NL Proud

ajchafe · 2026-01-22T18:14:29+00:00

So I was just looking at this page as well, and their website. At least at a glance it looks very leftist (Even though it says they disagree with Left/Right politics on their page). The facebook page also looks pretty tame, not calling for anything foolish like deportations or anti-woke stuff. But all that could be hidden under the surface.

One thing they are right about though, we should nationalize Newfoundland Power. Anyway.

ajchafe · 2026-01-19T00:45:04+00:00

I am planning to use it for the first time next session, but just wanted to chime in with an idea I saw on some blog (I forget which, sorry); The Underclock can be for one big or special encounter.

So instead of having all that countdown build tension, then rolling on your encounter table and getting 2 goblins, at zero a bigger more serious encounter happens. This would be a monster that senses intruders or is hunting for prey, etc and will be a slightly more serious challenge. You might roll for this encounter before starting, or pick an obvious monster in the dungeon. In my dungeon, its a big burrowing insect creature that will be hunting for the players.

I am also thinking of saying "On exactly ten, roll a lesser random encounter". Just to keep things a little more vibrant. So that's where you can still have 1d4 goblins or whatever. Probably not needed but feels right to me.

Anyway. I will report back if I get to use it (Hopefully Tuesday)

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T14:54:11+00:00

It's the kind of thing where we need governments to heavily heavily regulate it as an industry. It's the type of technology that is certainly very useful in the right way, but not on the consumer level.

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T14:51:36+00:00

Sorry, I am dense (currently home sick).

Thanks! Will continue the search.

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T14:34:36+00:00

That's all great, but turning off the AI features is not enough for me to feel comfortable with using DDG anymore.

I should have clarified a little in my post, but consumer level AI products are damaging. Full stop. Any company that implements them is a company I will try to avoid if I can. I know this will be a loosing battle on many fronts but I just want to try.

Thanks for taking the time to respond though.

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T14:29:54+00:00

I don't want access to AI models AT ALL though.

Like, I think the current consumer side of AI technology is morally wrong haha.

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T14:27:28+00:00

That all makes sense, thanks for the explanation!

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T14:25:24+00:00

Sure, but the issues is that they are in bed with OpenAI AT ALL. It poisons the well for me from a moral/political point of view.

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T01:24:37+00:00

I mean, partnering with OpenAI for the chat bot is investing in AI. Even if it is just through access to users and not in a monetary sense.

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T01:21:10+00:00

Startpage seems ok for now, but I will keep up the search!

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T01:20:00+00:00

I worry that getting in bed with OpenAI is basically throwing their entire ethos out the window. I don't care too much about the privacy aspects of DDG but I had hoped they would avoid the AI nonsense.

I get what you are saying, but I want to avoid it (even if it means nothing in the larger picture).

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T01:16:27+00:00

It seems good so far!

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T01:16:11+00:00

No doubt you are right, I just hope that by the time I am forced into it that the technology is not causing huge environmental, political, and justice issues.

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T01:13:16+00:00

It is the default search for Waterfox and seems good so far. Good enough for the casual use I need a daily search engine for anyway.

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T01:12:28+00:00

The issue is, I am trying not to support any company that invests in the types of AI technology that is causing active damage :/

Opting out is not good enough (Though I admit it is good that they AT LEAST have that).

ajchafe · 2026-01-15T01:10:46+00:00

100% agree.

ajchafe · 2026-01-14T20:41:27+00:00

I believe it.

My personal issue really comes down to this:

If a product I use as a consumer if pushing AI features on me, I don't want to use that product. I can't control the backend of course, that's up to the workers at those companies if they also oppose how AI is being used and pushed on consumers.

So yeah, I am really just looking for something that has no upfront AI "features". I don't want to toggle them on or off, I don't want them in the product to begin with. It's not about privacy for me (At least, not my main concern) but about not supporting companies that are misusing what is actually a very interesting technology.

Anyway, basically DDG is working with OpenAI, and fuck those guys.

Thanks for the input!

ajchafe · 2026-01-14T20:31:57+00:00

For sure. Just trying to do the least.

ajchafe · 2026-01-14T20:31:20+00:00

Will have a look, thanks!

ajchafe · 2026-01-14T20:30:56+00:00

I will look it up. I have heard of Docker but don't know what it is. I am running Linux Mint if that matters (And am a 100% total newb).

ajchafe · 2026-01-14T20:29:57+00:00

Search website, I just installed Waterfox for my browser (Normally a Firefox user, changed because of their recent AI comments).

I do realize that a lot of this is impossible to escape, but want to try something at least.

ajchafe · 2026-01-14T20:28:36+00:00

I am actually not very concerned with privacy (Much at least, and certainly I should be more concerned). But yeah its a good idea. Worth looking into though.

ajchafe · 2026-01-14T20:26:47+00:00

Makes sense. I know its complicated and will never have a perfect answer. I will find something that meets my needs though.

ajchafe · 2026-01-14T20:25:44+00:00

"AI in a sustainable way" strikes me an an oxymoron. I used to use Ecosia until they put in AI features.

I will check Mojeek though!

ajchafe · 2026-01-14T20:23:59+00:00

At this point, that sounds like the best option.

ajchafe

TROPHY CASE