funnymonkey / is on Nostr

Personal Acc't. Speaking only for myself. Privacy, Misinformation, AdTech, Education, Open Source, Content, and Standards. Education is a social justice issue.

#NoBot

Personal Site: https://www.funnymonkey.com
It's Lunchtime!: https://homeofficelunch.com/
Pronouns: he/him

Last Notes

2024-08-29 11:59:27

This paper is a must read, especially for the "AI in education" crowd (who deserve a special place in the hall of mockery alongside the "blockchain in education" crowd):
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07856-5#peer-review
The harms perpetuated by people and edtech companies pushing AI into schools will need to be undone for years.

2024-08-24 03:54:00

Of course Amazon is screwing end users.
Amazon screws everyone eventually.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/08/amazon-is-bricking-primary-feature-on-160-echo-device-after-1-year/

2024-07-08 23:49:26

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Yup. We had a place with AC. We'd use it maybe 3-4 times a year, if that.

2024-07-08 18:23:30

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tl;dr - I agree with you completely
I have said this more times than I can count, and will continue saying this as long as needed:
1. Opt out consent is not consent, and it's definitely not informed consent; and
2. The tech industry has a very bad track record regarding consent.

2024-07-06 13:59:13

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The "Replace Biden" conversation drowns out the reality that a convicted felon has been handed (by SCOTUS) a blueprint to commit crimes from the Oval Office, and his backers have prepared a blueprint in Project 2025 to dismantle freedoms, civil liberties, and the foundation of our democracy.
So, if you are getting in the weeds on replacing Biden, the fascists waiting to take over the Executive Branch in 2025 thank you for your service.
4/4

2024-07-06 13:58:59

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And are there those on the right, aided by mainstream press who are exploiting this? Yes, absolutely.
In a race where the far right and Trump backers have bankrolled RFK's campaign, it's pretty obvious.
The "Replace Biden" narrative is a retread of the "Hillary is hiding a medical issue" narrative.
3/x

2024-07-06 13:58:39

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tl;dr
Biden is Biden. Even in his prime, he was a gaffe machine. And yes, he's old. And yes, he has been a consistently disappointing centrist (student debt, Gaza) who has done some good things (infrastructure, a professional functioning executive branch).
Questioning Biden's fitness for office? Yeah, I get it.
And: include the context. Include the stakes.
Are there true believers who want Biden out? Yes, absolutely.
2/x

2024-07-06 13:43:02

I remember the sexist and misogynist smear campaigns leveled against Harris during the 2018 Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, and how these smears were resurrected during the 2020 primary.
So yeah - a good portion of the folks calling for Biden to step aside are just chomping at the bit to dust off and resuse these tested, prepared, and ready-to-use disinformation campaigns.

2024-07-05 14:51:27

Folks that film street performers and don't pay them money are engaging in low key theft.
If you have the means, subsidize our joys, and their work.

2024-06-28 18:29:06

Homepage: AI will transform education! Look at all these prizes and awards!
Contact Us: We have no money and everyone has been fired.
Some investor money was transformed into other people's pockets, which AI is apparently very good at.
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/695/652/261/388/275/original/5aa87b81d5875dec.png
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/695/657/412/902/631/original/137985a2521f7a06.png

2024-06-15 14:45:35

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Such great pups!

2024-06-13 18:25:46

Abusive surveillance tech abused in unauthorized surveillance by the police who we should totally trust with more surveillance tech.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/06/cop-busted-for-unauthorized-use-of-clearview-ai-facial-recognition-resigns/

2024-06-05 11:55:46

Israel funds disinformation campaign targeting US lawmakers to try and manufacture support.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/05/technology/israel-campaign-gaza-social-media.html
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/563/880/650/980/160/original/5419b170c7b9daa9.png

2024-05-29 19:21:54

If I had a nickel for every person who told me - mistakenly, known-at-the-time-full-of-shit - "Google Analytics are fine".
Yeah.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/05/google-accused-of-secretly-tracking-drivers-with-disabilities/

2024-05-17 16:59:02

Surveillance tech, super helpful for cops and thieves.
Never been any abuse of surveillance tech, though, so nothing to worry about.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/05/14/police-car-surveillance-tech-uncovers-phones-pet-trackers-and-library-books/
https://nfts.freeradical.zone/media_attachments/files/112/457/488/165/773/024/original/aa98364add4c39ab.png

2024-03-29 06:39:01

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It will definitely be done for dinner tomorrow night.

2024-03-27 16:16:56

This site is a great overview, description, and design showing how generative AI works. It's clear, accurate, and accessible.
https://knowingmachines.org/models-all-the-way