Tiraon's recent activity

  1. Comment on Reddit, AI spam bots explore new ways to show ads in your feed in ~tech

    Tiraon
    Link Parent
    My guess is that it has a lot to do with monetization offered. Subscriptions are a commitment as they almost almost auto-renew and are vastly overpriced for casual use. For me personally when...

    vast majority of people are not at all willing to directly pay for content of any kind on the internet

    My guess is that it has a lot to do with monetization offered. Subscriptions are a commitment as they almost almost auto-renew and are vastly overpriced for casual use.

    For me personally when usually simply use a site like this usually once or twice a month subscribing for a month for something like 10$ and with the added risk that I forget to cancel is not something I am willing to do. If on other hand I could give them even an order more than what they would get from the ad impression, I would. I have no idea of course about broader trends but that is my take.

    6 votes

  2. Comment on Reddit, AI spam bots explore new ways to show ads in your feed in ~tech

    Tiraon
    Link
    I think it may actually be possible to trace all of the decline of basic internet usability, accuracy, verifiability and discovery to ad business model and by extension to data business model....

    I think it may actually be possible to trace all of the decline of basic internet usability, accuracy, verifiability and discovery to ad business model and by extension to data business model.

    There are some truly smart people whose main job is to get as many people as possible to buy things that they do not need or actually want since the amount of money involved is tremendous.

    It is a shame that a rival business model with comparable reach never developed. Personally I would take borrowing cpu time.

    10 votes

  3. Comment on Instagram's Nudify [non-consensual fake nude photo generator] ads in ~tech

    Tiraon
    Link Parent
    My own theory is different and perhaps a bit more cynical, or perhaps in a different way. Person who is guilty(actual guilt in any kind of sane moral framework is irrelevant) is easier to control....

    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.

    My own theory is different and perhaps a bit more cynical, or perhaps in a different way. Person who is guilty(actual guilt in any kind of sane moral framework is irrelevant) is easier to control. Criminalizing(or making it a thing for perverts and weirdos) a subset of sexuality makes a lot of people guilty(or all as makes no difference, depending on the subset).

    1 vote

  4. Comment on Two years to save the planet, says UN climate chief in ~enviro

    Tiraon
    Link
    In my opinion the current problems we are facing are entirely due to misalignment of localized(both spatially and temporally) incentives and global needs. In our current cultural, economical...

    In my opinion the current problems we are facing are entirely due to misalignment of localized(both spatially and temporally) incentives and global needs.

    In our current cultural, economical environment it simply makes sense to make decisions that will have disproportionate negative effects down the line, even on the maker.

    On low impact decision level most people simply will not consider their broader impact and will conform to current trends no matter the trends. Only people with the mindset compatible with current atmosphere will even get to high impact decision level.

    On individual level the impact either way will always be small in absolutes and most people simply will not make even the minimal possible effort to reduce it and they should. Cultural shift could have been accomplished that way and that shift could have impacted high level decisions.

    6 votes

  5. Comment on I have an issue with the 3 Body Problem in ~tv

    Tiraon
    Link Parent
    I admit I only saw the show so it is entirely possible the books have plausible explanations for these questions. From your descriptions it seems likely I will not personally agree with the...

    I admit I only saw the show so it is entirely possible the books have plausible explanations for these questions.

    From your descriptions it seems likely I will not personally agree with the philosophy present in the books but that does not mean they are not worth reading.

    I can't recall the name right now but despite my griping I agree with the principle that the founding pillars of the premise of a story can be incredibly unlikely to enable an interesting story to be told. I just think they should still be plausible.

  6. Comment on I have an issue with the 3 Body Problem in ~tv

    Tiraon
    Link Parent
    I mostly meant why fixate on planets at all? Finding one that is habitable for them, no matter their requirements is a long shot. Finding one that is terraformable with their technology is...

    I mostly meant why fixate on planets at all? Finding one that is habitable for them, no matter their requirements is a long shot. Finding one that is terraformable with their technology is probably possible in near space but why not simply have a series of space stations in a stable star system with decent amount of mass, that is resources?

    Or going step further, why leave their current system at all? They are clearly capable of having space based industry and population. Make the stations able to move and the probability of any one of them getting destroyed is low and if it does, it is a tragedy, not an extinction event.

