Pun's recent activity
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Comment on Instagram's Nudify [non-consensual fake nude photo generator] ads in ~tech
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Looking for an app with calendar, timetables, reminders, timers etc
Ideally an all-in-one app with sync to a Windows or browser app. For paid apps, preferably a one-time purchase rather than subscription. I like organizing and customizing, so user freedom is...
Ideally an all-in-one app with sync to a Windows or browser app. For paid apps, preferably a one-time purchase rather than subscription. I like organizing and customizing, so user freedom is pretty important too. Bonus points if you've found the app useful for ADHD.
Google Calendar worked pretty well, but now I'm looking to build habits for hobbies and studies, while also keeping up with occasional appointments. I think it'd be much simpler to just have everything under one app.
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Comment on Finland used to have one of the highest suicide rates in the world – how the country halved it and saved countless lives in ~health.mental
Pun LinkUnfortunately a similar attitude can still be seen 50 years later. The translation came out a bit clumsy, but I tried condensing it as best I could: An inpatient hospital ("Halikko Hospital",...Just a few decades ago, the word “suicide” was also almost unsayable – and unprintable. Soon after it opened in 1972, Mieli’s crisis centre in Helsinki changed its name from “suicide prevention centre” to “crisis prevention centre” because there were objections to publishing the word in the phone book. For many older Finnish people, Sihvola says, “suicide” is still a difficult word to say; as with the word “bear” – as in the animal – there is a sense that saying it will bring it closer.
Unfortunately a similar attitude can still be seen 50 years later. The translation came out a bit clumsy, but I tried condensing it as best I could: An inpatient hospital ("Halikko Hospital", named after the municipality it's in) in Turku is currently being relocated to a new building, closer to the city centre and metropolitan area. The hospital project manager says that the name "psychiatric hospital" would have been "too stigmatizing". So through a poll they settled on.... "Compass Hospital" (Kompassisairaala). "Compass is a neutral name, and doesn't have an association with illnesses of the mind. We want a psychiatric hospital to be like a bank or bureau, that is, a place where you receive service.", he said.
"Some patients are afraid of admitting they've been to the Halikko Hospital because of the stigma associated with the name.[...]In psychiatry, it's important that the name of the hospital is abstract." He also wants to apply similar naming conventions to the names of the individual departments in the hospital, saying "We have psychosis unit, mood disorder unit and addiction department. I've spoken with patient organizations, and these names are seen as quite stigmatizing. They could be something else." When questioned about whether the stigma could eventually reform around the new name, he handwaves it, saying "I think the location will play a big part in this. The new hospital is close to the central hospital, but there are other nearby services like offices and a new hotel."
To me, he is participating in the same type of stigma he claims needs to be avoided. A suicidal person isn't lost and in need of some directions, their mind is ill and needs treatment. Trying to hide these difficult issues behind new names will only enforce the idea that they shouldn't be talked about. With some personal experience of actually being mental ill, to me this feels like downplaying the illness and infantilizing the patient.
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Comment on Who makes money when AI reads the internet for us? in ~tech
Pun LinkI'm sure it isn't what they intended, but, for me, this article worked like an ad for the Arc browser. I'd heard of it in passing, but this got me to sign up for the waitlist. The fact that...I'm sure it isn't what they intended, but, for me, this article worked like an ad for the Arc browser. I'd heard of it in passing, but this got me to sign up for the waitlist.
"Web creators are trying to share their knowledge and get supported while doing so."
The fact that someone operates on the logic of "no one creates if there's no money in it" makes me a bit sad. There are, and have always been, communities that operate entirely on "inform/educate/help others". Wikipedia, wikis in general, TVTropes, tech support subreddits, old style discussion forums, tutorial videos and so on. These things existed before the term "content creator" was even coined. In some cases, I would even argue that "content" was higher quality because they weren't getting paid for it; it was all passion driving them. Why would anyone choose to create something worthwhile when they could join the mass of clickbaiting, algorithm curated slop, while raking in thousands.
It's not just information/knowledge either. As a teen I spent around five years making music because I enjoyed it. Just creating brought me pleasure. Barely anyone else has heard that music and I sure as hell haven't sold any. I don't even have the desire to. And I'm sure van Gogh wasn't paid for the paintings he made during his asylum stay. Supposedly the number of works sold during his lifetime is in the single digits.
I have now filled my daily narcissism quota by comparing myself to van Gogh.
Some condescending snark to top it off:
"I get how this helps users. How does it help creators? Without them there is no web."
This just in! We finally have proof of the internet spontaneously manifesting in 2015, when the cashflow hit steady returns.
