Mega Millions jackpot surges past $1 billion
The Mega Millions prize has now grown to an estimated $1.15 billion, which could be the fifth-largest jackpot in the game's history.
pzmyers@octodon.social ("pzmyers 🦑") wrote:
Human and spiders were all well served with a Christmas lunch.
https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2024/12/25/lunch-has-been-served/
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Reblogged by fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻"):
Amazingly dozens of people survived and walked away from this crash.
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If you think it's time for the Wikimedia Foundation to complete #mastodonmigration, then you can:
* Subscribe to (pretty inactive) @wikimediafoundation
* Challenge clearly the rationals to stay on "the hostile network" at https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Social_media #elonmusk #wikipedia
JMarkOckerbloom ("John Mark Ockerbloom") wrote:
More than funds, what Wikipedia really needs is more good editors. The number of people who regularly edit articles in English Wikipedia hasn't grown substantially in years, while the number of articles has, and editor demographics remains skewed. The foundation itself largely stays away from editing, leaving it to volunteers. While articles that get a lot of attention are often good, it's not hard to find ones with biased and promotional content in less-visited topics, and in other languages.
petergleick@fediscience.org ("Peter Gleick") wrote:
Did you know you can download an entire copy of Wikipedia for use offline? Takes some storage space but there are text-only or (larger) versions with images.
https://www.howtogeek.com/260023/how-to-download-wikipedia-for-offline-at-your-fingertips-reading/
Reblogged by jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein"):
catsalad@infosec.exchange ("CatSalad🐈🥗 (D.Burch) :blobcatrainbow:") wrote:
Mama cats doing their thang
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jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
cool, lmstudio-community/Phi-3.1-mini-4k-instruct-GGUF does run (albeit slowly) on my Mac Mini M1 and does accept the same call as OpenAI
Pope urges 'all people of all nations' to silence arms in Christmas address
Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message urged "all people of all nations" to find courage "to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions" plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia.
The King In Red:
Camilla: You, sir, should unmask.
Stranger: Indeed?
Cassilda: Indeed it's time. We all have laid aside disguise but you.
Stranger: I wear no mask.
Camilla: (Terrified, aside to Cassilda.) No mask? No mask!Alternately:
Tillinghast: Oh, it's so beautiful... So... beautiful!
Pretorius: Now you can truly see.
Katherine: What have you done to him?
Pretorius: I only awakened his sleeping pineal gland. It did the rest itself.
Katherine: No!
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nickthewright@tenforward.social ("Nick Wright") wrote:
“You will be visited by three spirits.”
The three spirits:
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A Merry Christmas to All Oligarchs.
By order of His Majesty King Mob
https://jwz.org/b/ykfA
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MrBerard@mastodon.acm.org ("Will Berard 🫳🎤 🫶") wrote:
Remember that the true meaning of Christmas is using money you don't have to buy things they don't need to people you don't like.
#consumerism #Christmas #Memes #TheyLive
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docpop ("Doctor Popular") wrote:
I saw Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer for the first time as an adult and saw something I hadn't seen before #rudolphtherednosereindeer
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Reblogged by jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein"):
wdlindsy@toad.social ("William Lindsey :toad:") wrote:
"Eighty years ago, Jews were given a choice between two legacies: Never again, the Jews will never face a similar danger, or – Never again, no one in the world will ever face a similar danger. Israel clearly chose the former option, with a fatal addition: After Auschwitz, Jews are permitted to do anything.
Israel has implemented this doctrine in the past year as it never has before.”
~ Gideon Levy, Haaretz
Reblogged by jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein"):
thorncoyle@wandering.shop ("T. Thorn Coyle 🖤") wrote:
@blogdiva Hmmm…
“Did nothing of note.”You survived. You gave others joy.
To quote Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel: “Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.”
(Now, let’s all kick our inner capitalist puritans out for good!)
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
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Reblogged by jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein"):
barackobama@threads.net ("Barack Obama") wrote:
Merry Christmas! Michelle and I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful day filled with gratitude and joy.
