Vijay Prema

The Mindful Technologist - On the intersection of Spirit and Tech.

• Software Engineer
• Cybermonk
• Meditator
• Silence-seeker.

📍 Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa (Auckland, New Zealand)

#Meditation #Consciousness #Mindfulness #Minimalism #Nature #Buddhism #FOSS #OpenSource #Linux #DistractionFree #CalmTech #HumaneTech #SolarPunk #eBike #YouAreTheAlgorithm #ArtificialIntelligence #NaturalIntelligence #PlantBased

Public Key

npub1n62grzmm2u8e33n7a0kk4m5rvfhnhhwncghr2cswlh39dfpar37qhlqcxk

NIP-05 Address

vjprema@fosstodon-org.mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsfa9yp3da4wruccelwhmt2a6pkymemmhfuyt34vg80mcjk5s73clqpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgqgkwaehxw309aex2mrp0yh8qunfd4skctnwv46qcl0235

Publishing to

relay.nostr.band

relay.primal.net

Author Public Key

npub1n62grzmm2u8e33n7a0kk4m5rvfhnhhwncghr2cswlh39dfpar37qhlqcxk

Show more details

Last Notes

2025-05-28 01:13:36

People who share videos, watch videos, and live-stream etc: you want a good alternative to centralized video apps?
Don't just complain about Google and Youtube, or the lack of good alternatives.
Help FUND the alternative. Help build something better.
https://support.joinpeertube.org/
#framasoft #peertube #Youtube #Enshitification #donate #OpenSource
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/114/582/775/149/349/194/original/0122dc3a97c4cd3d.png

2025-05-25 21:00:26

Since I intentionally curate a fairly drama-free Mastodon feed, I only just learned about some drama surrounding my instance (fosstodon.org), resulting in founders/admins @nprofile…mazg and @nprofile…7s4z stepping down.
I only vaguely peeked at the reasons... but seems like a drama stereotypical of Mastodon 😆.
Anyway, I really want to thank Kev and Mike for their hard work on this instance.
I already donate to the instance, but I am going to increase my donation now to support the new admin @nprofile…cee8
#fosstodon

2025-05-23 00:02:03

- reply

@nprofile…n580
If you are into self-hosting, there are several options like:
- Readeck
- Karakeep
- Linkwarden
- Wallabag.
Some of those have hosted servers you can sign up to without hosting yourself.
Personally I am now using something slightly different but does much of the same, it's called Linkding https://linkding.link/
I like it because it is super fast and minimalist, and light weight enough to cover both bookmarking and read-later use cases.

2025-05-22 04:07:10

In the workplace, there are high-trust jobs where a person is given independence and autonomy, or low-trust jobs where a they are monitored and micro-managed.
Similarly:
Software can be high-trust where it serves the user, source code is visible and the user is trusted to pay the creator for their efforts, based on usefulness.
OR it can be low-trust where the user is monitored, locked-in and controlled, while forced to pay a fixed ongoing amount.
Which do you chose?
#OpenSource #bigtech

2025-05-22 04:07:10

2025-05-22 03:51:25

- reply

@nprofile…v6nv
This is basically DRM but protecting the individual users content from being copied by the big company, rather than the other way around.

2025-05-20 08:49:41

- reply

@nprofile…ynq4
Everyone has diff needs but here are some of the respectful software I regularly use, instead of big-tech apps:
- Kagi (paid search)
- Mastodon
- Nextcloud (self hosted)
- Obsidian
- Grayjay and Freetube (with Libredirect to make all youtube.com links open in Freetube)
- Bitwarden
- Redlib (to view Reddit)
- LineageOS (instead of Android)
- Ubuntu

2025-05-20 06:32:18

The sooner I took responsibility for my online and software experience, the sooner I got free from the supposed clutches of "big-tech". Sure, they do serve the masses and that's OK.
But for the minority discerning user: Block, hide, avoid lock-in, use alternative clients, use open-source and non user-hostile alternatives. Curate, curate, curate.
Importantly, pay (or donate) for good software, don't expect it to be free. Monetarily support what you see potential in.
#OpenSource #BigTech

2025-05-18 08:05:28

The design of software distribution ("app store") can shape the nature of software itself, much like the design of a social media app shapes the nature of its content.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMSGOVWKn80
#OpenSource #appstore #FUTO

2025-05-18 07:29:08

- reply

@nprofile…pye9
One thing I started doing in the last couple years, is paying money (mostly voluntarily) to people who create stuff that genuinely helped me.
I know this sounds revolutionary when the majority think everything on the Internet should be dopamine-inducing and free, in exchange for relinquishing any control over what we see, no longer owning our attention and occasionally consuming some product we never needed.
I'd rather just pay money, and preferably an amount of my choosing.