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Comment on How to avoid making other people angry on the internet in ~tech
Pun Link ParentI'd say that part is the most pertinent. As much as I enjoy silly, meme-y fun, I really like the atmosphere we have here on Tildes, and hope that we can keep this going for a long time. After...many of us don't want to end up in unpleasant and unproductive discussions on Tildes
I'd say that part is the most pertinent. As much as I enjoy silly, meme-y fun, I really like the atmosphere we have here on Tildes, and hope that we can keep this going for a long time. After using Reddit for so long, it's really refreshing to open a discussion thread where every single top comment isn't some brusque remark that doesn't hide the fact that the person didn't read the post/article before commenting.
Though I'm glad we haven't devolved into an utterly humourless or tense space where everyone is walking on eggshells for the fear of not standing up to perceived norms. Disagreements, misunderstandings and hurt feelings are part of being a person. I think some of the most human interactions online are when one or both users —amidst a heated argument— simmer down, recognise their differences and apologize for any unintended things they might have said.
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Comment on The decline of username and password on the same page in ~tech
Pun Link ParentA curious thing I noticed about some sites is that, despite how it appears to the user, sometimes there doesn't even seem to be a different page: On one site, using a password manager only fills...On the web, user/pass on different pages doesn't really make sense.[...]there's nothing I can think of that you're going to do with it which would require a second step before you ask for the password.
A curious thing I noticed about some sites is that, despite how it appears to the user, sometimes there doesn't even seem to be a different page: On one site, using a password manager only fills the username field, and you need to do it again for the password after clicking "continue". But on another site, after clicking continue, the password is already there!
I think this might be explained by /u/Weldawadyathink's comment in this thread:
Other companies started doing it because “Microsoft does it, so they must have a good reason” without realizing that the good reason was single sign on.
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Your favourite creators who cover non-Anglo countries/cultures in English?
(That title is kind of awkward, feel free to suggest a better one.) I came across aini's channel on Youtube a while back. She does videos on different topics focused on East Asia. Her most recent...
(That title is kind of awkward, feel free to suggest a better one.)
I came across aini's channel on Youtube a while back. She does videos on different topics focused on East Asia. Her most recent video being "Why Chinese People Will Choose $5 Over $10".
I'm especially interested in native creators; those who can present a personal view from the inside. Even more so for countries that are not as well-covered for whatever reason—like places with less technological access or government limitation.
My own preference is for a more analytical presentation. I.e. looking through an academic lens incorporating sociology, psychology, etc, rather than "footage of daily life". That style is still welcome, of course!
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Comment on EU affirms free will in new AI regulation in ~humanities
Pun Link ParentThis was my immediate thought when I read the part about "free will"; hopefully the things you listed are included. They're highly manipulative on their own, and using AI would just supercharge...social media algorithms, gambling and micro transaction games are already doing this very effectively
This was my immediate thought when I read the part about "free will"; hopefully the things you listed are included. They're highly manipulative on their own, and using AI would just supercharge the grip they have on us. Especially on "susceptible people", like you pointed out.
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How do you hang stuff—from the walls or ceilings—around your house when you're decorating?
It took me a while to find a good, non-destructive way to put up posters in my living room. I think I started with blu-tack, which dried in a few months and the posters came down. Then I tried...
It took me a while to find a good, non-destructive way to put up posters in my living room. I think I started with blu-tack, which dried in a few months and the posters came down. Then I tried 3M's hanging strips, which stayed on the wall for longer, but was pretty expensive for what it was. A year ago I had the idea of using velcro that has adhesive tape on the other side. So far this has worked near perfectly for me.
I know I'm not breaking new ground here, but I was happy to finally find a decent solution. Well, at least for light objects on walls (and elsewhere).
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Comment on I'm a little concerned with the prevalence and popularity of topics and videos seemingly designed to upset people and "get people fired up" in social media in ~talk
Pun Link ParentI feel that, too. There are some legitimately good Youtubers who put a lot of effort into the video, but then sadly need to use that exaggerated, but vague type of language to get people to...Almost makes me sad that that’s the way it has to be nowadays to get people to click and to get engagement.
I feel that, too. There are some legitimately good Youtubers who put a lot of effort into the video, but then sadly need to use that exaggerated, but vague type of language to get people to actually watch the video.
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Comment on What happened to Google Search? in ~tech
Pun LinkIn the past several months I've been getting frustrated over how poor and obviously... "doctored" (for the lack of a better word) the search results on Google and Youtube have become. Today I...In the past several months I've been getting frustrated over how poor and obviously... "doctored" (for the lack of a better word) the search results on Google and Youtube have become. Today I stumbled upon this video and thought it's better than posting any incoherent ramblings I might come up with.
