Finland detains Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea
Finnish authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia that Finnish customs officials and the European Union's executive commission describe as part of Russia's shadow fleet of fuel tankers.
ami_angelwings@urusai.social ("Ami Angelwings") wrote:
we should have never taught corporations how to use the internet should have just lied to them and said "the internet is down" whenever they wanted to learn
Richard Parsons, who steadied Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76
Parsons, one of corporate America's most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup, was known as a skilled negotiator, a diplomat and a crisis manager.
fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
Dexter: Original Sin
They won’t be happy until every last fan hates the show, will they? Let it go, I beg you.
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Reblogged by fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻"):
sonder@xoxo.zone ("susan") wrote:
added a dog button: https://bysusanlin.com/#contact
Attachments:
pzmyers@octodon.social ("pzmyers 🦑") wrote:
Nicky F is facing the consequences of his actions, while Laura L is having a jealous snit. How fun.
https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2024/12/26/i-am-quite-enjoying-the-chaos-on-the-right/
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Here’s how many people tuned into Netflix’s Christmas Day NFL games
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Netflix says it had a big audience for its live NFL games on Christmas Day, with Nielsen ratings designating them “the most-streamed NFL games in US history.” The Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers notched a 24.1M AMA (average minute audience), while the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens hit 24.3M AMA, totaling nearly 65 million total viewers.
Though Netflix buckled under the weight of the more than 60 million households that tuned into the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul last month, its systems mostly held up during the two NFL games and star-studded performances from Mariah Carey and Beyoncé.
Netflix has also confirmed it will add a standalone replay of the “Beyoncé Bowl” halftime performance to the service later this week after it registered 27 million live viewers — the game’s peak viewership. Now, the league’s broadcast deal will keep Christmas Day games on Netflix for at least the next two years.
The NBA, which has traditionally aired basketball without competition from the NFL on the holiday, said that despite the competing Netflix broadcasts, its slate of games delivered the “most-watched Christmas Day in five years, averaging 5.25 million viewers per game in the U.S.” All five games up year-over-year, with viewership overall up 84 percent from 2023.
On Wednesday, the NFL offered a preliminary glimpse at viewership, saying the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers had already become the second most popular live title on Netflix and that one-third of Netflix’s viewers at the time were watching that game.
Hertz is asking EV renters if they want to keep it, permanently
Some EVs in stock on the Hertz Car Sales site. | Screenshot: The Verge
Hertz has contacted multiple electric vehicle renters recently with interesting low-cost offers for cars like Teslas, offering them the option to buy their rental EVs instead of returning them. One 2023 Model 3 renter shared on Reddit that they were offered a price of $17,913, which is similar to deals currently showing on the Hertz Car Sales site. However, the rental they were in had about 30,000 miles on it — fewer than other current listings.
Another renter was offered a 2023 Chevy Bolt for $18,442, while a Polestar 2 renter says they saw a $28,500 purchase price. The used cars come with a limited 12-month, 12,000-mile powertrain warranty and a buy-back offer within 7 days.
Asked by The Verge if this was a special offer for EVs or a typical offer for Hertz’s used cars, _c_ommunications director Jamie Line confirmed the strategy isn’t new, saying, _“_By connecting our rental customers who opt into our emails to our sales channels, we’re not only building awareness of the fact that we sell cars but also offering a unique opportunity to someone who may be in the market for the same car they have on rent.”
Last year, Hertz decided to scale back its big ambitions to electrify its rental fleet due to low customer demand and repair difficulties on some models, including the Tesla Model 3. Then, in February, Hertz said it would no longer buy Polestar 2 vehicles either before marking 30,000 Teslas to sell off from its rental fleet.
Biden is expected to announce new asylum rules for migrants at the border
President Biden is expected to issue an executive order Tuesday that would greatly reduce the number of asylum-seekers allowed into the country.
French authorities indict Telegram founder Pavel Durov on multiple charges
Charges against the CEO of Telegram mark one of the few instances where the head of a major internet platform has been charged over alleged criminal failure to moderate what users do on its site.
Fans Debate If These Are The First Pictures Of The Switch 2 Or Just Elaborate AI-Generated Fakes
Earlier this month, an anonymous Reddit user popped up with claims of having seen a Switch 2 model firsthand. The Verge and others found him to be a potentially credible source, but fans eager for morsels of information about Nintendo’s long-awaited next console had to settle for mere written descriptions. Now that…
The 'Beyoncé Bowl' halftime show was a massive hit for Netflix. The football was too
Netflix says more than 200 countries tuned into the "Beyoncé Bowl" and its two NFL games. We may just be starting to learn what that ultimately means for the future of television and sports media.
Fantasian Neo Dimension Is The Perfect Throwback To Final Fantasy's Golden Years
My life changed when I first played Final Fantasy VII in the late ‘90s. The narrative-focused RPG chronicling the struggle of misfit adventurers on a quest to save the world held my attention like little else. Its slow-burn story told through text boxes on pre-rendered backgrounds, all backed by a soaring melodic…
The best smartwatches for Android
Photo illustration by William Joel / The Verge
Wear OS is much better than it used to be, so there’s never been a better time to consider a smartwatch.
A weird Windows 11 bug won’t let some people install any security updates
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
Microsoft is warning users that some manually made Windows 11 installer media could contain a bug where new PC installs may not get future security updates. It affects USB and CD installers made with October and November release patches, which may be relevant to professional users who set up PCs within business or education environments, or enthusiasts who recently built their own PCs.
Microsoft published the bug in its known issues page for Windows 11 (version 24H2):
When using media to install Windows 11, version 24H2, the device might remain in a state where it cannot accept further Windows security updates. This occurs only when the media is created to include the October 2024, or November 2024, security updates as part of the installation (these updates were released between October 8, 2024 and November 12, 2024).
This does not affect PCs that received the October or November patches through Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
Mitigating the problem will require you to rebuild your Windows 11 media installers with the December 2024 patch update included (released on December 10th) and reinstall Windows. (To avoid it altogether, Microsoft suggests that “that media used to install Windows 11, version 24H2, includes the December 2024 monthly security update.”) Microsoft says it’s working on a permanent fix.
Bleeping Computer reported that Windows 11 24H2 also had other bugs in tow, including problems with specific audio devices, issues launching Outlook with an outdated Google Workspace Sync, and others. There was also that weird 24H2 compatibility issue with some Ubisoft games, which are slowly receiving fixes.