2025-05-07 20:39:49

- reply

@nprofile…sla2
Yep aware of those and others. I guess the only diff here is the additional large discount offered by the govt for not choosing Windows, though that is likely a temporary thing to beat down on American tech.

2025-05-07 20:10:17

While I am not a fan of this particular laptop, its nice to see a mainstream brand selling a Windows-free version of their device for a cheaper price since it has no Windows license.
Additionally, the Chinese govt offers almost a 20% discount on the cheaper model for choosing "Chinese tech" (somehow Linux counts).
Chinese govt offering that much does ring some conspiratorial alarm bells, but still, it would be nice to at least see more Windows-free devices globally.
https://www.huaweicentral.com/huawei-unveils-matebook-x-pro-2024-linux-edition-notebook/

2025-05-07 20:10:17

2025-05-04 23:09:05

People only talk about "AI slop" now but it was mostly already "human slop" before that, at least the ad supported stuff.
I mean... human slop is what trained the AI in the first place.
I still think there is good small-web and community-focused stuff, or donation-supported work, that is worth subscribing to.
Even better are the classics, like the Majjhima Nikāya which I am currently enjoying.
Grateful to all those with good intentions maintaining our wholesome and genuine info-sphere.

2025-04-24 03:50:37

- reply

@nprofile…m5w3 @nprofile…25dv I see, thanks for the explanation. So it looks like the "profile" for certain apps with permissions like google services, is a diff user which needs to be switched to, rather than all the apps seamlessly launching from one place. It's an interesting option

2025-04-23 22:21:07

- reply

@nprofile…m5w3 @nprofile…25dv Ive been curious about it. Assuming the initial setup takes some work (I don't care as long as this happens only once), does the phone function as seamlessly as before after that? e.g. bank app, google apps, fdroid apps etc all appear as icons on the same desktop, I press them and the app opens and runs with same speed as original?
Is there a way to back up the profiles and setup, so if I upgrade the phone I can easily restore without setting up again?

2025-04-23 21:56:10

- reply

@nprofile…29f8 @nprofile…n2ca
More accurate to say that governments and orgs need to make it easier and more obvious for individuals to make the right decision.
It still ALWAYS comes down to individual decisions in aggregate.
In my city the govt improved transport and cycling a lot. I went car free and it improved my life, let alone my carbon footprint. But most people still just chose to drive a car. I guess there still needs to be more nudges and awareness, it takes time for people to change.

2025-04-22 05:53:30

AI is not the danger. Its humans.
For example, tech-heads talk about "AI alignment" from the lens that we must stop it from killing us all.
I think in reality it's more about WHO's interest should we align it with? The majority? the rich? the underprivileged? All of the above?
A tiny "rich and genius" segment of society is already trying to scare-monger everyone into letting them take control, blaming the scary AI. They'll no doubt steer a potential Super AI towards their own interest.
#AI

2025-04-22 03:53:27

What is the difference between being "present and aware" vs experiencing any given emotion?
I'd say: with practice its always possible to be "present and aware" as long as you stop and remember to be.
But it is NOT always possible to experience any given emotion at any time, even if you wanted to.
Can you just get angry right now? Probably not. But you can just get "present and aware". Then whatever emotions exist at that moment, can be seen.
Focus on where you appear to have control.

2025-04-16 07:31:30

Dunno if its just me but I have been noticing more "overcooked" marketing messages lately, and I think it's due to amateur use of LLMs.
By "overcooked" I mean overly try-hard, sensational or attention-seeking to the point that the potential customer starts to confuse or misconstrue what the product really is, more-so than the usual marketing efforts.
"artificially viral" is another way I would describe it.
#marketing #AI #LLM

2025-04-15 23:43:00

"Rather than trying to change the Buddha's teaching to fit our lifestyle, we should try to change our lifestyle to fit the Buddha's teaching."
- Ajahn Chah
#Mindfulness #Meditation #Buddhism #Spiritual

2025-04-04 01:53:14

- reply

I'd add to that:
If most of the information put in front of us is left unchecked by us, is of low quality, or serves purposes that go against our true goals, then it will ripen into knowledge, motivations and actions that do not serve us.