Youtube injects unrelated videos it thinks I want to watch into the search (even though nothing about my keywords suggests those topics) and Google is full of regurgitated and (likely) AI produced nothingburgers. You know the ones, "Top 5 wireless headphones in 2023 [Article published in 2021]" and "How to Fix Issue X with Windows! [The first step will have you install our adware program :) ]"
The point about using Tiktok as a search engine was quite unexpected. I've never used it, as the shortform video content doesn't appeal to me much; I'm a heavy user of Youtube, but I'd say less than 5% of the number videos I watch and a tiny, tiny fraction of time spent on the site comes from Youtube Shorts. Though I'm not really sold on it as a search engine alternative for what I'd be looking for.
I'm gonna try to test the alternatives they showed (Neeva, Swurl, Kagi) next time(s) I need to google and see how they perform. Funny how weird/quirky all those names sound, but "google" has become a term just meaning "to search something on the internet". I wonder if Google will ever fall behind other services and the term to become another Post-It note and Scotch tape.
There I go, rambling anyway.
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What happened to Google Search?
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Comment on Unpopular opinion: Wikipedia's old look was much better than the new one in ~tech
Pun Link ParentI find it funny that the article says "towards" when I feel like we've been regressing on that front for the past however many years. The trend of reducing user customization is one of my biggest...I find it funny that the article says "towards" when I feel like we've been regressing on that front for the past however many years.
The trend of reducing user customization is one of my biggest gripes with modern UI/UX design. It feels like every site and application is hellbent on reducing the number of options to the absolute minimum. I get that studies probably show that minimalistic design is preferred by most users, but I'd rather they leave options for those who want them. Though I assume that would increase dev time when they have more systems to take care of. That doesn't explain all of it, though, like why Youtube chose to remove "sort by oldest videos". I assume that's more about having control over the user, instead of the other way around.
As an aside, this is why the recent talk about Google trying to kill adblockers is making me nervous: I don't want to give up Vivaldi.
All that said, even though I was kinda weirded out by the narrower columns on Wikipedia at first, I just realised that the old reddit layout I use (and prefer) is [just as narrow!] (https://i.imgur.com/c5R4Hlo.png). And I've managed with that on a 1440p monitor for two years without complaints!
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Comment on How Kurzgesagt cooks propaganda for billionaires in ~science
Pun LinkHere's another video (1h50min) I recently came across, diving into the topic of "Kurzgesagt Climate Greenwashing". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCuy1DaQzWIHere's another video (1h50min) I recently came across, diving into the topic of "Kurzgesagt Climate Greenwashing".
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Comment on Listening to podcasts may help satisfy our psychological need for social connection, study finds in ~science
Pun LinkRecently I've been thinking about exactly this. Well, not podcasts per se, but online media with a host(s). Specifically gaming videos. I started discovering Youtube in 2008, when I was 14. I...Recently I've been thinking about exactly this. Well, not podcasts per se, but online media with a host(s). Specifically gaming videos.
I started discovering Youtube in 2008, when I was 14. I didn't really have friends at school at that point and had started to become more socially isolated. Even prior to that I enjoyed watching others play games. With let's play videos there was often an added layer of humour to it as well. For nearly 15 years now, I've spent countless hours watching unscripted videos of other people play games, far more than the time I've spent playing games myself. I rarely had the patience for movies or TV shows (I could never follow the plot), but could watch gaming videos nearly endlessly (no plot; just focus on what's currently on screen).
I've been wondering just how much this has helped keep loneliness away, but also how much has it kept me from even trying to form IRL relationships. For me, those have always been immensely draining, but almost never fulfilling, which has led me disappearing from friend groups without a word. Watching someone narrate a video is completely one-sided: it lets me relax without having to worry about what I should say or shouldn't say (I've always preferred listening anyway). There's also no guilt when I stop interacting that person (i.e. watching their videos), since they never knew I existed anyway.
This article was also the first time I saw parasocial relationships framed in a positive (or at least neutral) light, which I think should be explored further. I've seen that term pop up much more since the pandemic started, with many bringing attention to the fact that some online creators (streamers especially) are blatantly taking advantage of their audience, framing themselves as their "friend". I never developed those feelings for a stranger on the internet, but I feel as though in some way they've kept me from going completely crazy in my solitude (which I enjoy perhaps too much).
Over the years I've found more varied content, like sciencey/educational videos and video essays.
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Are great games being ignored? An investigation
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~tech
Pun LinkFine, fine! I'll switch to Firefox already! But seriously, I keep hearing so many good things about it. I've tried it on occasion, but never stuck with it. It's great a big player is trying to...Fine, fine! I'll switch to Firefox already!
