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j2bryson

@[email protected]

I'm an academic, proud to work in a policy school, but still somewhat longing to be a natural scientists and/or programmer again. Or maybe some kind of artist. This account is a more personal than professional; a more professional one is bridged here https://mastodon.social/@[email protected] Blogpost on my social media policy, linking yet more accounts: https://joanna-bryson.blogspot.com/2024/10/guidance-to-my-social-media.html Increasingly returning to reading physical books.

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. View on remote instance

@randahl@mastodon.social avatar randahl , to random

American tax payers will now pay for a hospital ship which will be sent to Greenland, Trump claims on Truth Social.

Let me rephrase that: The US, which does not offer free healthcare to its own people, wants it's own people to offer free healthcare… to Greenland… which already has free healthcare.

Maybe it is time for another brain scan for the US president.

j2bryson ,
@j2bryson@mastodon.social avatar

@randahl Except there isn't one available. Yeah, maybe the issue was Denmark evacuated the sub with their helicopter, but the American submariner was actally taken to the Greenland hospital, not to Denmark. All two hospital ships the US has are being fixed right now. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/02/22/trump-greenland-hospital-ship/

@lowqualityfacts@mstdn.social avatar lowqualityfacts , to random

Today's Low Quality Ad is for this "Be the light you want to see in the world" sticker. I am staying at a hotel tonight, so I would like to be any light other than a black light.
https://collabs.shop/3xx3te

A sticker of a dumpster with an unamused face that is on fire. It says "be the light you want to see in the world.
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j2bryson ,
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@gerrymcgovern@mastodon.green avatar gerrymcgovern , to random

AI cannot be a moral agent with an understanding of difference between right and wrong and is held accountable for its actions, he said.

“AI can produce the same decisions and recommendations that humans would produce,” he said, “but the causal history of those decisions differs in important ways.” Unlike humans, AI lacks free will and cannot be held morally responsible. If an AI system causes harm, the blame lies with its developers or users, not the technology itself.

https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2025/10/27/can-artificial-intelligence-have-morality-philosophy-weighs-in/

j2bryson ,
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@gerrymcgovern IDK what free will is, but you can’t hold digital artefacts to account, nor should you rather focus the incentives on those who produce and profit from them, but anyway digital is directly revisable, responsibility is the wrong metaphor.

@gerrymcgovern@mastodon.green avatar gerrymcgovern , to random

Bitcoin is pure, pure evil

Bitcoin’s energy use per dollar generated now exceeds that of mining copper or gold

Bitcoin mining significantly increases PM2.5 pollution, the tiny airborne particles linked to respiratory and heart disease.

Each bitcoin mining rig has a short shelf life of about 1.3 years. Once outdated, they’re dumped

Bitcoin mining needs massive water cooling systems

https://gulfnews.com/your-money/cryptocurrency/cryptos-dirty-secret-how-mining-it-is-hurting-the-planet-and-farms-1.500299583

j2bryson ,
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@JessTheUnstill @gerrymcgovern @chikl I read that crypto energy is 2x AI, and HD streaming is 5x crypto

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us avatar ChrisMayLA6 , (edited ) to random

So the Bank of England constantly worry about 'inflationary pressure' coming from the labour market, so no doubt they will be celebrating the pay cuts that will be reducing DPD's driver earnings by around £25 per day.... As always this is a profitable company seeing its workers as a cost that needs to be reduced not as the key resource that allows their firm to work.

Its just one more example of how the gig economy & low-paid work are stifling the country!

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/oct/07/dpd-rate-cut-couriers-substantial-earnings-loss

j2bryson ,
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@ChrisMayLA6 you know anyone can edit on mastodon :)

j2bryson ,
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@ChrisMayLA6 It drives me crazy when no one tells me about typos in blogs or toots. It also drives me crazy that most people I know are on a platform with no edits.

@j2bryson@mastodon.social avatar j2bryson , to random

"We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it."

He went on to criticize Trump's mourning of Kirk, pointing to a video of Trump's comments on the White House lawn, saying: "This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish."

'Jimmy Kimmel Live' pulled off air over Charlie Kirk comment

https://www.dw.com/en/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-live-off-air-over-charlie-kirk-comments/a-74036521

@atomicpoet@atomicpoet.org avatar atomicpoet , (edited ) to movies

Just cracked open this still-sealed VHS of The Mask of Zorro.

Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, and a breakout Catherine Zeta-Jones—back when swashbuckling still had studio money behind it. This is a classic baton-passing tale: the aging hero trains his replacement, swordplay and revenge ensue, all wrapped in that smoky, romantic 90s lighting.

There’s a certain grandeur to 90s blockbusters that feels extinct now. Not just scale—but ambition. Like every frame was trying to earn a spot in movie history. Today’s films still shoot for the stars, but with different coordinates. Different vocabulary.

