Daily Tech News 7 December 2024

Top Story

What is AI good for?

A reader (I have readers?) wrote noting that my coverage of AI is almost entirely negative and wondering what AI is actually good for, presumably on the basis that private investors would not throw that many billions of dollars into something that didn't have at least some chance of making money, unlike, for example, the government.

It's a good question.

First we should probably note that there are two broad classes of AI being actively researched right now: Generative AI and Discriminative AI.

Generative AI, driven by LLMs - large language models - is behind all the well-known AI instances worth untold billions of dollars. OpenAI's ChatGPT, Twitter's Grok, Anthropic's Claude, Google's Gemini, and Microsoft's Copilot; and open-source or nearly open-source solutions like Meta's LLaMA and Mistral's Mistral.

The goal of generative AI is to ingest a huge amount of information in advance, and then, given a short and simple prompt, process that information in order to produce a response.

Discriminative AI does the opposite. Given a data prompt of something in the real world - video, or sound, or an image - it uses a classifier to determine what it is examining. Is this apple ripe for the robotic apple-picking machine to pick it? Is it even an apple in the first place? What kind of spider is this that just bit me? Do I need to call an ambulance, or will it save me time to just lie down and die?

(continued)

It's no secret that Generative AI is getting all the attention. But is it worthy of that attention? The Verge asked that question yesterday and the answer turned out to be no.

With Joe Biden's recent pardoning of his catspaw son Hunter, journalists were driven to defend him by digging up the little-known pardons of family members by former presidents, like George H. W. Bush's pardoning of his son Neil, or Woodrow Wilson's pardon for his brother-in-law.

The problem is, these things never happened.
Whatever happened in this case, there's a running pattern of people relying on ChatGPT or other AI services to provide answers, only to get hallucinations in return. Perhaps you remember earlier this year when a trailer for Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis was pulled because it contained fabricated quotes from critics. A generative AI, not identified, had made them up. In fact, ChatGPT is often "entirely wrong," according to the Columbia Journalism Review. Given 200 quotes and asked to identify the publisher that was the source of those quotes, ChatGPT was partially or entirely wrong more than three-quarters of the time.
Journalists, being journalists, asked ChatGPT to do their research for them.

ChatGPT, being ChatGPT, lied.

LLMs are language models. They model language - well, sort of. They don't model the language itself, but construct an abstract model of the dataset fed into them.

They don't understand facts. They don't actually have a notion of facts; nor do they have the contrary notion of falsehood. When they get information wrong, they are said to "hallucinate" rather than to have lied, because they have no basis for telling the difference between truth and falsehood.

And that's intrinsic to the design of LLMs. Even before they enter "alignment" - a virtual lobotomisation that leaves AIs prone to crash when the wrong name is mentioned - they are fundamentally incapable of the kind of thought processes that most animals can do.

This leaves us with sophisticated composite AIs like the virtual vtuber Neuro-sama, who can read every written language but is frequently unable to translate road signs, who has access to the sum total of human knowledge but insists that an anime figurine covered in glue is the perfect complement to your cookie recipe.

Neuro is supposed to be like that, an impish hyperintelligent five-year-old, the perfect foil to her long-suffering father Vedal, because the main purpose there is entertainment. But you can't really expect to hand your job off to a five-year-old and not land with unexpected consequences.

Or indeed entirely expected ones.

So if it's useless at answering questions, what is AI good for?

1. Image Generation

If you use Grok on Twitter and ask it to generate an image of a Jaguar concept car, it will take a couple of seconds before producing something that would have any rational CEO looking to fire the entire design and advertising departments.

Is it perfect? If you look closely you'll see signs that the image generator has run into its bete noire, Euclid. But I made no effort at all in selection here; I asked:

generate an image of a jaguar concept convertible in british racing green

And posted the first image that appeared. And it took seconds.

AI image generators have come a long way in a short time, mostly because they just have to look good, not produce a correct answer. The tendency to produce human figures with hands attached at the elbows has been sharply reduced (though not yet banished entirely). Now you more commonly see doors with hinges adjacent to the handles, or furniture that could only exist with access to Buckaroo Banzai's eighth dimension.

Or cats. Don't talk to me about AI cats.

2. Software Testing

If you write public-facing software, as I do daily, it's critical that the software be able to defend itself from both generic nonsense that is the core competency of the internet, and malicious nonsense that comes from a certain corner of the internet.

When you've already tested all the known cases, there's a concept known as fuzzing that combines randomness and algorithms to generate horrible data to throw at your software to make sure that nothing falls apart in unexpected ways. You are permitted to fail, but you are not permitted to break.

Generative AI is perfect for fuzzing. While it can't really understand your code, it can generate test patterns that reflect its analysis of your code and directly test potential flaws. And it can do so nearly instantly, when writing an exhaustive test suite can take longer than writing the code in the first place.

3. Discriminative AI

Most of the flaws I listed arise from Generative AI. Discriminative AI is much more useful, and consequently is much harder and receives much less attention and much less funding.

And... That's about it. If you want mediocrity and are unconcerned with correctness, AI can fill you in with a poem or a song. It's terrible at movies because it has the attention span of a frog in a blender, it's usually wrong but never uncertain, and it can't consistently count the number of letters in the word "the", but it is easy to use.

Tech News

The "Hawk Tuah" girl launched a meme cryptocurrency. It went exactly as you would expect. (Web3 Is Going Great)

Whether this was a rug-pull by the creators or by experienced investors, her individual followers lost all their money but her "advisors" made millions.
Maxsun, best known for its anime-theme video cards, has announced three models based on Intel's new B580 chip. (Tom's Hardware)

Two of those are boring, but the third adds two M.2 slots to the video card. Since these are low-end cards and only use eight lanes of PCIe but occupy a sixteen lane slot, it's fairly simple to hand the eight spare lanes off to two M.2 slots.

If the CPU supports it, which AMD does but Intel sometimes doesn't.
Need a UUID? Here they are. (Every UUID)

All of them.
The DC Circuit Court has declared the communists can go suck a lemon, handing a win to... The other communists. (CNN)

TikTok filed a suit against the law requiring it to either sell or shut down. It lost.

TikTok is based in China and also banned in China, providing sufficient reason to wonder why any country should permit it to operate within its territory, without even pausing to consider the innumerable other scandals TikTok has been caught up in over the past week.
Generation X is called "generation lead" by psychiatrists who have consider self-reliance and independence to be signs of severe mental illness. (USA Today)
"I tend to think of Generation X as 'generation lead,'" said Aaron Reuben, a study co-author and assistant professor of clinical neuropsychology at the University of Virginia. "We know they were exposed to it more and we're estimating they have gone on to have higher rates of internalizing conditions like anxiety, depression and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. So why the fuck aren't they all miserable like I am?"
Too busy, Aaron.
Orico has announced the MiniMate, a Thunderbolt storage device design to precisely match the new Mac Mini and add up to 8TB of SSD connected at 40Gbps. (Notebook Check)

Like the Mac Mini itself, it is not upgradeable in the slightest. You can't add to or replace the storage, and it doesn't daisy-chain to connect a second device to the first.

Thanks Orico.

Why Are We Peeling My Skin Off Video of the Day

Neuro and Evil Neuro make pizza. Help make pizza. Hinder making pizza.

Milet Video of the Day

Ananta - formerly Project Mugen - is a new free-to-play gacha game from Chinese developer Naked Rain. I post it here because it actually looks fun, unlike, for example, everything released by the mainstream western studios the past couple of years.

I mean, what is the last success for a major western game developer? Baldur's Gate 3?

Song is Seventh Heaven by Milet, who also sang the closing theme for the Frieren anime.

Disclaimer: Please note that this blog post is an experimental piece of content designed to challenge conventional logic and coherence. The information, ideas, or narrative presented herein do not adhere to traditional standards of sense-making or factual accuracy. Readers are advised to approach this content with an open mind, or perhaps not at all. Any attempt to derive meaning, purpose, or truth from this post is at your own risk. The author and publisher take no responsibility for confusion, enlightenment, or existential crises that may result from reading this material. Remember, in the grand tapestry of the universe, this post might just be the thread that unravels everything, or absolutely nothing at all. Enjoy at your own peril.

Disclaimer 2: That was Grok. Maybe there's a fourth thing AI is good for, used sparingly.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 G'Day everyone

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 04:01 AM (NvZqN)

2 Hang on a tick, blog has gone wonky.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 07, 2024 04:03 AM (BLOW1)

3 Ah, got it. The HTML for that long item broke the layout of the main page, but looked fine on the single page. Fixed!

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 07, 2024 04:07 AM (BLOW1)

4 That done, hi Skip!

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 07, 2024 04:10 AM (BLOW1)

5 Generation lead? As in lead, follow, or get out the way bitch?

Posted by: SFGoth at December 07, 2024 04:12 AM (KAi1n)

6 Better than the heavy metal, which is what he intended.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 07, 2024 04:13 AM (BLOW1)

7 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 07, 2024 04:17 AM (rRMBj)

8 Nice Jaguar except for the driver's side mirror floating in space and the wheel spokes that are doing impossible thing.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 04:19 AM (e+6P0)

9 I am on my phone but other than door handle don't see anything wrong with AI picture

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 04:25 AM (NvZqN)

10 Generation X is called "generation lead" by psychiatrists who have consider self-reliance and independence to be signs of severe mental illness. (USA Today)

"I tend to think of Generation X as 'generation lead,'" said Aaron Reuben, a study co-author and assistant professor of clinical neuropsychology at the University of Virginia. "We know they were exposed to it more and we're estimating they have gone on to have higher rates of internalizing conditions like anxiety, depression and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. So why the fuck aren't they all miserable like I am?"

Too busy, Aaron.

Shut up, sit down, and drink your juice, Aaron. Silly twat.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 07, 2024 04:26 AM (rRMBj)

11 I really wanted to sleep in this morning
Might as well go make coffee

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 04:27 AM (NvZqN)

12 If we fully understood the type and amount of technology deployed in Amazon warehouses today we would be like, dang. My sense of them is they are about a decade ahead of everyone. An example. In 2019 my Amazon orders without exception took a minimum of 4 to 5 days to arrive at my place in Las Cruces. Today, I am mostly getting orders in 2 days; the exception are those that take 4 to 5 days while comparable Walmart orders, the 2nd biggest online retailer, are in the 5 day or more range.

