scojjac's recent activity
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Comment on US Food and Drug Administration declines to review Moderna's mRNA flu shot in ~health
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Comment on Spotify will soon sell hardcover and paperback books through its app, in partnership with Bookshop.org in ~books
scojjac Link ParentI still use Spotify, I just wish I could turn off podcasts, audiobooks, and everything else that is not music. Those little video clips that played for some songs/albums? It tooks months before...I still use Spotify, I just wish I could turn off podcasts, audiobooks, and everything else that is not music. Those little video clips that played for some songs/albums? It tooks months before they offered an option to disable that. I'm with you, I just want a good music app.
That said, Apple Music is not a good music app for me. Every time I have tried to go back to it, it has frustrated me in one way or another. I think I gave up on it for good when they started hiding buttons. I don't care for their radio shows either, but at least they're on their own tab and fairly easy to ignore.
I'm sort of impressed that they partnered with Bookshop.org. But I don't want books in a music app.
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Comment on US Federal Aviation Administration reopens El Paso airport hours after saying it was grounding flights for ten days in ~transport
scojjac LinkInteresting new information from Texas Tribune. An industry source says the FAA did this because the DoD would not stop using unauthorized flight paths for their own drones.Interesting new information from Texas Tribune. An industry source says the FAA did this because the DoD would not stop using unauthorized flight paths for their own drones.
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Comment on US Federal Aviation Administration reopens El Paso airport hours after saying it was grounding flights for ten days in ~transport
scojjac Link ParentThank you for that update. That seems like a very neat and tidy answer. Stating that you intend to restrict ~350 square miles of airspace for 10 days, and then lifting it within a day? If they...Thank you for that update. That seems like a very neat and tidy answer. Stating that you intend to restrict ~350 square miles of airspace for 10 days, and then lifting it within a day?
If they used high-powered microwave to neutralize drones, I suppose that would be a reason for a larger area to be restricted. Or maybe it's just incompetence and miscommunication between agencies.
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Comment on US Federal Aviation Administration reopens El Paso airport hours after saying it was grounding flights for ten days in ~transport
scojjac (edited )LinkFAA issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) completely restricting airspace (10nm up to 18000 feet) around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days. It was issued with only three hours'...FAA issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) completely restricting airspace (10nm up to 18000 feet) around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days. It was issued with only three hours' notice, city councilmember Chris Canales posted information on Reddit. Neither civilian nor military leadership got advance notice, nor Albuquerque Center regional ATC. Canales says "military does not have carte blance exemption".
It seems that this was ordered unilaterally at the highest level of federal government without cooperation with state and local partners, nor with the Mexican government (Ciudad Juárez airspace, directly across the border, is unrestricted). El Paso is a major freight hub and a secondary hub for some carriers, including American Airlines.
The notice cites "national defense" as the reason for the restriction. Nothing like this has happened since September 11, 2001. There's also a more limited drone restriction in New Orleans.
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US Federal Aviation Administration reopens El Paso airport hours after saying it was grounding flights for ten days
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Comment on US FBI stymied by Apple’s Lockdown Mode after seizing journalist’s iPhone in ~tech
scojjac (edited )Link ParentI would be interested to hear from someone who has used Lockdown Mode on a regular basis, also. I tested it on my iPhone for you. Lockdown Mode does not turn off biometric authentication. However,...I would be interested to hear from someone who has used Lockdown Mode on a regular basis, also.
I tested it on my iPhone for you. Lockdown Mode does not turn off biometric authentication. However, you can do so in Settings > Face ID & Passcode by turning off Use Face ID for iPhone unlock. This option is available whether you use Lockdown Mode or not.
It's also worth considering an alphanumeric passcode. I think they're a pain if you have biometrics disabled, but they're a great way to strengthen the security of your phone (especially when a quick button combination disables biometrics).
Edit: As mentioned, pretty much any country reserves the right to deny entry to a non-citizen that refuses to provide a password. Disabling biometrics won't get around that. Citizens of a country may have more rights when re-entering, but are more likely to be delayed for exercising those rights.
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Comment on US FBI stymied by Apple’s Lockdown Mode after seizing journalist’s iPhone in ~tech
scojjac Link ParentThe courts have ruled that a search warrant does not need to explicitly mention each and every item to be searched or seized. From Lawyers.com: The same webpage notes that "courts have recognized...The courts have ruled that a search warrant does not need to explicitly mention each and every item to be searched or seized.
From Lawyers.com:
For a search of a house, for example, it’s typically enough to identify the address. And even broad descriptions of the kinds of evidence officers can seize will often suffice. The U.S. Supreme Court once approved warrants that called for specified items “together with other fruits, instrumentalities and evidence of crime at this (time) unknown.” (Andresen v. Maryland, 427 U.S. 463 (1976).)
The same webpage notes that "courts have recognized so many exceptions to the warrant requirement that some argue the exceptions have all but swallowed the rule."