Still a fun ride. And honestly, every trip to the thrift store feels like Blockbuster time travel.

movies@piefed.social icon movies

Unsealed VHS copy of The Mask of Zorro featuring a bold red-and-black silhouette of Zorro mid-stride, slashing a fiery “Z” across the cover. Actor names “Antonio Banderas” and “Anthony Hopkins” appear at the top, with a barcode sticker reading “SV324681 – MZK OF ZORRO” on the upper right. The shrink wrap is intact but slightly peeled back near the bottom corner, revealing a hint of the black clamshell underneath.
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j2bryson ,
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@atomicpoet movies@piefed.social icon movies how is it still sealed if you cracked it open?

@gerrymcgovern@mastodon.green avatar gerrymcgovern , to random

The Green Transition was always a lie. There has never been an energy transition. There never will be.

Coal is surging. 2024 was a record year. China again leads the way. Indonesia, too, has nearly quadrupled production. Both these countries are leading producers of fake renewables.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/2025/07/25/coal-isnt-dead-yet-global-trends-defy-climate-pledges/

Nuclear is back!
https://www.wkms.org/energy/2025-07-25/billionaire-peter-thiel-backing-first-privately-developed-us-uranium-enrichment-facility-in-paducah

U.S. Oil and Gas Production Continues to Shatter Records
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/US-Oil-and-Gas-Production-Continues-to-Shatter-Records.html

Who are we kidding?

Our children.

j2bryson ,
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j2bryson ,
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@DetersHenning @gerrymcgovern @ourworldindata I think you might be right. Part of our problem is that we’re succeeding in the liberal ideal — all lives increasingly matter, and there is spectacular economic growth in places like Indonesia.

j2bryson ,
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@DetersHenning @gerrymcgovern I find @ourworldindata pretty good on inequality overall – I'd dispute that it's increasing between countries in fact perhaps even the present, declining US share of global GDP is being propped up by a bubble overestimating the value of genAI cf https://bsky.app/profile/j2bryson.bsky.social/post/3lijaiasdrk22 For example this on extreme poverty https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/was-the-global-decline-of-extreme-poverty-only-due-to-china or this amazing graphic https://ourworldindata.org/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/qLq-8BTgXU8yG0N6HnOy8g/fb0d7e90-a3d9-4570-0b42-0ecf22602000/w=3000 from here https://ourworldindata.org/extreme-history-methods 1/2

j2bryson ,
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@DetersHenning @gerrymcgovern But given we're contesting @ourworldindata here's another source (cf Piketty of course) video this is taken from is here https://www.ifw-kiel.de/institute/events/conferences/3rd-kiel-cepr-conference-on-geoeconomics/ see also https://www.visualcapitalist.com/u-s-share-of-global-economy-over-time/ but that's just one country, Rey shows a ton of countries becoming bigger traders. But by all means, the problem of ELITE inequality is stupendous and causing all kinds of harms – again, see Piketty or https://joanna-bryson.blogspot.com/2016/06/robots-are-owned-owners-are-taxed.html or my more recent blogpost tagged "inequality" 2/2

@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

Remembering Descent, the once-popular, fully 3D 6DOF shooter
Descent is a big part of gaming history, but not many people talk about it.
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/07/remembering-descent-the-once-popular-fully-3d-6dof-shooter/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

j2bryson ,
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@arstechnica @jonathankoren wasn’t it on linux somehow? I played it a bit but was totally cut off from its canon.

@j2bryson@mastodon.social avatar j2bryson , to random

There’s a lot going on, but can we remember this is possible?

Paris reopens Seine River for public swimming

Parisians have begun bathing in the Seine for the first time in over 100 years after a ban was lifted. The French capital has created three swimming zones along the river as part of its Olympic legacy.
https://www.dw.com/en/paris-reopens-seine-river-for-public-swimming/a-73163816

@j2bryson@mastodon.social avatar j2bryson , to random
j2bryson OP ,
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can't believe that's not the top story, but denying congress intelligence is a big deal, as is moving HUD out of DC (and displacing NSF)

02:23 Thu 26 Jun The Washington Post White House to limit intelligence sharing, skip Gabbard at Senate Iran briefing The move sets the stage for a contentious classified briefing before senators Thursday. 40 minutes ago Trump embraces NATO security alliance after years of attacks How much do NATO countries spend on defense and how that has changed? DOJ sues 15 federal judges in Maryland over deportation order Court watchers said they could not recall another instance in which the Justice Department, which usually represents members of the judicial branch in court, sued the entire roster of judges in a district. RFK Jr's vaccine panel to review how and when kids receive immunizations Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are among the officials who will brief lawmakers. (Getty Images) (Matt McClain/The Post) HUD to move from D.C. to Virginia, displacing National Science Foundation staff® With its relocation to nearby Alexandria, the Department of Housing and Urban Development will be the first major federal agency to relocate its headquarters outside of Washington, D.C. Hin'e handauartare in Wachinotan (Amanda Vicard //Tha
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    @ErikJonker@mastodon.social avatar ErikJonker , to geopolitics group

