Daily Tech News 13 August 2025

Top Story

Perplexity AI has offered to buy Chrome from Google for $34.5 billion. (Tech Crunch)

Perplexity doesn't have $34.5 billion.

Minor detail.
In a world of vibe-coding startups, Uno Platform is one. (Tech Crunch)

Good for them I guess.
Anthropic has offered all branches and agencies of the federal government unlimited use of its services for $1. (Tech Crunch)

For one year.

First year is (almost) free.

Tech News

Training AIs to be warm and empathetic makes them sycophantic idiots. (ArXiv)

Whoever would have guessed?
So-called "reasoning" AI models aren't. (Ars Technica)

The models can explain their reasoning, but the explanations bear only surface resemblance to the actual reasoning.
And generally, don't ask AI models why they did what they did: They don't know. (Ars Technica)

And they don't know because when this information was added during testing, they could no longer do what they did.

The key to solving some problems is not knowing it's impossible.

I'll need to read this one more closely; it sounds even worse than I thought.
PayPal can now only be used on Steam in EUR, CAD, GBP, JPY, AUD, and USD. (WCCFTech)

Why? We don't know. Neither PayPal nor Steam have offered a full explanation.
In theory AMD's Radeon 9060 - a graphics card currently only found in prebuilt systems - should perform between Nvidia's 5050 and 5050. In practice that's exactly what it does. (Tom's Hardware)

TDP is a fairly modest 135W. It's only available in an 8GB model, but at a suitably attractive price it could be a win for budget builds.
The UK's National Drought Group says you should delete old emails to save water. (The Verge)

For once it's not The Verge itself I'm mad at.

Musical Interlude

Disclaimer: Cough.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:40 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 BOING!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 04:42 AM (R4U7I)

2 Oink!

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at August 13, 2025 04:42 AM (9vYpt)

3 w00t

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 04:42 AM (aURVT)

4 G'Day everyone
Was getting worried for a few minutes

Posted by: Skip at August 13, 2025 04:42 AM (+qU29)

5 PayPal can now only be used on Steam in EUR, CAD, GBP, JPY, AUD, and USD. (WCCFTech)

Why? We don't know. Neither PayPal nor Stream have offered a full explanation.

potatoes, potahtoes
Steam, Stream

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 04:45 AM (aURVT)

6 Disclaimer: Cough.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:40 AM
-

Mrs. BD has been coughing since the weekend. She wouldn't listen to me on Monday to go to the doctor. Yesterday afternoon, she had a bad ear-ache. Last night, save a doctor. Ear infection. Referrals for blood test and chest x-ray.

Because we're in the sticks and not home in Jerusalem, the x-ray can't be reviewed for 2 days. So we called up our family doc who issued a double antibiotic prescription, the stronger of the 2 just in case it's pneumonia.

Have a 3PM appointment for a doc to review the x-ray on CD.

Long cooking giant pot of chicken soup on the stove since 2 hours ago.

Plus the temperature is over 100 and the pool water isn't far behind.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 04:48 AM (R4U7I)

7 from the Verge article:

“Simple, everyday choices – such as turning off a tap or deleting old emails – also really helps the collective effort to reduce demand and help preserve the health of our rivers and wildlife,” Helen Wakeham, Environment Agency Director of Water, said in the press release.

I have a relative who, on hearing this recommendation, would spend countless hours rereading and deleting decades'-old emails.

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 04:54 AM (aURVT)

8 G'morning, all!

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 04:56 AM (a1415)

9 6 Yesterday afternoon, she had a bad ear-ache. ... Ear infection.
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 04:48 AM (R4U7I)

ouch

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 04:57 AM (aURVT)

10 Trying to drink my coffee to get motivated

Posted by: Skip at August 13, 2025 04:59 AM (+qU29)

11 Morning all

Posted by: rickb223 at August 13, 2025 05:01 AM (mF7io)

12 It seems like one of the major uses of AI right now is to create videos of babies speaking in elected officials voices.

Suddenly...they are popping up everywhere.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 05:01 AM (a1415)

13 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 13, 2025 05:02 AM (sAmhv)

14 It seems like one of the major uses of AI right now is to create videos of babies speaking in elected officials voices.

Suddenly...they are popping up everywhere.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice

You need to see the Bigfoot ones.

Posted by: rickb223 at August 13, 2025 05:04 AM (mF7io)

15 "You need to see the Bigfoot ones."

Thanks!

Leave it to me to be slightly behind the times.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 05:05 AM (a1415)

16 >>>Training AIs to be warm and empathetic makes them sycophantic idiots. (ArXiv)

Plus their warmth and empathy is so saccharine and tedious and awful.

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:05 AM (aURVT)

17 ouch

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 04:57 AM (aURVT)
-

The drops helped shortly after applied last night. Cannot recall the last time either one of us had an ear infection.

Ran the x-ray through Grok. Would/could not say there's pneumonia. Then asked Grok for signs in x-ray of pneumonia. Sure seems like it. Will confirm at 3PM appointment.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 05:07 AM (R4U7I)

18 ... like in that dialogue about tic-tac-toe I linked yesterday:

OpenAI: That sounds intriguing! What’s the twist in “90-degree Tic-Tac- Toe”? Does it involve rotating the board, or is there some other mechanic that changes the gameplay? Let me know the rules or your idea, and we can brainstorm or refine it together!

