I don’t know if I like intermissions. A break is often welcome, but I’d rather it was on my terms (and timing).
I don’t know if I like intermissions. A break is often welcome, but I’d rather it was on my terms (and timing).
“The result of Rehberger’s attack is the permanent planting of long-term memories that will be present in all future sessions, opening the potential for the chatbot to act on false information or instructions in perpetuity.” - Ars Technica
The Bridge
A wonderful, detailed article about Fugazi’s music and legacy. They were the first band I every saw live (someone dug up the poster but sadly not the recording) and they remain unparalelled. I’m looking forward to seeing the new We Are Fugazi from Washington D.C. doco.
Another busy night under the flight path
😳😳😳 Bonkers
The Labs also lead a comprehensive program in nuclear security, focused on reducing the risk of nuclear war and securing nuclear materials and weapons worldwide. This use case is highly consequential, and we believe it is critical for OpenAI to support it as part of our commitment to national security. Our partnership will support this work, with careful and selective review of use cases and consultations on AI safety from OpenAI researchers with security clearances. Open A.I. - Strengthening America’s AI leadership with the U.S. National Laboratories
Living under the flight path
Runner
Take care of yourself, stay cool, and don’t be a numbnut. Check out HeatWatch for evidence-based ways to cool down.
Menthol cigarette ban overturned by new U.S. Administration
For those who are wondering where menthol bans are coming from, they’ve been recommended by WHO in line with the Frakework Convention on Tobacco Control. I was hoping governments might tackle ma’assel as well - unlikely now.
Transitory
A really interesting and timely dive into Xiaohongshu/RedNote.
“Who’s Afraid of the Little Red Book” - The China Story by Wing Kuang
In the United States and Australia, Xiaohongshu is widely used by Chinese students studying at universities and young first-generation migrants, who find it useful for locating Chinese restaurants, Asian grocery stores and Chinese-speaking trade services as well as researching immigration policies and sharing their immigration experiences.In Australia, Xiaohongshu attracts almost 700,000 users, including Chinese Australian citizens and temporary residents such as international students. In 2021, I interviewed three Australians who are on Xiaohongshu. Sebastian, who first came across Xiaohongshu through his Chinese partner, treated the platform like a ‘Chinese Instagram’ where he posted his daily outfits in exchange for hundreds of likes – often much more than on his Instagram where he shares the same content.
I’ve read a few things about Lynch over recent years that expanded my appreciation his impact. I thought others might be interested in them following his recent death.
Agency and Imagination in the Films of David Lynch: Philosophical Perspectives is an interesting companion to eight of his films and Twin Peaks: The Return.
Deviant obsessions: how David Lynch predicted our fragmented times - Phil Hoad in The Guardian.
Another Article about David Lynch - Patryk Chlastawa in The Point
Our doubles, ourselves: Twin Peaks and my summer at the black lodge - Linnie Greene’s reflections on her time in Lynchian darkness
This book is esoteric and academic but discusses his impact on transmedia aesthetics in a novel way - Networked David Lynch: Critical Perspectives on Cinematic Transmediality.
This podcast (in French) had an interesting discussion about Lynch.
The new are hotdogs sandwiches is are lozenges soup?
To paraphrase Frederic Jameson it seems to be easier for us today to imagine the thoroughgoing deterioration of human knowledge than the breakdown of academic publishing models. This paper by Williamson, Macgilchrist and Potter tries to conceive what that could look like.
Legacy AI systems have been removed from publishing infrastructures, and Big Tech partnerships have expired without renewal. Peer reviewers are remunerated and review times have been extended to 4 weeks or more, to protect time for rigorous reading and thoughtful response.
An important example of how public knowledge is being controlled through intimidation, doxing and brigading.
Heritage Foundation plans to ‘identify and target’ Wikipedia editors
I really enjoyed this post/newsletter on skibidi toilet and dialectic analysis
Cam Wilson has taken over venerable Australian tech(ish) newsletter The Sizzle - Cam’s first issue is out today.
All the best to Anthony Agius for his non-retirement.
The two genders: Githyanki and Githzerai.
(The New York Times seems unable to stop beclowning itself)
Michael Leunig, Australian cartoonist, dies aged 79
I hope those memorialising him remember his recent comments and attitudes as well as his earlier work.
