cycling_mammoth's recent activity
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Comment on The 49MB web page in ~comp
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
cycling_mammoth Link« Les hommes qui n'aiment pas des femmes » (Men who hate women) or better known here by its English translation title "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" ¹ Without spoiling much the book is marvelous...« Les hommes qui n'aiment pas des femmes » (Men who hate women) or better known here by its English translation title "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" ¹
Without spoiling much the book is marvelous and not too dense despite being quite substantial in size, and even 40% in the mystery is still there — its not like some mysteries where you already have a clear suspect a few chapters in.
It's definitely on the darker side of things and may have some triggering elements for people, but overall I highly recommend the text it's been quite well crafted!
Now on thematic stuff which may be mild spoilers: from what I've read so far, It very effectively examinates and displays an insane gap between political rhetoric and actual violent acts faced against women, the ramifications of Nazism still festering in alcoves of Swedish society, failings of neoliberalism + welfare apparatus (most notably in legal / social / financial support of wards of the state), and lastly the absolute moral bankruptcy among much of the wealthy.
trigger warnings for potential readers (not a huge spoiler / I'm vague with it)
Most notably sexual assault and violence against women / minors / those under legal guardianship
1: Some fun information on the title:
Gabrielsson has been upset by some of the changes that have been made to the books, including the original title being dropped in the international editions. "Stieg refused to let the Swedish publisher change that – they said [Men Who Hate Women] wasn't commercial, and he refused. I have that in an email." She says that calling Lisbeth Salander "the girl with the dragon tattoo" diminishes her. "And the actual tattoo, well, in the original book, that's huge – it runs from her shoulder, along the spine, and ends somewhere on her buttock. Even that image is changed in the English version. It's changed to a small tattoo on her shoulder, because that's the cover they had in mind. You shouldn't be able to do that." She bangs a hand on the table, clearly incensed source
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
cycling_mammoth LinkI recently picked up Fire Emblem: Awakening at a local game store and I can see why it was such a pivotal point in the franchise, contributing to a resurgence so to speak. I will admit I haven't...I recently picked up Fire Emblem: Awakening at a local game store and I can see why it was such a pivotal point in the franchise, contributing to a resurgence so to speak.
I will admit I haven't played many Fire Emblems, and have yet to find the time to actually complete one, but the majority of my past experience lies in Path of Radiance (which I should really get back to).
In many ways, Awakening makes me miss the more quirky and charming past of Nintendo, and I am definitely re-finding my love for the 3DS for the millionth time. Graphically the game is quite amazing, especially for a title released so close to the consoles launch. 'Support' dialogue is much deeper than recent releases, albeit a little silly — more importantly the story is actually quite gripping and well crafted.
I think my only potential gripe is the pair-up mechanic introduced in this FE, allowing you to place two units on the same tile (with one being in the front / taking the damage). It is balanced quite well, and there are plentiful unique matchups to be made, but I think it reduces the potential of strategic placement of units which is more important in Path of Radiance. It does make it a bit easier to play risky/offensively if you so wish, but I think it waters down the tactical aspect of previous games (I'd like to emphasize I am nitpicking here, its still very fun and still very firmly a tactics jrpg)
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Comment on A writing professor’s new task in the age of AI: Teaching students when to struggle in ~life
cycling_mammoth Link ParentI feel like this is much more akin to the advent of the pocket calculator. It is important to recognize that students will use calculators in their life. It is however important that they learn...I feel like this is much more akin to the advent of the pocket calculator. It is important to recognize that students will use calculators in their life. It is however important that they learn underlying concepts. The key points for me would be critical thinking / analysis, and effective argumentative structure. Without developing these writing and reading skills, how can we expect students to assess the validity of LLM output? Going back to the calculator analogy, students without a good grasp of their core mathmatics will miss errors in calculations with a calculator more easily. They might attempt a physics question in secondary school, and lack an expectation of the magnitude of the response.