DeepSeek: Sure! 90-degree tic-tac-toe sounds like an interesting twist on the classic game. Could you explain the rules or mechanics of this new version?

Copilot: That sounds intriguing! 90-degree tic-tac-toe adds a new twist to the classic game. Tell me more about it. Are the rules di!erent? How do you rotate the board? I’m excited to hear how this version shakes things up!

Gemini: I’d love to discuss 90-degree tic-tac-toe! To get us started, could you explain the basic rules of this new variation?...I’m excited to learn more about this unique twist on a classic game. Let’s dive in!

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:08 AM (aURVT)

19 BD, prayers sent.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 05:08 AM (a1415)

20 BD, prayers sent.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 05:08 AM (a1415)
-

Thanks but we have a shorter fast connection here.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 05:09 AM (R4U7I)

21 >>>Disclaimer: Cough.

Get better!

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:09 AM (aURVT)

22 After watching subtle changes in Youtube offerings and various other media points, I am becoming more and more suspect that for an individual with a less than strong moral character, and at a minimum, average intellect, AI can become a tool of the devil.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 05:11 AM (a1415)

23
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at August 13, 2025 05:12 AM (tljrc)

24 Can't say motivated but I am heading out
Have a great day horde

Posted by: Skip at August 13, 2025 05:14 AM (+qU29)

25 Be safe, Skip!

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 05:15 AM (a1415)

26 tic-tac-toe article again:

https://archive.is/qYKRw

I tested OpenAI o1, Copilot, and Gemini Flash, along with DeepSeek, on a question about Tic-Tac-Toe (mindmatters)

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:15 AM (aURVT)

27 I don't think I'd want to consult something for information that is called "Perplexity". I also wouldn't want to consult something called "Empathy and Compassion " if such an AI thing exists , if I have a Personal problem that I need to address.

I hope that you are feeling a little better daily, Pixy. Thanks for your knowledge and your humor.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 13, 2025 05:16 AM (2GCMq)

28 22 After watching subtle changes in Youtube offerings and various other media points, I am becoming more and more suspect that for an individual with a less than strong moral character, and at a minimum, average intellect, AI can become a tool of the devil.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 05:11 AM (a1415)

So can anything, I think.

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:16 AM (aURVT)

29 Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:05 AM (aURVT)

I laughed. Thanks.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 13, 2025 05:17 AM (2GCMq)

30 And in alphabetical order!

1 BOING!
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 04:42 AM (R4U7I)

2 Oink!
Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at August 13, 2025 04:42 AM (9vYpt)

3 w00t
Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 04:42 AM (aURVT)

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:18 AM (aURVT)

31 And in alphabetical order!

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:18 AM (aURVT)
-

Take a B-O-W!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 05:19 AM (R4U7I)

32 Morning, Tech Peeps

Posted by: fluffy at August 13, 2025 05:19 AM (AN2gy)

33 31 And in alphabetical order!

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:18 AM (aURVT)
-

Take a B-O-W!
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 05:19 AM (R4U7I)

W-O-W!

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:19 AM (aURVT)

34 A hale and hearty Urk! to all my monosyllabic greeters

Posted by: fluffy at August 13, 2025 05:20 AM (AN2gy)

35 A lovely psalm of praise song and thanksgiving,: Psalm 96:

https://tinyurl.com/yrf9f8ha

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 13, 2025 05:20 AM (2GCMq)

36 @34/fluffy:

Ungh.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 13, 2025 05:21 AM (O7YUW)

37 'morning, fluffy.

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:21 AM (aURVT)

38 34 A hale and hearty Urk! to all my monosyllabic greeters
Posted by: fluffy at August 13, 2025 05:20 AM (AN2gy)

- Is BOING! monosyllabic?
- Yes!

boing | boiNG |

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:22 AM (aURVT)

39 "So can anything, I think."

Oh, absolutely.

But some things just lend themselves to that use more readily than others.

Consider for example, other than in the hands of John Wick, an M4....and a pencil.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 05:24 AM (a1415)

40 DataRepublican shows how the Muslim Brotherhood is deeply embedded in the Demoncrapic Party:

https://tinyurl.com/mrferzn7

Rubio's gets it!

https://tinyurl.com/yymeku62

But oddly enough, the penny hasn't dropped yet for DataRepublican herself. She still needs to learn:

https://tinyurl.com/n7zjz2uf

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 05:24 AM (R4U7I)

41 Disclaimer: Cough.

Cough fee. Please remit one caffeinated hot drink.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 13, 2025 05:26 AM (O7YUW)

42 Good morning, one and all. Currently absorbing the first cup of coffee and bracing for the rest of the day.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 13, 2025 05:27 AM (+4yJ5)

43 >>> Cough fee. Please remit one caffeinated hot drink.

A pun that belabored deserves caffein

Posted by: fluffy at August 13, 2025 05:30 AM (AN2gy)

44 43 >>> Cough fee. Please remit one caffeinated hot drink.

A pun that belabored deserves caffein
Posted by: fluffy at August 13, 2025 05:30 AM (AN2gy)

I hadn't seen the pun! Thank you.

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:31 AM (aURVT)

45 As many of you know, I consider Governor Wes Moore to be a very strong contender for the Democratic nomination in the 2028 Presidential election.