    2 votes

  7. Comment on It annoys me that so many PC games feel like they're intended for consoles in ~games

    Tiraon
    Link Parent
    I'd just caution that the main branch is explicitly a simulation and getting more so. Also the darkness level seems to go to similar absurdity such as WH40k. Minimal priority is given to...

    I'd just caution that the main branch is explicitly a simulation and getting more so. Also the darkness level seems to go to similar absurdity such as WH40k. Minimal priority is given to game-specific considerations such as keeping the gameplay enjoyable.

    That said the sandbox is impressive. It is the single most complex game world I have personally seen. Personally I would also recommend Bright Nights fork for less features but more gameplay centric approach.

    3 votes

  8. Comment on I have an issue with the 3 Body Problem in ~tv

    Tiraon
    Link
    Personally the biggest problem I had was why the aliens even bothered to come here in the first place. It is not shown in what environment they evolved in but it good bet is it is significantly...

    Personally the biggest problem I had was why the aliens even bothered to come here in the first place. It is not shown in what environment they evolved in but it good bet is it is significantly different from Earth.

    Then even if we just completely ignore ethical ramifications(personally I find the bug metaphor flawed as hell), we have potential problems stemming from dedicated and advanced opposition that has four centuries to think of something. Seems like too much risk.

    They are clearly highly advanced. Why don't they just pick suitable uninhabited star system in vicinity and colonize space which is better long term strategy anyways?

    5 votes

  9. Comment on An opinion on current technological trends in ~tech

    Tiraon
    Link Parent
    A cannot disagree with the main point but I do argue that more people should take an interest because the trajectory we are on right now with market-insignificant minority having any interest is...

    A cannot disagree with the main point but I do argue that more people should take an interest because the trajectory we are on right now with market-insignificant minority having any interest is what it is.

    Having any technological barrier to entry, even a minor one, places drastic limits on the spread and scope of any development.

    Personally I would consider a limit on rate of spread of example smartphones say a decade and half ago a blessing, they are absolutely amazing technology used in appalling ways, having bad effects on too large a segment of their users and pushing standards downright terrible for end users.

    2 votes

  10. Comment on An opinion on current technological trends in ~tech

    Tiraon
    Link Parent
    I simply think that the simpler and more reliable is possible with user respecting design. As for the security, I agree that there the updates are important and should be installed. It is also one...

    I simply think that the simpler and more reliable is possible with user respecting design.

    As for the security, I agree that there the updates are important and should be installed. It is also one the subjects where I would personally consider opt-out acceptable, but that opt-out should be there because otherwise adversarial functionality is easier to push.

    I do not think it is coincidence that downright user hostile patterns in desktop space appeared en masse after normalization of forced updates on the dominant platform. In Windows 7 it was just about perfect, updates by default, scary warning to check manually or opt-out.

    As for the last point - I simply think that a minimal level of general tech aptitude would actually reduce need for support. Having a simple reliable sw is good, but I simply think that right now there is only exchanging technical difficulty for artificial barriers.

    1 vote

  11. Comment on An opinion on current technological trends in ~tech

    Tiraon
    Link Parent
    I understand not having a deep knowledge about computing technology. I work in IT and I do not have what I would call deep understanding outside my narrow field of work, computing technology is...

    I understand not having a deep knowledge about computing technology. I work in IT and I do not have what I would call deep understanding outside my narrow field of work, computing technology is immensely complex and complicated.

    I am simply advocating for a shallow understanding, being able to diagnose simple issues, being able to orient yourself in a well designed unknown program, being able and willing to launch and adjust settings, being able and willing to follow troubleshooting advice, having the basics of knowledge of the os the user uses for some examples.

    I do not think think this is unreasonable and I think it would lead to generally better society by making adversarial changes harder to push through.

    7 votes

  12. An opinion on current technological trends

    ~tech Ask (survey)
    For a while now I am personally completely dissatisfied with the direction the (mainstream)technology is taking. Almost universally the theme is simplification on end user facing side. That by...

    For a while now I am personally completely dissatisfied with the direction the (mainstream)technology is taking.

