But Ler

[…] AI welfare is a legitimate domain of inquiry because we cannot rule out the possibility that AI systems may have—or may one day develop—consciousness. The authors describe this as “an open question,” but they then unbalance the scales by linking to a preprint by several philosophers—including world-renowned philosopher of conscious…

[Read more]

jakelafort wrote:
Next Mexico and Cuba.

My guess he’ll not mess with them, but just throw his usual pejoratives and trumped up outrage at them. He’s gotten mileage from the kidnapping and subsequently acting like (or actually fantasizing that) he’s taking over Venezuela. Maybe Steven Miller’s spiking his drinks and stoking fantasies. “Please…[Read more]

Roberts’ and Popok’s (Legal AF) summary of SCOTUS 2025

My subtitle: “Independent” Judicial Branch capitulates to King T

15-1/2 minutes (plus 1-1/2 minute self-promotion at end)

I keep hearing about where AI is weak, and that’s ok. It’s often true. But many in society typically prefer to just leave it at that, ignoring that AI is at least good at: Summarizing the words and conclusions of everything published on the internet. For better, and for worse, of course, but I love delving into topics that would take ten or a…[Read more]

Here are a few things to watch out for in the next few months, with risks seasonally increasing at social gatherings. Be cautious during gatherings, and increase your awareness in the following weeks and months of news about any spread of RSV, more than one type of avian flu, possibly Covid, and possibly (but less likely) measles. The CDC has been…[Read more]

TheEncogitationer wrote:
This story prompts more questions than answers.

I would start with the primary causes and facts, first.

The “R nought” factor for measles is estimated to be between 12 and 18, meaning on average in a fully susceptible population, an infected person will infect 12 to 18 other people. This leads to an estimate that a…[Read more]

Trump & Kabal, and Bannon and Project 2025 behind the scenes make headway while pumping out executive orders and any kind of rage and cult enthusiasm they can stir up to produce distracting headlines. I feel dumb not realizing, up until today, that releasing the Epstein files could have also served that purpose. Unless Trump et al knew it would…[Read more]

jakelafort wrote:
They don’t much care about democracy.

I still have hope they can shed their cult uniforms. They surprised me with their gullibility and falling for a malignant narcissistic style of self-confidence, arrogance, and bullshit “solutions that will save America”, and they WILL suffer some consequences when it hits rural America e…[Read more]

Reg the Fronkey Farmer wrote:
Please don’t see my criticism as anti-American. I hope it is seen as pro-Enlightenment. I have no tribal attachment, and I can separate the myth from the machinery.

Oh, oh, you talking to us? I don’t think so, and it makes me suspicious, as does much of your other recent writings of thoughtful quality, that you’re w…[Read more]

All insurrectionists (and Christian Nationalists) in the audience, come on down! A president can pardon any and all criminals ahead of time?

16 minutes:

I failed again in my prediction that MAGA would become aware enough of the pain that even they will inevitably feel, e.g. wrt losing health care (and now food support) for low income families. It is happening, but their core love and trust in their father figure/cult leader is largely still there.

As is the hate of libs and any of vestiges of…[Read more]

Unseen wrote:
At that point, our only hope will be the military.

Trump keeps acting stupid and unaccountable, intentionally claiming ignorance of some of the people and policies affected by decisions made by his kabal that are borderline criminal or mafia-like.

To what you’re saying about how the military might be our only hope, the…[Read more]

Can/will Trump/DOJ “manage” blue polling places? Is it a dress rehearsal for 2028 elections?