Squid Game Season 2's Five Biggest Changes From Season 1 Will Shock You
After more than three years of waiting, today the new season of Squid Game is finally on Netflix for our masochistic viewing pleasure. After season one ended with Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), also known as Player 456, choosing to search for the people behind the game instead of boarding a flight to Los Angeles to reconnect…
Bird flu has killed 20 big cats including cougars at a U.S. wildlife sanctuary
The sanctuary in Washington state said it was working with officials to determine the cause of the outbreak, which has killed over half of its cats in recent weeks.
mikemccaffrey@pdx.social ("Mike McCaffrey :pdx_badge:") wrote:
Lovely how federal agencies (while still under the direction of the feckless Democrats) are spending their time punishing states for giving residents too much food.
So sorry that #Oregon didn't properly check that people were completely destitute before giving them a snack.
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Reblogged by keul@fosstodon.org ("Luca Fabbri"):
mikarv@someone.elses.computer ("Michael Veale") wrote:
Hewlett Packard report that they are spotting AI-generated malware in the wild, not through complex analysis or watermarking, but because… it is weirdly well-commented. https://threatresearch.ext.hp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/HP_Wolf_Security_Threat_Insights_Report_September_2024.pdf
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- Interestingly, when we analyzed the VBScript and the JavaScript, we were surprised to find that the code was not obfuscated. In fact, the attacker had left comments throughout the code, describing what each line does even for simple functions. Genuine code comments in malware are rare because attackers want to their make malware as difficult to understand as possible. Based on the scripts’ structure, consistent comments for each function and the choice of function names and variables, we think it’s highly likely that the attacker used GenAI to develop these scripts (T1588.007). The activity shows how GenAI is accelerating attacks and lowering the bar for cybercriminals to infect endpoints. (remote)
- Code with French language commentary for even simple functions, such as a sleep(5000) function annotated with ‘Pause pour permettre l'arrêt du processus’ (remote)
The best fitness trackers to buy right now
Photo illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
From simple fitness bands and rugged sports watches to rings, these are the best trackers you can get.
Israel strikes Houthi targets in Yemen's capital. WHO chief says he was nearby
A round of Israeli airstrikes targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital and multiple ports. The head of the World Health Organization said the bombardment occurred as he prepared to board a flight.
The best deals on MacBooks right now
Apple’s newer M4 Macs are starting to dip in price. | Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge
Apple currently sells MacBooks equipped with its own M-series chips in a wide range of sizes and price points. It discontinued the M1 MacBook Air to make room for the latest models, but some retailers are still selling the last-gen laptop starting at $649 — a far cry from the $2,499 starting price of the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro. Purchasing a new MacBook can certainly be a pricey endeavor, but thankfully, finding a deal on more recent models is actually not that difficult. Apple has recently shaken up the starting RAM for several models, creating more options than ever before and resulting in steeper discounts on older models.
Although Macs may not experience perpetual discounts, it’s not uncommon to see various models discounted by as much as $400. Alternatively, purchasing refurbished options directly from Apple is another way to save money without waiting for the changing deal winds to blow your way. It’s also the only option to find certain SKUs of older models as Apple continues to move forward on newer releases. Apple’s refurbished store provides a one-year warranty on all products and generally offers discounts of up to 15 to 20 percent off the price of a new unit.
But if you want to buy new and you’re looking to save whatever you can, here are the best MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini deals available.
The best MacBook Air deals
M1 MacBook Air
TheM1 MacBook Air was considered Apple’s entry-level laptop before the M3 model’s arrival prompted Apple to stop selling it directly in its online and brick-and-mortar stores. But while the redesigned M2 version of the MacBook Air (which has been with us for a while as well) seems poised to take over as the top value choice, the 2020 version with an M1 processor and fanless design remains available at some retailers as a solid budget option. It’s best suited for typical productivity work, with a comfortable keyboard, an excellent trackpad, and all-day battery life. For many people, the M1 Air still ticks the right boxes when it comes to performance and price, even if it’s long enough in the tooth to have been fully dethroned in our guide to the best laptops.
The base MacBook Air with the M1 chip comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It’s becoming harder to find in new condition, but Walmart has committed to keeping it around for the foreseeable future and is currently discounting it to $649 ($350 off) — a special sale price that’s hung around since the retailer ran its counter-Prime Day promotions in July. The M1 Air may be a few years old now, but it’s still hard to beat in terms of value, especially when it comes to everyday performance and battery life.
M2 MacBook Air
The M2 MacBook Air is a super slim, lightweight laptop with a 1080p webcam and a handy magnetic charger that frees up one of its two USB-C ports. Although its M2 processor didn’t kick-start a revolution like the M1 generation, it’s a great performer for any user, including more demanding creatives.
It does have some slight downsides, though, including slower storage in the base 256GB configuration and a notch cutout in its otherwise excellent screen. But even so, Apple hasn’t offered a more travel-friendly laptop since the days of the polarizing 12-inch MacBook, and this prior-gen model was once good enough to top our list of the best laptops.
The M2-powered MacBook Air 13 from 2022 seems to be on its way out, with availability for the 15-inch version waning. But, outside of opting for the newer M3 models (see further below), you can at least get the 13-inch M2 model with 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and an eight-core GPU at Amazon for $924 ($75 off). You can also get the same model with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for its record low of $899.99 ($300 off) at Amazon with an on-page coupon; however, that’s a significant premium for a configuration that offers less RAM than the base model.
If you’re looking for a bigger display, Best Buy is still selling a 15-inch MacBook Air M2 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for $1,499 ($400 off). Again, keep in mind that Apple now sells the 15-inch M2 Air with an upgraded 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $1,299.
M3 MacBook Air
The M1 Air and its wedge had to perish for the M3 MacBook Air to exist. Apple’s updated entry-level laptops arrived in both 13- and 15-inch variants simultaneously this time, bringing with them slightly faster performance and a slate of minor upgrades. Apple added Wi-Fi 6E, for one, along with an additional Thunderbolt port that allows you to use two external displays when the lid is closed. They also continue to offer 18 hours of battery life and a MagSafe charging port, though the M3 Air starts at a slightly higher price than its predecessor at $1,099. That said, Apple recently discontinued the M3 MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM and now considers the 16GB / 256GB model as the starting configuration.
