plutonic's recent activity
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Comment on Robin Williams' daughter pleads for people to stop sending her AI videos of her dad in ~tech
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Comment on Flush with cash and soaring with hubris, Donald Trump appointees are supersizing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in ~society
plutonic Link ParentAs a Leftist, or what used to be a Leftist anyways I certainly do not support illegal immigration, to be able to control ones borders is vital to a nations success and security. I am not American...As a Leftist, or what used to be a Leftist anyways I certainly do not support illegal immigration, to be able to control ones borders is vital to a nations success and security. I am not American but it seems like America has let this go on for far too long and now has a huge mess on its hands. People who are in the country illegally have been contributing honestly for their whole lives, they likely even have children born there. No way those children should be deported, what about the parents? Illegal is illegal right? It's a tough situation. It should never have got this bad.
So while I am not in favor of illegal immigration, the current tactics being deployed by the current US administration are deplorable and America is going to have to admit at some point that a large part of its economy is built on the back of these illegal immigrants. Some sort of naturalization program should probably be implemented but it clearly can't be for everyone, where do you draw the line? I don't feel I have a good enough knowledge on the topic to wade into that one.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
plutonic LinkNew Dimond Saints album Broken Mirrors out Oct.3. This is another very strong release by Adam and Reece. Dimond Saints (yes, Dimond, not Diamond. Named after the Dimond District in Oakland, CA)...New Dimond Saints album Broken Mirrors out Oct.3. This is another very strong release by Adam and Reece. Dimond Saints (yes, Dimond, not Diamond. Named after the Dimond District in Oakland, CA) has been one of Adam's most successful projects with 10+ years of solid releases.
Deep, Brooding, Dark Bass music for the soul.
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Comment on Brazilians don't get dry, minimalist literature. A bit of a rant. in ~creative
plutonic Link ParentI was shocked to find this out about Conrad when I did, his english prose is amazing. Same goes for Nabokov, how is it even possible to one of the best in English Prose ever and it not even be...I was shocked to find this out about Conrad when I did, his english prose is amazing. Same goes for Nabokov, how is it even possible to one of the best in English Prose ever and it not even be your native language? Impressive ability.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentI would definitely take pause if it meant sending money to the living person, but once they are gone the art stands on its own.I would definitely take pause if it meant sending money to the living person, but once they are gone the art stands on its own.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentGood to see you can 'ignore' the reputation of the author and concentrate purely on the work itself. The world is losing this ability and it is a real problem. There are skeletons in everyone's...Good to see you can 'ignore' the reputation of the author and concentrate purely on the work itself. The world is losing this ability and it is a real problem. There are skeletons in everyone's closet and if you start 'purity' testing artists before deciding to consume their art you will soon find there is no more art left to consume.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentOne does not read a book: one can only reread it. :)One does not read a book: one can only reread it. :)
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic (edited )LinkCurrently almost done reading Franz Kafka's 'The Castle' (Published 1926), which has been really great. I've enjoyed all the Kafka I have read (The Trial, Metamorphosis). I'm also listening to '2...Currently almost done reading Franz Kafka's 'The Castle' (Published 1926), which has been really great. I've enjoyed all the Kafka I have read (The Trial, Metamorphosis). I'm also listening to '2 Years Before the Mast' (Published 1840) by Richard Henry Dana Jr. as preparation for a deep read of 'Moby Dick' that should take up most of my winter. Melville considered '2 years' as one of his favourite books and used it as research when writing Moby Dick. I have already read Moby Dick twice, once on paper (brutal) and once as audiobook (extremely enjoyable). This time will be on paper again so I can write in the margins. I have also consumed Hubert Dreyfus’ lectures on Moby Dick which should be required viewing/listening for anyone really interested in Moby Dick.
I consider it to be in the Top 3 books ever written, there is nothing like it and the depth within the book is infinite (you can get more and more out of it no matter how many times you read it). My other 2 are 'The Brothers Karamazov' and 'War and Peace'. These are the greatest works of art produced by mankind. *In my not so humble opinion :)
Every year I pick a 'Brutal Winter Read' which usually features something especially long and difficult. Past Examples: Milton's Paradise Lost (last year), the year previous it was Dante's Divine Comedy, year before that Middlemarch. I usually set aside 2-3 months to accomplish this yearly feat.