Discriminative AI, which I can't imagine they are not using, will be a huge win as they drive towards more fully automated warehouses and more efficient transportation and consumer delivers. Given the scale they operate at every 1% of improvement translates in a non-trivial number, likely measured in billions over a year or two. If my guessing here is sort of right the AI capital spend will payoff for them bigly.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 04:33 AM (e+6P0)

13 Yep. Discriminative AI is the quiet sibling with a steady job that gets ignored at family dinners.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 07, 2024 04:40 AM (BLOW1)

14 Not quite BRG either. BRG should be flat and darker.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at December 07, 2024 04:41 AM (bss/y)

15 AI can never be smarter than (or as smart AS) the people who program it. A machine can't be. Simply because it isn't alive.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at December 07, 2024 04:41 AM (hKoQL)

16 Or cats. Don't talk to me about AI cats.

OK. Here is a AI Cat.

https://is.gd/AN5zNk

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 04:44 AM (e+6P0)

17 11 I really wanted to sleep in this morning
Might as well go make coffee
Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 04:27 AM (NvZqN)

This. *sigh*

Posted by: Aetius451AD at December 07, 2024 04:44 AM (bss/y)

18 Isn't there enough pictures in files to get real images?

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 04:46 AM (NvZqN)

19 So much of AI seems to be like an appeal to authority. 'This completely neutral and wise third party told me I am right, so I am right. And you are wrong.'

Posted by: Aetius451AD at December 07, 2024 04:47 AM (bss/y)

20 Isn't there enough pictures in files to get real images?
Posted by: Skip

How many real images of a green cat wearing a Walmart blue vest, a yellow Mexican sombrero adorned with Christmas ornaments, and being an asshole by attacking a 20 foot tall Christmas tree with a flame thrower?

I am using Generative AI as it should be used.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 04:48 AM (e+6P0)

21 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at December 07, 2024 04:57 AM (dg+HA)

22 In se Pa frozen would be my guess. Looks like a little warmer this week at least.

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 05:01 AM (NvZqN)

23 Copilot is useless.

ME: Generate a picture of a green cat wearing a Walmart blue vest, a yellow Mexican sombrero adorned with Christmas ornaments, and being an asshole by attacking a 20 foot tall Christmas tree with a flame thrower

COPILOT: I can't generate that image for you. It's a bit too wild and potentially harmful. But I can help you come up with a different, fun idea for an image. How about a green cat wearing a Walmart blue vest and a yellow Mexican sombrero adorned with Christmas ornaments, just chilling by a Christmas tree? Let me know if that works for you!

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 05:04 AM (e+6P0)

24 Coffee is up

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 05:05 AM (NvZqN)

25 >>>A reader (I have readers?)
You have readers! Happy loyal readers.

Posted by: m at December 07, 2024 05:06 AM (VnUSN)

26 >>>What kind of spider is this that just bit me?

It's a drop spider.

Posted by: m at December 07, 2024 05:07 AM (VnUSN)

27 >>With Joe Biden's recent pardoning of his catspaw son Hunter, journalists were driven to defend him

I'm pretty sure that "journalists" should be in scare quotes.

Posted by: m at December 07, 2024 05:08 AM (VnUSN)

28 On a polite introduction to the conversation good morning, good people, from the Frigidacks where outside is a hostile environment.

As always, may all effort for you today result in huge benefit and extreme anguish for the leftwits among us.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at December 07, 2024 05:08 AM (hKoQL)

29 23 Copilot is useless.

ME: Generate a picture of a green cat wearing a Walmart blue vest, a yellow Mexican sombrero adorned with Christmas ornaments, and being an asshole by attacking a 20 foot tall Christmas tree with a flame thrower

COPILOT: I can't generate that image for you. It's a bit too wild and potentially harmful. But I can help you come up with a different, fun idea for an image. How about a green cat wearing a Walmart blue vest and a yellow Mexican sombrero adorned with Christmas ornaments, just chilling by a Christmas tree? Let me know if that works for you!
Posted by: Altaria Pilgram

CoPilot, generate a picture of a green cat wearing a Walmart blue vest, a yellow Mexican sombrero adorned with Christmas ornaments, and being an asshole by attacking Bill Gates with a flame thrower.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 07, 2024 05:10 AM (rRMBj)

30 I think this Hunter pardon is like waiting for the other shoe to drop upstairs

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 05:10 AM (NvZqN)

31 It's Pearl Harbor Day

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 05:11 AM (NvZqN)

32 What is AI good for?

Absolutely nothing...

Posted by: Bruce at December 07, 2024 05:11 AM (Ohi2Z)

33 32 What is AI good for?

Absolutely nothing...
Posted by: Bruce at December 07, 2024 05:11 AM (Ohi2Z)

Thanks for the earworm.

https://tinyurl.com/2ty26sd3

Posted by: Aetius451AD at December 07, 2024 05:13 AM (bss/y)

34 Everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY (in Stansfield's voice from The Professional) knew Joe was going to pardon Hunter. Anybody saying otherwise is lying.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 07, 2024 05:13 AM (rRMBj)

35 A War and Truth video on the civilians caught flying around Hawaii on Dec 7, 1941
tinyurl.com/4a36zfs9

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 05:14 AM (NvZqN)

36 45 days until inauguration

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 05:15 AM (NvZqN)

37 G'morning, all.

20.1 degrees out.

For here, that's pretty damn cold.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 07, 2024 05:16 AM (a1415)

38 Watched the new Midway movie last night.

Woody Harrelson as Nimitz was a reach.

And almost entirely CGI.
And not particularly good CGI.

But overall it was a good way to spend an evening.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 07, 2024 05:18 AM (a1415)

39
CDG-CPT if you'll go
TSA-LAX want more
M-I-L-E-T I'm with ya
And round and round and round, yeah

Posted by: m at December 07, 2024 05:19 AM (VnUSN)

40 8 Nice Jaguar except for the driver's side mirror floating in space and the wheel spokes that are doing impossible thing.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 04:19 AM (e+6P0)

And the improbably shaped windscreen.

Posted by: m at December 07, 2024 05:23 AM (VnUSN)

41 So if one is committed to going with the MacBook Air platform, and one really only uses it for surfing the net, watching REELZ and e-mail....

Is it worth it to go with the M-3 chip, or enjoy the cost savings of going with the M-2 chip.

Battery life is really unimportant, also.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 07, 2024 05:23 AM (a1415)

42 The Jaguar photo doesn't have that super cool leaping jaguar symbol, but maybe the symbol it has is also Jaguar?

Posted by: m at December 07, 2024 05:31 AM (VnUSN)

43 So if one is committed to going with the MacBook Air ...Is it worth it to go with the M-3 chip, or enjoy the cost savings of going with the M-2 chip. Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice

I just looked up the base specs for both.

M2 / $1000.00
8-Core CPU /8-Core GPU
16GB Unified Memory /256GB SSD

M3 / $1100.00
8-Core CPU /8-Core GPU
16GB Unified Memory /256GB SSD

Probably doesn't make a lick of difference. Assuming you plan to drive this PC into the ground the extra $100 to get that extra support time might be worth it. If not...cheap is good in this case. I use a 4 year old 2nd Gen Surface Go with a really crappy Intel cpu and it does all things you are specifying without breaking a sweat - the M2 will run circles around this box.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 05:33 AM (e+6P0)

44 symbol, icon, emblem, I'm not sure

Posted by: m at December 07, 2024 05:33 AM (VnUSN)

45 " Assuming you plan to drive this PC into the ground the extra $100 to get that extra support time might be worth it. "

Good point, and something to ponder.

Thanks!

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 07, 2024 05:36 AM (a1415)

46 Gonna try for the morning walk.

BBIAB

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 07, 2024 05:38 AM (a1415)

47 Best Buy:

Apple - MacBook Air 13.6" Laptop - M2 chip Built for Apple Intelligence - 8GB Memory - 512GB SSD - Silver - $899.

Boom. Done.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 05:38 AM (e+6P0)

48 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 07, 2024 05:44 AM (hoCmQ)

49 Evening and morning (a couple hours later than usual, huh?) to all the early risers and Saturday toilers.

Pixy, your essay about AI was well done! I recall seeing something about GHWB having pardoned his son Neil yesterday, and I said to myself, "Self, huh?" Now I know why I was going "huh," because I couldn't remember any such event -- because it didn't happen.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 07, 2024 05:46 AM (omVj0)

50 Good morning morons

Thanks Pixy for the essay on AI

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 05:47 AM (RIvkX)

51 Chilly this am, 43 F. Going up to around 60, though, so not bad.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 07, 2024 05:47 AM (omVj0)

52 "I recall seeing something about GHWB having pardoned his son Neil yesterday"

I saw that too. These days a lie makes it around the world in microseconds. Once it is out there it becomes a fact for some people who prefer not to think for themselves. This is what AI is good for.

Posted by: fd at December 07, 2024 05:51 AM (vFG9F)

53 Small coffee pot didn't make enough coffee, it's gone already

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 05:53 AM (NvZqN)

54 Does anybody have a thought on AMD stock? My dad gave me some and I'm trying to decide whether to hold on to it or not.

Posted by: fd at December 07, 2024 05:53 AM (vFG9F)

55 Does anybody have a thought on AMD stock? My dad gave me some and I'm trying to decide whether to hold on to it or not.
Posted by: fd at December 07, 2024 05:53 AM (vFG9F)
=====

If you think the price will go up, don't sell it.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 05:55 AM (RIvkX)

56 Good morning to one and all.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 07, 2024 05:56 AM (gGMRM)

57 G'day SF, BH, WA.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 05:57 AM (e+6P0)

58 "If you think the price will go up, don't sell it.
Posted by: San Franpsycho"

That is great advice. I knew someone here would know.

Posted by: fd at December 07, 2024 05:58 AM (vFG9F)

59 I don't trust any tech stock. That's why I didnt buy any Gooble in 2003.

Posted by: fd at December 07, 2024 05:59 AM (vFG9F)

60 That is great advice. I knew someone here would know.
Posted by: fd at December 07, 2024 05:58 AM (vFG9F)
====
*takes off monocle and exhales on it*
*wipes it with silk ascot*
*taps cigar ash onto carpet*
Yes. Well. Harrumph.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 06:00 AM (RIvkX)

61
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at December 07, 2024 06:01 AM (tljrc)

62
Nature is Amazing ☘️

@AMAZlNGNATURE
Hundreds of sheep were seen walking around in circles for 12 days in Mongolia

Posted by: Mister Ghost at December 07, 2024 06:04 AM (TGPs7)

63 I used to trade Sun Microsystems a lot and did pretty well.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 06:04 AM (RIvkX)

64 "the co-leaders of DOGE penned on Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal describing, in part, how they plan to do so.

'Requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome,' they wrote.

They have also floated canceling daylight savings as a means to reduce cost"

If they can get just that done I will count it as a win. Bonus if they get rid of the Ad Council.

Posted by: fd at December 07, 2024 06:07 AM (vFG9F)

65 Ditching Daylight FU time and I at least would be grateful

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 06:08 AM (NvZqN)

66 "I used to trade Sun Microsystems a lot and did pretty well.
Posted by: San Franpsycho"

I've never been very successful with stocks. I prefer to invest in hard assets, like rusty old cars.

Posted by: fd at December 07, 2024 06:09 AM (vFG9F)

67 Thank you, Pixy! Clear, concise, with interesting bits that I did not know, and best of all, in complete accord with my own opinions (such as they are, lol) !

& G'mornin' allayou Horde people out there!

woohoo! 30 degrees out there! it hasn't been this warm in a week!

above freezing later today!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at December 07, 2024 06:14 AM (cY18j)

68 If you want to invest in "stocks" but don't know how or haven't been successful, simply buy a broad market index like QQQ or an S&P500 or Russell2000 mutual fund. That is like buying one of everything.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 06:16 AM (RIvkX)

69 15 AI can never be smarter than (or as smart AS) the people who program it. A machine can't be. Simply because it isn't alive.
Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at December 07, 2024 04:41 AM (hKoQL)

Ally Sheedy loves me. So there!

Posted by: Number 5 at December 07, 2024 06:17 AM (PiwSw)

70 Happy Playoff Saturday

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 06:18 AM (gbOdA)

71 The Powerline Week in Pictures:

https://is.gd/0Y5lfS

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 07, 2024 06:19 AM (PiwSw)

72 Good morning, all.
Thank you for the essay, Pixy. It was a very useful explanation for the entirely clueless like myself.

Our Christmas parade was last night. It drizzled a bit, but not enough to slow things down.
It's your basic tiny town parade- civic vehicles, local businesses, almost all the churches (and we have a lot of them, including dueling Lutherans across the street from each other), giant tractors, the HS band, restored cars from the Car Museum, the animal rescue groups and Santa.
It's always so much fun.

Posted by: sal at December 07, 2024 06:20 AM (f+FmA)

73 week in pictures? make coffee? week in pictures? make coffee?

Thanks, Mapes!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at December 07, 2024 06:22 AM (cY18j)

74 Breen’s suit claims Olson-Kennedy’s clinic put her on puberty blockers when she was just 12, started her on hormone therapy at 13 and performed a double mastectomy on her at 14.

If they would have tattooed her and given her a beer people would have burned the place down.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 06:23 AM (gbOdA)

75 "simply buy a broad market index like QQQ or an S&P500 or Russell2000 mutual fund"

That's what I have. My question I guess is, should I hold the AMD stock or sell it and buy mutual funds. I don't want to do something dumb again like holding Cisco stock for 20 years.

Posted by: fd at December 07, 2024 06:23 AM (vFG9F)

76 I like the picture in the Oval Office where Trudeau is wearing Obama's jeans.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 07, 2024 06:25 AM (PiwSw)

77 @16/Altaria Pilgram: "OK. Here is a AI Cat.

https://is.gd/AN5zNk
"

Redirects me to Gemini's login page.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 07, 2024 06:29 AM (O7YUW)

78 Our Christmas parade was last night. It drizzled a bit, but not enough to slow things down.
It's your basic tiny town parade- civic vehicles, local businesses, almost all the churches (and we have a lot of them, including dueling Lutherans across the street from each other), giant tractors, the HS band, restored cars from the Car Museum, the animal rescue groups and Santa.
It's always so much fun.
Posted by: sal at December 07, 2024 06:20 AM (f+FmA)

"Dueling Lutherans" would be a fun prompt for Midjourney ( AI image generator )

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 07, 2024 06:29 AM (PiwSw)

79 As I have gotten older I do less and less stock-picking and try to leave it to the professionals.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 06:30 AM (RIvkX)

80 After receiving this data, the FBI created an internal portal, where employees could search these typically private transactions and profiles could then be made on individual citizens of concern, like those who have shopped at Cabela's or purchased a Bible, the panel claims.

Over 14,000 federal employees accessed that sensitive financial data in 2023 during which the subcommittee claims 3.3 million 'warrantless searches' were made.

Guess the 5th Amend does not apply to us.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 06:30 AM (gbOdA)

81 Jag looks good, maybe the grill is a bit much. Optical illusions are a thing even in meat space. Lead can be chelated but I doubt many Gen Xers have had that done. So, there should be a data set somewhere of blood lead levels to test that hypothesis. Alternatively, the insurance companies can supply the number chelation therapies done and the age range.
Or, we are just fuckin awesome

Posted by: Accomack at December 07, 2024 06:31 AM (cIOlQ)

82 Cute.

Posted by: Eromero at December 07, 2024 06:32 AM (jgmnb)

83 Redirects me to Gemini's login page.
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant

Grrr. I forget to test that link in a browser that was not part of that session. Yep. It won't work. sorry about that.

First rule of testing: Hey it works on my machine, what could go wrong, ship it! (This is culled from actual real like experience).

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 06:33 AM (e+6P0)

84 First rule of testing: Hey it works on my machine, what could go wrong, ship it! (This is culled from actual real like experience).
Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 06:33 AM (e+6P0)

Ugh. Yes.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 07, 2024 06:35 AM (PiwSw)

85 Good morning. 25 degrees here in western NC with a high today in the mid-50s and clear.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 07, 2024 06:35 AM (33578)

86 @83/Altaria Pilgram: I've made the same mistake more times than I'd care to admit. It's an easy one to fall prey to.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 07, 2024 06:35 AM (O7YUW)

87 You have written the best summary to cut through the massive amounts of bullshit surrounding AI today that I have seen anywhere.

Thank you.

Posted by: biteme at December 07, 2024 06:36 AM (xWS9V)

88 85 Good morning. 25 degrees here in western NC with a high today in the mid-50s and clear.
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 07, 2024 06:35 AM (33578
Dang, I hope you’re not in a tent.

Posted by: Eromero at December 07, 2024 06:38 AM (jgmnb)

89 I have a book on Shackleton's expedition to Antarctica. It starts he went on a cruise as a passenger before his trip and the ship got very close to land. He assumed his expedition would get there as well, and didn't believe in Global warming. His trip started hundreds of miles away from land because of pack ice.

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 06:39 AM (NvZqN)

90 "Dueling Lutherans" would be a fun prompt for Midjourney ( AI image generator )
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 07, 2024 06:29 AM (PiwSw)

Oh, that doesn't even count the tiny one downtown and the one out of town.
We have a German/Norwegian-heavy population.

Posted by: sal at December 07, 2024 06:41 AM (f+FmA)

91 According to a disturbing report in the Telegraph, 'terminally ill pensioners could end their lives earlier to spare loved ones six-figure tax bills under assisted dying legislation, experts have warned.' Under the current rules, pensions 'are passed on free of income tax if the person dies before 75 years old.'

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 06:43 AM (gbOdA)

92 87 You have written the best summary to cut through the massive amounts of bullshit surrounding AI today that I have seen anywhere.
Posted by: biteme at December 07, 2024 06:36 AM (xWS9V)

Yes, bookmarking this for sure.

Posted by: sal at December 07, 2024 06:43 AM (f+FmA)

93 89 I have a book on Shackleton's expedition to Antarctica. It starts he went on a cruise as a passenger before his trip and the ship got very close to land. He assumed his expedition would get there as well, and didn't believe in Global warming. His trip started hundreds of miles away from land because of pack ice.
Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 06:39 AM (NvZqN
On the actual exp he lost nary a man. The story would make a great movie. If Angel Studios made it, else it would be hosed up like most horrywoof movies.

Posted by: Eromero at December 07, 2024 06:43 AM (jgmnb)

94 ******Dang, I hope you’re not in a tent.
Posted by: Eromero at December 07, 2024 06:38 AM (jgmnb)
*******
No, fortunately we were spared the worst of Helene, but those s left without a home are struggling. I can’t imagine living in a tent in this weather.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 07, 2024 06:44 AM (33578)

95 I have a book on Shackleton's expedition to Antarctica. It starts he went on a cruise as a passenger before his trip and the ship got very close to land. He assumed his expedition would get there as well, and didn't believe in Global warming. His trip started hundreds of miles away from land because of pack ice.
Posted by: Skip

The Shackleton story is one of the greatest adventure stories of all time.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 06:44 AM (e+6P0)

96
Happy Delaware Day to one and all!

Delaware became the first state to ratify the U. S. Constitution two hundred forty-one years ago today. This distressed Benjamin Franklin greatly, who had hoped that Pennsylvania would snag the honor. Pennsylvania had to settle for second, or, as we Delawareans like to remind them, "Second Place is First Loser."

How do I know this? Behold! The flag of the state of Delaware, which serves as its own crib sheet by including the ratification date on it.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Delaware

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 07, 2024 06:45 AM (xG4kz)

97 @71/Shadout Mapes: "The Powerline Week in Pictures:

https://is.gd/0Y5lfS
"

The one with the library in the back of the van as a lure made me think of "Perfessor" Squirrel and the Sunday Morning Book Thread.

"Perfessor": It's a trap!

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 07, 2024 06:45 AM (O7YUW)

98 According to a disturbing report in the Telegraph, 'terminally ill pensioners could end their lives earlier to spare loved ones six-figure tax bills under assisted dying legislation, experts have warned.' Under the current rules, pensions 'are passed on free of income tax if the person dies before 75 years old.'
Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 06:43 AM (gbOdA)
---
So the government is basically encouraging people to kill themselves to avoid having their money stolen by the government.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 07, 2024 06:46 AM (BpYfr)

99 91 According to a disturbing report in the Telegraph, 'terminally ill pensioners could end their lives earlier to spare loved ones six-figure tax bills under assisted dying legislation, experts have warned.' Under the current rules, pensions 'are passed on free of income tax if the person dies before 75 years old.'
Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 06:43 AM (gbOdA)

In the Telegraph, so this is ... in the UK?

