Tech Deck

Chill Tech

SSL certificate lifetimes are going down. Dates proposed. 45 days by 2027.

Goddamn this is fucking idiotic. Creates a huge amount of hassle and work for absolutely zero increase in security for anyone anywhere ever. And many devices and components that use certs, updating cannot be automated.

Also, the advice of “just set up a private Certificate Authority then” is also tremendously clueless. I have done this and it’s very hard. It’s out of the realm of most tech people’s skills, even good ones. And it requires maintenance. It’s not a “for free” thing.

The whole tech industry if full of clownish losers.

TVB

Chill TV Shows

My guess is that in moderation reality TV has no effect either way. Like most things. Some of the dumbest and some of the smartest humans I’ve ever met have been fans of reality TV shows of various stripes.

If anything, in small doses they are likely mildly palliative but it’d be hard to measure. And very individual-specific (I find them all annoying and they make me low-level angry).

In large doses, of course, yes reality TV shows make you dumber if for no other reason is that time devoted to one activity cannot be used for anything else.

Choices

Chill Gutter Philosophy, War

I’d posit that war is always atrocity, but sometimes it’s better than the other choices on offer. Pacifism has no answers, alas — it just means that those willing to dominate with force of arms and threat of violence do so with no consequences. The same destruction and genocide occur, just with no opposition even in principle.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about meta-evolution and the idea that evolution itself is constrained by the base instantiation of the universe to produce creatures that in individualized form tend to be war-like when combined with the ability to accrue resources that are durable over time.

Still pondering that one.

Thinking Groupily

Chill Regular-ass Post

I do not do well in groups and do not like being part of them. Groups inevitably lead to groupthink and I want nothing to do with that.

I recognize that groups are an unavoidable part of life but doesn’t mean I have to like it. And groups generally end up having issues with me because I’m always the one saying, “I know everyone here thinks that, but you’re all wrong.”

That does seem to be my assigned role in life.

Chill Links

Insurance ‘nightmare’ unfolds for Florida homeowners after back-to-back hurricanes.

How Everyone Got Lost in Netflix’s Endless Library.

The GOP assault on election integrity has already begun.

Scale of Chinese Spying Overwhelms Western Governments.

Mystery Drones Swarmed a U.S. Military Base for 17 Days. The Pentagon Is Stumped. Chinese, guaranteed.

How Climate Disasters Are Making Mobile Homes a Huge Risk.

The Hidden World of Electrostatic Ecology.

Chill Links

Filtered for time and false memory.

The Little-Known Factor Driving up Housing Costs: Dirty Money.

Young men’s economic prospects are shifting, along with their politics.

Even a Single Bacterial Cell Can Sense the Seasons Changing.

Should we be thinking about luck differently?

AI Is Threatening the Social Safety Net.

Mossad’s pager operation: Inside Israel’s penetration of Hezbollah.

Russia’s First Secret Influence Campaign: Convincing the U.S. to Buy Alaska.

Personal Space

Chill Culture

I’ve noticed this when I’ve interacted with Gen Z and with younger Millennials. Used to be, my social skills would’ve been woefully sub-par at the same age they are. But now their social capability is so terrible I would’ve been a social butterfly comparatively.

It’s shocking to realize that those below the age of ~32 just 100% do not know how to talk to anyone in person — not each other, not teachers, not older people. No one. It’s no wonder they have such difficulty with dating and are so prudish. The world of other humans right there in front of you must be absolutely terrifying to them. We have done fucked up, but I am not sure what to do about it (banning smartphones would be a good start).

Wayward

Chill Clowns, Culture

The guy answered the question honestly and was roasted for it.

By the way, women (as pointed out) cheat at about similar rates when put in equivalent situations.

I strongly object to the narrative of late that all negative actions undertaken by men are due to males being inherently evil and that their intent is always malicious. On the other hand, the current discourse would have you believe that any action by a woman — no matter how horrific — has a legitimate reason behind it because women are innately good and angelic.

Women and men are flawed in equal measure is my take on the matter. Sometimes (though less than people imagine) these flaws, foibles, fuck-ups and faults express themselves in different ways, of course, but men are simply not inherently evil and women are not heavenly beings.

Feminism promotes the idea of the incorruptibility of women. And many buy into it — so much so that it has become culturally dominant. But it’s bullshit and I think even those spreading that notion realize it, but won’t stop because it benefits them enormously.

Sexing Test

Chill Gutter Philosophy, Sex, Tech

I disagree with this pretty strongly. With a good enough sex robot the illusion of desire will be indistinguishable from actual desire. This is all that most people will require. To expand that a bit, once the uncanny valley is crossed — and it will be — most men and most women will be content with “someone” who is always insatiably attracted to them, interested in them, and shares their kinks and predilections.

This is just obvious if you know even a little bit about human nature.

Chill Links

America’s hurricane crises should not be a surprise. The human and financial repercussions are a wake-up call about the realities of climate change.

Climate change boosted Milton’s landfall strength from Category 2 to 3.

Counter-Drone Stryker Armored Vehicle Armed With Lasers, Rockets, Guns Unveiled.

The Hunt for Life on Europa Is About to Kick Up a Gear.

Inside the Nasty Rivalry Rocking the World of Private Jets.

They Came to Florida for a Slice of Paradise. Now They Are Packing Their Bags.

Four Ways Ukraine’s Drone Innovations Are Changing Warfare.

Against steelmanning.

Inflation is trending down. Try telling that to the housing market.

How a break-up of Google could transform tech.

Working From Home Is Powering Productivity.