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Comment on What do you think about putting your driver's license in your digital wallet? in ~tech
cycling_mammoth LinkHypothetically it would be useful, I would love the ability to have my ID on my smart watch when I am running to avoid having to bring my health card with me (semi-required for accessing public...Hypothetically it would be useful, I would love the ability to have my ID on my smart watch when I am running to avoid having to bring my health card with me (semi-required for accessing public healthcare within my country).
In reality, not only does it require development by the teach companies, it also requires potentially multiple levels of government to accept it as ID. Until then, it is somewhat of a paperweight, only increasing your exposure to identity theft.
At this point I dont think its worth it, but hypothetically I could see myself using it for some ID if it was uniformally accepted in my jurisdiction.
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Comment on Re: Corporate Intelligence · Serpent Squiggles in ~tech
cycling_mammoth LinkI'm still processing my thoughts and I'm not sure where to begin, maybe writing this will help. Particularly as an educator (English, français langue étrangère & mathematics) I am seeing the...I'm still processing my thoughts and I'm not sure where to begin, maybe writing this will help. Particularly as an educator (English, français langue étrangère & mathematics) I am seeing the drastic ramifications LLMs have had on critical thinking skills and language abilities of students (arguably the way schools operated in my region during lockdown is also partially responsible for this but I digress). There is already drastic ramifications of the technology, even in its infancy, within multiple domains.
Now, I think I can agree with the notion that I am deeply fascinated by the prospect of synthesized consciousness of some form — what is not touched upon adequately (for my opinions on AI) is how LLMs as they stand are fundamentally incapable of thought, and by extension, 'original' thought. This is still such a huge importance of what makes human writing and art important to me, and links well into the authors emphasis of context, process, and intent. In many ways it is part of the joy of analyzing literature or creating art for me, and in many ways is why I'd love to pursue a masters & PhD in old anglo-norman writing. Back on topic however, can we truly say it is the solution to the crisis?
I wish I could truly abide by such a creed, a uniform declaration outlining the problem and the solution, yet I find myself at an impasse. The trajectory we are headed for is so uncertain, lawmakers are not reacting quick enough to AI (nor do some even desire to); there is frankly no coherent future that I can divinate out of what we know.
Maybe that was a bit much on the rambling side, and definitely emphasizes my hatred for uncertainty. But, I'm hoping maybe my thoughts + the blog post can start an interesting conversation :)
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Re: Corporate Intelligence · Serpent Squiggles
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Comment on Creating server documentation progromatically in bash in ~comp
cycling_mammoth Link ParentRestic is something that I have really wanted to look into, but I definitely need to set aside a decent amount of time to make sure I properly learn about it. I think I first heard about it with...Restic is something that I have really wanted to look into, but I definitely need to set aside a decent amount of time to make sure I properly learn about it. I think I first heard about it with reference to another project, where I was helping a friend set up a minecraft server and a separate backup container. It seemed really fascinating but not the correct fit for that specific project (I just needed a local backup in case of plugin-related data loss, as the drive already was going to be backed up in its entirety).
I definitely will also take a look at ansible! I frankly do not mind overkill; if it makes it work better / seamless, it is definitely worth the time (and as you said, it can be fun to try those new tools)
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Comment on Creating server documentation progromatically in bash in ~comp
cycling_mammoth Link ParentPaperless is definitely on my list of apps to try! I have way too much paper ive needed to keep. What do you document in DocMost? Just homelab stuff? Or other projects and similarly wiki-able things?Paperless is definitely on my list of apps to try! I have way too much paper ive needed to keep.
What do you document in DocMost? Just homelab stuff? Or other projects and similarly wiki-able things?
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Comment on Creating server documentation progromatically in bash in ~comp
cycling_mammoth LinkSome Background For the longest time, I have wanted to set up a home lab, and frankly, I was hedging my bets on converting my now aging desktop into a home lab once I build a new one, but those...Some Background
For the longest time, I have wanted to set up a home lab, and frankly, I was hedging my bets on converting my now aging desktop into a home lab once I build a new one, but those dreams seem further and further away with the PC parts shortage that has been going on.