Right now, the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air in its original base 8-core GPU / 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD configuration is going for $799 ($300 off) at B&H Photo. The new entry-level model starts with 16GB RAM and 256GB of storage, however, and that one is on sale at Amazon and B&H Photo for $999 ($100 off). You can also find a $200 discount on the 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD model with a 10-core GPU, which drops it to $1,099 in select colors at Amazon and B&H Photo.
As for the 15-inch MacBook Air M3, you can currently grab it with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $1,199 ($100 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo. You can also get it in the 16GB / 512GB configuration at Amazon and B&H Photo starting at $1,299 ($200 off).
The best MacBook Pro deals
During its “Scary Fast” event last year, Apple announced new MacBook Pros that use M3 processors — including a new 14-inch model that replaced the 13-inch M2 model. Apple followed the M3 models up with M4-based machines in October, and we’re already starting to see the discounts on them. That being said, the last-gen M3 models are often the better bargain, as they’re still relatively easy to find and receive steeper discounts.
M3 and M3 Pro MacBook Pro
The entry point into the MacBook Pro world is a MagSafe-equipped MacBook Pro that uses the existing 14-inch design and slightly pares it down. The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro has the same 3024 x 1964 resolution display and 120Hz refresh rate as its pricier siblings, and in addition to a MagSafe charging port, it has an SD card slot and HDMI port. However, it starts with just 8GB of RAM and lacks the third USB-C / Thunderbolt port found on the M3 Pro and M3 Max models (as well as Thunderbolt 4 speeds).
The M3 MacBook Pro may be a bit of an odd middle child in some ways, but it’s still a very good laptop — especially if you can find a deal that puts more price distance between the M3 model and the M3 Pro version. Availability for the base model with 8GB and 512GB of storage seems to be waning as Apple standardizes 16GB of RAM across its lineup, though, thankfully, you can still find various configurations on sale, including one with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage at B&H Photo for $1,349 ($450 off). The 8GB / 1TB model is going for $1,399 ($200 off) atBest Buy. Best Buy is also selling the step-up configuration with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for $1,499 ($200 off), and you can get it with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage from B&H Photo for $1,699 ($600 off).
The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros of late 2023 are another round of spec-bump models, much like their previous 2022 incarnations. Now starting with the M3 Pro chip (or the speedier M3 Max) and 18GB of base RAM instead of 16GB, the new models remain targeted at creatives doing content work like video editing, photo processing, and other graphical work. Like their predecessors and the M1 Pro generation before that, they offer MagSafe charging, three USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI-out, and a full-size SD card slot, with prices starting at $1,999 for the 14-inch and $2,499 for the 16-inch. You can, of course, spec them up the wazoo if you’re willing to pay more, as exhibited by the review unit Apple sent us of the 16-inch model, which cost an eye-watering $7,199.
But rest assured, versions that actual humans buy now receive regular discounts. For instance, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro (11-core CPU / 14-core GPU), 18GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD is going for $1,599 ($400 off) at B&H Photo. It was $500 off not long ago, making the current discount good but not that good. As for the base 16-inch Pro — which comes with an M3 Pro chip, 18GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD — it’s on sale starting at $1,999 ($400 off) at Best Buy.
M4 and M4 Pro MacBook Pro
Apple released the M4-series MacBook Pro on November 8th. Notably, the base 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro is the first to launch with 16GB of RAM — double the previous generation’s starting memory — and 512GB of storage for the same $1,599 starting price as the last-gen model. It also picks up a third Thunderbolt 4 port, which is positioned on the right side and supports dual external monitors while the lid is opened. Also new this year is an upgraded 12-megapixel webcam that supports Center Stage and a new Desk View feature, plus the option to add a nano-texture display for an extra $150. It’s also available in space black.
The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips also received additional RAM, bringing them up to 24GB. They start with 512GB of storage, too, and retail for $1,999 and $2,499, respectively. While the total port selection hasn’t changed compared to their respective M3 Pro and M3 Max counterparts, you’ll get faster Thunderbolt 5 ports on these more substantial models. That’s in addition to the SD slot, dedicated full-sized HDMI port, and 3.5mm jack. They also have the upgraded 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam with Desk View and the optional nano-texture display option.
Deals for the M4 MacBook Pro have already started to roll in. Right now, for example, the base 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is down to $1,399 ($200 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo, which is $1 more than the all-time low. Meanwhile, the 24GB / 512GB variant with an M4 Pro chip (12-core CPU / 16-core GPU) is down to a record low $1,699 ($300 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo.
The base 16-inch MacBook Pro is also on sale with an M4 Pro chip, 24GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $2,249 ($250 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo, which is $50 more than the lowest price to date.
The best Mac Mini deals
There’s a new Mac Mini in town, as M4-based models arrived earlier this year. Apple increased the starting RAM from 8GB to 16GB, as it did with the 2024 MacBook Pro and 2024 iMac. That makes Apple’s newest desktop an excellent value, even if you factor in the more aggressive discounts we’ve recently seen on the M2 Mac Mini.
M2 and M2 Pro Mac Mini
The 2023 Mac Mini comes in a base configuration with Apple’s M2 processor or a more powerful configuration with the M2 Pro, both of which have proven to be some of Apple’s most value-packed computers to date. The M4 version is poised to take that crown, but the M2 Mac Mini is still kicking around and starts with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD for $599, while the M2 Pro model features a superior processor, gigabit ethernet, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $1,299.
The latter model also features an expanded port selection, from two USB-C ports to four. It’s almost like getting an M2 Pro-powered MacBook Pro 14 but in desktop form. However, keep in mind that buying any Mac Mini means you have to provide your own mouse, keyboard, and monitor. Right now, the base model with an M2 chip, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD is on sale for $499 ($100 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo.
M4 and M4 Pro Mac Mini
Deals on the last-gen Mac Mini are still available, sure, but we’re also starting to see discounts on the newest models. The M4 Mac Mini starts with an M4 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for $599. That’s an incredible value for a tiny desktop computer that can rival the Mac Studio and Mac Pro when it comes to certain tasks, including light gaming, 4K video editing, and 3D modeling. Vertically, the M4 Mac Mini is a fair bit thicker than the M2 model at 2 inches tall, yet it measures a mere 5 inches wide and 5 inches deep.
