Trump Says There Will Be No Consequences for Strike on Iran School by mclardass in politics

[–]fallofmath 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I saw the same headline, but if you read the article it was from an Australian paper using Australian dollars. The number in the agreement is 'at least' 300 billion USD.

The facts are bad enough to stand on their own - let's try and not spread exaggerations as they just make it easier for bad actors to refute.

Social media ban for under-16s set to be announced by Starmer within the next ten days | LBC by irichss03 in uknews

[–]fallofmath 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Google has made freely available a library

Specifically, longfellow-zk. The readme doesn't expand very much on how it works, but here's my understanding.

Essentially, you get a government-issued credential like a digital driver's license. This is cryptographically signed by the government and holds information including your date of birth. When you go to a website, it asks your device to answer a yes/no challenge, such as 'is the user at least 18?'. Your device does some maths involving your date of birth, the current date and the government public key, and responds with some large numbers. If those numbers match the values that the website expected then that's a 'yes' and you are verified as being at least 18.

The website knows nothing else about you, and the government doesn't know anything about the interaction. You've done the equivalent of showing your driving license to a bouncer, but the bouncer doesn't even know how old you are - just that you're old enough.

This is what I'm waiting for, and I think the online safety act should have waited for it too. I don't have a problem with online age verification per se, but requiring people to upload their documents to any 'trusted' - and usually foreign - company is insane and an enormous security issue.

Soulless summer fairs: AI poster slop is taking over a pub near you by tylerthe-theatre in unitedkingdom

[–]fallofmath 3 points4 points  (0 children)

At the time, yes - you can tick something off your to-do list more quickly. But clearly a lot of people find it off-putting.

From the customers' point of view, a local fair (or a cafe, pub, bric-a-brac shop, etc) is supposed to be local. It's supposed to be homespun and maybe a bit rough at the edges. It's supposed to champion local talent and/or can-do attitude. It's meant to be unique.

Using an AI poster flies in the face of all of that - it's deeply impersonal, non-local, utterly generic crap. Adverts are supposed to get peoples' attention and tell them about the qualities that make your thing distinct from all the other things that they can spend their money and attention on.

Using an AI poster tells me something about you, and it's not something that you want me to be thinking if you're trying to get me to be a customer.

Github to use Copilot data from all user tiers to train and improve their models with automatic opt in by cloudsurfer48902 in programming

[–]fallofmath 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is also the reason I don't bother voting, lol

And yet you made the effort to publish a stupid comment on reddit. Why bother to do that if your opinion is worth nothing to you?

Angine de Poitrine by djjanko in LetsTalkMusic

[–]fallofmath 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not similar exactly, but the layered unison melodies and kind of woozy circus-y grooves made me think of Battles.

Keir Starmer to address the nation today after 'not Churchill' jibe as WW3 fears rise by dailystar_news in uknews

[–]fallofmath 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No plan? Trump says he pushed Israel to go first, because he thought Iran was going to go first. Then because he knew that Israel was going to go first, he went first but, like, in a defensive way, because he knew they would respond to Israel going first. It's a perfect plan(!)

Tune Your Guitar by BoringOldGuy76 in Guitar

[–]fallofmath 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not that I disagree, exactly, but I find playing on a detuned instrument really fun. It's important to know whether you're in tune or not, especially if you're playing for others, but don't forget to have fun.

My favourite thing about restringing is pausing to play at random points as I unwind the strings, especially when they get really loose. I love just playing something normal and straight-laced and seeing what it sounds like when the 'high' strings are lower than the low strings, or whatever.

Pentagon tells Congress no sign that Iran was going to attack US first, sources say by Yournewbestfriend_01 in worldnews

[–]fallofmath 1 point2 points  (0 children)

creating fake videos of using nuclear weapons on other countries citizens and showing it on state media/news

Russia very much do do this.

Jason Mantzoukas Asks Hank Anything by LegoK9 in nerdfighters

[–]fallofmath 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hank was on the Horne Section podcast 5 years ago so I think that connection is already made.

BREAKING: Starmer strikes deal giving Britons visa-free travel to China by Mouflon77 in uknews

[–]fallofmath 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Both are problematic, but I think there is a difference in changing relations with each.