But seriously, I keep hearing so many good things about it. I've tried it on occasion, but never stuck with it. It's great a big player is trying to fight whatever grubby things Google is doing.
I'm going to miss the tab cycler in Vivaldi, though.
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Comment on Team Fortress 2 community peacefully protests bot problem with #SaveTF2 campaign, Valve responds in ~games
Pun Link ParentAgreed. I played since near launch for a few years, and the endorsement system seemed to do nothing. Players would randomly endorse each other for the extra 75xp per match. I'd argue, that even...Agreed. I played since near launch for a few years, and the endorsement system seemed to do nothing. Players would randomly endorse each other for the extra 75xp per match.
I'd argue, that even the medal system in place of a scoreboard also ironically contributed to a weird Dunning-Kruger type toxicity, since the players would only see their own contribution. This would lead to classic shouting matches of DPS heroes "having three golds", not realising that everyone else on the team has those same three golds, too, and that they were actually underperforming.
I have limited experience with TF2, but it felt much more relaxed. Blizzard tried way too hard to make OW into an esports thing, which in turn soured the casual experience. It was well known that quick play turned to a cesspool between competitive seasons, when the hardcore players had nowhere else to go.
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Comment on The new puritans in ~humanities
Pun LinkThe article kinda touched on a part of this issue that I've been thinking about recently; about how this can be used as a weapon with little effort. You don't need to have done anything wrong, yet...The article kinda touched on a part of this issue that I've been thinking about recently; about how this can be used as a weapon with little effort. You don't need to have done anything wrong, yet seemingly overnight a faceless mob of users is born and they are bombarding you with accusations and they will not listen to you.
Several gaming Youtubers and streamers that I follow have been the victims of this type of attack in the past couple of years. In all cases (that I know of) the trigger seemed to have been a person or a small group of people who hold some grudge against the creator/entertainer, and decide to manufacture a controversy. The attackers know exactly what it takes rile up a group of justice-hungry internet-goers. In some cases they take something from their past that they've said, and adorn it with just the right offenses that push just the right buttons for whichever mob they wish to sic on the victim. In other cases they make up lies on the spot. And, as the article points out, "Twitter[...]doesn’t check facts or provide context", all they need to see is a highly upvoted/liked comment and they'll take that as gospel, because it oh-so-satisfyingly confirms their biases and lets them join a group of similarly-minded individuals.
A common thread between these incidents are few downvoted/ratioed comments saying "hold on, let's not let an anonymous claim colour our opinion before actual evidence of wrongdoing comes out." I've been trying to learn to automatically switch into a skeptic mindset when I see headlines like "X said Y about Z". I know that brings up a question of "when believe an accuser" to which I don't know the answer to.
I'm just glad I don't have public online presence.
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Comment on Neuomorphism — A passing fad or is it here to stay? in ~design
Pun Link ParentYes! I think I came across this Medium article in another, Windows 11 related article. I do like it better than 10, that's for sure. Windows 7 was also a treat for the eyes. Simple, flat design...Yes! I think I came across this Medium article in another, Windows 11 related article. I do like it better than 10, that's for sure. Windows 7 was also a treat for the eyes.
Simple, flat design definitely makes sense for mobile devices, it's just a shame that it bleeds into desktop. I've got 3.6 million pixels spread across 27 inches (ladies!), so I can handle some detail on my UI.
(I got mildly meta here, but I think it's still tangentially on topic.)
I think a huge factor in this is sexuality having been such a taboo in the modern world, which is why people get shamed or in trouble if their sexy pics/videos are found publicly. Though in the West, our attitudes have steadily been getting better for many decades now, even if individual events might suggest otherwise. (Western focus in my comment anyway, since I'm European. Though considering laws around pornography in many other countries, I'm sure people there don't have it any easier.)
Sex is one of the cornerstones of being an animal (along with food/water, safety etc), so I think it's such a shame the way we treat it in such an unhealthy way. I know it's likely unprovable, but I wholeheartedly cannot believe that this attitude was the prevailing one we humans had for hundreds of thousands of years.
The internet has undeniably been a great driver in bringing people together to allow us to safely talk about sex. Porn websites used to be treated almost exclusively as hives of computer viruses where only degenerates would venture. Nowadays, names like Pornhub and Onlyfans are pretty regularly seen/heard in discussions. Hell, the entire reason for OF being talked about relatively recently was their attempt to ban porn on their platform which led to a huge backlash.
My hunch is that the reason for the taboo is humanity's fervent desire to separate ourselves from other animals, to see ourselves above beasts. Just because we can build some huts and a wall to keep nature away from us, doesn't remove the fact that we're animals too.
Personally I'm hopeful about where we're headed in the future, when it comes to sexuality.