In addition to the odd decision to place the power button on its underside, Apple moved the 3.5mm headphone jack and two of its five USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 ports to the front. The rear features an additional three thunderbolt ports, HDMI-out, and a gigabit ethernet port. You can also get the Mac Mini with an M4 Pro chipset starting at $1,399, which comes with faster Thunderbolt 5 storage and the option to upgrade to 10-gigabit ethernet for another $100.
Right now, you can get the base Mac Mini at Amazon with an M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD for $579.99 (about $19 off). Stepping up to the version with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, meanwhile, will currently run you $699 ($100 off) at Amazon. The M4 Pro model is also a bit cheaper at Amazon, where you can pick it up for $1,339 ($60 off).
ChatGPT is down
Image: The Verge
ChatGPT isn’t working for many users right now. With numerous reports on social media, we also confirmed that the chatbot loads but isn’t able to respond to queries, while others are seeing an “internal server error” message.
It looks like the outage started around 1:30PM ET, which is when reports began to spike on Down Detector. At 2PM ET, OpenAI posted an update to its status page, saying ChatGPT, the API, and its text-to-video generator Sora are “currently experiencing high error rates.” An update posted at 2:18PM ET said the issue is “caused by an upstream provider” and that OpenAI is currently monitoring the situation.
At 3:06PM ET, OpenAI said it’s “continuing to work on a fix.” There’s no mention of an ETA for when access will be restored.
ChatGPT has gone down a few times in the past several months. Just days after OpenAI released Sora to ChatGPT subscribers earlier this month, the video generation tool and ChatGPT went down for hours. Meanwhile, a widespread outage affecting AI tools brought down ChatGPT in June.
Update, December 26th: Added an update from OpenAI.
Indiana Jones And The Great Circle: How To Solve The ‘Father And Son’ Mystery
If you’re a fan of the Indiana Jones films, you won’t want to miss “Father and Son,” a well-hidden optional objective in Great Circle’s Vatican City. It does require you to go a little out of your way, but you’ll be rewarded with an exclusive Adventure Book, a couple of Field Notes, and a small callback to the third In…
Reblogged by jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein"):
davidgerard@circumstances.run ("David Gerard") wrote:
Tesla pushed a firmware update to Cybertrucks on the Monday right before Christmas and bricked a pile of them
https://www.cybertruckownersclub.com/forum/threads/update-2024-45-25-5-bricked-my-truck.33125/
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
"No person shall... hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."
Wallace & Gromit Creator Says No Way To A Disney-Like Live-Action Remake
Over the last few years, we’ve seen a lot of live-action remakes of popular animated movies. Will Wallace & Gromit ever get a Disney-like live-action remake movie? The duo’s creator has a simple answer: “NOOOOO.”
Reblogged by jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein"):
kevinrothrock@infosec.exchange ("Kevin Rothrock") wrote:
Finally, an enjoyably silly-stupid news story from Russia: Mayor enrages town by dressing Lenin and Catherine the Great monuments in Father Frost and Snow Maiden holiday costumes
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jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
Today in History: DPMA founded, 1951
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
Today in History: Chas. Babbage born, 1791
fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
What’s The Point Freestyle (YouTube) by B For Better—a cutting freestyle about the dark side of drug dealing and toxic masculinity reminiscent of “Suicidal Thoughts” by the Notorious B.I.G.
I can’t stop listening to it:
"How we go around murderin' then be shocked when n_ die?
Like what’s the point? Are we down with catching bodies, or we not?" https://youtu.be/xQGhK6U2Vc0
Beat Marvel Rivals’ Toxicity With The Power Of Silence
Teamwork in Marvel Rivals is essential. Coordinating with your teammates to devise a strategy for the perfect Ace kill is a great way to play, and both voice and text chat make that easier. Of course, sometimes you don’t want to listen to the occasional toxic jerk or someone unaware their microphone is on. Muting…
Reblogged by keul@fosstodon.org ("Luca Fabbri"):
filippodb@mastodon.uno (":fedora: filippodb :cc: :gnu:") wrote:
Wikipedia è un problema per Musk/Trump perché è uno degli ultimi legami affidabili con una realtà condivisa, quindi un antidoto alla disinformazione.
Non fa guadagnare nessuno e naturalmente, come mastodon, non è perfetto - sono imprese di esseri umani imperfetti che cooperano. Ma hanno entrambi bisogno di protezione e sostegno.
Elon ha twittato “non fate donazioni a wokepedia” così sono corso subito su Wikipedia e ho fatto una piccola donazione.
E Buon Natale a tutto #Mastodon e a #Wikipedia!
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New Game Is Basically LittleBigPlanet 4
The LittleBigPlanet franchise effectively died earlier this year when Sony took down the servers for and later delisted LBP3. But a group of self-described “hobbyists” are working on Restitched, a game that will likely be just what some sad LBP fans are missing. And a new trailer for it arrived as a last-minute…
Giving a kidney to a stranger? Researchers call it 'extraordinary altruism'
Only about 300 to 400 people a year give a kidney to someone they never met. It's an act of generosity so unusual, a neuroscientist studies the people who do this.
Manmohan Singh, India's prime minister from 2004 to 2014, has died
Singh was known as the father of economic reforms in India. He served as finance minister in the early 1990s, and his policies then set India on the path of economic liberalization and globalization.
Reblogged by fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻"):
retr0id@retr0.id ("David Buchanan") wrote:
hello welcome to my tutorial on how the JPEG file format works
Attachments:
- An edited version of the "how to draw an owl" meme. The title is "How to encode a JPEG of an owl". The first step is labeled "get some of these thingies", with a visualisation of the 2D cosine basis of the discrete cosine transform (a common sight in explainer articles). The second part is labeled "encode the rest of the fucking owl" (with the original and detailed owl picture above) (remote)
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
this bus-stop poster campaign by ‘Standing Together’ is A Good Thing
https://mcusercontent.com/0a47ce0c4473e8015e074c3c5/images/0d978ca1-011e-2b1b-03dc-886e8701c4d2.jpeg
Investigation begins into the cause of the Azerbaijan Airlines crash
Azerbaijan observed a day of mourning for the victims of the plane crash that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured as speculation mounted about a possible cause of the disaster.
Samsung will let you disable annoyingly-bright HDR content across all apps
Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge
Loading up HDR photos and videos can be a great way of showcasing the fancy display on your new phone and testing just how bright it can get. But sometimes, especially at night, you might not want your screen to crank into overdrive with blinding highlights just because someone posted a random video to Instagram in HDR. (Devices are increasingly set to capture video with the increased dynamic range by default, so let’s not blame each other.)
With its forthcoming One UI 7 update that’s currently in beta, Samsung is giving Galaxy phone owners a system-wide kill switch for disabling HDR content. As covered by 9to5Google, there’s a new “Super HDR” toggle in the settings menu.
The description — “automatically adjust the display to show the full range of colors and contrast in pictures taken with Galaxy devices” — is a bit misleading, since it turns out that toggling this on will keep your display brightness in check across all apps. But that’s exactly the end result that I’d want.
On the iPhone side, Apple currently has no such setting that’s specific to HDR. It’s possible to avoid HDR content by enabling low power mode on your iPhone, but doing so makes a ton of other system changes that might be overkill.
If you’re looking for a reprieve from HDR on Instagram in particular, you can disable it in the app’s settings in the “media quality” section. (I take credit for this after complaining about the issue a couple years ago.) That only applies to iOS, though. The option doesn’t exist on Android, which makes Samsung’s new toggle all the more useful.
pzmyers@octodon.social ("pzmyers 🦑") wrote:
Evolutionary psychology and racism go together like peanut butter and chocolate.
https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2024/12/26/have-your-genes-been-pacified/
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Eddy Cue explains why Apple won’t make a search engine
Illustration: The Verge
Apple senior VP of services Eddy Cue says Apple will not create a search engine to compete with Google as it “would cost billions of dollars and take many years,” as recorded in a motion to intervene filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday. The purpose of the motion is to participate in the penalty phase of the DOJ’s antitrust case against Google, where as much as $20 billion could be at stake for Apple in its ongoing default search engine deal with Google.
The DOJ and Google have disagreed on how to address Google’s monopoly on general-purpose search engines, but both parties have tentatively accepted cutting or renegotiating its Apple partnership. Last week Google proposed a three-year ban on strict long-term exclusivity deals involving any ”proprietary Apple feature or functionality.”
Cue warns that removing the search deal would ultimately hurt Apple and benefit Google:
If this Court prohibits Google from sharing revenue for search distribution, Apple would have two unacceptable choices. It could still let users in the United States choose Google as a search engine for Safari, but Apple could not receive any share of the resulting revenue, so Google would obtain valuable access to Apple's users at no cost. Or Apple could remove Google Search as a choice on Safari. But because customers prefer Google, removing it as an option would harm both Apple and its customers.
As reported by MacRumors, Cue said Apple making its own general search engine would be “economically risky” and suggests AI chatbots are the next big evolution to search. Apple also noted in the filing that it would have to adopt targeted advertising as a core service to make search viable, which would fit badly with its privacy-focused business model.
Cue also says that “only Apple can speak to what kinds of future collaborations can best serve its users” and warns that the DOJ’s proposed remedies would “hamstring” Apple from fulfilling its customers’ needs.
The 2TB WD_Black C50 expansion card for Xbox Series X/S hits record low $190
WD_Black Xbox expansion cards still sport the brand’s trademark rugged exterior, only in a much tinier form. | Image: Western Digital
If you’ve just unwrapped a new Xbox Series X or Series S for Christmas, you’ll have enough storage out of the box to download several games. But you’ll quickly feel the squeeze from 100GB-plus installs, especially if you tend to keep a heavy rotation. Expansion cards are your only relief on Xbox consoles if you’re playing titles optimized for Series X/S. Thankfully, you can get a 2TB expansion card cheaper than ever, with Western Digital’s WD_Black C50 going for $189.99 ($70 off) at Amazon. You can also get it in 512GB for $69.99 ($10 off) and 1TB for $109.99 ($48 off). That said, the 2TB model is the better deal in the long run.
Because the Series X and Series S use a proprietary storage format, you can’t use an external SSD, an internal NVMe SSD (as you could on the PS5), or a standard external hard drive to play newer games that are optimized for those consoles. You can use those hard drives to store Series X/S games, but expansion cards like the C50 are the only ones you can actually play them from. That’s because they support the platform’s “velocity architecture,” which has a minimum speed requirement and uses unique hardware and software tricks to enable console features like Quick Resume, not to mention other benefits for developers. Anyway, you don’t need to be a computer science major to understand the bottom line: if you want more storage for your Series X/S games, you’ll need an expansion card.
A few more deals
- Now through December 31st, home decor brand Umbra is running a sitewide sale that takes 20 percent off most products in its store, including the Cono portable smart lamp we fell in love with at IFA last year that’s down to $76 ($19 off) at Umbra’s online store, for example. Sadly, the taller $130 “Cup” smart lamp with its convenient organizer for a base isn’t discounted, but the Cono is an intriguing tabletop RGB lamp with an X-shaped stand that lets you shine the light vertically or horizontally. As Nanoleaf helped create it, that’s the app you’ll use for manual remote control over Bluetooth. But because it’s also Matter-ready, you can use voice commands and set lighting schedules when it’s connected to a compatible smart home ecosystem.
- Although there’s a newer model with faster polling rates and USB-C charging, the original Logitech G Pro X Superlight is still one of the best gaming mice you can buy. It’s starting around $79.99 (50 percent off) right now at Amazon, Best Buy, and Woot, which is an all-time low price. Through December 29th, Woot is taking an extra $5 off with code LOGITECHFIVE. The Superlight is named for its 63-gram weight, but it drops some fan-favorite features to get there, such as RGB, dedicated DPI buttons, and a weighted scroll wheel. However, you still get five programmable buttons (including two mounted on the left edge) and a 25,600 DPI Hero sensor that offers far more optical resolution than most gamers need. The mouse lasts up to 70 hours per charge, though it uses micro-USB for recharging.
- The Beats Pill is matching its all-time low of $99.95 ($50 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. Apple’s refreshed Bluetooth speaker updates the line with features like two-way USB-C charging and lossless audio. It also has native support for some iOS and Android features, including each operating system’s Find My feature and access to Siri and Google Assistant, but you can’t initiate either via voice. The speaker is built for extended outdoor outings, too, with a battery that lasts up to 24 hours per charge and IP67 protection against water and dust. Read our review.
Photos: Fishermen, known as 'Sea Nomads,' dive to protect ocean life in Madagascar
They make their living off the sea, but their catch is dwindling. So these traditional fisherfolk are taking steps to preserve both sea life — and their livelihood.
Riot Cofounder Defends Netflix League Of Legends Spinoff Arcane Being A $250 Million 'Financial Miss'
Anime steampunk spin-off Arcane just wrapped up its second and final season on Netflix. While the League of Legends show cost $250 million to produce and didn’t make that money back, Riot Games cofounder Marc Merrill now says the company still considers the show a success because of how much fans loved it.
LG’s new lamp puts a mini garden inside your home
Image: LG
LG has developed a new lamp that doubles as an indoor garden. The lamp, which LG will show off at CES in January, serves as an adjustable grow light for the tray of up to 20 plants beneath it, while also brightening up your room.
It has two different lighting modes: downward-facing lighting during the day that helps grow your plants, and upward-facing lighting at night to help brighten up your home. The lamp comes equipped with a 1.5-gallon water tank and “automatically dispenses the right amount of water and nutrients for the number and variety of plants being grown,” according to LG.
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Image: LG
LG made a side table-style grow light, too.
LG is also showing off a shorter, side table-style grow light at CES, which similarly puts a grow lamp above a bundle of plants. The devices are compatible with LG’s ThinQ app, letting you adjust light settings and manage cultivation schedules while you’re not at home.
This isn’t the first time LG has dabbled in creating indoor gardening technology. The company launched an indoor cultivator called the LG Tiiun in 2019, before following up with much more compact iterations. LG says its new lamp has a larger water capacity than its previous indoor planters, but it doesn’t mention any details about how much it will cost, or when it will actually ship.
Reblogged by jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein"):
SocraticEthics@mastodon.online ("Ukraine War Bulletins and News") wrote:
⚡️🇵🇱Polish PM Tusk slams Hungary’s Orban for collaborating with, and praising Putin amid Russian terrorist attacks in Ukraine on Christmas (more) https://kyivindependent.com/polish-pm-tusk-slams-hungarys-orban-for-praising-putin-amid-ukraine-attacks/ #Ukraine #NukesForUkraine #SouthKorea #Japan #Press #Taiwan #Media #Poland #NukesOrNATO #USA #US #UK #EU #NATO #News #UnitedStates #EuropeanUnion #UnitedKingdom #Hungary #russiaUkraineWar #10yrInvasionofUkraine
The best shows and movies on Netflix in 2024
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge
Here’s what to watch over the holidays in case all those live sports broadcasts don’t work out.
Reblogged by jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein"):
smolrobots ("small robots") wrote:
- Dreidelbot. A dreidel robot to help young ones learn about Chanukah. Can recite the story of the holiday and the miracle that started it. Chag Chanukah sameach! #SmallRobotsRemastered #FestivebotsRemastered
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jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
and that is the true beginning, children
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pzmyers@octodon.social ("pzmyers 🦑") wrote:
This photo of a clown at the wheel of a truck ought to have killed his presidency on its own. What a child.
https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2024/12/26/he-really-means-it/
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Reblogged by jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein"):
iramjohn ("Ian Ramjohn") wrote:
Happy Boxing Day, an important cat holiday.
On the first Boxing Day, Basht created the first box, and offered it to all the living creatures. Only one was smart enough to understand the gift, and promptly sat in it. As a reward for being so clever, Basht made her the ancestor of all the felids. Now every time a cat sees a box, they sit in in an act of remembrance and worship of ancestor whose name all cats know, but they don’t share with lesser beings.
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Christopher Nolan's Next Movie Is The Odyssey As Dads Everywhere Get Hyped For Epic Mythical Action
Christopher Nolan could make any movie he wants, and for his next project, he’s opted to make an adaptation of The Odyssey, the ancient Greek epic poem about the gods fucking with a war-weary guy by stranding him and his crew at sea for a decade as they fight to overcome cyclopes, sirens, and all manner of other…
Mourners mark 20 years since Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people
Triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the catastrophic event was the deadliest tsunami in recorded history.
Even Apple wasn’t able to make VR headsets mainstream in 2024
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images
Glasses may be more promising as the head-worn computers of the future — and there’s a chance Apple might be looking in that direction.
Apple’s Vision Pro headset is an incredible piece of technology, but even Apple’s design and marketing magic hasn’t been enough to convince many people to don a VR headset for an entire day. Instead, people seem more willing to use discreet wearables like Bluetooth headphones, smartwatches, and products like the Ray-Ban Meta glasses — so Apple’s headset isn’t making the waves the company would have wanted.
Of course, an instant transformation of the computing landscape wasn’t exactly the point of the Vision Pro. Apple was clearly launching its headset for Apple enthusiasts, first adopters, and people who love VR. At a starting price of $3,499, the barrier of entry was just too high to expect the device to be a hit from the jump. Even CEO Tim Cook called it an “early-adopter product.”
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Would you really want to wear this all day?
Nearly a year from launch, though, Apple hasn’t done enough to demonstrate why the Vision Pro should be a potential showcase of the future of computing. It’s taking a long time to put together its immersive content library, and while those are great demonstrations of what’s possible, the videos have been short and isolating. There aren’t many great games, either.
Yes, Apple keeps adding cool new software features. The wide and ultra widescreen settings for using a Mac display seem exceptionally useful. But those are pretty specific options for pretty specific use cases. There still isn’t an immediate, obvious reason to buy a Vision Pro the way there usually is with the company’s newest iPhones and Macs. If I bought a Vision Pro today, I wouldn’t know what to do with it besides give myself a bigger Mac screen or watch movies, and I don’t think either of those are worth the exorbitant price.
It seems Apple may have already acknowledged that the Vision Pro might not be the future, either. The company has reportedly scaled back production and focused efforts on a cheaper version of the headset (perhaps just called Apple Vision?).
If Apple still wants to make a splash in VR, the company might need to race to get its next product out the door. It can be argued that Meta has the best VR headsets and ecosystem on the market right now — and a very clear lineup for consumers to consider. Its most affordable offering is the $299 Quest 3S, which has the same chip as the $499 Quest 3, meaning you can access the same experiences across both headsets. The price difference between the two largely comes down to displays and storage, and I’d argue that the cheaper Quest 3S is an excellent VR headset for most people.
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The Meta Quest Pro, which launched at $1,499, was a flop.
But like the Vision Pro, Meta hasn’t really found a way to make its headsets much more than a great way to play VR games. The Quest Pro, which Meta pitched in part as a headset for work, was such a flop that the company discontinued it only two years after it launched. Horizon Worlds, the company’s 3D social network, still feels amateur and barren, despite the company’s efforts to make it a better place to hang out.
