Chebucto Regional Softball Club

@MoBlack

The hatred comes from a place of deep trauma and betrayal.

For many people programs are immutable. They just are the way that they are. Thinking about a computer program or search engine as something that you could shape or change to suit your purposes isn’t what our computer education teaches.

People expect to work within the limits of the applications and software— not play a role in shaping its design.

RE: https://mstdn.social/@KentNavalesi/115605106392628909

I want to highlight this response because I often feel this way. But, many of the people who have found their way to the fedi are already interested in software. It can be alien to your ‘average person’.

Just the other day my mother asked: “Why do I see posts from people I don’t know on Facebook?” I explained that was the algorithm. ”So, someone *else* just decides what I see?! that’s awful.”

She only just noticed! But, she seemed more open in that moment to learning about alternatives.

@Kimberley

I was painfully bad at social interactions when I was a grad student. Didn't learn people's names I just focused on solving problems and learning more math. Going to lectures, taking classes, getting good grades. I thought that if I just worked really hard I would naturally be recognized and move to the next step. This is naive and not how it works.

WHO do you want to work with? You need to get in their face and show you exist.

I think I could do it now with what I have learned.

@Kimberley

I am "ABD" (all but dissertation) what I learned the hard way from trying and failing to get a PhD in mathematics is that you really need to think about who will be your advisor and form a relationship with that person. They need to be someone who you can learn from who is willing to be invested in your growth. I struggled to find an advisor and watched as other people would get handed problems to work on (and ended up helping them with those problems) but never was that person.

@foone

Cutest photo ever. The machine is just jealous of you two.

@promovicz

I would think that being cis gender would be *not* rejecting the way the world suggests that you play along? I'm confused.

@gbargoud

We have really messed up on home automation. The possibilities were limitless. But all I have are light bulbs that spy on me.

@catsalad

I often wonder when seeing videos what dogs make of cats?

They often seem both put-upon and yet also curious about a creature with a very different communication style.

A dog I used to dog-sit hated cats. Could not be allowed near them. Her opinion? "Destroy on sight." In her defense, as she was a sweet dog otherwise, she *did* come up as a stray. Maybe she had some bad experiences.

I wonder if dogs recognize cats as a category in the way they recognize humans?

@gaijinmommy.bsky.social

I think you have found the answer in this photo.

Life is a Mystery

The answer? Cool bugs.

@slimbook

Seven segment displays always add a touch of class.

@Tomhodson @gbargoud

I run a python program that is very inefficient on my laptop. It gives a list of links that I have to click on. The program goes to each person's page and finds the URL of their first post that isn't pinned.

It times out before doing my whole friends list. I don't really know what I'm doing. Maybe this summer I will try to make it better.

But... I also keep hoping someone with more skill than me will make a slick version if I keep talking about how great it is.

@maya2

So, these are all of the parts of those paintings that feature children? That's an amazing idea.

These books are one of a kind, right?

(trying to figure out how I can read your tiny books)

@gbargoud

Recommendation algorithms could be good and helpful in some cases. I use one I made to help me find posts from people who don't post often and thus their posts get buried here.

A simple:

show me one (1) post from each person I follow from the last month is very powerful for finding out what people who are less active are posting. You know those people who only post like once a week... but then it's always some amazing photo they took or an incredible insight on some event.

@gbargoud @funkula

Our coop has basement storage units. But there is a waiting list to get to rent one. I have been on the waiting list for 16 years.

Any day now!

(Getting the right general storage box is more important that people think. I am considering a closet unit as a possible solution. But I have a lot of thinking to do about how that will work.)

@foone

But that's just a thumb drive.

@Richard_Littler

I can relate to this so much.

@tankgrrl @funkula

But there aren't people still using Eliza now in any great numbers.

And didn't Eliza "power users" grow tired of it eventually? Will those charmed by LLMs eventually grow tired and see the limitations?

I want to say yes.

But I don't really know.

@promovicz

This copycat, monkey see, monkey do, instinct is very real and strong in all people. It's part of how our minds work. I also think there is an aspect of modern (American?) individualism that says that if you can be influenced in that way you are weak willed and terrible.

This is very silly. Of course what you see other people doing has a direct impact on what you do. No man is a rock.

@promovicz

I mean. "we are already being manipulated" is already true. One of the reasons I started thinking about renovation is due to all of the interior design videos and magazines enjoy. And these all have an undercurrent of "renovate and spend" because ... well, consider who makes them.

But that was easier for me to compartmentalize than a conversation. If everyone on here was posting about their renovation it WOULD make me wonder "why can't I do that too?" and "should I do that?"