2025-04-04 01:50:49

Thought:
Little happens because of information.
More happens because of lasting motivation.
There is information that motivates initially, but I feel it needs to develop into "knowledge" for it to last long enough to be effective. Knowledge is the bridge, it is letting the information sink in so it is embodied and affects actions.
So I ask myself where can I find the most powerful information -> to develop into knowledge -> to develop into long-term motivation -> to take effective action.

2025-03-21 19:40:22

Solving our problems with material and technology is like covering up the weeds of the mind. It helps take the edge off and buys time.
Next is solving problems by calming and managing suffering and stress. It helps us get to a better space mentally quickly. This is like trimming the weeds.
Finally there is the practice of looking within, developing insight and improving our skill of seeing ourselves more clearly. This is uprooting the weeds once and for all.
#Meditation #insight #spiritual

2025-03-08 01:50:13

Had a friend ask in a chat: Is there any app that can tell you what you can build with the Lego pieces you have?
Another friend replied: Try sending a pic to any AI app.
I must be missing something because I thought half the point of playing with Lego was to find out what you can build.
I suppose "Automated imagination" is a logical solution for minds so atrophied by algorithmic recommendations, that discernment and creativity are now a chore to be solved by AI.

2025-03-06 01:49:11

- reply

@nprofile…mhdd Thank you very much for these recommendations 🙏

2025-03-06 00:01:13

- reply

@nprofile…mhdd That's a good idea, I do want to get into reading English suttas more directly. Would you suggest a good way to get into it?

2025-03-06 00:01:13

- reply

@nprofile…mhdd That's a good idea, I do want to get into reading English suttas more directly. Would you suggest a good way to get into it?

2025-03-05 23:36:44

A typical algorithmic Youtube video:
- 10 mins long.
- Contains 20 seconds of actual information.
- Leaves very little practical improvement in my life, before moving on to the next new 10 min video etc.
So I decided to seek out and expose myself to as much of the *opposite* of this as possible.
I found talks by experienced monks work well:
- 15 to 30min long.
- Very dense - 15 min video contains ~4 hours of information.
- Watch same video many times, new practical insight each time.

2025-03-04 01:58:49

Not needing to own a car beats owning the best car in the world.
Not feeling any need to meet expectations beats meeting everyone's expectations.
Seeing and accepting what is while moving intentionally in the right direction beats trying to maintain a "perfect" life or having good luck.
The latter are an external focus on material, clinging onto something, focus on looks or upkeep - while the former focus on practicality, internal development and inner feeling, resulting in greater freedom.

2025-03-01 19:51:09

When was the last time your mind was satisfied enough by its own activity, that it stopped and came to rest in its natural state of peaceful awareness all by itself?
Perhaps the best way to answer this question is simply to allow it to relax into its natural state here and now, instead of with more activity trying to think or remember the last time.
Then your answer to this question, no matter when it is asked, will always be the same...: Now.
#mindfulness #peace #relaxation #nondual

2025-02-27 20:31:48

- reply

@nprofile…g7cz Fair point, I guess I will wait and see what happens.
I hope whatever they add that I don't need, can still be turned off as easily as the current stuff, otherwise I'll look at forks.

2025-02-27 19:35:23

There is quite some outrage online over Firefox explicitly (and rather vaguely) outlining their Terms of Use/Privacy policy in a short statement.
What I want to know is if I do what I thought most FF users also do, which is to disable telemetry, Sync, autocomplete, change to a private search engine, etc, then is whatever statement they make entirely moot, since nothing is sent? Or am I missing something?
#Firefox #termsofservice #browser

2025-02-26 21:53:22

- reply

@nprofile…fq0p
The most useful stuff that helped me lately had close to zero likes. The noisiest distractions offering a short lived dopamine boost but ultimately made my life slightly worse, had thousands of likes.
When I mention I post articles and videos on my blog, the first question is always "how many subscribers do you have?", so they can judge if its any good instead of seeing it and deciding on its own merits. I reply "no idea, my blog doesn't keep count and I people subscribe via RSS."

2025-02-24 02:54:08

I noticed my favorite desktop youtube client #Freetube has been broken for a few days, due to the usual Google meddling.
That gave me a chance to try out the latest #Grayjay Desktop Alpha which is working fine. It has a nice polished UI, but is still lacking features. I really like how it has an account-less sync between the Grayjay app on my mobile device. I wish more local-first apps had such a seamless sync feature.
Its amazing how pleasant and powerful software can be without any login.

