infpossibilityspace's recent activity
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Comment on Accessible forms of poetry for journaling? in ~creative
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Comment on Accessible forms of poetry for journaling? in ~creative
infpossibilityspace LinkOne of my favourite things about poetry is there really aren't any rules. Some rhyme, others don't. Some have a particular structure, like haikus, others use spacing on a page to emphasise...One of my favourite things about poetry is there really aren't any rules. Some rhyme, others don't. Some have a particular structure, like haikus, others use spacing on a page to emphasise something. To me, a poem is a painting made of words.
I'm currently reading Let The Light In by Lemn Sissay. He did a project to write a 4-line poem every morning for 10 years and compiled the best ones into this book. Here are a couple of my favourites so far:
Day breaks
And a split-yolk sun
Oozes on a lightly toasted
And buttered sky
In the way light talks to a river
In the way a river holds the night beneath
In the way spring calms winter
In this way we should speak -
Comment on So I fell for a phishing in ~comp
infpossibilityspace Link ParentAbsolutely this. I work in cyber and have even seen people trained in this stuff get caught out by lapses of judgment. In a way we're almost more likely to because we get overconfident and...Absolutely this. I work in cyber and have even seen people trained in this stuff get caught out by lapses of judgment. In a way we're almost more likely to because we get overconfident and complacent.
It's a good reminder to stay humble.
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Comment on So I fell for a phishing in ~comp
infpossibilityspace LinkFirst of all great job in recognising it (better late than never!) and staying calm enough to secure your account quickly. I'm curious what they asked you to do? They triggered an MFA event and...First of all great job in recognising it (better late than never!) and staying calm enough to secure your account quickly.
I'm curious what they asked you to do? They triggered an MFA event and got you to enter/tell them the code?
The Google thing would have invalidated all active sessions, kicking them out of anything they could access. The two things that might be an issue are (1) can they get back in, and (2) what could they do with the info they saw.
Regarding (1), I would double-check they didn't add a new MFA device to your account or disable the MFA option. That's pretty much the only thing they can do to regain access other than phishing you again.
For (2), I'd keep a watchful eye on your bank statements for any transactions you don't recognise, at least for the next month or two. If your profile has lots of personal info on it (addresses etc.), also keep an eye out for indicators of identity theft, like unexpected letters or your credit rating suddenly dropping.
I don't think there's much else you can do at this stage other than keeping a keen eye for anything suspicious, I'd be curious if other people here have ideas (edit, @skybrian and @rudism note some great things to check, in line with (1)). If you do see something, I'd advise getting in touch with your bank/local authorities just in case.
Fun fact, phishing via a phone call is known in the industry as "vishing" (voice-phishing)!
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Comment on What do you think of robots in the military? in ~tech
infpossibilityspace Link ParentI'm not encouraging us to blindly elect representatives just because they have military training, I'm questioning what life experiences may be indicative when voting for someone. There are some...I'm not encouraging us to blindly elect representatives just because they have military training, I'm questioning what life experiences may be indicative when voting for someone. There are some people who enjoy the destruction of war, yes, but also those who have come away from it seeking a more peaceful life.
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Comment on What do you think of robots in the military? in ~tech
infpossibilityspace (edited )LinkOn one hand, fewer deaths of soldiers is a good thing, however I think the mechanisation of war does more harm in the long run because it dehumanises the conflict. It's a lot easier to distance...On one hand, fewer deaths of soldiers is a good thing, however I think the mechanisation of war does more harm in the long run because it dehumanises the conflict.
It's a lot easier to distance yourself from the death and destruction you're unleashing if you direct it through a screen. It's morbid, but sending soldiers home in body bags is a constant reminder to the public and to leadership of the consequences of war, which is a strong deterrent to continue fighting. Mechanisation turns it into a bizarre economic battle of who can build drones fastest and how much damage your infrastructure can sustain before you collapse.
In my opinion, it's already a failing that the people in charge of starting a war are so emotionally distant from it's consequences. Would we have fewer wars if our presidents/prime ministers family actually had to pick up a gun and risk their lives? I think so.
I can also see it empowering an authoritarian regime to suppress it's people for that same reason. What can the public do if a corrupt leader subjugates their own people using drones?
So no, I don't think it's ethical, but as @skybrian says, very little about war is ethical. Should drones act autonomously? I think it should always be clear who is accountable and what the consequences are for errors. When that is unclear, it's a sign we should stop doing it until/unless it gets resolved.
I believe this is a wider issue we have not been taking as seriously as we should, like when police facial recognition flags an innocent person, or an LLM leading someone to psychosis.
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Comment on An open letter to the University of California Regents requesting that standardized testing be re-introduced into admissions, >200 UC Professors signatures in ~humanities
infpossibilityspace Link ParentFrom that link, the additional program is just a summer class, ours is a full academic year and costs the same as one, too. The additional time probably alleviates the burden on professors and...From that link, the additional program is just a summer class, ours is a full academic year and costs the same as one, too. The additional time probably alleviates the burden on professors and students since they're not having to cram before the course starts.
