scojjac's recent activity
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Comment on How has your industry changed in the past decade? in ~life
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Comment on How has your industry changed in the past decade? in ~life
scojjac Link ParentLooking at your comment and @jackson's comment above, genAI is creating both time and financial costs for workers and companies. What's fascinating to me is that some users insist that, when...Looking at your comment and @jackson's comment above, genAI is creating both time and financial costs for workers and companies. What's fascinating to me is that some users insist that, when wielded properly, genAI can save tremendous amounts of time and mental energy. Others find that it requires so much prompting and checking over copious output that it doesn't actually save them any effort.
I wonder where the discrepancy in perception of genAI's usefulness lies. Is it truly that some people just aren't putting the time and effort into effectively using genAI, or are they doing different kinds of work, or are they inaccurately estimating the time/energy expenditures with/without it, or something else?
For myself, I prefer to work on a problem myself than supervise a computer that pretends to think. Prompting output is so much worse than producing output. I don't want to deny that some people are having positive experiences with such tools. At the same time, I see high costs and low benefits, resulting in negative value overall.
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Comment on The Business-School research scandal that just keeps getting bigger in ~science
scojjac LinkJuliana Schroeder was one of Francesca Gino's peers and launched an intense effort to verify the papers in question. Regarding her and the field at large: It's no shock that there is deep rot in...Juliana Schroeder was one of Francesca Gino's peers and launched an intense effort to verify the papers in question. Regarding her and the field at large:
In October 2023, a former graduate student who had helped tip off the team of bloggers to Gino’s possible fraud wrote her own “post mortem” on the case. It paints Schroeder as exceptional among her peers: a professor who “sent a clear signal to the scientific community that she is taking this scandal seriously.” Several others echoed this assessment, saying that ever since the news broke, Schroeder has been relentless—heroic, even—in her efforts to correct the record.
But if Schroeder planned to extinguish any doubts that remained, she may have aimed too high. More than a year since all of this began, the evidence of fraud has only multiplied. The rot in business schools runs much deeper than almost anyone had guessed, and the blame is unnervingly widespread. In the end, even Schroeder would become a suspect.
It's no shock that there is deep rot in business schools; one only has to look at what MBAs have wrought in the real world and the thick disdain people hold for them.
I'm not at all surprised that research students, like Ms. Brooks at Wharton, make up data. Based on my own high school experiences, it's completely believable that smart, tired students take shortcuts and make things up as long as its convincing enough to 'get the grade', so to speak. As one who tried to do things the right way even if it meant a worse score, I was continually frustrated by such behavior.
A highlighted quote in the article, from Uri Simonsohn, goes, "It’s embarrassing how few protections we have against fraud and how easy it has been to fool us."
It's remarkable how well that statement applies to modern society. A large swath of the population is absolutely fooled, not trying too hard to find truth or verify, because it would mean grappling with inconvenient realities. When this phenomenon is discussed with regard to the world outside academia, it's said that this is a result of lack of education. Yet here we have highly educated people falling susceptible to the same sorts of problems.
Ambitious students, researchers, and business people are united by that ambition and are willing to forego rigor and ethics if it gives them an edge. In a cutthroat world where the incentives are for an exceedingly few at the top, some will do anything to stand out and reap rewards. How can they be expected to put in much work or great risk for vanishing returns?
There are no doubt concerns specific to academia and publishing, but they are symptoms of more fundamental forces that, terminally unchecked, are rending society apart.
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Comment on What's the biggest YouTube channel still run by just one person? in ~creative
scojjac Link ParentI can see why! Though, I was under the impression Mike and Brady are the podcasters and the agreement is that he show up. ;)I can see why! Though, I was under the impression Mike and Brady are the podcasters and the agreement is that he show up. ;)
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Comment on What's the biggest YouTube channel still run by just one person? in ~creative
scojjac Link ParentOh very cool, thank you for sharing! That was the best apology video I've ever watched.Oh very cool, thank you for sharing! That was the best apology video I've ever watched.
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Comment on What's the biggest YouTube channel still run by just one person? in ~creative
scojjac LinkI've think CGPGrey may still be solo; I don't follow him closely anymore, so can't be sure. But he's over 6M subscribers.I've think CGPGrey may still be solo; I don't follow him closely anymore, so can't be sure. But he's over 6M subscribers.
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Comment on United States Department of Justice will push Google to sell Chrome to break search monopoly in ~tech
scojjac LinkInternet browsers are expensive to maintain and unprofitable. The five major browsers today are all owned by tech giants and billionaires. (I hear someone saying, "What about Firefox‽" It was...Internet browsers are expensive to maintain and unprofitable. The five major browsers today are all owned by tech giants and billionaires. (I hear someone saying, "What about Firefox‽" It was reliant on that sweet Google cash, and we don't yet know whether it will survive without its sugar daddy.)
I fully realize that Google has engaged in unethical behavior and there's a strong desire to punish them (and maybe to score an antitrust win). However, the most realistic way that this plays out is that Chrome gets discontinued and most people who use it move to Edge because sites are optimized for Chromium-based browsers. Microsoft once again has the dominant browser. Is this a 'hurts itself in confusion' moment, or is there a positive outcome I'm not seeing?
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Comment on Maybe Bluesky has "won" in ~tech
scojjac LinkMaybe. Threads had some potential and provided some great self-moderation tools, but Meta botched their moderation so badly (read: cheaped out by using AI instead of people) that they lost early...Maybe. Threads had some potential and provided some great self-moderation tools, but Meta botched their moderation so badly (read: cheaped out by using AI instead of people) that they lost early adopters. Some of those moved to Bluesky, while others were tired of moving to the next platform. Some people preferred Bluesky because it wasn't attached to Instagram or Meta in any way.
But Bluesky, as the author notes, has control over two key components of their not-so-federated platform: the DIDs and DMs, with no known plans to relinquish that control. Ultimately, they've rebuilt early Twitter, and there are some that say Bluesky feels like the past instead of the future, in a non-complimentary way.
For myself, I've realized that social media increases my anxiety. If I'm already stressed, it makes me more stressed. I already maintained a quite small Instagram profile (private, with less than 100 following and followers, each), and it was too much for me. I think there's more of a sense of lurkers or dead connections that I find disconcerting. The few stronger connections I can maintain in other ways.
I deactivated my socials maybe two or three weeks ago. Other than my mom, no one asked about it. But in that time, I've had a few really nice video calls with friends, and a couple others that have at least popped in via text message to share an update. For real-life interpersonal connections, I like this way better. And I still work on getting out and about for some meatspace interactions.
Online, I'm still indulging in discussions here and posting on my own blog. Tildes moves at a slow enough pace that it feels manageable, and the conversations are thoughtful. My own blog moves at whatever pace I want it to and there's no expectation or worry about interactions. And if people want to reach me, they have options like email or Signal. (Signal with a username is far more private and secure than any social platform's inbox.)
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Comment on "Americans get screwed because they can’t read" in ~society
scojjac (edited )Link ParentI know what you mean! I enjoy seeking out reading material that is more challenging than usual to keep the brain engaged. But heavy reading is cyclical for me and I feel it when I'm coming off of...I know what you mean! I enjoy seeking out reading material that is more challenging than usual to keep the brain engaged. But heavy reading is cyclical for me and I feel it when I'm coming off of a break. I see greater benefits when I read to study and learn, not just for pleasure.
Also, while audiobooks are books, I tend to think that people who heavily rely on them don't develop the same analytical skills that visual readers do. But I am also one who absolutely cannot get into an audiobook, so there is some bias. 😅
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Comment on "Americans get screwed because they can’t read" in ~society
scojjac LinkI write articles for a company website and take pride in making them easy to understand without a technical background. But now I want to see what grade level my articles come in at. It requires...I write articles for a company website and take pride in making them easy to understand without a technical background. But now I want to see what grade level my articles come in at.
It requires skill and creativity to express complex ideas at a reading level that is not only accessible, but engaging, for most readers. But it is depressing that so many Americans lack the ability to parse more advanced works.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
scojjac Link ParentThanks, I'll have to check how to do that. I think I agree with that assessment. hahaThanks, I'll have to check how to do that. I think I agree with that assessment. haha
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
scojjac (edited )Link ParentI've been a bit stuck in Dark Age but I want to get through because I have some half-formed theories about the role of Lysander in Light Bringer. Dark Age spoilersThe demise of Cassius was grim...I've been a bit stuck in Dark Age but I want to get through because I have some half-formed theories about the role of Lysander in Light Bringer.