Despite this shattered plan, I found an old Raspberry Pi Zero 2W in a drawer from an ancient failed project of mine, and thought I would try my best to set up one or two self hosted apps on it. Now, of course, it is quite limited; with a measly 512mb of RAM in particular, you will not be able to host much on it. But I was able to get away with a Syncthing server that acts as an 'encrypted relay' for files that need to always be updated and available (most notably KeePass).
I was also able to get away with a FreshRSS instance (still debating on trying tt-rss as well), which has been most liberating. Algorithmic news is, frankly, awful and a lot of the websites for newspapers are a little too ad-laden and filled with "disable your ad-blocker" warnings and plentiful cookie consent forms.
Why the random git link might you ask?
I just thought I would share something that I made along my little home lab journey. It is a small bash script that allows you to auto-populate predetermined fields within a markdown folder to make documenting your server setup(s) just a little bit easier (at least for me). It automagically adds in key system information, and documents podman systemd unit files / quadlets into a nice table with key details of their setup. It is definitely imperfect (I have not touched scripting or programming in a few years), but I am quite happy with what it is capable of right now.
Any thoughts on the direction I could go with the script (or the homelab for that matter)?
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Creating server documentation progromatically in bash
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
cycling_mammoth LinkThere's been a lot , but I'll talk about the new additions since last I posted here Arca (self titled album) has been great, revisiting albums from my past is always a great experience, especially...There's been a lot , but I'll talk about the new additions since last I posted here
Arca (self titled album) has been great, revisiting albums from my past is always a great experience, especially (re)discovering songs and finding new favourites (Piel [Skin] and Sin Rumbo [Aimless] notably
I also re-watched Pride & Prejudice recently with some friends (one had never seen so we made a night out of it) — and I forgot how amazing the score is for that film, while imperfect relative to the book the cinematography and music is PEAK and you really feel the characters.
Lastly EUSEXUA afterglow - FKA Twigs has been coming and going in my listening past few months, I feel like it compliments the more experimental Arca that has been heavily in my rotation, as well as the San James in a way (on the more indie pop end).
Honourable mention: Ever since finishing Heated Rivalry on Crave I have really gotten into Wolf Parade, specifically I'll Believe in Everything is used in the series to great effect :)
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Comment on Seaweed farms boost long-term carbon storage by altering ocean chemistry in ~enviro
cycling_mammoth Link ParentIt's quite fascinating since it feels like most carbon sinks that are discussed require not being harvested; harvesting reintroduces captured carbon dioxide into our supply chains (e.g with wood)...It's quite fascinating since it feels like most carbon sinks that are discussed require not being harvested; harvesting reintroduces captured carbon dioxide into our supply chains (e.g with wood)
I am no scientist though — so perhaps there are other systems which work similar to this one for carbon capture which I am unaware of.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
cycling_mammoth LinkI've been listening to a few albums on vinyl and on spotify lately. Destiné by Aya Nakamura, I'm Only F**cking Myself by Lola Young and Bonne Chance by San James are the three top ones right now I...I've been listening to a few albums on vinyl and on spotify lately. Destiné by Aya Nakamura, I'm Only F**cking Myself by Lola Young and Bonne Chance by San James are the three top ones right now I would say.
There's also been a mix of songs from Charlotte Day Wilson from Cyan Blue and Alpha, and Im getting into Wolf Parade after watching / reading Heated Rivalry.
Im also trying to get a hold of Rosalía's LUX on vinyl, but it is seemingly a difficult task.
I realize the genres here are a bit all over the place - but maybe that's the fun part :)
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Comment on Privacy is also protecting the data of others in ~tech
cycling_mammoth LinkWhile I do agree with the premise of the article (and frankly have been a fan and translation contributor to privacy guides), I think this is very much an “easier said than done” type of...While I do agree with the premise of the article (and frankly have been a fan and translation contributor to privacy guides), I think this is very much an “easier said than done” type of situation.
