„Zur schönen Aussicht“ in Stuttgart: Phrasen schleudern, Intrigen spinnen
https://taz.de/Dieses-Theaterstueck-erweist-sich-als-beklemmender-Spiegel-unserer-Gegenwart/!6092935/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Gepostet in Gesellschaft und Kultur @gesellschaft-und-kultur-taz_de

‘FuckLAPD.com’ Lets Anyone Use Facial Recognition to Instantly Identify Cops


A free tool that allows anyone to upload a photo of an LAPD officer to get their name and badge number.

A new site, FuckLAPD.com, is using public records and facial recognition technology to allow anyone to identify police officers in Los Angeles they have a picture of. The tool, made by artist Kyle McDonald, is designed to help people identify cops who may otherwise try to conceal their identity, such as covering their badge or serial number.

“We deserve to know who is shooting us in the face even when they have their badge covered up,” McDonald told me when I asked if the site was made in response to police violence during the LA protests against ICE that started earlier this month. “fucklapd.com is a response to the violence of the LAPD during the recent protests against the horrific ICE raids. And more broadly—the failure of the LAPD to accomplish anything useful with over $2B in funding each year.”

“Cops covering up their badges? ID them with their faces instead,” the site, which McDonald said went live this Saturday. The tool allows users to upload an image of a police officer’s face to search over 9,000 LAPD headshots obtained via public record requests. The site says image processing happens on the device, and no photos or data are transmitted or saved on the site. “Blurry, low-resolution photos will not match,” the site says.

fucklapd.com uses data provided by the City of Los Angeles directly to the public,” McDonald told me in an email. “This data has been provided in response to either public records requests or public records lawsuits. That means all of this information belongs to the public and is a matter of public record. fucklapd.com is not scraping any data.”

In addition to potentially identifying officers by name and serial number, FuckLAPD.com also pulls up a police officer’s salary.

“Surprisingly it [the domain name] only costs $10 a year to exercise my first amendment right to say fucklapd.com,” McDonald said.
playlist.megaphone.fm?p=TBIEA2…
I tested the tools by grabbing an image of a white and bald police officer from an LAPD press conference addressing its use of force during the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. I uploaded the image to the site, and within a few seconds the site presented me with nine headshots of officers who could be possible matches, all of them bald white men. The first correctly identified the cop in the image I uploaded.

Clicking “view profile” under the result sent me to the Watch the Watchers site by the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, a community group based in the Skid Row neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles. “All of the information on this website comes from records that were deliberately made public by the City of Los Angeles in response to either public records requests or public records lawsuits,” the Watch the Watchers site says. “We plan to keep refreshing this data from new public records requests as well as to add other data.” Stop LAPD Spying Coalition is not associated with FuckLAPD.com and did not endorse the site.

McDonald told me that since the site launched, it had around 50,000 visitors, but “Because the analysis happens on-device I have no way of knowing what people are using it for, except for some people who have posted screenshots to Twitter or Instagram,” he said.

In 2018 McDonald made another tool called ICEspy which used hundreds of photos of ICE employees from LinkedIn and does much the same thing as FuckLAPD.com. “This app is designed to highlight and embarrass the organization committing atrocities against refugees and immigrants to the United States,” ICEspy’s website says. That tool originally used a Microsoft API, before Microsoft restricted access to it. McDonald said on X that he recently relaunched the tool to run locally on devices. 404 Media tested ICEspy using images of ICE employees on LinkedIn to verify if the tool worked and each result was incorrect; McDonald indicated on X he was looking for others to re-scrape LinkedIn and update the database.

Over the last few months ICE officers have consistently worn masks, neck gaiters, sunglasses, and baseball caps to shield their identity while often refusing to provide their name or even confirm the agency they belong to. This includes while violently assaulting people, detaining U.S. citizens, and pointing weapons at bystanders, leaving little room for recourse or accountability against the individual agents or the agency.

ICE’s constant use of masks has created a climate where people cannot be sure that the heavily armed group of men coming towards them are really federal agents or not. In Philadelphia, a man pretended to be an ICE agent in order to rob an auto repair shop and zip tie an employee. In Brooklyn, a man posed as an immigration officer before attempting to rape a woman.