2025-02-20 03:42:54

I had already liberated all my Kindle books months ago and was about to sell my old Kindle Oasis in light of Amazons recent decision to disallow downloading ebooks for reading in non-kindle software.
However, just in the nick of time I found a recently released jailbreak that works on the device. I then installed Koreader which offers a vastly better reader experience with easy access to alternative book platforms including my self-hosted server.
https://kindlemodding.org/jailbreaking/WinterBreak/
#winterbreak #kindle

2025-02-16 21:35:45

I've joined a local philosophy school, and this weeks homework was to notice when any dissatisfying situations come up or already happened, and then ask the question:
"What would a wise person have done in this situation?"
So I noticed a lot of fairly minor events, but so far the answer to the question was almost always the same for me:
Do nothing, say nothing, think nothing.
#wisdom

2025-02-15 23:35:43

Every time I meet up with an avid conservative supporter in real life, it results in a surprisingly deep and nice conversation in which we both learn something, and come away better off and somewhat "de-polarized". Anyone else experience that or just me?
Maybe a factor in each case is being relaxed while talking. Easy when strolling the most pleasant solarpunk-ish parts of Auckland with a refreshing drink in hand. Hard when sitting in an average home in front of a brain-inflaming device.

2025-02-13 23:13:03

Is it possible to sell a general purpose "genius AI" to people for far more money than just the cost to host it?
Lets say you did decide to sell it for lots more than its hosting cost. Someone else will just come along and use your AI to teach another AI to also be a genius and use that instead, for just the hosting cost.
I feel the best you can do is sell AI hosting, or build a non-general-purpose convenience app or integration on top of AI hosting.
#openAI #AI #LLM

2025-02-11 07:11:22

- reply

@nprofile…nlx6
Easy to get stuck in a cycle of consumption, distraction and passivity, while your ability to be aware slowly atrophies.
It's not really surprising that the majority of AI use so far is just following the same old vein. It hardly feels like a new era, just the further intensification of the existing way of doing things.
I do feel the alternative to all this junk is growing too, and we are a part of that.

2025-02-11 06:47:27

- reply

@nprofile…n3y9
Another guess is that some of the longevity-favoring battery design is done by putting a much larger battery in the car and keeping the charge between 20 to 80% while reporting 0-100% to the user.
While the user never gets to use the full capacity, this stops the battery degrading in a few years like a smartphone does.
Coupled with the fact that weight and thickness is not an issue for an EV. They cant over-engineer the battery of portable electronics the same way.

2025-02-11 06:43:28

- reply

@nprofile…n3y9
This makes me wonder why is it that laptops, smartphones and pretty much everything else with a Li-Ion battery, has such bad battery-longevity? Users practically expect the battery to just about halve in capacity 5 years and hardly question it.
My guess is the fact that the vast majority of customers wouldn't buy an EV without this problem solved (since gasoline cars are still a good enough alternative), and therefore it pushed EV makers to design for longevity.

2025-02-11 06:43:28

- reply

@nprofile…n3y9
This makes me wonder why is it that laptops, smartphones and pretty much everything else with a Li-Ion battery, has such bad battery-longevity? Users practically expect the battery to just about halve in capacity after 5 years and hardly question it.
My guess is the fact that the vast majority of customers wouldn't buy an EV without this problem solved (since gasoline cars are still a good enough alternative), and therefore it pushed EV makers to design for longevity.

2025-02-11 02:52:18

#Graze browser extension for Mastodon has a huge new update after more than a year!
I found it really enhances the in-browser Mastodon experience, and provides seamless convenience for actions across different instances.
Some very nice new features, which can be configured to your liking. Find it in your browsers extension store.
https://graze.canny.io/changelog

2025-02-11 02:18:43

https://www.linuxfoundation.org/blog/deepseek-proves-it-open-source-is-the-secret-to-dominating-tech-markets-and-wall-street-has-it-wrong
#AI #LLM #OpenSource #DeepSeek #linux

2025-02-11 02:18:43

https://www.linuxfoundation.org/blog/deepseek-proves-it-open-source-is-the-secret-to-dominating-tech-markets-and-wall-street-has-it-wrong
#AI #LLM #OpenSource #DeepSeek #linux

2025-01-24 21:17:25

While trying to add a new admin to a facebook business page I control, I get stopped by this absolutely ridiculous popup.
I barely use facebook unless I need to, and never keep it logged in on my devices for privacy and security reasons, as well as blocking all tracking.
Now they force me to wait an unspecified amount of time, and potentially disable all blockers for a while, before I can even make a business-critical change.
Insane.
#Enshittification #facebook #security
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/113/885/390/283/363/987/original/e88eaed93d7beda4.png

2025-01-22 03:11:04

- reply

@nprofile…mhdd
I realized big platforms create an illusion of "everyone and everything is on it!" but really its a specific demographic of active users on each (from a larger pool of people looking for distraction/attention).
And then only specific content promoted by the algorithm is seen and all else buried.
It's only getting worse too.
I appreciate that you host your video/audio yourself.