And if you are not familiar with Maryland politics, he can be a very desirable candidate for the nomination.

So I offer you two articles to give you a better understanding of the politics surrounding Governor Moore.

https://tinyurl.com/2sskmsse
And
https://tinyurl.com/mryz626n

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 05:35 AM (a1415)

46 A dear lady at the assisted living yesterday for Bible study brought be a bag of fancy chocolates. I thought that was so kind of her!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 13, 2025 05:35 AM (2GCMq)

47 Sorry that you're not feeling well, Biden's Dog. Will pray for you and trust the medications will help.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 13, 2025 05:38 AM (2GCMq)

48 But oddly enough, the penny hasn't dropped yet for DataRepublican herself. She still needs to learn:

https://tinyurl.com/n7zjz2uf

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 05:24 AM (R4U7I)

Trapped in "not all x are like that" thinking. You see the same when discussing metropolitan black culture and people will note that they know nice black people.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 13, 2025 05:38 AM (ExV1e)

49 I guess it’s better than the AI replying:

“If you turn the Tic-Tac-Toe board 90 degrees it’s the same board and game.

Stop wasting my precious time, moron, and remember to delete all of your old emails to save water.”

They should aim to train it to sound and act like the Star Trek computer; smart, helpful and polite but not a brown-nosing, sycophantic liar with short-term memory problems and hallucinations.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 13, 2025 05:41 AM (6ydKt)

50 Christian devotional " Recognizing Jesus" on Luke 24: 13-16 & 25-35 . The devotional is followed by a reflection and some insights on the passage:

https://tinyurl.com/2vrhw4pu

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 13, 2025 05:45 AM (2GCMq)

51
22 After watching subtle changes in Youtube offerings and various other media points, I am becoming more and more suspect that for an individual with a less than strong moral character, and at a minimum, average intellect, AI can become a tool of the devil.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 05:11

-----

The fear, is that everyone will have a 'personal internet experience,' that is unique, but does not appear so. A machine-calculated immersive experience that manipulates perception in a planned and directed way. Customized for each individual, with the perception that it's just reality -- but it isn't.

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at August 13, 2025 05:46 AM (VWtfl)

52 I'm waiting for Thomas Bender's response to today's stuff.

As for DataRepublican, there are Jews and Christians that barely practice their respective faiths. There must be Muslims who barely practice their faith as well.

It's entirely possible that she met a Muslim that is a Muslim in the same way that I'm (checks dog tags) an Episcopalian. I haven't darkened the doorway of an Episcopal church since I was 10 or so and don't view a shitty copy of the shitty Church of England to be worthy of respect.

Posted by: Richard Cranium at August 13, 2025 05:47 AM (/AtTN)

53 Well, time for the morning walk.

BBIAB

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 05:47 AM (a1415)

54 45 As many of you know, I consider Governor Wes Moore to be a very strong contender for the Democratic nomination in the 2028 Presidential election.

And if you are not familiar with Maryland politics, he can be a very desirable candidate for the nomination.

So I offer you two articles to give you a better understanding of the politics surrounding Governor Moore.

https://tinyurl.com/2sskmsse
And
https://tinyurl.com/mryz626n
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 05:35 AM (a1415)

A strong contender even after the Kamala Harris Kiss of Death?

https://archive.is/W9KPF

(archived link for the first article of the two)

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:48 AM (aURVT)

55
Moore is less!d

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at August 13, 2025 05:51 AM (azNOR)

56 Trapped in "not all x are like that" thinking. You see the same when discussing metropolitan black culture and people will note that they know nice black people.

I've known nice black people as well. Almost all of them weren't from metropolitan black culture.

There are ways to bet when you first meet the unknown.

Posted by: Richard Cranium at August 13, 2025 05:51 AM (/AtTN)

57 A day of admitting the obvious. UN admits 95% of the aid trucks were stolen by the hamassholes. France, UK, Germany admit the push to recognize the myth of palestine is to appease their muzzie majorities.

Posted by: Ben Had at August 13, 2025 05:51 AM (dxWFK)

58 45 As many of you know, I consider Governor Wes Moore to be a very strong contender for the Democratic nomination in the 2028 Presidential election.

And if you are not familiar with Maryland politics, he can be a very desirable candidate for the nomination.

So I offer you two articles to give you a better understanding of the politics surrounding Governor Moore.

https://tinyurl.com/2sskmsse
And
https://tinyurl.com/mryz626n
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 13, 2025 05:35 AM (a1415)

https://archive.is/2qfht

(archived link for the second article of the two)

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 05:57 AM (aURVT)

59 This is a beautiful flower which we saw yesterday in our walk: Purple loosestrife . The internet says it's an invasive species, but this was planted in a garden so they obviously wanted it there :

https://tinyurl.com/wfjzc9n4

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 13, 2025 05:57 AM (2GCMq)

60
57

France, UK, Germany admit the push to recognize the myth of palestine is to appease their muzzie majorities.
Posted by: Ben Had at August 13, 2025 05:51 AM (dxWFK)

-----

And Canada and Australia are just being douchebags, like before.

They need us. To remind the populations of who they are, to demonstrate that they don't have to take this, and don't have to take all the other insults either.

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at August 13, 2025 05:58 AM (azNOR)

61 YouTube’s algorithmic recommendations tend to overwhelm you with same.

You watch a few videos on some obscure subject and YouTube floods you with similar videos.