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jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
maybe there is a reason for wearing that ugly sweater https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/yule-cat-jolakotturinn-iceland
Reblogged by isagalaev ("Ivan Sagalaev :flag_wbw:"):
Snowy night in Shibuya Tokyo.
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- Photo by omi on December 25, 2024. May be an image of 3 people, people standing, umbrella, street, Times Square and text. (remote)
- 68a2e6f8027827df.mp4 (remote)
- Photo by omi on December 25, 2024. May be an image of street, night and text. (remote)
- Photo by omi on December 25, 2024. May be an image of 3 people, street, night and text. (remote)
What podcasts looked like in 2024 — literally
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images
These days, podcasts are going video, and there are a number of visual trends we’ve noticed — some good, some not so much. We’ll show you.
A gang attack on a Haitian hospital reopening kills 2 reporters and a police officer
Street gangs forced the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince to close earlier this year. As journalists gathered to cover its reopening, suspected gang members opened fire.
Far from the front lines, Ukrainians fight a war to preserve their culture
In the Transcarpathia region, some locals embrace a traditional lifestyle and cultural identity. After surviving Soviet threats, now they fear President Vladimir Putin seeks to erase their culture.
Russia targets Ukrainian energy infrastructure on Christmas Day
Russia's massive missile and drone barrage struck a thermal power plant and prompted Ukrainians to shelter in metro stations on Christmas morning.
The State Of The PlayStation 5 In 2024
The PlayStation 5 has entered the latter stage of its lifecycle, Sony announced back in February. The fourth anniversary of the console has been marked by impressive victories and surprising setbacks. 2024 felt like an inflection point for the PS5, with Sony unofficially turning the page on the PS4 and paving the way…
2024 has been an amazing year for roguelikes
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images
This year showed that a roguelike can be almost anything.
When kindness becomes a habit, it improves our health
Whether it's volunteering at a local school or taking soup to a sick neighbor, improving the welfare of others can also improve our own physical and mental health, a sizable body of research shows.
'The Bachelor,' Ukraine edition, features a veteran who lost both legs in the war
He wants to give hope to the tens of thousands of Ukrainians who have lost limbs since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Want government money for a heat pump? Time might be running out
The Biden administration introduced new consumer tax credits for climate-friendly heat pumps. What does a Trump administration and GOP-led congress mean for that money?
Reblogged by fribbledom ("muesli"):
jonty@chaos.social ("Jonty Wareing") wrote:
So I've been notified that my role is at risk. Would anybody like to hire a me.
I've spent the last 7 years as chief architect, which realistically meant doing every job from infrastructure to product and occasionally acting CTO. For the last two years I've been merging platforms of two billion dollar companies.
I am interested in everything, and curious to try new things.
I like python and postgres, but happy to quickly pick up any stack. You do not want me anywhere near your frontend code.
Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet crashes in the Kazakhstani city of Aktau
An Azerbaijani airliner has crashed in the Kazakhstani city of Aktau with 30 people likely dead and at least 28 survivors, according to Kazakhstan's Emergency Ministry.
fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
Digital exile: A socialist clothing company was banned from multiple major Internet platforms for releasing “CEO Most Wanted“ playing cards.
PayPal, YouTube, TikTok, and Meta have all banned the provocative clothing company Comrade Workwear. Presumably, the bans are a response to the company revealing a playing card set with pictures of American CEOs.
They shut down my business. Can’t accept any payment on my ... https://micro.fromjason.xyz/2024/12/25/digital-exile-a-socialist-clothing.html
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fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
Liquid Swords by GZA is like cinema. I listened to this album every morning before school for a year straight. I still go back to it every so often. https://music.apple.com/us/album/liquid-swords-expanded-edition/1537029775
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Richard Perry, record producer behind 'You're So Vain' and other hits, dies at 82
A recipient of a Grammys Trustee Award in 2015, Richard Perry died at a Los Angeles hospital on Tuesday. Perry was a hitmaking record producer with a flair for both standards and contemporary sounds.