When I put on a Meta headset, I find that I just want to play games, either serious titles like Batman: Arkham Shadow or lighter fare like Maestro, where you conduct a virtual orchestra. I don’t care about the mixed reality features except to glance at my phone or computer screen to make a note or check notifications. You can make a pretty solid living selling game consoles, as Sony and Nintendo know very well, but it’s a far cry from the full-fledged computing platform Mark Zuckerberg once promised.
I just don’t know if any tech company is going to crack the code on how to make VR headsets anything but solo technology. Yes, you can use VR headsets to interact with other people over the internet. But putting on a VR headset at home means I can’t look my wife in the eye; if I’m going to look at a screen, I’d prefer to look at one that we can share or that I can easily put off to the side. And even if you’re fine with VR being mostly a solo thing, VR headsets don’t fit neatly into everyday life unless you have a good amount of space in your home for them. (And hopefully your controllers haven’t run out of battery power!)
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Maybe AR glasses are the way to go.
Perhaps that’s why glasses seem like a much more promising option for computers that you wear on your face. Augmented reality glasses have been an aspirational goal for a long time, and you can see why. It’s much easier to make eye contact with somebody while you’re wearing glasses. Meta may have already proved that the glasses form factor works: its relatively simple Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which have a camera, speakers, and look fashionable, are already a huge hit.
If glasses-equipped cameras do truly go mainstream, I have some concerns that I’ve already written about. But I also wrote about the immediate appeal of the tech: whenever I wear the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, I find myself snapping tons of photos because it’s so much fun to capture my point of view without holding up a phone. And because they look like regular glasses, I can walk around and most people will think that they’re glasses, unlike a VR headset, which just looks silly in public.
It seems that Apple might be eyeing computer glasses as well; the company reportedly launched an internal study about the market. I think even glasses with some basic tech would make way more sense for Apple than a VR headset, especially if they let you easily snap photos and listen to podcasts. These devices could be years off, though, meaning that, right now, Apple is stuck selling VR headsets that barely anyone wants.
The State Of Xbox And Game Pass In 2024
This was a really weird year for Xbox. You could argue that Microsoft’s gaming brand had an amazing year or that it had one of its worst, and either way I’d likely find myself nodding in agreement to most of your points.
Bluesky adds Trending topics to its arsenal
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge
As a special holiday treat, on December 25th, the social media app Bluesky announced that it has added a new feature to its mobile app: a list of Trending topics that lets you know what subjects are popular among its users.
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Screenshot: Bluesky
Bluesky now shows you its current Trends below the search bar.
The new feature can be found by selecting the search icon (the magnifying glass), which appears at the bottom of the screen on the mobile app and on the left sidebar on the web. Lists of Trending and Recommended subjects now appear below the search bar. Tap on any topic, and you will be able to access the associated posts. When I tried it, choices among the top five included Christmas and Nosferatu (not an unexpected selection of topics but an interesting juxtaposition).
If you’d rather not see the list, you can get rid of it via a small “x” in the upper right corner, or go to Settings > Content & Media and toggle off Enable trending topics.
According to the announcement, the new feature is “V1” (it is marked as a Beta on the app) and “we will be iterating with your feedback.” So if you have any objections to Trends appearing under your Bluesky search bar, let them know.
Honda and Nissan consider a merger. And, Russia's Christmas Day attack in Ukraine
Honda and Nissan are in talks over a merger as the auto industry sees two seismic changes. And, Russia violently attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Christmas Day.
How to navigate gift returns and regifting this holiday season
Etiquette experts weigh in on what to do with that ugly sweater you got for the holidays.
Bose SoundLink Home review: a speaker that’s all about looks
This Bluetooth speaker’s design is a breath of fresh air, but Bose skimped on some features that are usually standard at this price.
“Good tidings we bring…” 🎶
What in earth is “tidings”?
It means “news” and AFAICT “tiding” is related to “tide” which used to mean “time” and is cognate to German (die) Zeit (time) ➡️ (die) Zeitung ((news)paper)
Here are some of the NPR stories that had a big impact in 2024
From learning a new skill to prompting federal legislation, here are some of the ways people's lives were affected by the NPR Network's journalism this year.
Israeli strike kills 5 Palestinian journalists in Gaza, officials say
An Israeli strike killed five Palestinian journalists outside a hospital in the Gaza Strip overnight, according to the Health Ministry. The Israeli military said it had targeted a group of militants.
Hero of 2024: Ruthie, My Barber
The staff of Mother Jones is, once again, rounding up the heroes and monsters of the past year. Importantly, this is a completely non-exhaustive and subjective list, giving our reporters a chance to write about something that brought joy or discontent. Enjoy. For those of us who would be described in HR packets at progressive workplaces as “gender nonconforming” […]
Monster of 2024: Joe Biden
The staff of Mother Jones is, once again, rounding up the heroes and monsters of the past year. Importantly, this is a completely non-exhaustive and subjective list, giving our reporters a chance to write about something that brought joy or discontent. Enjoy. When was the 2024 presidential election really lost? Maybe you’d argue (though I […]
Bird Flu Is Sweeping Through Zoos
This story was originally published by the Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Dozens of rare animals including tigers, lions, and cheetahs are dying as bird flu infiltrates zoos, with potentially “grave implications” for endangered species, researchers have warned. As a growing number of zoos report animal deaths, scientists are concerned that […]
glent@aus.social ("Glen Turner") wrote:
Arrrgh. Wikipedia is not short of money. It is short of supporters, mostly because kindness and listening are not its organisational virtues, and so it tends to hack off the people who would otherwise support it the most effectively.
Eg: You are a world expert. You clarify some text in the entry of your expertise. I'd say it takes less than ten times of doing this before you swear off helping Wikipedia forever.
Reblogged by slightlyoff@toot.cafe ("Alex Russell"):
gabek@social.gabekangas.com ("Gabe Kangas") wrote:
A reminder that there are good guys out there. @dnalounge, a nightclub in San Francisco, shows this to its attendees every 15 seconds or so.
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Giving up alcohol for Dry January? Our newsletter can help you reach your goal
If your New Year's resolution is to drink less alcohol, Life Kit is here to help. Sign up for our Dry January newsletter series, and get tips and strategies to help you stay alcohol-free for a month.