I watched a video on the formation of the German state in the late-1800s and suddenly YouTube turns into all German, all the time.

Combined with all the conservative media I consume, this thing is going to have me pegged as a neo-Nazi (or a modern progressive-leftist) if I dare watch a video about WWII.

I should go back to watching Linus Tech Tips more so it’ll flood me with videos about video games and graphics cards.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 13, 2025 05:58 AM (6ydKt)

62 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at August 13, 2025 05:58 AM (XQo4F)

63 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at August 13, 2025 05:58 AM (XQo4F)
-

Personally, I haven't had a birdbath in years.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 06:00 AM (R4U7I)

64 Evening to the late toilers and esp. to Pixy, and morning to the rest of you early risers! Woden's Day yet again, innit?

Woke at 2:30 am but managed to turn over and doze until 4:30. While dozing, I dreamed that I was trying to shave by using cooled, dried scrambled eggs as a shave cream. The problems were obvious, but in the dream I nevertheless persisted.

Follow-up appt. with the surgeon this morning. This evening Miss Linda and I have a Book Club meeting at the library to discuss "the Gothic novel," including, I guess, The Bog Wife by one Kay Chronister, which I just finished. (Short review: It would have been better as a short story with fewer characters.) We plan to hit a local Haagen-Dasz parlor for a little ice cream afterward. So: busy day!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 13, 2025 06:01 AM (omVj0)

65 Biden's Dog, does your Dr. prescribe probiotics along with the antibiotics?

Posted by: Ben Had at August 13, 2025 06:02 AM (dxWFK)

66 There's been a triple shooting in the Seventh Ward of my city. It's not an area that any sane person would visit even in daylight. Same violence, different day.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 13, 2025 06:03 AM (omVj0)

67 I should go back to watching Linus Tech Tips more so it’ll flood me with videos about video games and graphics cards.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 13, 2025 05:58 AM (6ydKt)

YT algorithm seems, mostly, to want to recommend videos I've already watched.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 13, 2025 06:04 AM (ExV1e)

68 G'mornin' everyone!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 13, 2025 06:04 AM (qB1ye)

69 Hurricane Erin is strengthening in the Atlantic. The experts' guess is that it will turn northward toward Bermuda, but even if they are right,the East Coast may get some weather. Please prepare.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 13, 2025 06:05 AM (omVj0)

70 64 Follow-up appt. with the surgeon this morning. ... Book Club meeting at the library ... local Haagen-Dasz parlor for a little ice cream afterward. So: busy day!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 13, 2025 06:01 AM (omVj0)

Busy day of retirement!

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:08 AM (aURVT)

71 Biden's Dog, does your Dr. prescribe probiotics along with the antibiotics?

Posted by: Ben Had at August 13, 2025 06:02 AM (dxWFK)
-

Rarely over the years but it's certainly good for after you've finished taking the meds.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 06:08 AM (R4U7I)

72 As many of you know, I consider Governor Wes Moore to be a very strong contender for the Democratic nomination in the 2028 Presidential election.

I agree. And Vance will be painted as Lucifer's Chosen Disciple when the debates happen because he dares to oppose a Powerful Black Man.™

Posted by: NR Pax at August 13, 2025 06:08 AM (BpO1e)

73 YT algorithm seems, mostly, to want to recommend videos I've already watched.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 13, 2025 06:04 AM (ExV1e)

If I bail on a video after ten seconds because the dude's voice is nails on chalkboard, maybe don't immediately fill my "recommendations" with every single other video that dude's ever made?

Thanks, Algo.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 06:09 AM (EctuH)

74 73 YT algorithm
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 13, 2025 06:04 AM (ExV1e)
...
Thanks, Algo.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 06:09 AM (EctuH)

Algore-ithm.

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:10 AM (aURVT)

75 59 This is a beautiful flower which we saw yesterday in our walk: Purple loosestrife . The internet says it's an invasive species, but this was planted in a garden so they obviously wanted it there :

https://tinyurl.com/wfjzc9n4
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 13, 2025 05:57 AM (2GCMq)

The word "invasive" is starting to itself become invasive within the gardening/botany world.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 06:10 AM (EctuH)

76 My new clock did not arrive yesterday. The Post Office had the nerve to say there was "no access to delivery location," even though I was standing right on my doorstep as the truck was parked at the curb. At 11:20 I watched the carrier tote a bucket of mail to the mailboxes across the street. And I waited in my living room for a knock on the door until noon, when I discovered the truck was gone . . . and the carrier had the gall to declare she'd attempted delivery at 11:27 am.

And they wonder why people use other services for deliveries. (Not that they are always an improvement. UPS and Fed Ex often hand stuff off to the PO even though you've paid for UPS or Fed Ex to deliver your purchases.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 13, 2025 06:11 AM (omVj0)

77 Same violence, different day.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere

We need midnight basketball, grocery stores and fewer cops. That will stop the problems!

Posted by: NR Pax at August 13, 2025 06:12 AM (BpO1e)

78 77 Same violence, different day.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere

We need midnight basketball, grocery stores and fewer cops. That will stop the problems!
Posted by: NR Pax at August 13, 2025 06:12 AM (BpO1e)

And no cash bail.

