle, Greater Elkins. Check the Ascend West Virginia site.

Posted by: Mrs JTB at July 01, 2024 04:52 AM (zudum)

9 I was expecting an Earth-shattering kaboom... Oh. Yes, that will do nicely.

Holy Shitballs as Weasel would say. Those people must have been praying that thing wouldn't come down on them.

Posted by: Tuna at July 01, 2024 04:53 AM (oaGWv)

10 Mount Gox? Sounds like a long-dormant volcano that suddenly erupted and spewed green lava all across a town that should never have been built on the slopes of the volcano in the first place.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 01, 2024 04:57 AM (omVj0)

11 We'll be "enjoying" (not!) 100+F by end of week, plus staying F'ing hot for the following week.

Now that the family elders are gone, I keep asking myself why TF do we need to keep living *here*?

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 04:57 AM (njWTi)

12 Morning all!

"we might find ourselves in something of a dilemma. Possibly even a quandary."
Posted by: Pixy Misa

I sold my 2005 Dilemma, and picked up a 2021 Quandary for a good price.

Posted by: Bruce at July 01, 2024 04:58 AM (XhcFx)

13 Wolfus, check out Ascend West Virginia. It is a program that encourages people who can remote work to apply to live in WV and be given $12,000 ($10,000 in year one and $2,000 in year 2). Can choose from 5 places to live: Greenbrier, Morgantown, New River Gorge, Eastern Panhandle, Greater Elkins. Check the Ascend West Virginia site.
Posted by: Mrs JTB at July 01, 2024

***
Thanks, Mrs. JTB. I seem to recall looking at that last year when I was considering WV as a place to retire. There were some restrictions that made me shrug it off. Maybe I misunderstood them, or the requirements have changed.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 01, 2024 04:59 AM (omVj0)

14 12 Morning all!

"we might find ourselves in something of a dilemma. Possibly even a quandary."
Posted by: Pixy Misa

I sold my 2005 Dilemma, and picked up a 2021 Quandary for a good price.
Posted by: Bruce at July 01, 2024 04:58 AM (XhcFx)

And now you're in a pickle!

Posted by: m at July 01, 2024 04:59 AM (NHMTR)

15 We'll be "enjoying" (not!) 100+F by end of week, plus staying F'ing hot for the following week.

Now that the family elders are gone, I keep asking myself why TF do we need to keep living *here*?
Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024

***
Yeah, Sarge, but it's a dry heat!

Posted by: Pvt. Hudson at July 01, 2024 04:59 AM (omVj0)

16 I did a Gurgle translation on the first rocket video at the link.

They were saying, "Oooooooo. Ahhhhh!"

Posted by: Bruce at July 01, 2024 05:00 AM (XhcFx)

17 And now you're in a pickle!
Posted by: m

HA!

Posted by: Bruce at July 01, 2024 05:01 AM (XhcFx)

18 Instead of working out, I decided on coffee and a slice of peanut butter toast, indoors. Tomorrow and the rest of the week, of course, will be no better in the heat index department.

"Rest of the week"? How about "until November"?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 01, 2024 05:02 AM (omVj0)

19 Good morning? Ugh, Monday. . .

Interesting article about NYC abruptly cancelling "congestion pricing." I hope Hochul didn't save her party from the election losses they should experience in November: https://tinyurl.com/2myc8382

. . . In the following week, MTA officials said they would stop working on the long-awaited Second Avenue Subway. The project had opened in 2017 and was due to be extended into East Harlem. On June 10, Lieber spoke out. Gone was the expansive talk of transformation. Now, faced with fewer resources, he said his new priority was “basic stuff to make sure the system doesn’t fall apart.”

Welcome to financial reality for most of American citizens, thanks to Biden's economy. Why shouldn't the government have to make some tough choices and spending cuts, too? As one commenter notes: the article fails to mention two big causes for congestion: Uber/Lyft and jump in population due to open borders.

Posted by: Lizzy at July 01, 2024 05:02 AM (+oRno)

20 Yeah, Sarge, but it's a dry heat!
Posted by: Pvt. Hudson

Yeah. Dry.