Minn. Democratic party chair says his wins could help nationally after loss to Trump
Ken Martin helped turn around the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's finances and secure a streak of statewide wins for the party over 18 years. Now, he wants to do the same thing for the Democratic National Committee.
Remembering the actors, musicians, writers and artists we lost in 2024
Every year, we remember some of the writers, actors, musicians, filmmakers and performers who died over the past year, and whose lifetime of creative work helped shape our world.
100-plus cities in the U.S. banned homeless camping this year. But will it work?
The burst of new laws follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling, and reflects public frustration with record-high homelessness. But advocates say fines and jail time will only make the problem worse.
Popeye, Tintin and more will enter the public domain in the new year
The copyrights of thousands of 20th-century films, books, compositions and sound recordings expire on Jan. 1, making them free for anyone to share and adapt. Here are some of the highlights.
Hero of 2024: Dean Phillips, Kind of
The staff of Mother Jones is, once again, rounding up the heroes and monsters of the past year. Importantly, this is a completely non-exhaustive and subjective list, giving our reporters a chance to write about something that brought joy or discontent. Enjoy. Dean Phillips is a Democratic congressman from Minnesota. He is quite rich and […]
Hero of 2024: Dean Phillips, Kind Of
The staff of Mother Jones is, once again, rounding up the heroes and monsters of the past year. Importantly, this is a completely non-exhaustive and subjective list, giving our reporters a chance to write about something that brought joy or discontent. Enjoy. Dean Phillips is a Democratic congressman from Minnesota. He is quite rich and […]
Squid Game season 2 is a brutal remix of Netflix’s biggest show
Image: Netflix
After years of brand tie-ins and ill-conceived spinoffs, the series is back — and it’s just as tense as ever.
fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
I’m learning that few things are as effective as being able to show the public all the little tricks and tactics used by the ruling class in an environment where people can draw the line from tactic to intent themselves.
How to reliably make that happen consistently, I don’t know. But something is happening right now where everything they do feels so naked.
Reblogged by slightlyoff@toot.cafe ("Alex Russell"):
elduvelle@neuromatch.social ("El Duvelle") wrote:
@jonny Yes! Incredible!!
Here's a video from the paper.. Ants rock!
#ProblemSolving #Ants
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- Video from above of a 3 compartment box with opening connecting the compartments in the middle. The box has lots of ants in it. There is a shape in the left compartment made of a line and a T at each end (the T is larger at one end). The goal is for the ants to carry the shape to the right compartment, which is made harder with the T things that tend to get stuck on walls. But the ants somehow manage it after lots of turning and trying! (remote)
Reblogged by slightlyoff@toot.cafe ("Alex Russell"):
jonny@neuromatch.social ("jonny (good kind)") wrote:
i love this paper
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2414274121(Edit: yes @ futurebird has already been tagged plenty of times ♥)
fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
2024 has made it clear—AI is the sawdust in our food. Technocrats want to use AI slop as an additive to reduce the expense of 100% organic human-made content. Our politicians are too fat off the cream to make a move.
fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
The Ghosts in the Machine, by Liz Pelly:
"Such artists often had millions of streams on Spotify and pride of place on the company’s own mood-themed playlists, which were compiled by a team of in-house curators. And they often had Spotify’s verified-artist badge. But they were clearly fake. Their “labels” were frequently listed as stock-music companies like Epidemic, and their profiles included generic, possibly ... https://micro.fromjason.xyz/2024/12/25/the-ghosts-in-the-machine.html
fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
You Might Be Worried About the Wrong Algorithms - The Atlantic:
"But algorithms aren’t just being used to feed you content. They’re also employed to fix real-estate prices, make probation and asylum decisions, determine Uber prices during a hurricane, dictate whether elderly people receive potentially lifesaving medical care, assess the risk posed by an abusive partner, and decide who gets targeted in a war ... https://micro.fromjason.xyz/2024/12/25/you-might-be-worried-about.html
fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
Obviously, I don’t post a lot of super model content but I just learned who Anok Yai is, and she’s so beautiful that my brain isn’t able to fully process it.
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- Beautiful women in a crystal studded skin-tight dress. She has dark skin and short hair.
- Beautiful women in a crystal studded skin-tight dress, looking at the camera. She has dark skin and short hair.
- Beautiful women in a crystal studded skin-tight suit. She has dark skin and short hair.
- Beautiful women in a crystal studded skin-tight suit. She has dark skin and short hair.
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
another fascinating pivot by this age-old yet still-agile organization
https://www.perplexity.ai/page/encyclopedia-britannica-is-an-JdeViIFRSjuAji4Snw.HVg
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
perfection
https://music.apple.com/us/album/step-right-up/1485074801?i=1485074804
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
“Wildflowers” (2014 Remaster) by Tom Petty
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jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
“It’s better to burn out than fade away.”
- Neil Young
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
“My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)” (2016 Remaster) by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
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jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
“The Weight” (Remastered 2000) by The Band
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Reblogged by fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻"):
joelpomales ("Joel Pomales") wrote:
Donated to #wikipedia
Fuck you, Elon!
Reblogged by fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻"):
lrhodes@merveilles.town ("L. Rhodes") wrote:
If you want to live a more ethical, less manipulated life, the single best bit of advice I know to give you is:
Learn to resist the allure of convenience.
Reblogged by fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻"):
alwirtes@indieweb.social ("Al Wirtes") wrote:
I just gave #wikipedia $50. Please consider making a donation now to send a message to #ElonMusk that we’re not going to let him divide us for his profit.
https://mastodonapp.uk/@chris108/113712585602739953
jsonstein@masto.deoan.org ("Jeff Sonstein") wrote:
“In a Town This Size” (feat. Dolores Keane) by John Prine
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Snowboarder's death in Swiss Alps avalanche is a reminder that even pros face risk
The death of an Olympic snowboarding athlete is a reminder that even the most skilled and experienced athletes are not immune to the threat of avalanches, and that knowledge is key to staying safe.
fromjason ("fromjason.xyz ❤️ 💻") wrote:
The Grinch Song is a surprisingly good exploration of change and growth. And it’s fucking hilarious. Merry Christmas. https://youtu.be/nQLJNCDa4GA?si=7mNbhUbHG6xQAZXA
Scientists await signal from spacecraft after historic close encounter with the sun
To get so close, the Parker Solar Probe had to withstand the sun's extreme heat and radiation like no spacecraft before it.