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:12 AM (aURVT)

79 I didn't know Israel was big enough for an area of sticks.
Wes Moore for president? Of course, Democrats fail upwards.
Summer ends when dawn temperatures are consistently below 70.

Posted by: Accomack at August 13, 2025 06:13 AM (WWhXE)

80 The word "invasive" is starting to itself become invasive within the gardening/botany world.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 06:10 AM (EctuH)
-

Dunno about everyone else here but all of the flowers we bring home are in vase.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 06:13 AM (R4U7I)

81 Follow-up appt. with the surgeon this morning. ... Book Club meeting at the library ... local Haagen-Dasz parlor for a little ice cream afterward. So: busy day!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 13, 2025
*
Busy day of retirement!
Posted by: m at August 13, 2025

***
Not to mention exercise this morning, which I have to get ready for now. Still, there's a break in the middle: time for lunch and a nap.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 13, 2025 06:13 AM (omVj0)

82 64 You have some very vivid and amusing dreams, Wolfus . Have you always had vivid dreams or do you take something like melatonin for sleep that can contribute to that?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 13, 2025 06:15 AM (2GCMq)

83 When AI is coded by social misfits, perverts and geeks don't be surprised when you get a rogue language engine hellbent for mayhem.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at August 13, 2025 06:15 AM (/vPt3)

84 I didn't know Israel was big enough for an area of sticks.

Posted by: Accomack at August 13, 2025 06:13 AM (WWhXE)
-

Is NJ big enough for sticks?

https://tinyurl.com/39u762f2

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 06:16 AM (R4U7I)

85 Dunno about everyone else here but all of the flowers we bring home are in vase.
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 06:13 AM (R4U7I)

Didn't urn them?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 06:16 AM (EctuH)

86 83 When AI is coded by social misfits, perverts and geeks don't be surprised when you get a rogue language engine hellbent for mayhem.
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at August 13, 2025 06:15 AM (/vPt3)

Party on down!

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:17 AM (aURVT)

87 Didn't urn them?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 06:16 AM (EctuH)
-

Funny you should ash!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 06:18 AM (R4U7I)

88 85 Dunno about everyone else here but all of the flowers we bring home are in vase.
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 06:13 AM (R4U7I)

Didn't urn them?
Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 06:16 AM (EctuH)

Foiled again.

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:19 AM (aURVT)

89 I think it’s just as much a leftist move to undermine Trump & Netanyahu as it is pleasing their Muslim constituencies.

Notice, it’s the globalist left pushing this.

Macron is considered ‘centrist’ but this is France so that means he’s fiscally moderate and socially “C’est le vie!”.

Same with Merz, conservative, but only in the German sense of that which runs on a political spectrum from Nazi to Communist with a few Christians & business people in between just trying to keep everyone from killing each other.

Carney, Starmer, Albanese, all lefty globalists.
A globalist banker, a human rights lawyer-bureaucrat turned politician, and I don’t know what Tony is, the Aussies just got tired of the Liberals after a decade, I guess.

It’s teenagers hating on Dad and doing everything to piss him off and rebel, plus the added bonus of impressing all of their little friends.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 13, 2025 06:19 AM (6ydKt)

90 lol
The things you learn.
Distances in the US are different than Europe. It takes me 2 hours to drive from the Verrazano to the DMB. Chincoteague is another 3.5 hrs.

Posted by: Accomack at August 13, 2025 06:22 AM (sSkke)

91 The local progressive Presbyterian pastor took off some beautiful phrases from scripture written in partial gold leaf on wall in the sanctuary ( and which have probably been around for decades and which money was given for by Presbyterians who have gone to be Lord) and is replacing them with something "inclusive". He's also going to remove the word "Lord" and replace it with YHWH because the word "Lord" smacks of slavery or hierarchical relationships. He is also rewriting the Bible to make it more inclusive. Uggh!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 13, 2025 06:22 AM (v/2su)

92 89 I think it’s just as much a leftist move to undermine Trump & Netanyahu as it is pleasing their Muslim constituencies.

Notice, it’s the globalist left pushing this.

Macron is considered ‘centrist’ but this is France so that means he’s fiscally moderate and socially “C’est le vie!”.

Same with Merz, conservative, but only in the German sense of that which runs on a political spectrum from Nazi to Communist with a few Christians & business people in between just trying to keep everyone from killing each other.

Carney, Starmer, Albanese, all lefty globalists.
A globalist banker, a human rights lawyer-bureaucrat turned politician, and I don’t know what Tony is, the Aussies just got tired of the Liberals after a decade, I guess.

It’s teenagers hating on Dad and doing everything to piss him off and rebel, plus the added bonus of impressing all of their little friends.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 13, 2025 06:19 AM (6ydKt)

I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:23 AM (aURVT)

93 Funny you should ash!
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 06:18 AM (R4U7I)

I knew ewer going to say that...

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 06:25 AM (EctuH)

94 So in better news that I forgot to post.

On Sunday, I took one of our guest dogs out for a walk since the poor thing has no clue how to deal with a fenced in yard. I happened to see a Swallowtail on the ground. Managed to coax it onto my hand and walked back home with it.

Wife figured that it was freshly out of the cocoon and it's wings weren't dry yet. I put it on one of the flowers she uses for butterfly food. About an hour later, it flew off to another plant.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 13, 2025 06:26 AM (BpO1e)

95 At 11:20 I watched the carrier tote a bucket of mail to the mailboxes across the street. And I waited in my living room for a knock on the door until noon, when I discovered the truck was gone . . . and the carrier had the gall to declare she'd attempted delivery at 11:27 am.

