nacho's recent activity
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Comment on A stunning rebuke of anti-trans US politics: Republicans spent $200 million attacking trans people and lost everything in ~lgbt
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Comment on LLMs can natively read and write neural network weights in ~tech
nacho Link ParentI think that's a pretty good analogy! At the same time, that's pretty much what brain researchers are increasingly trying to do with MRI testing with specific stimulus and recordings. I totally...I think that's a pretty good analogy!
At the same time, that's pretty much what brain researchers are increasingly trying to do with MRI testing with specific stimulus and recordings.
I totally didn't see this coming though!
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Comment on Has anyone here experienced a tv show slump? in ~tv
nacho (edited )Link ParentI think this is great advice! I thoroughly enjoy browsing other-language shows on Netflix etc. If I'm to watch trash tv, it's refreshing to watch a South African robot invasion show, or a...I think this is great advice!
I thoroughly enjoy browsing other-language shows on Netflix etc.
If I'm to watch trash tv, it's refreshing to watch a South African robot invasion show, or a Brazilian drama, because they're just different styles and tell stories in other ways.
But the same goes for dramas and serious tv, movies and the like: There's so much cool stuff being made.
It's just a real shame that discovery has become so terrible in the different apps. I used to get many personalized and great recommendations from the services themselves. Now I have to spend ages slogging through other places to find shows because the streaming platforms all push mostly the same few things to everyone in every listing.
Edit: After some more thought, I think I'm also watching more stuff that's obviously not real. Like the premise of the show is silly.
maybe that's also a coping mechanism of sorts?
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Comment on Any tips for improving personal cybersecurity in 2026? (I'm concerned about rogue AI agents) in ~tech
nacho LinkI think all the "old" personal security tips are mostly valid. I'm even more concerned about single points of failure though: Am I reliant on the same email-recovery for extremely many...I think all the "old" personal security tips are mostly valid.
I'm even more concerned about single points of failure though:
- Am I reliant on the same email-recovery for extremely many accounts/services?
- Am I reliant on the same authenticator for extremely many accounts/services?
- Am I reliant on very many apps having their individual security in order, or can I delete many apps to lower my total risk?
I also think the OP is very right about thinking carefully about what service providers we trust. That's har.
We all know that a bunch of stuff will break now that the volume of hacking attempts is much, much higher than it used to be due to AI.
So it's probably smart to follow security tips and preparedness-tips for if electricity/internet/water is out a little more closely. That way impact is lower if/when something breaks down.
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Comment on Why are there so many topics about Denmark? in ~tildes
nacho Link ParentAnd thank you, and everyone else, who is thoughtfully submitting posts regularly on a variety of topics from a variety of sources! It's the rest of us who need to submit more other stuff if we...And thank you, and everyone else, who is thoughtfully submitting posts regularly on a variety of topics from a variety of sources!
It's the rest of us who need to submit more other stuff if we want more other stuff too.
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Comment on The last proof of human craft: forging a Microsoft Edge full chain with logic bugs only! in ~comp
nacho LinkThis is absolutely hilarious. If others have similar examples, I'd love to see more!This is absolutely hilarious. If others have similar examples, I'd love to see more!
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Comment on Brazil election: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva beats Flavio Bolsonaro in shock upset in ~society
nacho Link ParentNews in Europe expected a "close race" and mostly didn't call the election either way because recent polling showed such a large swing away from Bolsanaro. Several US news outlets (the more...News in Europe expected a "close race" and mostly didn't call the election either way because recent polling showed such a large swing away from Bolsanaro.
Several US news outlets (the more conservative the stronger) seemed to think Bolsanaro would do well, even though people weren't showing up for him physically like the Army of Lula was.
I think you're very right in that people who weren't there got it very wrong because they weren't there. In an AI/global news world, I think physical presence and understanding, what led to news outlets in the first place, will be more and more important.
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Comment on Ineos has opened a carbon dioxide storage site off the Danish coast, as momentum builds in Europe for the fledgling but expensive technology in ~enviro
nacho Link ParentI completely agree. Additionally, there do seem to be some technologies that will always produce CO2, for specialty goods we require. If CCS-technology becomes more and more const efficient (or...I completely agree.
Additionally, there do seem to be some technologies that will always produce CO2, for specialty goods we require.
If CCS-technology becomes more and more const efficient (or polluting becomes more and more expensive, as it should), then storing CO2 could become a good way of minimizing the impact of man-made global warming.
It's just not likely that the world will stop using fossil fuels.
But yes, CCS does seem like just an excuse for most to pollute more.
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Comment on Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has resigned after his ruling right-wing bloc was narrowly defeated by the centre-left opposition in the country's general election in ~society
nacho LinkThe chances of a hung parliament seem high. Parties on both the left and right have said they're unwilling to collaborate with the parties that are required for a majority. Isn't it four votes...The chances of a hung parliament seem high.
