SpeakerToManagers

JamesGleick, 9 months ago (edited 9 months ago) to random

Poll: Do humans such as yourself have free will?

For extra credit: If you say no, what made you answer?

trochee, 9 months ago to random

At the library in the SF section and I found a book that looked promising and checks boxes for me (appears it isn't Heinlein wannabe pastiche; covers questions of autonomy, sentience and who counts as "people"; author is not a white straight cis anglophone dude*)

…but then it has a glowing blurb from Ray Kurzweil, and I just… put it back on the shelf.

No thank you.

I do read a few things by authors in this category, but I'm much less willing to give them* a try without recommendation

**us

mekkaokereke, 9 months ago to random

Fantastic accomplishment!♥️👍🏿

https://19thnews.org/2023/07/chanda-prescod-weinstein-physicist-tenure-rare-feat/

And when she tried to join the Fediverse, she was greeted with a barrage of hate, sexism, racism, and anti-semitism that should have never been allowed to happen.

So now no one on Fediverse gets to interact with her directly about her work on here. Our loss. 😢

Which is why we'll make it so that this type of terrible welcome is unlikely to happen again. Allowing it to happen to her was a choice. We will make better ones.

#BlackMastodon

SpeakerToManagers, 9 months ago to random

Bad news. I’m experiencing low blood pressure and dizziness; my PCP wants me to go into the ER, so Eva’s going to call 911 in a few minutes while I get ready. Have no idea how serious this really is and I’ve experienced day-long visits to the ER with no result. So …

timnitGebru, 9 months ago to ai

Remember the 22 word statement about #AI and human extinction & such? Its originator, the founder of, wait for it, the center for AI "Safety" says

"Natural selection disfavors individuals who stop caring about acquiring more resources and expanding their influence. The individuals who always want more are selected for."

Yea what we need to do is "build bridges" and "talk it out" with these people 🙄 next day after the "statements" he joins Elmo's grift, XAI or whatever bullshit its called.

mcc, 9 months ago to random

It is mind boggling to me how many websites make it difficult or impossible to express the idea you no longer wish to use an old credit card

JamesGleick, 10 months ago to ai

We all have experience with genuine novelty: in art, and in science. Yet Sam Altman seems to be saying originality is an illusion. There is “remix” and there is randomness and that’s all. I think he’s profoundly wrong.

#AI https://mastodon.social/@ricmac/110759107057259579

futurebird, 10 months ago to random

I’m convinced we relegate “arts and crafts” and manipulatives to lower grades & don’t give older students a chance to interact with these activities enough just to seem “advanced”

that notion that in k12 “advanced math” looks like taking notes not glue & paper & art.

If you feel like you “don’t have time” think about what will have more of a lasting impact. What will they remember in 10 years? You doing the proof from the book? or trying to make an ellipse by slicing a cone made of clay?

lowqualityfacts, 10 months ago to random

How to use Mastodon:

Step 1: Sign up.

Step 2: Do regular social media stuff.

Journalists: Only those with advanced degrees in computer science should even attempt to navigate Mastodon, the frustrations of its complexities will drive the average user to a state of hysteria.

AbandonedAmerica, 10 months ago to random

deleted_by_author

nocontexttrek, 10 months ago to StarTrek

#StarTrek

image/jpeg

annaleen, 10 months ago to random

I am a tech nerd and commentator who jumps on every new social media thing but I have absolutely no interest in the non-organic, autotuned community McMansion that is Threads. Seriously, do we really need another product from the "we didn't invent fascism, we just give the people what they want" company?

LMAOYEEN, 10 months ago to random

Just got thoroughly called out by this image

annaleen, 10 months ago to random

Sometimes I have to do a little check-in with myself, just to make sure my feelings haven't changed. Aaand yep, I still want to destroy capitalism.

SpeakerToManagers, 10 months ago to random

“This viewpoint — the focus only on ‘existential risk’, i.e., scenarios where all humans die — is threaded through a very bizarre ideology called ‘Longtermism’ which holds that humanity’s destined future is to live as computer simulations uploaded onto computers running in planets across the galaxy. Proponents of this ideology (who have obviously never worked in IT support) …”

https://dair-community.social/@emilymbender/110663365751051291

mmitchell_ai, 10 months ago to random

My alignment is bigger than yours.
https://openai.com/blog/introducing-superalignment

futurebird, 10 months ago (edited 10 months ago) to random

Which of the following do you consider to be "bugs"

"Bug" is not a scientific clade, or well-defined group. So, there are probably no wrong answers.

Check all that apply!

drahardja, 10 months ago to fediverse

I am once again encouraging #Fediverse #admins to add a clause to prohibit using their server’s data for machine training into their Terms of Use, because at some point in the near future there is likely going to be a lawsuit against some major company for scraping and exploiting users’ data, and we should make sure we have a legal leg to stand on.

Please ask your server’s admin to do this.

@seb please consider doing this. https://mastodon.world/@Chimaera/110652906429977656

TonyStark, 10 months ago to random

Transportation can be a large obstacle to many voters.

If you live in AZ, FL, GA, NV, NC, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA, or WI-

The organization Rideshare2Vote works with the campaigns of Democratic candidates to increase voter turnout by offering free round-trip rides to the polls in current key areas.

You can contact them for a ride.

You can also volunteer. Volunteer drivers receive training, including in basic voting laws, to help their riders exercise their rights.

https://rideshare2vote.com/drivers/

ttpphd, 10 months ago to portland

Uh, everything ok there?

#Portland #pdx

Radical_EgoCom, 11 months ago to random

"Motivational" meetings at work. All they do is motivate me to want to go home.

donty, 11 months ago to random

@futurebird You probably know if this but it is fascinating.... https://www.sciencealert.com/theres-a-parasite-that-triples-ants-lifespans-and-it-actually-sounds-pretty-great?utm_source=DamnInteresting

futurebird, 11 months ago to random

For someone who likes sci-fi I don't spend enough time thinking about long distance space travel.

I admire the stories that avoid "warp drives" or "worm holes" -- though such a thing isn't a dealbreaker. I just think it's admirable to deal with the upsetting immensity of space on its own terms.

But if you want to avoid hand-waving you need to really think about how people deal with time, delayed communication, etc.

What is your favorite way that a sci-fi story did "long distance" ?

foone, 11 months ago to random

I'm working my next keyboard, a VTech Magic Star Learning Table.