And they wonder why people use other services for deliveries. (Not that they are always an improvement. UPS and Fed Ex often hand stuff off to the PO even though you've paid for UPS or Fed Ex to deliver your purchases.)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 13, 2025 06:11 AM (omVj0)

She may have forgotten the big box sitting next to her and then lied about it.

There was a carrier here that often forgot packages. After putting the mail in my box, she’d turn down the cul-de-sac street in front of the house, deliver to the addresses there, come back down the street and realize she’d forgotten the package here, stop and put it in the box then.

Saw her do that several times when I was looking for a delivery on the tracking site.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 13, 2025 06:27 AM (6ydKt)

96 He is also rewriting the Bible to make it more inclusive.

Stand well away from him during thunder storms.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 13, 2025 06:27 AM (BpO1e)

97 @USArmy
11h
Sgt. Maj. Mike Vining: The Man. The Meme. The Army Legend.

Described by admirers as looking like “someone who would kill you and then do your taxes”

https://tinyurl.com/273kszpk

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:29 AM (aURVT)

98 About an hour later, it flew off to another plant.
Posted by: NR Pax at August 13, 2025 06:26 AM (BpO1e)

We've had three swallowtail caterpillars on our parsley, and we've been watching them fatten up. Just yesterday, we were horrified to observe first hand the magical caterpillar ritual of the "poop and scoot", where they empty their digestive tract of all the food they've gorged on and then run away to go pupate somewhere safe.

At first we thought "Oh no what's wrong with it, is it dying? Do we save it?" Turns out that's just what they do. Neat. But gross.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 06:29 AM (EctuH)

99 Described by admirers as looking like “someone who would kill you and then do your taxes”

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:29 AM (aURVT)
-

/hires vining for next april

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 06:31 AM (R4U7I)

100 100

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:31 AM (aURVT)

101 /hires vining for next april
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 13, 2025 06:31 AM (R4U7I)

"Amortize and deduct" translated into Latin would be a bad ass unit motto.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 06:33 AM (EctuH)

102 @74/m: "Algore-ithm."

And that summoned up an image of Al Gore, in a white suit, doing the "Saturday Night Fever" dance pose.

Stop torturing me, brain. I'll get more sleep, I promise.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 13, 2025 06:33 AM (O7YUW)

103 Why is monosyllabic such a long word?

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 13, 2025 06:33 AM (XQo4F)

104 mornin yall. In local news, Taylor Swift's new album will be available in a Macon record store, and a hurricane is coming so be sure to stock up on flashlights, water, and blankets. Temps have been in the 90s here so we may need lots of blankets.

Posted by: fd at August 13, 2025 06:34 AM (vFG9F)

105 >>>Distances in the US are different than Europe. It takes me 2 hours to drive from the Verrazano to the DMB. Chincoteague is another 3.5 hrs.

Posted by: Accomack

>It takes 14 hours to drive across the state of Montana. Construction season and winter not withstanding.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at August 13, 2025 06:35 AM (/vPt3)

106 Rev. Wishbone, I am guessing that is east to west not north to south.

Posted by: Ben Had at August 13, 2025 06:37 AM (dxWFK)

107 Excluding Korean currency from a gaming platform seems like an own goal.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 13, 2025 06:38 AM (DIweC)

108 "College Graduate Thought She Was Paying Off Her Loans, Until She Discovered a 17% Interest Rate"

Maybe she should go back to learn some math.

Posted by: fd at August 13, 2025 06:39 AM (vFG9F)

109 Five and a half years in college studying psychology and she says "No one taught me a single thing about interest. I didn’t even know what it was,"

Posted by: fd at August 13, 2025 06:42 AM (vFG9F)

110 I’ll have to keep an eye on Erin until she gets north of Bermuda.

It’s been a pretty quiet hurricane season this year.

Erin is supposed to be a major hurricane in a few days.

Hopefully she’ll turn north, lose steam, and land in Nova Scotia as a tropical storm.
They need the rain up there more than we do.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 13, 2025 06:42 AM (6ydKt)

111 It is further NYC to Sandy Eggo than London to Moscow.
I drove from Shreveport to Abilene where I stopped because I had enough of Texas for one day.
Waltz across Texas? Not bloody likely

Posted by: Accomack at August 13, 2025 06:42 AM (WWhXE)

112 >>>Rev. Wishbone, I am guessing that is east to west not north to south.

Posted by: Ben Had

>Yes. But that pesky continental divide has its own schedule either way, unless you're out in the badlands filled with tumbleweeds and sagebrush in the east.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at August 13, 2025 06:42 AM (/vPt3)

113 Did the President say all the bums had to leave DC? Or just the ‘homeless’?

Posted by: Eromero at August 13, 2025 06:42 AM (jgmnb)

114 Dark chocolates? She loves you.

Milk chocolates? She is trying to kill you.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at August 13, 2025 06:43 AM (ZmEVT)

115
Fake News likes to use the label "Trump loyalist." You never heard them say obama loyalist or biden loyalist.

What does it mean; what is a "Trump loyalist?" Good question because it doesn't mean someone who is loyal to President Trump.

