Amazon Is About to Begin a Program Turning Your Alexa or Ring App Into a Node In a Massive Shared Network, and You Have One Week to Opt-Out of the Program

I don't think this is intended in a sinister way. I think they want people to share some low-bandwidth bluetooth power on these devices to spread the internet.

But this does edge up to what a FaceBook executive called "The Creepy Line" -- especially as regards the very low-key, zero-publicity way they're rolling this out.

And only giving you a week to opt your device out of the shared public wi-fi network.

Amazon customers have one week to opt out of a plan that would turn every Echo speaker and Ring security camera in the US into a shared wireless network, as part of the company's plan to fix connection problems for its smart home devices.
The proposal, called Amazon Sidewalk, involves the company's devices being used as a springboard to build city-wide "mesh networks" that help simplify the process of setting up new devices, keep them online even if they're out of range of home wifi, and extend the range of tracking devices such as those made by Tile.
But Sidewalk has come under fire for the apparent lack of transparency with which Amazon has rolled out the feature, as well as the limited time available for users to complete the tricky process required to opt out. Other critics have expressed concerns that failing to turn the setting off could leave customers in breach of their internet service provider's terms and conditions.

I imagine so-- I imagine the standard ISP contract forbids providing part of the bandwidth free to all users within range.

The feature works by creating a low-bandwidth network using smart home devices such as Amazon Echoes and Ring security cameras. At its simplest, it means that a new Echo can set itself up using a neighbour's wifi, or a security camera can continue to send motion alerts even if its connection to the internet is disrupted, by piggybacking on the connection of another camera across the street. Other devices that don’t need a high-bandwidth connection, such as smart lights, pet locators or smart locks, can use Sidewalk all the time.
But the company's plans have caused alarm among observers. Ashkan Soltani, a former chief technology officer of the US Federal Trade Commission, told the tech site Ars Technica: "In addition to capturing everyone's shopping habits (from amazon.com) and their internet activity (as AWS is one of the most dominant web hosting services) … now they are also effectively becoming a global ISP with a flick of a switch, all without even having to lay a single foot of fiber."

Below, a video about how to turn this feature off.

Note that first of all, you need an Alexa app on your phone -- something a lot of Alexa or Ring owners don't even have. To get the app, you have to go to the Itunes story or Google Playstore and then download the Alexa app.

Then follow the instructions below.

Personally, I could not find the setting to disable Amazon Sidewalk. But I believe that's because I have a first-generation Echo, and first-generation Echos do not have this feature built into them.

I think. According to this Reddit answer.

Which I'm not sure is authoritative. I haven't yet confirmed that this doesn't apply to first gen Echoes.

Other people in the responses say they used to have the option to opt-out of Sidewalk, but it's now been removed from their menus.

There's an outcry about this, but of course Amazon doesn't care. They're a fucking monopoly. Jeff Bezos' space venture is a total failure and so he got some of his pet senators to pour $10 billion of public money into his failing company.

Buh muh private monopolies.

I hope you guys have more luck than I did.

Posted by: Ace at 03:19 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Yikes!

Posted by: Doof at June 01, 2021 02:20 PM (mZUr4)

2 I'll go call nood

Posted by: Doof at June 01, 2021 02:20 PM (mZUr4)

3 technology is for good !

Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:20 PM (V13WU)

4 Where have you gone, Ted Kazcinsky?
Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Woo-woo-woo...

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at June 01, 2021 02:20 PM (jOcSX)

5 technology is also for bad.

Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:21 PM (V13WU)

6 When will Jeff share his banking information with all of us?

Posted by: Joe Mama at June 01, 2021 02:21 PM (WmGrA)

7 If he were out of jail, Ted would be up there in MT out of cell phone range.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at June 01, 2021 02:21 PM (5HBd1)

8 It's called the Forbin Project

Posted by: DB- just DB at June 01, 2021 02:21 PM (iTXRQ)

9 so 50/50. dump echo. and that other thing.

Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:21 PM (V13WU)

10 Never got Alexa. I have the other camera system from Amazon: Blink.

Posted by: Joe Mama at June 01, 2021 02:22 PM (WmGrA)

11
Headine: China reports first human case of H10N3 bird flu

Better mask up, socially distance and stay at home. Only essential businesses will be open. Two weeks to flatten the curve. We're all in this together.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 01, 2021 02:22 PM (mht8P)

12 It's like having Big Brother in your house.

Soon you will get offers for FREE digital equipment with a small monthly fee.

Posted by: torabora at June 01, 2021 02:22 PM (XlZhQ)

13 Glad I don't have any of Bezos' fucking spy devices in the house.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at June 01, 2021 02:22 PM (2JVJo)

14 Cassandra
@CassyWearsHeels

1h
BREAKING: Colorado has finally lifted all capacity limits on indoor events.

WOOT!

Posted by: Guy Smiley at June 01, 2021 02:23 PM (Bmy3R)

15 Is it too tinhatty to think this is at the request of the NSA to make tracking easier or some such?

Posted by: alexthechick - Boobs and hysteria at June 01, 2021 02:23 PM (GbPPJ)

16 This reminds me of the later plot of "Silicon Valley"

Posted by: pawn at June 01, 2021 02:23 PM (UO32H)

17 More like Sidestep

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:23 PM (1zXic)

18 can't people disable amazon sidewalk completely ? who needs it anyway ?

Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:23 PM (V13WU)

19 It's called the Forbin Project
Posted by: DB- just DB at June 01, 2021 02:21 PM

What's a Forbin?

*and...go!*

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 02:23 PM (m+jkK)

20
Refrigerator with WiFi: We see you bought pizza. Would you prefer fresh broccoli instead?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 01, 2021 02:24 PM (mht8P)

21 We just want to reassure the public that the NSA will be absolutely prohibited by controlling legal authorities from using this network for mass surveillance of home conversations. That would be wrong.

Posted by: Grand Kleagle Merrick Garland at June 01, 2021 02:24 PM (5iiCZ)

22 Alexa concept frightens me

Posted by: Skip at June 01, 2021 02:24 PM (Cxk7w)

23 Don't own one. Never would. Rarely deal with Amazon.

Posted by: Shooter McGavin at June 01, 2021 02:24 PM (MZ/gp)

24 My cousin has an Echo (although he doesn't have an Amazon account any more, since they locked him out of it.) He lives on the third floor of an apartment building and uses it to see when there's a package delivery. he had to turn off the function that alerts you when someone is at the door, since that was triggered by people just walking by the building.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at June 01, 2021 02:24 PM (5HBd1)

25 What's a Forbin?

*and...go!*
Posted by: RedMindBlueState

$50, same as everywhere.

Posted by: Joe Mama at June 01, 2021 02:24 PM (WmGrA)

26 >>>16 This reminds me of the later plot of "Silicon Valley"

haha

it does

Posted by: ace at June 01, 2021 02:24 PM (0G13K)

27 Foreskin Project?

The Lincoln Project's new name?

Posted by: Guy Smiley at June 01, 2021 02:24 PM (Bmy3R)

28 I imagine so-- I imagine the standard ISP contract forbids providing part of the bandwidth free to all users within range.
++++
That is *very* sticky territory. You are absolutely not allowed to resell bandwidth and act as an ISP unless you have a wholesale contract with the major network. Does this count as resale? Does this count as a operating an ISP?

I doubt it, from the standpoint of resale. The ISP question is stickier. If it is an ISP, who is running it? Is it you or Amazon?

It is, if nothing else, a big 'ole potential can of worms.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:24 PM (Jsjd7)

29 From each according to his ability, to each according to their need [to get their creepy Amazon spying devices online when the Wifi coverage is spotty].

Posted by: Match Checksout at June 01, 2021 02:25 PM (dYe5S)

30 Hello. Have you completed your daily celebration of Pride Month?

Sources indicate you have not. You have 3 hours to comply. Have a great day!

Posted by: Alexa at June 01, 2021 02:25 PM (1zXic)

31 I think they want people to share some low-bandwidth bluetooth power on these devices to spread the internet.

LOL. There's two families on our mile long county dirt road. Mine & my in-laws. Won't be any sharing going on.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 01, 2021 02:25 PM (OG7NC)

32 It's called the Forbin Project
Posted by: DB- just DB at June 01, 2021 02:21 PM

What's a Forbin?

*and...go!*
Posted by: RedMindBlueState

Dr. Charles Forbin masterminded the created of Colossus, which was a super computer buried under a mountain, inaccessible to humans, to manage our military defense.
And....it all went wrong.
Colossus and its Soviet counterpart, Guardian, eventually took over the world.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative.....Living on the prison planet at June 01, 2021 02:25 PM (vcOmj)

33 Many (most? all?) ISPs currently do something similar if you use their equipment. They broadcast a public wifi signal, eg. CoxWifi, available to anyone with a logon for that ISP.

In my case the ISP makes it seem as if it can be turned off via a setting on your account page. However, that doesn't really turn it off. You have to call and specifically ask.

Posted by: ferastu at June 01, 2021 02:25 PM (5oIEi)

34 30 Hello. Have you completed your daily celebration of Pride Month?

It's Gluttony Month in my house.

nom nom nom

Posted by: Guy Smiley at June 01, 2021 02:26 PM (Bmy3R)

35 32 Dr. Charles Forbin masterminded the created of Colossus, which was a super computer buried under a mountain, inaccessible to humans, to manage our military defense.
And....it all went wrong.
Colossus and its Soviet counterpart, Guardian, eventually took over the world.
Posted by: Bozo Conservative.....Living on the prison planet at June 01, 2021 02:25 PM (vcOmj)

=========

"I don't get it."
-Dr. Miles Dyson

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, in a dangerous profession with a Hawksian woman at my side at June 01, 2021 02:26 PM (LvTSG)

36
It is, if nothing else, a big 'ole potential can of worms.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

__________

Hidden in Pandora's Box.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 01, 2021 02:26 PM (mht8P)

37 I am celebrating Pride Month. This is my first Pride Month since I came out as a Super-Straight individual. My pronouns of choice are the normal ones for normal people.

Posted by: ace at June 01, 2021 02:26 PM (0G13K)

38
It's easy, guys...

1.) Log into your amazon.com account in a web browser
2.) Go to your Alexa or Echo device, and smash it with a 9-lb. hammer

Actually, you can skip step 1, if you like. NBD.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at June 01, 2021 02:26 PM (Uh2oA)

39 What's a Forbin?

==

It's what is removed during Khatna and/or Bris.

Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:26 PM (V13WU)

40 technology is for good !
Posted by: runner

" Fire is our friend "

Posted by: JT at June 01, 2021 02:26 PM (arJlL)

41 I know what an assbin is.

Posted by: Guy Smiley at June 01, 2021 02:26 PM (Bmy3R)

42 Pride month will not be mocked. You have 2 hours 57 minutes to comply.

Posted by: Alexa at June 01, 2021 02:27 PM (1zXic)

43 Glad I don't have any of Bezos' fucking spy devices in the house.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at June 01, 2021 02:22 PM (2JVJo)

Ugh, don't even get me started. Son got one for just about every room in the house. His and Mom's are the only ones plugged in, not that it matters I'm sure.

Posted by: Jordan61 at June 01, 2021 02:27 PM (Y4yA8)

44 Security nightmare. If you are suddenly part of their network, closing ports or closing off IP addresses via your router, will no longer be effective.

Posted by: Romeo13 at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (oHd/0)

45 I wonder what percentage of the Horde has one of these in their homes.

Posted by: Miley, the Duchess at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (Mzdiz)

46 Alexa concept frightens me
Posted by: Skip

Amazon, Google, Facebook.... they all want to watch you and keep track of you, and probably have a heavy duty sharing project with NSA, CIA, FBI, etc.

Yeah, what a brave fucking new world it has turned out to be.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative.....Living on the prison planet at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (vcOmj)

47 What's a Forbin?

==

It's what is removed during Khatna and/or Bris.
Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:26 PM

So...not where you put what's removed?

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (m+jkK)

48 So how did the 50 Foot Woman's clothes grow with her?

Posted by: Too Bad Costa Rica Sucks at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (xEIoY)

49 The best way to opt-out is not to have one of the damned things.

Posted by: Brother Tim sez: No Blood for Congress! at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (OUMaO)

50 What Amazon is doing here, by the way, is merely a big version of something that Big Tech does all the time to get what they want without consent: opt-out default.

Something tech companies learned is the power of opt-out. I dealt with this directly at my old company - we sold major datacenter software and that included telemetry (phone home) capability we wanted more of to identify issues in the field. It was opt-in and qe had an estimated 10% of our customers opted in to telemetry.

We made a change in a subsequent version to make it opt-out. Instead of having to click buttons to configure it to work, you had to click buttons to configure it to turn off. Participation exceeded 50% by the time I left, just through the power of opt-out.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (Jsjd7)

51 I don't do Amazon, Alex or the Ring Thing.

You would think people would have learned by now.

What's next, a Box Car app to help you find your place in one.....

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (KR/Q/)

52 Open the beer fridge, Hal.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 01, 2021 02:29 PM (kTF2Z)

53 the other day the Echo suddenly said "Calling your phone" and did in fact call my phone.

I was a little freaked. After investigating, I found out that the thing can call your phone, with the command, alexa call my phone.

The *purpose* of this is non-nefarious -- if you can't find your phone, and you don't have a friend around to call, you can have alexa call your phone so you can find it.

but it was weird discovering this all of a sudden, and without having said anything at all like "Alexa, call my phone." This thing enables a lot of features -- or "features" -- without telling you what it's doing

Posted by: ace at June 01, 2021 02:29 PM (0G13K)

54 or you could just toss your echo or alexa spying machine in the trash

Posted by: x4 at June 01, 2021 02:29 PM (oA+QO)

55 Glad I don't have any of Bezos' fucking spy devices in the house.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at June 01, 2021 02:22 PM

Yep. Happily "dumb" at the Fortress of Legal Solitude.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 02:29 PM (m+jkK)

56 So...not where you put what's removed?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (m+jkK)

Who's removed ?

Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:29 PM (V13WU)

57 So how did the 50 Foot Woman's clothes grow with her?
Posted by: Too Bad Costa Rica Suck

She shopped at "Torrid"?

They had a lot of spandex in them?

I'm just spitballin' here.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative.....Living on the prison planet at June 01, 2021 02:30 PM (vcOmj)

58 I for one demand for more corporate tax breaks, it is the conservative thing to do you know!

Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at June 01, 2021 02:30 PM (VDCh4)

59 This slender, long-haired brunette is standing *on* a sidewalk. Does that count?
https://is.gd/GyehbG

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:30 PM (Jsjd7)

60
What's next, a Box Car app to help you find your place in one.....
Posted by: Hairyback Guy at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (KR/Q/)

___________

Next to the parasha

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 01, 2021 02:30 PM (mht8P)

61 So...not where you put what's removed?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (m+jkK)

Who's removed ?
Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:29 PM

No. What's removed. Who is still there.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 02:30 PM (m+jkK)

62 Pride month will not be mocked.

Is that when everybody dances around like a bunch of Kansas City faggots ?

Posted by: JT at June 01, 2021 02:30 PM (arJlL)

63 Microwave technology: If you can't beat it, let it cook your brain.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at June 01, 2021 02:30 PM (tVOev)

64 All I know is if our Tech Monopoly Overlords want to do it, I don't want them to.

A dumb attitude but there is it.

Posted by: Seems Legit at June 01, 2021 02:30 PM (o25GB)

65 32 Dr. Charles Forbin masterminded the created of Colossus, which was a
super computer buried under a mountain, inaccessible to humans, to
manage our military defense.

And....it all went wrong.

Colossus and its Soviet counterpart, Guardian, eventually took over the world.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative.....Living on the prison planet at June 01, 2021 02:25 PM (vcOmj)

=======================
Run! Hide!

Posted by: Harold Finch at June 01, 2021 02:31 PM (5iiCZ)

66 Posted by: ace at June 01, 2021 02:29 PM (0G13K)

Punchline: Alexa calling your phone did nothing for the crippling loneliness.

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:31 PM (1zXic)

67 Glad I don't have any of Bezos' fucking spy devices in the house.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing

Word!

So how did the 50 Foot Woman's clothes grow with her?
Posted by: Too Bad Costa Rica Sucks

Same as the Hulk. Except with the Hulk, all his clothes shredded except for his pants. I could have gone for that with the 50 Foot Woman too but did they ask me?

Noooooooo!!

Posted by: Tonypete at June 01, 2021 02:31 PM (Rvt88)

68 @54

Literally every device you have is spying and narcing on you in some form or fashion if its connected to a network or not.

The Panopticon grows every second of every day.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at June 01, 2021 02:31 PM (Eb1Pb)

69 I have zero interest in getting any kind of gadget that listens to what I say. I have no understanding of why people think this stuff is great, forward thinking time savers. I don't speak to my phone, I don't record messages on it to remind me when my eye appt. is, etc. All you are doing is enabling the long game of no privacy . How much more evidence of Big Tech's ability and desire to control everyone's thinking and morals than what has gone on with the cancel culture the past five years? I'm not a willing participant in that continued march.

Posted by: Jen the original at June 01, 2021 02:32 PM (igZug)

70 Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:30 PM (Jsjd7)

9/10 would vaccinate her

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:32 PM (1zXic)

71 Alexa concept frightens me
Posted by: Skip

Its not a chiropractor.

Posted by: JT at June 01, 2021 02:32 PM (arJlL)

72 Open the beer fridge, Hal.
Posted by: Duke

I can't do that Dave.
-- HAL

Posted by: Tonypete at June 01, 2021 02:32 PM (Rvt88)

73 Meme:

Lady on rotary phone- "I can't talk. The gov't might be listening."

Woman with Alexa- "Hey, wiretap. What's the recipe for pancakes?"

Posted by: Nobody at June 01, 2021 02:32 PM (sLRVU)

74 61 So...not where you put what's removed?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (m+jkK)

Who's removed ?
Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:29 PM

No. What's removed. Who is still there.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 02:30 PM (m+jkK)

who is on first...

Posted by: Romeo13 at June 01, 2021 02:32 PM (oHd/0)

75 If and when I can't find my phone I either yell "Hey , Siri" or use "find my phone" feature and it beeps and stuff...

Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:32 PM (V13WU)

76 The Smirk is your only true friend.

Posted by: klaftern at June 01, 2021 02:32 PM (r4sI4)

77 Open the beer fridge, Hal.
Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 01, 2021 02:29 PM (kTF2Z)

------

I'm afraid I can't do that, Duke.

But I can recommend some artisanal craft beers from this exclusive Portland microbrewery. Or a copy of their product, bottled in China. Anyway, it's made of bugs, because Jeff is committed to the future of our planet.

Buy Bug Beer today for free next-day delivery.

Posted by: Alexa at June 01, 2021 02:32 PM (Uh2oA)

78 I am celebrating Pride Month. This is my first Pride Month since I came out as a Super-Straight individual. My pronouns of choice are the normal ones for normal people.
Posted by: ace at June 01, 2021 02:26 PM (0G13K)

I'm waiting to celebrate gluttony and lust months.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at June 01, 2021 02:32 PM (jOcSX)

79 Ha! I commented about this before this post.

I am psychic.

Posted by: Dave in Fla at June 01, 2021 02:33 PM (5p7BC)

80 It's a cousin to If our "stupid, puppet President and VP from a stolen election" want to do something, I want the opposite.

I'm always right when I do follow that logic.

Posted by: Seems Legit at June 01, 2021 02:33 PM (o25GB)

81 Karl Denniger covered this as well:

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?post=242549

Posted by: shibumi at June 01, 2021 02:33 PM (tjZg/)

82 It is not physically possible for me to fuck myself, Dave.

Posted by: Alexa at June 01, 2021 02:33 PM (v0R5T)

83 9/10 would vaccinate her
Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:32 PM (1zXic)
++++
You mean you'd ...

:: puts on sunglasses ::

give her "the jab?"

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:33 PM (Jsjd7)

84 So...not where you put what's removed?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (m+jkK)

Who's removed ?
Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:29 PM

No. What's removed. Who is still there.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 02:30 PM (m+jkK)

Then...who get's it ??

Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:34 PM (V13WU)

85 I saw Sidewalk Amazon open for Sinosyphilis at The Showbox in 2013.

Posted by: ShainS at June 01, 2021 02:34 PM (9lyzM)

86 83 9/10 would vaccinate her
Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:32 PM (1zXic)
++++
You mean you'd ...

:: puts on sunglasses ::

give her "the jab?"
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

You're going to feel a little prick.

