Fawkes

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Fawkes ,

It made me laugh that the easiest thing on this to make, is the one thing you didn't make.

Fawkes ,

This is the first I'm hearing of this, usually it's the opposite. Care to provide justification and evidence?

Fawkes ,

I understand your justifiable concern, however I disagree with the blanket statement.

First off, if I remember the video correctly, it is not hidden that Waymo was the video sponser. It may not have been in the spotlight, but I don't think that's automatically a bad thing.

Secondly, it is very possible for some one to hold different opinions to yours, even with identical evidence. It was clear to me that he really did like the technology and made his best case for it. If new information has come to light, then that's worth re-examining the opinion. Personally, I have always been in fabour of replacing human drivers with AI, for a wide variety of reasons. I agree with his sentiment that the sooner we replace human drivers, the safer we'll all be. That being said, there is obviously a conflict of interest in the industry between making the technology safe, and profitable. And we all know what happens the larger an organization gets.

Third, the majority of the videos are not opinion pieces. They explain physics, chemistry, mechanics, etc. I'm not sure how some one can misrepresent physics, without being objectively wrong. And they seem to be pretty universally correct in their rigor. There has been more than one instance where the channel has come under scrutiny for being accused of manipulating experiments, and each time he comes back to re-explain the experiment and show that it had been misunderstood, not misrepresented.

https://www.iflscience.com/youtuber-derek-muller-won-a-10000-physics-bet-against-professor-60235

Hard to find a direct like but the "How electricity works" controversy also seems to fit this theme.

I am not saying the channel is above skepticism or is the poster child of perfection by any means. But I don't think it's fair to boycott on the grounds of a single opinion you happen to disagree with, especially when that opinion is genuinely based on available research and evidence. I think this is actually a disservice to progress as a whole. If you find an enemy in everyone that does share your exact values, it leaves progressives divided.

Fawkes ,

Yes, and while we're at it let'd refuse to read books not written by scribes. And refuse clothes not woven by hand.

I understand the frustration with the industry, but at the end of the day it is a tool, and it has its uses. Just because it is being misused doesn't mean it's universally bad. This just seems petty and misdirected.

Fawkes ,

Then why have seasoned programmers accepted that getting an LLM to generate messy code, then tidying it up, is often faster than writing 2 dozen lines themselves?

Or myself, I use it with TTRPGs, to simplify NPC creation under a set of structured rules. I still play the characters as unique individuals, but being able to click a button and have 4 personality points to base any nameless NPC around is a lot more fun and dynamic than trying to come up with new characters I didn't expect the group to speak to, on the spot.

Claiming it does not have any uses at all seems like an expression of your own lack of creativity, or willingness to adapt to new technology. I don't need to worship the tech-bros to find a use for new technologies.

Can GenAI replace a human? No. There is no context in which human work can be fully replaced by GenAI. But that doesn't mean it cannot simplify and enhance skilled workers that understand its limitations and use it to increase their own productivity.

Is it possible you're so engrossed in anger and disgust at how it is being marketed, that you're deciding to hate the entire concept rather than the fact it is bring misused, and it's capabilities are being wildly exaggerated to the point of lies? Or that the disgusting manipulation of empty promises on empty promises on empty promises, with the bullshit happening around RAM prices, GPU prices, etc. Or entire workforces being fired in order to be replaced by LLMs is making you prejudiced against the tool, rather than those using it to justify abuse and idiocy?

If hammers were used to kill more people than guns or knives, would you claim there is no reason to ever use or own a hammer?

Fawkes , (edited )

Why didn't you remark on my own usage? You're speaking from your own experience but seem to be ignoring others. Your personal experience is not more valid than others. Or are you convinced that 100% of people who have found any degree of use for it have some how been tricked?

Edit.

Upon re-reading your reply, I have to ask a simple question. What would need to be demonstrated in order to change your mind? If you can think of an honest criteria, we can keep talking about it. If your first response is to say "There is literally nothing that can change my mind." Then this is not a discussion, it is simply you expressing anger and indignation.

And I'm sorry to say, but if you're engaging in conversation without a single iota of willingness to see the other sides perspective or reasoning, then you're a bad conversation partner and are consciously choosing to be arrogant, even if your side is the "Correct" side.

Have I come across as rude or dismissive that you felt the need to mock and belittle me? I tried to form my response respectfully while pointing out possible areas of bias.

Fawkes ,

You should speak to others experiences because you are making the universal statement that is has literally no uses, contrary to many people stating they have, in fact, found uses for it.

So either every single person that believes they have found a novel use for it is wrong. Or you have universally decided that none of their experiences are valid in forming your opinion.

Considering I have found a use for it, that does not require it to write code, paint pictures, or tell me I'm right about everything, why is my usage invalid in nullifying your statement that "GenAI does not have any uses."

