Posts by austin@ieji.de
(DIR) Post #AMHfAz7W8ycucICIiG by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-07T12:00:27Z
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The #Chinese-speaking #fediverse has finally been noticed by English media, and the users are already concerned about the potential negative effects of such exposure. It bears reminding for public instance #mastoadmin to take good care of users from diverse backgrounds, so to defend their newfound freedom of expression (compared to their backgrounds, and within moral limits) without interference from bad actors.https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/as-china-tightens-controls-on-social-media-some-users-seek-refuge-under-the-radar-11659551841 (Intentionally AMP; turn off JS to remove paywall)
(DIR) Post #AMJjfev65PdB4nBpa4 by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-08T12:00:14Z
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...which is the case. I suppose it's natural that we are self-centered, but that's not how it works: #cooperation is what a society is built upon, and life is dominated by processes, not results. Is the #education system really preparing kids for adulthood if it simply follows human instinct?https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/opinion/competitive-kids.htmlAnd look at the current shortage of #leaders. If every person is for themselves, who even wants to be a #leader?
(DIR) Post #AMPxH9nGj4IFteUxqC by austin@ieji.de
2021-12-07T13:00:04Z
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While it is good that more #regulations are coming for #online platforms (and #COPPA must go), it remains to be said that the well-being of #children should not rely on for-profit businesses: No regulation will deter them from milking the unsuspecting kids. Parents and teachers, on the other hand, should adapt to the reality: neither laissez-faire nor strong-arm, but communication through knowledge and empathy, will lead the new generations onto the right track.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6G3QNPQy80
(DIR) Post #AMPxHAI6sOxnRIvaue by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-11T12:00:57Z
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And here we have someone calling for kids to give up (the sense of) #privacy for global age verification... Look, kids are curious and need social status, hence they will get on #socialmedia sooner or later, so will age requirements make them understand what they're getting into? But I do agree on building a platform better suited for kids... Maybe have supervised clubs at schools running #ActivityPub instances in closed federations (connecting nearby schools)?https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/05/opinion/social-media-parents-children.html
(DIR) Post #AMS1ksl5PnQjsopKyW by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-12T12:00:35Z
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#Guns in classrooms, just like the pledge of allegiance, seek to reinforce the idea of obedience in young #American kids, despite all the stress brought upon them by the wrongs of this country, be it school shootings or whatnot. People should not celebrate the national pain of killing each other (for any reason), yet some do (and consider it a sport), and so educators - being on the frontline of the society - must fight to prevent the intrusion of such dangerous ideas.https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/08/opinion/teachers-guns-schools.html
(DIR) Post #AMWAnPjRT430woBCiW by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-14T12:00:44Z
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Seems like ideology must come from real experiences in order to produce concrete actions. I think that's part of the reason why so few good leaders come up nowadays: they either have few (some of them are even scripted) or outdated experiences that result in weak ideologies for today's world, which lead to inaction. (And of course there's people babbling ideas out of nowhere.) But anyway, good to see another #leader doing good for the people.https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/12/world/europe/graz-austria-communist-mayor-elke-kahr.html
(DIR) Post #AMYFIH0rNmwckgdi0e by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-15T12:00:30Z
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Let's consider #ElonMusk. He idealizes a lot but has little relevant experience. The ideas are also dwarved by his enormous self-interest, which is consuming way too many bodies while acheving little towards his ideas... and it's obvious that people are disillusioned. Now, if the #Twitter deal is forced through, I bet he's not gonna even consider leading the platform (much less keeping the "free speech" promise). But it's not like he cares about his leadership.https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/01/opinion/technology/elon-musk-tesla-twitter.html
(DIR) Post #AMcOHgcE1Q0O1K1xnU by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-17T12:00:06Z
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The problem is that self-interest pays off, whereas people who truly believe and act according to ideologies have to be selfless. And so we see that many "#successful" executives would immediately throw away their principles to fulfill their own desires, be it money or control, after spending minimal effort in "innovating." Look, there's a reason for Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to exist, but I suppose #humanity has not evolved that much - or rather, did it regress?https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/28/opinion/kraken-powell-tech-culture-libertarianism.html
(DIR) Post #AMcOJ3zYawAqoIbISu by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-17T12:00:23Z
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@humanetech It depends on how you define "artists." Technologies will for sure replace manual labour, as intended. Art masters - those with unique ideas - would still exist, however, as long as (we believe that) humanity's creative potential is infinite. But I think fast consumerism will probably hurt art a lot more than tech.
(DIR) Post #AMeSpoEWzf99cpOVns by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-18T12:00:32Z
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Biked 20K, mostly on flat urban paths/roads, took 2 hours. I guess it's quite difficult to commute on bike for longer distances... But it's certainly enjoyable if you ride for leisure. Appreciate the #bike infrasture here in #Montreal.