Parties on both the left and right have said they're unwilling to collaborate with the parties that are required for a majority.
Isn't it four votes without a majority behind a prime minister that leads to a new election? I don't think that's super likely, but it doesn't seem super unlikely either.
These negotiations are going to be very interesting. The politicians are confronted with what they've said and what they're actually willing to do when push comes to shove in the negotiations.
It isn't unlikely that Kristersson may be prime minister yet.
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Comment on Summer US box office hits all-time $4.76b record: how audiences surrendered to moviegoing in ~movies
nacho LinkInteresting numbers. I have to say though, it seems strange to say something about the box office summer without looking at what other things people were spending their time on this summer (except...Interesting numbers.
I have to say though, it seems strange to say something about the box office summer without looking at what other things people were spending their time on this summer (except not subscribing to streaming services, according to the numbers).
How was the weather?
How about trends in other activities? Museums? Sporting events? Restaurants?
Thinking about what my friends do, there wasn't much of a movie-going trend this summer. People did a lot of things locally because they travelled less because of prices.
I'd be very interested in more context here, and more anecdotal stuff on what may have really caused all these people to poll the way they did to augment the statistics.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~society
nacho Link ParentI don't think it's worthwhile to have a long conversation about why an independent running as a Democrat, who was famously lauded by many progressives for not compromising, and whose whole...I don't think it's worthwhile to have a long conversation about why an independent running as a Democrat, who was famously lauded by many progressives for not compromising, and whose whole presidential campaign and political career was mostly shouting about "The establishment" was not a constructive, winning strategy for the Democrats.
That's even before we get into how Sanders didn't pull out of the 2016 primary for weeks after Clinton had won it, before we get into his messaging.
Or getting into Sanders' 2020 primary and labelling a bunch of what should-be allies as "caving to establishment pressure". And his congressional record of opposing incremental changes that could win votes because of viewing the need for drastic changes as the only option, although that change was way outside political reality.
That's also all before the survey this comment section is about, and how shouting at rich people, corporations, oligarchs etc. is not the winning message now. It probably wasn't then either, and Sanders has been making those shouts for decades.
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Comment on Norway's King Harald dies aged 89 in ~news
nacho Link ParentOf course no-one can quantify unquantifiables, like the monetary or utilitarian value of the level of trust in a society that a good head of state can underpin. Or how much crime or hate,...Of course no-one can quantify unquantifiables, like the monetary or utilitarian value of the level of trust in a society that a good head of state can underpin.
Or how much crime or hate, loneliness, pain etc. is prevented by a head of state helping people be better versions of themselves and better compatriots to each other.
I believe royalty can accomplish things as heads of state that elected alternates can't.
The Norwegian royal family literally gains political and business access a non-royal head of state wouldn't.
Harald V literally called this bringing on the "snob factor".
As royalty, he could open doors a country of roughly 5 million people wouldn't be able to open due to being a king rather than a president.
Political doors, access to huge international businesses, securing Norwegian companies market access or meetings they'd otherwise never get.
This snob factor has been especially effective in The Middle East and Asia due to the position of royalty in those cultures.
Historically, there have been turning points in the country's situation too.
During the Second world War, the Norwegian royal family literally got presidential access in the US and prime ministerial access in the UK due to royalty having personal relationships letting them physically stay, live and mingle within the highest echelons of government, decades before Norway found oil or could even be considered a developed country.
The inequality of royalty is deeply unfair to the royal family itself who do not get to choose to be public figures, whose lives are not their own.
I'm sure we'll never get the public compensation right, but being a Nordic royal is no bed of roses.
I deeply, deeply believe a good monarch can provide benefits no elected head of state can by virtue of how democracy works (see other comment in this thread).
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Comment on Norway's King Harald dies aged 89 in ~news
nacho (edited )Link ParentQuite the contrary! It's especially Nordic to realize that we're almost certainly always going to be better off with royalty than ex-politicians as presidents or heads of state. A king like Harald...- Exemplary
Quite the contrary! It's especially Nordic to realize that we're almost certainly always going to be better off with royalty than ex-politicians as presidents or heads of state.
A king like Harald V as spent his entire life in service for uniting everyone in a country in ways non-royalty could never accomplish.
By nature of being deeply invested in human values, deeply invested in politics, but never in party politics or policy the regent's role has a completely different reach and impact than otherwise.
You just don't get the same impact if a president were to say:
Norwegians are girls who love girls, boys who love boys, and girls and boys who love each other. Norwegians believe in God, Allah, the Universe, and Nothing.
and
"Norway is above all people. Norwegians are from the north, south, and from all other regions of the country. Norwegians have also immigrated from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Poland, Sweden, Somalia and Syria. My grandparents immigrated from Denmark and England 110 years ago"
When a king who is not meant to rock the boat says this society changes. There is no political discussion. You recognize that this is a description of the reality of a country you cannot deny. Culture changes and progresses.
Any ex-politician or other elected president will never have the same ability to unify, and in a world where respect and unity are threatened, that's extremely important to have in your head of state.
Today Norway had moments of unity no president can provide:
89 years of openness, of selfless service, of hard work were met by respect. Parents showed their young children the Harald's body as his casket drove through Oslo. Those young children will tell their grandchildren about those memories.
There are generational perspectives at play. Harald follows his father and his father's father. The new king, Haakon VIII, will pass the torch to his daughter.
The royal family gains their legitimacy not by birth, but through generations of actions in service of their people.
And then we know we can just kick them out and pick a different system if that'll serve us better. Our Nordic democracies work. Our constitutions change when the people want them to.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~society
nacho Link ParentAm I completely misunderstanding what you're saying? To me the article suggests exactly the opposite: The results here conclude pretty strongly that the messaging that "the unelectable left" has...Am I completely misunderstanding what you're saying? To me the article suggests exactly the opposite:
The results here conclude pretty strongly that the messaging that "the unelectable left" has been screaming about since 2016 is not popular and is not the right strategy:
- Shouting at rich people is not the winningest strategy.
- Shouting at corporations is not the winningest strategy.
- Shouting at fascism is not the winningest strategy.
- Shouting at plutocrats/oligarchs is not the winningest strategy.
- Shouting at discrimination/class is not the winningest strategy.
- Shouting at Trump is not the winningest strategy.
To be clear, this shouldn’t be understood as a plea for centrism or moderation. While it may seem like Democratic candidates are forced into a trade-off – either you opt to fire up the progressive base with ultra-liberal anti-Trump bromides or you aim to persuade Trump-voting working-class voters with a more conservative pitch – our results show that this is a false choice. The winning messages do neither; instead, they name a rigged system, call out the people rigging it, and promise to rebalance the economy in favor of those who work for a living. But they also avoid moral high-handedness and the preachy activist rhetoric that turns off many working-class, rural and swing voters. These are the lessons Democrats must internalize if they want to win back the working class, including some of the 59% of working-class white voters who, according to a March poll by Catalist, still plan to vote Republican in 2026.
The issue isn't progressive policy, but the way progressives talk about politics.
According to their polling, speaking to people's personal economy in a patriotic, positive way, getting working class folk their fair share in a way that is not overbearing, non-combative (and probably non-partisan) way seems to be the big deal.
Saying a large percentage of the country are brainwashed trumpists,, that others who don't share my opinions are irredeemable, that it's "us" against "them" and all the other main progressive messaging modes are not the winning plays.
Who could have guessed that we catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, and people aren't in a mode to change their minds if they're being yelled at, antagonized or in other ways not being treated as thinking, sensible people?
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Comment on Stop Killing The Internet: No digital ID and no age verification in ~tech
nacho Link ParentI haven't seen the details. There are large differences between what a single company can agree to in a voluntary situation, and what can be forced through. How many of those concessions would be...I haven't seen the details. There are large differences between what a single company can agree to in a voluntary situation, and what can be forced through.
How many of those concessions would be unconstitutional to impose by force on all companies in the US? I expect most of the important ones.
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Comment on Artists built a site to escape AI. Scrapers are coming for it anyway. in ~tech
nacho Link ParentYou can't necessarily take photos for commercial use, even of art that's published long enough to be in the public domain. Rather: You'd explicitly have to know you can use photos commercially. If...You can't necessarily take photos for commercial use, even of art that's published long enough to be in the public domain. Rather: You'd explicitly have to know you can use photos commercially. If that's not listed, in most countries it'd be illegal to use those photos commercially.
A lot of museums have public access images or licensed images you can purchase rights to use.
A lot of museums and similar also have restrictions against taking pictures for commercial use in their venue (like wedding photos or whatever).
Museums can also totally have complete restrictions against any photography, just like concert halls, movie theaters and whatever else.
All of these restrictions are very, very common. Some public museums (UK, US etc.) are large exceptions, but this is generally rare, in my experience.
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Comment on What's something that's more challenging for you than it is for others? in ~talk
nacho LinkI struggle with taking financial risk. Like I know and can rationally explain and understand that if I took more risk in many financial decisions, that'll leave me better off. In terms of savings,...I struggle with taking financial risk.
Like I know and can rationally explain and understand that if I took more risk in many financial decisions, that'll leave me better off.
In terms of savings, pensions, using the stock markets, not over-insuring myself, all sorts of things like that.
I know I struggle with this and make irrational decisions that only hurt me, even though the risks are very small in comparison to the expected gains.
I know even if the risks manifest 100% negatively in a worst case scenario, the consequences for me are still very small and won't effectively impact the things that matter to me in life.
Yet I still struggle taking these risks. When there are positions I don't reason myself into, it's impossible to reason myself out of them. It's just that feeling of it being nice to be safe and not actually managing to pull the trigger on rational decisions leading to more risk.
I've often wondered what it'd be like if somehow the risks were automatically higher and I had to opt out of risk rather than opting into more risk, whether I'd then actually actively lower the risk. I don't know myself well enough to feel confident about what'd actually happen, and haven't been in a situation where that's manifested.
Maybe sometime I'll find out?
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Comment on What's something that's more challenging for you than it is for others? in ~talk
nacho Link ParentAlongside this great evidence, a friend of mine spoke to an observation I can't let go of: She thinks people don't "think" at the same speed. I think she's right. I'll try to explain: We know...Alongside this great evidence, a friend of mine spoke to an observation I can't let go of:
- She thinks people don't "think" at the same speed.
I think she's right. I'll try to explain:
We know people who don't understand what we're talking about when we try to describe thinking about things or trains of thought that happen without an internal monologue keeping up.
In effect, one of our mutual friends describes that his process of reasoning goes as fast as his inner voice can speak. So if someone presents a totally new concept he's never heard of before, he needs time to "talk through" the implications inside his head before he can respond. It's something like taling through a math problem on the radio, but it goes somewhat faster than he can type/actually speak.
As far as I can understand (it's super difficult to talk about how things work inside our heads when it's so different from some different people) he reads the same way, essentially.
I have a friend who's a military aircraft controller. She can easily catch everything five people talk about at the same time and respond/participate in all those five conversations. I fall off at two conversations and speaking myself at the same time. There may be an element of training, but her mind just works differently.
She and I can talk "twice as fast" i.e. we're both talking continually at the same time and responding to what the other person's saying sequentially as we go along. Contrastingly, I know people who can't follow what other people are saying if they're talking because when they're talking that "fills" their capacity for thought as sentences and arguments form in real time.
Some people can read about a concept, say practice theory for the first time and immediately think of a number of use cases, implementations, synthesizing what's being said before they get to the next parts where that's outlined. Others need much more time internalizing concepts.
We all have strengths and weaknesses. Others have social awareness, bodily control, visual acuity, spatial awareness, the ability to understand another's point of view, or all sorts of other talents/skills (for lack of a better word) "strong readers" or "quick speakers" don't.
I think we easily undervalue other other skills that aren't "book smarts" in ways society is essentially rigged to value.
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Comment on What's something that's more challenging for you than it is for others? in ~talk
nacho Link ParentIt was in college that I decided not to become a professional musician, which the three other players in my quartet took hard, given how many gigs we played together. College did not take kindly...It was in college that I decided not to become a professional musician, which the three other players in my quartet took hard, given how many gigs we played together. College did not take kindly to me "stealing" an orchestral seat from a potential musician either by out-competing folks with ambition in the auditions.
My experience is that those of my friends who today live as improvisational musicians practice way, way, way more than anyone who's playing known pieces.
Next to no-one is "good" at improvising or can intuitively think in chord progressions or theoretically design a solo. Even those who've got perfect pitch. It just takes a tremendous amount of practice.
Even worse is trying to play a monophonic melody or tune. Broken chords and "theory-built" compositions? Sure. Humming an original tune? Worst nightmare to get as a question on an exam.
A friend of mine who's a dinner/cocktail pianist says it takes at least four weeks to practice up to his normal level (we're talking 7+ hours of practice a day, every day) if he's been on vacation without a piano for two weeks. An orchestral musician can go a couple months due to a broken arm or whatever and still play a concert the next day once they can physically play the instrument for that long.
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Comment on Have you ever been outed? in ~lgbt
nacho Link ParentWow. Thanks for sharing that! Great to hear your parents also took to their senses. It's wild how many folks I "know" who met through Neopets and are still together. Your story makes 6 couples. To...Wow. Thanks for sharing that! Great to hear your parents also took to their senses.
It's wild how many folks I "know" who met through Neopets and are still together. Your story makes 6 couples. To me that's pretty surprising, but it probably shouldn't be?
I think this is extremely positive and needs to be shouted from the rooftops!
I'm more than a little saddened that many analysts seem to be saying that one of the Democratic winning strategies this election was that they didn't campaign nearly as much on social issues, but mostly just on the economy.
Hopefully that doesn't translate into not furthering important queer rights when they've actually got power.
I have a feeling my filter bubble this election cycle has been more severe than previously.
I'd love other views and perspectives on both how others have experienced Republican messaging on these important issues, and how Democrats have done the same in areas folks have followed.
Representation is incredibly important. People fear the unknown, the community needs role models, and society needs queer perspectives where decisions are made!