Reblogged by fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻"):
latte@mastodon.online ("a new hope :blobcatcoffee:") wrote:
getting distracted while working on my recap by revisiting the stuff i'm including and just watching that instead of writing
today edition is revisiting plagiarism and you(tube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDp3cB5fHXQ
DNA Lounge Update, Wherein it's a Christmas toilet miracle!
https://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/2024/12/24.html
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dnalounge@sfba.social ("DNA Lounge") wrote:
♬️ DNA LOUNGE YULE LOG: 24 HOURS OF FIRE AND MUSIC at DNA Lounge starting now!
https://www.dnalounge.com/calendar/2024/12-24.html
#dnalounge #dnaloungeyulelog #sanfrancisco
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Reblogged by fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻"):
Mrfunkedude ("Mr. Funk E. Dude") wrote:
If you're feeling lonely tonight or on Xmas day, feel free to join my Matrix chat. I'll be monitoring it, and there are almost always a few people to chat with.
Just say hi when you come in and you'll have people to waste your time with. Just as if you were with your family and friends.
I recommend using the Element interface.
Please BOOST for reach.
#chat #christmas #xmas #friendly
fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
In cold blood.
I’ve read that phrase more in the last two weeks than perhaps in my lifetime. So much so that I lost its meaning and needed to look it up.
To say someone was killed “in cold blood” means it was done without emotion, in a calculated manner. I can’t think of anything more emotionless and calculating than budgeting death for faceless shareholders. Can you?
US healthcare executives kill thousands of Americans each year in cold blood.
Reblogged by fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻"):
StevenSavage@sfba.social ("StevenSavage (he/him)") wrote:
President Musk tells people not to donate to Wikipedia.
So send them money.
https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-takes-aim-wikipedia-fund-raising-editing-political-woke-2005742
Reblogged by fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻"):
hrheingold ("Howard Rheingold") wrote:
I just sent $10 to https://wikipedia.org because Elon doesn't want me to.
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
be sure to leave biscuits out tonight for Santa Pooch
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fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
Watchmen (2019) is one of my favorite HBO series of all time, and I don’t think it gets the credit it deserves.
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fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
Apple AI isn’t very good (r/apple)
The most reasonable answer is that Apple is simply behind in the AI arms race. However, a part of me wonders if Apple executives are purposely tanking Apple Intelligence to mold public perceptions that AI is a trash technology. Apple certainly has the influence and the reach to shape this narrative, and AI isn’t a part of Apple’s core business model.
AI is what I call “feature chum”— ... https://micro.fromjason.xyz/2024/12/24/apple-ai-isnt-very-good.html
EXERCISE VAGUE JOY.
Nine years ago today I decorated a Christmas tree. Happy Surveillmas to all who celebrate.
https://jwz.org/b/yke8
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dnalounge@sfba.social ("DNA Lounge") wrote:
♬️ DNA LOUNGE YULE LOG: 24 HOURS OF FIRE AND MUSIC at DNA Lounge tonight: Tue Dec 24, 9pm!
https://www.dnalounge.com/calendar/2024/12-24.html
#dnalounge #dnaloungeyulelog #sanfrancisco
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MissingThePt ("Missing The Point") wrote:
Hitler teases German expansion
The chancellor-elect has suggested a territorial extension into Austria, the Sudetenland and Poland. If he's serious, it would rival the Treaty of Utrecht.
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Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
A forensic investigation by the medical examiner's office determined it was carbon monoxide from a faulty furnace.
Reblogged by kornel ("Kornel"):
weirdestate@eigenmagic.net ("Weird Estate") wrote:
Addresses don't get better than this.
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pzmyers@octodon.social ("pzmyers 🦑") wrote:
Minimalist Christmas.
https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2024/12/24/for-those-of-you-who-dont-get-a-white-christmas/
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Reblogged by kornel ("Kornel"):
EUCommission@ec.social-network.europa.eu ("European Commission") wrote:
Snowy greetings from our space sentinels! 🛰️
Its satellites captured these breathtaking images of Europe’s snow-covered landscapes.