(DIR) Post #AMkgQQLsuJqZHF1KHA by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-21T12:01:05Z
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Seems like the #Apple #vulnerability went on the headlines in many places, and I'm not happy with the coverage for non-techies. Like, dunk on the #tech industry all you want, but by simply discovering, publicizing, and patching a vulnerability, Apple is not to blame... Switching phones will unlikely protect you from future, undiscovered vulnerabilities... And so #news organizations should, on top of reminding people to update (fortunately they do), explain these big words in layman's terms.
(DIR) Post #AMmkr2y6k7cwhplk5w by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-22T12:00:09Z
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I guess some people really don't fear God: using #religion as a vehicle to further one's own agenda takes absolute ignorance over the consequences, be it instant karma or after death... If they really believe in the religion, then they'd know that it's not about reciting the scriptures - times have changed and applying these rules as-is is unreasonable - but to understand the meanings behind the teachings, so to improve ourselves in today's world.https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/14/opinion/god-culture-war-politics.html
(DIR) Post #AMv2xispAcgUsaJILw by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-26T12:00:43Z
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[ja] 日本語には小籠包は標準語の“シャオロンバォー”じゃなく、上海語と近い“ショーロンポー”と読みますね。あるアニメから聞いた。[zh] 日语里#小笼包 一词原来确实是接近上海话发音的啊，看动漫涨姿势了。[en] The word "Shanghainese steamed bun," while pronounced (and written) in English as "Xiaolongbao" in Standard Mandarin, is apparently pronounced as "shoronpo" in #Japanese, which is similar to #Shanghainese Wuu (something like "xiolonbo"). Guess I learned that from a certain #anime.#shanghai
(DIR) Post #AMx7V4kjfXmuOabd1E by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-27T12:00:57Z
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[en] I feel like popular songs used as background music on #TikTok (incl. Douyin) just stay on the platform, it doesn't seem get any more famous outside parts of the internet (unlike, say, Gangnam Style, which did walk out of the internet). Am I correct? What could be the reasons?[zh] 很多抖音神曲似乎只是停留在平台上，不像其他神曲（比如江南Style做到了众所周知）一样向外发展，是吗？为什么呢？
(DIR) Post #AN5PTLX7e4StbJ0qBs by austin@ieji.de
2022-08-31T12:00:02Z
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I suppose #scientific methods does purge popular pseudoscientific beliefs... Anyways, even though we're not in as much control of ourselves as we'd think, it's still important for us to realize that the vast majority of the activities from our #brain are unconscious, so to aid the conscious mind in understanding ourselves.https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-piece-of-mind-what-dissecting-a-brain-taught-me-about-human/
(DIR) Post #AN7TzNe67AtZYHj2x6 by austin@ieji.de
2022-09-01T12:00:03Z
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Sure, #Gorbachev is enthusiastic in making a better world, but Russia was still left no better... The lesson is that bad habits are difficult to modify: like addictions, drastic changes will induce withdrawl. So I suppose #democratization of countries need to happen gradually. But, just how gradual is acceptable to maximize progress and minimize suffering?https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/31/opinion/gorbachev-death-soviet-union.html
(DIR) Post #AN9YWJt9tP4FaYeV5k by austin@ieji.de
2022-09-02T12:00:16Z
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Now that there is some resemblance of normalcy (read: no more zoom university), I suppose I'll adjust myself a bit, which means I'll post less here.Anyhow, if you're in #Montreal and feeling bored or whatnot, you can arrange a short #meetup with me, preferably around #McGill .
(DIR) Post #ANDhaJGnoLOD32WpkG by austin@ieji.de
2022-09-04T12:00:40Z
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Apparently the STM is no longer keeping up with the "10 minutes max" #bus services (24 Sherbrooke, for example, has a midday frequency of 12 minutes now)... Adding to the fact that the STM has cancelled new investments (like getting new hybrid buses) in their capital plan, this suggests that the pandemic really hit the farebox... or is it inefficient management of resources? Would REM make the situation worse? #Montreal #publictransport
(DIR) Post #ANIgxisUFIL2CRS7dY by austin@ieji.de
2022-09-06T21:47:05Z
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[en] Disagreements in certain values have compelled me to move my personal account to another instance. I'm now at @a and the transfer will occur now. This account will be kept as an archive and I'll continue to moderate this instance within the rules as prescribed.[zh] 因价值观存异，本人现已决定将个人账户迁往他站。新账号为 @a ，现在会迁移关注及粉丝。旧账号会留在本站，以作存档，且本人会继续适当完成mod的任务。
(DIR) Post #ANIhxkxQc5W6bVLNIW by austin@ieji.de
2022-09-06T21:58:31Z
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[en] Disagreements in certain values have compelled me to move this account to another instance. I'm now at @a and the transfer will occur now. This account will be kept as an archive.[zh] 因价值观存异，本人现已决定将账户迁往他站。新账号为 @a ，现在会迁移关注及粉丝。旧账号会留在本站，以作存档。