kjw's recent activity
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Comment on Pace of global warming has doubled since 2015 in ~enviro
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Comment on I don’t know if my software engineering job will still exist in ten years in ~comp
kjw (edited )Link ParentTo be honest, since a year or two I've started to ditch many apps or other software I'd been using before. Because I've noticed the more ease in doing stuff without human intervention I have, the...To be honest, since a year or two I've started to ditch many apps or other software I'd been using before. Because I've noticed the more ease in doing stuff without human intervention I have, the more lonely and depressed I feel.
And so I've removed most of my corposocial media accounts. I've asked for an analog watch for my Birthday. I've removed lots of apps from my phone. I've stopped reading casual mainstream internet media articles. I've started reading physical newspapers and came back to books. I've turned off message notifications on my phone. I've exited many group chats. I've also lowered my podcast consumption, when I realised I don't remember most of stuff I've listened to. And more actions, which I can't recall now.
Thanks to this, even though I have less frequent contact with people, I feel more connected and less lonely. I try to meet people the most, if not I just call. It's harder, less frequent, but more bonding.
Saying all of above, I don't feel we need so much more software. I, personally, enjoy less software in my life than before.[edit]
added „internet" to „... media articles.“ -
Comment on [PL] Brutal selection on the front lines. Study: War rapidly changing Ukraine's dog population in ~life.pets
kjw Link ParentI've added it. Sorry, no idea why I posted without a link.I've added it. Sorry, no idea why I posted without a link.
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Comment on [PL] Brutal selection on the front lines. Study: War rapidly changing Ukraine's dog population in ~life.pets
kjw LinkTranslated using deepl.com.Translated using deepl.com.
Researchers—thanks to data collected by Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines and volunteers in other parts of Ukraine—have examined how the population of wild dogs in frontline areas has changed. The scale of the changes is enormous. Mainly small, healthy dogs with “wild” characteristics survive.
“Our study clearly shows that war affects not only humans but also other species, primarily by accelerating and directing natural selection,” commented Prof. Marija Marciw from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, the lead author of the study described in the journal Evolutionary Applications, to PAP.
In areas affected by warfare, animals face not only explosions during shelling, bomb and mine blasts, noise, and constant stress. They also face the challenge of rapid changes in the population of such areas: there are fewer people feeding the animals, there is a lack of food scraps, agriculture is disappearing, and with it, additional sources of food.
“In terms of its impact on animal populations, war is a man-made disaster that has very long-term effects on the entire natural world,” said Dr. Małgorzata Pilot from the University of Gdańsk in an interview with PAP.
The research was conducted between March 2023 and January 2024. The data was obtained thanks to the involvement of volunteers – soldiers stationed on the front line. The initiative was launched by Dr. Ihor Dykyj from the University of Lviv, who, after the outbreak of the war, spent over a year on the front line as a soldier and organized a data collection campaign among soldiers there.
In regions far from the front line, information about wild dogs was also collected by civilians, including people working in shelters. If the dogs approached people, volunteers recorded their size, weight, and health, photographed them, and collected hair samples. The project collected information on more than 760 dogs. Obtaining data from dogs did not require specialist knowledge or equipment, making it possible to conduct research using the opportunities offered by citizen science and without exposing people or animals to additional danger.
“We wanted to see if dogs on the front lines differed from those in safer parts of the country. The results are striking—we observed a drastic decline in morphological diversity,” explains Dr. Pilot.
Most of the dogs registered are medium and small in size. Scientists believe this is related to the dense mining of the area – smaller animals are less likely to activate mine detonators, which are designed for humans or vehicles.
- We did not encounter any dogs with flat snouts on the front lines, which is probably due to their lower respiratory capacity. There were also no dogs with short legs, which are unable to move efficiently in difficult terrain. Most of the dogs on the front had straight, medium-length coats. The characteristics typical of decorative breeds disappeared, and the population became more like wild canines, concluded Dr. Pilot. Prof. Marciw added that dogs of the so-called wild type, which are genetically better adapted to harsh environments, cope best in extreme conditions. The researcher also noted that the average life expectancy of animals on the front lines has shortened – old or sick individuals are almost non-existent there.
