bayne's recent activity

  1. Comment on What advantages does Linux have over other operating systems? in ~tech

    bayne
    Link Parent
    I've been an on and off Linux user for almost two decades (but past 5 years though I've been full time). There are days where I talk to non-computer people and I have a hard time explaining why I...

    I've been an on and off Linux user for almost two decades (but past 5 years though I've been full time). There are days where I talk to non-computer people and I have a hard time explaining why I use Linux or what it gives me. Then there are days where I'll spend hours working on a Linux specific thing but at the end I'll feel like "I've made this more complicated than it should be" (albeit I enjoy tinkering so not really wasted time).

    It's those days I want to re-read your post because you hit the nail on the head. Heck I want to print that quote and hang it above my desk.

    It's about control and empowerment. A big part of the joy I get from my tech is the feeling of ownership and you can't have ownership without control.

    15 votes

  2. Comment on New York passes legislation that would ban 'addictive' social media algorithms for kids in ~tech

    bayne
    Link Parent
    The closest thing I can think of is banning certain products on specific mediums (tobacco on television). The problem with advertisements compared with the content that surrounds them is that the...

    The closest thing I can think of is banning certain products on specific mediums (tobacco on television). The problem with advertisements compared with the content that surrounds them is that the content is partially an artistic expression. It might be designed to improve engagement but the audience is in control. The audience is allowed to choose what they consume.

    Advertisements employ dark patterns that are designed for the advertisers at the detriment of the consumer of the advertisement. Additionally the advertisements are not an artistic expression but rather something designed to influence, the relationship is adversarial instead of service-oriented.

    Currently we view digital advertisements as annoying but normal. Most people won't change their behavior if they encounter it and will tune it out. If we transition to a place where it is stigmatized (like tobacco on TV or inappropriate content on public screens) then the value of an "impression" goes down.

    6 votes

  3. Comment on New York passes legislation that would ban 'addictive' social media algorithms for kids in ~tech

    bayne
    Link Parent
    Personally I would say yes but I can see how a law banning the ads not being effective for those types of ads in the immediate. I also believe the side effects of the laws will be also useful....

    Personally I would say yes but I can see how a law banning the ads not being effective for those types of ads in the immediate. I also believe the side effects of the laws will be also useful. Digital ads right now are just considered an annoyance but normal. If it was made illegal to target children, then it becomes something truly negative and harmful.

    Once that is established in the public consciousness then people will start making better decisions (do I go see the movie that is blatantly something I consider harmful? Do I use a service that has psychologically destructive content?)

    2 votes

  4. Comment on New York passes legislation that would ban 'addictive' social media algorithms for kids in ~tech

    bayne
    Link Parent
    You are absolutely right, we should also ban digital ads to adults. Think about all the negative progress the Internet has made in the past 30 years and you'll find that for many of them the...

    You are absolutely right, we should also ban digital ads to adults. Think about all the negative progress the Internet has made in the past 30 years and you'll find that for many of them the driving force behind it all is digital advertising. But that's too radical of an idea and I think starting with banning it for children is a good stepping stone.

    6 votes

  5. Comment on New York passes legislation that would ban 'addictive' social media algorithms for kids in ~tech

    bayne
    Link
    A much easier legislation would be to ban digital ads targeting children. Remove the incentive to maximize how addictive the social media is and businesses are no longer going to spend resources...

    A much easier legislation would be to ban digital ads targeting children. Remove the incentive to maximize how addictive the social media is and businesses are no longer going to spend resources on something they can't profit from.

    32 votes

  6. Comment on The tech baron seeking to “ethnically cleanse” San Francisco in ~society

    bayne
    Link Parent
    Which is surprising considering that programming is just an act of repeatedly learning how wrong you are about things

    Which is surprising considering that programming is just an act of repeatedly learning how wrong you are about things

    18 votes