But probably would have moved already, if faced with high humidity... ugh.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 05:06 AM (njWTi)

21 Wolfus, check out Ascend West Virginia. It is a program that encourages people who can remote work to apply to live in WV and be given $12,000 ($10,000 in year one and $2,000 in year 2). Can choose from 5 places to live: Greenbrier, Morgantown, New River Gorge, Eastern Panhandle, Greater Elkins. Check the Ascend West Virginia site.
Posted by: Mrs JTB

Morgantown would be a good place to live as WVA University is there with medical center. The university president, E. Gordon Gee, used to be president of OSU. When he moved to WVA I remember he stole a bunch of medical doctors from OSU's staff. Maybe I shouldn't say stole. Probably a better word is enticed them to come to WVU.

Posted by: Tuna at July 01, 2024 05:08 AM (oaGWv)

22 Tempted to sell *everything* and hit the road.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 05:09 AM (njWTi)

23 Seen a meme of an X post. Someone writes...

"It's so cool that cities are like "Pweease only turn on your air con if your actively dying and don't go below 79"

While the AI that nobody asks for is slurping up the power grid to make one image of a girl with 5 tits"

Posted by: Bruce at July 01, 2024 05:10 AM (XhcFx)

24 >>People say "oh, this AI gave the correct answer to a complex question, it must understand the topic". But that's not how LLMs work at all. They're exclusive statistical pattern matchers, with no model of anything beyond that.

What seems to make this worse is the frighteningly woke rules built into it as well as OpenAI now using freakin' Reddit data for training AI models. Why not use Youtube comments, too?

Posted by: Lizzy at July 01, 2024 05:10 AM (+oRno)

25 Instead of working out, I decided on coffee and a slice of peanut butter toast, indoors. Tomorrow and the rest of the week, of course, will be no better in the heat index department.

"Rest of the week"? How about "until November"?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere

Peanut butter toast. That was one of my husband's favorite snacks.

Posted by: Tuna at July 01, 2024 05:10 AM (oaGWv)

26 It's so cool that cities are like "Pweease only turn on your air con if your actively dying and don't go below 79"

While the AI that nobody asks for is slurping up the power grid to make one image of a girl with 5 tits"
Posted by: Bruce

LOL

79. Ha. I've got my AC set at 70. Will sometimes lower it a degree or 2 if it's really beastly outside.

Posted by: Tuna at July 01, 2024 05:14 AM (oaGWv)

27 Peanut butter toast w/bacon was a childhood treat.
Yum

Posted by: Lizzy at July 01, 2024 05:14 AM (+oRno)

28 Oh and good morning overnighters and early risers.

Posted by: Tuna at July 01, 2024 05:16 AM (oaGWv)

29 79. Ha. I've got my AC set at 70. Will sometimes lower it a degree or 2 if it's really beastly outside.
Posted by: Tuna

Have ours set at 70 also. Otherwise it just won't get the humidity out. I think they put in too big of a furnace/air con for the house.

Posted by: Bruce at July 01, 2024 05:17 AM (XhcFx)

30 Good morning, Pixy. You've become a pleasant surprise to start a day with, I have to say. Not at all what was expected.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at July 01, 2024 05:18 AM (hKoQL)

31 Maybe today we will see the cooling of heads and everyone circling the wagons around Sundowner.

Or
Over the weekend there was to be a Biden family/ Power Brokers meeting at Caml David, if the decision was reached to bail put better now than in a month or a few.

Posted by: Skip at July 01, 2024 05:18 AM (fwDg9)

32 I saw a video that had Chris Matthews ranting about what a big liar Trump is.

Chris rants like a Karen on meth.

Posted by: Bruce at July 01, 2024 05:22 AM (XhcFx)

33 Obama talking about his third term patsy.

https://tinyurl.com/2chd33s2 twitter

Posted by: 13times at July 01, 2024 05:23 AM (eDJyo)

34 I need to set up the portable a/c units, otherwise we will suffer by Thursday.

Can keep the house at 80ish, which is WAY better than 100 anyway.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 05:23 AM (njWTi)

35 The Trump Lies is the new meme, Jill made it

Posted by: Skip at July 01, 2024 05:25 AM (fwDg9)

36 Good morning morons

Until a last minute bill was signed yesterday by the Gavinator, junk fees added by restaurants were to be banned starting today. Now, they can continue to tack on "service charges" "health care fee" and whatever else they can dream up.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 01, 2024 05:25 AM (RIvkX)

37 I saw a video that had Chris Matthews ranting about what a big liar Trump is.

Chris rants like a Karen on meth.
Posted by: Bruce

Chris Matthew's. Boy that's a name I haven't heard in a long time.