Also, they don't need to accept every student who wants to take the remedial course, they can just say no.
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Comment on An open letter to the University of California Regents requesting that standardized testing be re-introduced into admissions, >200 UC Professors signatures in ~humanities
infpossibilityspace (edited )LinkI've seen many articles from university professors pointing out the declining numeracy and literacy skills in new students and how it's impacting their classes, and seeing this signed by so many...I've seen many articles from university professors pointing out the declining numeracy and literacy skills in new students and how it's impacting their classes, and seeing this signed by so many validates those concerns.
I'm in favour of these tests in theory, while I can't comment on the fairness/equity of how they're administered, I do think it's reasonable to expect prospective students to have a strong foundation before starting the course. It also provides a balance against the output of the mandatory school system and pushes students to take their classes more seriously if they want a higher education.
In the UK we have a "Foundation year" system where students who didn't do so well at school, or mature students who need it, can brush up their knowledge prior to the start of the main course with everyone else. Something similar would probably work in the US too?
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Comment on Battery costs just plunged 70% — this changes everything in ~enviro
infpossibilityspace Link ParentIt's cheaper than ever, but it's still going to take a decade (minimum) to pay for itself in pure electricity savings, possibly closer to 15-20 years. But you do get other benefits - it increases...It's cheaper than ever, but it's still going to take a decade (minimum) to pay for itself in pure electricity savings, possibly closer to 15-20 years.
But you do get other benefits - it increases the value of your home, so even if you don't live there long enough to earn back the investment through energy savings, you might come out on top after you sell it (though this is a gamble on future house prices in your area).
Energy price swings will affect you less. Topical relevance aside, it's possible this may be less relevant as we transition further towards grid-scale renewables (or more relevant due to global warming?).
The batteries can help in a power cut (depending on size) and also help charge an electric car, if you have/plan to get one.
So there are plenty of reasons to get it, but there's also so much investment in battery technology and manufacturing right now, it may become even cheaper and more efficient if you wait a bit longer.
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Comment on From neat lawns to wild havens: how No Mow May is transforming England’s gardens in ~enviro
infpossibilityspace Link ParentIf you want to go to the next level, look into native perennial wildflower seeds (or an annual/perennial mix), it's about £10 for a bag of seeds and once it's sown you just cut it twice a year and...If you want to go to the next level, look into native perennial wildflower seeds (or an annual/perennial mix), it's about £10 for a bag of seeds and once it's sown you just cut it twice a year and you've got a beautiful wildflower garden.
It's a little preparation for the initial sowing but it's literally a one-time job.
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Comment on How to find (a) new music (community)? in ~music
infpossibilityspace Link ParentKEXP is my favourite way to find new music, I'd also shout out BBC Radio 6 live and Tiny Desk performances. There are some great music discussion podcasts too, I really enjoy James Acaster's...KEXP is my favourite way to find new music, I'd also shout out BBC Radio 6 live and Tiny Desk performances. There are some great music discussion podcasts too, I really enjoy James Acaster's Perfect Sounds, Sticky Notes, and The Soundtrack Show
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Comment on Ageless Linux emerges to protest OS-level age verification laws in ~tech
infpossibilityspace Link ParentOh, I stand corrected! Thanks!Oh, I stand corrected! Thanks!
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Comment on Ageless Linux emerges to protest OS-level age verification laws in ~tech
infpossibilityspace Link ParentFrom the ageless Linux page (admittedly I switched from AG to the police): Unless the law makes the distinction between knowingly and unknowingly incorrect data, then wouldn't the distributor...From the ageless Linux page (admittedly I switched from AG to the police):
The enforcement mechanism is the point. AB 1043 does not need to result in a single fine to achieve its purpose. The mere existence of potential liability — $7,500 per affected child, enforced at the sole discretion of the Attorney General — creates legal risk for anyone distributing an operating system without the resources to build an age verification infrastructure.
Unless the law makes the distinction between knowingly and unknowingly incorrect data, then wouldn't the distributor would be liable if the age is wrong for any reason? Happy to be wrong about this.
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Comment on Ageless Linux emerges to protest OS-level age verification laws in ~tech
infpossibilityspace Link ParentIt's the "verification" part. The way the law is written means the OS vendor is liable if the police discover <18s have been lying about their age, which means they're incentivised to actually...It's the "verification" part.
The way the law is written means the OS vendor is liable if the police discover <18s have been lying about their age, which means they're incentivised to actually verify your age.
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Comment on Ageless Linux emerges to protest OS-level age verification laws in ~tech
infpossibilityspace Link ParentI don't think websites should be in the business of age verification either, exactly for the risk of data leaks. The safest way to store data is to never obtain it to begin with. And if you want...I don't think websites should be in the business of age verification either, exactly for the risk of data leaks. The safest way to store data is to never obtain it to begin with.
