deciduous's recent activity

  1. Comment on Facebook showed this ad to 95% women. Is that a problem? in ~tech

    deciduous
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    An important point brought up in this video is that algorithmic bias in ad targeting platforms isn't some result of bad design or programming. The problem is fundamental to how data driven...

    An important point brought up in this video is that algorithmic bias in ad targeting platforms isn't some result of bad design or programming. The problem is fundamental to how data driven algorithms work. There really isn't a good way to build a targeted algorithm that doesn't reflect the biases (racial, gender, or otherwise) of society.

    As long as the data you use is biased, which real world data will be, the system will be as well.

    10 votes
  2. Comment on Minneapolis police: 'Umbrella Man' was a white supremacist trying to incite George Floyd rioting in ~news

    deciduous
    Link Parent
    Thanks for saying this. It really frustrates me that even after months of these protests people are still willing to take police at their word. I've lost track of the number of times police lied...

    Thanks for saying this. It really frustrates me that even after months of these protests people are still willing to take police at their word. I've lost track of the number of times police lied about demonstrations.

    I know for some it can be comforting to think that all the bad stuff is being done by "outside agitators", but this narrative gives more leeway for the police to crack down.

    Lastly, while most property damage isn't great, the violence enacted by the police against protesters so far outweighs the property damage done by the protests that even talking about it feels like missing the point.

    4 votes
  3. Comment on Elon Musk says shelter-in-place orders during COVID-19 are ‘fascist’—‘Give people back their goddamn freedom.’ in ~health

    deciduous
    Link Parent
    Musk doesn't want his liberty. He wants other people to be forced to work for him. Musk is free to go build Tesla's by himself. He can cut his own hair and pour his own drinks if he wants to. Musk...

    We've come a long way from "Give me liberty, or give me death" huh?

    Musk doesn't want his liberty. He wants other people to be forced to work for him. Musk is free to go build Tesla's by himself. He can cut his own hair and pour his own drinks if he wants to.

    Musk is only okay with people dying to reopen the economy because he knows he won't be one of them. He would never risk his own life working.

    1 vote
  4. Comment on Elon Musk says shelter-in-place orders during COVID-19 are ‘fascist’—‘Give people back their goddamn freedom.’ in ~health

    deciduous
    Link Parent
    Elon Musk also got his money from his parents who owned an Emerald Mine in apartheid South Africa. He is clearly better than Trump, but that's a low bar. And given his desire to let ten of...

    Elon Musk also got his money from his parents who owned an Emerald Mine in apartheid South Africa. He is clearly better than Trump, but that's a low bar.

    And given his desire to let ten of thousands die, I would also say he is not a very good person. I have tons of respect for the engineers, programmers, factory workers, and other employees at Musk's companies, but little for Musk.

    9 votes
  5. Comment on How ‘never Bernie’ voters threw in with Biden and changed the primary in ~society

    deciduous
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    This is just wrong. There are plenty of policies he had proposed that do not require anything from the legislative branch. Off the top of my head, end to the wars in the middle east, legalization...

    If Sanders was elected president tomorrow that wouldn't mean a single one of his ideas becomes effect. He could be given a Democratic Senate and there is still going to be an incredible uphill battle to get any major changes through the system.

    This is just wrong. There are plenty of policies he had proposed that do not require anything from the legislative branch. Off the top of my head, end to the wars in the middle east, legalization of marijuana, and end to the border camps are all policies he has proposed that can be done through a combination of appointments and executive orders. He has specifically stated his plan to legalize marijuana on day 1. The president cannot do everything on his own, but he can do a great deal.

    3 votes
  6. Comment on What are some good party games that can be easily played via video chat? in ~games

    deciduous
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    Secret Hitler is the game I've been playing a ton of over video chat. secrethitler.io lets you play for free, though the website ui is not the best.

    Secret Hitler is the game I've been playing a ton of over video chat. secrethitler.io lets you play for free, though the website ui is not the best.

    6 votes
  7. Comment on Oil’s plunge is an existential threat to a far cleaner biofuel in ~enviro

    deciduous
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    My understanding was that biofuel was still very bad for the environment and not much better than regular diesel fuel.

    My understanding was that biofuel was still very bad for the environment and not much better than regular diesel fuel.

    1 vote
  8. Comment on China bans journalists from the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal in retaliation for state media restrictions by the Donald Trump administration in ~news

    deciduous
    Link Parent
    True. It's an important thing to consider. Maybe it's just with the current situation we are in, but I am very against actions that increase the tension between the US and China right now.

    True. It's an important thing to consider. Maybe it's just with the current situation we are in, but I am very against actions that increase the tension between the US and China right now.

    3 votes
  9. Comment on China bans journalists from the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal in retaliation for state media restrictions by the Donald Trump administration in ~news

    deciduous
    Link Parent
    I'm not trying to justify the action of China, but clearly it was a bad idea for the US to ban Chinese media outlets. Banning Chinese media outlets is not fighting back against censorship. There...

    I'm not trying to justify the action of China, but clearly it was a bad idea for the US to ban Chinese media outlets.

    If democracies stop living up to their values in relation to China in fear of retaliation and escalation from Beijing, China is accomplishing the exact censure they wish to have the power to impose.

    Banning Chinese media outlets is not fighting back against censorship. There are plenty of things that China has done to warrant actions against them, but I really don't think banning Chinese media outlets is the answer.