I didn't realize there is one more book coming!Dark Age spoilers
The demise of Cassius was grim but it's giving the boy room to grow into himself. Feels like Darrow is floundering. -
Comment on The man problem | “Why are men moving right?” in ~life.men
scojjac (edited )LinkThey feel like their own problems are being ignored. They feel that they're being antagonized and maligned. That there's no real place for them under the big tent except maybe over in a dark...They feel like their own problems are being ignored. They feel that they're being antagonized and maligned. That there's no real place for them under the big tent except maybe over in a dark corner. And yes, that everyone deserves basic rights but a lot of energy is being spent on a very small portion of the population for things that seem like extras (not food, shelter, work, money).
So you'd have to stop blaming men, start acknowledging the problems men face, and be able to convincingly promise that you can fix those problems. Since men are no longer a scapegoat in this scenario, you'd have to put more emphasis on reining in corporations and oligarchs and the obscene hoarding of wealth. In other words, I find this extremely unlikely to happen.
This is mostly interesting to me as far as how to build community and show support for other men in my sphere. Not at the expense of others, but because men also need community and to feel useful, wanted, valued.
'The man problem' has been written about quite a bit but many people remain genuinely confused about the root causes (even the writers). Finally, a disclaimer that I didn't watch this video (videos are the wooooorst for me personally).
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
scojjac LinkAlmost all of this is all solidly in the indie pop/rock genres, though I'm including one Spanish song at the end. Glass Animals - I Don't Wanna Talk; Airlock; Solar Power Coin - Chapstick; Crash...Almost all of this is all solidly in the indie pop/rock genres, though I'm including one Spanish song at the end.
- Glass Animals - I Don't Wanna Talk; Airlock; Solar Power
- Coin - Chapstick; Crash My Car
- Balu Brigada - So Cold
- Max Frost - Head in the Clouds; Car Stereo
- bbno$ - i remember; meant to be
- If you are wondering, as I was, this stage name is vocalized as "baby no money". He's a rapper/singer-songwriter. "I remember" has much more of an indie pop vibe than some of his other works.
- Vicente García, Monsieur Periné - Nuestra Canción
- Apparently, this Colombian song was released in 2015, used in a Bugs Bunny skit, but didn't really become a hit until 2021 when it became popular on TikTok (thank you, Wikipedia). This week was my first time hearing it. Great intro that reminded me of a scene in Emperor's New Groove, with fun use of winds.
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Comment on Is ADHD really that debilitating? in ~health.mental
scojjac Link ParentThese three conditions have severity levels and are exacerbated by stressors including lack of sleep, poor diet, and external events. So yes, ADHD can be debilitating to some people more than...These three conditions have severity levels and are exacerbated by stressors including lack of sleep, poor diet, and external events. So yes, ADHD can be debilitating to some people more than others, and it can even depend on the day.
There are days my brain just does not do what I want it to do. To me, part of the solution is recognizing that fighting my brain on this, or trying to force it to behave a certain way, is only going to cause damage and frustration. It's better to change direction — do some exercise or house chores or a different kind of task. Sometimes it helps break the block, sometimes the day is just lost.
OP, I think it was very kind of you to try to help by suggesting a paper solution. In an era where the US doesn't have any interest in digital privacy laws and may soon use such info to target people, paper really is the most practical solution. That said, a digital reminder is hilarious to me because I would see, forget, remember, forget. I do this with my alarm to take out the bin before trash pickup, and then I'm (hopefully) jolted awake by the sound of the truck nearing my house.
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Comment on Who is allowed to practice identity politics? in ~society
scojjac Link ParentYou're right. He was in NC Senate and then US House and I got mixed up. Not even going to touch the whole TikTok thing.You're right. He was in NC Senate and then US House and I got mixed up. Not even going to touch the whole TikTok thing.
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Comment on Who is allowed to practice identity politics? in ~society
scojjac (edited )Link ParentThis is the conclusion I've been coming to, that people are dissatisfied across the board, the reason is money, and are using their vote to say either "this is working" or "this is not". Can you...This is the conclusion I've been coming to, that people are dissatisfied across the board, the reason is money, and are using their vote to say either "this is working" or "this is not". Can you really say more than yes or no in a binary system?
Also, telling people "the economy is actually good, you guys" is not a winning tactic when people are mad and when they know that you allowed the rich to get much, much richer in the same timeframe. They think, if you really understood my problems and wanted to fix them, you would have done it. You haven't delivered solutions so why should I let you stay? The other guy acknowledges my anger and frustrations; you tell me that they're imagined.
People have much to deal with and are not tuned in to politics or policy details. Many have not developed the critical thinking skills necessary to ask the right questions, find information, determine its reliability, and then evaluate and decide. It takes effort. Effort when people are exhausted and effort in a convenience economy.
I live in NC and looking at the outcomes here, people voted for the incumbent party (D) for governor (Cooper was term limited and Stein was already AG) and for AG (Jackson is a well-liked, even-keeled US
SenatorRepresentative that explains things and acts like he understands people's concerns). They also took away the supermajority in the legislature. If the state legislature wasn't severely gerrymandered, I'm guessing the incumbent loss would have been more stark. Again, more of a yes/no as to what's working and what's not. There's little policy awareness or evaluation happening beyond that. -
Comment on Don't contribute anything relevant in web forums like Reddit in ~tech
scojjac Link ParentI decided to write this out as a blog post: https://scojjac.com/anti-pkm/ It's a cheeky URL. But basically, I take a just enough approach. I keep a lot of PDF references with related notes in a...I decided to write this out as a blog post: https://scojjac.com/anti-pkm/
It's a cheeky URL. But basically, I take a just enough approach. I keep a lot of PDF references with related notes in a single folder in Apple Notes, virtually no tags or interlinking. Johnny Decimal is set up in OneDrive but I'm not strict about it. I prefer to delete things I don't need anymore. Personal and study notes are handwritten, reviewed to get the main points to sink in, and then become disposable. It helps because I don't feel bogged down by an overly complex system but can still find everything I need.
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Comment on ADHD and TODO lists in ~health.mental
scojjac LinkMy approach is to limit myself to a set number of items that can go on the list. For example, I pick three things I can reasonably accomplish in the day and put them on an index card. They're my...My approach is to limit myself to a set number of items that can go on the list. For example, I pick three things I can reasonably accomplish in the day and put them on an index card. They're my top priorities or, if I'm just not feeling it, achievable with little energy. I also like to make a note of how long I think it will take vs how long it took me.
If I do something that wasn't on the list, I add it and cross it off. Might not be planned but it's what my brain was willing to engage in (or that came up) and it still got done.
The main thing is striving to have compassion with myself and to work with my brain instead of chastising it for being different or difficult.
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Comment on Don't contribute anything relevant in web forums like Reddit in ~tech
scojjac Link ParentThanks for sharing the main link and these other ones. I may not fully agree with his conclusion but his points are valid. I'm in favor of personal blogs, especially for people that are prolific,...Thanks for sharing the main link and these other ones. I may not fully agree with his conclusion but his points are valid.
I'm in favor of personal blogs, especially for people that are prolific, thorough commenters. Voit mentions one method, posting to your own site and syndicating elsewhere (sometimes abbreviated POSSE), but there's also the option to post elsewhere then to your own site (PESOS).
That way you can share in the web forum but retain a copy you control. The main downside here is that Reddit or whomever can still sell your data, but the AI crawlers are probably stealing it anyway.
Regarding the Tildes post you linked to, I generally find PKM to be serious overkill in my life. I didn't keep up with Johnny Decimal either though I see the usefulness.
That might be. I usually find the answers to be some combination of wrong, fictional, and overly generic. Also, while there are some heuristics for the reliability of a webpage (domain authority, amount of ads/popups, formatting), all of that is stripped away in genAI. Even tools like Perplexity that cite their sources are not trustworthy on their own, so (in my case) I'm back to reading through source material to determine accuracy and reliability. For finding answers to questions, I find it god-awful.