ICE claims that assaults against its officers have increased by 413 percent, and use this as the justification for covering their faces. But as Philip Bump showed in the Washington Postthere are still plenty of questions about those numbers and their accuracy. ICE says its officers’ family members have been doxed too.

Neither the LAPD or ICE responded to a request for comment.

Joseph Cox contributed reporting.

reshared this

Trump's ceasefire is already collapsing
#Zionists threaten to strike #Tehran
#Iran denies having launched missiles

"In response to Iran's violation of the truce, we will respond with force," the zionazi chief of staff said.

Meanwhile in #TelAviv it is one step closer to civil war as Iranian missiles strike at will without any obstruction from the supposedly "invulnerable" dome's.

Now that we have made PEACE abroad, we must finish the job here at home by passing “THE GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL,” and getting the Bill to my desk, ASAP. It will be a Historic Present for THE GREAT PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, as we begin the Celebration of our Country’s 250th Birthday. We are finally entering our Golden Age, which will bring unprecedented Safety, Security, and Prosperity for ALL of our Citizens. To my friends in the Senate, lock yourself in a room if you must, don’t go home, and GET THE DEAL DONE THIS WEEK. Work with the House so they can pick it up, and pass it, IMMEDIATELY. NO ONE GOES ON VACATION UNTIL IT’S DONE. Everyone, most importantly the American People, will be much better off thanks to our work together. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

Woke Gov. Moore strikes again. Ocean City, MD, has been a resort town on the Atlantic for as long as I can remember, for whites and blacks. I've never seen violence as many times as I've been there.

The Gov wants to give 400 MILLION taxpayer dollars to black developers for welfare housing in Ocean City. 2 wks ago, Sotomayor & Jackson said discrimination against anybody is unconstitutional. The gov is being sued. Also, a Commission to study woke BS was also stopped.

North Atlantic’s volcanic secrets – it’s all about being thin


image

Volcanic eruption Iceland

Iceland is one of the most active volcanic regions in the world, but its seismic nature is part of a much broader geological history.

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists, supported by an ESA-funded project, have uncovered the underlying forces that forged the North Atlantic’s fiery volcanic past – shedding light on the vast geological region that spans from Greenland to western Europe, which is home to iconic natural wonders like the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.

#news #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2

Iran launches a missile attack on the US Al-Udeid base in Qatar in response to the American aggression dailyyemen.net/2025/06/24/iran…

Stupid AOC, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the “dumbest” people in Congress, is now calling for my Impeachment, despite the fact that the Crooked and Corrupt Democrats have already done that twice before. The reason for her “rantings” is all of the Victories that the U.S.A. has had under the Trump Administration. The Democrats aren’t used to WINNING, and she can’t stand the concept of our Country being successful again. When we examine her Test Scores, we will find out that she is NOT qualified for office but, nevertheless, far more qualified than Crockett, who is a seriously Low IQ individual, or Ilhan Omar, who does nothing but complain about our Country, yet the Failed Country that she comes from doesn’t have a Government, is drenched in Crime and Poverty, and is rated one of the WORST in the World, if it’s even rated at all. How dare “The Mouse” tells us how to run the United States of America! We’re just now coming back from that Radical Left experiment with Sleepy Joe, Kamala, and “THE AUTOPEN,” in charge. What a disaster it was! AOC should be forced to take the Cognitive Test that I just completed at Walter Reed Medical Center, as part of my Physical. As the Doctor in charge said, “President Trump ACED it,” meaning, I got every answer right. Instead of her constant complaining, Alexandria should go back home to Queens, where I was also brought up, and straighten out her filthy, disgusting, crime ridden streets, in the District she “represents,” and which she never goes to anymore. She better start worrying about her own Primary, before she thinks about beating our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, whose career is definitely on very thin ice! She and her Democrat friends have just hit the Lowest Poll Numbers in Congressional History, so go ahead and try Impeaching me, again, MAKE MY DAY!

🌐 Can you help translate Bonfire into your language?

