Downes 🍁

Philosopher. Educator. Journalist. Programmer. Photographer. Cyclist. Socialist.

Public Key

npub1lmfau007738783ts82ykvl25dcvecwy2s4mm7msg9a9v82j8c33q0w9507

NIP-05 Address

Downes_at_mastodon.social@mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs0a5778hl0gnlrc4cr4ztx042xuxvu8z9g2aaldcyz7jkr4frugcssgty95

Author Public Key

npub1lmfau007738783ts82ykvl25dcvecwy2s4mm7msg9a9v82j8c33q0w9507

Show more details

Last Notes

2024-10-13 01:13:34

Here's my Saturday afternoon project. A fun time was had all day watching the ball game and hockey game while figuring this out and coding this up.
Automated Translation in Javascript with Google Translate API
https://halfanhour.blogspot.com/2024/10/automated-translation-in-javascript.html

2024-09-14 19:53:03

Saturday bike ride...
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/113/137/649/371/184/300/original/6c9c11866c7f43c8.jpg

2024-09-13 18:42:35

Test

2024-09-13 18:12:54

https://ift.tt/xjMmSTO Serving Suggestion https://ift.tt/KGfI0aT #DailyPhoto #Photography 2024366, curry September 10, 2024. Here's a serving of my curry with green onions and, buried under the spicy goodness, a portion of Atlantic Canada salmon. So delicious! A second day of working on a Mastodon client from the home office.

2024-09-13 18:08:34

https://ift.tt/a8H3eP7 Spicy Ghost Pepper Curry https://ift.tt/veJ1xbB #DailyPhoto #Photography 2024366, curry September 9, 2024. Each week we get a new batch of vegetables and that prompts me to cook them up as a spicy curry. Here's this weeks' sweet potato and carrot curry. Worked from home today, building a simple Mastodon client.

2024-09-12 19:13:19

This is a test

2024-09-09 14:32:41

https://ift.tt/gIJC0pm Argos https://ift.tt/4Y5HsbC #DailyPhoto #Photography 2024366, football, redblacks September 7, 2024. The RedBlacks played the Argos this afternoon. A rare day game, it could have been fantastic, but is was cold and poured rain for pretty much the entire game. Nice to see a convincing win, though. Got home, went to sleep right away. Back-to-back events aren't as easy on me as they used to be.

2024-09-07 14:47:21

https://ift.tt/LHyhqQ6 Caltrate https://ift.tt/yaof1Pw #DailyPhoto #Photography 2024366, caltrate September 5, 2024. Costco-sized Caltrate. I confirm these are not the same as Centrum. Office day, with a visit to the store after work. Wrote a blog post on 'free speech maximalism' and worked on CList.

2024-09-07 14:42:32

https://ift.tt/ibtMydE Parking Lot Rose https://ift.tt/N1E7kj8 #DailyPhoto #Photography 2024366 September 4, 2024. This rose is found in the parking lot by the Costco where I went for lunch. Office day, which I spent heads-down all day writing 'Why Free Learning Needs Free Artificial Intelligence'.

2024-09-05 22:18:36

- reply

@npub1p83…v48v Not me!

2024-09-04 22:32:29

- reply

@npub1wk0…303g Alberta, according to Dall-e
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/113/081/655/579/829/293/original/c4b02ece3549afe9.webp

2024-09-04 19:59:45

Why Free Learning Needs Free Artificial Intelligence https://halfanhour.blogspot.com/2024/09/why-free-learning-needs-free-artificial.html

2024-09-03 18:38:32

OLDaily now also publishes on BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/oldaily.bsky.social

2024-09-02 22:27:15

https://ift.tt/sk1YS39 Emerald Forest https://ift.tt/BDl1yFC #DailyPhoto #Photography 2024366 September 2, 2024. Went out for a nice 63 km ride today that included a jaunt through this, the Larose Forest (which is in my mind always referred to as the Emerald Forest). Cool with a strong northwest breeze. Watching football this evening.