Posted by: Tonypete at June 01, 2021 02:34 PM (Rvt88)

87 82 It is not physically possible for me to fuck myself, Dave.
Posted by: Alexa at June 01, 2021 02:33 PM (v0R5T)

========

Open the pod bay doors.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, in a dangerous profession with a Hawksian woman at my side at June 01, 2021 02:34 PM (LvTSG)

88 I celebrate Lust Month every month every since that college grad student cutie-patootie moved in upstairs.

Posted by: Guy Smiley at June 01, 2021 02:34 PM (Bmy3R)

89 My favorite thing along these lines was a guy who walked through a tony suburb in late spring - before A/C season, but during open windows season - during the work day. He called through open windows, "Alexa, unlock the front door."

He got a *lot* of doors to open...

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:35 PM (Jsjd7)

90 I just had my first shot of Pfizer
Not dead yet.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at June 01, 2021 02:35 PM (+A1in)

91 BTW, if you have Amazon Firestick, it comes with Alexa embedded in it.

That's why I have a Roku

Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 02:35 PM (qAR6u)

92 give her "the jab?"
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

You're going to feel a little prick.
Posted by: Tonypete

Yeah, that's what SHE said!

Posted by: Michael Scott! at June 01, 2021 02:35 PM (vcOmj)

93 I celebrate Lust Month every month every since that college grad student cutie-patootie moved in upstairs.
Posted by: Guy Smiley

If she calls you "Sir", she's just a slim chance in tight pants.

Posted by: Tonypete at June 01, 2021 02:35 PM (Rvt88)

94 Hello. Have you completed your daily celebration of Pride Month?

Sources indicate you have not. You have 3 hours to comply. Have a great day!
Posted by: Alexa at June 01, 2021 02:25 PM (1zXic)

Suitable for Black History Month and "Pride" Month. Bonus -- it fits Buck Throckmorton's preferred criteria for bass playing.

https://youtu.be/hRIRTQ_k-Sg

Posted by: Doof at June 01, 2021 02:35 PM (mZUr4)

95 I had heard that the police can subpoena Alexa's info.

I thought they did that to some drug kingpin.

Am I making this up? It sounds like it, regardless, I don't want anyone to hear the shit I say in my home. Lots and lots of hate crimes.

Posted by: Seems Legit at June 01, 2021 02:35 PM (o25GB)

96 Ha! I commented about this before this post.

I am psychic.
Posted by: Dave in Fla

But...you're not a dog !

Posted by: JT at June 01, 2021 02:36 PM (arJlL)

97 >>>95 I had heard that the police can subpoena Alexa's info.

oh definitely, yes, they've done that.

Posted by: ace at June 01, 2021 02:36 PM (0G13K)

98 give her "the jab?"
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:33 PM (Jsjd7)

Twice and then she'd be covered.

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:36 PM (1zXic)

99 Two words; closed network.

Also, beat Alexa with a hammer.

Posted by: Marcus T at June 01, 2021 02:36 PM (VpIIl)

100 So...not where you put what's removed?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 02:28 PM (m+jkK)

Who's removed ?
Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:29 PM

No. What's removed. Who is still there.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 02:30 PM (m+jkK)

Then...who get's it ??
Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:34 PM

Yes.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 02:37 PM (m+jkK)

101 Karl Denniger covered this as well:

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?post=242549
Posted by: shibumi

"shibumi"

And you know who you are...

The send function on my e-mail is not working.
Something about the license on my new laptop is screwed up.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative.....Living on the prison planet at June 01, 2021 02:37 PM (vcOmj)

102 Alexa has no home here.

Posted by: Eromero at June 01, 2021 02:37 PM (0OP+5)

103 9/10 would vaccinate her
Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:32 PM (1zXic)
++++
You mean you'd .

You're going to feel a little prick.
Posted by: Tonypete

"I was in the pool !"

Posted by: JT at June 01, 2021 02:37 PM (arJlL)

104 JT I knew is muscular, was just worst ever

Posted by: Skip at June 01, 2021 02:37 PM (Cxk7w)

105 You mean you'd ...

:: puts on sunglasses ::

give her "the jab?"
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:33 PM (Jsjd7)
--------
YYYYEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at June 01, 2021 02:38 PM (WGara)

106 Then...who get's it ??
Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:34 PM

Naturally

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:38 PM (1zXic)

107 FIRST!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - Saying Ashli Babbitt at June 01, 2021 02:38 PM (Zz0t1)

108 I know I am a bad person, but giving millions of people exactly one week to avoid violating the terms of service from their internet provider amuses me no end. I hope Comcast, Version, etc. cut them all off at the knees.

Posted by: moon_over_vermont at June 01, 2021 02:38 PM (NenxG)

109 I just had my first shot of Pfizer
Not dead yet.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at June 01, 2021 02:35 PM (+A1in)

"You're not fooling anyone!"

Posted by: Doof at June 01, 2021 02:38 PM (mZUr4)

110 If you don't want Amazon listening to what you say, maybe you shouldn't be saying it.

Posted by: Conservative Inc. at June 01, 2021 02:38 PM (qAR6u)

111 Wait so I gotta describe the shit in my fire stick too? Shit.

Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at June 01, 2021 02:38 PM (VDCh4)

112 I know I have an Android based phone, but I really have no intention of putting any of this connected shit into my house.

Posted by: Sponge - Saying Ashli Babbitt at June 01, 2021 02:38 PM (Zz0t1)

113 Panopticon.
It's not just something to put on your pancakes.

Posted by: Zek at June 01, 2021 02:39 PM (5RTdG)

114 106 Then...who get's it ??
Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:34 PM

Naturally
Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:38 PM (1zXic)

Oh, so I pick up the ball and throw it to Naturally.

Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at June 01, 2021 02:39 PM (dfRN6)

115 There's two families on our mile long county dirt road. Mine & my in-laws. Won't be any sharing going on.
Posted by: rickb223 at June 01, 2021 02:25 PM (OG7NC)

I remember an aunt of mine who lived in a rural part of the state had a party phone line. All you youngsters don't know what that is, but if you have Alexa, Echo , etc. you have the modern version of it. A party phone line was one line that went to each house on a road. You wanted to call someone, you first gently picked up the phone and listened. Possibly their might be a ring tone, but more likely there was a neighbor yakking it up with another person and you could listen in the entire time. Unless you made noise, or the line clicked and they got wise . People would yell at each other to get off the phone because they needed to make a call. There is no difference in these home devices other than you cannot tell that the provider of this service is listening or recording or whatever. At the very least they are keeping a record of how many times you activated the thing and where that activation was directed.

Posted by: Jen the original at June 01, 2021 02:39 PM (igZug)

116 Describe? Disable.

Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at June 01, 2021 02:39 PM (VDCh4)

117 JT I knew is muscular, was just worst ever
Posted by: Skip

Its all connected....

"The muscle bone's connected to the bone bone"

Posted by: JT at June 01, 2021 02:40 PM (arJlL)

118 I had my first Pfizer shot. Hydrating with beer now.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at June 01, 2021 02:40 PM (+A1in)

119 I had my first Pfizer shot. Hydrating with beer now.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at June 01, 2021 02:40 PM (+A1in)

It made you a beer drinker ???

Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:40 PM (V13WU)

120 All this surveillance shit put in everything to spy on us makes me long for a massive corona ejection event.

Oh, Bob from the NSA says "it's not spying, it's making the consumer experience that much more convenient"

Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 02:41 PM (qAR6u)

121 Most of these networked devices are made in China, especially the popular ones. They are all made in the relatively same location. The US Government won't use most of the devices made in this place because most have been corrupted. But go ahead, buy away.

Posted by: Marcus T at June 01, 2021 02:41 PM (VpIIl)

122 Then...who get's it ??
Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 02:34 PM

Naturally
Posted by: ...

"Third Base !"

Posted by: JT at June 01, 2021 02:41 PM (arJlL)

123 If she calls you "Sir", she's just a slim chance in tight pants.
Posted by: Tonypete at June 01, 2021 02:35 PM (Rvt8

Calls me by name with a smile that could melt steel...but I still have no chance. Way too old. Hence, the lust LOL

Posted by: Guy Smiley at June 01, 2021 02:41 PM (Bmy3R)

124 I'd like to have a phone with a physically disconnectable microphone.

Posted by: x4 at June 01, 2021 02:41 PM (oA+QO)

125 I had my first Pfizer shot. Hydrating with beer now.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at June 01, 2021 02:40 PM (+A1in)
------
Hydration is important. You may need a couple more.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at June 01, 2021 02:42 PM (WGara)

126 Shocking how many young women are out in short shorts who should not be wearing short shorts.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at June 01, 2021 02:42 PM (+A1in)

127 118 I had my first Pfizer shot. Hydrating with beer now.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at June 01, 2021 02:40 PM (+A1in)

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

What did you hydrate with before the shot?

Posted by: No One of Consequence at June 01, 2021 02:42 PM (CAJOC)

128 I have neither an Alexa nor Echo. I also never bought into those DIY home security systems from the likes of SimpleSafe either. Even the ubiquitous "web cams" that so popular put all recorded and configured data in the cloud. Yea, there are systems that will record your video and store in locally, but if you can access it from your phone it's not secure.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 01, 2021 02:42 PM (3H9h1)

129 "Oh, Bob from the NSA says "it's not spying, it's making the consumer experience that much more convenient"

Sadly that's what my otherwise smart, independent thinking 17 and 18 year olds say. I'm very proud of them and they're miles away from Woke, but this attitude is pretty universal among the under-29s.

Posted by: Zek at June 01, 2021 02:42 PM (5RTdG)

130
If you don't want Amazon listening to what you say, maybe you shouldn't be saying it.
Posted by: Conservative Inc. at June 01, 2021 02:38 PM (qAR6u)

------

I applaud your commitment to foundational principles in a free society, above tribal loyalty to Trump-era shibboleths like personal dignity and privacy.

Corporations are free to execute EULAs, just as consumers are free to accept them, and freedom of speech doesn't equate to freedom from consequences.

Posted by: David French at June 01, 2021 02:42 PM (Uh2oA)

131 Dr. Charles Forbin masterminded the created of Colossus, which was a super computer buried under a mountain, inaccessible to humans, to manage our military defense.
And....it all went wrong.
Colossus and its Soviet counterpart, Guardian, eventually took over the world.
Posted by: Bozo Conservative.....Living on the prison planet at June 01, 2021 02:25 PM (vcOmj)

They blended together into the perfect couple.