    6 votes
  10. Comment on China bans journalists from the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal in retaliation for state media restrictions by the Donald Trump administration in ~news

    deciduous
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    Definitely not a good thing that there is an escalating media war between and the US. However, the US has as much to blame as China given that they started this thing.

    Definitely not a good thing that there is an escalating media war between and the US. However, the US has as much to blame as China given that they started this thing.

  11. Comment on Elon Musk told workers they're more likely to die in a car crash than from coronavirus in ~finance

    deciduous
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    Agreed. It consistently frustrates me that Musk is treated as an expert in so many "science" related topics despite the fact that he has little skills in the way of engineering skills and nothing...

    Agreed. It consistently frustrates me that Musk is treated as an expert in so many "science" related topics despite the fact that he has little skills in the way of engineering skills and nothing more than a Bachelor in Physics for education.

    5 votes
  12. Comment on <deleted topic> in ~comp

    deciduous
    Link
    I was going over a few different frameworks for a new project at my job and I found svelte to be pretty great. While I ultimately went with something else due to many of the disadvantages listed...

    I was going over a few different frameworks for a new project at my job and I found svelte to be pretty great. While I ultimately went with something else due to many of the disadvantages listed here I'm super positive about it.

    There's a good chance that the frontend of my next personal project uses svelte since I found it a lot easier than React/Vue (both of which I like).

    6 votes
  13. Comment on Against economics in ~finance

    deciduous
    Link Parent
    This article is largely based on the ideas put forward in this book by the political economist Robert Skidelsky. Graeber is an author of a well-recieved book on the history of economics and...

    I have by no means an academic background in econ, but before I spill out something into the public, I at least try do to some research. And if I don't know enough about something, I keep my mouth shut so that people that know more than me can have a more constructive dialog.

    This article is largely based on the ideas put forward in this book by the political economist Robert Skidelsky.

    Graeber is an author of a well-recieved book on the history of economics and commerce and he is writing about a book by a well respected economist. There has been far more research and knowledge put into this article than you have.

    7 votes
  14. Comment on Steam Key Giveaway Thread, September 2019 Edition in ~games

    deciduous
    Link Parent
    I would love to have owlboy if it's still up for grabs

    I would love to have owlboy if it's still up for grabs

  15. Comment on The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy TV series in the works at Hulu from Carlton Cuse & Jason Fuchs in ~tv

    deciduous
    Link Parent
    All valid criticisms. I still enjoy it even despite the problems (though obviously the radio show and book are better).

    All valid criticisms. I still enjoy it even despite the problems (though obviously the radio show and book are better).

    1 vote
  16. Comment on The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy TV series in the works at Hulu from Carlton Cuse & Jason Fuchs in ~tv

    deciduous
    Link Parent
    What's wrong with original tv series? It keeps close to the original script and has many of the same voices as the radio show. Maybe you're referring to how terrible the costumes, sets, and...

    What's wrong with original tv series? It keeps close to the original script and has many of the same voices as the radio show. Maybe you're referring to how terrible the costumes, sets, and effects are, but I find them kind of endearing.

    3 votes
  17. Comment on More people need to talk about having fewer children in ~life

    deciduous
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    This article feels almost desperate to me. Ideas like population control are pretty radical and almost certainly won't do nearly enough. However, I understand the desire to join something like...

    This article feels almost desperate to me. Ideas like population control are pretty radical and almost certainly won't do nearly enough. However, I understand the desire to join something like BirthStrike. Not having a child is something that's largely under your control. It's a tangible action you can take that you know will have an impact. But it isn't enough. We need to tackle the drivers of climate change. That involves making a lot of sacrifices ourselves, and unfortunately, probably means forcing others who don't want to sacrifice to give up as well. Our current system of capitalism is not sustainable and there aren't any actions that you can individually do that will be enough.

    I really wish it were as simple as not having a child and going vegan and giving up your car (I say this as somebody who does all 3). But it isn't.

    17 votes
  18. Comment on Home brew! Who's brewing up what? in ~hobbies

    deciduous
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    Does it count if I'm fermenting peppers? Just finished making a more sriracha style hot sauce, which didn't turn out quite how I wanted it. I think I put too much ginger and sugar in it, so it...

    Does it count if I'm fermenting peppers? Just finished making a more sriracha style hot sauce, which didn't turn out quite how I wanted it. I think I put too much ginger and sugar in it, so it kind of overpowers the spiciness which you only really get on the back-end of the taste.

    Also fermenting a habenero/frenso chile mix which should be ready to go tomorrow. Can't wait to turn it into a sauce!

    1 vote
  19. Comment on Guitar pedals in ~music

    deciduous
    Link
    I love my looper pedal for writing songs. Looking into grabbing this booster as my next probably. I also use a cheap compressor fairly regularly.

    I love my looper pedal for writing songs.

    Looking into grabbing this booster as my next probably. I also use a cheap compressor fairly regularly.

    1 vote
  20. Comment on What games have you been playing lately? in ~games

    deciduous
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    I bought Hollow Knight from the Steam Summer Sale and it's been fun so far. It's definitely one of the better metroidvania's I've played. Probably my only gripe is that I'm not super in love with...

    I bought Hollow Knight from the Steam Summer Sale and it's been fun so far. It's definitely one of the better metroidvania's I've played. Probably my only gripe is that I'm not super in love with the jump physics (you stop gaining height the second you let go of the jump button which feels a bit unintuitive.

    I've also been getting back into playing chess, which has been enjoyable. I'm still fairly bad (1300-1400 elo), but it's fun to improve.

    5 votes