🚀 #Copernicus, the Earth Observation component of the EU Space Programme, provides vital data on climate change, natural disasters, and environmental health, helping us make informed decisions for a more sustainable future.
Let this be a reminder of the magic of the season and the technology helping us to understand and protect our planet.
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- A satellite view of Scandinavia in winter, showcasing snow-covered land in white and surrounding water bodies in deep blue and black. The red tones highlight areas with vegetation, likely captured in infrared. The landscape features fjords, frozen lakes, and the Baltic Sea. EU and Copernicus logos are visible. (remote)
- Satellite image of Italy captured by the Copernicus Programme, showing the Italian peninsula surrounded by the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The Alps in the north and the Apennine mountain range are visible, partially covered in snow. Cloud cover is scattered across parts of the landscape and sea, with vibrant turquoise hues along some coastal areas. The image includes the Copernicus Programme and European Union logos in the top-right corner. (remote)
- Satellite image of the Alps region captured by the Copernicus Programme, showing the snow-covered mountain range stretching across parts of Europe, including northern Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. Surrounding areas feature green lowlands, brownish terrain, and bodies of water like the Adriatic Sea to the southeast. Cloud cover is visible over parts of the landscape and coastlines. The image includes the Copernicus Programme and European Union logos in the top-left corner. (remote)
- A satellite image showing Mount Etna, Italy, with snow-covered areas visible in white, surrounded by volcanic terrain rendered in shades of red and brown to highlight vegetation and lava flows. The striking red tones indicate infrared data used to distinguish land features. The image includes a scale and Copernicus and EU program logos. (remote)
The Assad regime's fall has freed displaced Syrians stuck in a remote desert camp
More than 7,000 people had taken shelter in the Rukban camp, near the border with Jordan, many of whom fled the regime and ISIS attacks almost a decade ago.
There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does
Image: Atlus
Metaphor: ReFantanzio is one of 2024’s best games racking up a stack of Game Awards including best RPG, best art direction, and best narrative. But one category in which Metaphor particularly stood out was its music. The soundtrack, produced by Shoji Meguro – the long-time music director of the Persona series, is one of the outstanding achievements in video game music this year, particularly its battle theme which became a viral hit. In an interview with The Verge, Meguro talked about his work on the Metaphor soundtrack including what went into what is perhaps the coolest piece of video game battle music ever made.
Meguro, known for his work producing the pop-y, jazzy vibes of the Persona soundtracks, acknowledged that Metaphor’s heavy orchestral / choral sound is not something Persona fans would expect from him and definitely outside his own wheelhouse. He said in order to effectively change gears from Persona to Metaphor, he had to relearn classical music theory.
“But that’s what makes creating this score so exciting,” he said. “When I was first told about Metaphor: ReFantazio, I was told it would be an epic, high-fantasy RPG. And immediately I heard the sound of great...
Kobo’s Elipsa 2E, an excellent e-reader for taking notes, is down to its best price
Kobo’s Elipsa 2E is a good e-reader that offers an intuitive note-taking experience. | Image: Kobo
Amazon might have released a new Kindle Scribe earlier this month for $399.99, but after testing it, I still don’t think it can compete with its rivals. If you’re looking for a good e-reader with more useful note-taking capabilities, the Kobo Elipsa 2E is still one of my favorites, and it’s down to an all-time low of $349.99 ($50 off) at Amazon or Target. Rakuten Kobo will also throw in $10 in credit when you buy a $50 gift card, which you can use toward buying books or styli.
If you’re the type of person who likes to scribble in margins while reading ebooks, you’ll likely prefer the Kobo Elipsa 2E. The Elipsa 2E lets you directly write on ebook pages, taking notes in margins or anywhere else you’d like, just as you would on paper. The new Kindle Scribe lets you directly write on pages, too, but it’s a lot more complicated and you can’t even circle phrases or words.
The Elipsa 2E also offers other helpful features beyond just a more natural note-taking experience. It boasts double the storage (32GB) as the entry-level Kindle Scribe, for example, and accurately converts handwriting into typed text faster than the Scribe. The biggest drawback, of course, is that it doesn’t natively support Kindle ebooks, so you’ll have to convert your library if you want to read them from your Kobo device.