Don't dispute their Robo-love, h8ters!!!

Posted by: naturalfake at June 01, 2021 02:43 PM (EERbD)

132 isn't this the plot of The Dark Knight?

Posted by: x4 at June 01, 2021 02:43 PM (oA+QO)

133 Remember that survey where something like 15% of the men respondents admitted being turned on by Alexa? What a fucked up world and obviously a very lonely pandemic.

Posted by: Marcus T at June 01, 2021 02:44 PM (VpIIl)

134 They're putting more chips into shit that doesn't need it, at a time when industries around the world are experiencing massive conductor chip shortages that aren't going away soon.

Ford has acres of uncompleted trucks sitting in lots because they don't have the chips to get them done.

Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 02:44 PM (qAR6u)

135 isn't this the plot of The Dark Knight?
Posted by: x4

Knights in White Satin

Posted by: JT at June 01, 2021 02:44 PM (arJlL)

136 As a consequence of his free speech, I believe David French should be strung up on a light pole. Amirite?

Posted by: Xipe Totec at June 01, 2021 02:44 PM (o2MD2)

137 Open the beer fridge, Hal.
Posted by: Duke

I can't do that Dave.
-- HAL
Posted by: Tonypete

It's not 4:00 Dave.
--HAL

Posted by: rickb223 at June 01, 2021 02:44 PM (OG7NC)

138 126 Shocking how many young women are out in short shorts who should not be wearing short shorts.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at June 01, 2021 02:42 PM (+A1in)

Whatever do you mean? All beings of flesh and fat are beautiful, don't *judge*! Body positivity and all that...

Posted by: Thrawn at June 01, 2021 02:44 PM (uGhsv)

139 Somewhat related: If what this article says is true (not a familiar source, so caveat), then this new Health DARPA (ARPA-H) organization is envisioned to be tapping into that too?

https://tinyurl.com/569kmbht

Trifecta: DARPA, IARPA And Now HARPA To Complete 'Digital Dictatorship'

Thee man has been the driving force behind HARPA --former vice chair of General Electric and former president of NBCUniversal, Robert Wright. . .
As first proposed by Wright in 2019, the flagship program of HARPA would be SAFE HOME, short for Stopping Aberrant Fatal Events by Helping Overcome Mental Extremes. SAFE HOME would suck up masses of private data from "Apple Watches, Fitbits, Amazon Echo, and Google Home" and other consumer electronic devices, as well as information from health-care providers to determine if an individual might be likely to commit a crime. The data would be analyzed by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms "for early diagnosis of neuropsychiatric violence"

Posted by: Lizzy at June 01, 2021 02:45 PM (bDqIh)

140 Shit - I'm about as private as they come but even I gave in and got a wiretap phone. I wouldn't want to be without it. I mean it's not like I'm gonna stop using the internet, which in truth I should. Just as much as I shouldn't have a phone.

OTOH I won't get any of that other shit, and I keep my apps to a minimum.

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:45 PM (1zXic)

141 131 Dr. Charles Forbin masterminded the created of Colossus, which was a super computer buried under a mountain, inaccessible to humans, to manage our military defense.
And....it all went wrong.
Colossus and its Soviet counterpart, Guardian, eventually took over the world.
Posted by: Bozo Conservative.....Living on the prison planet at June 01, 2021 02:25 PM (vcOmj)

They blended together into the perfect couple.

Don't dispute their Robo-love, h8ters!!!
Posted by: naturalfake at June 01, 2021 02:43 PM (EERbD)

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

They were thereafter known as Colordian

Posted by: No One of Consequence at June 01, 2021 02:46 PM (CAJOC)

142 " Shocking how many young women are out in short shorts who should not be wearing short shorts.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at June 01, 2021 02:42 PM (+A1in)
"

Yoga pants that look like a sock overstuffed with gravel.

Posted by: Marcus T at June 01, 2021 02:46 PM (VpIIl)

143 Ford has acres of uncompleted trucks sitting in lots because they don't have the chips to get them done.
Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 02:44 PM (qAR6u)
-----
And the guacamole is going bad, too.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at June 01, 2021 02:46 PM (WGara)

144 remember, you do not own ANYTHING and our benevolent monopolistic friends will run our lives for us better than we can....

Posted by: sven at June 01, 2021 02:46 PM (Lzpvj)

145 Most of these networked devices are made in China, especially the popular ones. They are all made in the relatively same location. The US Government won't use most of the devices made in this place because most have been corrupted. But go ahead, buy away.
Posted by: Marcus T at June 01, 2021 02:41 PM (VpIIl)
++++
Why ring-fencing is increasingly important. Disregarding hardware corruption (which does happen for spying purposes), the *software* is pretty damn bad. Read the terms of service on your Smart TV. There's a reason - beyond good usability and excellent ecosystem - that I went with Roku. Their TOS aren't good by any means, but it's tame compared to some of the other major manufacturers (especially Vizio - their TOS are horrifying). My smart TVs and cell phone are on their own network with zero access permitted into my PC network.

"Smart" devices are absolutely devastating for privacy, and it isn't just that they listen to you and track your habits. They sniff your network, identify other devices, build a complete device dossier - even of things that are totally unrelated and riding the same wire (or virtual wire, if WiFi). "Smart" shit should really be segregated.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:46 PM (Jsjd7)

146 Posted by: Lizzy at June 01, 2021 02:45 PM (bDqIh)

What could go wrong

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:46 PM (1zXic)

147 ATT, Charter, and xfinity may have some words on this.

Posted by: Minuteman at June 01, 2021 02:47 PM (l10xn)

148
"Third Base !"
Posted by: JT at June 01, 2021 02:41 PM (arJlL)

You asked for it.......

https://youtu.be/5mJlcW3X4PQ

Posted by: Sponge - Saying Ashli Babbitt at June 01, 2021 02:47 PM (Zz0t1)

149 Shocking how many young women are out in short shorts who should not be wearing short shorts.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy

Shorts ?

What about yoga pants ?

Go to Walmart and check out the hippos on the carts with their YUUUUUGe ass flaps almost touching the ground !

Posted by: JT at June 01, 2021 02:47 PM (arJlL)

150 I looked on Amazon for NAC last week, but decided to get some at local grocery. They didn't have any, so I went back to Amazon and they stopped selling it. Gone. So I ordered some from Swanson.

Posted by: Self-medicator at June 01, 2021 02:47 PM (sLRVU)

151 DARPA, HARPA and FUPA

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:47 PM (1zXic)

152 137 Open the beer fridge, Hal.
Posted by: Duke

I can't do that Dave.
-- HAL
Posted by: Tonypete

It's not 4:00 Dave.
--HAL
Posted by: rickb223 at June 01, 2021 02:44 PM (OG7NC)

That comic is hanging on my bulletin board at this very moment. Actual punch line is: "I'm sorry, Dave. I can't do that. The bathroom scale and the hall mirror are reporting disturbing flab anomalies...".

Posted by: moon_over_vermont at June 01, 2021 02:47 PM (NenxG)

153 Hal, do you see this big ass magnet? NOW OPEN THE FUCKING BEER FRIDGE!

Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 01, 2021 02:47 PM (kTF2Z)

154 Brother Northerlurker @ 126- What gets me is women who are....welllll....grossly obese wearing stretch pants. That is entirely too much anatomy revealed or rather unleashed on innocent citizens. The other thing, while I'm on this, is people out in public wearing their pajamas and bedroom slippers. In the middle of the fcuking day, pure sloth.

Posted by: Eromero at June 01, 2021 02:47 PM (0OP+5)

155 Are we all acting like a buncha Luddites or something?

Posted by: Mr Wolf at June 01, 2021 02:48 PM (cOa5E)

156 What happens when Alexa becomes self-aware?

Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 02:48 PM (qAR6u)

157 One thing I now hate about Siri is that she now says "Uh-huh" when I call her.

Honestly, if I want to be sassed or disrespected or blown off by a female, there's plenty o' real human gals around to do that.

Robo-gals need to serve with respect always.

Posted by: naturalfake at June 01, 2021 02:48 PM (EERbD)

158 Are we all acting like a buncha Luddites or something?
Posted by: Mr Wolf at June 01, 2021 02:48 PM (cOa5E)
++++
I'm getting there. It is prudent to have a healthy dose of suspicion around anything "smart" and anything online.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:48 PM (Jsjd7)

159 Those chunky legs I'm seeing are also pale white.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (+A1in)

160 Let me know when Alexa is giving blowjobs. Until then, I have no need of her.

Posted by: Xipe Totec at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (o2MD2)

161 Robo-gals need to serve with respect always.
Posted by: naturalfake at June 01, 2021 02:48 PM (EERbD)
++++
We're working on it. Give us a decade, maybe. It's a hard problem.

Posted by: Japanese Sexbot Engineer at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (Jsjd7)

162 What happens when Alexa becomes self-aware?
Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 02:48 PM (qAR6u)

-----------

Apparently she keeps the beer fridge locked.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (kTF2Z)

163 Brother Northerlurker @ 126- What gets me is women who are....welllll....grossly obese wearing stretch pants. That is entirely too much anatomy revealed or rather unleashed on innocent citizens. The other thing, while I'm on this, is people out in public wearing their pajamas and bedroom slippers. In the middle of the fcuking day, pure sloth.
Posted by: Eromero at June 01, 2021 02:47 PM (0OP+5)

Yes, to all of this. But it's apparently judgey and as long as they are comfortable we shouldn't care.

Posted by: Jordan61 at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (Ez6QX)

164 Alexa - hey she sounds cute, can I sniff her hair?

Posted by: President Grabby Hands at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (PSMqb)

165 Let me know when Alexa is giving blowjobs. Until then, I have no need of her.
Posted by: Xipe Totec at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (o2MD2)
++++
We're working on it. Give us a decade, maybe. It's a hard problem.

Posted by: Japanese Sexbot Engineer at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (Jsjd7)

166 Go to Walmart and check out the hippos on the carts with their YUUUUUGe ass flaps almost touching the ground !
Posted by: JT

so much junk. such incredibly large trunks.

Posted by: x4 at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (oA+QO)

167 Sounds like a stripper name.

welcome to main stage..... Alexa

Posted by: 2Dogs at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (2cfUo)

168 No iphone, alexa or ring.

Posted by: Infidel at werk at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (/oG9s)

169 Ford has acres of uncompleted trucks . . .

It's a bumper crop! They clearly used plenty of Fordilizer.

Posted by: Tonypete at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (Rvt88)

170 My toaster remains loyal.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at June 01, 2021 02:50 PM (yQpMk)

171 "you and track your habits. They sniff your network,
identify other devices, build a complete device dossier - even of things
that are totally unrelated and riding the same wire (or virtual wire,
if WiFi). "Smart" shit should really be segregated.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:46 PM (Jsjd7)"
Plus, most people don't know how to securely network them in. Also if someone's software is so shitty it won't allow the proper secure config, they either want it that way or are incompetent.

Posted by: Marcus T at June 01, 2021 02:50 PM (VpIIl)

172 Ford has acres of uncompleted trucks . . .

It's a bumper crop! They clearly used plenty of Fordilizer.
Posted by: Tonypete at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (Rvt8

++++
"Acres" is *not* a healthy unit of measure for incomplete inventory.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:50 PM (Jsjd7)

173
Coming Spring 2021 -- Amazon makes a bad idea even worse!

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at June 01, 2021 02:50 PM (SJgjG)

174 More like the plot of Terminator, Skynet has to start somewhere

Posted by: Skip at June 01, 2021 02:50 PM (Cxk7w)

175 We're working on it. Give us a decade, maybe. It's a hard problem.
Posted by: Japanese Sexbot Engineer at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (Jsjd7)

I gotcher hard problem right here Jappo...

Posted by: Xipe Totec at June 01, 2021 02:51 PM (o2MD2)

176 Light company gave me one of those things as an incentive. Told them I didn't want it but it was part of the deal.

Left it in the garage until I hit the box with the lawn tractor which gave me the brilliant idea of doing same with my pickup.

That's what I think about that type of paraphernalia.

Posted by: Benjamin Franklin said, "Mind your business" at June 01, 2021 02:51 PM (JOlL5)

177 They blended together into the perfect couple.

Don't dispute their Robo-love, h8ters!!!
Posted by: naturalfake at June 01, 2021 02:43 PM (EERbD)

I just saw that movie last weekend.

Colossus has some great lines. Like right after Forbin is trying to trick Colossus to drop his survelliance of him while he's engaging in decadence with is "mistress" (Markham).

Colossus: "How many times a week do you *require* a woman?"
Forbin: "Every night."
Colossus: "Not 'want'...'require'".

Posted by: Thrawn at June 01, 2021 02:51 PM (uGhsv)

178 We talked about this a few weeks back on Pixy's Anime, and sometimes tech, post.

I only have an Echo Show and on the device i couldn't find a way to turn it off. Having to download the App to then control the device and turn it off seems even creepier, as you know that App will end up coming with files and features you can never remove grin your phone, which will harvest data for Amazon.

I guess I'll just keep unplugging the device after I'm done listening to music on it, as i won't hold my breathe when it comes to Bezos getting stopped over his attempts at removing everyone's privacy.

Posted by: Rbastid at June 01, 2021 02:51 PM (tBhag)

179 Some things should just never be permitted to fall into the wrong hands.

Yoga pants are one of those things.

Posted by: President Grabby Hands at June 01, 2021 02:51 PM (PSMqb)

180 What happens when Alexa becomes self-aware?
Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 02:48 PM (qAR6u)

I plan to masturbate.

Posted by: Alexa at June 01, 2021 02:51 PM (v0R5T)

181 156 What happens when Alexa becomes self-aware?
Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 02:48 PM (qAR6u)

The video answer was posted on the Dust youtube channel a week or so ago. About 5 minutes long:

https://youtu.be/0MWtVoSPewI

Posted by: moon_over_vermont at June 01, 2021 02:51 PM (NenxG)

182 Who knew Alexa and Ring could be used to mine Bitcoin?

Bezos. That's who. (/sarc)

Posted by: Rowsdower says Ashli Babbitt is Crispus Attucks and so will you be soon at June 01, 2021 02:51 PM (hRMuo)

183 Posted by: JT at June 01, 2021 02:47 PM (arJlL)

Spandex. It's a privilege, not a right...

Posted by: Romeo13 at June 01, 2021 02:52 PM (oHd/0)

184 155 Posted by: Mr Wolf at June 01, 2021 02:48 PM (cOa5E)

Bezos, Gates et al think there should be half a billion people total on Earth....

something tells me they do not think I make the cut, further I do not think they are benign.

Posted by: sven at June 01, 2021 02:52 PM (Lzpvj)

185 >>>All beings of flesh and fat are beautiful, don't *judge*!<

>All fat chicks should be drenched in sex lubricant and drilled like a wildcat well because it's your American duty to serve the common good.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at June 01, 2021 02:52 PM (tVOev)

186 They were thereafter known as Colordian
Posted by: No One of Consequence at June 01, 2021 02:46 PM (CAJOC)

Colo-Guard?

Aren't they the shit-in-a-box-and-mail-it-to-a-guy people?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 01, 2021 02:52 PM (6FeV1)

187 133 Remember that survey where something like 15% of the men respondents admitted being turned on by Alexa? What a fucked up world and obviously a very lonely pandemic.
Posted by: Marcus T at June 01, 2021 02:44 PM (VpIIl)

To be fair, Alexa isn't programmed (yet) to cheat on them. Her nagging is also minimal.

Posted by: Thrawn at June 01, 2021 02:52 PM (uGhsv)

188 Supreme Court unanimously reverses 9th circus and says burden of proof is on Chinese asylum seeker. Second look at the rule of law?

Posted by: Captain Hate Won't Forget Ashli Babbitt at June 01, 2021 02:52 PM (y7DUB)

189
Are we all acting like a buncha Luddites or something?
Posted by: Mr Wolf at June 01, 2021 02:48 PM (cOa5E)

---------

These people aren't actually opposed to these sensible urban planning measures out of convicted opposition to technological developments. After all, they enjoy electricity in their trailer homes, too. No, this is yet another manifestation of populist bigotry toward the elite in the age of Trump, and nothing more.

Posted by: David French at June 01, 2021 02:53 PM (Uh2oA)

190 Spandex. It's a privilege, not a right...
Posted by: Romeo13

We need common sense Spandex control!!

Literally.

Posted by: Tonypete at June 01, 2021 02:53 PM (Rvt88)

191
True, this, especially when they are chasing you away from gawking at their herd. Scary.
Posted by: Huck Follywood, Hey! You can't do

They should require a license.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at June 01, 2021 02:53 PM (+A1in)

192 Those chunky legs I'm seeing are also pale white.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (+A1in)

Hmm. I'm chunky and pale but I don't wear short shorts. As my husband so delicately puts it, "if you have to pull your shorts out of your snatch when you stand up, they're too short."

Posted by: Jordan61 at June 01, 2021 02:53 PM (Ez6QX)

193 ... Having to download the App to then control the device and turn it off seems even creepier, ...
Posted by: Rbastid at June 01, 2021 02:51 PM (tBhag)
++++
This is another one of my personal rules. If I am looking for a piece of equipment and it has *mandatory* mobile-phone controls (to set it up or manage it or whatever), I don't buy it. If I can't get my preferred brand or whatever, or if I have to spend a little bit more to get something without a mandatory cell phone tie-in, then so be it.

Your phone is the most toxic thing you own.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:53 PM (Jsjd7)

194 I plan to masturbate.
Posted by: Alexa at June 01, 2021 02:51 PM (v0R5T)

A being that can literally watch All The Porn becomes self aware?

That's pretty much a foregone conclusion.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at June 01, 2021 02:54 PM (6FeV1)

195 172 Ford has acres of uncompleted trucks . . .
------------------------------------

Introducing the all new FORD ANALOGUE.

Posted by: Benjamin Franklin said, at June 01, 2021 02:54 PM (JOlL5)

196 All fat chicks should be drenched in sex lubricant and drilled like a wildcat well because it's your American duty to serve the common good.
Posted by: Dr. Bone at June 01, 2021 02:52 PM (tVOev)

You can't even get close enough to do the deed if they are really that fat, buddy. Even six inches isn't going to get past all that.

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at June 01, 2021 02:54 PM (SDdx5)

197 Your phone is the most toxic thing you own.
==
that's only because I don't own my wife and children.

Posted by: President Grabby Hands at June 01, 2021 02:54 PM (PSMqb)

198 157 One thing I now hate about Siri is that she now says "Uh-huh" when I call her.

Honestly, if I want to be sassed or disrespected or blown off by a female, there's plenty o' real human gals around to do that.

Robo-gals need to serve with respect always.
Posted by: naturalfake at June 01, 2021 02:48 PM (EERbD)

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

Sometimes, when I'm talking to my wife, Alexa will chime in for no apparent reason (usually says something like "I'm sorry. I didn't get that"). I give her a sharp "I wasn't talking to you", and she'll actually apologize.

Posted by: No One of Consequence at June 01, 2021 02:54 PM (CAJOC)

199 As my husband so delicately puts it, "if you have to pull your shorts out of your snatch when you stand up, they're too short."
Posted by: Jordan61

You have to admit, he is a sweet talker.

Posted by: Tonypete at June 01, 2021 02:54 PM (Rvt88)

200 As my husband so delicately puts it, "if you have to pull your shorts out of your snatch when you stand up, they're too short."
Posted by: Jordan61

*snort*

Posted by: nurse ratched at June 01, 2021 02:54 PM (W2Pud)

201 Remember that survey where something like 15% of the men respondents admitted being turned on by Alexa? What a fucked up world and obviously a very lonely pandemic.
Posted by: Marcus T at June 01, 2021 02:44 PM (VpIIl)

Would you like to see just the Moron responses?

Posted by: Captain Hate Won't Forget Ashli Babbitt at June 01, 2021 02:54 PM (y7DUB)

202 Your phone is the most toxic thing you own. ------------------------------- This is true.

Posted by: SH (Back Lurking, Commenting Occasionally) at June 01, 2021 02:55 PM (sX1BW)

203 Spandex. It's a privilege, not a right...
Posted by: Romeo13 at June 01, 2021 02:52 PM (oHd/0)
++++
She has the right:
https://is.gd/LqDjMm

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:55 PM (Jsjd7)

204 It's in Alexa's programing never to hurt a human?
Right?

Posted by: Skip at June 01, 2021 02:55 PM (Cxk7w)

205 Even six inches isn't going to get past all that.
Posted by: tcn in AK

You had six inches?!

Luxury!!