Particularly with the all too common rebuttal of “I have nothing to hide, why should I care?”, it just often feels like a losing battle. It is a flawed rebuttal, but you cannot just convince someone to change their mind on something like that. There are also services that are seemingly designed to trap less vigilant users into exposing their data, e.g. encrypted messaging services that support unencrypted backups / services that have opt-in encryption for their online storage (À la, iCloud Advanced Data Protection).
At the end of the day I do go out of my way to protect the data of those around me, but convincing those around me to do the same for me is quite difficult.
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Comment on Our interfaces have lost their senses in ~tech
cycling_mammoth Link ParentI definitely agree with your thoughts as well as Akir, frankly part of why I posted this was my struggles with understanding and simultaneously not understanding (I was wondering if it was just my...I definitely agree with your thoughts as well as Akir, frankly part of why I posted this was my struggles with understanding and simultaneously not understanding (I was wondering if it was just my brain being stuck in French today, and I am somewhat relieved that is not the case lol)
And input methods are really important! I guess this is more so tangentially related, but I have been meaning to try more input methods — specifically ones usually relegated to accessibility, like eye tracking. Part of it is perhaps more so my desire to learn how to use a computer without using all of my faculties, just ot have a better understanding of how users interact with their computers. But I also hope to find use for it where it excels beyond the traditional mouse / keyboard input. As it stands now, I already do have a somewhat multi-modal input system, I handwrite some things and convert them to text later, or my varried usage of trackpoint / trackpad / mouse depending on what application I am using.
What if we were to start from scratch, could thece be a better way to "type"? I don't even know what that would look like.
I think there likely would be a better way to type. As it stands now, keyboards are not the most ergonomic of input methods, and even optimized layouts falter in multilingual usecases. I feel like a truly optimized setup would be some type of chorded input, but even then that might not be the only one as sometimes it might just be easier to use voice recognition or other methods.
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Comment on Our interfaces have lost their senses in ~tech
cycling_mammoth Link ParentI was not sure if the art was AI generated or not, but I had a sneaking suspicion that it had to be as well. I appreciate the artistic elements, fabric work has a certain tactility to it which I...I was not sure if the art was AI generated or not, but I had a sneaking suspicion that it had to be as well. I appreciate the artistic elements, fabric work has a certain tactility to it which I really appreciate (in my free time, I do enjoy crocheting a lot).
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Comment on Our interfaces have lost their senses in ~tech
cycling_mammoth LinkFound this on Lemmy — félt like something worth discussing here. I'm at least partially on the authors side, there's something frankly quite cold and unwelcoming of a lot of modern UI, and I miss...Found this on Lemmy — félt like something worth discussing here.
I'm at least partially on the authors side, there's something frankly quite cold and unwelcoming of a lot of modern UI, and I miss some of the more skeumorphic elements of UI from my childhood. I accept however that some of this is a romanticism for the past, there are aspects of contemporary design that is frankly better (particularly in the accessibility front)
The author here is writing a rather fun / cute call to action, but to what end?
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Our interfaces have lost their senses
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Comment on Mozilla sees surge in Firefox users thanks to EU’s Digital Markets Act in ~tech
cycling_mammoth LinkI'm happy to see that the DMA Choice Screen is actually doing something, although I fear it is perhaps too little and too late. I wholeheartedly expected more people to stick with the browser they...I'm happy to see that the DMA Choice Screen is actually doing something, although I fear it is perhaps too little and too late.
I wholeheartedly expected more people to stick with the browser they used prior to this change.
I do wonder, if anyone has seen data depicting a similar change regarding search engines?
I don't find it that bad personally, but I've curated 8(ish?) years of custom filters in μBlock Origin now so I don't often have to correct my default js off posture
I don't bother on my phone (cromite) as it's a MASSIVE hassle to fix, but I find it quite rapid to rectify on Firefox (or maybe I've stockholmed myself and just ingrained it into muscle memory).
I think it also helps if you use a feed reader to avoid ever opening news sites directly — frankly the only problematic sites I find are usually payment processors & my governments websites sometimes (its 50:50 by site whether its immaculate and functions even without js or i just need to disable almost all of the adblock to load it...)