Just a few more deals
- Sony’s WH-CH720N noise-canceling headphones are currently down to just $74.99 ($75 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which is their all-time low price. Their noise cancellation isn’t as effective as rivals like Sony’s WH-1000XM5, but for the price, they do a decent job of tuning out noise. They also deliver good sound, support for multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, and up to 35 hours of continuous playback, rendering them a great option if you’re on a budget.
- If you’re in need of USB-C chargers, you can buy the Anker PowerPort III and the eco-friendly version of the 30-watt Anker 511 Charger bundled together for $24.99 ($29.99 off) from Best Buy. Both are USB-C chargers that’ll quickly power up your phone, laptop, tablet, and electronics, but the 30-watt Anker 511 Charger is smaller and thus more portable with a single port. In contrast, Anker’s PowerPort III is a 65-watt wall charger that lets you quickly juice up to three devices at once.
- If you’re looking out for porch pirates, the Blink Outdoor 4 camera is on sale for $49.99 ($50 off) — one of its better prices to date — at Amazon with a Sync Module 2 included. Blink’s 1080p security camera offers better image quality than its predecessor, two-zone package detection, and an impressive two years of battery life. You don’t need a premium subscription to record motion events either, thanks to the included Sync Module 2, which lets you record motion-activated video locally (with a USB stick) for free.
isagalaev ("Ivan Sagalaev :flag_wbw:") wrote:
A capella. @PVECarolers at the Enchant Christmas show in Seattle. They sang pretty good!
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The 10 best shows to stream on Disney Plus and Hulu from 2024
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images
We got a healthy dose of Star Wars and Marvel shows on Disney Plus this year, but the more mature series from Hulu helped balance things out.
The 8 best shows to stream on Apple TV Plus
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images
It was another sci-fi-heavy year for Apple’s streaming service.
Starbucks baristas' 'strike before Christmas' has reached hundreds of U.S. stores
Starbucks' union says workers are walking off the job at some 300 — out of over 10,000 — stores across the U.S. as contract negotiations falter. The company urges it to return to the bargaining table.
The 15 Biggest Video Game Disappointments Of 2024
Wow! Another year down. It feels like 2024 went by in a flash, and also feels like I spent half my life slowly trudging through this mostly awful year filled with a lot of bad news.
The Barbie Phone is plastic, fantastic, and impractical
Hi, Barbie!
The Barbie Phone, much like the doll it pays tribute to, is a thing of beauty. But like that doll whose proportions, historically, are impossible, the Barbie Phone just isn’t built for the modern world.
Even if the ultra-feminine aesthetic isn’t your thing — and it’s not really mine — you have to hand it to the Barbie flip phone. From the box it comes in, to the interchangeable back plates, rhinestone stickers, and Barbie-fied interface, it’s a delight. The charger and battery are both pink, though they’re a lighter shade than Mattel’s trademarked Barbie Pink (Pantone 219). The phone says “Hi Barbie!” when you turn it on. It’s the definition of committing to the bit.
The breezy fun of the Barbie aesthetic, Pantone 219 or otherwise, is at odds with the actual experience of using the phone. It’s based on one of HMD’s feature phones, and it runs an operating system called KaiOS. The phone is designed for basic connectivity — texting, calling, emails — and even includes a web browser.
According to HMD, in addition to being cute,the nostalgic design and limited feature set are supposed to encourage you to disconnect and spend time with your friends IRL. There are a series of...