2025-01-20 19:19:45

We tend to think of "Intelligence" from the point of view of a definable ego that "processes" and outputs symbols that can be understood by another ego which considers itself intelligent.
We typically don't consider a couple of cells that join to form a complex living human form to be "intelligent" - we think this simply happens by itself.
My question is: is my example of ego-intelligence not also just happening by itself? Reflect on what we can demonstrate today using an LLM.

2025-01-19 19:59:49

I love old posts that aged like fine wine.
"Those who make the most of their lives on the screen, come to it in a spirit of self reflection"
That is what she learned from her research interviews about chat and social media usage.
Specifically, to learn about yourself genuinely, and use it to strengthen IRL relationships.
There are platforms that can help in this regard if you use them wisely.
https://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_connected_but_alone
#communication #chat #socialmedia #chat

2025-01-14 02:38:43

- reply

Kagi's philosophy on AI integration also gives you some perspective.
https://help.kagi.com/kagi/why-kagi/ai-philosophy.html

2025-01-14 02:33:38

Using paid search engine #Kagi for months now. At first it seemed a bit much to pay $10 a month for what I thought was a more private Google wrapper.
Now I can safely say its worth the money.
The results are way cleaner, and with the power to fine tune results to my needs (e.g. globally block/lower junk sites).
Say what you want about "AI" but the automatic LLM-based quick-answer is one of the most simple, useful, ethical, and accurate LLM integrations I have ever seen.
#AI #search

2025-01-13 22:32:00

While I believe in mindfulness and awareness a lot more than simplistic blanket bans (that can just be circumvented), the fact that Australia recently banned most major social networks for under 16s, should highlight just how toxic these apps are even for adults who care about their own wellness.
The ban includes Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, Instagram and X. Notably, Youtube is exempt even though I think its just as bad when accessed directly instead of an alternative client.
#wisetech

2025-01-13 22:06:11

- reply

@nprofile…k9gr
I wonder if people actually enjoy being a CEO. If they did then why do they act so... meh

2025-01-11 02:09:50

- reply

@nprofile…980g Vast majority of the apps look like free games and other time-wasters, which don't need location data to function, and only gather it to sell to brokers.
The official app stores have largely be come repositories of what used to be called "spyware" and were once flagged by malware scanners. But are now just considered "normal apps".
I mainly get apps from F-droid unless I need something specific like a banking app. Otherwise I use web browser apps.
No proprietary mobile games ever.

2025-01-11 01:37:21

There's that (supposedly good) feeling we get when we first acquire some new product or unbox a package we just received.
But fairly soon, most of those acquisitions don't do much for our happiness for the rest of their existence.
The mind seems to look for change, fixating on either some improvement or worsening, and reacts emotionally.
Mindfulness is noticing any old immediate experience which for the most part is just nice. Life in its entirely, not just temporary stories, ups and downs.

2025-01-11 01:25:35

Personal reflection on 2024:
As a new father, I was notably busier in 2024 than previous years. This caused me to neglect my meditation practice and some hobbies like my public writing/videos.
On the other hand I have been forced to get better at turning everyday activity into "meditation in motion" which was always my long term goal anyway.
As well, I have been posting more snippets on Mastodon rather than full blog posts which is OK. I hope it helps others as much as I enjoy sharing 🙏

2025-01-10 09:07:38

- reply

@nprofile…xg92 If they called it "speech to text subtitles" (which is actually all this really is) I wonder if anyone would complain.
I do agree with comments that its a waste of electricity and computing power compared to SRT files. Ideally the model should only be run once to generate the SRT which can then be distributed to other viewers of the same content.
Many hearing-impaired users will appreciate this feature though, especially for watching personal stuff where there is no SRT.

2025-01-08 22:04:56

Thinking, Reason and Science are useful tools. They are quite mechanical processes and continue to become automated by machines.
But they are not a great antidote to "ignorance", as often assumed.
Calm lucid awareness is a better antidote to ignorance, which resonates with anyone.
It's possible to think, reason and partake in science in very greedy and mindless ways, which proliferates negativity and agitation.
When done in calm and aware ways they can be better for true human progress.