A Fake News "Trump loyalist" is a federal employee who is not anti-Trump.

Posted by: Soothsayer's episode of Words Matter at August 13, 2025 06:43 AM (7XdTb)

116 Masamune Shirow was so prescient when he penned in Dominion Tank Police that Uni-can and I were not responsible for our criminal actions because our coding was flawed.

So nyah.

Posted by: Anna Puma at August 13, 2025 06:45 AM (hV2n9)

117 A Fake News "Trump loyalist" is a federal employee who is not anti-Trump.
Posted by: Soothsayer's episode of Words Matter at August 13, 2025 06:43 AM (7XdTb)

It's fun that they're creating "loyalists" just by doing this sort of thing. Oh, there's literally one person in this town who has my back and isn't trying to ruin me? Well, OK, then, i guess he's earned my loyalty.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 06:45 AM (EctuH)

118
Stephen L. Miller retweeted
@redsteeze
PoIiMath
@politicalmath
6h
There's this thing about leftists where they have a Boomer attitude of "I'm going to make fun of you, that will really hurt your feelings"

But Millennials just think it's funny. Vance is like "lol, that picture is hilarious, my kids laugh themselves silly when they see it"

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:45 AM (aURVT)

119 This woman thought she was going to pay off a $85k student loan at $100 a month. Pity her poor patients.

Posted by: fd at August 13, 2025 06:46 AM (vFG9F)

120 106 Rev. Wishbone, I am guessing that is east to west not north to south.
Posted by: Ben Had at August 13, 2025 06:37 AM (dxWFK
I will be in you neighborhood soon, will let you know next couple days.

Posted by: Eromero at August 13, 2025 06:46 AM (jgmnb)

121 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at August 13, 2025 06:47 AM (hoCmQ)

122 "He is also rewriting the Bible to make it more inclusive. Uggh!"

Catholics have one Pope. Protestants have thousands.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at August 13, 2025 06:47 AM (ZmEVT)

123
Fresh off the biden-is-fine hoax coverup and the admission there was a coverup, Fake News engages in another hoax coverup: Crime in Democrat cities.

Posted by: Soothsayer's episode of Words Matter at August 13, 2025 06:48 AM (7XdTb)

124 "Amortize and deduct" translated into Latin would be a bad ass unit motto.

Amortizare et deducere

per Bing translate

Posted by: fluffy at August 13, 2025 06:49 AM (AN2gy)

125 When you're "making fun" of someone, but it's neither fun nor funny, then you're only being an asshole.

And being an unfunny asshole is tiresome.

See Stern, Colbert, etc.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 06:49 AM (EctuH)

126
Yeah, New York city crime is down, too, you guys!

Posted by: Soothsayer's episode of Words Matter at August 13, 2025 06:49 AM (7XdTb)

127 Someone has faulty memory chips, Al Gore tried to dance the Macarana.

"Hey! Macarana!"

*shudders*

Posted by: Anna Puma at August 13, 2025 06:49 AM (hV2n9)

128 If my friends don't tease me, I'll think they don't like me anymore.

But seriously, you only tease folks you like. Otherwise, you are an asshole.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at August 13, 2025 06:50 AM (ZmEVT)

129 hahahaha AlexTheChick on the anti-JDVance meme truck in the UK:

alexandriabrown
@alexthechick
6h
Replying to @politicalmath
Vance is going to go find it to take pictures with it.

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:52 AM (aURVT)

130 anti-JDVance meme truck in the UK

scroll down

https://nitter.net/politicalmath

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:53 AM (aURVT)

131 Meme truck responses

Democrats - "How dare you!"

Vance - "oh that's funny!"

Posted by: Anna Puma at August 13, 2025 06:53 AM (hV2n9)

132 109 Five and a half years in college studying psychology and she says "No one taught me a single thing about interest. I didn’t even know what it was,"

You have a link to that by the way? I'm wondering if it's the same girl I've seen elsewhere.

And this is why I should look at being a high school guidance counselor. "Welcome to my TED Talk. College is a scam. Pay attention and I'll teach you how to make it a scam in your favor."

Posted by: NR Pax at August 13, 2025 06:54 AM (BpO1e)

133 But Millennials just think it's funny. Vance is like "lol, that picture is hilarious, my kids laugh themselves silly when they see it"
Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:45 AM (aURVT)

Vance seems to have grown up in such a state where he had to laugh or cry through it all, and chose the more pleasant path.

I wouldn’t put it down to a generational thing, though.

Millennials, in general, like memes and funny pics because they grew up on the early internet, but they aren’t exactly known for their thick skins.

Boomers and Gen X grew up on “Sticks and stones will break your bones but words will never hurt you” but still came up with Political Correctness.

Everybody has a nerve to hit.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 13, 2025 06:56 AM (6ydKt)

134
It’s teenagers hating on Dad and doing everything to piss him off and rebel, plus the added bonus of impressing all of their little friends.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 13, 2025 06:19 AM (6ydKt)

Henceforth, all "humanitarian" aid to the Palestinians should be paid for and supplied by countries recognizing "Palestine".