Reblogged by pzmyers@octodon.social ("pzmyers 🦑"):
dingemansemark@scholar.social ("Mark Dingemanse") wrote:
How I reject most Elsevier review requests https://ideophone.org/how-i-reject-most-elsevier-review-requests/
For years now, I have responded to review requests from Elsevier journals with a friendly explanation of why I cannot in good conscience devote my free labour to their for-profit venture. I always include an out: make some work in the same journal available in open access. Somehow they always find this isn't possible 🤷
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- As a publicly funded scholar, I prioritize reviewing for open access and not-for-profit initiatives. I cannot in good conscience devote my efforts to corporate behemoths like Elsevier, whose profit margins have exceeded those of Big Tech for most years in the past decade due in no small part to their exploitative practices. I may be able to make an exception if you can make two articles of my choosing in this journal available in perpetual open access. One of them could be the reviewed work, should it be accepted for publication; but if it is rejected, I also consider opening up other paywalled work a reasonable compensation for my time and expertise. Please let me know if you want to explore this option. (remote)
Reblogged by pzmyers@octodon.social ("pzmyers 🦑"):
Ahuka@freeradical.zone ("Ahuka (he/him)") wrote:
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jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
my recent favorite Borowitz Report headline:
“Clarence and Ginni Thomas Lost at Sea After Elon Musk’s Self-Driving Superyacht Hits Iceberg”
American Airlines lifts ground stop that froze Christmas Eve travelers
American Airlines passengers across the U.S. endured a sudden disruption of service on Christmas Eve as a "technical issue" forced the airline to request a nationwide ground stop of its operations.
2024: a good year for earbuds
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images
This year paved the way for a future where earbuds are much more than audio accessories.
fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
DC cop convicted for tipping off Proud Boys about police operations - Boing Boing:
"Lt. Shane Lamond, the DC cop who thought his job monitoring extremist groups meant becoming their biggest groupie, has been found guilty of leaking police secrets to his BFF Enrique Tarrio of the Proud Boys."
Weird framing. This isn’t a cop turned fanboy, this is an infiltration. https://boingboing.net/2024/12/23/dc-cop-convicted-for-tipping-off-proud-boys-about-police-operations.html
The 15 Best Video Game Surprises Of 2024
In a lot of ways, 2024 was a worse year for the video game industry than 2023. And that’s really depressing to think about considering how bad 2023 was for game developers and the media covering the industry. Still, even a shitty year can have nice moments and wonderful surprises.
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
Today in History: John Dunstable (English composer) dies, 1453
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
Today in History: Alban Berg (composer, proponent of 12-tone music) dies in Vienna, Austria, 1935
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
Today in History: KKK formed in Pulaski, Tenn, 1865 (so much for reconciliation)
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
Today in History: Hong Kong falls to the Japanese Imperial Army, 1941
H-1B visas face uncertainty during Trump's 2nd term. And, the perfect mashed potatoes
Foreign-born scientists may face challenges working in the U.S. during President-elect Donald Trump's second term. And, cooking tips for the perfect mashed potatoes this holiday.
American Airlines resumes flights across the US following ‘technical issues’
Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images
American Airlines temporarily grounded all of its flights in the US this morning due to unspecified technical issues, disrupting travel at the start of a busy Christmas Eve. Service has now resumed as of 8AM ET according to a statement American Airlines spokesperson Sarah Jantz provided to CNN.
The airline suffered a massive system outage according to multiple travelers on X who are facing delays, which prevented boarding passes from being scanned and flights from departing. A notice published on the Federal Aviation Administration website at 6.50AM ET said that the airline grounded all flights nationwide. An FAA update posted at 7.50AM ET has since announced that the nationwide groundstop has been canceled.
The airline hasn’t given any details on what caused the technical issues.
“We’re currently experiencing a technical issue with all American Airlines flights,” American Airlines said in a statement on X before flights resumed. “Your safety is our utmost priority, once this is rectified, we’ll have you safely on your way to your destination.”
Developing...
Update, December 24th: American Airlines flights have now resumed nationwide.
An Indian movie, loved abroad, is snubbed at home for Oscar submission
All We Imagine as Light explores the lives of working-class women in Mumbai and won the Grand Prix at Cannes. But it was deemed not Indian enough to submit to the Oscars.
This solid aluminum keyboard costs as much as a MacBook Pro
Image: Serene Industries
If statement keyboards are your thing and you have some serious cash to burn, you should check out this brutalist flagship offering from Serene Industries. The Icebreaker is a wedge-shaped mechanical keyboard constructed from a single block of CNC-machined aluminum, featuring hot-swappable aluminum keycaps with configurable RGB backlighting.
Preorders are available now, with pricing starting at $1,500 for the wired version. A Bluetooth wireless and a wired version with magnetic hall effect switches are also available for $1,600 — the same price as a new 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro. The keyboard base comes in two colors — clear or black — with the latter option costing an additional $500. Serene Industries hasn’t provided an ETA on delivery, but says production will begin when pre-orders close on January 28th.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25804409/Icebreaker_keyboard_main.jpg)
Image: Serene Industries
The design is very striking if you like a Cybertruck kinda vibe.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25804410/Icebreaker_keyboard_hed.jpg)
Image: Serene Industries
The keycaps appear lightly textured, alongside being ergonomically shaped for fingertips.
The Icebreaker comes in a 65 percent layout and measures 450 x 44 x 24mm (around 17.7 x 1.7 x 0.9 inches). It sports a configurable integrated EC11 rotatory dial, dual silicone dampeners to help reduce noise and vibrations, and a 4,000 mAh battery that supports a battery life of around three months according to Serene Industries. The specifications don’t mention how much the keyboard weighs or what “full height” switches it comes with. We’ve asked Serene Industries to clarify and will update this piece if we hear back.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25804411/Icebreaker_keyboard_side_profiles.jpg)
Image: Serene Industries
Here’s a look at the Icebreaker’s rear and side profiles, showing its aggressive wedge-shaped.
There’s also premium features like “micro-perforations” on each keycap to allow the LED backlight to shine through, and 1/4-20 inch mounting points — three on the USB-C port face, and four at the base — for users to attach accessories like tripod mounts, monitor arms, or…axe handles.
The design was partly inspired by the Flatiron Building in New York City, according to Serene Industries founder Denis Agarkov. When the Icebreaker was first announced in January 2024, Agarkov told Null Society that he aimed “to create a keyboard that goes against the prevailing trends, adopting a more distinctive and challenging design.” It’s certainly an expensive conversation starter for any keyboard collectors who want something more niche than your typical DIY kits.
Inside a secret Ukrainian drone command post, where Russian soldiers are seen as prey
NPR visits a secret drone command center near the front lines in eastern Ukraine, where crews are using remote-controlled aircraft to hunt Russian soldiers on the battlefield.
Reblogged by kornel ("Kornel"):
Natasha_Jay@tech.lgbt ("NatashaJ 🇪🇺") wrote:
The perfect gift for a cat this Xmas
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- A cartoon of a cat and a dog standing by a Christmas themed gift bag, red with a green Xmas tree on it. The cat asks the dog "This bag is empty, did you just get me an empty bag?" The dog replies "Yes" In the second frame of the cartoon the cat has climbed in the bag and, to the dog, says "I love it so much" (remote)
Meet the Plant Hacker Creating Flowers Never Seen (or Smelled) Before
This story was originally published by Wired and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Sebastian Cocioba’s clapboard house on Long Island doesn’t look much like a cutting-edge plant biology lab. Then you step inside and peer down the hallway to see a small nook with just enough standing room for a single scientist. The workshop is stuffed […]
Meet the Plant Hacker Creating Flowers Never Seen (or Smelled) Before
This story was originally published by WIRED and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Sebastian Cocioba’s clapboard house on Long Island doesn’t look much like a cutting-edge plant biology lab. Then you step inside and peer down the hallway to see a small nook with just enough standing room for a single scientist. The workshop is stuffed […]
Daojoan ("JA Westenberg") wrote:
If I ever do a ted talk I respectfully request that I be taken to the vet to be put down
splattne ("Stefan Plattner") wrote:
@codinghorror I remember. Also, this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Rich
How to protect yourself from AI scams this holiday season
Generative AI is making it easier for fraudsters to dupe people, now more than ever. Protect yourself from scams this holiday season with these five tips.
