Notices by Frank Bennett (fgbjr@indieweb.social), page 4

@ct_bergstrom Well, this led to quite the rabbit hole! We apparently have two species in Japan, hashibuto-garasu, and jashiboso-garasu, with very different habits. Now I'll need to figure out which are perched on the power poles around the house every morning. Thanks for posting!

@tusk81 Trying to imagine being crimped into service for a live-action survival challenge on Christmas Day because some asshole comfortably warming himself over a brandy thinks it will buy him a sound bite on TV. If nothing else, it's a sound reminder that this is just another day.

@emasters Ouch. Hang in there.

Fuck you six ways to Sunday, Elon.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/21/transgender-rights-activist-henry-berg-brousseau-dies-aged-24

“Some of the established concerns with large-language models:
1) they are inherently inaccurate and biased; 2) their size and scale means that only large corporations (or states) can develop and administer them, exacerbating various forms of marginalization and inequality;
3) they have a vast, detrimental environmental impact;
4) they intensify the demand for more pervasive and invasive kinds of surveillance”
https://robhorning.substack.com/p/every-answer

[Refreshed list of services]

This time of year can be difficult for many people. Connecting with others on social media can sometimes help.

But if you are struggling, below is a sample of helplines and services you can speak with, if you are in Australia.
(These are all national; there are also state/territory services)

Health Direct : 1800 022 222 (24/7)
Lifeline Australia : 13 11 14 (24/7)
Kid's Helpline : 1800 551 800 (for 5-25 year olds)

Sane Mental Health Helpline : 1800 882 436
Suicide Call Back Service : 1300 659 467 (for ages 15+)
Beyond Blue : 1300 224 636 (24/7)
Grief Line : 1300 845 745

QLife : 1800 184 527 (LGBTQI+)
13Yarn :13 92 76 (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders)

Mensline : 1300 789 978 :
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby : 1800 882 436
Carers Gateway : 1800 422 737

Respect : 1800 737 732 : (domestic, family, or sexual violence)

National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline : 1800 250 015
Gamblers Help : 1800 858 858 :
National Debt Helpline : 1800 007 007

@ChrisPirillo I think of it as Miyazawa's "Restaurant of Many Orders."
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Restaurant_of_Many_Orders

@ShigeKasai ?

@ShigeKasai 紙幣を山盛りにして火をつけると心が暖かくなるかも。

@nicolewolverton No quite on point, but IIRC there is a scene in Fargo (movie version) that involves ice-fishing equipment.

@carlmalamud They're huge. Mieko reminded me regularly to fertilize the trees. I was slow with it, but I either did something right, or they were listening in and are just trying to drive the message home.

Here in Nagoya we had unseasonably warm weather through to the middle of December. Then three days of chill north wind and boom, right on schedule. Going to need a rapid-response thermometer if this is going to be a thing.
#Weather #Snow #Japan #Nagoya #Citrus #Gardening #WhiteChristmas

@jasohill Our big local nursery between Nagoya and Toyota City has a food section with "small-flake" oatmeal that is about 50% the cost of rolled oats. With jam made from Japanese plums, just magic.

Criteria we could use to judge & compare countries instead of GDP & military strength:

- % of population living in poverty
- child mortality
- average women’s educational level
- life expectancy
- standard of living for poorest 10% of population
- median leisure budget remaining after core expenses (rent, food, health, education)
- minimum wage v cost of living
- happiness index
- % population failed by social safety net
- preventable deaths
- environmental impact per population

@Lady_Star_Gem That's probably a good idea.

So .. gosh. Maybe this thing of having single individuals make sweeping decisions affecting large swaths of people isn't working out so well. Hello, fanatical authoritarian fanboys and fangirls of other countries everywhere, a case study for you. Study up. Exam in the next generation of humanity.
https://mediastodon.com/@reuters/109562274570295399

@kotaro I feel the inclination to survive until it warms up a little (but not too much).

@elibietti Didn't vote, but I'll go with chaos. I'm risk averse.

@TomTheuns ... which has led me this evening to the history of Jo Baker, and the persistent question of why the good die young (along with the bad and the indifferent—let's not get carried away here...)?

Sorry, I seem to be spoiling the Christmas mood. Please, someone else post a response!

@TomTheuns Well, okay. If we are to share, this is mine.
https://youtu.be/7bRbfKCMoos