    Almost universally the theme is simplification on end user facing side. That by itself would not be so bad but products that go this route currently universally include loss of control of the user including things I would not have believed would be accepted just a decade or so ago. Forced telemetry(aka spying on user habits), forced updates(aka forcefully changing functionality without consent of the user), loss of information - simplification of error messages to absolute uselessness, loss of customization options or their removal to parts that are impossible to find unless you know about them already, nagware and bloatware and ads forcefully included in base os install. And that is simply the desktop/laptop environment.The mobile one is truly insane and anything other "smart" is simply closed sw and hw not regarding user agency at all.

    Personally I consider the current iteration of "just works" approach flawed, problems will inevitably arise. Withholding basic information and tools simply means that the end user does not know what happened and is dependent on support for trivialities. I also consider various hmmm, oops and such error messages degrading and helping to cultivate a culture of technological helplessness.

    To be honest I believe the option most people(generally) end up taking of disinterest in even the superficial basics of technology is an objectively bad one. Computing is one of the most complex and advanced technologies we have but the user facing side even in systems such as Linux or Windows 7 and older is simple to understand and use effectively with minimal effort. I do not believe most people are incapable of acquiring enough proficiency to for example install an os or take a reasonable guess at what a sane error message means or even understand the basics of using a terminal, they simply choose to not bother. But we live and will continue to live in a technological world and some universal technological literacy is needed to prevent loss of options and loss of agency of the end user. The changes introduced in mainstream sw are on a very clear trajectory that will not change by itself.

    I have this vision of a future where the end user interacts solely with curated LLM systems without the least understanding of what is happening, why it is happening or who makes it happen. The blackbox nature of such systems then introducing subtle biases that were not caught in brute force patches over the systems or simply not caught, perpetuating who knows what. Unfortunately I do not think it is sufficiently unlikely by the current trends.

    Up to a point I get not wanting to deal with problems with technology but instead roadblocks are introduced that are as annoying to get through with the difference that they will not stay fixed. Technology is directing massive portion of our lives, choosing to not make an effort to understand the absolute surface of it is I think not a sound decision and creates a culture where it is possible to introduce disempowering changes en masse.

    So far this has been a rant honestly and perhaps I just needed to vent but I am actually interested in the thoughts of the community on this broad topic.

    37 votes

  13. Comment on A Max password-sharing crackdown is coming in ~tv

    Tiraon
    Link Parent
    It can certainly be abused but there are better ways to combat outright abuses without further devaluing the experience and adding additional burden to paying customers. Edit: This also does not...

    It can certainly be abused but there are better ways to combat outright abuses without further devaluing the experience and adding additional burden to paying customers.

    Edit: This also does not only affect password sharing but also travel. It also further reinforces arbitrary restrictions on service and further degrading the value a paying customer gets.

  14. Comment on A Max password-sharing crackdown is coming in ~tv

    Tiraon
    Link
    Is it too much to ask to just have a service that just does what the user is paying it for instead of adding arbitrary restrictions to chase that next cent? It is of course and as long as people...

    Is it too much to ask to just have a service that just does what the user is paying it for instead of adding arbitrary restrictions to chase that next cent? It is of course and as long as people use them it will get worse.

    I am going to use Netflix(I have paid them for a month or two, I am not perfect) in my example since I do not have Max where I am but likely the garbage will approach maximum no matter the service.

    A user pays for 1/2/4 simultaneous connections except apparently the provider can just decide to refuse service based on anything they want, not to mention they are bundled with resolution maximum

    If the user does not watch on approved garbage device the quality can be lowered arbitrarily

    Interface and discovery is insane, it is actually easier to discover and keep track of shows outside of service

    Related to above lack of options, intrusive design practices.

    And more is always coming.

    I would really love to watch a good tv sometimes but the intersection of the Venn diagram of not garbage and fitting my interests is so small and finding it and watching it is a chore.

    Is it too much to ask to have a streaming service I pay and they just stream me the content they do have without arbitrary garbage that will actually only hurt the paying customer?

    11 votes

  15. Comment on Game recommendations, specifically (round 2) in ~games

    Tiraon
    Link Parent
    I am going to recommend several truly niche games so they are probably in neither category. Golem Creation Kit(maybe 3-6 hours) - a visual novel combined with creating golems from the surroundings...

    I am going to recommend several truly niche games so they are probably in neither category.