We’re looking for translators and bilingual folks to help localise Bonfire extensions and UI into as many languages as possible — especially before the 1.0 release!

No coding needed — just a love of words.

🔥 Join here: app.transifex.com/bonfire/bonf…

P.S. You can also help by translating this very message and/or sharing it! The more communities we reach, the more accessible Bonfire becomes. 🌍💬

#Bonfire #Translation #Localization #FOSS #Fediverse

in reply to Bonfire

🌐 Puoi aiutarci a tradurre Bonfire?

Cerchiamo traduttori o persone bilingue per localizzare le estensioni e l’interfaccia di Bonfire in quante più lingue possibile — soprattutto prima del rilascio della versione 1.0!

Non serve saper programmare — basta amare le parole.

🔥 Unisciti a noi: app.transifex.com/bonfire/bonf…

in reply to Bonfire

🌐 Kannst du helfen, Bonfire in deine Sprache zu übersetzen?

Wir sind auf der Suche nach Übersetzenden und zweisprachigen Menschen, die helfen mögen, Erweiterungen und die Benutzer*innen-Oberfläche von Bonfire in so viele Sprachen wie möglich zu übersetzen. Insbesondere vor der Veröffentlichung der Version 1.0!

Keine Programmier-Kenntnisse nötig — nur eine Liebe für Wörter.

🔥 Schliess dich hier an: app.transifex.com/bonfire/bonf…

P.S. Du kannst auch helfen, indem du diese Nachricht übersetzst und/oder teilst. Je mehr Gemeinschaften wir erreichen, desto zugänglicher wird Bonfire. 🌍💬

This entry was edited (1 month ago)

O inocente aqui estava animado porque colegas da infraestrutura estavam testando possibilidades — Proxmox entre elas — para substituir #VMware que domina o centro de dados desde sua concepção.

Até que um deles repassa a demais responsáveis, sem qualquer pudor, conversa em que solicita a um fornecedor de software privativo, que já teria fornecido à instituição, há anos, a versão de VMware em execução, quais produtos seriam recomendáveis hoje.

Se perguntar aos envolvidos, vão responder que são favoráveis a software livre: que até gostam de "Ubuntu"! Acrescentam, porém, que, por mais que tenham boa vontade, buscam aderir a supostas "práticas de mercado".

Assim, conclui-se que, perante essa equipe, jamais houve real chance para software livre e dificilmente haverá. No máximo, em algumas partes que sejam convenientes meramente para "reduzir custos".

#ética #softwareLivre #universidade #Brasil

in reply to Blaise Pascal

I agree, and it's not a new concept. Trump is the new concept & terrorists want him dead. People who have changed are used, the same way Muslims used our Constitution. "You can't do this or that! You'll be just like them!" FALSE! We're nothing like them. It's brainwashing. There aren't even that many keeping the world imprisoned, in fear & violence & destitute. Allowing it is immoral. Regular tribunals for tyrants will help, or we keep warring & end up like the Middle East.

Well this is friggin cool!

"each text piece changes—adapts—depending on various conditions, like what time of day you access it or how many times you’ve viewed it. Some pieces change every few minutes, while others update every time a user looks at it"

404media.co/queer-online-zine-…

NATO Secretary General Rutte Hypes Ukrainian Importance to Netherlands Summit After Kiev Is Told It Will NOT Be Part of the Alliance, and Zelensky Is Kept Out of Leaders’ Meeting

thegatewaypundit.com/2025/06/n…

libertytree.ca/quotes/George.W…

“To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.”

~ George Washington
(1732-1799) Founding Father, 1st US President, 'Father of the Country'
(An obvious reference to a Latin phrase, "Si vis paceum, parabellum.")
First Annual Message To Congress, New York City, January 8. 1790

Rose reshared this.

libertytree.ca/quotes/Albert.W…

“We must contemplate some extremely unpleasant possibilities, just because we want to avoid them and achieve something better. Nobody, however, likes to think about anything unpleasant, even to avoid it. And so the crucial problem of thermonuclear war is frequently dispatched with the label 'War is unthinkable' -- which, translated freely, means we don't want to think about it.”