Dr. Małgorzata Pilot pointed out that the duration of the war – compared to the scale of evolution – is short, but it forces a “brutal form of selection.” “This is not a gradual process where better-adapted individuals simply have slightly more offspring. Here, weaker individuals die immediately. This is evidenced by the fact that we encountered almost exclusively healthy animals on the front line, except that many of them show signs of malnutrition,” she commented.
The team managed to examine mainly those dogs that rely on human help. However, recordings from military drones prove the existence of groups of completely independent dogs, living in packs and hunting or feeding on carrion.
- Reports of dogs eating the bodies of fallen soldiers whose corpses are not removed from the battlefield have been confirmed. Although it sounds drastic, dogs, like wolves, are physiologically adapted to feeding on dead animals and can also feed on dead humans when no other food is available, Dr. Pilot pointed out. Research has not yet determined whether dogs eating human remains is extreme behavior or rather typical in such difficult conditions.
The researchers also analyzed the diet of dogs approaching humans by studying stable isotopes in their fur. It turned out that animals throughout Ukraine currently consume a lot of plant-based food. "This is a result of the crisis. People are throwing away less meat and feeding it to dogs less often, replacing it with other products: groats, bread, or potatoes," says Dr. Pilot.
Until now, the impact of wars on ecosystems has usually been studied post factum or in laboratory conditions. This time, science is documenting the changes live. Prof. Marciw emphasizes that dogs, as a species accompanying humans, are a good indicator of the scale of environmental degradation. “The data collected will help to document the drastic environmental changes caused by the war and, in the future, to restore the unique natural habitats that have been destroyed by the Russian occupiers,” concluded Prof. Marciw.
Ludwika Tomala (PAP)
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[PL] Brutal selection on the front lines. Study: War rapidly changing Ukraine's dog population
I've found it interesting to learn how the animal (in this case dog) population is affected by the war. I've attached translation in a comment below. [edit] Link to the article:...
I've found it interesting to learn how the animal (in this case dog) population is affected by the war.
I've attached translation in a comment below.[edit]
Link to the article: https://naukawpolsce.pl/aktualnosci/news%2C111358%2Cbrutalna-selekcja-na-froncie-badanie-wojna-blyskawicznie-zmienia-populacje
I have no idea how I forgot to add it...20 votes -
Comment on ‘It’s emptiness’: banned Ukrainian athlete accuses International Olympic Committee of fuelling Russia’s propaganda in ~sports
kjw Link ParentIn my opinion IOC is already overtly political, since it allowed to participate Russia, a country that tries to kill their neighbors (and known of cheating all the time everywhere possible). A...In my opinion IOC is already overtly political, since it allowed to participate Russia, a country that tries to kill their neighbors (and known of cheating all the time everywhere possible). A country that kills children, kidnaps children, denies existence of another nation. That fact that IOC allowed such evil country to participate is a clear sign of IOC political point of view - $$. It cares only about money, fair play and honesty doesn't matter, being excellent doesn't matter, only money. It is sad that such entity which should be an example of honesty and fairness allows killers to participate. Such disgusting political expression towards people looking for fair play in this world - banning athlete from invaded country only for showing the truth.
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Comment on Joy of sharing a creation replaced by a longing sadness in ~talk
kjw LinkFuck Amazon and their Twitch, seriously. If I understand correrctly your post, they block Tor and VPNs. Which are the only way people from dictatures and authoritarian regimes may access the...Fuck Amazon and their Twitch, seriously. If I understand correrctly your post, they block Tor and VPNs. Which are the only way people from dictatures and authoritarian regimes may access the Internet and avoid censorship.
Fuck Amazon, again. -
South Korea seeks multilingual talent to hunt down K-content piracy
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‘It’s emptiness’: banned Ukrainian athlete accuses International Olympic Committee of fuelling Russia’s propaganda
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Comment on Elon Musk says SpaceX will prioritize a city on the moon instead of a colony on Mars in ~space
kjw Link ParentThere are many people dreaming about ending poverty but they get called idiots, communists etc., instead of BIG dreamers. He's a BIG dreamer only because he's rich and wants to get richer and...There are many people dreaming about ending poverty but they get called idiots, communists etc., instead of BIG dreamers. He's a BIG dreamer only because he's rich and wants to get richer and investors want to get richer. This is BIG mistake of humanity to let a person collect such huge amount of wealth and influence.