    In Europe we should keep our eyes on the ball, that is Ukraine, not Gaza or Iran. Our most primary and direct interests (security ,economy) are connected with the fight between Russia and Ukraine. Not saying those other theatres are not relevant but just less important.
    geopolitics@a.gup.pe icon geopolitics group

    j2bryson ,
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    @ErikJonker geopolitics@a.gup.pe icon geopolitics group Except it's hard for Ukraine to win when so much of the world still trades with Russia, yet the rest of the world rightly demands we make the same sacrifices to help speed the end of conflicts not only involving Israel, but also Yemen, Sudan, Ethiopia, Congo. International consensus mandates universal application of justice as agreed through the UN and ICC.

    j2bryson ,
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    @ErikJonker geopolitics@a.gup.pe icon geopolitics group Yes of course, but my comment still stands. I strongly agree that the whole world should focus most strongly on their most geographically immediate threats, where they have the most chance of comprehension and influence. But that in no way alters the fact we all may be more successful if we all cooperate on economic and digital service sanctions, arrest warrants, etc.

    @gerrymcgovern@mastodon.green avatar gerrymcgovern , to random

    Business schools must challenge growth-focused management education.

    Degrowth pedagogy encourages critical thinking and innovation.

    Students show openness to alternatives to free-market capitalism.

    Integrating degrowth can inspire future leaders for systemic change.

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001632872500076X

    j2bryson ,
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    @afewbugs @clarablackink @ReggieHere @504DR @gerrymcgovern still prefer “use” to “need”. A lot of problems are bigger than individuals, but a lot of people have more choices than they recognise and use, on a lot of levels. Eg moving to a city, accepting smaller accommodation for easier commutes and more services, including inexpensive repair services or second hand shopping, within easy walking or biking distance.

    j2bryson ,
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    @afewbugs @clarablackink @ReggieHere @504DR @gerrymcgovern I sort of agree, but what science has shown is, for people making exactly the same amount of money, if they’ve come UP to that wage they feel like they have choices, power, they trust others and themselves. If they’ve come down to that wage, they hate everyone and feel constrained by their wealth. So some of it is really expectations, though for sure there are also some absolute benefits of wealth. And of welfare states!

    @gerrymcgovern@mastodon.green avatar gerrymcgovern , (edited ) to random

    I came across information that the original quote in Futurism which said 99% electricity use was incorrect.
    https://futurism.com/google-ceo-congress-electricity-ai-superintelligence

    The transcript says “3% to 9%”.
    https://www.techpolicy.press/transcript-us-lawmakers-probe-ais-role-in-energy-and-climate/

    The larger point remains, though. AI and data center energy and water use is surging, and we are only at the beginning of this whole thing. For years, data centers energy use stayed below 1% and we were told not to worry. In countries like Ireland, data center energy use is now already over 20%

    j2bryson ,
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    @gerrymcgovern Sorry, there's a HUGE difference, I thought he'd gone entirely insane if he wanted AI to be 99% of human outputs.

    @ErikJonker@mastodon.social avatar ErikJonker , to geopolitics group
    j2bryson ,
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    @ErikJonker geopolitics@a.gup.pe icon geopolitics group IMHO Trump isn’t only abandoning Ukraine and Europe. He’s dismantling the US state, and vaguely trying to take down the EU and China while he does, but not particularly worried about succeeding because he sincerely believes the rue of law is over.

    @ErikJonker@mastodon.social avatar ErikJonker , to geopolitics group

    Van Hollen is a great politician. He created a real problem for Trump. This image goes around the world and will be shown in all the news channels.
    This problem will not go away for Trump, at the same time bringing him back would be a disaster.
    geopolitics@a.gup.pe icon geopolitics group

    Van Hollen meets Abrego Garcia in a prison in El Salvador
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    j2bryson ,
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    @Daojoan@mastodon.social avatar Daojoan , to random

    AI doesn’t need to become self-aware to be dangerous. It just needs to be plugged into HR, healthcare, and credit scoring systems with no appeal process.

    j2bryson ,
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    @Daojoan Which has already happened, cf British Post Office Scandal, Dutch Benefits Scandal.

    @arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

    Remembering MS-DOS 5.0, my first Microsoft product, on the company’s 50th birthday
    A story about an obsolete PC, an old library book, and a one version of MS-DOS.
    https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/04/remembering-ms-dos-5-0-my-first-microsoft-product-on-the-companys-50th-birthday/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

    j2bryson ,
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    @arstechnica @jonathankoren ha ha my first job out of college was on ms dos 2.? I remember 3.0 came out and was somehow exciting (I didn’t know about avoiding .0s yet then!)