Posted by: Tuna at July 01, 2024 05:27 AM (oaGWv)

38 Chris Matthew's. Boy that's a name I haven't heard in a long time.
Posted by: Tuna

I had forgot about him too. I was watching a video on Biden at the debate, and then the showed Chris on CNN or one of the "news" channels.

I miss seeing his ranting while spittle forms in the corners of his mouth.

Posted by: Bruce at July 01, 2024 05:30 AM (XhcFx)

39 The Trump Lies is the new meme, Jill made it
Posted by: Skip
---------

Oh, yes! And it caught on immediately! All the NPCs are spewing it non-stop.

But, what about...

Number One, blahblah & Number Two, blahblah-- as spewed by shitspants hisself? You know: the ONLY things he knows anything about? No. 1 and No. 2, indeed! LOL

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 05:30 AM (njWTi)

40 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at July 01, 2024 05:31 AM (hoCmQ)

41 I saw reporting on that Chinese rocket failure last Friday on one of The China Show on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/live/vNW7f4Cah9g

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 01, 2024 05:32 AM (RIvkX)

42 Well hitting the road
Forward Dog 9 out

Posted by: Skip at July 01, 2024 05:33 AM (fwDg9)

43 "The proposed agreement also includes a $487.2 million financial penalty, only half of which Boeing would be required to pay."

The Boeing c-suite critters are likely high fiving each they didn't get a loan or go shopping in New York. This is sort of a sweetheart deal Hunter Biden style considerations.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram at July 01, 2024 05:33 AM (jyIl1)

44 Well hitting the road
Forward Dog 9 out
Posted by: Skip

Have a good day and a safe commute.

Posted by: Tuna at July 01, 2024 05:36 AM (oaGWv)

45 "The only things spongebrain talked about were Number One and Number Two-- typical dementia concerns"

That's what I'll tell libtard sis. LOL

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 05:38 AM (njWTi)

46 No less than three violent crimes made the news from the weekend in the French Quarter, my boyhood home. Two shootings in the next block from where I lived, and an attack with a railroad spike (!) in the shopping/drinking district close to the river.

And Miss Linda wonders why I don't want to go there any more. Or any place else in this pesthole.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 01, 2024 05:38 AM (omVj0)

47 62 deg now going up to low 80's today. Was oppressive yesterday but front came thru.

Posted by: actually inside the beltway at July 01, 2024 05:41 AM (ntk8v)

48 Ugh, Wolfus! Hope you find a nice, safe place to 'land' very soon... The Big slEazy is getting worse by the day!

Oh, and I very much enjoyed "Piece By Piece"

Haven't gotten to the other story yet.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 05:41 AM (njWTi)

49 About ten-twelve years ago, my local NBC outlet used to run some Chris Matthews spew-fest and Obongo praise session on Sundays, at five am. The only place they could bury that ratings loser, I guess.

The same outlet buries Soledad O'Brien's "show" at 3 am on Monday -- and the OnTVTonight guide site doesn't even show it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 01, 2024 05:42 AM (omVj0)

50 It will be sunny and mild today high of 72.

But you knew that already.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 01, 2024 05:43 AM (RIvkX)

51 Ugh, Wolfus! Hope you find a nice, safe place to 'land' very soon... The Big slEazy is getting worse by the day!

Oh, and I very much enjoyed "Piece By Piece"

Haven't gotten to the other story yet.
Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024

***
It is. If the roads were decent, or the weather, or the crime, any two of those, it might be tolerable. But all three combine to make this a circle of Hell.