~ Albert Wohlstetter
(1913-1997) Professor, nuclear strategist

Rose reshared this.

America's full of shit and loves violence.

middleeasteye.net/trending/ira…

Atomic Agency Gave Diplomatic Cover to War on Iran consortiumnews.com/2025/06/23/…

I feel like this is the world's nichest tip, but I've recently realized that I much prefer writing the markdown files for my static site in Joplin vs. in a coding editor.

Historically, I've loved writing in a coding editor, but Joplin is a friendly enough interface and so much easier to sync these posts across multiple computers... I can work on a blog post on my personal laptop at night and my work laptop by day and never touch git!!!

[do not reply to tell me to use another version control]

in reply to Autumn

— we’re all super excited and grateful! And look forward to what the actual church will look like!

Andrew Gould is our building designer:
newworldbyzantine.com/sacred/

in reply to Autumn

— ooo, that church looks like it will be beautiful inside! I’m excited for you!

In case you might find it helpful, this series of super short videos has some good introductory info about the services, traditions, theology, etc.

For many Americans, it can be a bit of a culture shock at first. 😆 I know it was for me!

m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL…

This entry was edited (1 month ago)
in reply to Autumn

-- wow, absolutely gorgeous!

The only place I've ever lived with any density of churches was in Utah, with one every 20 square blocks or so. But those buildings are so plain and utilitarian. 😛

I attended a Unitarian Church off and on in Nebraska in the late nineties, during my "metaphysical spiritual" phase. Whiffs of the coming woke madness were definitely there already. I can totally see a spook running one of those congregations. 😂

If you're passionate about enjoying the great outdoors without sacrificing...


If you're passionate about enjoying the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort, then “How to Camp and Stay Comfortable” by Andy Reven is an absolute must-have addition to your collection.

If you're passionate about enjoying the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort, then “How to Camp and Stay Comfortable” by Andy Reven is an absolute must-have addition to your collection.

This outstanding book redefines what it means to experience nature while maintaining a sense of homey ease. From beginners just starting out to seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, this work offers invaluable insights that will transform your approach to camping into an enjoyable, hassle-free adventure.

Andy Reven masterfully combines practical advice with engaging storytelling, creating a read that is both informative and highly enjoyable. You will learn innovative strategies for selecting the perfect gear, setting up camp efficiently, and ensuring your environment remains cozy regardless of the surroundings. Every chapter is packed with actionable tips that you can put into practice immediately, making your outdoor excursions more comfortable and enjoyable than ever before. It's rare to find a guide that combines such depth of knowledge with an engaging narrative, but Reven does so seamlessly, making this book genuinely hard to put down.

The clarity with which Andy Reven presents complex ideas makes this guide accessible and inviting. Whether you're interested in lightweight packing, managing different weather conditions, or creating a relaxing campsite atmosphere, you will learn techniques that will elevate your camping experience. The book also offers creative ideas for enhancing comfort through simple modifications, which can make all the difference during extended stays in the wild. This isn't just a manual; it's a comprehensive resource that empowers you to camp smarter, safer, and more comfortably.

Readers will appreciate the thoughtful organization and fresh perspective that Reven provides. His enthusiasm for outdoor living shines through every chapter, inspiring confidence and curiosity in those eager to explore nature without feeling overwhelmed. The guidance on selecting the right equipment, maintaining hygiene, and even creating cozy sleeping arrangements makes this book a true treasure trove of ideas. It’s a perfect companion for anyone who wants to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors without the discomfort that often accompanies it.

The writing style is engaging and approachable, making complex concepts easy to grasp. You will find yourself eagerly turning each section, eager to uncover new tips and tricks that will make your adventures more pleasurable. The book's practical approach ensures that every suggestion is realistic and attainable, regardless of your experience level. It’s a rare find in outdoor literature—a guide that is as inspiring as it is highly useful.

Considering all its qualities, “How to Camp and Stay Comfortable” is undeniably a standout publication. Many readers will undoubtedly call it the book of the year for outdoor enthusiasts. Its blend of comprehensive advice, compelling storytelling, and actionable insights sets it apart from other guides. This book will quickly become your go-to resource for all things camping, transforming your outdoor experiences into moments of genuine relaxation and joy.