    @anneapplebaum@journa.host avatar anneapplebaum , to random

    More than five years ago, I wrote about the American conservatives who admire Russia dictatorship. Now they run America https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/12/false-romance-russia/603433/

    j2bryson ,
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    @j2bryson@mastodon.social avatar j2bryson , to random

    Why are Germans being detained by US immigration?

    Three tourists and a permanent US resident say they were subjected to aggressive interrogation and held for weeks without knowing why. In response, the German government has extended a travel advisory to its citizens.
    https://www.dw.com/en/why-are-germans-being-detained-by-us-immigration/a-71987211

    j2bryson OP ,
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    BREAKING: Pianist András Schiff cancels all his US engagements for 2025-26 in response to "the recent and unprecedented political changes in the United States."

    "Some people might say, 'just shut up and play.' I cannot, in good conscience, do that."

    https://www.kirshbaumassociates.com/agency.php?view=news&nid=12575

    via @1br0wn

    @tante@tldr.nettime.org avatar tante , to random

    When talking about "AI" there's a lot of chat about "hallucinations" but I think it is a bit misleading. Because it's all hallucinations, some just accidentally true.

    https://tante.cc/2025/03/16/its-all-hallucinations/

    j2bryson ,
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    @j2bryson@mastodon.social avatar j2bryson , to random

    That desensitisation can be a dangerous thing. It risks extending to those children who survived; the almost 40,000 orphans, the thousands of amputees, the hundreds of thousands who are displaced and whose schools have been destroyed, and the “complete psychological destruction” that all children who have lived through the war have suffered.
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/27/children-gaza-loved-remembered-innocent-mourn?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

    @j2bryson@mastodon.social avatar j2bryson , to random

    Billionaires growing richer faster than ever, says Oxfam

    Oxfam said trillionaires are expected to emerge within the next decade, as the richest 1% now own 45% of global wealth, while 44% of humanity lives on less than $6.85 per day.
    https://www.dw.com/en/billionaire-wealth-growing-faster-than-ever-says-oxfam-report/a-71345320

    @molly0xfff@hachyderm.io avatar molly0xfff , to random

    “our lead shares our philosophy that technology should serve the user, not the reverse

    this is why they focus on blockchains, a technology basically always used at the expense of its users”

    Bluesky Announces Series A to Grow Network of 13M+ Users October 24, 2024 by The Bluesky Team Bluesky now exceeds 13 million users, the AT Protocol developer ecosystem continues to grow, and we’ve shipped highly requested features like direct messages and video. We’re excited to announce that we’ve raised a $15 million Series A financing led by Blockchain Capital with participation from Alumni Ventures, True Ventures, SevenX, Amir Shevat of Darkmode, co-creator of Kubernetes Joe Beda, and others. Our lead, Blockchain Capital, shares our philosophy that technology should serve the user, not the reverse — the technology being used should never come at the expense of the user experience. Additionally, this fund has a uniquely deep understanding of our decentralized foundation and has extensive experience building developer ecosystems, so it’s a natural partnership as we continue to invest in the ATmosphere (the AT Protocol developer ecosystem). This does not change the fact that the Bluesky app and the AT Protocol do not use blockchains or cryptocurrency, and we will not hyperfinancialize the social experience (through tokens, crypto trading, NFTs, etc.). To ensure we and our users benefit fully from this expertise, partner Kinjal Shah will join our board. Kinjal shares our vision for a social media ecosystem that empowers the people who use it, and we are glad to have her supp
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    j2bryson ,
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    @molly0xfff Well, they are also useless. I mean, RAID is nice, but doesn't need that many copies. And updating an entire world exactly when anything happens is not a good use of internet transactions or people's time sunk in the latency.

    @j2bryson@mastodon.social avatar j2bryson , to random

    This is even before there were digital computers. For those who think the should be restricted to ML — nein.
    https://mastodon.nz/@juliaclement/113290478290283982

    Via @gerrymcgovern

    @gerrymcgovern@mastodon.green avatar gerrymcgovern , to random

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    j2bryson ,
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    @gerrymcgovern I don’t like the intention being attributed to hardware or software, but agree with attributing it to Google as a corporation/ legal person. What matters is humans with the capacity to improve (including but not limited to discontinuing) outcomes being held responsible and to account.

    @thephd@pony.social avatar thephd , to random

    Finally, a global computer problem that's not rooted in C for a change.

    j2bryson ,
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    @thephd super interesting. But you don’t mention the OS? Was I wrong here? https://twitter.com/j2bryson/status/1814936127599448254