The AI Backlash Keeps Growing Stronger
An overview of the arguments against the current AI industry. I suspect, though, that those who want to make money from AI will continue to be ascendant whatever the pushback.
“Fleeting"
Olympus E-M10 IV with 60mm f/2.8 macro lens @ f/4.5, 1/150s, ISO 1000. Shot on Amanda’s Trail.
#mbjune Day 28: ephemeral 📷
Right now this is satire. But it’s not all that far off from what some of the tech bro idiots would like to sell.
Finished: The Fourth Protocol, by Frederick Forsyth 📚. Forsyth died this month, so I tossed this one on the stack to reread. I’m glad I did. Although he was accused of basically rewriting the same book over and over, it’s a pretty good book - in this case, a story of spies, suitcase nukes, and the British establishment. I’ll miss not having new books from him.
Trump signals full steam ahead after momentous Supreme Court decision
No surprise there. Meanwhile I expect a whole lot of class action suits are about to be filed to replace the nationwide injunctions.
Trump Cuts Off Trade Talks With Canada, Threatens to Set Tariff
I guess we’re back to the bluster part of the taco cycle. Does this mean we don’t need to make new 51-star flags?
U.S. could be done with trade deals by Labor Day, Bessent says
Which would be a couple of months after the 90-day deadline set by Trump. Tacos anyone? :taco: :taco: :taco:
The conclusion of Justice Sotomayor’s dissent bears repeating:
The rule of law is not a given in this Nation, nor any other. It is a precept of our democracy that will endure only if those brave enough in every branch fight for its survival. Today, the Court abdicates its vital role in that effort. With the stroke of a pen, the President has made a “solemn mockery” of our Constitution. Peters, 5 Cranch, at 136. Rather than stand firm, the Court gives way. Because such complicity should know no place in our system of law, I dissent.
TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ET AL. v. CASA, INC., ET AL.
Universal injunctions likely exceed the equitable authority that Congress has given to federal courts.
Fuck fuckity-fuck. Another empowering of the fascist thugs in power thanks to the spineless Supreme Court. Justice Barrett’s opinion tries to draw some lines but the MAGA clowns are going to take this as a green light to do whatever the fuck they want.
Waiting for the final Supreme Court opinions of the term. It feels sorta like the last time I was in a hospital waiting for someone to die.
“Keep Up!”
Olympus E-M10 IV with 14-42mm kit lens @ 42mm, f/10, 1/800s, ISO 1000. Snowy plovers out for a collective run along the surf at John Dellenbeck Junes.
#mbjune Day 27: collective 📷
Not much changes in 100 years
I imagine that the United States of America is but a transient intruder between the incurious planet beneath me and yonder incurious heavens. I think that by-and-by all our America must pass away, perhaps as Assyria faded into nothingness, or that perhaps it will be changed as Athens was changed into a polity which kept only the name of its earlier self.
– Branch Cabell, These Restless Heads (1932)
Swarms of tiny nose robots could clear infected sinuses, researchers say
What could possibly go wrong?
“Dusty Trail”
Olympus E-M10 IV with 14-42mm kit lens @ 18mm, f/11, 1/400s, ISO 500. What’s left of a section of the Rigdon Lakes Trail.
“Missing Trees”
Olympus E-M10 IV with 14-42mm kit lens @ 20mm, f/11, 1/200s, ISO 320. Upper Rigdon Lake (trees are missing due to the 2022 Cedar Creek fire).
“Oregon Morning”
Olympus E-M10 IV with 14-42mm kit lens @ 42mm, f/11, 1/125s, ISO 200. Diamond Peak behind Waldo Lake.
“Hang on”
Olympus E-M10 IV with 14-42mm kit lens @ 35mm, f/9, 1/400s, ISO 2500. Along the Deception Butte trail.
Finished: Bull Mountain, by Brian Panowich 📚. Multi-generational novel revolving around a family of outlaws in Georgia who move from moonshine to pot to meth over the decades. I did not see the ending twist coming at all, though in retrospect it was well-telegraphed. Enjoyable.
RFK Jr. Wants Every American to Be Sporting a Wearable Within Four Years
RFK Jr. can go stick his head in a pig.
DOJ Sues Every Federal District Judge in Maryland, Challenging Due Process Rights
The latest bit of bonkersball from Pamela Jo Bondi’s trained seals.