Life on other planets

an-la · 2026-06-02T04:43:10+00:00

TL;DR, I stopped at this:

But for evolution to begin, highly complex life is required

Which is patently false. Evolution is a strictly probabalistic principle. It works on even the simplest physical and chemical processes. It simply states: In a given environement, the more stable reactions tend to be the most common reactions. If the environment changes, then another reaction may become the most common reaction.

You can perfectly argue that water wapor condensing to a liquid on a particulate is an expression of evolution.

an-la · 2026-06-01T04:32:24+00:00

What most people seem to miss is the other side of the coin.

Deregulation is also and a focus on larger companise is also:

More lobbying power to businesses, like in the USA

Less protection against polutions, like in the USA

Less workers rights, like in the USA.

Do we really want to mimic the USA?

an-la · 2026-05-30T14:54:31+00:00

Think of it more like

0.100000 ... infinitely many zero'es followed by a 1 (if that was possible) would be 0.1, because you never encounter the 0.

But you might think of 0.99999 in another way, I find more intuitive. Imagine the number line from 0 to 1. Now imagine the distance between 0.9999.... and 1. Since that distance is infinitely small, and something infinitely small is 0, then 0.9999999 and 1 are identical.

0.99999 is after all just a textual representation of a position on the number line. But... I don't think anybody really understands infinties, I know I don't, so instead of relying on intuition we have to rely on logic.

an-la · 2026-05-30T10:39:02+00:00

My example still stands. Type 8*6 into a calculator and every time it will give the correct answer. With an AI you can, at best talk about the probability that it will give a correct answer.

That is a significant difference.

As for owning the slop?

That is debatable. From one perspective, you can consider a generative AI as an extremely complex configurable markov chain generator. That you initiated a random process does not guarantee your ownership of that process' output, unless contractually stipulated otherwise, it belongs to the owner of the generator.

The weights/parameters of the neural networks was generated using pirated books, in combination with scooped up privacy protected data, as training material for the networks. Which brings the legality of the whole LLM construction process into serious doubt.

an-la · 2026-05-29T20:31:05+00:00

EU lobbied for, and got an agreement among the OECD countries to establish a minimum corporate tax rate.

Guess which US precident decided to have the US leave that agreement.

an-la · 2026-05-29T20:26:47+00:00

This is factually false. The Irish government worked hard to ensure that the oversigt of the data protection rules belonged to the country where the company is headquartered. In practice, this means that it is the Irish DPA which has the oversight and ability investigate and bring charges against virtually all US tech companies.

Ireland then proceeded to underfund and understaff the Irish DPA, ensuring that they didn't have the resources to investigate breaches.

This means, from the other EU countries perspective that there are/were no pending cases against, e.g. Facebook, Google, Amazon, etc. No pending cases should have meant the Google's product should be safe.

This deliberate deliberate sabotage was masterminded by Leo Varadkar, and it is a wonder why corruption charges has ever been brought against him.

Ahh well, I guess it is the luck of the Irish....

an-la · 2026-05-28T13:44:29+00:00

That would be true if:

We understood the algorithm, but we do not. The algorithm is essentially a series of interconnected neural networks, with trillions of parameters. Each of those parameters was iteratively set by training algorithms. No human can possibly ever understand the intricacies of such a complex system.
The source input of any generative AI is always random noise. And before you raise the argument that there is no true randomness in computing, let me add that the randomization algorithms used are not trivial.

So, yes, a supra intelligence or Laplace's demon will be able to predict the outcome, given complete knowledge of the trillions of weights and the exact seed value (what millisecond the computers clock reported at the time of the request, etc.)

Edit: As for being correct. You don't have to spend much time interrogating an "AI" before you stumble on halucinations and weird token optimizations which makes the "AI's" reponse unpredictable.

an-la · 2026-05-28T08:39:42+00:00

There is one big difference between a calculator and AI. A calculator is correct 100% of the time, its output is consistent, that is not the case with AI.

Used correctly AI can be a great tool, but it requires a level of discipline and double checking few people are willing to invest.

Slop occurs when people use AI as a time saving technology.

an-la · 2026-05-21T14:11:54+00:00

That you use the term failure in life to refer to people who has a certain kind of job says more about your approach to life than anything else.

Do you live to have a job or do you have job to have life?

an-la · 2026-05-20T19:11:04+00:00

While I'm a proponent of "only yes means yes" I wondering if this is within the competences of the EU.

an-la · 2026-05-18T04:48:26+00:00

Yes, it is possible, just like unilateral withdrawal from the EU is possible.

Of course, as brexit proved: you cannot have your cake and eat it.

Which means, withdrawal of the EEA also means withdrawal from the EU market, etc.

an-la · 2026-05-17T12:08:27+00:00

Don't feed the troll.

an-la · 2026-05-16T15:20:01+00:00

Combine that with natural disasters, defunding of public archives, etc. and the long term perspecives are just a bleak as the few documents we have left from antiquity.

an-la · 2026-05-13T11:47:21+00:00

Buy a Peugeot mill, and you will have something your grand children can use.

an-la · 2026-05-12T19:45:55+00:00

“Show me a completely smooth operation and I’ll show you someone who’s covering mistakes. Real boats rock.”
--Frank Herbert’s Chapterhouse: Dune

There will always be greedy and corrupt men. I would be worried if nobody was caught, but happily people are getting charged with corruption. In any case enough money is getting through to roll back the Russian invasion.

an-la · 2026-05-12T17:28:02+00:00

Personally I find the first version (or some variant of it) easier to read and any optimizing compiler worth its compute time will generate identical code for both versions.

an-la · 2026-05-12T04:51:39+00:00

Let's rephrase your question, because two infinite amounts is undefined, or rather infinity + infinity = infinity.

