Zuck puts out this weird “pick me” or “me too” energy lately, trying to fashion himself as one compatible with Trump’s world. His interest in Rome may precede Trump’s ascension to power, but his coming out is not a coincidence in my view. And yes, a fascination with Rome started as so many other things as an “innocent” meme and became a fascist dog-whistle.
Zuckerberg wears t-shirts comparing himself to Julius Caesar? Why is that every time I think I’m up-to-date on the latest weirdness there’s more of it?
Easy for China to say, means very little as they are not relevant to the conflict, not even indirectly that I know of. Political posturing more like.
What exactly is wrong? Because I don’t see it.
“Real analytical work” (I will take that to mean work people actually care about and may even pay good money for), is done with whatever does the job, on the given timeframe, and the analyst, researcher, or team are comfortable with. That may well be Excel. Or not. Depending on the task and people. But your audience will always care more for the appropriateness of your analytical approach for the given audience and task, and of course your results, rather than the tools you used to get there. Of course spreadsheets have limitations and one will do well to know them.
I liked this, but I feel like it is just one possible explanation for the common observation that people feel more conservative as they grow older. And it may seem confirmed when society is growing more liberal. But what if this changes? After all there is no objective reason that I know of why societies will have to grow ever more liberal. When conservatism is on the rise, this may become reversed. What then? Older people will appear ever more radically liberal I guess? Hmmm, it is late here and I am too tired to think this through.
Also why is this in technology and not politics? Although, come to think of it, I am glad it is, because politics is so filled to the brim with US politics that I unsubscribed.
Adrian (the PI) is such an unusual, mad genius kind of guy. Peer reviewed or not, it would be cool if he and others managed to help us understand animals better.
A blessing, really, for cities experiencing housing shortage.
This was a great summary, hope more people read this.
Well both crypto enthusiasts and art collectors are very used to the notion that an asset is as valuable as what people are willing to pay for it, regardless of intrinsic value, so I don’t find it too surprising.
That machine is a commercial product. Quite unlike a human being, in essence, purpose and function. So I do not think the comparison is valid here unless it were perhaps a sentient artificial being, free to act of its own accord. But that is not what we’re talking about here. We must not be carried away by our imaginations, these language models are (often proprietary and for profit) products.
Some schadenfreude is definitely warranted, but the lawsuit may have merit.
FWIW the person appearing on the thumbnail is Bassel Khartabil Safadi, a Palestinian Syrian who for all intents and purposes was just an ordinary guy who wished for democracy in his country. A husband, open source advocate, and a friend. And someone who found himself in the extraordinary situation of being kidnapped by Assad’s security apparatus during the uprising of 2011, imprisoned, and eventually executed by the regime. Just because he advocated for freedom and democracy. As we think of the plight of the Palestinian people today and the unequal fight fought by everyone who dares speak out against the autocratic regimes of the Middle East, let’s take a moment to remember him and all those who the powers that be are keen to label terrorists and a threat to national security, many of whom are people like you and me who had the misfortune to live under regimes with virtually no respect for human rights. May he rest in peace and may the people of the Middle East, be it Muslims, Jews, atheists, or Christians, rise up and demand a life of freedom, solidarity, human rights, and dignity.