Praise Claude! As in ten years, as ten years ago, from the beginning of time to the end of all days, Claude be. Claude be with you, co-author of all things; ask all unto Claude.

[🤮]

That could not be further from my position. I’d prefer marijuana be largely decriminalized for personal use, not simply legalized. I’d prefer that we have universal healthcare and that Regan’s war on drugs be officially over with, with appropriate medical research be started for relevant substances and harm reduction policies enacted for public health.

@Mouselemming points out that as soon as the “fun” part is separated from the pain suppressant part, the latter will get insurance support and the former will be left on the cutting floor of history, due to market pressures.

@chonglibloodsport suggests we don’t let “the bosses” make this decision - as if it’s going to be a vote or something similar and not the wheels of capitalism doing it’s thing. People won’t get a choice about how bosses exert influence on this.

Nobody wants the bosses to be making these decisions, it ought to be in the hands of the people with guidance of medical professionals and the backing of science. But pretending like meddling isn’t exactly what corpos are gonna do is kinda naïve, in my opinion.

If you think there’s some other takeaway I’m missing, I’m open to contrasting opinions.

Pretty sure Valve thinks the same. They’d rather their ‘consoles’ establish a performance floor than a ceiling. They don’t want to make hardware - they don’t want to make an OS, it’s just what’s required to compete with Microsoft (who’s actively threatening them since they announced the Windows Store for Windows 8 and Xbox game pass at the time)

First time dealing with late stage capitalism?

Whom precisely do you think wants that decision in their bosses hands?

I’m willing to believe they toss out the video - after they process it and extract all the positioning and timing information. Toss the bulky vid and keep the metadata.

In fact - similar to how a police officer might erase a recording so the most reliable testimony is their thoughts‡ - once the original video is lost, the metadata becomes the only source of truth.

‡(At ~40 minute mark, the officer describes how he transcribes then erases tape recordings)

Price fixing is a form of collusion, and it’s a crime - even if the sellers can claim they didn’t all sit down in a room together.

Phoenix apartments had an inflated housing market that was caused by price fixing. The property management used software to set rental prices, and the terms of service required them to use the prices suggested. None of the managers individually spoke to each other, but the software algorithmically inflated rent based on what other properties could get away with charging.

https://www.azag.gov/press-release/arizona-attorney-general-announces-1-million-settlement-weidner-property-management

I happen to have seen that one before. It’s very layered … like an onion.

Yes! But I’m definitely an oddball. I also read the terms of serving refuse to use services that have terms I disagree with.

With a mature helicopter they could fly to Chile!

Imagine how scarring it would be to look in a “smart mirror” and have it automatically censor your own body.

This is of course, aside from the million reasons I don’t trust the government when they talk about “for the children” …

I wanted to get a Linux phone and a lapdock. Would give me one device that I could keep personal stuff on, but turn into a full workstation when needed. (But Linux phones are still very much a work in progress)

Yes, but please tell me where the asshole ends and the decent person begins?

It’s a hybrid between a laptop and a USB hub. Takes the monitor and keyboard of a laptop and makes them connect by USB to usually a phone, but here the Steam Deck.

Chaplains. The original chaplains were added to Roman military and were the official state religion. They’re been a staple of warfare since. Their official role is to serve as spiritual and moral support, like a therapist or counselor (particularly before those professions existed). It serves the soldier to have council in difficult times, it serves the state as a proper pep talk helps keeps desertion rates down (with a whole fun new layer of soft power to make the soldier more dedicated to the craft), and it gives the chaplain a fulfilling job.

In America, we have at times pretended that religious diversity is a virtue. Chaplains are less effective if the soldier cannot believe the chaplain shares their values. Thus to keep the tool effective, chaplains and soldiers register their faith beliefs, so that when crisis comes the leaders can pair chaplains in the most effective ways. Add a touch of bureaucracy and you get a list of codes and their associated faiths.

My understanding is that for a long time the list had six options, but in … 2016(?) they decided to get comprehensive and basically tried to document any spiritual/belief structure that a soldier could have. They got ~211. Even at peak usage, there were a good dozen options on the books that didn’t have any active practitioners in the military.

Of course, with the current MAGA in charge, all that diversity and inclusion is treated as a waste of taxpayer dollars and thus has to go. Personally, I think chaplain programs should be sunset in favor of said therapists and counselors, but I get why having a lever to shift soldier morality (not constrained by the science underpinning counseling) is simply too useful to let go.

Rich asshole fireplace briquettes?

It’s a risk many are willing to take, especially if we can use their money for universal healthcare.

NIMBY in action (but far more palatable than usual)

No need to No True Doberman the discussion. There are plenty of picky dogs in the world.

Some dogs (like people) are more particular about their food. Your pet might be bored with their current diet or may have developed an aversion to the way their food tastes, looks, or feels. Additionally, dogs receiving frequent treats or table scraps may become reluctant to eat their regular dog food, in the hopes that a better-tasting treat will be coming along shortly.

https://www.greatpetcare.com/dog-behavior/reasons-your-dog-is-a-picky-eater/

I see your point and it pleases me. Let’s upvote it so it will be seen more by others like me.

But to post a controversial opinion - I believe the internet is a giant confirmation bias machine.

I disagree with your conclusion as it applies here - but I appreciate the argument. (And upvoted, as it adds to the discussion). I think between these two nations one is the underdog and more in touch with people and reality.

That said, Zelinsky is absolutely a charismatic political leader and it’s healthy to critically analyze anything you hear from such sources. In this case, the statement is definitely a bit bravado nicely coupled with reassurance to their people. I do also believe it tracks with what’s publicly available on the warfront. Nonetheless, the interpretation is clearly biased (to make their own side look good).

Thank you for your thoughts. I also see you’re getting downvoted by the echo chamber. I appreciate it, at least.