2023 archive
Robot’s Rules of Order 0
At the Psychology Today website, John Nasta muses on how Isaac Asimov’s “Three Laws of Robotics” might be applied to today’s AI Chatbots and Large Language Models.
Aside:
When I was a young ‘un, back in the olden days, Asimov was easily my favorite sci-fi author.
Still Rising Again after All These Years 0
Sam and his crew dissect the falsehoods and delusions in Fox News’s Greg Gutfeld’s call for Civil War v. 2.0.
In a similar vein, Will Bunch highlights Donald Trump’s continuing calls for violence. Just go read it.
Thought Police 0
In recognition of Banned Books week, the Bangor Daily News reran a column by Stephen King, one that first appeared over three decades ago. Here’s a snippet:
The whole piece is worth your while.
The Lake Effect 0
The Arizona Republic’s E. J. Montini makes a case that there a precedent for Kari Lake in Arizona politics. A snippet:
Follow the link for his reasoning.
QOTD 0
Dawn Steele, in the voice of Lexie MacDonald, and Sara Stewart, in the voice of Amanda MacLeish:
Amanda: You can’t make an omelet without–
Lexie: There’s breaking eggs, and then there’s bombing the henhouse.
A Question of Identity 0
This is the text of a letter to an elected official that I will be putting in the mail tomorrow:
I am receiving voice mails and texts from you and persons claiming to represent you on my cell phone claiming that you are my Representative.
I do not and have never lived or voted in (your state).
Please stop.
I await his response.
Afterthought:
I do think it’s an innocent mistake. I suspect he purchased a mailing/calling list from the wrong persons.
I look forward to his response.
Russian Impulses 0
Jamie Raskin posits that today’s Republican Party is being led by the nose by Russia’s wannabe Tsar.
Via C&L, which has commentary.
Dis Coarse Discourse 0
At the Hartford Courant, Thomas Congelolsi argues that the Republican Party behaves like a toddler in a tantrum.
Methinks he makes a pretty good case.
Republican Thought Police 0
At The Roanoke Times, Don Kusler discusses the thought police wolf prowling in the sheep’s clothing of “parents’ rights.” A snippet:
Parents should be involved in the education and upbringing of their children. We have that right.
While it may be my right to direct the education and upbringing of my children, it is not my right to impose my views about parenting on my child’s entire classroom, school or community.
That, sadly, is precisely what the culture warriors of the current parent’s “rights” movement are trying to do.
I commend the complete article to your attention.
Fly the Fiendly Skies 0
Until I saw this story, I was unaware that airplanes had poop decks.
And, in more news of the fiendly skies . . . .
Who Woulda Thunk? 0
A President who believes he must obey the law, even when he doesn’t agree with it.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Yet another oxymoronic “responsible gun owner” exposes a child to politeness.
Underneath the front passenger seat was a loaded 9mm Glock handgun which had been stored in an unlocked case, inadvertently left by the female’s fiancé, according to state police.
The three-years-old found the gun and fired it, but, in this case at least, no one was injured.
Afterthought:
One must needs note that “negligently” and “inadvertently,” like “negligently” and “accidentally,” are not synonyms.
Stray Thought 0
I was sitting here watching a commercial for sports betting (which I consider con of epic proportions, but that’s a whole nother story), and I realized just how much fuller my life is now that I don’t pay attention to football.
Lies and Lying Liars 0
Tyler Cowen argues that we’re looking at the problem of proliferating mis- and disinformation from the wrong perspective. A snippet (emphasis added):
Speaking in economic terms, the problem with misinformation is demand, not supply
Check out his reasoning. Methinks he makes a persuasive case.
Car Wars, Reprise 0
David talks with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg about electric vehicles, public transit, and related issues.
“Look Over Here at This Shiny Thing” 0
Farron unslights the slight of hand.