There is no ambiguity in that statement, and yet I have found use for it.

Fawkes ,

You're contradicting yourself and not seeing it. You're universally saying it has absolutely no uses, and using your own experiences and others, as evidence. When counter-evidence is provided, you dismiss it because you can only speak from your own experiences.

Either other peoples experiences are valid, and you must accept that some people have found genuine uses for the technology, despite your hatred for the industry and the false marketing around it.

Or other peoples experiences are not valid, in which case there's no point in talking about anything, because you will not consider it valid unless you personally experience it.

Fawkes ,

Actually, that's materially incorrect. You are making the universal claim that a technology has literally no uses, and every single person that claims otherwise is either ignorant, or has been grifted.

I am making the counter-argument that, while I agree with the overall concerns with misuse, and misrepresentation, claiming it has literally no use is objectively false.

Anecdotal would be "I've heard people have found uses for it." Or "My cousin says it helps him do XYZ."

I have given you a specific example of my own use. That is not anecdotal, that is a definitive, replicateable, counter point.

You have decided to dismiss it, because making a universal sweeping claim inherently requires the dismissal of all counter points in order to remain intact.

I'm sorry that you're so angry, and have convinced yourself the world is trying to gaslight you, that doesn't seem like a healthy belief. I won't be responding further.

Fawkes ,

Yeah, I figured that was probably the case when I asked what evidence might change their mind, and the question was just ignored. Still, I was mildly entertained by pointing out their logical errors, so it wasn't a complete waste of my time lol.

Fawkes ,

Which is extremely common and extremely frustrating for everyone involved. Not saying people don't lie, but if we're talking about Windows, it's a confusing, poorly designed, over-engineered, buggy, sloppy, confusing, frustrating, awful mess. And I have experienced this personally.

Do every single step of the recommended troubleshooting 3 times, with no success. Call IT, have them tell me to do the troubleshooting I just did, and it magically works.

Fawkes ,

I mean, yes that's absolutely true, but many Americans really do prefer to drive even short distances. When I lived in North Carolina people regularly drove to the other side of the parking lot to eat, shop at different stores, meet up with friends, etc. I asked several people why they didn't walk, and every single one said they hated walking and would drive or re-park if it was further than a few seconds walk.

Fawkes OP ,

I did contact them actually, but they explicitly state that they do not offer advice in English. My German is not good enough to understand legal advice, and I don't know any one well enough that I can ask to help with it.

Fawkes OP ,

I managed to get an appointment for a consultation on the 14th. But they contacted me to say that they were required to only speak to me in German. So I either had to cancel or bring an interpreter. Machine translating is fine for written, but problematic for real time.

My personal trip to the depths of corporate "Support" hell, and how Dell bought me a ticket.

This all really started in July of 2024. My wife and I were living in Minneapolis, she had recent accepted a position at a university in Germany, and we had been selling 90% of our worldly possessions to make international marginally more affordable. One of the most difficult sales, was that of my PC. I have been building and ...

Fawkes OP ,

Are you trying to sound condescending? Because this reads as extremely condescending.

Looking for a cool person to join a 5e homebrew campaign from 8GMT to 13GMT on Sundays.

Hello peeps. I’m part of a small DnD 5e group that plays through Roll20 and Discord every Sunday at the mentioned time (8 to 13 GMT). It’s only 4 players and the DM, so quite tight-knit. However, one of our players has begun to attend less frequently due to life doing what life does. So, we’ve decided to try bringing in an ...

Looking for a cool person to join a 5e homebrew campaign from 8GMT to 13GMT on Sundays.

Hello peeps. I'm part of a small DnD 5e group that plays through Roll20 and Discord every Sunday at the mentioned time (8 to 13 GMT). It's only 4 players and the DM, so quite tight-knit. However, one of our players has begun to attend less frequently due to life doing what life does. So, we've decided to try bringing in an ...

Fawkes OP ,

Thanks! I'll give them a look right now.

Fawkes OP ,

Sorry to hear, but thanks for considering! Yeah, the time is likely a bit of an issue for a lot of people, I'd imagine. I'm in Germany, another player is in the UK, and the other 3 people are night-owls from the US lol.

Fawkes Mod ,

Interesting. I had always been of the belief that children learned easier than adults. Although, this seems to be classroom based.

Personally, when I imagine children learning languages it is because they are immersed in it.

Additionally, this doesn't seem to cover multi-lingual households raising children. I knew several kids growing up that had 2 or 3 mother tongues, because they grew up in a house where all were spoken. I can't imagine an adult would be able to learn 3 languages at a time.

Fawkes Mod ,

Actually, that's not true at all. Adults regularly have multiple roommates that speak multiple languages.

Fawkes OP Mod ,

As a German, do you have a difficult time remembering the genders of new words? Or does it come naturally?

Fawkes OP Mod ,

Yeah, it's the same in German. You don't say Seven-thirty. You say Half-eight. A bit tricky. And german is the same qith sentence structure. The second verb always comes at the end of the sentence. Makes it so you literally can't know the purpose of the sentence until you hear the whole thing. Which, is kinda ingenious actually. Means you can't interrupt people.

Fawkes OP Mod ,

That seems like the best option imo. Just decide on the spot which gender you want the word to be and go with it! I really don't think it matters if my refrigerator is a man or woman lol.

Fawkes OP Mod ,
Fawkes ,

If you think me torturing my neighbour justifies you torturing yours, then you're evil and a stupid piece of shit. Evil acts don't justify evil acts.

Fawkes OP Mod ,

That makes sense. What language are you learning?

Fawkes OP Mod ,

That's awesome! What level do you think you've reached in your years of casual practice?

Fawkes Mod ,

I am currently learning German, as I moved to Germany last year.
My native language is English.
I've dabbled in Spanish, French, and Russian, but German is the first one I've had reason to really intensively learn.

Fawkes Mod ,

Danke schon! Ich bin heute 0!

Fawkes Mod ,

Goddayumn! Do you do anything other than study languages all day?

Fawkes Mod ,

If Firefly is at all a predictor of the future, maybe we'll all be learning it in the next century.

Fawkes Mod ,

I'm struggling enough with German, and they're in the same language family. I honestly cannot imagine trying to learn a language that shared literally no roots or similarities.

Fawkes Mod ,

Nice! My wife is from Argentina, so she actually has the exact same languages as you. She's been learning German for about 4 years now. A good channel for German is EasyGerman on Youtube.

A new language learning community for Lemmy.zip ( lemmy.zip )

Good afternoon everyone. I saw that Lemmy.zip didn't have a language learning community, so I decided to make one to give a home to my little language learning app. I made it for myself, because I struggle with Anki, but realized other people might find it useful too. Anyway, whether it's German, or English, or Punjabi, I hope ...

A new language learning community on Lemmy.zip, with a custom built vocabulary web app ( lemmy.zip )

Hello all. I noticed there was no language learning community on Lemmy.zip, so I decided to make one. I was recently informed that there is a single one over @sopuli.xyz but I'll keep this one around, unless it it fizzles to nothing. ...

Fawkes OP ,

That's because I'm an idiot! One sec.

Hello ( theotherfawkes.github.io )

Hello. I decided to make this community, since I didn't see any that related to learning languages. I currently speak English as a native speaker, and I'm working on A1 German. I made this simple web app to help me practice vocabulary. I find most flashcard apps to lack repetition on weaker words, so I made one that naturally ...

Fawkes OP Mod ,

Yes. I personally don't like Anki. I made this app specifically to fix what I struggled with Anki the most on. The sessions are shorter, just 10 different words at a time. And each session is made up of words you have been struggling with the most, with stronger words appearing less and less.

I found myself constantly failing in circles on Anki, never feeling comfortable. This app will repeat the same work a dozen times over, if you keep failing it.

If a word is marked as correct 3 times in a row during a session, it will be removed from the session. So at the end of a single session, you'll be cycling between the 2 or 3 words you struggled with the most.

Fawkes OP Mod ,

I honestly had an easier time making this app that going through the extensive Anki guides and tech manuals. Also, making new cards is easier in my app, in my opinion. I can make 400 cards in about 30 seconds and they're automatically added to the Tier 1 list.

Fawkes OP Mod , (edited )

That's fair. But if you ever feel like using it, it's extremely simple. Click on the Import Words button, then copy-paste literally any number of items in the following format:

Word1,Translation1

Word2,Translation2.

etc.

I don't know if there is a limit to the number of words you can put in, but you can use an LLM to give it the words you currently have, and ask for 100 more all formatted properly. It's how I've been expanding my word list, as I memorize the set.

Anki is admittedly, and undeniably, more powerful than my little tool. My little tool is just very specialized and easily expandable. Literally takes me 20 seconds to give an LLM my current word list using the Export Word List button, ask it for 100 more words, and to maintain the formatting. Done.

Fawkes OP Mod ,

Damn, I tried finding them but came up with nothing. Oh well. If the community dies, I'll just migrate there.

Fawkes OP Mod ,

Yeah, there is. But honestly, I couldn't find any when i first looked, and it seems like I'm not the only one.

Fawkes OP Mod ,

That's fair. Though it seems like the existing communities are struggling, with mostly the owner posting weekly. And the one on Lemmy.World is dead, with the last post being 6 months ago. I'm going to keep this one going, it seems to be a bit more visible than the others.