Notices by Koen Hufkens, PhD (koen_hufkens@mastodon.social)

Brutal takedown by @pluralistic of the prepper mindset that has infected many.

The world has a collective action problem, and this for many issues (large and small). We've been individualized to the core, and this is indeed reductive. Societies of people are more than the sum of their parts. This historical truth of solidarity is consistently denied and leveraged by the select few for their personal gain.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/11/24/mall-ninja-prophecy/#mano-a-mano

#LateStageCapitalism #solidarity #Union

"By tricking you into thinking of yourself as a "consumer" who benefits from low prices, they get you to stop thinking of yourself as a worker who suffers from low wages."

The last election was lost to consumers, not citizens. @pluralistic calls to unionize for a general (heck, global) strike in 2028. We desperately need one to break the backs of big tech/business robber barons. We probably needed it yesterday.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/11/11/rip-jane-mcalevey/#organize

#UnionStrong #citizenship #unions #workerrights #equality

"The museum has removed references to Martin Luther King Jr., Japanese internment, Native Americans, union organizers, and birth control, because presenting American history honestly would make Republicans upset. "

Do not yield in advance. This is a bow to the far-right as much as the block on the endorsement of Harris in the Washington Post.

https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/its-going-to-take-a-constant-fight-to-preserve-the-historical-record

#whitewashing #fascism #farright #history

@Eris @mekkaokereke Hear hear on the stealing of UX ideas bit. When the academic circles decided to move these rather well educated people were blind, or indifferent, to the political side of their platform choice (and migrated to Bluesky mostly). In that light, I don't think one can argue on the politics of technology to get more uptake, UX wins.

As with hurricane Milton, low tech bikes play a key role in disaster relief in Valencia.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/bicycles-save-lives-how-bikes-have-been-critical-after-the-valencia-floods

#milton #valencia #disaster #recovery #biking #BikeTooter #bikestodon #bicycle

The six degrees of climate separation. You always know someone who is affected by a climate disaster.

Just got an email from a colleague on a project in Spain apologizing for a late reply because the tragedy in Valencia. Their family were fine and all, but it is a reminder that even if you are not directly physically affected that things are closer than you think.

#climatechange #climatecrisis #flood #valencia

Good summary of AI open washing as of late by @tante : “Open Source” has become a sticker like “Fair Trade”, something to make your product look good and trustworthy. To position it outside of the evil commercial space, giving it some grassroots feeling. “We’re in this together” and shit. But we’re not.

#opensource #OSI #OpenAI #ML #AI

https://tante.cc/2024/10/16/does-open-source-ai-really-exist/

@FantasticalEconomics @aral Capitalism should be constraint to discretionary purchases, which do not affect your ability to survive. Obviously this leaves a very small "market".

"When given partial info, most people felt confident they knew all they needed to."

People DON'T do their own research. They think they did.

"The good news? When given the full picture, most people are willing to change their opinions."

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/10/people-think-they-already-know-everything-they-need-to-make-decisions/

#doyourownresearch #psychology #opinion #research #science

Interesting piece on the history of peer-review.

@academicchatter

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03287-4

#publishing #publishorperish #academia #peerreview

Wait, what Musk is buying votes?

#Musk #elections

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4919368-elon-musk-petition-swing-states/

When you look at Altman or Musk their "genius" is not in inventing technology, but leveraging it through piles of cash gained through inheritance, political connections or sly snake oils sales pitches. There is skill involved, genius no, but mind you ultimately the capital is doing all the work.

"... breakthrough successes, they all pretty much revolve around connecting early start-ups with piles of investor cash, not any particular technical innovation."

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/10/sam-altman-mythmaking/680152/

Remember people, you are expected to work until flood water reaches the factory gates. You are then excused* and free to die on your way home.

[* in rapid voice: excused time falls outside the responsibility of company insurance and other claims. Limited liability is in effect within company premises. No payouts shall be made until guilt is attributed.]

https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-tennessee-f7c4a460de588df7a4d5bc9efa756ecb

@patrickcmiller So, using a non open source license, yet asking for community contributions. Despite nostalgia this is having your cake and eating it, too. Hard pass.

People with enough money can just ignore the law, and then beg for forgiveness. People without money are never afforded the same forgiveness.

https://futurism.com/the-byte/openai-copyrighted-material-parliament

I'm in The Netherlands, and I'm speaking Dutch, my mother tongue, in day-to-day conversations. It feels... weird. Then I realized that aside 2 months in early 2020 (just before being locked in a box due to COVID) I've been abroad for 10 years now, and mostly if not exclusively speaking Dutch to family only.

So, me having to navigate a restaurant in Dutch now feels weirder than dealing with Swiss German or French. Wild.

I'm reading "Blood in the Machine" by Brian Merchant, which tells the story of the Luddites and how ultimately they lost the battle for just technological advancement.

The parallels with today's societal context are apt. Last century's social security reform clawed back some of the personal freedoms enjoyed a century earlier - with a deference in time of said freedoms (pension/retirement/work week) being key.

We're slowly reneging on retirement - there will be blood in the machine once more.

"ExxonMobil is suing investors who want faster climate action"

Un F-cking believable. These are basic SLAPP techniques to stall things. Disgusting, but certainly not unexpected.

#climatecrisis #climatechange #juststopoil

https://www.npr.org/2024/02/29/1234358133/exxon-climate-change-oil-fossil-fuels-shareholders-investors-lawsuit

The AMOC (and other tipping points) are a true "fuck around and find out" moment for climate change policy IMO.

We have missed most climate change opportunities, therefore closing mitigation and adaptation options even for slow moving climate change.

There is little indication that tipping point warnings will instill a new found urgency.

@aral Isn't that the false dichotomy that giving people additional rights doesn't take yours away?