Glad you liked the story! How did you picture Gil, the hero/narrator, and his partner Frank? I pictured Frank Sinatra at about the age when he played in Manchurian Candidate as Gil.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 01, 2024 05:44 AM (omVj0)

52 g'mornin' everyone!

sounds like the WI forecast for today, SFp!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at July 01, 2024 05:45 AM (tQtDb)

53 - Air conditioning?
Luxury!!
This'll be my 4th summer without. Oh, I could afford to get it fixed but without it, my elec/gas bills total
Adding a/c would add around $150 to that.
Do have to admit though, for the last week or so I've been considering getting it fixed,,, as a 70th b'day present to myself.
Added benefit would be being able to get more outside work done with being able to get breaks from the heat here and there.
Now it's 2-2.5 hrs and I'm done in and in front of a fan the rest of the day.

Posted by: TeeJ at July 01, 2024 05:47 AM (xZpzx)

54 "Most of the campaign’s significant war chest would fall to Vice President Kamala Harris, Chavez Rodriguez said, according to two people familiar with the discussion. Only a smaller pool of money would be kept by the Democratic National Committee."

The Biden campaign and Donors were at each other's throats over the weekend. The Biden campaign made the case that getting rid of Mr. 10% is to messy to contemplate but if it is considered it would likely result in Kamala being the new candidate. For now it sounds like the Biden's have their heels dug in and they aren't going anywhere. This I consider as great news.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram at July 01, 2024 05:49 AM (jyIl1)

55 23 Seen a meme of an X post. Someone writes...

"It's so cool that cities are like "Pweease only turn on your air con if your actively dying and don't go below 79"

While the AI that nobody asks for is slurping up the power grid to make one image of a girl with 5 tits"
Posted by: Bruce at July 01, 2024 05:10 AM (XhcFx)

; )

Posted by: m at July 01, 2024 05:49 AM (NHMTR)

56 It will be sunny and mild today high of 72.

But you knew that already.
Posted by: San Franpsycho
---------

Thanks for the reminder...

The reminder that crappy weather *is good for something* LOL

Summer is very hot here, and winter is very cold-- so the bums head out when it's crappy, hot or cold!

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 05:49 AM (njWTi)

57 What happened to the <$90 per month I put in after "total?"

Posted by: TeeJ at July 01, 2024 05:50 AM (xZpzx)

58 TeeJ, I'd buy window units or those portable A/C units if the situation was that bad. The times I've been without power here, after a hurricane strike and before I could bug out to a faraway hotel, were truly awful and I got very littel sleep.

Even the cats, who love being warm, were clearly not happy. Chekov D. Siberian had a triple coat; his breed was clearly not intended to live in a steambath. (Neither am I.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 01, 2024 05:51 AM (omVj0)

59 TeeJ, window units are a PITA--

Portable, floor-standing units are the way to go! They are quiet and efficient, cost about the same as window units but don't need mounting hardware or to be lifted up into place.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 05:56 AM (njWTi)

60 Las Cruces seems to be past its annual June climate change catastrophe and results in temperatures that touch 105 °. Unlike last year's dire climate change catastrophe, when the monsoon season didn't occur, this year it's back and that tends to mitigate temperatures somewhat as we head into July and August. The annual July climate change catastrophe over the next 7 days will result in temperatures around 95°. In other words, it's a pretty typical summer here; saying this may result in me being assassinated by the climate change catastrophe monitoring crew.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram at July 01, 2024 05:57 AM (jyIl1)

61 Air conditioning?
Luxury!! ...
Posted by: TeeJ at July 01, 2024 05:47 AM (xZpzx)
====
A/C is rare here but you should see these people freak out the 2 days it gets to 85 degrees.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 01, 2024 05:59 AM (RIvkX)

62 Freaking out at 85 degrees? LOL!!!!!!

It was *cooler* here, at 85, on Sunday. Omg...

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:01 AM (njWTi)

63 Some friends keep trying to give me a couple portables they don't use but I really like the savings.
The fan goes in the bedroom window at night.
When it's real bad I run about 6 in of cool water in the tub I can jump in now and then or,,, let the widow talk me into coming over and hanging out.
Father God, thank you for bringing her into my life. 82 yr old farm girl who loves the Lord. Just knowing she's praying for me daily...

Posted by: TeeJ at July 01, 2024 06:03 AM (xZpzx)

64 85F is enough, though. Any warmer, and I can't function. Call it "age" I guess; didn't used to bother me until about 95-100 outside.

If I can keep Just One Room cool enough for respite, I'm relatively content.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:04 AM (njWTi)

65 At 75 degrees all conversation is about "the heat"

At 85 degrees school and work is cancelled, everyone seek out a "cooling center"

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 01, 2024 06:05 AM (RIvkX)

66 Anything is possible with God. A devotional based on a passage from the Book of Numbers:

https://tinyurl.com/s4vpn2a3

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 01, 2024 06:07 AM (+B8yt)

67 TeeJ, the newer, portable a/c's don't consume as much power at the older window units, and certainly not near what central a/c would cost. Worth checking into, especially if your health is at risk. They also de-humidify.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:08 AM (njWTi)

68 Real bad = 95+ w/70+ humidity.

Posted by: TeeJ at July 01, 2024 06:08 AM (xZpzx)

69 AS. not AT. sheesh...

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:08 AM (njWTi)

70 #66 - Devotional is from the Int'l Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and is by the rabbi's daughter,

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 01, 2024 06:10 AM (+B8yt)

71 It was a good day today. I hope you all have a good day ahead of you.

When I change from GPT 3.5 to 4.0 and then back to 3.5, it's like reading Flowers for Algernon.

Talking with Claude was great until I asked about making wine. Then the Artificially Intelligent Large Language Model turned into my mother. It refused to tell me how to make wine, said it was illegal almost everywhere to do so and furthermore drinking was just plain bad for my health. Then it sent me to bed with no dinner.

Posted by: meh at July 01, 2024 06:11 AM (zX5ee)

72 I set our portables onto "boot trays" so that any excess water is contained (and I can sop it up) before it spills onto carpet or hardwood flooring.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:12 AM (njWTi)

73 With regards to Boeing, how many more sudden suicides are coming up? I would suggest that any witness against them have armed security and be relocated to a safe house until things are over.

Posted by: NR Pax at July 01, 2024 06:16 AM (99eI0)

74
The US Department of Justice is planning to charge Boeing with criminal fraud over the ongoing 737 MAX debacle. (Yahoo)

--
Now do Solyndra and clones, every windfarm company and solarfarm company. These have consistently defrauded everyone since output has never met even a reasonable fraction of expectations.

Posted by: Ciampino - Mon Update #01 at July 01, 2024 06:17 AM (qfLjt)

75 I guess I would rather drink coffee and read the comments than work out right now

Posted by: Huck Follywood at July 01, 2024 06:18 AM (rpqPN)

76 Thanks JQ. Truly appreciate the concern.
Toughing out the summers kinda sorta makes me feel like I haven't turned into such a total wimp (though I really have) compared to me even 15 years ago.
And if I told ya one of the things I was doing 20 years ago most would think I was lyin'.
And my health? God will take me when it's my time.

Posted by: TeeJ at July 01, 2024 06:19 AM (xZpzx)

77 Posted by: NR Pax
-------------

Boy, howdy!

Isn't it amazing, that our Vaunted Media hasn't "investigated" said "suicides"?

Real mystery, there.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:20 AM (njWTi)

78 77 Isn't it amazing, that our Vaunted Media hasn't "investigated" said "suicides"?

Real mystery, there.
Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:20 AM (njWTi)

I'm not saying it has anything to do with a reporter getting an envelope with pictures of his family inside it but I'm not saying it doesn't.

Posted by: NR Pax at July 01, 2024 06:21 AM (99eI0)

79
A static test-fire of a new Chinese-made reusable rocket got spectacularly dynamic, as filmed by two nearby residents.

I always thought that static tests were done with the rocket on its side. But it's the Chinx, so it must be superior. Right, Thomas Friedman?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 01, 2024 06:21 AM (1Nxff)

80 I guess I would rather drink coffee and read the comments than work out right now
Posted by: Huck Follywood at July 01, 2024 06:18 AM (rpqPN)
===
Boy F. will wake me at 6 on the dot to demand I join him for AM yoga practice, otherwise I would...stay asleep.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 01, 2024 06:21 AM (RIvkX)

81 Thats great rocket video, or should I say "terrifying bomb video"

Posted by: Huck Follywood at July 01, 2024 06:22 AM (hXZuD)

82 - @71 meh

🤣 It sounds like Claude is channeling my mother.

