2020 archive
Dumb Watches 0
El Reg reports that, when it comes to monitoring your health, your smart gadget ain’t so smart. Here’s bit from their story:
However, the technology isn’t foolproof. Like all deep learning models, ECG ones are susceptible to adversarial attacks: miscreants can force algorithms to misclassify the data by manipulating it with noise.
The report goes on to point out that, in tests, properly trained real live human beings did better at identifying and discounting said “noise.”
Out of His Depth and In Over His Head 0
Bob Cesca points out that, as the coronavirus spreads, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that the United States is suffering a crisis of competence at the highest levels. A snippet; follow the link for the rest:
“Socialism” 0
Shorter Dan Casey: That word does not mean what they tell you it means.
Bigotry Goes (Corona)Viral 0
I have noted from time to time in these electrons the increase of incidents of cruelty and bigotry directed at persons (who look as if they might be) of Asian descent since stories of the coronavirus entered the news. As if a virus gave a damn . . . .
Valentina Stoycheva, writing at Psychology Today Blogs, examines how persons excuse themselves from culpability for their cruelty during such a health scare. An excerpt (emphasis added):
Drinking Liberally Virginia Beach Thursday 0
Join us for fellowship and camaraderie and to discuss living in an age of actual viral viruses.
When: Thursday, March 12, 6 p. m.
Where:
Croc’s 19 Street Bistro
620 19th Street (Map)
Read the chapter blog and sign up to have your inbox flooded with one or two emails a month here.
Dialectic 0
Ed at Gin and Tacos analyzes the internal contradictions between long- and short-term goals facing both the Democratic and Republican parties. Here’s a bit of what he has to say about the latter; follow the link for the rest. It’s an interesting take.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Self-politeness is the politest kind.
He told police he was shot while on a freeway in the city, according to authorities.
Troopers spoke to the victim and began an investigation. After investigating the claim, they determined the man had shot himself by accident. Troopers also found a bullet hole in the inside and bottom of the victim’s pants pocket.
The Voter Fraud Fraud 0
Have you noticed that, when actual cases of intentional voter fraud (as opposed to someone’s attempting to vote in the wrong precinct or forgetting to register or the like) come to light, they are almost always perpetrated by Republicans?
The Medicine Show, One More Time 0
New York State has issued a cease and desist order to stop televangelist Jim Bakker from selling magic snake oil reputed to combat coronavirus.
Apparently, it’s been found to be a grift of God.
To the Victor Belong Despoils 0
Gordon Weil makes a convincing case that the current Federal Administration values cronies over competence.
The Paper Chase 0
Late last week, one of our acquaintances who lives on the other side of town told us that his local store was out of toilet paper (we have not been shopping in the interim, so I don’t know about our own nearby stores), but apparently runs on TP are not uncommon in anxious times.
At Psychology Today Blogs, Michele Baddeley reports bare shelves in the “loo paper” sections of stores in Sydney, Australia, and tries to figure out why fear of coronavirus, a respiratory disease, would a spark runs on TP, decidedly not a respiratory product (except maybe when you can’t find a hanky).
(Missplet wrod correxted.)
Epidemiology, Claim Denied Dept. 0
Farron discusses an article by a doctor arguing that “Medicare for All” is the best option for providing decent healthcare to Americans, as opposed to our current predatory for profit system.
Transcript here.
Aside:
We went to the symphony yesterday. When the conductor came on stage, instead of shaking hands with the first violinist/concert master, as is the custom, the two of them bumped elbows.
The guest soloist did the same with the first violinist and the conductor.
The Hand of the Market Fees 0
The owner of an importing business explains how Donald Trump’s puerile trade wars are endangering his business. A snippet:
