plutonic's recent activity
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Comment on Tesla 'Robotaxi' status check eight months in: a complete joke in ~transport
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Comment on The Possessed Machines: Dostoevsky's Demons and the coming AGI catastrophe in ~society
plutonic LinkIt took all morning but I did read the entire article. Thoughts: I don't think he is wrong and he has good ideas here, but the link seems obvious to me and what I think Dostoevsky is trying to...It took all morning but I did read the entire article.
Thoughts:- I don't think he is wrong and he has good ideas here, but the link seems obvious to me and what I think Dostoevsky is trying to show us can be applied to a lot of different things, that's the beauty of it.
- It's too long, he repeats himself a lot especially when it comes to the dangers of AI.
- I think he is over emphasizing the dangers of AGI, which I don't believe we are even close to achieving or even understanding.
- I think his interpretation of The Grand Inquisitor is too simple.
- I don't really think there is anything mind blowing here, these are pretty straight forward interpretations of the characters in Demons and Dostoevsky's philosophy as a whole.
- I wish he had spent more time with the text rather than pretending to be modest about his role in a top AI company and his choosing to leave it for moral reasons.
What I guess I really want is for this to be coming from a student of literature instead of a techbro.
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Comment on The Possessed Machines: Dostoevsky's Demons and the coming AGI catastrophe in ~society
plutonic LinkThis is quite the write-up, thanks for posting it. I was just reading for almost an hour to realize I was only a bit over halfway. 17,000 word article! I have only read Demons once so I can't say...This is quite the write-up, thanks for posting it. I was just reading for almost an hour to realize I was only a bit over halfway. 17,000 word article! I have only read Demons once so I can't say I understand it on any proper level to be able to critique this article, but I will definitely read this entire thing. Dostoevsky and AI, what a good way to spend my holiday Monday.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentI vote Hyperion 1&2 (they are really a single giant book) as the best Sci-Fi ever written. The first book is all character development as you get the awesome individual backstories for each...I vote Hyperion 1&2 (they are really a single giant book) as the best Sci-Fi ever written. The first book is all character development as you get the awesome individual backstories for each character, they are long and rich, the second book is where the actual story comes together. I remember flipping pages in the second book so fast as it was 'closing in' that I'm surprised the pages didn't start on fire. Seriously one of the best 'stories' I've ever come across, one of my favourite reading experiences of my life. When people ask me for a recommendation for a book with an amazing plot I recommend Hyperion 1&2 and Count of Monte Cristo.
I don't usually pick or read books for their plot, but Hyperion is just so good that no matter how snobby of a reader I've become I still sit in awe of its greatness.
Oh, and the third book? Just pretend it doesn't exist, there are only 2 Hyperions, 2 Terminators, and 1 Matrix, and life is much better if you live it with that worldview. lol.
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Comment on Inside the lab that changed psychedelics forever (full tour) in ~science
plutonic LinkI've been privileged to have spent a day in this laboratory twice, attending 2 'Easter Parties', one shortly before Sasha passed away and one after but before Ann passed. Amazing experiences,...I've been privileged to have spent a day in this laboratory twice, attending 2 'Easter Parties', one shortly before Sasha passed away and one after but before Ann passed. Amazing experiences, something I'll never forget.
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Comment on Spotify will soon sell hardcover and paperback books through its app, in partnership with Bookshop.org in ~books
plutonic Link ParentI do use the Audiobooks on Spotify, it's the Podcasts (because I generally don't like Podcasts) I don't wan to see (and I just want more control of my 'Home' screen in general)I do use the Audiobooks on Spotify, it's the Podcasts (because I generally don't like Podcasts) I don't wan to see (and I just want more control of my 'Home' screen in general)
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Comment on Recommend me some deep dive YouTube videos / Portland trip recs! in ~travel
plutonic Link ParentI went in 2017 and the prices were not great. I felt like it was sort of a touristy experience as the store is famous and absolutely huge so paying a premium is expected. If I lived in Portland I...I went in 2017 and the prices were not great. I felt like it was sort of a touristy experience as the store is famous and absolutely huge so paying a premium is expected. If I lived in Portland I would probably hesitate to use it as my go-to used bookstore.
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Comment on Recommend me some deep dive YouTube videos / Portland trip recs! in ~travel
plutonic Link ParentThe most amazing bookstore I have ever been in, and I didn't get even to go into the 'special' books room.Powell's City of Books
The most amazing bookstore I have ever been in, and I didn't get even to go into the 'special' books room.