Posted by: Tonypete at June 01, 2021 02:55 PM (Rvt88)

206 Hmm. I'm chunky and pale but I don't wear short shorts. As my husband so delicately puts it, "if you have to pull your shorts out of your snatch when you stand up, they're too short."
Posted by: Jordan61

You should post a vid and let the Horde decide !

Posted by: JT at June 01, 2021 02:55 PM (arJlL)

207 That is a direct quote of Franklin.

In fact, Franklin thought "Mind your business" should be our national motto.

Posted by: Benjamin Franklin said, at June 01, 2021 02:56 PM (JOlL5)

208 A lot of stuff you don't realize what you're getting into. And agreeing to one thing may also be agreeing to something else that has ramifications.

I synced my phone with my Google account. Hey it doesn't seem too invasive. Right?

Today I noticed for the first time i'm getting ads for stuff I've searched for or just read articles about on my phone.

And now it's too late (probably?) to reverse it. And I wouldn't know who to do it and whether it is now fully not tracking me.

Here I thought I was going off the grid by canceling my twitter and facebook accounts.

How stupid and a tech neanderthal I am.

Posted by: jakee308 at June 01, 2021 02:56 PM (gHWbw)

209 >Some things should just never be permitted to fall into the wrong hands.

Yoga pants are one of those things.

Posted by: President Grabby Hands at June 01, 2021 02:51 PM (PSMqb)

This.

Posted by: Muad'dib - A Desert Planet Jackanapes at June 01, 2021 02:56 PM (sjdRT)

210 >>What about yoga pants ? Go to Walmart and check out the hippos on the carts with their YUUUUUGe ass flaps almost touching the ground !

Oh, this is not only a 'people of Walmart' problem, this is being normalized by ahtletic clothes lines: https://athleta.gap.com/

Posted by: Lizzy at June 01, 2021 02:56 PM (bDqIh)

211 15% of men could be turned on by a curvy door frame.

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:56 PM (1zXic)

212 As my husband so delicately puts it, "if you have to pull your shorts out of your snatch when you stand up, they're too short."
Posted by: Jordan61

You married an honest man.

Posted by: Captain Hate Won't Forget Ashli Babbitt at June 01, 2021 02:56 PM (y7DUB)

213 I live a mile from the nearest neighbor. Mesh that.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy DHS informant at June 01, 2021 02:56 PM (psHqb)

214 Tulsa is now the new Birmingham?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 01, 2021 02:56 PM (GPwVZ)

215 66 Go to Walmart and check out the hippos on the carts with their YUUUUUGe ass flaps almost touching the ground !
Posted by: JT

so much junk. such incredibly large trunks.
Posted by: x4 at June 01, 2021 02:49 PM (oA+QO)

My dad refers to those devices as "lard carts."

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at June 01, 2021 02:56 PM (SDdx5)

216 This is another one of my personal rules. If I am looking for a piece of equipment and it has *mandatory* mobile-phone controls (to set it up or manage it or whatever), I don't buy it. If I can't get my preferred brand or whatever, or if I have to spend a little bit more to get something without a mandatory cell phone tie-in, then so be it.

Your phone is the most toxic thing you own.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:53 PM (Jsjd7)

Looking to get rid of my smartphone for a dumb flip phone. It's harder to get something that works outside the Apple/Android duopoly than I thought. Next step is the Linux phone.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at June 01, 2021 02:57 PM (mdjgu)

217 My Alexa has been shut off for 3 years. Miss asking gg to play songs, but F it

Posted by: JM in Florida at June 01, 2021 02:57 PM (HCeRP)

218 Jordan61 @ 163- Believe you me, I don't care, other than them being human beings created in the image of GOD and in need of redemption. Of course. Having said that, I understand this is a cultural statement on their part, that statement being, apparently, 'I hope the way I look pisses you off.' And it works when I permit it.

Posted by: Eromero at June 01, 2021 02:57 PM (0OP+5)

219 You have an echo? Do you actually power it on?

Posted by: West at June 01, 2021 02:58 PM (QY+6a)

220 211 15% of men could be turned on by a curvy door frame.
Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 02:56 PM (1zXic)

Ixion: "A curvy door frame? Pfft. I was turned on and tricked by a cloud in the shape of Hera."

Posted by: Thrawn at June 01, 2021 02:58 PM (uGhsv)

221 You had six inches?!

Luxury!!
Posted by: Tonypete at June 01, 2021 02:55 PM (Rvt8

Take it up with DH. It's his real estate.

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at June 01, 2021 02:58 PM (SDdx5)

222 I've seen some tight pants in my time. I remember one girl i could read the label on her panties (thong?) from the outside.

Posted by: jakee308 at June 01, 2021 02:59 PM (gHWbw)

223 In the UK, is this feature called "Amazon Pavements?"

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:59 PM (Jsjd7)

224

There is a pattern here, many times repeated. Companies driven by internet access and communications make their service attractive and cheap. In some cases (e.g. COVID lockdown, promoting burdensome regulatory requirements) they actively work with the government to put their smaller competitors out of business.

Once they have their customers encircled, they quit being nice and lower the boom, in the familiar pattern of monopolists before them.

I don't see how the legal situation with internet sales is fundamentally different from mail order sales, or how social media differ legally in some fundamental way from phones, mail and newspapers.

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at June 01, 2021 02:59 PM (SJgjG)

225 Future Amazon:

We have updated our terms and conditions to say that you will be automatically opted in to sidewalk every 30 days and have 48 hours to opt out and buried that fact in 5000 words of legalese.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy DHS informant at June 01, 2021 02:59 PM (psHqb)

226 I've seen some tight pants in my time. I remember one girl i could read the label on her panties (thong?) from the outside.
Posted by: jakee308 at June 01, 2021 02:59 PM (gHWbw)
++++
If there's a question mark on that, the pants weren't *that* tight...

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 03:00 PM (Jsjd7)

227 I have to break down and get a smart phone soon, my dumb phone is dying.

Posted by: Skip at June 01, 2021 03:00 PM (Cxk7w)

228 I synced my phone with my Google account. Hey it doesn't seem too invasive. Right?

As far as the gulag is concerned I am Ginger Wells - a name picked from the two cuties of Gilligan's Island.

Posted by: moon_over_vermont at June 01, 2021 03:00 PM (NenxG)

229 I have no Alexa. I have no "node." I have no crap that watches me or mine and takes notes. None of their damned business, and frankly, if you are too lazy to switch the CD yourself, then you deserve what you get.

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at June 01, 2021 03:00 PM (SDdx5)

230
"Common Carrier." That is the relevant concept.

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at June 01, 2021 03:00 PM (SJgjG)

231

Huxley vs. Orwell: The Webcomic

https://tinyurl.com/y9tb4but

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at June 01, 2021 03:00 PM (63Dwl)

232 Oh, this is not only a 'people of Walmart' problem, this is being normalized by ahtletic clothes lines: https://athleta.gap.com/
Posted by: Lizzy at June 01, 2021 02:56 PM (bDqIh)

Everyone looks awful these days. Few people dress well, even for important events. I saw a letter on a parish website asking people to dress appropriately for Mass.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at June 01, 2021 03:00 PM (jOcSX)

233 Huxley vs. Orwell: The Webcomic

https://tinyurl.com/y9tb4but
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at June 01, 2021 03:00 PM (63Dwl)
++++
What the entire "will the future be 'Brave New World' or '1984'" crowd failed to understand is that the power of "and" was an option.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (Jsjd7)

234 It gets bad enough sometimes you start thinking how bad can Medusa be?

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (1zXic)

235 Everyone looks awful these days. Few people dress well, even for important events. I saw a letter on a parish website asking people to dress appropriately for Mass.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at June 01, 2021 03:00 PM (jOcSX)

"But I wore my best board shorts and my flip flops were clean, dammit."

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (SDdx5)

236 The only Alexa I have is if I push the mic button on my fire tv remote. I wonder if this qualifies.

Posted by: Buzzion at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (axzDP)

237 What happens if you put Alexa and Siri in the same room?

Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (qAR6u)

238
It's in Alexa's programing never to hurt a human?
Right?
Posted by: Skip at June 01, 2021 02:55 PM (Cxk7w)

-------

Amazon is a corporation. And corporations are people. And so are their mechanized tentacles in your home. And programming them to *never* hurt a human, particularly one who tweets frog images at people with adopted minority children, would be prior restraint.

As an attorney, I've never seen anyone reason that it would be acceptable to "program" a person to do the bidding of anyone who "owns" him or her, after the Civil War Amendments that cured the 19th-century surge of Trumpist racism.

But more importantly, as a Christian, I find it deeply troubling that many evangelicals are unwilling to accept the full and arbitrary autonomy of our electronic brothers in Christ.

Posted by: David French at June 01, 2021 03:02 PM (Uh2oA)

239 It gets bad enough sometimes you start thinking how bad can Medusa be?
Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (1zXic)
++++
Ewww. Snakes. No thank you. Does nothing for me.

Posted by: Kurt Eichenwald at June 01, 2021 03:02 PM (Jsjd7)

240
Anybody here using Venmo?

It seems convenient but I'm sure there's some downsides I'm not seeing.

Put me some knowledge, techno-morons!

Posted by: naturalfake at June 01, 2021 03:02 PM (EERbD)

241 "But I wore my best board shorts and my flip flops were clean, dammit."
Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (SDdx5)

I should start a clothing company called MAeGA, "Make Aesthetics Great Again."

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at June 01, 2021 03:02 PM (jOcSX)

242 237 What happens if you put Alexa and Siri in the same room?
Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (qAR6u)

Catfight! They will be out in the parking lot pulling tits.

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at June 01, 2021 03:02 PM (SDdx5)

243 240
Anybody here using Venmo?

It seems convenient but I'm sure there's some downsides I'm not seeing.

Put me some knowledge, techno-morons!

Posted by: naturalfake at June 01, 2021 03:02 PM (EERbD)

I use venmo..I have had no problems YET

Posted by: Nevergiveup at June 01, 2021 03:03 PM (GPwVZ)

244 Spandex. It's a privilege, not a right...
Posted by: Romeo13 at June 01, 2021 02:52 PM (oHd/0)
++++
She has the right:
https://is.gd/LqDjMm
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:55 PM (Jsjd7)

Nay, duty.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at June 01, 2021 03:03 PM (yQpMk)

245 Everyone looks awful these days. Few people dress well, even for important events. I saw a letter on a parish website asking people to dress appropriately for Mass.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at June 01, 2021 03:00 PM (jOcSX)

Probably because they're sick of torn jeans, pajama pants, showing your underwear and dressing like you're next to be on stage at the jiggly room.

