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spaf

@[email protected]

Spaf is a homunculus of possible extraterrestrial origin, tilting at windmills. Cybersecurity, bad jokes, political outrage, academe, non-sequiturs, entropy. See http://about.me/spaf for more.

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@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

I recently had a very thorough meeting with a financial planner and got some good news.

Apparently, I will be able to retire when I am 91 and live comfortably for about 2 weeks.

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat.
— Confucius, perhaps

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Few of our ancestors were perfect ladies and gentlemen; the majority, in fact, weren’t even mammals.
--Robert Anton Wilson

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

AI:
The patina of precision given to guesswork based on data of questionable quality in response to imperfect queries structured around incorrect understanding.

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

“Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”
—J.R.R. Tolkien – The Hobbit, 1937

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Dave Barry's Year In Review: https://davebarry.substack.com/p/the-year-in-review

(You should be able to click through without subscribing.)

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a mouse

You can prevent this -- give carbon monoxide detectors as gifts this year.

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Black Friday: Because only in the USA do people trample others for sales exactly one day after being thankful for what they already have.

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random
@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Almost anything can be a UFO if you are really bad at identifying things.

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

It appears most people outside the USA (and many inside) don't understand what the government shutdown is all about. Here is a succinct summary:

Mike Johnson with the caption "No food for you until the Democrats let us take away your healthcare."
ALT
@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Given our ...ahem... "vibrant" ... economy, I decided to check out my retirement account.

Cartoon of a decaying body, looking into a mirror and saying "30 more years and I'll be able to retire and start enjoying life"
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@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random
Top 10 AL Founder Lies 1) "We made a revolutionary AI technology." » we are using an OpenAI APT 2) "We grew 200% last month." » we had 3 users, now we have 9 3) "We have a disruptive business model." » we haven't earned a single dollar 4) "We're expanding globally." >» someone from India signed up once 5) "We're in stealth mode.” » we don’t have any product 6) "We have the best engineering team." » we hired tech students to help us for free 7) "Our unit economics is extremely positive." » well, maybe in 10 years 8) "We're seeing incredible inbound interest." » one random guy liked our LinkedIn post 9) "We have a strong company culture." » we occasionally order pizza to the office 10) "We've validated product-market fit." > three users didn’t cancel immediately.
ALT
@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Yes, it is basically this: https://youtu.be/FavUpD_IjVY?si=AKQZ3XjZmJgZrAZQ

Cartoon explaining that AI feeding on itself gets worse, and is somewhat similar to mad cow disease.
ALT
@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

To think -- some of us spent all that time and effort in school studying science, history, and math. We thought deeply about ethics and society.

Now, our government and businesses are run by the kids who cheated on all the exams. Our law enforcement and defense are run by the kids who skipped class to drink behind the bleachers. And our health care and science policy are run by the people who ate the crayons.

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Prediction: 47 will die on a major holiday.

No, I have no particular insight as to WHICH day. I simply know that when it happens, it will become a major holiday.

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

"The trouble is, you think you have time." -- Buddha

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

A public service announcement

A picture of a toilet with an eerie green glow in the bowl, and the caption Do not eat the Shrimp from Walmart.
ALT
@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random
Picture of law enforcement officers with a large pile of sandwiches. Caption: Federal agents show off a seizure of large cache of unlicensed weapons
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@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

I really wish the news media would stop editing their coverage to keep us from getting a more complete view.

For instance, they keep cutting the end of every news briefing by Noem, Hegseth, Homan, Leavitt, and others, when they stare blankly into the camera and shout "Hail, Hydra!"

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random
PROTOTYPE OF XF-907 ULTRA-STEALTH AIRCRAFT. ACHIEVES COMPLETE INVISIBILITY VIA EXTERIOR COATING CONSISTING OF THE EPSTEIN CLIENT LIST.
ALT
@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

This was posted online several years ago. As I navigate through several meeting requests today, I can't help but endorse this.

The three stages of career development: 1. I can't wait until I'm important enough to be included in meetings. 2. I feel so important being in these meetings! 3. I will do anything legal and several illegal things to avoid these meetings.
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@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

I saw the new liberal 'Superman' movie and it gave me the woke mind virus | Opinion

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2025/07/11/superman-2025-woke-immigrants-james-gunn/84535442007/

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Found in my archive:

Cartoon of a person with a genie from a lamp. The person wishes to know everything about computer security. The genie grants the wish. The person suddenly looks horrified and exclaims "Oh God!"
ALT
@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Happy Burt Gummer Day!

"Do What You Do Best: Find Something Simple And Complicate It."

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random
@ jeanie.online 7t The part that people are missing is that they're doing official communications on Signal to avoid those communications being retained. There are Project 2025 training videos that specifically recommended this type of thing as a way to avoid subpoenas. Our government is using 3rd party software to discuss OPSEC, NOFORN, and Top Secret levels of communication in avenues that do not retain data. They can stage a total takeover of the US and there will be no evidence through any official channels.
ALT
@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Dad always lectured me "The early bird gets the worm." So I always get up late & have never had worms. Thnx, Dad!

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random
NewsWire 2 E) @NewsWire US Trump says he will declare violence against Tesla dealerships domestic terrorism Ravi Mangla We're close to Cybertrucks having more rights than women
ALT
@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Neither of these bode well for US cybersecurity. But gee, soon we will get cheaper eggs, right?

Trump administration retreats in fight against Russian cyber threats
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/28/trump-russia-hacking-cyber-security

US intel shows Russia and China are attempting to recruit disgruntled federal employees, sources say
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/28/politics/us-intel-russia-china-attempt-recruit-disgruntled-federal-employees

spaf OP ,
@spaf@mstdn.social avatar

Here is a follow-up on my prior posts about cyber defense against Russia:

https://www.zetter-zeroday.com/did-trump-admin-order-u-s-cyber-command-and-cisa-to-stand-down-on-russia/

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Aren't timezones fascinating?

In Australia, it's already 2025

In Europe, it's still 2024

In the USA, we're entering 1937

@spaf@mstdn.social avatar spaf , to random

Here's a no-cost, non-denominational, last-minute gift idea.

Reach out to people who made a positive difference in your life but with whom you have not been in touch for a while. Tell them that they were a force for good in your life. Thank them.

Be generous -- pass on this idea. Spread some joy.