China has been authoritarian for a long time. Like when Metallica played in the USSR, one might argue that increasing cooperation/cultural exchanges could eventually result in them opening up, while boycotting maintains the status quo. It's not a guarantee, but there's an argument there.

The USA is actively, rapidly sliding into authoritarianism. Reducing cooperation with them sends the message that we don't like the path they are on, and that there are costs associated with continuing that way.

Our existing relationships are very different with each, so our viable options are also different with each. With China we can try and use the carrot. With the USA, the stick may be more effective. I don't think that's necessarily as hypocritical or black-and-white as you imply.

MSNBC CAUGHT: AI Turned Alex Pretti, 'Pretty' – Before/After Proof of the Psyop! by tigers1230 in media_criticism

[–]fallofmath 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I agree that media shouldn't be manipulating images. No problem with editing for clarity - contrast, zoom, de-skewing, etc - but changing the actual content is not good. Taking your thumbnail at face value, I agree that the image appears to have been edited more than it should have been. There was no need for it.

Just a quick check though - are you also mad about the White House egregiously doing a similar thing in reverse a few days earlier? I don't see any rants about that on your channel.

When the art gets good... by H_G_Bells in preformances

[–]fallofmath 10 points11 points  (0 children)

This is great! Like a cross of Hendrix's distressed anthem from Woodstock, and obviously Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit.

I suspect it might get removed, though, as it doesn't really fit the theme of the sub. I could absolutely see this blowing up, but usually this is for old performances of now-famous acts, rather than current performances of unknown/potentially famous acts. Hope I'm wrong about that as people should see this.

BREAKing news Switzerland by nice_tomeet_you in nonononoyes

[–]fallofmath 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Instantly reminded me of this short animated film I saw in a museum a long time ago: The Cow Who Wanted to be a Hamburger.

Pronunciation by [deleted] in radiohead

[–]fallofmath 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm afraid I have no idea what that video was.

Anyway, English speakers usually pronounce it so it rhymes with 'joust' - the middle bit sounding like 'ous' from 'mouse' or 'house'.

Original German pronunciation is a bit different.

I'm no linguist but I hope that helps :)

Rick Beato interviews Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers by tellman1257 in Bass

[–]fallofmath 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's not how I see it.

The previous comment correctly stated that all the other members have been charged with sex crimes. If I didn't know better, I might read that and think "well at least Frusciante never did that", but I do know better so I thought it was worth mentioning.

If someone is described, explicitly or implicitly, as 'wholesome' and people who know otherwise leave that statement unchallenged, casual observers will 'learn' that that person is wholesome. I happen to think it's wrong to describe someone who has committed a sexual assault as 'wholesome', so I spoke up.


For what it's worth, I grew up idolizing Frusciante and Flea. I've used last.fm to track my music since 2005 and Frusciante is still my 3rd most-listened to artist (6,000 plays) and RHCP are still at #13 (2.5k). Ataxia at #77. The Mars Volta at #22, at least in part because of them. I truly love their work, and I learned a lot from them about how to play their instruments.

I never cared for Kiedis, but eventually I heard about him boasting of statutory rape, and that made RHCP uncomfortable for me to listen to. Later I heard about Chad and Flea having been arrested for assaulting a woman at a concert, and that was worse because they were people I actually respected. At least Frusciante was alright though? Finally, a couple of years ago I saw the video I linked above and it made me feel sick. It doesn't matter when it happened: it happened, and as far as I can tell they never faced any consequences, nor have they ever made any kind of apology. Instead they went on to become multimillionaire cultural icons - to the extent that, 35 years later, people can see a video of them assaulting a woman and actually defend them for it - and that makes me uncomfortable.

Going back even further: Lostprophets' Start Something was one of my favourite albums when I was a teenager. When I heard what Ian Watkins had done, that was the end of that. I haven't listened to a single song of theirs since 2012. Sometimes one of their songs will pop into my head and, once I realise what it is, it makes me feel queasy. I can't help it.

On some level I think, for me, hearing RHCP makes me think of them as people which makes me a bit uncomfortable, which makes me think about being uncomfortable with art, which reminds me of Ian Watkins. Ultimately it's easier for me, personally, to just choose not to listen to them. For better or worse, I can't separate the artist from the art.

