WTF-Beta

Try to think of a parallel ...

Since the advent of email, and later, text messaging, people's writing skills have deteriorated. But has it really "deteriorated" or merely "changed"? The language is usually less flowery but we usually get to the point much faster with email and texting. Is that bad?

Since the common adoption of GPS navigators, most drivers' map reading and navigation skills have atrophied, with the younger generation never learn to read a road atlas; but more people are now visiting more obscure places and drive more on lesser known roads. Is that bad?

Now coming to "critical thinking." Why do we want people to think critically? Why do we want our kids and students to think critically? Is "critical thinking" an end by itself or are we trying to achieve certain personal or societal benefits through critical thinking? If the end is some other things and "critical thinking" is merely a means to achieve that end, what if AI can get us to the end faster?

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/us/politics/trump-nuclear-testing-explosions.html

The nuclear testing ordered by President Trump will not involve nuclear explosions, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Sunday, adding that the testing would involve “the other parts of a nuclear weapon” to ensure they are working properly.

Backup camera helps a lot.

16000 drones carrying fireworks:

@Daniel said in Gen Z wises up:

Democratic leaders (famously Biden but the list is endless) have openly sneered at young voters. It's a "thing" for them.

That does not jive with what I have observed. Any links/references to news reports of events/incidents to back this up?

The one in Tokyo ~20 years ago, they used plates of different colors/designs to indicate different pricing for each dish. I just stacked the plates on the side until I was ready to settle the bill, then a server came over to tally the plates and told me how much to pay. [*]

The ones I visit in the US today, all the dishes off the constantly moving conveyor belt are priced the same, and there is only one plate design. I insert empty plates into a plate return slot specific to my assigned seat that, I believe, drops the plates onto yet another conveyor belt to bring the empty plates back to the kitchen. The number of plates are automatically tallied for final billing as I insert them into the plate return slot.

Also, reflecting different food safety regulations, the ones in Japan were served on the conveyor belt without cover, whereas the ones in the US today are covered under plastic domes on the conveyor belt.

Also, in the U.S. ones that I have visited, there is yet a third conveyor belt that's only used when I order "special items" -- dishes that I would order explicitly using a tablet interface, as oppose to dishes regularly replenished onto the main conveyor belt by the kitchen without anyone ordering them explicitly.

[*] The old Tokyo system reminds me of yet another old restaurant billing system that I don't see anymore -- using differently colored plastic spoons to indicate different prices for drinks. Every drink was served with a plastic spoon. When the patrons are ready to pay, the server would tally up the cost of drinks by the differently colored spoons they see on the table.

So ... a 10% Communism?

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/us/politics/trump-filibuster-shutdown.html

Trump Calls on Republicans to End Filibuster in Shutdown Fight

@Steve-Miller said in Argentina and Rural America’s Awakening:

They’ll change their minds once they get their bail out checks.

Regardless on whether they change their opinions on tariffs and/or government subsidies, most likely they will keep voting for Trump/GOP.

I first experienced "conveyor belt sushi" in Tokyo, close to 20 years ago. I was quite impressed and had a good time.

Now I see "conveyor belt sushi" restaurants popping up all over the place in the USA. (E.g., https://kurasushi.com/locations ) I like it.

A local "conveyor belt sushi" restaurant also uses robotic servers to serve up drinks. @Steve-Miller did you see robot servers in the one you went to?

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/world/asia/trump-south-korea-crown-gyeongju.html

President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea presented President Trump with a replica of a golden crown excavated from one of the ancient royal tombs in Gyeongju.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/us/politics/tariff-trump-south-korea-trade.html

Mr. Lee presented him with a medal symbolizing the nation’s highest honor. Then came a replica of a golden crown that was excavated from one of the ancient royal tombs in Gyeongju, the seat of a long-gone kingdom. “I’d like to wear it right now,” Mr. Trump said.

... what the bombastic (but surely cheaply done) ballroom will cost.

News reports say it is now expected to cost $300 million.

Long and tough read on an investigative journalism piece on the trafficked girls of Los Angeles' Figueroa Street:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/26/magazine/sex-trafficking-girls-la-figueroa.html?unlocked_article_code=1.wU8.a68-.YyE1mMqj4c0u

The journalist Emily Baumgaertner Nunn interviewed many victims, police officers, and welfare/charity case workers to put this together.

If, at the end of it, you feel like asking what can you do about it, the article does go into quite a bit about what a charity called "Run 2 Rescue" do in this area.

You're cutting it too close. Buy three to ensure sufficient space for your next piano party.

If I intend to play a piano, I generally sit within arm's length from its keyboard.

@Bernard said in O Canada:

The repukes in congress are responsible for all this.

Congressional Republicans have also won the popular vote in 2024; so it is possibly arguable that they are doing the people's bidding.

From that perspective, it looks a lot like Brexit and the UK's post-Brexit election. First many people looked at Brexit and thought it an aberration. Then another election came around and the pro-Brexit politicians won with even bigger margins! At that point you gotta admit that in some sense the people really, really want to go there.

@AndyD said in Hey JohnNYC, your retirement gaff?:

https://www.elliman.com/listing/1-central-park-s-17010406-new-york-ny-10019/17187886

What do you think?

It's kind of them to include a mortgage calculator to help estimate your mortgage payment.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/25/trump-canada-tariffs-reagan-ad/

Trump raises tariffs on Canada by 10% over Reagan ad

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/us/politics/kamala-harris-presidential-race.html

Kamala Harris says she may run for President again in 2028. Figure I'd post this just in case anyone misses her.