I work in IT, so I use my phone to close tickets and otherwise diagnose issues (unless I need my laptop for those). Outside of work, though, I can see the benefits of doing a social media fast, although I would like to say that I use social media substantially less than I did when I had TikTok on my phone.

What I would like to do, eventually, is be able to recognize when I’m doom scrolling and to then instead go listen to an audiobook, watch a TV show, play a video game, or work on a personal project.

So basically anything not using RSA is fine, which is probably everything these days.

Welp, time for me to find a different laptop to purchase. My old HP went out after nearly 10 years of use (thank you, Linux) due to motherboard failure (source: I work in tech support and laptop repair, plus I took it to Best Buy for a second opinion). I’m using a loaner laptop from a friend as an in-between, and while it’s not a bad laptop itself, I would like to get something, well, new. Plus I’m due for a stipend from work, so I’ll definitely have the money for it.

I’ve always heard that Framework is a good laptop, and have even recommended it to someone at work, but now I’m not so sure. As for me personally, I’ll have to hunt down a new laptop to purchase, as I definitely don’t want to support someone who follows the “if you have 10 people who sit with 1 Nazi” saying. I did get some recommendations from a Best Buy worker, but then they all come with Windows, and while I do have a guide on how to make Windows more privacy-friendly (and I can always just install WSL), I was looking forward to keeping Linux as my daily driver (as I do on my desktop).

I want to start this comment out by saying that I do agree that communities can change people, that if one is exposed to differing perspectives and belief systems, that one has the opportunity to change their outlook on the world. It’s definitely how I was able to get myself out of some very bad thought processes that were ingrained into me as a child. I would, however, like to grain-of-salt that to say that I was open to hearing about differing perspectives and belief systems.

Respectfully (to you and other leftists at least), as a disabled queer trans person, I am tired of the emotional labor it takes to justify why I should exist to people on the right. I agree it should be done to engage with as many people that are willing to take it in as possible. I have done it enough to know that there are times when you can try as hard as you can, but the person just won’t come over to your side of thought. I’m reminded of the saying “I can explain it for you, but I can’t understand it for you.”

Again, I don’t mean to direct any malice or misgiving towards you or anyone else engaging with this topic in good faith. I’m just tired of doing the work that other non-marginalized people should have been doing for years.

But I think it’ll be sold like “this is gonna instantly transform business overnight”

Tbf, and to my understanding, quantum computers will break current encryption algorithms, so it kind of will transform business overnight, just maybe not in the way these people are selling.

I’ve heard that Mirlo.space is a good alternative to Bandcamp, and as an artist myself, it looks to be a good replacement.

Also gonna suggest Mirlo.space as it’s open sourced.

I do video editing myself in Linux and Kdenlive does pretty much everything I need. The UI is a bit odd to learn but I’d imagine any new editing software is gonna have a learning curve of some sort.

I would as well

Show empathy towards those that have different experiences than I do

Just a note that Proton VPN doesn’t allow P2P on their free plan.

Tbh I was surprised they’re still using them

What about people who program in C?

There is, however, still the concept of the Chinese Room thought experiment, and I don’t think AI will topple that one for a while.

For those who don’t know and don’t wish to browse off the site, the thought experiment posits a situation in which a guy who does not understand Chinese is sat in a room and told to respond to sets of Chinese characters that come into the room. He has a little booklet of responses—all completely in Chinese—for him to use to send responses out of the room. The thought experiment questions whether or not the system of the Chinese Room itself can be thought to understand Chinese or even the man himself.

With the Turing Test getting all of the media spotlight in AI, machine learning, and cognitive science, I think the Chinese Room should enter into the conversation as the field of AI looks towards G.A.I.

Is this the new sugar free Haribo gummy bear bag

Checking this out after I get off work tonight as I also make weird music

Half-joke (see here)

I would, in no certain order:

• Work at a coffee shop part time making coffee for people. Preferably a locally owned shop, but it wouldn’t matter too much if not.
• Work as a bartender similarly as above
• Potentially garden if I have the time and interest for it
• Create more YouTube videos
• Write, record, and release more music
• Learn to paint
• Get a film camera and take photos with it
• Contribute to FLOSS projects
• Finally make that D&D table that doubles as a dining table that I’ve been wanting to make for a few months now
• Actually follow through on learning my several languages I’m working on learning
• Become an interpreter (probably in ASL)
• Develop video games
• Create more art in general
• Do research on how art and society mingle together and interact

No silly, birds aren’t real /hj

Seconding AHK, Bitwarden, and Calibre