WTF-Beta

I just watched David Kippling's (astronomer, professor) latest video. It's timely to this discussion.

Um... are we allowing multiple-word responses?

This is what the tech oligarchs wanted and due to our unresponsive politicians, it's what they got, carte blanche. AI should have been regulated from the get-go but too many of the world's population couldn't believe they had a new super human toy to play with and we all know what it's like to take toys away from children.

Humanity's collective knowledge should not be owned by a handful of technology developers who seemingly care very little for our collective history. They've been given free rein to swipe the entirety of human effort with no strings attached.

Sorry this has happened to you Mary Anna. I do believe we are at the point where it is nigh impossible to discern what is real and what is not.

Are we on the brink of world war? Headlines today...

Middle East braces for more violence as Iran claims US is planning to renew bombing campaign

European spy chiefs warn Moscow is planning more decisive action against Nato

Ukraine targets Moscow with hundreds of drones on final day of Russian election

‘The rules have changed’: has Russia begun to order assassinations on US soil?

David

It's probably time to revisit the '70s USPS reorganization. USPS was federally funded up until then. It seems to me that getting it at least partially federally funded would be a good idea. A lot has happened with technology since then.

@ShiroKuro That's really lovely, SK. Nice flowing playing. Nice piece.

If I wonder if it all explains Trump's absence from his son's wedding?

BREAKING: Here at The Contrarian, we have spoken out loudly against Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. As of Friday night, press reports were suggesting that state attorneys general are under increasing pressure to settle their lawsuit to stop the merger. Trump cronies Larry and David Ellison are behind an aggressive campaign to persuade the AGs to back down. These are the moments we need you most, Contrarians. That’s why we’re asking you to sign this petition to show your support for the AGs and encourage them to stand firm.

The petition you can sign is here, takes less than half a minute...
https://noparamountconcessions.com

care

@Daniel Yeah, I don't have a high opinion of AI. I consider it first and foremost a misnomer. One only has to glimpse at the results from Google's AI summaries, with it's references to other websites (wiki, etc.) to see that it is little more than a glorified search engine running on stolen data, with a sophisticated output engine.

The guy in the video you posted knows more about the economics of it, I don't. But one thing he said that caught my attention is how it has been foisted on society. It's something no one asked for but it's in every browser, etc. etc. etc.

The other thing is what we don't know--but are starting to see. What are the highest uses of AI doing? They are wreaking havoc, going rogue. This is really dangerous. The fact that the owners of these companies are now calling for a slow down tells us a lot. Unfortunately the US is being run by a bunch of lunatics right now.

court

hamberder

@Daniel said:

I get the young man in love with his own reflection.

Narcissus did not recognize the reflection as himself (he had never seen himself). "Oh marvellous boy, I loved you in vain, farewell" he said to the reflection, whereupon he withered away and all that was left was a white flower with a yellow center that we know today as Narcissus, ie Daffodils.

doll

The first Morning Glory of the year. I consider this an official proclamation that fall is here.

A bit of autumn color on one of the Sedums.

I have really enjoyed these magenta Cleome. I may try to save their seeds.

The native Lobelia is going strong.

@shirokuro Great minds! We must have posted at the same time.

Automobiles

I have followed this guy, William Green, on Youtube for many years. His channel is called "My Green Pets".