    Golem Creation Kit(maybe 3-6 hours) - a visual novel combined with creating golems from the surroundings of your tower to scare incoming mobs. Golems are varied and sometimes stupid(towel golem) the visual novel part is good but as a warning contains a truly intense jump scare in one of the paths

    The Next World(maybe 5-10 hours) - from the same developer. Again a visual novel with building up a colony from a crash landing.

    CAT Interstellar(maybe 1 - 3 hours) - "a walking simulator" basically. Contains good atmosphere and a good controllable models of a robot and a cat. The story presentation may be confusing.

    Lumini(maybe 2 - 4 hours) - controlling a swarm of lumini in a relaxing experience. Best with a controller.

    Solstice(depends on reading speed, maybe 10 -16 hours) - a mystery visual novel and people from different places set in a magnificent city in a frozen wasteland.

    1 vote

  16. Comment on Game recommendations, specifically (round 2) in ~games

    Tiraon
    Link
    I would like to request a game set in a fantastical remote place and heavy on exploration. There should be strong story and narrative. Also featuring partial isolation and muted survival aspects....

    I would like to request a game set in a fantastical remote place and heavy on exploration. There should be strong story and narrative.

    Also featuring partial isolation and muted survival aspects. Possibly featuring RPG elements but with either absent or light(time-wise) combat. Secondarily base building and management aspects of some kind would also be nice.

    Some games that fulfill the request up to a point would be Titan Outpost and Subnautica.

    3 votes

  17. Comment on What a bunch of A-list celebs taught me about how to use my phone in ~tech

    Tiraon
    Link
    The thing about friction is spot on. Deliberately adding friction to actions you should think about more or which are not good(in large amounts) means it is easier to notice what habits I am...

    The thing about friction is spot on.

    Deliberately adding friction to actions you should think about more or which are not good(in large amounts) means it is easier to notice what habits I am forming and avoid things I do not want to do.

    I ignore one click buy and such, I only use my phone as a phone and as a utility, I have a single game on there I have not opened in months, I have no social media or any distracting apps. I actually avoided getting a smartphone until recently. I have an e-reader I use on longer time periods(commutes and such) and on shorter ones I simply wait. And still I recently find myself checking the phone too frequently. I just cannot imagine what it would be like with bunch of engagement maximization apps, undisabled preinstalled bloatware and unmuted notifications.

    Smartphones are absolutely amazing technology and their potential is incredible but how they are used is appalling. If you do not need one it is better not to have it and if you have it is better to not use it unless necessary.

    3 votes

  18. Comment on Nintendo is suing the creators of popular Switch emulator Yuzu, saying their tech illegally circumvents Nintendo's software encryption and facilitates piracy in ~games

    Tiraon
    Link Parent
    This seems simply like one of the numerous downsides of these closed platforms. If they can get away with getting more control of the hw they "sold" they will. Playstation 5 is like that too.

    This seems simply like one of the numerous downsides of these closed platforms. If they can get away with getting more control of the hw they "sold" they will. Playstation 5 is like that too.

  19. Comment on US returns to the Moon with commercial moon landing (gifted link) in ~space

    Tiraon
    Link Parent
    I completely agree with the science bit. I just wanted to add other reasons why I personally think that space specifically is important. Having robust space presence would mean that our...

    I completely agree with the science bit. I just wanted to add other reasons why I personally think that space specifically is important.

    Having robust space presence would mean that our civilization is less fragile. Having industrial base in space would mean that we could for example deploy solar satellites in orbit, possibly solving our energy problems and with it being on better track to mitigate global warming.

    1 vote

  20. Comment on Walmart buying TV-brand Vizio for its ad-fueling customer data in ~finance

    Tiraon
    Link Parent
    I mean individually it could be possible to come out ahead compared to paying for it but then the incidental costs that are unavoidable also need to be considered. Data mining, ads in public...

    I mean individually it could be possible to come out ahead compared to paying for it but then the incidental costs that are unavoidable also need to be considered. Data mining, ads in public spaces, the cost of blocking/avoiding/wading through/ ads, degradation of ownership of physical goods, degradation of control of sw, pollution of internet spaces by automated content farms, masked advertising on public forums, removal of features/products due to disproportionate influence of ads.

    Personally I would rather just pay for it and know what I am paying instead of having to deal somehow with a thousand annoyances. I bet the goods/services would not actually be more expensive overall to spending ability due to the ads having to be paid by someone.