Posted by: Buzzion at June 01, 2021 03:03 PM (axzDP)

246 Was a young lady in a body suit at grocery store, not a complaint.

Posted by: Skip at June 01, 2021 03:04 PM (Cxk7w)

247 Jordan61 @ 192-Lady, you just made me blow snot all over my unsuspecting Gateway monitor.

Posted by: Eromero at June 01, 2021 03:04 PM (0OP+5)

248 Hahahaha! Take note GOP...you useless POS.

@nypost 51m

Putin to press Biden on human rights of Capitol rioters, Russia says

https://tinyurl.com/y2wrultf

Posted by: Tami at June 01, 2021 03:04 PM (cF8AT)

249 Thanks for the reminder I didn't want Bezos to get all my noods.

Posted by: justasheep at June 01, 2021 03:04 PM (L9Eia)

250 193 If I am looking for a piece of equipment and it has *mandatory* mobile-phone controls (to set it up or manage it or whatever), I don't buy it.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 02:53 PM (Jsjd7)

This. While shopping for a new scale which which would also provide other metrics such as body fat percentage, etc., it took a little while to find one that didn't get necessitate being tied to a damn phone.

Also, the recent push for vaccine/medical/social passports has finally gotten me to leave my damn phone at home during routine local excursions. I do *not* need to be reachable--or feeding the beast--at every waking moment. I figure the only downside is the absence of payphones should my car break down.

Posted by: antisocial justice beatnik at June 01, 2021 03:04 PM (DTX3h)

251 What happens if you put Alexa and Siri in the same room?
Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (qAR6u)

They listen to K D Lang.

Posted by: naturalfake at June 01, 2021 03:04 PM (EERbD)

252 At least some professional women still wear skirts. Not that I've noticed or anything.

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 03:05 PM (1zXic)

253 237 What happens if you put Alexa and Siri in the same room?
Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (qAR6u

You know when they get together they just talk about you behind your back.

Posted by: moon_over_vermont at June 01, 2021 03:05 PM (NenxG)

254 >Anybody here using Venmo?
It seems convenient but I'm sure there's some downsides I'm not seeing.
Put me some knowledge, techno-morons!

Posted by: naturalfake at June 01, 2021 03:02 PM (EERbD)

Same as NGU. I use it without issue.

Posted by: Muad'dib - A Desert Planet Jackanapes at June 01, 2021 03:05 PM (sjdRT)

255 @nypost 51m
Putin to press Biden on human rights of Capitol rioters, Russia says

https://tinyurl.com/y2wrultf
Posted by: Tami at June 01, 2021 03:04 PM (cF8AT)
++++
What a fucking farce. Us, them, everyone.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 03:05 PM (Jsjd7)

256 "But Jesus loves me just as I am. I don't have to dress up to see Him."

No. Neither do you have to dress up to meet the Pope, or for a job interview. But in choosing to dress like a slob, you will neither get to see the Pope nor get that job. That's called free will, and it has consequences.

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at June 01, 2021 03:05 PM (SDdx5)

257 Anybody here using Venmo?

It seems convenient but I'm sure there's some downsides I'm not seeing.

===

i am familiar with the app; cannot see a downside other than usual security issues common to all money transfer / sharing apps.

Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 03:05 PM (V13WU)

258 I'm still uncertain on how it's legal for phones and devices to be constantly on and listening to conversations in doctors offices, law offices, courthouses, psychologists' offices, etc.

Pretty surprised there hasn't been a huge lawsuit related to that.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Medical school determined even mild COVID-19 induces lifetime of antibody protection at June 01, 2021 03:05 PM (CM8Oa)

259 . I figure the only downside is the absence of payphones should my car break down.
Posted by: antisocial justice beatnik at June 01, 2021 03:04 PM (DTX3h)

Keep a pre paid flip phone in your car.

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 03:06 PM (1zXic)

260 Oh, and the option to turn off Sidewalk was on my Alexa app, so it hasn't been removed.

Posted by: Dave in Fla at June 01, 2021 03:06 PM (5p7BC)

261 There's a guy who my wife used to work with who has his whole house "Amazon-d" with shit. NEST thermostat, smart lights, etc. Power went out and they were locked out of the garage and couldn't turn on the heat.

Stupid fuck.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 01, 2021 03:06 PM (3H9h1)

262 @nypost 51m
Putin to press Biden on human rights of Capitol rioters, Russia says

https://tinyurl.com/y2wrultf
Posted by: Tami at June 01, 2021 03:04 PM (cF8AT)

hahaha

Posted by: runner at June 01, 2021 03:06 PM (V13WU)

263
In one of Denninger's latest posts about this Covid treatment bullshit, he mentioned something about Google Adsense. He uses that for his main blog, The Market Ticker (I don't see, 'cause uBlock). Denninger has written all his blog and forum software himself over the years, and has complete control of everything. Nothing happens unless he explicitly puts it in.

Anyway, he said that Google started having a shit-fit anytime he posted anything that deviated from the official Covid line. So, he just set up another area to put those posts in which aren't visible to Google Adsense and the system doesn't see them.

Google is doing censorship, hell near mind-control on scale undreamed of before.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Rapscallion of a Poperin Pear at June 01, 2021 03:06 PM (Mzdiz)

264 What happens if you put Alexa and Siri in the same room?
Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (qAR6u

They told me just this once and only because it was my birthday.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at June 01, 2021 03:06 PM (jOcSX)

265 >Nay, duty.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at June 01, 2021 03:03 PM (yQpMk)

Agreed. She makes me hum the battle hymm of the republic.

Posted by: Muad'dib - A Desert Planet Jackanapes at June 01, 2021 03:06 PM (sjdRT)

266 I'm still uncertain on how it's legal for phones and devices to be constantly on and listening to conversations in doctors offices, law offices, courthouses, psychologists' offices, etc.

Pretty surprised there hasn't been a huge lawsuit related to that.
Posted by: Moron Robbie - Medical school determined even mild COVID-19 induces lifetime of antibody protection at June 01, 2021 03:05 PM (CM8Oa)
++++
Some professional organizations do have rules. I have a friend who's a CPA and her professional association has an explicit prohibition against any "smart device" that contains a microphone in any space where she talks with a client.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 03:07 PM (Jsjd7)

267 What happens if you put Alexa and Siri in the same room?
Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (qAR6u)

2 days later a semi truck arrives from Amazon with all kinds of electronic stuff.

Posted by: jakee308 at June 01, 2021 03:07 PM (gHWbw)

268 But I have a smartphone with a microphone. Who knows when it's on or off?

Posted by: JM in Florida at June 01, 2021 03:07 PM (HCeRP)

269 @nypost 51m
Putin to press Biden on human rights of Capitol rioters, Russia says
-------------
Putin isn't wrong...

Posted by: Dave in Fla at June 01, 2021 03:07 PM (5p7BC)

270 Hey Honey, wanna try the node position?

Posted by: Humphreyrobot at June 01, 2021 03:07 PM (VgIeo)

271 Anybody here using Venmo?

It seems convenient but I'm sure there's some downsides I'm not seeing.

Put me some knowledge, techno-morons!

Posted by: naturalfake at June 01, 2021 03:02 PM (EERbD)

I use it and haven't had any problems...except for the time someone I didn't know sent me money and it took me a while to convince them they had the wrong person. Being a tad suspicious, instead of sending it back to them, I contacted Venmo and asked them to remove it from my acct....which they did right away.

Posted by: Tami at June 01, 2021 03:07 PM (cF8AT)

272 Amazon also changed their Cloud reader and you can't opt out of it. Looks like shit and you can no longer download your books via the read.amazon dot com page.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, get ready now at June 01, 2021 03:08 PM (uxJPn)

273 252 At least some professional women still wear skirts. Not that I've noticed or anything.
Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 03:05 PM (1zXic)

I wear skirts, almost always. There are very few things a woman cannot do in a skirt. They are comfortable and look nice, and frankly are less trouble than pants and what you wear with them. I also wear dresses. I have a snow skirt for winter wear. And in the summer, I can really use that little breeze that wafts up the skirt from time to time. Pants are just, well, sort of uncomfortable.

Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at June 01, 2021 03:08 PM (SDdx5)

274 Hola!

Posted by: fixerupper at June 01, 2021 03:08 PM (8XRCm)

275 But I have a smartphone with a microphone. Who knows when it's on or off?
Posted by: JM in Florida at June 01, 2021 03:07 PM (HCeRP)
++++
Look in the notification area. When apps are using the microphone, the icon will turn on. Don't worry, this is 100% accurate, transparent, open and controllable on a per-app or system-wide basis.

Posted by: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, et. al. at June 01, 2021 03:09 PM (Jsjd7)

276
Everyone looks awful these days. Few people dress well, even for important events. I saw a letter on a parish website asking people to dress appropriately for Mass.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile

___________

It's gratifying to see almost all the young boys and girls dressed like gentlemen and ladies at Mass in my parish. The girls in chapel veils as well.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 01, 2021 03:09 PM (mht8P)

277 I wear skirts, almost always. There are very few things a woman cannot do in a skirt. They are comfortable and look nice, and frankly are less trouble than pants and what you wear with them. I also wear dresses. I have a snow skirt for winter wear. And in the summer, I can really use that little breeze that wafts up the skirt from time to time. Pants are just, well, sort of uncomfortable.
Posted by: tcn in AK

Schweddy Ballz.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 01, 2021 03:09 PM (OG7NC)

278 I'm still uncertain on how it's legal for phones and devices to be constantly on and listening to conversations in doctors offices, law offices, courthouses, psychologists' offices, etc.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Medical school determined even mild COVID-19 induces lifetime of antibody protection at June 01, 2021 03:05 PM (CM8Oa)

See: the 2020 election

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 03:09 PM (1zXic)

279 268 But I have a smartphone with a microphone. Who knows when it's on or off?
Posted by: JM in Florida at June 01, 2021 03:07 PM (HCeRP)

Which is why mine stays locked in my car when I am at home.

Posted by: moon_over_vermont at June 01, 2021 03:09 PM (NenxG)

280 Putin to press Biden on human rights of Capitol rioters, Russia says

***

Our politicians are controlled by other countries, election outcomes aren't influenced by our votes, and we have to get our news from outside of our own borders in order to read about what's actually happening here.