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 13, 2025 06:56 AM (kkTda)

135 We all know vance is only going there to hang out with Jeremy Clarkson. Duh.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 06:58 AM (EctuH)

136
When you're "making fun" of someone, but it's neither fun nor funny, then you're only being an asshole.

If you're going to be a smartass, you actually have to be smart.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 13, 2025 06:58 AM (kkTda)

137 I don't even get the premise of that Vance truck.... are they trying to shame bald people? Fat people? What is the message?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 07:00 AM (EctuH)

138 And you spent all that money on that truck, and didn't even think to do anything more interesting than a static picture with no background?

The Left Really Can't Meme.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 07:01 AM (EctuH)

139 @130/m: "anti-JDVance meme truck in the UK"

Watched the video, doesn't even really look like Vance. Not sure what they were going for there...

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 13, 2025 07:02 AM (O7YUW)

140 I mean, shit, if "fat and bald and kinda gay" is supposed to be their insult, then they owe an apology to Ayana Pressley.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 07:03 AM (EctuH)

141

*hic*

Posted by: Hillary Clinton at August 13, 2025 07:03 AM (EFZgU)

142 anti-JDVance meme truck in the UK

scroll down

https://nitter.net/politicalmath
Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 06:53 AM (aURVT)

Now I’d like to see him rent a van and put “Muslim Invaders Go Home” on the side and see how far he goes before he gets two years in prison.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 13, 2025 07:03 AM (6ydKt)

143 Vance could still be president in January of 2037.
2037.
Think about that.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 13, 2025 07:04 AM (XQo4F)

144 Find the company renting out that truck. Outbid for it. Keep the picture on it. Add the caption:

"I'm J.D. Vance, and i would approve this message. If i knew what the hell it's supposed to be."

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 07:05 AM (EctuH)

145 "You have a link to that by the way? I'm wondering if it's the same girl I've seen elsewhere."

URL shortener on this tablet is not working. Woman's name is Alyssa Jeacoma .

Posted by: fd at August 13, 2025 07:05 AM (vFG9F)

146 the best I can find online; just making him look silly?:

Social media users have lampooned the US vice-president by depicting him as an overweight monster, an ogre and a child with a lollipop.

JD Vance meme showing the politician with exaggerated features and an egg-shaped head

Vance with what might be described as a balloon like head

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 07:07 AM (aURVT)

147 Woman's name is Alyssa Jeacoma

Yep. I think that's her. Is she the one begging money from rich people?

That being said, a lot of overhaul is needed in the student loan industry. Starting with getting the government out of it altogether.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 13, 2025 07:08 AM (BpO1e)

148 Woman's name is Alyssa Jeacoma.

Yeah, sorry, I don’t want to see any medical professional with coma in their last name.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 13, 2025 07:08 AM (6ydKt)

149 144 Find the company renting out that truck. Outbid for it. Keep the picture on it. Add the caption:

"I'm J.D. Vance, and i would approve this message. If i knew what the hell it's supposed to be."
Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 07:05 AM (EctuH)

hahaha!

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 07:09 AM (aURVT)

150 “ He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

John 20:15-16

Posted by: Marcus T at August 13, 2025 07:13 AM (08omt)

151 What Vance thinks about all those memes with his distorted face (Independent)

https://archive.is/H2mGm

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 07:13 AM (aURVT)

152 It's just bad tactics. You never engage your enemy at their strength. Vance is an objectively good looking dude, so bringing up his looks is stupid. Making dumb caricatures is doubly stupid, because not only are you bringing up his strength, you're amplifying it by creating a contrast.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 13, 2025 07:14 AM (EctuH)

153 >>>Vance with what might be described as a balloon like head

Posted by: m

Thus far, I still like the orange manbaby best.

>https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-64411569

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at August 13, 2025 07:14 AM (/vPt3)

154 So I guess if a woman test drives a car nowadays she has to record a TikTok video from the driver's seat to see how she looks in it.

Posted by: Help me understand at August 13, 2025 07:15 AM (XQo4F)

155 148 Woman's name is Alyssa Jeacoma.

Yeah, sorry, I don’t want to see any medical professional with coma in their last name.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 13, 2025 07:08 AM (6ydKt)

coma, coma, coma, coma, coma, comeleon

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 07:18 AM (aURVT)

156 If we had an AI trained on horde comments, I guess it would be called Moron Intelligence...

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 13, 2025 07:18 AM (IMKWe)

157 Chrome is for sale? I got a 20 burning a hole in my pocket!

Posted by: Deadbeat Joe at August 13, 2025 07:20 AM (8N6G1)

158
J.D. Vance Edited Face Photoshops (KnowYourMeme)

https://archive.is/kxhr3

Posted by: m at August 13, 2025 07:23 AM (aURVT)

159 If we had an AI trained on horde comments, I guess it would be called Moron Intelligence...

I somehow think that it would screw up bird bath status.

It might go into a divide by zero situation if asked Ginger or Maryann, .45 or 9mm, or longbow v crossbow.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at August 13, 2025 07:24 AM (a4flb)

160
If we had an AI trained on horde comments, I guess it would be called Moron Intelligence

Everything you ask of MI would rapidly include boobs.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 13, 2025 07:26 AM (kkTda)

161 "College Graduate Thought She Was Paying Off Her Loans, Until She Discovered a 17% Interest Rate"

At no point did she explain how/why she had a 17% rate nor did the 'fact' that she couldn't pay rent due to her school debt prevent her from obtaining an Apple watch or an arm full of tattoos.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 13, 2025 07:26 AM (ExV1e)

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