2024-09-02 03:02:53

https://ift.tt/QgcPyOu South March Highlands https://ift.tt/a6RiH7m #DailyPhoto #Photography forest, nature, 2024366 September 1, 2024. We went for our weekly hike to South March highlands in Ottawa's west end today. It was a bit cool and a bit breezy, but nice after the earlier rains. Here's the full album

2024-08-30 19:57:31

https://ift.tt/TezunlW Corn and Country https://ift.tt/3AjFLau #DailyPhoto #Photography 2024366 August 29, 2024. Photo from my afternoon bike ride after work. Much more productive day today, got quite a bit of writing done, a couple of forms filled out, and my proper allotment of exercise.

2024-08-30 19:52:49

https://ift.tt/2e67D8u Floor https://ift.tt/WscYrP7 #DailyPhoto #Photography 2024366 August 28, 2024. The flow in the basement. With my feet. No meetings today. I tried to get some work done but wasn't very productive. I did however make a nice curry for supper.

2024-08-28 12:46:15

- reply

@npub16uk…pv7k In Canada, we see/hear ourselves. Keep on rockin' in the free world, man.

2024-08-24 20:27:51

https://ift.tt/UTqH9dA St. Albert https://ift.tt/pSu82Tg #DailyPhoto #Photography 2024366 August 23, 2024. The view from my bicycle entering St. Albert from the rest. The bridge crosses the Nation River. Started the day with a meeting, then filling in a spreadsheet for management, and some writing, with a late afternoon bike ride.

2024-08-19 15:03:45

Welcome to the fediverse @npub1fuh…569z

2024-08-19 00:26:35

#SilentSunday
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/985/842/576/453/019/original/c2fb6f49b95128fe.jpg

2024-08-18 17:18:53

All the photos from my bikepacking trip. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephen_downes/sets/72177720319361593/

2024-08-18 01:07:09

I never learned Python, for a variety of reasons. But over the last five days, I've been working with ChatGPT to write an APP in Python (using Flask).
You have to do a lot of back-and-forth with ChatGPT. It's like working with a pretty smart, very well read, but occasionally wrong co-programmer.
Here's my app: https://github.com/Downes/SSDS
It does serve a real need for me, so if you know of an actually secure version of the same thing people can actually use, please let me know.

2024-08-17 17:42:46

I was wondering whether ChatGPT could so it, so I asked it, "Please write me a 100-page textbook on logic." I want to observe, first, that yes, it could do this, but that it might take me all day to coax the relevant text for each section out of it, which is more time than I wanted to spend writing a logic textbook. Here's what ChatGPT gave me: https://halfanhour.blogspot.com/2024/08/a-100-page-textbook-on-logic.html

2024-08-16 23:28:59

- reply

@npub1ncp…fvy5 See, that's what I'm talking about. "MIT leaders describe the experience of not renewing its largest journal contract as overwhelmingly positive."

2024-08-16 23:27:39

- reply

@npub1wk0…303g Work reading list:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/974/287/147/963/700/original/0f2130126d8271ed.png

2024-08-16 23:24:43

- reply

@npub137p…fhvh What would surprise me is people who didn't feel the academic publishing industry was exploitative even before the whole AI thing.

2024-08-15 12:34:10

I'm pleased to report that our cat is doing much better.

2024-08-14 17:03:38

I'm all worried today because we have a sick cat. Probably something she ate (she's not too bright this way). She seems to be doing better but I won't be happy until she's underfoot again.