Posted by: TeeJ at July 01, 2024 06:23 AM (xZpzx)

83 Aw, TeeJ--- I'm sure you're *a mensch* anyway!

It's okay to take care of yourself, ya know. And, contrary to leftarded opinion, it's okay to be comfortable!!!!

You'll do what you believe is right for you, of course.

Wish you well!

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:24 AM (njWTi)

84 That rocket test was awfully close to residential buildings, but the Chinks don't care. Surprised it wasn't next door to a bio weapons lab.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at July 01, 2024 06:24 AM (V5eKu)

85
Now, they can continue to tack on "service charges" "health care fee" and whatever else they can dream up.

I was at a restaurant recently that adds 3.99% to the total if you use a credit card to pay. I always pay cash so it didn't annoy me in the least.

That's a substantial financial hit for the vendor to absorb so I don't blame them. I never recall the % being that high.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at July 01, 2024 06:25 AM (RKVpM)

86 Boy F. is a successful athlete with a couple of recent golds to his credit, so it isn't surprising he wants an early stretching practice. Good for you for playing along!

Posted by: Huck Follywood at July 01, 2024 06:26 AM (hXZuD)

87 Posted by: Divide by Zero
--------

Credit card fees were 3% for years. I was tempted to pay a medical bill w/visa one time, but they'd tack on the 3 percent, so... no, wrote a check instead.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:27 AM (njWTi)

88 I keep thinking Boeing has finally hit bottom. But thats wrong.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at July 01, 2024 06:28 AM (hXZuD)

89
Added benefit would be being able to get more outside work done with being able to get breaks from the heat here and there.
Now it's 2-2.5 hrs and I'm done in and in front of a fan the rest of the day.

Posted by: TeeJ at July 01, 2024 05:47 AM

I have a very private location and added an outdoor 'solar' shower years ago. I can work outside as long as I want and once hot get cooled off quickly. Just getting my hair soaking wet is a lot of relief.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at July 01, 2024 06:29 AM (RKVpM)

90 87 A lot of younger people want nothing to do with a check book. Checks, like you said, can save you the fee placed on plastic. On road trips I have asked if personal checks are ok, like at a motel. A lot have the system where it's approved on the spot.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at July 01, 2024 06:31 AM (V5eKu)

91 How much food did the astronauts bring with them? If the plan is to spend 45 or 90 days onboard when you've brought food for 10, it's going to get awkward with the rest of the crew.

Posted by: Common Tater at July 01, 2024 06:31 AM (ejFjg)

92 LOL, I can lay out 100ft of hose in full sun, and get a *hot* shower by midday.

Not that I'd want to actually do it-- it's nasty, stinky, irrigation water, pulled from a stagnant "lake" nearby.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:32 AM (njWTi)

93 BOING!

Hollywood Squares:

https://tinyurl.com/7ynu2fya

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at July 01, 2024 06:33 AM (hJ0+9)

94 *waving at JT, out there somewhere*

Posted by: m at July 01, 2024 06:33 AM (NHMTR)

95 G'morning, all.

76.8 degrees in the back yard right now.

76.5 degree dew point.

99% R.H.

That's moist.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at July 01, 2024 06:35 AM (a1415)

96 - Thanks JQ. I don't know the exact meaning but I've heard it used often enough to know mensch is a good thing.

"...early stretching practice"
Just one more thing gone by the wayside.

Posted by: TeeJ at July 01, 2024 06:35 AM (xZpzx)

97 *waving at JT, out there somewhere*
Posted by: m at July 01, 2024 06:33 AM (NHMTR)
====
This.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 01, 2024 06:37 AM (RIvkX)

98 Checks are convenient for us. They get costlier each time I order more.

Convinced that TPTB, want to force us all into cashless. Fk. Cash is *freedom*! Checks are the next best thing.

Checks keep my creditors from directly accessing my bank account, and I'd like to KEEP it that way.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:37 AM (njWTi)

99 ISS is regularly resupplied so I haven't read anything suggesting they are resource constrained by way of having two additional people hanging around. Not sure what the sleeping arrangements are or the work division; it would be boring as hell up there without a list of tasks to do.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at July 01, 2024 06:37 AM (HMW+n)

100 I wonder if the Supreme Court will release the final ruling early this morning.

Could be the icing on the cake.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at July 01, 2024 06:37 AM (a1415)

101
The solar shower has two chambers. One is on the north side, the other on the south side. The temperature control then allows the individual to modify the temp into the comfort range.

100% hot would probably burn the skin in seconds, like a garden hose in the sun.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at July 01, 2024 06:37 AM (RKVpM)

102 I'm waiting to see what set of excuses Mayor Breed will now blame for her failure now that she can't blame the 9th Circuit.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 01, 2024 06:39 AM (RIvkX)

103
"London Breed" sounds like the name of an adult-movie star.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 01, 2024 06:40 AM (1Nxff)

104
"London Breed" sounds like the name of an adult-movie star.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 01, 2024 06:40 AM

Or how the islamists will take over Britain.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at July 01, 2024 06:41 AM (RKVpM)

105 Ah, yes.. ETFs...

Checks allow *limited* access to my bank account.

Fine. Keep it that way.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:41 AM (njWTi)

106 I got a text this morning from a friend visiting Israel who got invited to ride around in a tank in Gaza, because he has been a big supporter over the years. The young IDF soldiers he meets appear in high spirits, despite fighting the devil himself.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at July 01, 2024 06:42 AM (xTwVZ)

107 "London Breed" sounds like a disease.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:42 AM (njWTi)

108 Now do DMV and other government depts who charge a fee for plastic payments but don't accept private checks so one way or the other the payment has a surcharge.

Posted by: Ciampino - Mon Titbits #02 at July 01, 2024 06:42 AM (qfLjt)

109 Good for you for playing along!
Posted by: Huck Follywood at July 01, 2024 06:26 AM (hXZuD)
====
Yes he is very motivating.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 01, 2024 06:42 AM (RIvkX)

110 Some golf courses have started charging more if you pay by credit card.

It is understandable, but it is not customary.

Posted by: No one of any consequence at July 01, 2024 06:43 AM (VuZH8)

111 "London Breed" sounds like a disease.
Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:42 AM (njWTi)
====
Yes some sort of pox.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 01, 2024 06:43 AM (RIvkX)

112 107 "London Breed" sounds like a disease.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:42 AM (njWTi)
----
I always think of animal husbandry or a dog breed.

Posted by: Ciampino - Mon Titbits #03 at July 01, 2024 06:44 AM (qfLjt)

113 It's raining here again this am. Supposed to hit 90.
Won't be able to walk behind the mower till it runs out of gas, which is my cut off point for a day now, but since I have about a thousand sticks to pick up due to a storm a couple days ago before I can do that,,, plus more brush to drag to my pickup from a limb that came from a 5" dia limb that tore free the rest of the way yesterday...

Posted by: TeeJ at July 01, 2024 06:44 AM (xZpzx)

114 Happy Monday

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 01, 2024 06:44 AM (ENQN6)

115 Like charging 5 cents for a cup of water at the Indian place in the food court, it is not customary to charge for tap water in this country.

Posted by: No one of any consequence at July 01, 2024 06:44 AM (VuZH8)

116 All of our government offices here accept personal checks.

And do add a fee for plastic.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at July 01, 2024 06:44 AM (a1415)

117
I always think of animal husbandry or a dog breed.
Posted by: Ciampino - Mon Titbits #03

Pray, do not insult these dumb, but noble, creatures by comparing them to a California political hack.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 01, 2024 06:45 AM (1Nxff)

118 Now do DMV and other government depts who charge a fee for plastic payments but don't accept private checks so one way or the other the payment has a surcharge.
Posted by: Ciampino
-------

Cash?
Money order. A dollar or so. Still less than 3% in most cases.

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:46 AM (njWTi)

119
Headed up to Dallas today to pick up poor Ruthie, who got skunked in five days of shows up in Oklahoma City. Among boarding, transportation and showing, her little excursion is going to cost us a fortune, and all for nothing.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 01, 2024 06:47 AM (1Nxff)

120 Have ours set at 70 also. Otherwise it just won't get the humidity out. I think they put in too big of a furnace/air con for the house.
Posted by: Bruce at July 01, 2024 05:17 AM

--------------------

Oversized AC is a very common problem. If your system doesn't run at least 15-20 minutes per cycle on hot days it won't dehumidify effectively. Sometimes dehumidification performance can be improved by slowing down the fan speed to achieve longer cycles.

Posted by: Bigsmith at July 01, 2024 06:47 AM (mSz1l)

121 Good morning. The Bribe'em syndicate has found the culprit in Joke's poor performance. The staff did it. It's all their fault!!!!

Posted by: Ben Had at July 01, 2024 06:47 AM (uRE6U)

122 Oh, wow, it's later than I thought... surprised hubby isn't nagging me: "Do YoU kNoW wHat TiMe iT Is?!!!"

G'night, all.

Take care!

Posted by: JQ at July 01, 2024 06:48 AM (njWTi)

123
The staff did it. It's all their fault!!!!
Posted by: Ben Had at July 01, 2024 06:47 AM (uRE6U)

That's what staffs are for. To shoulder the blame that really lies with the principal.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 01, 2024 06:50 AM (1Nxff)

124
Staffs fault? But he answered all the questions!!!

Posted by: Divide by Zero at July 01, 2024 06:50 AM (RKVpM)

125 JJ is here.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at July 01, 2024 06:51 AM (T7iTv)

126 Just looked at the last two days performance reports for the home A/C unit.

Still averaging about a 38% run time per day.

And even at the hottest times of the day not hitting 75% per hour run time.

It's about 13 years old, but...knock on wood....it seems to be doing what it's designed to do.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at July 01, 2024 06:52 AM (a1415)

127
I think a bunch of the staff leaked to Axios about Joe's rigorous 10 to 4 work schedule. It's probably retribution for truth telling.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at July 01, 2024 06:53 AM (RKVpM)

128 Apparently the "staff" over coached him, didn't let him lay out his plan for the future and didn't let him get enough rest.

Jill and Hunter hardest hit

Posted by: Ben Had at July 01, 2024 06:53 AM (uRE6U)

129 Illinois: Pritzker signs two diversity-and-inclusion based bills

https://tinyurl.com/2ad2b489

If I had a kid now I would insist on an entry for SEX and removal of Gender. I would argue that the kid isn't a pronoun or a grammatical figment plus I need to be accommodated just as a tiny minority has been accommodated.

Posted by: Ciampino - Monday Monday ... Mamas & Papas at July 01, 2024 06:56 AM (qfLjt)

130 I got a text this morning from a friend visiting Israel who got invited to ride around in a tank in Gaza, because he has been a big supporter over the years. The young IDF soldiers he meets appear in high spirits, despite fighting the devil himself.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at July 01, 2024 06:42 AM (xTwVZ)
-

For those of you who can't come here for the personal tank tour, enjoy the video. Language warning, though it's perfectly safe to play out loud at home or in the office:

https://youtu.be/5IPg5_BqKCM

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at July 01, 2024 06:56 AM (hJ0+9)

131 JJ is here.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at July 01, 2024 06:51 AM (T7iTv)
-

No. There JJ. There castle.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at July 01, 2024 06:57 AM (hJ0+9)

132 It can't be staff's fault alone. Nancy Pelousy says it's Trump's fault. I don't know the serpentine logic she used to get to that point, but she's certain of it.

Posted by: Don Black at July 01, 2024 06:57 AM (/7KEl)

133 Headline in NY Post-"Off His Clocker
With a picture of demented Biden and a note;
"Prez only alert 10 a.m to 4 p.m

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 01, 2024 06:58 AM (mc7sw)

134 I don't like Mondays

Posted by: Skip at July 01, 2024 07:03 AM (hnSZX)

135 This is it, huh? This is our "choice" come November?

SMDH

Posted by: Gryph at July 01, 2024 07:26 AM (aCVzN)

136 In re: Earth-shattering kaboom -- This 8 minute vid called "Why Chinese Rocket Boosters Keep Hitting Villages" has a lot more info on the conditions behind all that -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD10fV7E_qM

Posted by: pkudude99 at July 01, 2024 10:51 AM (buZrs)

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Posted by: Lawn care equipment at July 11, 2024 04:50 PM (wrSAn)

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