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Comment on US FBI stymied by Apple’s Lockdown Mode after seizing journalist’s iPhone in ~tech
scojjac LinkHannah Natanson, a reporter for the Washington Post, had her home raided by the FBI. The article goes into detail, but I want to highlight a few helpful reminders. In the United States, biometrics...Hannah Natanson, a reporter for the Washington Post, had her home raided by the FBI. The article goes into detail, but I want to highlight a few helpful reminders.
- In the United States, biometrics are not protected by the Fourth Amendment. You can be compelled and "assisted" to apply your biometrics to a device. You cannot be compelled to give up your password.
- On a Mac, you can go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode and turn off "Use Touch ID to unlock your Mac".
- The keyboard shortcut to quickly lock your Mac is Ctrl + Cmd + Q.
- On iPhone, you can temporarily disable biometrics by 1) squeezing the side button and a volume button for a few seconds or 2) pressing the side button five times. You should feel haptics as confirmation.
- Encrypt your Mac with FileVault to protect it from being copied.
- Syncing chats from WhatsApp and Signal to the desktop increases your attack surface.
As the article mentions, Lockdown Mode is "optional, extreme protection that’s designed for the very few individuals who, because of who they are or what they do, might be personally targeted by some of the most sophisticated digital threats." I don't know you; maybe you need it, maybe you don't. But the tips above are practical and well worth your consideration.
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US FBI stymied by Apple’s Lockdown Mode after seizing journalist’s iPhone
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Comment on Jeff Bezos orders layoffs at 'The Washington Post' in ~news
scojjac LinkKey bits that stand out to me: "a third of its entire workforce" "to compete in the era of artificial intelligence" sports desk, books section, and Post Reports podcast discontinued international...Key bits that stand out to me:
- "a third of its entire workforce"
- "to compete in the era of artificial intelligence"
- sports desk, books section, and Post Reports podcast discontinued
- international desk shrinks, Ukraine bureau chief let go along with entire Middle East desk
- the reporter that covers Amazon was let go
- "Several former editors said it appeared the paper was seeking to compete more with such specialized publications as Politico and Punchbowl rather than The New York Times."
The choices about letting people go who cover Ukraine, the Middle East, and Amazon seem, to me, aimed at serving Russian and billionaire interests. And it's obscene for one of the wealthiest people on earth to do this.
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Comment on Microsoft has killed widgets six times. Here's why they keep coming back. in ~tech
scojjac Link ParentThis is basically how I feel about widgets, also. On macOS, I only keep widgets in Notification Center (swipe in from right edge). On iOS, I only keep them in Today view (to the left of the lock...This is basically how I feel about widgets, also. On macOS, I only keep widgets in Notification Center (swipe in from right edge). On iOS, I only keep them in Today view (to the left of the lock screen and home screen). In both cases, it's primarily the calendar month and the weather. Widgets on the desktop don't make sense to me because I pretty much always have windowed apps open.
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Comment on America's dumbest crop: grass in ~enviro
scojjac LinkFrom the southwest to the east coast I've always lived in neighborhoods with these ridiculous expanses of grass that serve no purpose. (My family and I have verrry different preferences in where...From the southwest to the east coast I've always lived in neighborhoods with these ridiculous expanses of grass that serve no purpose. (My family and I have verrry different preferences in where to live, but being near them has been important to me. I've about had it with living in the middle of a field, though.)
American lawns are more barren than our deserts — which are full of life — and they're more resource intensive. We're renting in a "nice" neighborhood (that I personally hate) that has these stupid lawns. The neighbors mow every week, sometimes every couple of days, and keep their lawns so short there are brown spots. Totally soul-sucking homogeneity.
I very rarely see properties in my county where people 'just let nature take over' their yard without any effort at all. (Here, if they do it, there are trees growing out of abandoned houses.)
Suburbia creates a LOT of problems that are rooted in poor resource allocation, and its lawns are a perfect symbol.
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
scojjac LinkI had enough of my small, sterile, disorganized bedroom office. I improved it with: full length wall mirror decorative runner on top of dresser hanging wall art (might move this and put a guitar...I had enough of my small, sterile, disorganized bedroom office. I improved it with:
- full length wall mirror
- decorative runner on top of dresser
- hanging wall art (might move this and put a guitar there)
- replacing an end table with shelves
- adding a third plant
- rearranging some lighting
Still need a rug and maybe some floating shelves over the standing desk. I also worked on the patio, re-hanging the string lights, rinsing the outdoor rug, etc. I need some new cushions.
Also went to the library and picked up a new novel by Cory Doctorow that I need to finish quickly.
Have been in a bit of a work slump because of stress around other things. Trying to get past it with the decorating, going for a run yesterday, and getting to the gym a few times a week. I love working remotely, but I find I have to make sure to have a variety of scenery and activity in my life.
Oh and I finally made it to the beach for the first time this year.