In a year of tough news, these are some of the stories that made us smile in 2024
Whether we were paying attention or not, 2024 was filled with good news. In case you weren't, NPR's member stations have been keeping track. Here are some of the stories that made us smile this year.
2024 will be the hottest year on record, even hotter than expected
It's looking like 2024 will be the hottest year since record-keeping began, unseating 2023 for the top spot. Climate change is playing a role, and scientists say it was even hotter than expected.
Here are two seismic changes pushing Honda and Nissan into merger talks
The two major Japanese automakers are discussing a merger. Here is what to know, from the reasons why they are doing this to how it could impact you.
Drug lord is deported to Colombia and walks free after 20 years in U.S. prisons
One of Colombia's legendary drug lords and a key operator of the Medellin cartel has been deported back to the South American country, after serving 25 years of a 30-year prison sentence in the U.S.
Reblogged by jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein"):
Strandjunker@mstdn.social ("Andrea Junker :verified:") wrote:
The House Ethics Committee report on Matt Gaetz is everything Republicans dreamed Hunter Biden’s laptop would be.
Reblogged by jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein"):
QasimRashid ("Qasim Rashid, Esq.") wrote:
Trump posits invading other nations & CNN frames it as "Suggested a territorial expansion?" What?!
It is no wonder people are tired of corporate legacy media and their whitewashing of dictatorship. (CNN ratings are down 52% btw).
Subscribe to read my piece on this fascism later this week: www.qasimrashid.com/subscribe
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jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
playing around with including 3D in pages... https://arghstudios.com:50433/testScene.html
slightlyoff@toot.cafe ("Alex Russell") wrote:
For folks looking to do the same:
DNA Lounge Update, Wherein we'd like a hero to buy us new toilets
https://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/2024/12/23.html
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jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
introducing Neil Young: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on Jun 4, 1970
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jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
live is best with “Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young” (Jun 4, 1970)
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Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says
The 78-year-old former president was hospitalized "for testing and observation" after developing a fever, his deputy chief of staff said in a statement.
Marriott and Starwood hotels will have to get better at data security
A Marriott Hotel in Germany. | Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images
The Federal Trade Commission announced on Friday it finalized an order (pdf) requiring Marriott International and subsidiary Starwood Hotels to improve their digital security, reports BleepingComputer. The FTC charged the companies with lax security practices that resulted in three big breaches detected in 2015, 2018, and 2020, “affecting more than 344 million customers worldwide,” leaking passport details, payment cards, and other info.
The shortest breach lasted 14 months before it was detected, while the longest one saw attackers maintain access for four years, starting in 2018. The beefed-up security programs they've agreed to establish include creating policies to only keep information for as long as it’s needed and publishing a link allowing US customers to request the deletion of information tied to their email address or loyalty account.
Hotels have been one of many key targets for hackers, with one breach last year catching FTC Chair Lina Khan among the many people left waiting to check in when a ransomware attack forced MGM Resorts to fall back on using pen and paper.
The FTC announced its charges in October, accusing the companies of having “deceived consumers” with false claims of “reasonable and appropriate data security.” Their alleged failures included having bad password and firewall practices and not patching outdated software and systems. The same day the FTC revealed the charges, the Connecticut Attorney General’s office announced Marriott had agreed to a $52 million settlement.
Beyond improving their security, the companies are now forbidden “from misrepresenting how they collect, maintain, use, delete or disclose consumers’ personal information; and the extent to which the companies protect the privacy, security, availability, confidentiality, or integrity of personal information.” Other requirements include that they keep compliance records and submit to FTC inspections. The order will stay in effect for 20 years.
fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
The meaning of Luigi’s Fresh Taper cut fade | toureshow (IG Reels):
"This is a jailhouse message that he [Luigi Mangione] is cared for, he is protected, he is respected within that inmate class […] this is the kind of guy that the other prisoners are rooting for."
Thought it would be pertinent to shed some light on who makes up the “inmate class,” and the lengths Pennsylvania cops will take to lock up ... https://micro.fromjason.xyz/2024/12/23/the-meaning-of-luigis-fresh.html