2024-08-11 18:39:03

#SilentSunday
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/944/839/969/412/564/original/668e0931bc227a51.jpg

2024-08-09 16:13:22

Bikepacking Rimouski - Day 16 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_eI09ewcPk&list=PLeBQHgzQN9x3bE5lZmO0PR931AY19cIe0&index=17&t=3s&pp=gAQBiAQB - Fireworks #cycling #bikepacking #biketouring #travel #quebec #rimouski

2024-08-08 16:01:15

Bikepacking Rimouski - Day 15 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69ns98_RXmE&list=PLeBQHgzQN9x3bE5lZmO0PR931AY19cIe0&index=16 - Site 21 does not exist #bikepacking #biketouring #cycling #travel #quebec

2024-08-08 14:28:22

5.
But the story told by the left is a chimera. It suggests we can return to these progressive values before (or worse, instead of) a return to economic prosperity.
And it ignores, or even (in a spirit of collectivism) disparages the economic aspirations of those who seek a return to economic prosperity for the average worker.
To the extent that it focuses on prosperity, the left is an ideology of opposition and negativity, using the rhetoric of 'fight' rather than 'build'.
.../6

2024-08-08 14:22:20

4.
The story sold by the right is a lie. Opposing progressive values will not return us to that period of prosperity. Only sharing the wealth will make that possible. But the right has been captured by those who ended the period of prosperity in the first place, and want to ensure it never returns.
Some sell that story because they oppose those progressive values - the social right. Others do it because they want to keep the wealth stolen from the workers - the economic right.
.../5

2024-08-07 13:30:07

Bikepacking Rimouski - Day 14 - Ducks - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7WK4xX_7FSI&list=PLeBQHgzQN9x3bE5lZmO0PR931AY19cIe0&index=18&t=1s&pp=gAQBiAQB #cycling #bikepacking #biketouring #travel #quebec

2024-08-06 17:46:56

- reply

@npub1msl…at46 Culture isn't transmitted. It is constantly regenerated.

2024-08-06 13:24:26

Bikepacking Rimouski - Day 13 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7DoSrvL0L4 - Unlucky - #cycling #bikepacking #biketouring #travel #quebec

2024-08-05 13:46:43

Bikepacking Rimouski - Day 12 - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mkT3B9lk5DE - on the south shore - #bikepacking #biketouring #cycling #travel

2024-08-04 22:24:48

- reply

@npub1wk0…303g Smart. I lost a whole season to an oblique strain once because I wouldn't let up.

2024-08-04 22:09:17

- reply

@npub1tds…fnmz Nothing better on a hot day than cold strawberries.

2024-08-04 20:00:40

- reply

@npub1wk0…303g I hope it feels great

2024-08-04 18:49:02

Bikepacking Rimouski - Day 11 - The two Charney bike shops - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KQaJ0RLTLCY&t=5s - #cycling #bikepacking #biketouring #travel

2024-08-04 15:18:37

#SilentSunday
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/904/412/759/825/514/original/3722056fdd438cfc.jpg

2024-08-02 23:13:19

The south shore. 100 km from Rimouski
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/894/935/653/157/648/original/321aa105fb001f14.jpg

2024-08-02 23:02:04

Just finished listening to Chandler's The Big Sleep. About as perfect a novel as you can find.

2024-08-02 11:49:24

Bikepacking Rimouski - Day 10 - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sLzYtBP3zFE - A broken bike - #travel #bicycle #bikepacking #biketouring

2024-08-01 13:01:27

It's a fascinating thing. One moment I'm sitting in my tent just waking up. Then I'm getting up to start the day. How does that happen? Sometimes I articulate the thought. "OK I should get up now." But not always. And not everybody has that inner voice.
Normally, we do this stuff habitually, without thought. Routines. But when I'm camping very little is routine. I have to make decisions each step of the way. But they don't feel like I'm deciding things, just doing them. As I said, fascinating.

2024-07-31 20:54:27

- reply

@npub1fh6…zu76 one of those charts makes me laugh

2024-07-31 13:41:56

Bikepacking Rimouski - Day 9 - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lapS_mqIYbw - Victoriaville - #travel #bikepacking ,#biketouring #quebec

2024-07-30 16:44:06

- reply

@npub1nd8…2zkd great. Ad-supported AI. Just what the world doesn't need

2024-07-30 12:22:05

- reply

@npub1tds…fnmz No there was just a little ping that I barely noticed. It was like 'I wonder what broke' and I just kept going.

2024-07-30 00:06:16

Re: https://mastodon.social/deck/@molly0xfff@hachyderm.io/112872294711665243
I've been considering doing something similar for OLDaily & my other work.
I will never put my work behind a paywall.
But enough support would allow me to retire from NRC and focus on my work in open online learning and the fediverse (the NRC is interested in neither).
Thoughts?

2024-07-29 23:56:37

I broke a shifting cable first thing this morning but still managed to cycle 93 km. Booked for repairs tomorrow, which will cost me some time, but I'm proud of what I was able to accomplish today. You'll be able to see the video in a couple of days.
Just wanted to share (Mastodon doesn't have to be 100% angst about AI and angst about US politics).

2024-07-29 21:51:54

- reply

@npub1msl…at46 Good article. I especially like the deconstruction of 'temperature'.

2024-07-29 21:04:57

- reply

@npub1f6a…pnql It makes me wonder why they don't just say "More shields!" and have the computer figure out where and how.

2024-07-29 20:22:29

Bikepacking Day 8 - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lckdnFzKS6o - leaving Sherbrooke and happier trails #quebec #cycling #bikepacking #biketouring #travel

2024-07-28 21:39:07

Bikepacking Day 7 - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FRBieBwmyTQ - Too many hills in Sherbrooke #travel #bikepacking #biketouring #Sherbrooke

2024-07-28 21:37:47

Bikepacking

2024-07-28 19:19:50

(Not so) #SilentSunday
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/865/729/114/353/539/original/623483f751de7a3d.jpg

2024-07-27 13:36:37

Bikepacking Rimouski - Day 6 - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CeOSB3tmgVI - Rest Day

2024-07-26 13:13:13

Bikepacking to Rimouski - Day 5 - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-CvzAPjdWZg - hills, hills, hills #cycling #bikepacking #biketouring #travel #quebec

2024-07-25 22:56:58

- reply

@npub1nd8…2zkd Did they really rip off YouTube creators? Do these creators not have anything they had in the past?

2024-07-25 15:39:03

Bike tour to Rimouski - Day 4 video - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rrukHx81008 #travel #bicycling #biketouring

2024-07-24 21:41:14

- reply

@npub1ncp…fvy5 I use glasses to do everything (except was my hair)

2024-07-24 12:54:59

Day three of the bike tour... Montreal end to end https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A5R4HqBy00A

2024-07-23 11:54:49

- reply

@npub1tds…fnmz Literally or metaphorically?

2024-07-22 23:20:23

Day 2 of my bike touring adventure - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zj4urUVfFc0 #travel #bicycletouring

2024-07-22 18:26:09

- reply

@npub1qcv…j6c7 I want to see her pick Andrew Yang!!!

2024-07-22 13:08:35

Selfie from the road #photography #biketouring
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/830/292/889/807/731/original/bb485153359b007c.jpg

2024-07-21 22:47:49

Day 1 video, complete with obligatory thumb on screen, ready for viewing. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cADb1Zqqg50

2024-07-21 22:30:48

#SilentSunday
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/826/843/248/807/488/original/84909598d593ecd9.jpg

2024-07-21 18:09:34

Part way through day 2 of my ride - 100 of 800 total km completed. So far so good - bike is handling beautifully and I only got rained on once. Tonight: hotel in West Montreal (no camping in the city).

2024-07-20 23:14:38

- reply

@npub1u3h…nu4y "every single academic paper you look at has this type of process' ... Not true. There are open access journals without APCs. Next time they 'invite' you to publish subscription or pay, just say 'no'.

2024-07-20 16:43:35

Started my 2024 bike touring adventure...
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/819/813/481/629/350/original/12d82c7a9d8d24e4.jpg

2024-07-20 03:44:08

Getting ready for my bikepacking adventure - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5CDfujgTq8&t=4s and I hit the road first thing tomorrow. Here's the playlist where I will upload videos as I travel. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBQHgzQN9x3bE5lZmO0PR931AY19cIe0

2024-07-19 13:11:51

- reply

@npub1nd8…2zkd But do we have to go all BCNF over it?

2024-07-19 13:07:07

- reply

@npub1wvl…rs68 I am not influenced!

2024-07-17 19:54:07

Why I attribute: https://halfanhour.blogspot.com/2024/07/why-i-attribute.html #fediverse #socialnetworks

2024-07-15 21:29:36

- reply

@npub16uk…pv7k That's the problem with depending law to promote progress: there are too many people (corporation, mostly) exempt from any real application of the law.

2024-07-15 19:38:23

- reply

@npub16uk…pv7k Nope never made it past Svelte

2024-07-15 19:37:14

Chinese language version of my paper Ethics, Analytics and the Duty of Care
https://openlearn.bjou.edu.cn/info/1070/2719.htm
Thanks to Xiao Junhong
English version still here: http://www.downes.ca/post/75629

2024-07-15 16:11:54

- reply

@npub16uk…pv7k First part of your comment ('sold out') seems to explain the second part of your comment ('no one using'). But I'll take a look anyways because I'm curious.

2024-07-14 17:00:10

Interesting and relevant video. "The fast fashion revolution is making huge brands like Zara and Shein—and their shareholders—rich. Meanwhile, we get worse clothes with no pockets and textile landfills you can see from space." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCwbU41Icfw

2024-07-14 15:16:15

#SilentSunday
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/785/493/060/034/905/original/d5cf22cfc0c91ac0.jpg

2024-07-14 00:58:53

My mother was on vacation many years ago and got a change to take part in a Richard Simmons fitness class at a plaza at a mall. It was a highlight of her trip, and I've had a soft spot for Richard Simmons ever since. He was the sort if person we need more of in our lives.

2024-07-12 01:20:02

Riviere Rouge - fun bike ride today - #photography #naturephotography #nature
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/770/882/231/524/059/original/730832e85c638e83.png

2024-07-10 21:51:42

In the forest on the mountain in the rain. #photography #forest
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/764/403/519/471/068/original/56854765b7703c5d.png

2024-07-08 23:01:37

Back on the mountain...
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/753/353/512/266/152/original/631b03da6061b12f.jpg

2024-07-08 16:04:11

999 Bird Photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephen_downes/albums/72157718517769829

2024-07-07 20:38:28

#SilentSunday
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/747/124/456/946/688/original/cc72e2167e51acae.jpg

2024-07-06 03:11:54

Canada! https://copaamerica.com/en/matches/match-26-venezuela-canada

2024-07-05 23:03:05

- reply

@npub1tj4…zh8f Any sort of democracy is the opposite of a strategic approach.

2024-07-05 14:43:19

- reply

@npub1tj4…zh8f Yet interestingly that's exactly how market economies work, except that we vote with dollars rather than votes.

2024-07-05 00:32:41

More camera experimentation... #photography #birds #robin
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/731/061/602/322/545/original/a1a91fd4d8fbd860.jpg

2024-07-03 22:45:50

- reply

@npub1mwr…k953 It's hard to look at these actions and not to conclude that the government of Israel is attempting to push all Palestinians out of the West Bank, forcing them into an end-game existential struggle.

2024-07-03 16:26:37

- reply

@npub1w9y…e90d Ahhhh! I fear change!

2024-07-03 00:03:04

9 minute video of my bike ride yesterday, 106 km on a beautiful Canada Day holiday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH1Jzauwy04 #cycling #bicycle #gravel #Ontario

2024-07-01 22:31:47

Completed 106.4 km today, a Canada Day Century. https://ridewithgps.com/trips/197327661
Did it on the heavier slower touring bike (a Kona Sutra) instead of my light fast road bike, because that's the bike I'll be using bikepacking later this year.

2024-07-01 16:03:21

It's just a gorgeous day outside and I am at km 29 of a hoped-for 100 km ride this holiday Monday. Happy Canada Day everyone.

2024-06-30 21:08:11

#SilentSunday
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/707/611/190/248/997/original/eac22c310a27f3e8.jpg