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Comment on Spotify will soon sell hardcover and paperback books through its app, in partnership with Bookshop.org in ~books
plutonic Link ParentThey were pretty sneaky about it when they did that, made the tier most people were using the +audiobooks tier and didn't tell you they made a lower cost option without Audiobooks. I wish I could...They were pretty sneaky about it when they did that, made the tier most people were using the +audiobooks tier and didn't tell you they made a lower cost option without Audiobooks. I wish I could opt out of even seeing Podcasts on the platform. No dice.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentI'm glad you enjoyed it! I really loved the book up until the ending, as you said 'The whole mood of doom, apocalypse and despair' is quite something and masterfully written. The horrible cat...I'm glad you enjoyed it! I really loved the book up until the ending, as you said 'The whole mood of doom, apocalypse and despair' is quite something and masterfully written. The horrible cat scene is not something I will easily forget, that sort of thing really disturbs me, even in fiction. It's interesting that I can read stories of horrible human suffering and move on relatively easily, but the abuse of an animal is extremely hard to even read. Though from what I've heard from other people that is pretty common.
The ending may not have been for me, but this book is definitely worth reading. Always fun to hear what other people think of that strange ending.
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Comment on What are your food aversions? in ~food
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Comment on Spotify will soon sell hardcover and paperback books through its app, in partnership with Bookshop.org in ~books
plutonic LinkFirst it was Podcasts, then Audiobooks and now this. There is really something to be said about 'Stay in your lane' and 'Do one thing and do it well'. Spotify seems to have also added music videos...First it was Podcasts, then Audiobooks and now this. There is really something to be said about 'Stay in your lane' and 'Do one thing and do it well'. Spotify seems to have also added music videos to their offering, but at least that is still music related.
Then again I use the Audiobooks on Spotify, actually it told me I was a top 1% user, which is funny because it just so happens the time I have available to listen to Audiobooks each month exactly matches what they provide for free to premium Spotify accounts.
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Comment on What are your food aversions? in ~food
plutonic LinkSeafood. My parents do not eat any seafood, so I never ate any growing up and had it hammered into my brain as a child that seafood is gross. This is probably the greatest disservice my parents...Seafood.
My parents do not eat any seafood, so I never ate any growing up and had it hammered into my brain as a child that seafood is gross. This is probably the greatest disservice my parents ever did me! I have tried as an adult to develop a taste for various seafoods with minimal success. I can choke it down if I have to but there is a psychological block that I just cannot overcome.
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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
plutonic Link Parent"Delivering the impossible, late." or something to that affect is his thing. I'm a big fan of SpaceX since the early days and follow them (and all space related things) closely. I'm not sure Elon..."Delivering the impossible, late." or something to that affect is his thing. I'm a big fan of SpaceX since the early days and follow them (and all space related things) closely. I'm not sure Elon has any credibility left regarding stuff like this, some people are still Koolaid drinkers but you'd have to be pretty naive to have not recognized his timelines for the future are laughable at best and always have been. The only defense I can possibly put up of Musk these days is that at least the man is a dreamer and he dreams big. I really like that in someone, who else is dreaming big like this? I want BIG dreamers about space exploration and space technology, especially those who are willing to fund it.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentGlad you enjoyed the Dreyfus, I always recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Moby Dick, he adds an incredible amount of depth and leaves you with lots to think about.Glad you enjoyed the Dreyfus, I always recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Moby Dick, he adds an incredible amount of depth and leaves you with lots to think about.
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Comment on How many Hosers are there on Tildes? in ~talk
plutonic Link ParentIt's really good, we are especially spoiled with great Indian & Asian food here. Great place to live if you have the income to afford it.It's really good, we are especially spoiled with great Indian & Asian food here. Great place to live if you have the income to afford it.
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Comment on How many Hosers are there on Tildes? in ~talk
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Comment on The Boring Company faces Nashville tunnel criticism in ~transport
plutonic Link ParentSeems to sum up Elon's businesses well.But a lot got lost going from concept to implementation
Seems to sum up Elon's businesses well.
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Comment on The Boring Company faces Nashville tunnel criticism in ~transport
plutonic LinkIgnoring the realities of tunnel building in this location, which I know nothing about, why this idea of Tesla's ferrying people along it? If you can fit a car you can fit a light-rail system that...Ignoring the realities of tunnel building in this location, which I know nothing about, why this idea of Tesla's ferrying people along it? If you can fit a car you can fit a light-rail system that would be much better.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentLove Le Guin's writing, she has a magical way with words. 'The Left Hand Of Darkness' is my personal favourite of what I've read.Love Le Guin's writing, she has a magical way with words. 'The Left Hand Of Darkness' is my personal favourite of what I've read.
I'm one of those people. Model 3 with just basic Autopilot. It has taken care of 90% of my commute for the last 5 years with almost no issues, and no issues at all for multiple years (the early years had serious 'phantom braking' problems). I trust it almost completely now, but my route is the same every day and I know exactly how the car will handle each situation. It took awhile to build that confidence so I could relax more but the Autopilot technology (especially when it used Radar, which my car still does (I refuse to install the update that removes the radar and switches to 'Vision Only'). It does great even in heavy rain and fog, but I wouldn't even attempt to use it in the snow.
It has really changed my life for the better, commuting is now relaxing instead of a stressful nightmare. I don't even remember the last time I drove the car myself on the freeway for more than a few seconds here and there. I don't think I could ever go back to a vehicle without this technology in it, just like I hope I never have to drive an ICE vehicle ever again.