A few days ago, @TexasObserver was on its deathbed. Now the crusading nonprofit newsroom is getting a second chance after raising $300,000 in a crowdfunding campaign:
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/29/texas-observer-keep-publishing/
Testing out Bard (Google's "AI")
So far I've asked it technical questions (tell me about Class 0A ESD protection / tell me about ACES-Hy), paranoia questions (will OSIRIS-Rex bring an alien virus back from Bennu?), philosophy questions (What is the purpose of life?) and it's been all right with all of them. I asked if drag queens should be banned in Florida, and it provided 4 drafts, all with an emphatic 'no'.
Fun, but I'm not sure how useful.
#Google #Alphabet #AI #Bard
An excerpt from my internal monologue during this morning's bicycle ride.
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Hmm. That little bird I saw yesterday was so charming. Bottergat. What's the other name for a bottergat again?
Cape Bimbo.
No! Hahaha.
Cape Dildo?
OMG no!
Dildo. No! Bimbo? Bimbo. Bimbo! Dildo. Bimbo!
WTF, brain? OK I'll give you something to distract you. What's a good translation for "bottergat?"
Hmm. Butter-arse? Butter-bum? Butter-butt! Name comes from their bright yellow butts.
*grinding noises* Also known as a Cape Bulbul *bing!*
We fucking did it, y'all. We fucking saved the Texas fucking Observer and I'm so fucking happy rn. #TexasNeedsAnObserver
A win for Mastodon and journalism: The successful campaign to stave off closure of the @TexasObserver got a boost from the magazineβs fan base in the #fediverse. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/29/texas-observer-closing-gofundme?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
"In middle age, I'm forced to recognize that nothing short of being who I am will resolve my profound inner confict. The word 'transition' is terrifying but, however catastrophic the process of coming out may be, I'll not be much good to those I love if I'm burned out, incapacitated, or dead."
https://www.texasobserver.org/i-am-a-trans-texan/
Hey, #People of #Mastodon! You saved a newspaper today!
The @TexasObserver was slated to close at the end of the month. But no more!
The #Fediverse has demonstrated that it is the home of independent #journalism, and I am so proud to have been here and witnessed it all!
@ScottSoCal well, technically, neither did I! π π
@ScottSoCal It's what cults do. They also spawn MLM "businesses" (pyramid schemes) designed around affinity fraud. Businesses selling snake oil products like "supplements" that are considered unethical or even illegal outside of Utah.
uspol / Thread TLDR
So to summarize:
Does the RESTRICT act ban VPNs? No.
Does the RESTRICT act *give the White House executive power to ban VPNs*? Yes.
Is Joe Biden going to use the RESTRICT act to ban VPNs? Probably not.
Would the Supreme Court *allow* Joe Biden to use the RESTRICT act to ban VPNs? Probably not.
But would a future President Trump, or President DeSantis, use RESTRICT to ban VPNs? Yes!
And would the Supreme Court let Trump/Desantis do it, if it was them and not Biden? Yes!
Inspired by @StefanThinks
Performance Evaluations are like doing your taxes: youβre supposed to do it all yourself and then they tell you what you did wrong.
#trans people, what is your #TransAgenda today? I did laundry and am now wearing a thick cozy hoodie fresh and warm from the dryer. Later I'll make pasta and watch a movie with a friend. #RadicalTransAgenda
So... me. Work in aerospace, more space, not as much aero. Can fix my own car, choose not to. Can fix the random appliance of your choice. Hardcore introvert in person, which is why I love online. Lifelong science fiction fan. Read constantly. Scalzi is my favorite author, because he mixes exactly the right amount of snark into his writing. Together with a guy 30+ years, married since it was legal. Own a home in CA and don't plan to leave unless I immigrate to another country.