Don't miss out on this exceptional work. Pick up a copy today and discover how enjoyable camping can truly be when you have the right guidance. You will learn how to turn roughing it into an art form, all while creating memories that last a lifetime. This is more than just a book; it's your new best friend for outdoor adventures. Get ready to be inspired by the expert advice and engaging narration that make this work a true standout.

Χρησιμοποιησε ανθρωπους σε καταναγκαστικα έργα, τους εβαλε να μενουν σε περιφραγμένα γκέτο, τους δολοφονησε με καθε πιθανό τρόπο, τους εσπρωξε στην πείνα εξοντώνοντας τους με λιμό, τους στερησε νερό και φαρμακα με αποτέλεσμα αρρωστιες που τους ξεπαστρευαν, τους εκλεψε τη γη και τις περιουσίες δηλωνοντας πως χρειαζεται ζωτικο χώρο για ασφαλεια καθώς είναι ο περιούσιος άριος λαός,τους στοχοποίησε ως "υπανθρωπους" και υπεύθυνους για καθε κακό που περνάει..

Δεν ειναι η ναζιστική Γερμανία.

La loi définit "forte chaleur" à partir de l'alerte jaune canicule de Météo France, jusqu'à l'alerte rouge

- Mise à dispo OBLIGATOIRE d'eau fraîche à proximité du poste de travail

- 3L d'eau fraîche par personne et par jour si pas de point d'eau accessible

- Adaptation des postes de travail pour ne pas faire les tâches les plus dures aux heures les plus chaudes

- Limiter la durée du travail, prévoir plus de pauses

1/2

in reply to STTE42

L'inspection du travail peut intervenir en cas de non mise en place de conditions adaptées au travail sous la chaleur. Si le patron n'a toujours rien fait dans les 8 jours, il risque un PV.

C'est bien mais ça n'est pas assez !

La loi c'est pas magique. C'est un outil mais ce qui compte le plus c'est le rapport de force, c'est nous !

Organisons nous !
En réseaux, en syndicats

Notre pouvoir c'est notre force de travail. Luttons pour notre santé, pour nos droits, pour notre dignité !

3/3

This entry was edited (1 month ago)

24 juin 2025 – Tribune collective « Ne pas oublier Gaza : les enfants y meurent en silence » publiée dans La tribune du dimanche
ldh-france.org/24-juin-2025-tr…
"Plusieurs responsables associatifs, dont Adeline Hazan, Adrien Taquet ou Nathalie Tehio appellent la France à rompre avec l’inaction et à faire du respect du droit international une priorité absolue"

"When we met, Julian #Assange was brilliant, relaxed and had not lost his sense of humour. The hardship he had gone through had not made him hard".

Last time I had met Julian #Assange as a free man was Sept. 28, 2010: 14 years

computerweekly.com/news/366626…

in reply to stefania maurizi

In my article for #ComputerWeekly I explain there's an ongoing crucial #FOIA litigation which I'm fighting in US:the US is trying to keep cables, memos,emails abt #JA & #WikiLeaks CLASSIFIED,including “how various agencies were tracking his movements”

computerweekly.com/news/366626…

Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie, of the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, a phenomenal State that I won all three times (by a lot!), keeps talking about how he is going to protect the Constitution, but he is actually very bad for the Constitution, and will probably vote against “THE GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL,” that grants the Biggest Tax Cuts in History, secures our Southern Border from Criminal Invasion, funds the Golden Dome, our Great Military and Veterans, protects our Second Amendment, grants NO TAX ON TIPS, NO TAX ON OVERTIME, and NO TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY (for our Great Seniors!), and so much more. He is against all of the above, and many other incredible things. Why would anyone want to vote for a so-called “Congressman,” a RINO, at best, who wants to raise your Taxes by 68%, which is what will happen if, “THE GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL” doesn’t pass. He votes, “NO!” on everything, because he thinks it makes him cool, but he’s not cool, he’s a LOSER!