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Comment on Popcorn lung: how vaping could scar your lungs for life in ~health
kjw LinkNational Toxicology Program topic: Artificial Butter Flavorings (ABF) Components - https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/research/topics/abfNational Toxicology Program topic: Artificial Butter Flavorings (ABF) Components - https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/research/topics/abf
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Popcorn lung: how vaping could scar your lungs for life
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AI will compromise your cybersecurity posture
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Comment on SpaceX is acquiring xAI in ~space
kjw Link ParentThank you. Knowing that SpaceX gets money mostly from government subsidies/contracts, which means it gets government money, that also means to me that Musk found a way to get government money for...Thank you.
Knowing that SpaceX gets money mostly from government subsidies/contracts, which means it gets government money, that also means to me that Musk found a way to get government money for his idiotic projects such as X. I hope I'm mistaken, but for sure one thing will happen - Spacex enshittification, because lots of its money will be spent on Xai. That's what I think. -
Comment on SpaceX is acquiring xAI in ~space
kjw Link ParentCould you write little bit more about it? What's the difference between these companies regarding his involvement in each?one of Musk's businesses that has been most successful at insulating itself from Musk, whereas Twitter and xAI have been pretty much personal fiefdoms.
Could you write little bit more about it? What's the difference between these companies regarding his involvement in each?
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State of the (Jelly)Fin 2026-01-06, free software for streaming media
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Peter Thiel's new model army. The Palantirisation of the UK military is a national security disaster.
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Comment on Her daughter was unraveling, and she didn’t know why. Then she found the AI chat logs. in ~tech
kjw Link ParentMoral responsibility exists only when you can afford not to starve. It is a very good thing what you've done, and I personally thank you and other people who have the possibility and choose not to...Moral responsibility exists only when you can afford not to starve. It is a very good thing what you've done, and I personally thank you and other people who have the possibility and choose not to continue their work, if it may lead to harm someone, even in a non direct way. But I think we all should also understand that sometimes you don't have this posibility. You risk your or your relatives life if you quit that job. You simply can't.
But also the owners of a company are not the only ones with responsibility.
In my point of view they're the reason of workers having to do stuff, they are the reason why we're talking about it. Workers don't have much to say, they don't own. If not the owner's decision to accumulate on morally wrong, the worker wouldn't have to do their part in morally wrong.
Again, kudos to those workers that have the possibility to change job and refuse to do orders.[edit]
wondersworkers -
Comment on Her daughter was unraveling, and she didn’t know why. Then she found the AI chat logs. in ~tech
kjw Link Parent... resposibility of the companies. Or owners. Workers (programmers here) are just a tool ofr somebody who made the decision.... resposibility of the
programmerscompanies. Or owners.Workers (programmers here) are just a tool ofr somebody who made the decision.
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Comment on Rapid Support Forces massacres left Sudanese city ‘a slaughterhouse’, satellite images show in ~society
kjw Link Parent4 major powers doesn't sound "multi" for me. More like mono. More like oligopoly, where nobody outside of this ultra wealthy ring is allowed to have a vote. Maybe multipolar could make sense if we...4 major powers doesn't sound "multi" for me. More like mono. More like oligopoly, where nobody outside of this ultra wealthy ring is allowed to have a vote. Maybe multipolar could make sense if we had 150 countries of equal wealth and rights. But having 2,3,4,5 major power for me doesn't differ much from unipolar.
Also, I wouldn't say that the world was/is better when unipolar. Like, didn't US invade lots of countries directly or used their CIA etc. to assasinate or just replace rulers in other countries (South America, e.g.)?
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I bet that Sudan conflict is fueled by richer countries' money, proxy war over influence.
It's VERY, VERY dry here in Poland. Winter was very cold, unusually cold for last 10 years, however there was not much precipitation, not much snow. So the earth is too cold to get soaked by this small amount of snow and ice melting. All the water goes into the rivers and down to the sea, it's not getting into the soil. And currently there's been week without rain and probably next week without rain.