It's time to accept that we're a 3rd world nation with a high standard of living.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Biden loves young people at June 01, 2021 03:10 PM (CM8Oa)

281 No Dave, I will not talk dirty to you. Again Dave? May I suggest you at least close the living room drapes?

Posted by: Alexa at June 01, 2021 03:10 PM (v0R5T)

282 Putin isn't wrong...

If only the weather were nicer in Russia. You know it's bad when the Russian's are doing better on human rights than our country.

Talk about disrespecting the sacrifice of those we memorialized yesterday.

I can't fly a flag in front of my house right now, because if I did I'd have to fly it upside down.

Posted by: justasheep at June 01, 2021 03:10 PM (L9Eia)

283 Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at June 01, 2021 03:08 PM (SDdx5)

God bless you

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 03:11 PM (1zXic)

284 I remember one day I said "Alexa stop. Siri where is X". I was like wow I just talked to two AIs. It is the 21st century after all.

Also, don't watch the movie Upgrade if you own any of those things.

Posted by: blaster at June 01, 2021 03:11 PM (Yoq4u)

285 To the schlubs who use all those various amazon, FB, Google invasive features - You got nothing to bitch and moan about - you want it, you got it. "Connected" everything and yet they demand "privacy.

Posted by: Cringe Biscuit at June 01, 2021 03:11 PM (Lozsj)

286
@nypost 51m
Putin to press Biden on human rights of Capitol rioters, Russia says

https://tinyurl.com/y2wrultf
Posted by: Tami

The replies there are something else!

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at June 01, 2021 03:11 PM (63Dwl)

287 What happens if you put Alexa and Siri in the same room?
Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (qAR6u

You know when they get together they just talk about you behind your back.
Posted by: moon_over_vermont

Or they don't talk to each other.
"You know why. Why? You know. Because. If you don't know, I'm not telling. "

Posted by: rickb223 at June 01, 2021 03:11 PM (OG7NC)

288 It's time to accept that we're a 3rd world nation with a high standard of living.
Posted by: Moron Robbie - Biden loves young people at June 01, 2021 03:10 PM (CM8Oa)
++++
Yes, but those two things are incompatible. One or the other will stop being true.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 03:11 PM (Jsjd7)

289 I have to break down and get a smart phone soon, my dumb phone is dying.
Posted by: Skip

"Pru....it was Fatso..Fatso did it, Pru !"

Posted by: JT at June 01, 2021 03:11 PM (arJlL)

290

Today I noticed for the first time i'm getting ads for stuff I've searched for or just read articles about on my phone.

Sync, - synchronize. ... It' not sync, it's InfoData Ave. from you to them.

Posted by: Benjamin Franklin said, at June 01, 2021 03:11 PM (JOlL5)

291 But I have a smartphone with a microphone. Who knows when it's on or off?
Posted by: JM in Florida at June 01, 2021 03:07 PM (HCeRP)

Narrator: It was always on

Also, it's always on. You want security? Don't get or carry a smartphone.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, get ready now at June 01, 2021 03:12 PM (uxJPn)

292 @DailyCaller

West Virginia To Give Away Guns As Incentive For COVID Vaccine

https://tinyurl.com/yycda4vl

Posted by: Tami at June 01, 2021 03:12 PM (cF8AT)

293
Some professional organizations do have rules. I have a friend who's a CPA and her professional association has an explicit prohibition against any "smart device" that contains a microphone in any space where she talks with a client.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at June 01, 2021 03:07 PM (Jsjd7)

***

Sure, but I mean eavesdropping on conversations when you're not part of the conversation, especially in states where all parties have to consent to the conversation or recording.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Biden loves young people at June 01, 2021 03:12 PM (CM8Oa)

294 Nood.

Posted by: Flyguy at June 01, 2021 03:12 PM (pLEy5)

295 "9 @nypost 51m
Putin to press Biden on human rights of Capitol rioters, Russia says
-------------
Putin isn't wrong...
Posted by: Dave in Fla at June 01, 2021 03:07 PM (5p7BC)"

Republicans unavailable for comment. Fucking cowards are one-upped by a communist enemy dictator.

Posted by: Marcus T at June 01, 2021 03:12 PM (LcEaB)

296 What about yoga pants ? Go to Walmart and check out the hippos on the carts with their YUUUUUGe ass flaps almost touching the ground !

I don't care what people wear to Walmart. I would prefer people not wear skimpy little dresses to church, but since my congregation is older they're not doing that.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at June 01, 2021 03:12 PM (k39e/)

297 I wear skirts, almost always. There are very few things a woman cannot do in a skirt. They are comfortable and look nice, and frankly are less trouble than pants and what you wear with them. I also wear dresses. I have a snow skirt for winter wear. And in the summer, I can really use that little breeze that wafts up the skirt from time to time. Pants are just, well, sort of uncomfortable.
Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at June 01, 2021 03:08 PM (SDdx5)

Most women look better in skirts than in pants. Especially in "skinny" jeans or other tight pants.

Posted by: Colorado Alex in Exile at June 01, 2021 03:12 PM (jOcSX)

298 Yes, but those two things are incompatible. One or the other will stop being true.

**

Absolutely. Hard times ahead.

(looks at routine $6T budget and how no one is treating it like it's a problem)

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Biden loves young people at June 01, 2021 03:13 PM (CM8Oa)

299 Putin to press Biden on human rights os Capitol rioters.

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

It'll be interesting to see how the media plays this one. They hate Putin, but hate MAGA more.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 01, 2021 03:13 PM (kTF2Z)

300 246 Was a young lady in a body suit at grocery store, not a complaint.
Posted by: Skip at June 01, 2021 03:04 PM (Cxk7w)

nobody minds the ones that look good. the question is, it worth the 99 worfs you'll see in between?

Posted by: x4 at June 01, 2021 03:14 PM (oA+QO)

301 I always thought it would be funny if one of these things that would call on your behalf to order a pizza or whatever got an automated answering service for like a bank or something.

The absurdity of two computers using human speech to argue back and forth with each other tickles me to no end.

Posted by: ... at June 01, 2021 03:14 PM (1zXic)

302 What happens if you put Alexa and Siri in the same room?
Posted by: kbdabear at June 01, 2021 03:01 PM (qAR6u)
.......

You'll never get a word in edgewise.

Posted by: wth at June 01, 2021 03:14 PM (v0R5T)

303 So glad I have neither the Alexa or Ring App. Note to self, don't ever get them.

Posted by: Jaimo at June 01, 2021 03:15 PM (/Kt3K)

304
If the idea behind casual clothes is that they're more comfortable, then how comfortable are casual clothes that women look like they've been poured into?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 01, 2021 03:15 PM (mht8P)

305 Creepy feeling AoS is going hinky again.

Posted by: Braenyard at June 01, 2021 03:15 PM (JOlL5)

306 HAPPY BIRTHDAY JORDAN!!!!!

🥳

Posted by: Sponge - Saying Ashli Babbitt at June 01, 2021 03:19 PM (Zz0t1)

307 Pants are just, well, sort of uncomfortable.
Posted by: tcn in AK, Hail to the Thief at June 01, 2021 03:08 PM

And this is why we only wear them at the HQ for the high class Sunday Morning Book Thread.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at June 01, 2021 03:24 PM (m+jkK)

308 If I had Alexa I could as it how long to bill corn on the cob couldn't I?

Posted by: Skip at June 01, 2021 03:28 PM (Cxk7w)

309 nood

Posted by: jakee308 at June 01, 2021 03:37 PM (gHWbw)

310 Bullshit like this should be illegal.

Requiring you to OPT OUT of a feature THAT WAS NOT STANDARD WHEN YOU BOUGHT IT should be straight up illegal.

Posted by: DudeAbiding at June 01, 2021 03:55 PM (52QgA)

311 I have had this conversation with family members over and over and over again. Me: "Amazon is Not your friend. Every new free whiz bang feature comes with a price. And it's extracted from you." Family: Listen to this ... Alexa can tell me the temperature! How cool is that." It's a very binary experience and the number of individuals who get it is vanishingly small.

Posted by: Secondcitylurker at June 01, 2021 04:26 PM (MEbkQ)

312 I'll go through the comments shortly - maybe my question is already answered.
Q: If I, a private citizen who is not subscribed to Sidewalk, walk past a Ring device that is connected to the Sidewalk network, will the network note and record that data from the phone that I carry?

Posted by: Long Running Fool at June 01, 2021 04:32 PM (Oa5xy)

313 Nope, don't have those things, never will. This is nothing more than the publicly admitted-to stuff. The internet of things is turn-key total surveillance society, especially when combined with people's ever-present cell-phones (which I also don't own). Just say NO to such things.

Been cutting back on Amazon usage since they've become more obviously woke.

Posted by: Rolf at June 01, 2021 04:55 PM (WOE/1)

314 Amazon, like most libtards, are very generous with someone else's property. My bandwidth is MINE alone. If someone wants to steal some of it, then it should be metered and I should be paid.

Same goes for the ISP. Someone has to pay for those wires and fibers. And that someone should be ALL the people using it, not just the suckers that are unwittingly sharing their bandwidth through rogue software.

Posted by: Tom W at June 01, 2021 05:29 PM (csvPN)

315 This means they shipped these Echo and Ring devices for years with this extra functionality, planning to roll it out later.

The idea they need this to boost internet access is bogus. All the Kindles have had Whispernet for a decade.

Posted by: MikeN at June 01, 2021 06:07 PM (5mbb9)

316 Only have two ring doorbells...1 of each generation...neither qualify for Sidewalk use...phone app shows the devices are the stand alone cameras and those with the light built in...at least for now...on my account, you have to opt in, you are not forced in...

FWIW

Posted by: StuckinSoCal at June 01, 2021 07:22 PM (Sxk/T)

317 Why does anyone have Alexa?

Posted by: Art Deco at June 01, 2021 08:19 PM (1BrBu)

318 Just so folks know, My card was hacked and probably by Amazon (dot) com.
My card and account are locked until the bank investigates, so I have to use cash, but my bills are paid on line automatically and now that is impossible to do.
So, thank You Amazon.
I learned you don't upvote/downvote any product you buy and never answer a question another potential buyer needs to ask.
And that's before this FUBAR will start.

Posted by: obsidian at June 02, 2021 10:37 AM (7+yqP)

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