Après une expérimentation illégale de la vidéosurveillance algorithmique avec IBM de 2017 à 2019, la métropole de #Toulouse récidive dans le cadre d'un nouvel appel d'offres. next.ink/188969/toulouse-sequi…
in reply to Technopolice

À Toulouse comme ailleurs, #PasDeVSAdansMaVille ! Retrouvez notre page de campagne avec toutes les ressources utiles pour s'opposer à la surveillance automatisée de nos espaces publics urbains !
laquadrature.net/pasdevsadansm…

**The case for a Canadian wealth tax**
By @pluralistic

A major problem with letting billionaires decide how your country is run is that they will back whichever psycho promises the lowest taxes and least regulation, no matter how completely batshit and unfit that person is

pluralistic.net/2025/06/23/bil…

One year since being freed, Julian Assange still a victim of state secrecy

If the State Department’s arguments prevail in FOIA litigation, the truth about US action against Julian Assange and WikiLeaks journalists will never be known

By Stefania Maurizi @smaurizi

computerweekly.com/news/366626…

#JulianAssangeIsFree #FreedAssange #Australia #Justice #FOIA #PardonAssange

dopo 14 anni ho incontrato Julian #Assange da uomo libero: il calvario che ha attraversato non lo ha reso un uomo duro.

Qui racconto il nostro incontro e cosa è successo nella battaglia legale con #FOIA in USA

[inglese]computerweekly.com/news/366626…

learning a language is so fun. when i was a teen i had too much shame and too many extracurriculars to do much other than the spanish classes in high school, but linguistics in general has been a special interest that i kinda-sorta let go unloved? sorta. for me, tech and linguistics are one single larger interest. i like both for the same reasons. i wanna learn more languages!!!!
in reply to tetris nymph

this leads me to what i hate most about LLMs. not the lies or the ecological evil, but the personal hatred of the field's utter disregard for any actual science of linguistics and languages. techniques of refining models do not represent advancements in processing language or generating useful responses. it's fancy guesswork that lies about being language.

i maintain that the responses generated by LLMs does not qualify as "language".

Couldn't resist so I gave Rachael's arguments to ChatGPT and I asked it for a rebuttal. It only seemed fair. 😉 ---------- That’s a strong critique, and it deserves a thoughtful response. Here’s a structured rebuttal that addresses the core concerns without dismissing the legitimate points behind them: --- **1. “LLMs aren’t language, they’re fancy guesswork.”** Yes, LLMs are fundamentally statistical pattern matchers. They don’t "understand" language in the way humans do—they model *form*, not *meaning*, by predicting likely word sequences. But this doesn't disqualify them from producing *language*. Language is, at its core, a structured signal system governed by patterns, and LLMs are very good at modeling those patterns. **Counterpoint:** Language as humans use it has always relied on prediction, pattern, and statistical regularity. Children don’t learn language by studying formal grammars—they internalize usage patterns. LLMs mimic this, albeit in a different (and much shallower) way. If a system produces coherent sentences that people interpret meaningfully, denying that it’s “language” becomes a philosophical stance rather than an empirical one. --- **2. “LLMs ignore linguistic science.”** This is partly true. Many LLM architectures, especially early ones, were developed without deep engagement with linguistic theory. They're engineering-first tools. However, recent research increasingly connects LLM behavior with linguistic phenomena—syntax, semantics, pragmatics, etc. **Counterpoint:** While they didn’t emerge *from* linguistics, LLMs now serve as testbeds *for* linguistic hypotheses. They show surprising emergent behaviors (like understanding long-distance dependencies or discourse structure) that align with linguistic theory—even if not perfectly. That’s not to say they're replacements for theory, but they're tools with real utility. --- **3. “Refining LLMs isn’t progress in language processing.”** If your definition of progress is rooted in theoretical understanding of language, you might be disappointed. But if it’s about building tools that produce useful language outputs across translation, summarization, Q\&A, education, etc., then LLMs represent a giant leap forward. **Counterpoint:** Just because LLMs don’t solve *fundamental* questions in linguistics doesn’t mean they aren’t progress. They’re like early planes: they didn’t explain gravity, but they flew. That’s still remarkable engineering. --- **4. “LLMs lie about being language.”** They don’t lie. People do—by overhyping them or anthropomorphizing them. LLMs are tools. They simulate language use without consciousness or intent. The criticism should be aimed at those misusing them or misrepresenting their capabilities, not the models themselves. --- **In summary:** LLMs aren’t replacements for linguistic theory, but they *do* generate language, as defined by usage and comprehension. They’re flawed, impressive, limited, and powerful—sometimes all at once. Dismissing them entirely risks ignoring the genuinely novel linguistic behavior they exhibit, even if that behavior arises from "fancy guesswork." If you're open to it, this isn't a war between real linguistics and AI—it’s a potential collaboration.