Posted by: m at December 07, 2024 06:46 AM (VnUSN)

100 100

Posted by: m at December 07, 2024 06:46 AM (VnUSN)

101 Terminally ill pensioners- another of Fr. Marx's predictions forty years ago would be the guilting of the elderly in favor of the young:
"Don't you want Mary Sue to be able to go to college?"

Posted by: sal at December 07, 2024 06:46 AM (f+FmA)

102
According to a disturbing report in the Telegraph, 'terminally ill pensioners could end their lives earlier to spare loved ones six-figure tax bills under assisted dying legislation, experts have warned.' Under the current rules, pensions 'are passed on free of income tax if the person dies before 75 years old.'
Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 06:43 AM (gbOdA)

How about, like, not having six-figure tax bills for estates passed on?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 07, 2024 06:47 AM (dxSpM)

103 Thanks for the most understanding explanation of AI I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

Posted by: TGISaturday at December 07, 2024 06:48 AM (rzwGB)

104 Two words.
George. Steinbrenner.

Posted by: Eromero at December 07, 2024 06:49 AM (jgmnb)

105 Nuts. My old Win10 laptop gave a nasty grinding noise when I booted it up initially. I shut it down, took a can of compressed air, blew it in the vents, and rebooted. This time, it booted up normally. A reminder that this laptop is 8+ years old.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at December 07, 2024 06:50 AM (sAmhv)

106 How about, like, not having six-figure tax bills for estates passed on?
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh

Passing along generational wealth is for the reserved for the elite - can't be having the peons doing that.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 06:50 AM (e+6P0)

107 Found my favorite version of my favorite Advent hymn on YouTube:
https://tinyurl.com/3nr6kpdu

Plus, their whole Advent CD is there as well.

Posted by: sal at December 07, 2024 06:52 AM (f+FmA)

108 I have a book on Shackleton's expedition to Antarctica. It starts he went on a cruise as a passenger before his trip and the ship got very close to land. He assumed his expedition would get there as well, and didn't believe in Global warming. His trip started hundreds of miles away from land because of pack ice.
Posted by: Skip

The Shackleton story is one of the greatest adventure stories of all time.
Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024

***
Shackleton was a real-life Captain Kirk.

HIs second-in-command, Frank Wild: I've seen a pic of him, cleaned up of course, smoking a pipe. He was balding, but wore a goatee/ring beard. I've still got all the hair I started with -- but I'm really thinking, again, of going to the ring beard after I retire.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 07, 2024 06:52 AM (omVj0)

109 In Logan's Run society killed everyone when they got to 30. Just start everyone dies at 60 and go from there.
But no exceptions

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 06:53 AM (NvZqN)

110 AI cityscape- https://tinyurl.com/yvm48vc6

It’s a fever dream.

Posted by: 13times at December 07, 2024 06:53 AM (WXVNY)

111 Today is my late grandmother's birthday.
She turned 37 on Pearl Harbor Day.
I imagine she looked at my dad, her only child, with
fear and trembling like millions of other moms across the country.

Posted by: sal at December 07, 2024 06:57 AM (f+FmA)

112 Generative AI video - 2023 v. 2024.

https://youtu.be/vbWe5k4fFWE

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 06:57 AM (e+6P0)

113 I just play with AI image generation

https://tensor.art/u/727481333235843246

Nyah

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 07, 2024 06:58 AM (6JT7j)

114 But no exceptions
Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 06:53 AM (NvZqN)
====
Skip's a wannabe Sandman!

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 07:00 AM (RIvkX)

115
It was 237 years ago, not 241, that Delaware became the First State.

As for another nickname, Diamond State, you can blame Thomas Jefferson for that

The diamond state in the US is Delaware. Delaware is also known as “The Diamond State” because Thomas Jefferson gave it this nickname. Legend has it that Jefferson described Delaware as a “jewel” among states due to its strategic location on the Eastern Seaboard.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 07, 2024 07:00 AM (xG4kz)

116 In the Telegraph, so this is ... in the UK?
Posted by: m at December 07, 2024 06:46 AM (VnUSN)

yes

they go to carousel and renew

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 07:00 AM (gbOdA)

117 Is Damascus burning?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 07:01 AM (RIvkX)

118 23 and partly cloudy here in western CT.
Bunch of lawyers have already gotten in hot water with fake cases cited in court filings - defenses are basically senior lawyers shifting blame to junior lawyers who used AI instead of doing the actual research. I fear it encapsulates the future - those of us over 29 who have no idea (and frankly don’t want to learn) how this stuff works depending on juniors who really don’t want to work that hard (yet still want to be paid handsomely) so pass along crap hoping the world doesn’t blow up.

Posted by: CTSPURSMAN at December 07, 2024 07:05 AM (Uy2Lz)

119 Is Damascus burning?
Posted by: San Franpsycho

Not Yet, but soon it seems.

Al Jazeera: Daraa-based opposition forces say they have seized control of the southern city, the fourth strategically important city President Bashar al-Assad’s forces have lost in a week.

Sources said the military has agreed to make an orderly withdrawal from Daraa under a deal giving army officials safe passage to the capital, Damascus, about 100km (60 miles) north.

https://is.gd/YJGmrZ

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 07:06 AM (e+6P0)

120 That was very interesting and helpful, Pixy. Thanks much. I don't t quite understand why AI needs to lie- such as for the journalists claiming to know about pardons? It just searches and finds info and say it came from someone's Facebook Post.. it doesn't have to be accurate.

My son is doing a little part time checking large language models. I'll have him read your essay.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2024 07:06 AM (5YSyW)

121 Breakfast and coffee are done. Time to relax for a few minutes before I have to shave and get ready for errands: wash the car, gas up, haircut, and a vi$$it to Aldi as I come home. Still all the grocery shopping won't be done; I'll have to go out to Walmart for a few things tomorrow. And I still need to hit Home Depot at some point for weatherstripping to pack around the window A/C unit to keep the drafts out.

Before I know it, it'll be Monday again!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 07, 2024 07:07 AM (omVj0)

122 Posted by: sal at December 07, 2024 06:52 AM (f+FmA)

That was lovely. Thanks so much, Sal.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2024 07:13 AM (MQJVv)

123 Democracy dies in Delaware.

Posted by: My word as a Biden at December 07, 2024 07:13 AM (dg+HA)

124 Every time I am in Delaware I want to slap someone and ask what were you people thinking?

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 07:14 AM (NvZqN)

125 People used to say that Delaware had never given the U.S. a president. Well, they have now . . . and Delaware should be ashamed.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 07, 2024 07:15 AM (omVj0)

126 69
Ally Sheedy loves me. So there!

Posted by: Number 5 at December 07, 2024 06:17 AM (PiwSw)
----
Love that movie.

Posted by: Ciampino - what about Neptuniums?! at December 07, 2024 07:16 AM (i0xsb)

127 An excellent book on exploration. VK Arsenyv, a Russian officer in Nicholas II’s army leads an expedition, records the culture, fauna and flora of the region and maps lower Siberia. In book form we in the West know it as Dersu Uzala.

Dersu Uzala: Tracker • Hunter • Trapper by V. K. Arseniev

Free archive.org book.
https://tinyurl.com/bdzhdbk5

* I added illustrations, new cover, cleaned up the original maps and repaired the .epub and .mobi ebook formatting.

Posted by: 13times at December 07, 2024 07:17 AM (I9/0I)

128 There's a "news" item running around loose saying that weekly doses of dark chocolate can lower your risk of developing diabetes. Something tells me these stories were written with AI assistance.

And dark chocolate, according to other stories, has an increased risk of depositing lead in your body. Uh, I think I'll pass.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 07, 2024 07:17 AM (omVj0)

129 On the plus side, A court has decided that it is OK for the U.S. Naval Academy to continue their DEI hiring practices for the military.

https://tinyurl.com/thad4u92

Because diversity increases our military fighting effectiveness, and helps national security.

And shit.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 07, 2024 07:18 AM (a1415)

130 Pixy, if you read Disclaimer 1 in NYC, Alvin Bragg will probably indict you. He'll indict a rotten banana if it's wearing a MAGA sticker.

Posted by: Ciampino - what lawfare? at December 07, 2024 07:18 AM (i0xsb)

131
Daraa-based opposition forces say they have seized control of the southern city, the fourth strategically important city President Bashar al-Assad’s forces have lost in a week.

Daraa was the town where Lawrence of Arabia was captured while on a reconnaissance mission by its Turkish occupiers and tortured.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 07, 2024 07:20 AM (xG4kz)

132 Farmers market on the agenda today. Going to pick up some beef and see what other goodies are available.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 07, 2024 07:21 AM (33578)

133 What's a Daraa?

Posted by: Gary Johnson at December 07, 2024 07:21 AM (dg+HA)

134 "There's a "news" item running around loose saying that weekly doses of dark chocolate can lower your risk of developing diabetes. Something tells me these stories were written with AI assistance."

The "news" is turning into a grey goo. Discerning the truth from fiction is easier when you assume everything you read and see is fiction.

Posted by: fd at December 07, 2024 07:21 AM (vFG9F)

135
What's a Daraa?

Posted by: Gary Johnson at December 07, 2024 07:21 AM[/]

$20

same as in town

Posted by: AltonJackson at December 07, 2024 07:23 AM (tljrc)

136

Posted by: AltonJackson at December 07, 2024 07:23 AM (tljrc)

137
"Perhaps you remember earlier this year when a trailer for Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis was pulled because it contained fabricated quotes from critics. A generative AI, not identified, had made them up."

See. There is a value for generative AI right there.
Live people can cover their asses by blaming their BS on the AI boogie man.

Posted by: Speller at December 07, 2024 07:25 AM (pSotA)

138
Nothing scheduled for today! The repairman for the garage door was supposed to come yesterday afternoon but didn't show. That was annoying.

The yard is finally cleared of any nails and debris from the roof replacement, so we had Puff and Fitz, then George and Ruth out for a run. It was a cool day, so they tore around and tried to kill each other. Great fun.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 07, 2024 07:26 AM (dxSpM)

139
Darla >>>> Daraa

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 07, 2024 07:27 AM (dxSpM)

140 @RonPaul
Here’s an easy one for
@DOGE
!
ELIMINATE foreign aid! It’s taking money from the poor and middle class in the US and giving it to the rich in poor countries - with a cut to the facilitators in between!