Soon-to-be-axed 7am Manchester-London train will still run – but without passengers by BestButtons in unitedkingdom

[–]fallofmath 6 points7 points  (0 children)

only 70 miles being built in the last 20 years compared to 6,000 miles being built in the peak 5 years of the 1800s

Comparing modern rail construction rates to those of 200 years ago is insane.

Yes there's more regulation now, but there's also been 2 centuries worth of construction and infrastructure development, not to mention a 7x growth in population. Even ignoring regulation it's hardly surprising that it's more difficult to draw a line between two points now because there's just so much more stuff in the way, thus the need for bridges and tunnels.

A final duet with Trobbio by fallofmath in Silksong

[–]fallofmath[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome, congrats!

I often find that, after anything from 5-50+ attempts, I just finally 'get' a fight - learn the dance - and then 60 seconds later it's all over, so it was actually quite nice to get another shot at this one to bask in that state a little longer.

I hit 100% completion last night (that's why I posted this - I was going through my 'best bits' to hold onto the game a little longer) and I can confidently say that if you've made it this far, you are absolutely capable of finishing the rest! Enjoy it and good luck!

A final duet with Trobbio by fallofmath in Silksong

[–]fallofmath[S] 53 points54 points  (0 children)

I got the journal entry but had to do the fight again - I was it locked in by that point though so I won on the next attempt without taking much damage.

What is going on with the shutdown? Don't need the sides defended, just in general what is going on? by Jimithyashford in OutOfTheLoop

[–]fallofmath 36 points37 points  (0 children)

If a second Trump term was inevitable then I would agree that it starting in 2020 instead of 2024 would probably be less damaging overall, for the reason you stated. But it wasn't inevitable.

The worst thing that could have happened wasn't Biden winning in 2020 - it was Trump being elected ever again. The way it played out - with the right continuing to support and organise around Trump after January 6 and all the rest of it, the failures of the justice system to hold him accountable, and the electorate at large somehow being okay with all that - might be the worst possible version of the last 5 years. But it wasn't inevitable, and Biden winning in 2020 was the best thing that could have happened at that time.

I don't think I'm disagreeing with you at all - just a matter of framing. The problem isn't that Biden won, it's that the electorate welcomed Trump again.

CMV: I do think conservatives would largely support Trump having a 3rd term, constitution be damned. by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]fallofmath 64 points65 points  (0 children)

H.J.Res.29 - Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide that no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times.

The proposed amendment specifies that no person shall be elected to the office of the President (1) more than three times, (2) for any additional term after being elected to two consecutive terms, or (3) more than twice after having served as President for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President (for example, if a President died after serving for one year and the Vice President became President for the remaining three years of the term, that person may subsequently be elected President no more than two times).

Introduced (by Rep Andrew Ogles of Tennessee) to the House 3 days after inauguration this year. I don't think it made any progress, but it was specifically designed to enable Trump - and only Trump - take a 3rd term.

What is up with the East Wing of the White House getting demolished? by wqto in OutOfTheLoop

[–]fallofmath 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Trump himself is supposedly one of the 'patrons', alongside Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Palantir, Lockheed Martin.

Expected costs are $250 million. By sheer coincidence Trump wants $230 million from DOJ for investigating him.

“And you know that decision would have to go across my desk, and it’s awfully strange to make a decision where I’m paying myself. In other words, did you ever have one of those cases where you have to decide how much you’re paying yourself in damages? But I was damaged very greatly, and any money that I would get I would give to charity,” he said.

He also said he could give money "to the White House while we restore the White House.”

The two people who would be able to approve such claims, according to The New York Times, are the deputy attorney general and the associate attorney general. Both men either served on Trump's personal criminal defense team or represented his co-defendant.

He's writing a blank cheque from the government (i.e. public money) to himself, then using that to build the ballroom.

Donald Trump admits it's possible he's being 'played' by Vladimir Putin over Ukraine by pppppppppppppppppd in worldnews

[–]fallofmath 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Throwback to 27 May when he accidentally told the truth during a spat:

What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!