2025-01-02 06:19:21

- reply

@nprofile…zn3h I started migrating away from this app a couple years ago when I sensed it's enshittification.
In May 2023 I asked for a GDPR data export to make it easier to migrate and Klarna replied that they had no data. Then in August 2024 they surprisingly replied again with an exported zip file of my Stocard data. But by then I had already manually copied my cards to a new app.
I now happily use an open source local-first app called Catima on Android.
https://catima.app/

2024-12-31 19:50:52

Happy new year friends 🙏
My new year #resolution is just to get better at clearly being seeing and mindfully setting my true #intentions behind actions and speech. Combined with letting go of specific results of actions and speech.
Not so much judging intentions as good or bad or trying hard to improve them - rather just improving my ability to calmly and clearly see them and set them strongly with awareness. Allowing natural awareness to do its work.
#Mindfulness #HappyNewYear

2024-12-30 05:10:06

Spent a couple hours down the multitool/EDC rabbit-hole looking to replace my old Leatherman I lost. Decided I didn't need pliers and went with a Victorinox as it's lighter for climbing and hiking.
There are a dizzying array of fanciful options these days but what sold me on Victorinox was the balance of high enough quality + cheap enough to lose and not worry about babying it. It's also a simple design which can be easily self-serviced.
Rare and understated "features" in products today.

2024-11-20 21:02:15

Mastodon is like email but with a fancy UI, and where everyone can see your sent-messages folder and reply to the messages inside it (or at least those marked as default public).
#fediverse #Mastodon

2024-11-09 01:34:58

If you spend enough time online, that experience constitutes a large amount of the data that conditions your mind.
Even on federated apps, many posts will contain links to non-federated platforms and posts from fediverse users conditioned by those platforms.
Just imagine a chatbot that was only trained on sensationalized algorithmically-fed negative-biased distraction.
This is what your mind will become by default if you don't become aware and carefully moderate your online experience.

2024-09-29 08:31:43

The mainstream internet lures us with dopamine, kills our creativity, makes us into sad noisy powerless complainers, expends our time on pointless distraction, buries the pathways to escape... then empties our wallets.
Don't complain. Just leave. Help build the alternative 💪
#Enshittification #indieweb #fediverse #OpenSource #selfhost

2024-05-16 19:34:13

A weird part about minimalism is you get excited about getting rid of stuff that the average consumerism-minded person gets excited about acquiring.
A friend exclaims about getting a new mechanical keyboard, while I express the lightness I feel after selling mine and just using the perfectly fine laptop keyboard.
Do I really need a more visceral keyboard experience or is it just a weak compensation for some other lack or dissatisfaction from another unseen source?
#minimalism #consumerism

2024-01-18 20:48:51

What is Linux?
Some people say its an operating system.
Others say its a kernel.
Google says... "Linux is a feature that lets you develop software using your Chromebook"
#Google #Linux #FOSS #Chromebook
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/111/778/897/219/299/048/original/6426a2a1b6969725.png

2023-07-12 05:32:23

The "Internet" increasingly feels like its split into the "Captive Internet" which has billions of users, and a "Free Internet" which has a few million who got out.
The Captive Internet feels like the "Matrix" - a bubble, where content people see, like and create is shaped by algorithms and the desires of the Big-Techs, to generate profits. Turning people into dollar signs.
And the Free Internet is the "real world" - we can still jump into the Matrix any time but we always know it isn't real.

2023-05-04 22:45:50

Saw this coming.
"Leaked Internal Google Document Claims Open Source AI Will Outcompete Google and OpenAI"
I think the only real value big brands bring, is exactly that, the support of a big brand, and pretty marketing and UI to make it friendly for an end user
https://www.semianalysis.com/p/google-we-have-no-moat-and-neither

2023-04-24 23:06:05

Don't know if I'm opening a can of worms for asking this but I'm looking for ideas on the simplest possible web form that asks for #[0], which is inclusive of all possibilities including #[1] #[2] folks.
My idea is give 4 options:
- Female
- Male
- Non-binary
- Prefer not to say
Anyone have ideas about whether this is good or not? Please excuse any of my ignorance. 🙏

2023-04-09 20:50:10

- reply

#[0] 👏 That is a lot! I was wondering about the posts count actually, does it count boosts or favorites as well?