And if you want to protect the kids from bad websites, that's what parental controls are for. If you don't want your kid to see something and talking to them isn't working, push for better parental controls rather than this arbitrary surveillance.
For example the owner of a device could activate "child mode" on an account (without age verification) which changes the user agent on the device to have a child flag, and when you try to access websites and apps the vendor checks for the presence of the flag and disallows access. Then you have a law requiring vendors to check for the flag with strict penalties for non-compliance, pushing the burden onto the companies. I'm sure there are issues with this too, but my point is there are other ways to police access anonymously.
This feels like shooting the messenger to me, there's no burden or punishment for the providers of harmful content with this law.
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Comment on Survey reveals almost 50% of California teachers may quit teaching soon in ~life
infpossibilityspace Link ParentI would caution anyone from going into a profession that relies on people being passionate about their work, particularly for education and other public benefit jobs. On an individual level it's...I would caution anyone from going into a profession that relies on people being passionate about their work, particularly for education and other public benefit jobs. On an individual level it's great! I've personally been on the receiving end of excellent, joyful teachers; but collectively it becomes tempting for higher ups to exploit that passion and not provide a quality learning environment, good pay, and supporting educators in the face of unreasonable criticism.
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Comment on The average US college student is illiterate in ~life
infpossibilityspace Link ParentThat's a good point, a lot of new technology and methods of escapism encourage isolation rather than group enjoyment. It's a mix of stunting social and mental development while providing a...That's a good point, a lot of new technology and methods of escapism encourage isolation rather than group enjoyment. It's a mix of stunting social and mental development while providing a compelling, though shallow, alternative.
Another aspect is the fracturing or lack of people-centered regulation, leading to a loss of agency in daily life. I think everyone is feeling this, I certainly am, but it's probably more damaging if you've never known an alternative. So the temptation to lean into hedonism gets bigger.
All of this might also explain some of the increasing populist/nationalist right among young people; as your world becomes simultaneously smaller and harder to understand, you become more amenable to finger-pointing solutions like blaming other races/cultures.
Happy to hear other perspectives if I've got anything wrong :)
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Comment on The average US college student is illiterate in ~life
infpossibilityspace LinkI've noticed a lot of student apathy in these essays, and I'm curious where it comes from. The addiction to short-form content isn't something I experience, and my friends and coworkers are either...I've noticed a lot of student apathy in these essays, and I'm curious where it comes from. The addiction to short-form content isn't something I experience, and my friends and coworkers are either conscious about it or are older and don't have the habit. I know it's not good but I didn't realise it was this damaging?
My initial thought was a pessimism about their future; entry-level jobs being threatened by AI (whether justified or not), and houses, cars, and childcare are becoming out of reach as wealth concentrates up. The effects of global warming are getting more visible too. I certainly remember worrying about those last two when I was at university in the early 2010s, but I don't think this is the whole story.
There are more legal highs/stimulants since I was at uni, and phone gambling is also new. Again I'm not very knowledgeable about the impact of these on young people other than the potential addictiveness.
I don't blame them for their actions, on some level it must make sense, I'm just not seeing their perspective yet.
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Comment on Messy 2026 F1 cars leave a deeply disturbing impression in ~sports.motorsports
infpossibilityspace Link ParentI'd agree with that, I think fans will sympathetic to slightly slower cars if the benefit is having small, nimble cars that can follow closely and produce great racing.I'd agree with that, I think fans will sympathetic to slightly slower cars if the benefit is having small, nimble cars that can follow closely and produce great racing.
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Comment on Messy 2026 F1 cars leave a deeply disturbing impression in ~sports.motorsports
infpossibilityspace LinkF1 has always been in a strange tug-of-war between driver challenge, engineering innovation, and team costs. There's never been a time when the balance was right, in my opinion. It used to be that...F1 has always been in a strange tug-of-war between driver challenge, engineering innovation, and team costs.
There's never been a time when the balance was right, in my opinion. It used to be that championship points, and therefore prize money, was only awarded down to 6th place (simplified), so most teams actively lost money (until 2002, then awarded down to 8th and now 10th).
It was fine for so long because car development was relatively cheap. But owing to the push of engineering, cars got faster and more costly to develop, risking the death of the sport as it became less viable for a new team to overcome the barrier to entry.
Plus there's the safety aspect - we've long decided (since Clark, Senna and Bianchi) that deaths in F1 aren't acceptable. Drivers understandably want to be challenged to go faster, but that comes with an increased risk of injury.
So the FIA is in a battle it can never win. Slower cars are healthy for the sport in terms of competitiveness and safety, but worse for drivers and spectators who want to see fast, exciting action.
Ooh, can you share the name of the website?