Notices by Lauren Weinstein (lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org), page 4

The Tesla situation is really fascinating from both a microeconomic and macroeconomic standpoint. Generally, the assumption in most economic analysis is that purchase/sales decisions are based on factors mostly intrinsic to the brand and item. Celebrity endorsements can change those curves somewhat -- sometimes significantly improving them. But it is rare (in my experience, anyway) to see a precipitous decline in a major item (like a car or truck) that is almost entirely tied to the perceived personality and personal actions of a CEO. I can't offhand think of any other examples that approximate this situation.

No reports so far of significant damage from the new quake. Another "reminder" quake. Sort of like what Pompeii used to get.

Years ago, I publicly stated that I would not drive a Tesla even if one was offered to me for free. Though I do not claim to have predicted the transition of Musk from techo-hypster to fascist, this does remain one of my more prescient statements.

Report: Federal agencies may be preparing to using blockchain and cryptocurrencies to pay grants and more, putting billions of dollars
at potential risk

U.S. Housing Agency Considers Launching Crypto Experiment

https://gizmodo.com/u-s-housing-agency-considers-launching-crypto-experiment-2000573596

#Google and #Amazon #AI Say Hitler's Mein Kampf Is 'a True Work of Art'

Fascist is as fascist does. -L

https://www.404media.co/google-amazon-ai-search-mein-kampf-reviews/

@dalias Yeah, the thought of all the old firmware that would be screwed up by this makes me very unenthusiastic about changes at this point.

Trump signs executive order establishing cryptocurrency reserve, but for now apparently only using coins currently held by the government

As I understand it, this "reserve" is composed of cryptocurrency seized by the government, and while it establishes a study regarding future purchases that "do not cost taxpayers", it does not immediately mandate that these take place. So this could be a lot worse.

Trump unenthusiastic about changes to daylight savings time right now

Asked about ending daylight savings time (or making it permanent) Trump acknowledged the differences in opinion on which way to go, and suggests this isn't on the top of his list for now. I endorse this position.

The day #Google defaults to its crap-laden, misinformation-pushing, utterly untrustworthy, error enveloped AI Overviews rather than links to actual sites, is the day I stop using Google Search entirely.

Trump has now spent more than half the weekends since his inauguration back at Mar-a-Lago, at immense expense to U.S. taxpayers and Florida law enforcement.

The fastest way to get me to thumbs-down and abort a #YouTube video is to use a synthesized/AI voice. I probably am not detecting them at 100% accuracy now -- obviously there's a sampling bias issue in play -- but my sense is that the vast majority of them are still detectable within a few seconds, at least for now. Some others take a little longer, but eventually screw up with some bizarre pacing or pronunciation that exposes them as a dirt stupid AI piece of crap.

It's interesting to see the comments on videos where the creator is obviously doing the voice over themselves, frequently comments like: "Thank you for not using a goddamned AI voice!"

NPR: New deputy FBI director Dan Bongino previously called for abolishing the FBI, imprisoning Democrats, ignoring courts, and belief in demons -- and lots more crazy

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/03/nx-s1-5308020/dan-bongino-trump-fbi-director-conspiracies-podcast?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

[Obeying his Russian master] BREAKING: Trump stops all aid to Ukraine, including any in transit

"I always use a dial phone.
For me it never fails.
I may never get my number.
But it manicures my nails."
-- Soupy Sales (1961)

No Nobel Prize for you, Fascist Trump! - UK prime minister announces framework for peace plan after summit with Zelenskyy

https://abcnews.go.com/International/zelenskyy-set-european-summit-london-after-trump-showdown/story?id=119338966

SEC says Memecoins are not securities and that it won't regulate them, setting up millions of Americans to lose their life savings

[18F] Mark Cuban offers to fund government tech unit that was cut in the middle of the night

FBI Deputy Director Bongino has been busily deleting old tweets, including ones claiming Jan 6 pipe bombs were "an inside job" and more

https://www.yahoo.com/news/fbi-deputy-director-bongino-repeatedly-090052526.html

The big question: How many Russian FSB agents were invited into the Oval Office closet before Zelensky arrived?