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Comment on British Columbia Premier David Eby announces new Prince George, Surrey involuntary care facilities in ~health.mental
plutonic Link ParentI would say that this is the better way to spend the money, we are currently pouring so much money into this issue and have been for decades with zero results, this has a chance to make a real...I would say that this is the better way to spend the money, we are currently pouring so much money into this issue and have been for decades with zero results, this has a chance to make a real difference.
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Comment on British Columbia Premier David Eby announces new Prince George, Surrey involuntary care facilities in ~health.mental
plutonic Link100 new beds is huge. If we can get the 100 worst people off the streets it will make a huge difference. It is unfortunate that it has come to this, but I can't see another solution. With people...100 new beds is huge. If we can get the 100 worst people off the streets it will make a huge difference. It is unfortunate that it has come to this, but I can't see another solution. With people this severely mentally ill and likely addicted to opiates it is more humane to keep them in involuntary care then allowing them to roam the streets, forced into crime to survive and some committing horrendous acts of random violence.
I wonder how they plan to staff these 100 beds? I really hope that has been considered, my understanding is staffing is a major problem in healthcare across the province. It's nice to hear we are getting more healthcare workers from the US but it's really just a tiny fraction of what is needed.
The problem has gotten really bad, I know it's everywhere but it was already bad here and now noticeably worse. We also need to work on opening more beds for those who are seeking treatment and rehabilitation, that fact that someone can reach out for help and want to get better and be told sorry, there is no room is heartbreaking. The problem is the government is broke and already running huge deficits, multiple unions striking for higher pay and more to come. It's a tough situation we are in.
This is a big step in the right direction, Eby has had a couple swings and misses but this is a huge win.
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Comment on I tried to protect my kids from the internet. Here’s what happened. in ~tech
plutonic Link ParentI have to be honest that I completely disagree with you and think being anonymous on the internet is more important than any possible perceived or real harms from children using that anonymous...I have to be honest that I completely disagree with you and think being anonymous on the internet is more important than any possible perceived or real harms from children using that anonymous internet. The internet is the only place we are truly free, and it is being slowly eroded. We must fight to keep it free at any cost.
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Comment on Nick Cave - Disco 2000 (2002) in ~music
plutonic LinkLove Nick Cave, one of my favourite artists of all time. Amazing live performances if you can ever get to see one. The key is to be close to the stage so he can point at you :) I feel Nick is one...Love Nick Cave, one of my favourite artists of all time. Amazing live performances if you can ever get to see one. The key is to be close to the stage so he can point at you :) I feel Nick is one of the greatest lyricists since Leonard Cohen and is in a way carrying the torch for him. His book Faith, Hope and Carnage is an extremely deep look into a man's life and experience. I think I've seen him 5 or 6 times live including his very interesting "Conversations With Nick Cave" tour just before COVID.
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Comment on Are touchscreens in cars dangerous? in ~transport
plutonic Link ParentI only have the base version of Autopilot, no lane changes, that has to be done manually.I only have the base version of Autopilot, no lane changes, that has to be done manually.
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Comment on Are touchscreens in cars dangerous? in ~transport
plutonic Link ParentMaybe I made it sound worse than it actually is, I always have a hand on the wheel at all times, the car forces this. In the early days things were different, the cars were famous for 'phantom...Maybe I made it sound worse than it actually is, I always have a hand on the wheel at all times, the car forces this. In the early days things were different, the cars were famous for 'phantom braking' which was admittedly very dangerous, you had to pay attention. Things have improved greatly and you can really just let the car handle things on the freeway for the most part.
I have not had a single incident in Autopilot while on the freeway in years. Freeway driving is 90% of my daily commute and I use it everyday, I have a huge amount of experience with it. It is honestly extremely good, it even does very well in the rain. I'm still watching out the window, but definitely not in high focus mode as if I was driving myself. I feel much safer with it on, it can see and react to slowdowns ahead much faster than I can.
If using it on city streets with pedestrians and signals you absolutely must be paying attention and be on high alert, you aren't even supposed to use it that way. I have experienced it doing strange things in the city for sure, and the base version, which is all I have does not stop for red lights or stop signs. I really only turn it on in the city if I'm in traffic or on very narrow lanes where the lane keeping is better than me.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
plutonic LinkNew Igorrr album dropped this week, it's pretty good. I enjoyed the second half the album more than the first half which I thought was too 'Death Metal First' for my liking as I'm not really a fan...New Igorrr album dropped this week, it's pretty good. I enjoyed the second half the album more than the first half which I thought was too 'Death Metal First' for my liking as I'm not really a fan of Death Metal but do like how Igorrr typically handles it mixing it among a few other genres, sometimes all at once. Very original sound.
Astral Projection, of 1990's Goa Trance fame has released a new album after 23 years! I grew up in my teenage years listening to a lot of Goa Trance, my cousin from Switzerland visited and dropped a CD of Goa Trance on my desk when I was 13-14 I think, I was listening to Grunge at the time and was completely blown away by this sound. It sounded like it came from 20 years into the future. For the most part by the end of the 90's Psy-Trance had become more popular which I wasn't nearly as much of a fan of and have just kept listening to the old classic albums when I needed my fix. This new album somehow after 23 years sounds exactly the same as those old albums from the 90's. They made no attempt to change or modernize their sound which I greatly appreciate. Sometimes you don't want innovation or someone pushing their sound into something new. Sometimes you just want what you used to love and cherish so much and that is exactly what Astral Projection delivered.
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Comment on Are touchscreens in cars dangerous? in ~transport
plutonic LinkPersonally from my experience of driving 5 years in my Tesla Model 3 which only has a giant high-res touchscreen and no physical buttons I would be annoyed to go back to physical controls and a...Personally from my experience of driving 5 years in my Tesla Model 3 which only has a giant high-res touchscreen and no physical buttons I would be annoyed to go back to physical controls and a crappy small low-res screen and interface. I find Android-Auto useless because the interface is so low-res and feature limiting. My Tesla has a near fully featured Spotify/Tidal/Apple Music ect suite to use right on the screen, it's great. I don't find myself fiddling with the climate controls since I really just set a temp, say 20C and it just deals with that itself, cooling and heating as needed. This is pretty common in new vehicles now.
The fiddling with the music apps or map interface can definitely be distracting but since the Autopilot is commonly the one doing the actual driving and always the one doing the driving on freeways you really don't need to be paying all that much attention to the road ahead. You need to be present in case of something going awry, but only casually. People don't like to hear that but it is the reality of driver assist systems moving forward. The Autopilot drives better than I do and I feel a lot safer with it in control than myself.
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Comment on Massive Attack remove music from Spotify to protest against CEO Daniel Ek's investment in AI military in ~music
plutonic LinkThis is actually really disappointing as a Massive Attack fan and a Spotify subscriber. Once you start making decisions like this based of vague moral stances there is no end. Do they think Google...This is actually really disappointing as a Massive Attack fan and a Spotify subscriber. Once you start making decisions like this based of vague moral stances there is no end. Do they think Google and Apple are moral companies? Removing your music from a country whose policies you do not support is one thing, but to pick and choose streaming services run by giant tech is like picking the least worst. I've heard that when one looks into Helsing they are actually supplying military equipment to Europe and therefore Ukraine and not Israel.
I'll unfortunately just pull the old Massive Attack mp3's out of the old collection and drop them into my Spotify Local Files folder and they will now get nothing from my listening , that's lame. I listen to a huge variety of music and if I had to individually purchase all the music I listen to I would have to either reduce my listening by a huge amount or find a second job to pay for it.
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Comment on Don’t like joining in? Why it could be your superpower. in ~life
plutonic Link ParentThat is seriously grim. I would find a way to make myself sick to avoid the entire thing. Why do corporations try and push this bullshit? What concerns me even more is I think there are people who...That is seriously grim. I would find a way to make myself sick to avoid the entire thing. Why do corporations try and push this bullshit? What concerns me even more is I think there are people who genuinely enjoy it.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentAbsolute masterpiece! Have you read any other Steinbeck?Absolute masterpiece! Have you read any other Steinbeck?
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic LinkEmile Zola's 'Nana' published in 1880. The 9th novel in the 'Les Rougon-Macquart' series of 20 novels. I'm a big fan of French Realism, specifically Balzac and Zola, I've read far more Balzac so...Emile Zola's 'Nana' published in 1880. The 9th novel in the 'Les Rougon-Macquart' series of 20 novels. I'm a big fan of French Realism, specifically Balzac and Zola, I've read far more Balzac so figured it was time to pick up another Zola. This book is interesting because of its portrayal of the main character Nana who is a prostitute/stage actress. It was a pretty big deal to feature a character like that in 1880.
Took me a couple chapters to really get into it, there are a lot of characters to map out. Somewhere around halfway now, enjoying it so far.
Imagine sending the daughter of a celebrity that you have never known fake videos of their dead father?
What kind of brain does it take to think this would be wanted and acceptable?