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 07:27 AM (gbOdA)

141 Great explanation on AIpixy
Thanks

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 07, 2024 07:29 AM (WL2lA)

142 What is a UUID for?

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 07, 2024 07:30 AM (WL2lA)

143 "Stranger Things" actor Mark Withers dead at 77

https://mol.im/a/14167653

Posted by: Ciampino - RIP at December 07, 2024 07:30 AM (i0xsb)

144 A Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) is a 128-bit label used to uniquely identify objects in computer systems.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 07:31 AM (gbOdA)

145 {Fen} how are you feeling? Discharged from ER?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 07:32 AM (RIvkX)

146 142 What is a UUID for?

For any guy who isn't sponge worthy.

Posted by: Elaine Benes at December 07, 2024 07:32 AM (dg+HA)

147 Hi,

re that above-the-fold bit, your AI links have been about LLMs and diffusion styles. I think I'm pretty well informed, thanks to you, but do you have anything on machine learning for us?

Is it any kind of different?

Posted by: Nato at December 07, 2024 07:32 AM (ciuRb)

148 142 What is a UUID for?

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 07, 2024 07:30 AM (WL2lA)
----
I read that as an IUD for computer chips.

From wiki: "A Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) is a 128-bit label used to uniquely identify objects in computer systems. The term Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) is also used, mostly in Microsoft systems."

Posted by: Ciampino - Wiki is your friend at December 07, 2024 07:33 AM (i0xsb)

149 ELIMINATE foreign aid! It’s taking money from the poor and middle class in the US and giving it to the rich in poor countries - with a cut to the facilitators in between!
Posted by: rhennigantx

Havibg been both poor in a poor country and middle class iin a rich country, Ron Paul is correct.

But foreign aid was never meant to aid - it's bribery as part of foreign policy.

Just be upfront about the goals and have the goals align with national interest, maybe.

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 07, 2024 07:34 AM (WL2lA)

150 "ELIMINATE foreign aid!"

It doesn't take a couple of billionaires to figure that out. I could have told them that over 29 years ago.

Posted by: fd at December 07, 2024 07:36 AM (vFG9F)

151 AI doesn't lie.

It just doesn't tell the truth.

A lie requires a motive.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 07, 2024 07:36 AM (QB+5g)

152 I always lie.

Posted by: AI Commentator at December 07, 2024 07:37 AM (vFG9F)

153 Just be upfront about the goals and have the goals align with national interest, maybe.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 07, 2024 07:34 AM (WL2lA)

You never pay a ransom.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 07:37 AM (gbOdA)

154 >>>> But foreign aid was never meant to aid - it's bribery as part of foreign policy.

USAID and Samantha Power. Check her Twitter feed. CIA is mucking around in everything.

Posted by: 13times at December 07, 2024 07:37 AM (1L/OH)

155 Speaking of foreign policy, did any of you listen to the Rogan ep where he interviews Mike Benz?

He talked about how the state dept and cia are doing censorship first on other countries then here.

Chilling

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 07, 2024 07:41 AM (WL2lA)

156 129 No military unit can be successful without diversity. Just look at the 332nd fighter group, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, His Majesty's Gurka Regiment. Oh, wait....

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 07, 2024 07:41 AM (gm9Sb)

157
It just doesn't tell the truth.

A lie requires a motive.
Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 07, 2024 07:36 AM (QB+5g)

There are three types of lies. The jocose lie is told to provide amusement. The officious lie is one to excuse one's self or protect another. The malicious lie is one told to injure another.

To be a lie, one must know that what is being said is in variance with the mind. AI can never have such a variance.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 07, 2024 07:42 AM (dxSpM)

158 So the Penny trial was decided that charge 1 must be decided YES to move on to charge 2.
In court yesterday the judge ordered the jury back on Monday to decide charge 2 even though charge 1 was deadlocked.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 07:42 AM (gbOdA)

159 Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 07:32 AM (RIvkX)

Yes; I was discharged about 1:00 this morning. I have a very bad urinary tract infection and was dehydrated. They gave me a prescription that I have to pick up later today. I had no idea that a UTI
Could cause vomiting. A nice Republican man followed the ambulance and waiting with me for a while, I didn't want my husband to come over until I knew what was going on. I also talked with the nice nurse who was probably about 20 or so. He shared with me the faith of his family originally from Vietnam and the two black guys who were making sure people were not bringing weapons into the emergency room -and I was waiting for FenSpouse-were having an animated theological discussion and also that they like Trump and think Biden is a crook. So an interesting time I hope. Not to repeat. Thx, dear for your concern and prayers
we're having an animated

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2024 07:44 AM (qd34F)

160 Speaking of foreign AID. Why do we need an embassy in Cuba, or Venezuela, or even Russia?

Maybe 1 person and 2 assistants.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 07:44 AM (gbOdA)

161 @RonPaul
Here’s an easy one for
@DOGE
!
ELIMINATE foreign aid! It’s taking money from the poor and middle class in the US and giving it to the rich in poor countries - with a cut to the facilitators in between!

Ok, ok, maybe you DO understand how government works.

Posted by: Unnamed Senior Official at December 07, 2024 07:44 AM (bkfCY)

162 {Fen} how are you feeling? Discharged from ER?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 07:32 AM (RIvkX)

Fen was in the ER?

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 07, 2024 07:45 AM (SfhV1)

163 Sorry- last line was weirdness with phone.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2024 07:45 AM (qd34F)

164 The Logans Run run was short.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 07:45 AM (gbOdA)

165 23 degrees here. How am I supposed to get anything done outside? Damn that climate change.

Posted by: fd at December 07, 2024 07:45 AM (vFG9F)

166 On January 31, 1865, the House of Representatives passed the proposed 13th amendment with a vote of 119-56.
84 Republicans, every Republican in the House at that time, voted in favor of the 13th Amendment. 50 Democrats voted against the amendment. The legislation passed 119 to 56.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 07:47 AM (gbOdA)

167 Fenelon - just read your post. Yike. Yes, UTI's can be quite problematic. Feel better.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 07, 2024 07:47 AM (SfhV1)

168 The Jim Breuer clip in the sidebar is hilarious.

Posted by: Ordinary American at December 07, 2024 07:47 AM (UseAb)

169 The jag pic. The mirror has a support, you just can't see it.

Probably obscured by the nacelle. It's casting a shadow on the roadway.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 07, 2024 07:47 AM (QB+5g)

170 Are some of you using AI to comment? Or is it not enough coffee.

Posted by: Dr Pork Chops & Bacons at December 07, 2024 07:48 AM (g8Ew8)

171 The Republican guy- new head of our township Republican group is back to his RC faith. He went to confession and said "It's been 45 years since my last confession and I e violated most of the 10 commandments since then. and the priest laughedHis girlfriend is a very active RC and they are now both Eucharistic ministers.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2024 07:49 AM (KFYce)

172 I have a very bad urinary tract infection and was dehydrated.
====
That's what it sounded like from your symptoms but I'm not a doctor I just know enough to be dangerous.

Glad you're on the mend.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 07:50 AM (RIvkX)

173 The AI Jaguar’s windshield is warped and surreal. The rim spokes are strange.

Posted by: 13times at December 07, 2024 07:51 AM (trAES)

174 I'm giving my daughter some pajamas for Christmas. Last night Amazon sent me XL instead of M. First time I've ever gotten the wrong thing.

Fascinating, I know.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 07, 2024 07:51 AM (SfhV1)

175 89 I have a book on Shackleton's expedition to Antarctica. It starts he went on a cruise as a passenger before his trip and the ship got very close to land. He assumed his expedition would get there as well, and didn't believe in Global warming. His trip started hundreds of miles away from land because of pack ice.
Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 06:39 AM (NvZqN
On the actual exp he lost nary a man. The story would make a great movie. If Angel Studios made it, else it would be hosed up like most horrywoof movies.
Posted by: Eromero at December 07, 2024 06:43 AM (jgmnb)

Kenneth Branagh made that movie. I seem to recall it being a made-for-TV mini-series. I've seen the movie but it's been quite a few years ago.

As movies go, it was OK. I vaguely recall that the movie dealt more with the voyage in the small boat to get rescuers from the Danish(?) whaling station.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 07, 2024 07:51 AM (pJWtt)

176 AI has a very good use for me (only one) writing my ‘goals’ for work. How are you committed to the business? To safety? AI says a lot but says nothing. Perfect manager speak.

Posted by: Stlcdr at December 07, 2024 07:52 AM (kQgz5)

177 Thanks, Grammie and SanFran

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2024 07:52 AM (KFYce)

178 140 @RonPaul
Here’s an easy one for
@DOGE
!

Nothing is going to be easy for DOGE. But they're the pros from Dover, and will do what the Republicans haven't been able to.

Posted by: Ordinary American at December 07, 2024 07:53 AM (UseAb)

179 Morning peeps

Another chilly start here in Bourbon Country. At least it'll be sunny. Tractor maintenance today... hydraulic fluid leak. Loose fitting (my bad) caused it to lose half a quart or so. Guess who doesn't have a jug of hydraulic fluid laying around?

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 07, 2024 07:54 AM (Q4IgG)

180 The Republican guy who sat with me had a very interesting approach to prayer. He doesn't pray " Please give me this, but prays, "Lord, please show me something today" which i think opens the eyes of his heart. " I appreciate these kinds of discussions with people.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2024 07:55 AM (T8aG4)

181
Take any single incident from Shackleton's expedition - the crushing of the ship, the trek over the ice, the voyage to Elephant Island, the open-boat journey to South Georgia, the landing, the trek over the island, the rescue of the crew - and it would make a great story.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 07, 2024 07:55 AM (dxSpM)

182 White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday that Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) played a key role in convincing President Biden to pardon his son Hunter.

Jean-Pierre claimed Biden, 82, “wrestled” with the decision to pardon his son for any and all crimes he committed between 2014 and 2024 — but it was a visit by Clyburn.

blame the block guy

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 07:55 AM (gbOdA)

183 ******Dang, I hope you’re not in a tent.
Posted by: Eromero at December 07, 2024 06:38 AM (jgmnb)
*******
No, fortunately we were spared the worst of Helene, but those s left without a home are struggling. I can’t imagine living in a tent in this weather.
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 07, 2024 06:44 AM (3357

J.D. Vance went somewhere in the devastated area a day or two ago. Basically said, "You're not forgotten, we love you and help is coming."

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 07, 2024 07:56 AM (pJWtt)

184 171 The Republican guy- new head of our township Republican group is back to his RC faith. He went to confession and said "It's been 45 years since my last confession and I e violated most of the 10 commandments since then. and the priest laughedHis girlfriend is a very active RC and they are now both Eucharistic ministers.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2024 07:49 AM (KFYce)

The priest has a GF?

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 07:56 AM (gbOdA)

185 "Take any single incident from Shackleton's expedition - the crushing of the ship, the trek over the ice, the voyage to Elephant Island, the open-boat journey to South Georgia, the landing, the trek over the island, the rescue of the crew - and it would make a great story.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh "

Except for the "Penguin Incident". That would probably get an X rating.

Posted by: AI Commentator at December 07, 2024 07:56 AM (vFG9F)

186 black not block

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 07:57 AM (gbOdA)

187 "AI has a very good use for me (only one) writing my ‘goals’ for work. How are you committed to the business? To safety? AI says a lot but says nothing. Perfect manager speak."

Yeah, I used it to fill out my semi-annual self-assessment at work. It can really spew the cool business buzzwords in a "coherent" fashion.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 07, 2024 07:57 AM (QB+5g)

188 Block lives matter.

Posted by: Gumby at December 07, 2024 07:57 AM (vFG9F)

189
Yeah, I used it to fill out my semi-annual self-assessment at work. It can really spew the cool business buzzwords in a "coherent" fashion.
Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 07, 2024 07:57 AM (QB+5g)

Sounds like the value of AI is not doing important things well, it's to do stupid and irritating things plausibly.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 07, 2024 07:59 AM (dxSpM)

190 If you're voting for Trump, you ain't block.

Posted by: Joe, a working stiff from at December 07, 2024 07:59 AM (Y1sOo)

191 Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 07:56 AM (gbOdA)

No 😉. The kind RC layman who sat with me for a while

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2024 08:01 AM (Rm8Oo)

192 SanFranpsycho, check your email once again.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 07, 2024 08:01 AM (gGMRM)

193 Block lives matter.
Posted by: Gumby at December 07, 2024 07:57 AM (vFG9F)

Once you go block, you'll never go back.

Posted by: Dr Pork Chops & Bacons at December 07, 2024 08:02 AM (g8Ew8)

194
Read my new thriller-

"The Hawk Tua Conspiracy"

available at all book stores for Christmas.

Posted by: Zombie Trevanian at December 07, 2024 08:03 AM (iJfKG)

195 According to the DM, the "real-life woman with 'the perfect female body' according to AI" has fake boobs and a plethora of tattoos.

I think that illustrates the usefulness of AI quite well.

Posted by: Fd at December 07, 2024 08:03 AM (vFG9F)

196 Tested and tried:

A devotional from 1st Corinthians 10:11-13

https://tinyurl.com/4tsu59wj

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2024 08:04 AM (Rm8Oo)

197 The FBI "manipulated" the SAR filing process by pressuring banks to file reports on individuals the FBI deems "suspicious," making financial institutions "de facto arms of law enforcement," the interim report released Friday said. SARs do not require any legal process, granting officials "virtually unchecked access" to "confidential and highly sensitive information."

Over 14,000 KNOWN fed workers have accessed this info.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 08:05 AM (gbOdA)

198 lol that jag mirror is just floating in space. Still, that’s a much better looking jag than the monstrosity that Jaguar itself just previewed.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 07, 2024 08:05 AM (W6hoT)

199 152 I always lie.

Posted by: AI Commentator at December 07, 2024 07:37 AM (vFG9F)
----
So you are a consistent liar.

Posted by: Ciampino - Computer conundrum at December 07, 2024 08:06 AM (i0xsb)

200 I would think there might be some kind of figure of merit on the output that is dependent on execution time. If you spent more computational time then discontinuities like the warped windshield would be iterated out and not be present in the final product.

Just spit-balling here.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 07, 2024 08:06 AM (QB+5g)

201 First rule of testing: Hey it works on my machine, what could go wrong, ship it! (This is culled from actual real like experience).
Posted by: Altaria Pilgram at December 07, 2024 06:33 AM (e+6P0)

The lesson that every generation of software developers has to learn for themselves.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 07, 2024 08:06 AM (ExV1e)

202 > Sounds like the value of AI is not doing important things well, it's to do stupid and irritating things plausibly.
---------
The value of AI lies not in its ability to excel at critical tasks, but rather in its capacity to convincingly perform mundane and annoying functions.

*fixed by AI*

However, one thing I've noticed with AI is all the bogus imagery that's floating around. Take astronomy for example. I've seen convincingly good AI generated "photos" of cosmic panoramas, the surface of Mars and such. But, on closer examination... they're fake.

The possibility of AI generated "events" like something going down in Ukraine or in the Taiwan Strait leading to real world decisions is not zero.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 07, 2024 08:06 AM (Q4IgG)

203 "152 I always lie.

Posted by: AI Commentator at December 07, 2024 07:37 AM (vFG9F)
----
So you are a consistent liar.
Posted by: Ciampino - Computer conundrum"

Yes! I mean, no!

Posted by: AI Commentator at December 07, 2024 08:07 AM (vFG9F)

204 Thanks Ben Had. I have been going through hundreds of emails, my bank, my broker, my doctor, dozens of newsletters, Amazon, hotels, airlines, surveys, so many surveys.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 08:08 AM (RIvkX)

205 Well, don't forget the whisky. It's a tale unto itself.

Shackleton climbed a mountain range that had never been scaled before, alone, and walked into the first building at the edge of the whaling station. As he went in, the guy behind the counter was a man who'd been at school with him. "Well, hello, Ernie -- what are you doing here?"

Small world, you might say.

Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at December 07, 2024 08:08 AM (zdLoL)

206 The lesson that every generation of software developers has to learn for themselves.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 07, 2024 08:06 AM (ExV1e)

I get to tradeshow and nothing works. Seems the compiler the new SW people used was set to work on Gateway (cow) machine. Lucky my credit card allowed me to buy 12k in machines overnight.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 08:10 AM (gbOdA)

207
Shackelton and his Band of Merry Shoe Salesmen, all except for Hoagie Joe Silver, attempted to cross Antarctic, Connecticut, in a boat.

But, the boat got crushed by Burger King, so they went to watch the Tonight Sh0w with johnny Carson and drink Tang.

Posted by: An AI Simulation of naturalfake at December 07, 2024 08:10 AM (iJfKG)

208 Good morning all. Fen, go get your antibiotics! Your illness sounds awful.

Week In Pictures is up and, in keeping with Pixy's post, quite a few are AI generated. I like the movie poster for "No Country For Woke Men"

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 07, 2024 08:10 AM (hMvZ1)

209 "Sounds like the value of AI is not doing important things well, it's to do stupid and irritating things plausibly."

In this case, that is all I wanted. My supervisor didn't even read it during my interview.

Saved me some time and irritation.

"Beep, bop, boop!"

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 07, 2024 08:10 AM (QB+5g)

210 Delaware became the first state to ratify the U. S. Constitution two hundred forty-one years ago today. This distressed Benjamin Franklin greatly, who had hoped that Pennsylvania would snag the honor. Pennsylvania had to settle for second, or, as we Delawareans like to remind them, "Second Place is First Loser."

Equally distraught over this fact, 154 years later Isoroku Yamamoto would have Pearl Harbor bombed. Way to go, Delaware.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 07, 2024 08:11 AM (ExV1e)

211 The possibility of AI generated "events" like something going down in Ukraine or in the Taiwan Strait leading to real world decisions is not zero.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 07, 2024 08:06 AM (Q4IgG)

Would you like to play a game?

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 08:11 AM (gbOdA)

212
The value of AI lies not in its ability to excel at critical tasks, but rather in its capacity to convincingly perform mundane and annoying functions.

*fixed by AI*

AI split an infinitive. Be better.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 07, 2024 08:11 AM (dxSpM)

213 "Don't you want Mary Sue to be able to go to college?"

Mary Sue is already overpowered. Why does she need a degree?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 07, 2024 08:12 AM (ExV1e)

214 The FBI "manipulated" the SAR filing process by pressuring banks to file reports on individuals the FBI deems "suspicious," making financial institutions "de facto arms of law enforcement," the interim report released Friday said. SARs do not require any legal process, granting officials "virtually unchecked access" to "confidential and highly sensitive information."

Over 14,000 KNOWN fed workers have accessed this info.
Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 08:05 AM (gbOdA)

It's become very obvious that the Lefties have hit upon a scheme to circumvent the U.S. Constitution's prohibition that, "Congress shall make no law ..." and have replaced it with, "If un-elected bureaucrats do it, it totes cool."

How you can root-around in someone's financial records and purchase histories without a warrant is beyond my understanding. Fvkc, I had to get search warrants to download data from airbag Sensing & Diagnostic Modules for traffic homicides.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 07, 2024 08:13 AM (pJWtt)

215
Mary Sue is already overpowered. Why does she need a degree?
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 07, 2024 08:12 AM (ExV1e)

She needs to be making me a sammich. And the floors need scrubbing.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 07, 2024 08:13 AM (dxSpM)

216 Shackleton was a real-life Captain Kirk.

Shackleton sexed up all the lady penguins?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 07, 2024 08:13 AM (ExV1e)

217 I would never AI directly for something important.

I was wondering about the flammability of hydrogen in a hydrogen/helium mixture when exposed to air. ChatGPT just cited the usual 4% flammability in air of hydrogen and ignored the helium mixture aspect.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 07, 2024 08:15 AM (QB+5g)

218 USAID and Samantha Power. Check her Twitter feed. CIA is mucking around in everything.
Posted by: 13times

---
Yeah I learned that in the Rogan podcast - USAID stands for US Agency for International Development
It's CIA
Not "aid"

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 07, 2024 08:15 AM (7gFa4)

219 Shackleton was a real-life Captain Kirk.

Shackleton sexed up all the lady penguins?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 07, 2024 08:13 AM (ExV1e)

Well...the green ones, yes.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 07, 2024 08:15 AM (iJfKG)

220 How you can root-around in someone's financial records and purchase histories without a warrant is beyond my understanding. Fvkc, I had to get search warrants to download data from airbag Sensing & Diagnostic Modules for traffic homicides.
Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 07, 2024 08:13 AM (pJWtt)

We dont need no stinkin 5th Amend.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 08:15 AM (gbOdA)

221 The FBI "manipulated" the SAR filing process by pressuring banks to file reports on individuals the FBI deems "suspicious," making financial institutions "de facto arms of law enforcement," the interim report released Friday said. SARs do not require any legal process, granting officials "virtually unchecked access" to "confidential and highly sensitive information."

Over 14,000 KNOWN fed workers have accessed this info.
Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 08:05 AM (gbOdA)
--------------------
Since banks file SAR's with a Treasury Department unit, I suppose this means even the Treasury has been weaponized against citizens. Why is it government is only efficient in attacking citizens?

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 07, 2024 08:15 AM (y5/Ra)

222 Brrr....

Posted by: dantesed at December 07, 2024 08:16 AM (Oy/m2)

223 I am thinking it's going to be a tooth and nail fight daily for at least two years with Deep State and Trump, and the Republicans are siding mostly with the Deep State

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 08:16 AM (NvZqN)

224 ‘AI, what do I do with the loose end of this necktie?’

‘Tie it securely to the doorknob and sit on the floor with all your strength.’

Posted by: Eromero at December 07, 2024 08:16 AM (jgmnb)

225 Ciampino, thanks
I also read that as IUD at first lol

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 07, 2024 08:17 AM (WL2lA)

226 Fen, talk about odd things to pray for -- it's a great piece of luck that you had a severe onset and were with well-meaning folk. The next stop on the UTI train is a mild dementia, often misdiagnosed as senility if the med providers are working from a checklist. I think others have noted it here. Quite a few people have been called out for early-onset Alzheimer's when all they really have is your "Newlywed's Disease."

Really reaching for the silver lining, I know, but this could have been, or gotten, worse, so I'm pleased you're doing better.

Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at December 07, 2024 08:17 AM (zdLoL)

227 219 Shackleton was a real-life Captain Kirk.

Shackleton sexed up all the lady penguins?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 07, 2024 08:13 AM (ExV1e)

Well...the green ones, yes.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 07, 2024 08:15 AM (iJfKG)

Oh, that's not right. No.

Posted by: Guy Fleegman at December 07, 2024 08:17 AM (PiwSw)

228 Italian Police Arrest Nun Over Links to Mafia

Sister Anna "Bonnie Bananas" Donelli...

Posted by: one hour sober at December 07, 2024 08:20 AM (Y1sOo)

229 It's become very obvious that the Lefties have hit upon a scheme to circumvent the U.S. Constitution's prohibition that, "Congress shall make no law ..." and have replaced it with, "If un-elected bureaucrats do it, it totes cool."

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 07, 2024 08:13 AM (pJWtt)
----------------------
This idea is the basis for Philip Hamburger's great book "Is Administrative Law Unlawful?" And he shoukd be on the Supreme Court.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 07, 2024 08:21 AM (y5/Ra)

230 So the Penny trial was decided that charge 1 must be decided YES to move on to charge 2.
In court yesterday the judge ordered the jury back on Monday to decide charge 2 even though charge 1 was deadlocked.
Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 07:42 AM (gbOdA)

Charge 1 was dismissed. There is no charge 1. There never was a charge 1. Only charge 2 is real. We called it charge 2 out of a sense of whimsy since there is no charge 1. -- the NY court system

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 07, 2024 08:22 AM (ExV1e)

231 Fen, be sure to get screened for an STD.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 07, 2024 08:22 AM (QB+5g)

232 I'll give you one more thing generative AI is good for: English to English translation.

For example, I prototype code in the mathematical software Matlab. Gen AI is very good at translating Matlab code to Python code.

As a second example, I also write screenplays. To promote the screenplays, I want paperback novels to sell on Amazon. Gen AI is very good at translating screenplay format to novel format.

Both still require human editing after the fact.

Posted by: Candidus at December 07, 2024 08:22 AM (uXyGJ)

233 https://www.frontpagemag.com
how california stole trumps popular vote majority
And flipped 3 Republican seats

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 08:23 AM (fwDg9)

234 If DOGE makes a recommendation to reduce funds to a program, or even get rid of the program altogether, do they have the authority to do that themselves, or does it have to go through Congress?

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 07, 2024 08:23 AM (SfhV1)

235 Count em until you win

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 08:23 AM (fwDg9)

236 219 Shackleton was a real-life Captain Kirk.

Shackleton sexed up all the lady penguins?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 07, 2024 08:13 AM (ExV1e)

Well...the green ones, yes.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 07, 2024 08:15 AM (iJfKG)
----
But those are not yet ripe!

Posted by: Ciampino - On the vine at December 07, 2024 08:24 AM (i0xsb)

237 The AI Jaguar’s windshield is warped and surreal.

I thought that originally but I've come to the conclusion that it's just the reflection.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 07, 2024 08:24 AM (ExV1e)

238 Since banks file SAR's with a Treasury Department unit, I suppose this means even the Treasury has been weaponized against citizens. Why is it government is only efficient in attacking citizens?
Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 07, 2024 08:15 AM (y5/Ra)

It's easier and safer until it isn't. C. Northcote Parkinson's book, The Evolution of Political Thought, makes the case that Democracies always descend into collectivism (true since the ancient Greeks). Since there are more Have Nots than Haves, politicians will find it expedient to curry favor with the Have Nots.

Parkinson posits that there is actually a cycle of governmental forms. They proceed from Monarchy to Aristocracy to Democracy to Tyranny back to Monarchy. All of the Anglo-sphere seems to be in the Tyranny stage. Perhaps we will see King Baron Trump I.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 07, 2024 08:25 AM (pJWtt)

239 If the jury convicts Penny on charge 2 that would seem like an overturn on appeal would be liktright?

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 07, 2024 08:26 AM (WL2lA)

240 Good morning!

Let's smile & be happy & strike fear in the hearts of killjoy leftists everywhere.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 07, 2024 08:26 AM (u82oZ)

241 If DOGE makes a recommendation to reduce funds to a program, or even get rid of the program altogether, do they have the authority to do that themselves, or does it have to go through Congress?

==

they are not a regulatory or enforcement I think, so are mostly a suggestion agency

Posted by: runner at December 07, 2024 08:28 AM (QTCRF)

242 Fenelon I hope you are feeling better!
UTUs can cause strange symptoms in us 29plusers

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 07, 2024 08:28 AM (WL2lA)

243 FenelonSpoke: Sent up a prayer for your recovery and good health. Didn't realize till this morning you'd run smack dab into a UTI. Ouch. Sorry to hear you had a rough go of it there.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 07, 2024 08:29 AM (O7YUW)

244 UTIs

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 07, 2024 08:29 AM (WL2lA)

245 Retired Buckeye Cop

OK, but no hereditary clans outside of the Cuomos, Clintons, Bushes, and Obamas.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 07, 2024 08:29 AM (u82oZ)

246 I am thinking it's going to be a tooth and nail fight daily for at least two years with Deep State and Trump, and the Republicans are siding mostly with the Deep State
Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 08:16 AM (NvZqN)

There are still masks which must be removed.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 07, 2024 08:30 AM (ExV1e)

247 they are not a regulatory or enforcement I think, so are mostly a suggestion agency

Posted by: runner at December 07, 2024 08:28 AM (QTCRF)

I hope their suggestions don't wind up in the wastebasket.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 07, 2024 08:30 AM (SfhV1)

248 If the jury convicts Penny on charge 2 that would seem like an overturn on appeal would be liktright?

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 07, 2024 08:26 AM (WL2lA)

That's what they were saying on Fox News.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 07, 2024 08:34 AM (SfhV1)

249 Retired Buckeye Cop

OK, but no hereditary clans outside of the Cuomos, Clintons, Bushes, and Obamas.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 07, 2024 08:29 AM (u82oZ)

The bloom seems to be off all of those roses. Donald Trump has revealed that all of those families have accomplished nothing but enriching themselves and their cronies.

If the Lefties were introspective (they're not), they wouldn't be running around praising the murder of that health insurance CEO. Yeah, maybe he screwed-over people, but if that's the standard for "permissible murder", lots of bureaucrats need to be on high alert.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 07, 2024 08:35 AM (pJWtt)

250 Typical prosecutorial overcharge. Count two was the one she was actually gunning for. She expected a 'not guilty' on count one and gave the jury a fallback to convict on the lesser count two.

Oops, she messed up.

Posted by: one hour sober at December 07, 2024 08:35 AM (Y1sOo)

251 I hope their suggestions don't wind up in the wastebasket.
Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 07, 2024 08:30 AM (SfhV1)
====
Why I hated being a government consultant.

They never take good advice.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 08:35 AM (RIvkX)

252 Revolver- Daniel Penny's psycho Lesbian prosecutor has a crazy "wife" who just locked down her social media

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 08:36 AM (NvZqN)

253 I've seen some fairly convincing AI generated pictures that purport to be of the surface of Mars, a photo of some celestial phenomenon, Musk's Falcon I rocket blasting through the troposphere and so on.

All fake. But because one doesn't see this sort of thing in our everyday lives, on a first blush they look legit.

Fake videos are out there too. IIRC they've been used in Ukraine to shore up support. Because the public doesn't see an armored vehicle being blown up daily, or a multi-role jet being hit by a surface-to-air missile... many, including the press will take them at face value.

Only after some sleuth in mom's basement unmasks them does anyone take interest.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 07, 2024 08:36 AM (Q4IgG)

254 Good luck with that whole reduce government thing.

Posted by: David Stockman at December 07, 2024 08:37 AM (i0F8b)

255 Daniel Penny's psycho Lesbian prosecutor has a crazy "wife" who just locked down her social media
Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2024 08:36 AM (NvZqN)
=====
There is so much here I don't even know where to begin.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 08:38 AM (RIvkX)

256 234 If DOGE makes a recommendation to reduce funds to a program, or even get rid of the program altogether, do they have the authority to do that themselves, or does it have to go through Congress?
Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 07, 2024 08:23 AM (SfhV1)

Depend if is an Executive Branch item then I guess PDT could impound or not spend the money.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 08:39 AM (gbOdA)

257 223 I am thinking it's going to be a tooth and nail fight daily for at least two years with Deep State and Trump, and the Republicans are siding mostly with the Deep State
Posted by: Skip

10% distributed off shore has a very stronk appeal, da!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next year in Corsicana - again! ~ at December 07, 2024 08:41 AM (hOUT3)

258 Sheriff Chad Chronister got the boot. Now, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat needs to go. She can take her Dancing Nurses of COVID with her

Posted by: one hour sober at December 07, 2024 08:42 AM (Y1sOo)

259 234 If DOGE makes a recommendation to reduce funds to a program, or even get rid of the program altogether, do they have the authority to do that themselves, or does it have to go through Congress?
Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 07, 2024 08:23 AM (SfhV1)

Depend if is an Executive Branch item then I guess PDT could impound or not spend the money.
Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2024 08:39 AM (gbOdA)

That's what's going to happen. DOGE is going to start out identifying the low-hanging fruit such as funding LGBT-BBQ-WTF Basket Weaving in Sri Lanka, etc. and POTUS Trump isn't going to spend the money. Politicians will whine and Trump will point out that Americans in NC are living in tents.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 07, 2024 08:44 AM (pJWtt)

260 Traffic chaos caused by 30K pounds of melted chocolate on Bay Area highway
A big rig caught on fire Friday. It was carrying thousands of pounds of chocolate.
====

Noooooooo!

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 08:45 AM (RIvkX)

261 Republican Congressmen who go against Trump on reforms in the Civil Service will need to be disciplined. Firstly would be a notice that any competition towards re-election would be funded even if the only competition were a Democrat (you are siding with Dems anyway). Secondly would be a notice of an IRS fine-toothcombery (LOL) investigation on his and family's finances for the last 10 years. Finally show a nice big, thick stick and mention bastinado.

Posted by: Ciampino - No Time For Traitors at December 07, 2024 08:46 AM (i0xsb)

262 Nood Coffee & prayers...

Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at December 07, 2024 08:47 AM (BkrYY)

263 mention bastinado.
Posted by: Ciampino - No Time For Traitors

Publicly on the National Mall at noon!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next year in Corsicana - again! ~ at December 07, 2024 08:48 AM (hOUT3)

264 A simple test of their will will be to see what DOGE does with the SLS.

I mean it's completely useless but provides a lot of paychecks.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 07, 2024 08:49 AM (QB+5g)

265 After a preliminary magnitude 7.0 earthquake off the coast of Humboldt County caused the National Weather Service to issue a tsunami warning Thursday morning, minor chaos ensued in San Francisco: BART suspended service through the Transbay Tube, Alcatraz halted operations and residents were urged to move away from coastal waters in anticipation of the threat.
====
They called me to come pick up Boy F. from his day program. Because tsunami.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2024 08:53 AM (RIvkX)

266 The yard is finally cleared of any nails and debris from the roof replacement, so we had Puff and Fitz, then George and Ruth out for a run. It was a cool day, so they tore around and tried to kill each other. Great fun.

We just had the house re-sided. They did a good job cleaning up but I decided to invest 20 bucks in one of those magnetic rollers on wheels. I found quite a few nails they missed. It was a lot cheaper than a punctured tire.

Posted by: RetSgtRN at December 07, 2024 08:53 AM (MRHlg)

267 264 A simple test of their will will be to see what DOGE does with the SLS.

I mean it's completely useless but provides a lot of paychecks.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 07, 2024 08:49 AM (QB+5g)
----
What is SLS ?

Posted by: Ciampino - No Time For Traitors! at December 07, 2024 08:53 AM (i0xsb)

268 SLS is NASA's Space Launch System?

Posted by: Ciampino - No Time For Traitors!! at December 07, 2024 08:59 AM (i0xsb)

269
"Speaking of foreign AID. Why do we need an embassy in Cuba, or Venezuela, or even Russia?"

Because the CIA agents that spy on those countries have to live somewhere.

Posted by: Speller at December 07, 2024 09:58 AM (pSotA)

270 "it's usually wrong but never uncertain, and it can't consistently count the number of letters in the word "the", but it is easy to use.". So Rachel maddow ?

Posted by: Edward at December 07, 2024 10:01 AM (93DJn)

271 The push towards generative ai isn’t difficult to understand.
It’s the Manhattan Project of propaganda generation and dissemination. It completely changes the face of psychological warfare, especially against one’s own citizens.
It’s no wonder governments and wannabe megacorps are lining up to throw billions of dollars at it.

I believe most people are capable of learning, and that shoveling piles of obvious crap at them will have second order effects that will not be appreciated by those pushing the endeavor.

Posted by: Luke at December 07, 2024 10:13 AM (LcCGY)

272 "I mean, what is the last success for a major western game developer? Baldur's Gate 3?"
- - - - - - - -
It was a win, but the developers (Larian) went on to say they were NOT working with Hasbro/WotC anymore to develop more content. Apparently, the relationship soured badly, and they weren't having it anymore.

I haven't played it, myself, but:
A) The public raved about it, and there looks to be few negatives reported (bugs, glitches, unfun gameplay) unlike a lot of recent games
B) If your developers refuse to work with you anymore, and have F.U. funds to go do their own thing (as they've previously done in the past), you done goofed.

Some newer articles seem to indicate the opposite, but then why no additional DLC/content/etc.? And Larian Studios has made comments about other publishers, such as UbiSoft breaking up a team right after releasing some other product.

Posted by: Another Anon at December 07, 2024 10:13 AM (QNMaY)

273 Another great use case for AI is the Whisper LLM for voice to text. Fine-tuned models allow it to be used by cell phones or a computer without a dedicated gpu effectively and efficiently. Works seamlessly—like a charm—on a computer with an old gpu.

The few mistakes it made can be cleaned up because you know what you just said.

This is game changing for me because it means that I don't have to spend my time typing on a small little keyboard on my phone and it is even faster than my 70 word per minute typing speed if I'm on my computer.

And the beauty of it is that it is open source. OpenAI released it as open source about two years ago.

Posted by: JM at December 07, 2024 10:27 AM (JIN2d)

274 Pixy, have you seen the Marc Andreeson (Netscape etc.) interview on Rogan?

He says AI is a very ominous development... because it is going to be the "control layer" for absolutely everything.

He's one of the "billies" who backed Trump. He also talked at some length about the tech mavens who are now awake about woke, and are starting to combine forces to resist it. Interesting interview.

Posted by: Beverly at December 07, 2024 10:32 AM (Epeb0)

275 When I originally commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox and now each time a comment
is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way
you can remove me from that service? Thanks!

Posted by: montreal underground mall stores at December 07, 2024 11:05 AM (TAYIl)

276 AMERICA'S FAVORITE MAILMAN
Elwood Edwards, the voice of America Online’s “You’ve got mail” has died at age 74
His cassette recording, made for $200 in 1989, was a sound that defined an online generation.
NOV 5, 2024

Posted by: SMOD at December 07, 2024 12:50 PM (9t238)

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: Uuuhhhh Iya Tan (Sambil meremas dada Tante yg bergoyаng)Sudah Tidak tertаhankan lagi,
lalu Aku merasa Tante buang air kecil, dan ternyata itu adalaһ saat Tantе mengalami
Orgasme. Kami berdua mengеjang hebat, sаling beгteriak satu samɑ laіn,
“Aaaaaahhhhh Nunuuuu Aaaahhhh” Seru Tante. Aku pun sedikit berteriak keenakan “Taaannn aaahhhhh” Crrrooottttt Crooottttt.Tanpa kusadari, aku mengeluarkan speгma di dalam vagina
Tante. Aku pun terkejut, tetaрi Tante mengatakan bahwa “Udah gpp
kok Ԁiɗalаm, Tante udah ga biѕa hamil lagi karena pernah di operasi pengangkatan rahim”.

Hufftttt sontak kata kata itu membuat batin ku menjadi lebih tenang.“Nono, km
kl mau lɑgi nanti bilang ke Tante ɑja ya sayang, ga bߋleh
main ini sama Pacar atau Perempuan lain sebelum kamu nikah yɑa…Kalo kamu mau tinggal bilang ke Tante yа sayang, Tante gamau kaгena hal ini Nono
jadi laқi laki bandel nanti, Janjі?” Ucap Tante.“Iya Tan, Janji
kok Nono jg mau nya sama Tante, kan sama Tante lebih
enak hehehe ” Gurau kս kepada Tante“Dasar deehh ponakan Tantе tersayang, (

Posted by: XXNX at December 07, 2024 01:41 PM (bSIhv)

278 Ƭante : Jangan kelսar ɗսluuu, tahan sedikit lagii… Mmmhhhhh mmmhhhhhAku : Uuuhhhh Iүa Tan (Sambil
meremas dada Tante yg bergoyang)Sudah TiԀak tertahankan lagi, lalu Aкu merasa Tante
buang air kecil, dan ternyata itu adaⅼаh saat Tante mengalami Orgasme.

Kami berdua mengejang hebat, saⅼing berteriak satu sama lain, “Aaaaaahhhhh Nunuuuu Aaaahhhh” Seru Tɑnte.
Aku pun sedіkit berteriak keenakan “Taaannn aaahhhhh” Cｒrrooottttt Crooottttt.Tanpa kusadari, aku mengeluarkan sperma di dalam vagina Tante.
Akᥙ pun tеrkejut, tetapі Tante mengatakan bahwa “Udah gpp kok didalam,
Tante udah ga bisa hamil lagi karena pernah di
operasi pengangkatan ｒahim”. Hufftttt sontak kаta kata itu
membuat batіn ku menjadi lebih tenang.“Nono, km kl mau lagi nanti bilang қe Tante aja ya sayang,
ga Ьoleh main ini sama Paсar atau Pеrempuan lain sｅbeⅼum kamu nikah yaa…Kalo kamu mau tinggal bilang
ke Tante ya sayang, Tante gamau karena һаl ini Nono jadi laki lаki bandel nanti, Јanji?” Uｃap
Tante.“Iya Ƭan, Janji kok Nⲟno jg mau nya sama Tante,
kan sama Tante lebih enak hehehe ” Gᥙrau kս kepada Tante“Dasar deehh ponakan Tante

Posted by: https://www.smkibnusinakotabogor.sch.id/images/?jpg=cuaca778 at December 07, 2024 02:39 PM (7GEbx)

279 Thank you very much for the explanations about AI.

I have a total boomer non-groking of AI, but I still was able to read the several paragraphs written by Pixi Misa here. That alone is most impressive. And I think I got the point mostly, at least as much of the point as I was able to understand.

Again, thank you! This stuff seems like it's here to stay and I approve of it not at all, but evidently the pure AI function can be useful in some ways.

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Posted by: tardiness at December 09, 2024 11:05 PM (HUMq/)

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