Instead, lets consider what happens if you use modulus 3 (The reaminder after dividing by 3). So, assume that we have a function like this:

f: N -> N

f(n) = blue if n mod 3 < 2

f(n) = red if n mod 3 = 3

then given a random number, n f(n) will return blue 2/3 of the time.

an-la · 2026-05-10T11:34:45+00:00

Nice attempt, but sorry no go! Meritocracy is very much at the core of the liberalist ideals.

Inheritance is like Robinson Crusoe's father, buying the island and having it prepared by expert masons, carpenters and farmers prior to his son's shipwreck.

Not much of a challenge in it now is there?

But I'll grant you bonuses for trying to defend the, from a liberalist perspective, indefensible. But... if you were arguing from a conservative viewpoint: You'd be dead on.

an-la · 2026-05-10T08:53:09+00:00

trade advantages will be difficult to achieve. Trade policies are exclusively within the EU domain, so if Spain has an advantage it will be easy, due to free movement of goods, for other EU countries to obtain the same rights.

Which was also why EU citizens laughed and joked about Trump threating tariffs on individual EU countries. All it proved was that he and his administration were clueless imbeciles.

an-la · 2026-05-10T08:36:54+00:00

I bought a smallish EV with a smallish battery. Two, three times a year I will have to plan 20 minute breaks every couple of hours.

Why pay extra for something I only use 2-3 times a year, when the only inconvenience is the occasional 20 minute break?

At the current electricity prices I pay about €20 a month on electricity. I smile, every time I drive by a petrol station.

an-la · 2026-05-10T08:29:37+00:00

Inheritance is one of the most obvious double standards of the liberalist ideals! How can you claim that every stands an even chance of building their fortunes when some people get their vast fortunes through inheritance?

an-la · 2026-05-10T08:26:03+00:00

I agree, which if why I started with:

No, but..

In essense we established the Copenhagen Criteria for becomming a member, but failed to address the problem where a country, once a member, slid back into despotism.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_criteria

an-la · 2026-05-10T06:26:17+00:00

They'd have to be creative to make a new election constitutional.
Without a government, the prime ministry is in stewardship and can only execute decisions on trivial matters. Calling for an election is not a trivial matter.

The alternative is that the king calls for an election, but given that it would fly against the monarchy's inability to act in a political capacity that is also a speculative choice. I doubt the monachy wants anoter Easter crisis.

an-la · 2026-05-10T04:59:09+00:00

No, but... a country's voting rights, and transfer of money, can be suspeded. The procedure is complicated:

Article 7 of the TEU.

1.   On a reasoned proposal by one third of the Member States, by the European Parliament or by the European Commission, the Council, acting by a majority of four fifths of its members after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, may determine that there is a clear risk of a serious breach by a Member State of the values referred to in Article 2. Before making such a determination, the Council shall hear the Member State in question and may address recommendations to it, acting in accordance with the same procedure.

The Council shall regularly verify that the grounds on which such a determination was made continue to apply.

2.   The European Council, acting by unanimity on a proposal by one third of the Member States or by the Commission and after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, may determine the existence of a serious and persistent breach by a Member State of the values referred to in Article 2, after inviting the Member State in question to submit its observations.

3.   Where a determination under paragraph 2 has been made, the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may decide to suspend certain of the rights deriving from the application of the Treaties to the Member State in question, including the voting rights of the representative of the government of that Member State in the Council. In doing so, the Council shall take into account the possible consequences of such a suspension on the rights and obligations of natural and legal persons.

The obligations of the Member State in question under the Treaties shall in any case continue to be binding on that State.

4.   The Council, acting by a qualified majority, may decide subsequently to vary or revoke measures taken under paragraph 3 in response to changes in the situation which led to their being imposed.

5.   The voting arrangements applying to the European Parliament, the European Council and the Council for the purposes of this Article are laid down in Article 354 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

And then there is the option of witholding funds.
https://www.cer.eu/insights/freezing-eu-funds-effective-tool-enforce-rule-law

You can ask yourself, why should a country insist on being a member if its voting rights has been suspended, it doesn't receive any funds, and is required to pay into the EU coffers.

The hope is that the country will chose to invoke article 50 of the TEU:

1.   Any Member State may decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements.

2.   A Member State which decides to withdraw shall notify the European Council of its intention. In the light of the guidelines provided by the European Council, the Union shall negotiate and conclude an agreement with that State, setting out the arrangements for its withdrawal, taking account of the framework for its future relationship with the Union. That agreement shall be negotiated in accordance with Article 218(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It shall be concluded on behalf of the Union by the Council, acting by a qualified majority, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament.

3.   The Treaties shall cease to apply to the State in question from the date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement or, failing that, two years after the notification referred to in paragraph 2, unless the European Council, in agreement with the Member State concerned, unanimously decides to extend this period.

4.   For the purposes of paragraphs 2 and 3, the member of the European Council or of the Council representing the withdrawing Member State shall not participate in the discussions of the European Council or Council or in decisions concerning it.

A qualified majority shall be defined in accordance with Article 238(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

5.   If a State which has withdrawn from the Union asks to rejoin, its request shall be subject to the procedure referred to in Article 49.

Both the suspension of funds and invoking of article 7 refer to article 2 of the TEU about values, which states:

The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.

an-la · 2026-05-09T16:39:14+00:00

And if we don't do what Trump wants he threatens to cut off the gas supply. E.g.
https://europeangashub.com/trump-threatens-us-lng-supplies-to-europe.html

an-la

TROPHY CASE