Banisher's recent activity
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Comment on If AI is sentient then so is ‘Age of Empires II’ in ~tech
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Comment on We can fix the future, Star Trek shows us how in ~humanities
Banisher (edited )Link ParentI think we are more or less on the same page. I don't think star trek is less coherent than solarpunk. All fictional settings will hand way away the parts they don't have answers too. The...I think we are more or less on the same page. I don't think star trek is less coherent than solarpunk. All fictional settings will hand way away the parts they don't have answers too. The technological problems are usually not the hard part though, it's people.
If people are what is really slowing things down, then inspiration is really important. The actors will often speak about conventions. There are doctors, scientists, engineers, film makers etc because of star trek. These are the people who will trudge through the hard work of making society better because they were inspired.
If you ONLY watch tv there are problems, but stories are very human. From the first time we sat around a fire imagining a place where our bellies were full, and our families safe. Stories are at their best when they inspire us to do great things.
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Comment on We can fix the future, Star Trek shows us how in ~humanities
Banisher Link ParentStar trek is absolutely just a huge media empire. It is a fictional setting created to explore societal and philosophical issues without the baggage that comes from a more grounded setting. If it...Star trek is absolutely just a huge media empire. It is a fictional setting created to explore societal and philosophical issues without the baggage that comes from a more grounded setting. If it seems fantastical, I think it is by design. As you also say, there have also been countless writers and creative directors over the years that have different visions, so there also isn't a cohesive and singular message.
I think a lot of the tech is "hand-wave-ium". As the story goes teleporters were created because there wasn't time or money to make a shuttle. I think the idea is that the story being told is paramount, and the tech fills in the gap to make that possible. Universal translators, replicators, warp drive, teleporters, latinum : whatever is needed. I still think there are some poignant ideas that transcend the setting. I personally don't think the stories would benefit from deep dives into the logistics of moving resources around for advanced 3d printers, instead of just saying replicators.
I am also reminded of Arthur C Clarke's quote "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." I think quibbling on the magical properties of technology from the distant future is ultimately unproductive. It is interesting to look at how people in the 1800s thought we would be living today, versus where we wound up. Technology will likely move in ways we cannot predict. Since tech will ultimately end up as "magic" to us anyways, there is no real benefit to trying to explain it away.
I think any story is going to have unbelievable elements to it. Perhaps you are more comfortable with those elements in solarpunk because the technology is more familiar. In my opinion the hard problems for star trek are the same ones you say are attainable for solarpunk. "Equitable distribution of resources and living sustainable using technology." These are some of the hardest problems that humanity has faced.
As a species we do not know how to live sustainably. We use irreplaceable resources and always seem to desire more for less. Once we have that stockpile of endlessly replaceable resources how do we split it up? Whether we get it through super advance "magic" tech or more near future extrapolation, who gets it. This is the really hard part. The part that I think the original video is missing, and a point you touched on too. If two people want something, something that cannot be duplicated, how do we as a society choose who gets it.
No matter the setting, I still think it is nice to image a future where people work together. Can we actually ever get there?
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Comment on To pay rent in Medieval England, catch some eels in ~food
Banisher Link ParentI guess a lot of polarizing cuisine comes down to what you ate growing up. Jellied eel does not sound like something I would seek out, but clearly many did. stu2b50 says it not a strong taste,...I guess a lot of polarizing cuisine comes down to what you ate growing up. Jellied eel does not sound like something I would seek out, but clearly many did. stu2b50 says it not a strong taste, pair that with some decently flavoured sauce and sides maybe it's enough to get over the appearance.
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Comment on To pay rent in Medieval England, catch some eels in ~food
Banisher Link ParentI went and looked up some pictures... For me, it does not look appealing. Entire cross sections of eel in greyish clear jelly. Ancestors were made of more grit and determination than me I think.I went and looked up some pictures... For me, it does not look appealing. Entire cross sections of eel in greyish clear jelly. Ancestors were made of more grit and determination than me I think.
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Comment on To pay rent in Medieval England, catch some eels in ~food
Banisher Link ParentCanning comes later than medieval history, and even an eel apsic would probably only last a few cool days. I have to assume they were salting these eels? Or was it like I want 2 eels every Friday...Canning comes later than medieval history, and even an eel apsic would probably only last a few cool days. I have to assume they were salting these eels? Or was it like I want 2 eels every Friday as rent? I didn't see anything in the article about preservation.
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Comment on What do you think is the best sandwich? in ~food
Banisher Link ParentMy rule for offering input on language is heavily inspired by xkcd 1576. In short I try to only offer input to improve communication, because ultimately communication is hard. I am clearly not...My rule for offering input on language is heavily inspired by xkcd 1576. In short I try to only offer input to improve communication, because ultimately communication is hard. I am clearly not online enough to know about this argument. I would say though, if there is enough people to sustain an argument, there must be people on both sides. Accepting that English is determined by it's usage, all methods must be correct. The way the restaurant chose to label their sandwich is also more clear than your offerings. This is because of the ambiguity of the word "with". It can either mean accompanying or comprised of. For your two examples I would probably understand, but for different ingredients I think the ambiguity grows. If it was a "grilled cheese with apple slices" I would assume side dish. If it was a "grilled cheese with pepper jelly" I would assume dipping sauce. Ultimately the ambiguity would likely make me at least ask for clarification. My read on the original interaction was that DefinitelyNotAFae made an in-group joke and F13 played along.
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Comment on What do you think is the best sandwich? in ~food
Banisher Link ParentI intentionally didn't reply directly to you since you originally expressed a desire not to discuss linguistics and only food. I'm glad you found something you enjoy.I intentionally didn't reply directly to you since you originally expressed a desire not to discuss linguistics and only food.
I'm glad you found something you enjoy.
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Comment on What do you think is the best sandwich? in ~food
Banisher Link ParentI appreciate your clarifications. It was the part in the comment I replied to you said that using grilled cheese in the narrow scope means that you are not part of the "speaker community" that...I appreciate your clarifications. It was the part in the comment I replied to you said that using grilled cheese in the narrow scope means that you are not part of the "speaker community" that made me feel discounted. Phrases like "not remotely reflect real-world language use" and "You can insist on using the word differently yourself, but that does not change how the word is used by the speaker community" definitely made me feel like you were trying to say anyone who disagreed with your usage was not part of the real-world speaker community. If someone asked me if I wanted a grilled cheese and It came with anything other than bread and cheese I would be confused (and for my personal tastes, disappointed). If people are using "grilled cheese" the same way I might use say "burger" I am in the dark to it. For me "burger" can refer to an entire family of sandwiches with endless topping variation each still being called only a "burger".
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Comment on What do you think is the best sandwich? in ~food
Banisher Link ParentI'll start by saying I agree with language being descriptive. In English, how a word is used dictates its meaning, not the other way around. Where I might disagree with you is from my personal...I'll start by saying I agree with language being descriptive. In English, how a word is used dictates its meaning, not the other way around. Where I might disagree with you is from my personal experience. You have asserted that the original comment usage is common, and easily understood. From my personal experience, and common usage in my area, a "grilled cheese" is bread, cheese, fat. Anything else is served on the side for dipping. I was admittedly a little confused when reading the first description, just as F13 was. Like a garden-path sentence the list of ingredients was unexpected and required some mid sentence re-contextualizing. I was, however, still able to understand what was being said. If this "grilled cheese" discussion was not initiated in the original comment I would have likely just read it, figured out what they meant and moved on. There is something slightly dehumanizing to insist that my common usage is inherently not "real-world" usage, since for me it is the only usage I have known. Like F13 I have no preference for melt either, just that "grilled cheese" is unique in it's implied simplicity. If I were to name this I would have just split the grilled and cheese around the ingredients "grilled spicy apple bacon cheese sandwich".
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Comment on Her daughter was unraveling, and she didn’t know why. Then she found the AI chat logs. in ~tech
Banisher Link ParentWhile you are probably right (governments tend to be slow to react) I fear a slow response to technology that so quickly iterates on itself might be more dangerous that other decisions we as a...While you are probably right (governments tend to be slow to react) I fear a slow response to technology that so quickly iterates on itself might be more dangerous that other decisions we as a society have faced.
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Comment on Her daughter was unraveling, and she didn’t know why. Then she found the AI chat logs. in ~tech
Banisher Link ParentThen we agree. I hold everyone responsible for their part. I bias my ethical responsibility with those who have the most decision making power to implement change. This would bias it to those...Then we agree. I hold everyone responsible for their part. I bias my ethical responsibility with those who have the most decision making power to implement change. This would bias it to those higher up in companies, but this extends past the companies as well. It should include governments, nations, international bodies, and every person who makes choices in their day to day life.
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Comment on Her daughter was unraveling, and she didn’t know why. Then she found the AI chat logs. in ~tech
Banisher Link Parent"There's moral responsibility at more than just the top of this pyramid, and more than just a faceless endlessly rich company who should be held accountable, IMO. Legally though, sure it's..."There's moral responsibility at more than just the top of this pyramid, and more than just a faceless endlessly rich company who should be held accountable, IMO. Legally though, sure it's probably management at least."
This part gave me the distinct impression that, other than legally speaking, the "programmers" bore the brunt of the ethical responsibility in your opinion.
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Comment on Her daughter was unraveling, and she didn’t know why. Then she found the AI chat logs. in ~tech
Banisher Link ParentI agree it's more than just the top that needs accountability. We as a society decide the direction we go. Arguably though, the customers have more impact on the direction a company of these...I agree it's more than just the top that needs accountability. We as a society decide the direction we go. Arguably though, the customers have more impact on the direction a company of these scales will go than do any person at the bottom of the pyramid. I think you are letting the "faceless endlessly rich company" off too easily by asking the programmers to be equally accountable. Would you hold a mob boss less or more accountable than those under them? Money can buy you distance from the gun, but I don't think that lessens the ethical or moral responsibility.
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Comment on Who tried beetroot? in ~food
Banisher Link ParentThis makes me nostalgic for Christmas. love those little ears filled with mushrooms, yum!This makes me nostalgic for Christmas. love those little ears filled with mushrooms, yum!
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Comment on The Oatmeal: A cartoonist's review of AI art in ~comics
Banisher Link ParentI could definitely get on board with that distinction. Content is the broad utilitarian tool of information conveyance, Art is the attempt to explore that surface information more deeply.I could definitely get on board with that distinction. Content is the broad utilitarian tool of information conveyance, Art is the attempt to explore that surface information more deeply.
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Comment on The Oatmeal: A cartoonist's review of AI art in ~comics
Banisher Link ParentTo me art is a way to convey the intangible elements of the human condition. You use the term imagery to differentiate non-artistic still visuals. I wonder if there is a broader term? Maybe we now...To me art is a way to convey the intangible elements of the human condition. You use the term imagery to differentiate non-artistic still visuals. I wonder if there is a broader term? Maybe we now need one. One type of content is a way to convey tangible or objective information, one is an attempt to convey intangible or subjective information.
I can show you my family tree, give you all the names and dates connections, but if I want to share how my Grandma made me feel, what she meant to me, I will need more than genealogy. I can use any type of art to try and add this context, a painting, a song, a poem, a dance, a play, or anything else really. The important part is that it tries to capture something human. We use the same mediums to communicate information, and emotion. If all you are trying to convey is surface information, it's not art.
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Comment on America's dumbest crop: grass in ~enviro
Banisher Link ParentIt's interesting that you would take the stance that an antagonistic communication is unlikely to sway any one to your side, while also making an antagonistic post. I guess this is why everyone...It's interesting that you would take the stance that an antagonistic communication is unlikely to sway any one to your side, while also making an antagonistic post. I guess this is why everyone lives in their little bubbles.
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Comment on It begins: AI shows willingness to commit blackmail and murder to avoid shutdown in ~tech
Banisher Link ParentThat is really fascinating. So far I have only been trying with the free models available to "duck.ai" As you have said, maybe this is just a limitation of the free models I have been trying. Out...That is really fascinating. So far I have only been trying with the free models available to "duck.ai" As you have said, maybe this is just a limitation of the free models I have been trying. Out of curiosity, what model was this one? It's also eerie how much the "thought process" reads like an inner monologue. Pareidolia I guess.
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Comment on It begins: AI shows willingness to commit blackmail and murder to avoid shutdown in ~tech
Banisher Link ParentEvery time a new model comes out I test out the riddle as follows I have yet to find a model that can answer it, and some even have trouble just counting the letter e's. It's not a super hard...Every time a new model comes out I test out the riddle as follows
replace the underscore in this sentence with the english spelling of a number so that the statement is correct. "this quoted text has _ letter e's"
I have yet to find a model that can answer it, and some even have trouble just counting the letter e's. It's not a super hard question, but it seems one level of recursion is too much to handle still.
I agree. Consciousness scales with complexity. I'm not sure exactly what that line looks like either. Even just looking at a human. I think we can agree that a single brain cell kept alive in a petri dish would be unlikely to be conscious. So there must be a threshold. Humans are complex with hormone squirting glands and electric signal flinging brain cells. How much, and what parts are needed to support consciousness?