this leads me to what i hate most about LLMs. not the lies or the ecological evil, but the personal hatred of the field's utter disregard for any actual science of linguistics and languages. techniques of refining models do not represent advancements in processing language or generating useful responses. it's fancy guesswork that lies about being language.

i maintain that the responses generated by LLMs does not qualify as "language".


Key Netanyahu ally says October 7 massacre 'saved the people of Israel' haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-0…
in reply to matte

Hard to say. I'm not a historian, so I can only speculate. I would assume that Hitler would eventually select a successor and there is no way of telling how good that person would be at keeping the Reich in order.

comparable to say Soviet communism’s collapse in the real world


As far as I understand it, the fall of the Soviet Union was preceded by at least a decade of economic struggle that was caused by a multitude of factors. Basically the only thing they had to export was oil and weapons and the only nations they could trade with were relatively poor. When their oil production cost kept rising, they just couldn't keep their exports high enough to import enough food and luxury goods to keep their population happy. This was a prime driver for unrest in regions that bordered the west, especially East Germany who of course got news of what life in West Germany was like. The Soviets were eventually forced to open the Berlin Wall and from there, there was nothing they could do to keep people from just leaving and fully collapsing the economy in the process. To this day, 35 years after the reunion, former East Germany is way behind the rest of the country even though on paper they have the same chances as everyone else, just because there has been a massive brain drain.

So overall, the collapse of the Soviet Union was less a failure of communism itself and more a failure to counteract their economic weaknesses as well as a result of their isolationism. The USA didn't win the Cold War because of the inherent superiority of capitalism but because the world drinks Coca Cola, wears jeans, watches Hollywood movies and works with IBM-compatible PCs. If the Soviet Union had pivoted their economy to those kinds of goods and had managed to export them to the west, they might have become what China is today.

So it all comes down to the question if alternate-history Germany manages to do that. With technology advancing slower overall and therefore becoming less of a factor in global markets, and at the same time keeping a lot of top scientists who in the real world left for the other superpowers, they could probably do it.

This entry was edited (1 month ago)

I wish there was a way in #Sharkey to either automatically #hide #posts I've #seen before or manually hide/ dismiss posts I've seen before. My #timeline is full of people #reboosting the same posts over and over and over again. Which is fine! I get that! And I'm not complaining about that. But it results in me seeing the same damn posts over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.......

You get the idea.

"Absolute horror show as FL gets started bldg its own IMM detn cen.🚨🐊 ALCATRAZ to hold human beings in an area surrounded by alligators & snakes in horrific heat & w NO oversight."
-N Gupta

"They'll send ppl to horrific situations with no #dueprocess *direct violation of promises the SG made to the Ct in previous cases.

This greenlights sending ppl to be enslaved in Libya or tortured in any random foreign C."
-A R-Melnick
#TrumpRegime/R SCJ👿
PROTEST‼️
#Immigrants #USPol
miaminewtimes.com/news/south-f…

This entry was edited (1 month ago)
in reply to Kim Perales

What is this? Some kind of sick horror movie? What the hell is really going on in Florida?? I mean, don’t get me wrong, the state has long been a red state. But having some detention prison named after this, is on another level of cruel.. Even for Florida…

I can see why they call it the sunshine state… Maybe because the sun has melted away some of these politician’s brains…?

This entry was edited (1 month ago)