My friend seems genuinely baffled that I am an AI researcher who refuses to use AI! Not only that, but I argue against it from theory, not experience. Why don't I just give it a try for a while, and see what it's really about before I judge it?

I guess I see where he's coming from. Part of the problem is the word "AI." LLMs are not my research focus, so it's less of a contradiction than it sounds. But I admit, being a non-user makes my arguments against LLMs less credible.

I just don't understand why I owe it to anybody to give AI a shot. I know how LLMs work in gory detail, and I don't trust them. I've seen the mediocre work they produce. I've read studies about the seductive illusion of competence and caring they create, and how people fall for that. I know it's all built on an incredibly exploitative business model.

I feel entirely justified in not giving them a chance. I guess I'm just as baffled by how badly he wants me to try it, and how sure he seems to be that it would change my mind.

#StarTrek

Trans rights 🏳️‍⚧️✊

Remember as days get colder animals are attracted to the warmth of cars, so check wheel arches or other hiding places ...

Happy Halloween from your friends on the COBOL maintenance team!

44 years ago
"Nazi Punks Fuck Off" is the fifth and most important single by the Dead Kennedys, released in late October/early November 1981 on Alternative Tentacles.

The single included a free armband with a crossed-out swastika on it.

#punk #punkrock #DeadKennedys #nazipunksfuckoff #otd

Happy Windows 10 EOL day to anyone who celebrates! 🥳

BTW if you're looking for an open hardware, repairable laptop made by a small team in berlin with no venture capital, maybe MNT Reform Next could be interesting for you: https://www.crowdsupply.com/mnt/mnt-reform-next

I support #PalestineAction

Anyone who boosts this post is breaking the law of the United Kingdom

So don't do that

😘

AOL has now shut down dial-up service as of September 30.

Let us play the forgotten music...

@starlight "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe..."

@overholt

The Rapture? Oh, it is as it was predicted when I was but a young man. The man from Mars stopped eating cars and eating bars and now he only eats guitars

@smellsofbikes

@NanoRaptor Two things I use daily that are both like new:
1976 Amana microwave oven
1936 Royal typewriter, dvorak layout

Please watch this short video. You will not be disappointed.

#cow

It's small, chunky and very purple.
All set up and ready for work!

#MNT #PocketReform

Finally got a pocket reform recently, and what a beauty!

#MNT #PocketReform

@jwz I have a distinct memory of sitting at my 486, upgrading from mosaic, to get support for animated GIFs. This would certainly be the beginning of the era the web went from mostly text to graphical.

On this day in 1966, Star Trek first beamed into living rooms across America. None of us could have imagined then the journey it would set us on. And not just the cast and crew, but the millions of fans who would find hope, inspiration, and community in its vision of the future.

Over the decades, I’ve been humbled and grateful for the love you’ve shown, not only to me, but to the ideals of Star Trek itself: diversity, unity, and the belief that together, humanity can boldly go where none have gone before. Thank you for your unwavering support and for keeping this dream alive all these years. Live long and prosper, always.