plutonic's recent activity
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Comment on Avi Lewis’s pledge to make proportional representation the (Canadian, federal) NDP’s one demand says he is serious about PR in ~society
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Comment on Vaping likely to cause lung and oral cancer, Australian researchers find in new review of evidence in ~health
plutonic Link ParentI'm another person who successfully used vaping as a way of quitting nicotine completely. Reduced my consumption of cigarettes slowly until I was smoking ~5/day, then switched to vaping and then...I'm another person who successfully used vaping as a way of quitting nicotine completely. Reduced my consumption of cigarettes slowly until I was smoking ~5/day, then switched to vaping and then slowly reduced the strength of the juice until I was on something very low. Dropped my vape on the ground one day and broke it, decided right then and there I was done and I've never used nicotine since.
So glad to be rid of that garbage habit. Though I still miss smoking, not vaping so much. There are times when a smoke is the perfect thing, I miss those moments but I will never go back. The hardest part was the ritual of the last smoke/vape of the day right before I went to bed.
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Comment on GrapheneOS refuses to comply with new age verification laws for operating systems — group says it will never require personal information in ~tech
plutonic Link ParentI fear that once the age restrictions are in people like the awful folks behind Project 2025 will push to make all LGBT+ content "adult".I fear that once the age restrictions are in people like the awful folks behind Project 2025 will push to make all LGBT+ content "adult".
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Comment on GrapheneOS refuses to comply with new age verification laws for operating systems — group says it will never require personal information in ~tech
plutonic Link ParentThis is one of the better workable solutions, instead of requiring adults to prove their age through draconian tracking and identification methods (Nothing sounds more 1984 to me than having to...This is one of the better workable solutions, instead of requiring adults to prove their age through draconian tracking and identification methods (Nothing sounds more 1984 to me than having to show my face to my phone where either a cryptic AI or another human verifies my age/identity) we provide parents with controls to be able to switch their child's device into a 'child mode' or something similar. The problem again as you mention becomes how do you enforce companies to abide by these flags? Either you setup a Great Firewall to block services that will not comply (like services that operate out of other countries without these laws) or the whole thing is a joke.
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Comment on GrapheneOS refuses to comply with new age verification laws for operating systems — group says it will never require personal information in ~tech
plutonic Link ParentI'm speaking to the much bigger picture of the barrage of age verification laws popping up around the world. Age restrictions on social media, porn, app stores. Bans on VPN's are being discussed....I'm speaking to the much bigger picture of the barrage of age verification laws popping up around the world. Age restrictions on social media, porn, app stores. Bans on VPN's are being discussed. Countries will have to put up their own versions of The Great Firewall to block sites that will not comply. Free and Open Source software is fundamentally incompatible with these policies, being made by large groups of volunteers and not monolithic companies. Secure Boot and hardware being locked to software in the name of security. It feels like its closing in on all sides, all over the world. We will probably be more successful if we resist every step of the way.
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Comment on GrapheneOS refuses to comply with new age verification laws for operating systems — group says it will never require personal information in ~tech
plutonic LinkHopefully this will start happening more and more, we need the old school Hacker mentality here. Stand up in the face of oppression and refuse to comply, make work arounds, force the issue. The...Hopefully this will start happening more and more, we need the old school Hacker mentality here. Stand up in the face of oppression and refuse to comply, make work arounds, force the issue. The this the final battle for online freedoms and it is imperative for the future of a free humanity that we must win. Online anonymity is essential for freedoms of all kinds, we must have a place where people can speak their minds without oversight. I cannot stress how important this is.
Open source software is in a unique position to give the middle finger to the law, our corporate overlords will never help us. Hopefully things can be stopped before we have to look towards a new underground pirate internet. I for one will never comply with online ID or age verification, I will stop using services that require it, no matter how important to my life. I will switch to full time TOR usage if that is what needs to happen to remain anonymous. If the Dark Net needs to become the main internet, then so be it.
I will not comply.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentI remember reading this when it first came out and really enjoying it, it was the first thing by Sacks that I ever read.Uncle Tungsten by Oliver Sacks.
I remember reading this when it first came out and really enjoying it, it was the first thing by Sacks that I ever read.
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Comment on Our commitment to Windows quality in ~tech
plutonic Link ParentI agree, very concerning. I am very against any sort of ID/Age verification laws and they are my line in the sand, I will not comply. If it is just a checkbox 'Are you over 18' I'm going to have...I agree, very concerning. I am very against any sort of ID/Age verification laws and they are my line in the sand, I will not comply. If it is just a checkbox 'Are you over 18' I'm going to have to really think about it, Mint has been working really well for me, perfect no bullshit operating system for my uses. I'm nowhere near knowledgeable enough with Linux to roll my own, it's going to have to be some sort of 'Just works' distro for me to use it. These are troubling times for personal online privacy.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic LinkFinished The Wings of the Dove by Henry James Published 1902. A real challenge but a real reward in the end. The last 100 pages are literary magic. James has a way of just keeping you from knowing...Finished The Wings of the Dove by Henry James Published 1902. A real challenge but a real reward in the end. The last 100 pages are literary magic. James has a way of just keeping you from knowing everything that is going on, there is always something he doesn't quite show or explain. Probably the deepest character development I've come across, almost no plot in 500 pages. 9/10 Among the most difficult books I've ever read and finished.
Finished Friedrich Engels' The Condition of the Working Class in England 1844 Published in 1845. Checked off the list? I think this sort of thing is better digested in novelized form. But a book like this served and serves a function as a systematic look at just how bad things were and how far we have come. It is a really thorough look into the whole plight of the working class during that time, you get it all here.
Started into Graham Greene's Brighton Rock Published 1938. I have read a number of Greene books and generally enjoy them. I picked this one because it is featured in Harold Bloom's The Western Canon which is something I'm slowly working through. Life-long project kind of thing.
As an Audiobook I've started Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane Published 2013. The most modern novel I've ever read! My partner is a big fan of Gaiman's work. Yes, I'm fully aware of his recent issues, but I'm a firm believer in separating the art from the artist. As someone who reads a lot of older books, if I started purity testing those writers there wouldn't be much left to read. This is definitely not something I would normally read, but for my partner's sake and it's only 5ish hours, what the hell. I have a feeling I will probably enjoy it. I pirated the audiobook to ensure I provide no monetary gain to Mr. Gaiman.
In between all this I read James M. Cain's The Postman Always Rings Twice Published 1934. A noir classic! Before becoming better known through film there were noir books, and this is supposed to be one of the best. Not totally for me, but it was enjoyable and really short. 100 pages short. Very light and entertaining, I recommend it as a fun read. Grittiness, Murder, Intrigue, Suspense.
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Comment on Our commitment to Windows quality in ~tech
plutonic LinkI've been running Linux Mint for over 2 years now, I'll never be going back.I've been running Linux Mint for over 2 years now, I'll never be going back.
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Comment on BYD claims five-minute electric vehicle charging with new battery tech in ~transport
plutonic Link ParentSolid State batteries are going to come down to mass manufacturing, we know the batteries are technologically possible, lab made examples exist and work. The real problem that no one has cracked...Solid State batteries are going to come down to mass manufacturing, we know the batteries are technologically possible, lab made examples exist and work. The real problem that no one has cracked how to mass manufacture them. Without that it doesn't matter how good the technology is, it won't go anywhere. The problem is apparently really hard as big outfits have tried, failed and given up. We are seeing lots of promising demo technology examples. Don't be fooled by one off prototype vehicles of any sort. We will know it's been cracked when a company says they will produce 100,000 of these batteries a year. I'm hopefully, but have seen zero evidence that we are there yet.
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Comment on Factory farming is a blight in ~enviro
plutonic Link ParentThis is how my partner and me eat. I usually cook 5-6 homemade from scratch dinners every week, the only protein we consume is poultry and I try and make it about 50/50 poultry/vegetarian meals....This is how my partner and me eat. I usually cook 5-6 homemade from scratch dinners every week, the only protein we consume is poultry and I try and make it about 50/50 poultry/vegetarian meals. Some of those vegetarian recipes are also vegan. As long as the meal had been designed from the start to be vegetarian or vegan it usually works really well. Indian cuisine is a great example of being able to eat vegetarian with no compromise.
I've always thought of veganism as a semi religion, the ideology comes first instead of just trying to live your best life, do what you can and don't worry if you need to consume an animal based product. Neither of us at home are interested in consuming vegan cheese, so when that comes up in a recipe I just swap in real cheese. No big deal. I don't see any reason to be extremist about it.
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Comment on What do you think about putting your driver's license in your digital wallet? in ~tech
plutonic Link ParentRefuse to use any service no matter how important that requires ID verification. Second to that TOR or use the Pirate Internet/underground VPN's that will surely form.Refuse to use any service no matter how important that requires ID verification. Second to that TOR or use the Pirate Internet/underground VPN's that will surely form.
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Comment on In the world of tech, people constantly ask “Could chatbots ever be conscious?” but I feel like asking “Are you?” Take the test! in ~tech
plutonic Link ParentI put myself in the 'compatibilist' camp, so I do have more hope rather than straight up nihilism.I put myself in the 'compatibilist' camp, so I do have more hope rather than straight up nihilism.
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Comment on In the world of tech, people constantly ask “Could chatbots ever be conscious?” but I feel like asking “Are you?” Take the test! in ~tech
plutonic Link ParentPhysics seems pretty clear, according to our understanding of the universe, free will cannot exist. I hate even thinking about this.Physics seems pretty clear, according to our understanding of the universe, free will cannot exist. I hate even thinking about this.
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Comment on In the world of tech, people constantly ask “Could chatbots ever be conscious?” but I feel like asking “Are you?” Take the test! in ~tech
plutonic LinkI blame the education system.We regret to inform you that the evidence does not support the hypothesis that you possess a rich inner life. Please consider alternative explanations for your behavior.
I blame the education system.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentIt seems very divisive looking around online!It seems very divisive looking around online!
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic LinkStill working on The Wings of the Dove by Henry James Published 1902. This book is extremely difficult. Henry James is way smarter than I am, his intricate, meandering sentences are very hard...Still working on The Wings of the Dove by Henry James Published 1902. This book is extremely difficult. Henry James is way smarter than I am, his intricate, meandering sentences are very hard follow. The perspective of the book is also difficult. He writes mostly from an omniscient hovering view, not really allowing the characters to speak for themselves but telling you what they are thinking and saying, analyzing them deeply while doing so, not concentrating on a single character but everyone at once. Then he will zoom in and you will get actual back and forth talking between characters just to quickly zoom back out again. It is very hard to follow, I've found some success reading the book aloud to myself to find the rhythm of the text. Very little plot, extreme amounts of character development.
He also repeatedly pulls off this trick where he is referring to people using 'he, her, she ect' where you think he is talking about one character only to realize on the next page or two he is actually speaking of someone else and then you have to go back and re-work what you just read to match it to the correct character. He does this multiple times and there is no way he isn't doing it on purpose. He even shows it being done internally to the book once where it happens between characters, one thinking the other is talking about someone they aren't. Why is he doing this? Need to think about that some more. 350/500 pages in.
Audiobook: Something completely different, I've started into Friedrich Engels' The Condition of the Working Class in England 1844 Published in 1845. I consider myself a 'leftist', probably more in the traditional? sense instead of in the modern focus of social justice. I find myself not agreeing with many leftists these days, especially younger people, but I am fundamentally against social conservative ideals and can't see myself ever wavering on that. I am definitely not a Communist, and believe those ideals are extremely naive and something you fall into the trap of believing when very young with little life experience and more importantly experience in dealing with other human beings. In my view the ideas of Communism are fundamentally not in line with the human condition. Works great for insects, not for humans. But that is a whole other discussion.
I have read a few of a classic 'Socialism' books and I've always really enjoyed them, it is really important to understand the conditions of the working class during these times to understand where and why the ideals of Communism came about. Books like 'The Grapes of Wrath, Down and out in London and Paris, The Jungle, ect' Those books are in a way novelized versions of what Engels saw and experienced in England during this period (applied to other times, places and situations). He wrote this book when he was 24 years old which is just incredible and really shows just how smart and what vision he had. This is more of a non-fiction style systematic look at the working conditions of the 'Proletarian' during the uprising of the industrial revolution, probably the most brutal time there ever was for workers in this world.
I'm about halfway now and I don't have too much to say except I was completely shocked by a 12 minute long ruthless, racist rant about the Irish who were immigrating to England during this time looking for work. It is possibly the most racist thing I have ever read, it is really brutal. It shows that these people are still a product of their time and we have to remember that. We are also not used to seeing racism from white Europeans against what we today consider other white Europeans, but this was not always the case, race lines move and shift around throughout time. The Irish and Italians faced brutal racism from the 'pure' British or French whites of Europe for a long time, in Europe and America. What is also interesting is the same racist claims made by Engels against the Irish are the exact same ones you will hear used today against whomever the targets of racism are now. However much things change, they really stay the same. Shocking and I wasn't expecting it.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentAbsolutely great writing! What did you think of that ending? Did it work for you?Absolutely great writing! What did you think of that ending? Did it work for you?
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Comment on The average US college student is illiterate in ~life
plutonic Link ParentI miss my teen years (dial-up internet days) when I used to actually just chill and do nothing but listen to music closely. I can't remember the last time I did that, now it's always music while...I miss my teen years (dial-up internet days) when I used to actually just chill and do nothing but listen to music closely. I can't remember the last time I did that, now it's always music while scrolling or driving and I'm obviously not paying as much attention to the music and I don't seem to appreciate the music in the same way. Also I had to listen to just a few albums over and over then, now the entire world of music is at my fingertips. Listening to whole albums multiple times has become much more rare.
His anti-oil & gas stance, pro-immigration, and pro-identity politics messaging is going to have a really hard time gaining traction in Canada in 2026. I really don't think that ideology lines up with what the majority of Canadians want right now. I'm not saying his ideology is right or wrong, I'm saying right now that kind of messaging is going to be a tough sell.