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Comment on Should I take a job to work on something I don’t believe in? in ~life
scojjac LinkThere are some things that you might find morally or ethically reprehensible; avoid those. Otherwise, I think it's a trap to expect to align with your employer or job completely. Let the work to...There are some things that you might find morally or ethically reprehensible; avoid those.
Otherwise, I think it's a trap to expect to align with your employer or job completely. Let the work to be a paycheck that supports meaningful interests and activities irl.
After compensation and remote work, I would say the most important things are direct supervisor and whoever you will most frequently work with. To me it sounds like you need a ranking system for what matters most to you in a job. Mission to me is more of a nice-to-have, but it might be more important to you (though it doesn't seem to be most important).
Regarding prospects, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Employers are incredibly indecisive and skittish right now, so if you find one that is decisive and committed to moving forward, that's gold.
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Comment on What's your go-to hot sauce? in ~food
scojjac LinkLike @0x29a, Cholula is my fav basic hot sauce. Have a friend that swears by Marie Sharp's, which has nice heat and flavor. It's habanero-based, and "Belizean Heat" is the extra hot version. Good...Like @0x29a, Cholula is my fav basic hot sauce.
Have a friend that swears by Marie Sharp's, which has nice heat and flavor. It's habanero-based, and "Belizean Heat" is the extra hot version. Good stuff. When Walmart was carrying the minis I bought quite a few of them. Haven't had much luck finding regular bottles in stores; it's more of an online purchase.
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Comment on The evidence that AI is destroying jobs for young people just got stronger in ~tech
scojjac (edited )LinkThere were other challenges that young people faced as they started seeking work after the pandemic. However, I doubt that these issues disproportionately affected the types of jobs in question....There were other challenges that young people faced as they started seeking work after the pandemic. However, I doubt that these issues disproportionately affected the types of jobs in question.
- They lack in-person or face-to-face social skills.
- Employers perceive them as having unreasonable wage expectations for entry-level roles. (me, wildly gesturing at graph of US productivity vs. wages since the 1970s)
- Use of AI and keyword-based analysis tends to negatively impact applicants with less experience, or whose experience does not perfectly align with the preferred keywords. Edit to add: Although companies use AI to evaluate applicants, they seem to have negative opinion of applicants that use AI to cope with the ridiculously convoluted (and terribly indecisive) hiring processes they've rigged together.
I suspect AI, or executive perception of its abilities, is harming junior roles and that this will have long-lasting repercussions. Junior roles are where we gain knowledge and experience for more senior roles. Employers may not be worried about that if they expect that genx and millennials want or need to stay in jobs as long as boomers did.
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Comment on Which directors have a flawless filmography? in ~movies
scojjac Link ParentYeah I share a similar view — Johnson did a stellar job and I think he produced a great Star Wars flick. Disney mismanaging their properties is a separate issue. But I'm the kind of guy that says,...Yeah I share a similar view — Johnson did a stellar job and I think he produced a great Star Wars flick. Disney mismanaging their properties is a separate issue. But I'm the kind of guy that says, "I love Star Wars! I hate how the red shirts always die", just to mess with hardcore fans.
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Comment on Which directors have a flawless filmography? in ~movies
scojjac LinkFirstly, I haven't seen everything by anyone. Spielberg is prolific and considered one of the greatest living filmmakers. He came to my mind because of The Post, of all things, but he certainly...Firstly, I haven't seen everything by anyone.
Spielberg is prolific and considered one of the greatest living filmmakers. He came to my mind because of The Post, of all things, but he certainly has many other high quality works.
Rian Johnson's filmography is comparatively limited, but I love his mysteries and I enjoyed his approach to Last Jedi — I probably give him extra credit because of the reaction from the fandom.
Conversely, Nolan tops my list of least favorite directors by a long shot.
Wes Anderson films are usually not my cup of tea though I admire his distinct style and how carefully each shot is crafted. I thoroughly enjoyed Phoenician Scheme.
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Comment on Spotify is adding direct messaging to their music streaming app in ~tech
scojjac Link ParentI suppose that could be true. I'm in my 30s. One reason I'm on Spotify is that more of my friends are — but they also do not care for the existing social features like Blend or Jam (which sorta...I suppose that could be true. I'm in my 30s. One reason I'm on Spotify is that more of my friends are — but they also do not care for the existing social features like Blend or Jam (which sorta bums me out), so I don't think DMs will take off in my circle, either. Most just want you to send links to where they already check messages.
Aside: I wish I could permanently turn off audiobooks and podcasts in Spotify. I never ever ever want to see or listen to them.
This "best available standard of care" comment is about the 65+ age group, for whom the FDA recommends high-dose vaccines like Fluzone HD (which contains four times the antigen of standard flu vaccines).
Remember, it is time to "move beyond the limitations of mRNA", in favor of whole-virus vaccines.
Regarding whole-virus vaccines: