Rob Funk
@rfunk.funknet.net
GenX, tech (from Linux to Javascript), US politics, feminism, gender & sexuality, polyamory, photography. Fan of art / music / speculative fiction. Probably autistic, nonbinary autigender 🏳️⚧️⚧️ he/they/she/ze.
🐘: https://mas.to/@rfunk
🐘: https://mas.to/@rfunk
Reposted by Rob Funk
"Our meaning is in how we live in an imperfect world, in our time. We have no other."
Tom Stoppard, 'The Coast of Utopia: Salvage'
Tom Stoppard, 'The Coast of Utopia: Salvage'
November 30, 2025 at 1:12 AM
"Our meaning is in how we live in an imperfect world, in our time. We have no other."
Tom Stoppard, 'The Coast of Utopia: Salvage'
Tom Stoppard, 'The Coast of Utopia: Salvage'
Reposted by Rob Funk
Lumping them together as “AI” gives readers the impression that a single class of tool is discerning novel protein structures, teasing subtle patterns out of mountains of LHC data, writing a student’s History 101 paper, and arguing a ketamine-addled billionaire could post up Shaq in his prime. No.
November 22, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Lumping them together as “AI” gives readers the impression that a single class of tool is discerning novel protein structures, teasing subtle patterns out of mountains of LHC data, writing a student’s History 101 paper, and arguing a ketamine-addled billionaire could post up Shaq in his prime. No.
Reposted by Rob Funk
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
November 22, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
Reposted by Rob Funk
In an era filled with tech dipshits who never developed emotionally past the age of 13 & use their wealth to become odious monsters ...
... listen to Steve Wozniak.
... listen to Steve Wozniak.
November 21, 2025 at 7:41 PM
In an era filled with tech dipshits who never developed emotionally past the age of 13 & use their wealth to become odious monsters ...
... listen to Steve Wozniak.
... listen to Steve Wozniak.
@skywalker.thereforeiam.eu I'm still having problems with my location not being remembered. It's now most noticeable when I follow a link to an article, then my place is lost when I come back. Can location be saved before following links?
November 22, 2025 at 12:48 PM
@skywalker.thereforeiam.eu I'm still having problems with my location not being remembered. It's now most noticeable when I follow a link to an article, then my place is lost when I come back. Can location be saved before following links?
Reposted by Rob Funk
Calling LLMs AI has to be one of the greatest marketing “successes” of all time.
People, including ones who run companies, have been hearing the phrase “AI” in pop culture for 60 years.
They hear about AI, assume the product is what the term has always meant, & proceed as though it’s fucking Data.
People, including ones who run companies, have been hearing the phrase “AI” in pop culture for 60 years.
They hear about AI, assume the product is what the term has always meant, & proceed as though it’s fucking Data.
November 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Calling LLMs AI has to be one of the greatest marketing “successes” of all time.
People, including ones who run companies, have been hearing the phrase “AI” in pop culture for 60 years.
They hear about AI, assume the product is what the term has always meant, & proceed as though it’s fucking Data.
People, including ones who run companies, have been hearing the phrase “AI” in pop culture for 60 years.
They hear about AI, assume the product is what the term has always meant, & proceed as though it’s fucking Data.
Reposted by Rob Funk
"Musk’s method has always been: make grand, unsubstantiated claims about what’s coming in the nearish future, trusting in his faithful followers to make the claims sound believable; fundraise off the excitement the claims generate; & when the claims fail to come true, replace them with new claims"
Why Elon Musk Got the Most Ridiculous Pay Package in the History of Humanity
Did Tesla just make Musk the world’s first trillionaire? Almost certainly not. But that’s not what his colossal new deal is really about.
www.theringer.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"Musk’s method has always been: make grand, unsubstantiated claims about what’s coming in the nearish future, trusting in his faithful followers to make the claims sound believable; fundraise off the excitement the claims generate; & when the claims fail to come true, replace them with new claims"
Wow, I had no idea kids are being “taught to read” by looking at the first letter and pictures and then guessing the word. All based on a theory of reading promoted by someone who doesn’t even believe dyslexia exists. No wonder so many people don’t understand the words put in front of them.
how did i go so long not knowing we were literally teaching people to read wrong. i knew something wasn't right but jesus christ www.apmreports.org/episode/2019...
How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers
For decades, schools have taught children the strategies of struggling readers, using a theory about reading that cognitive scientists have repeatedly debunked. And many teachers and parents don't kno...
www.apmreports.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Wow, I had no idea kids are being “taught to read” by looking at the first letter and pictures and then guessing the word. All based on a theory of reading promoted by someone who doesn’t even believe dyslexia exists. No wonder so many people don’t understand the words put in front of them.
Reposted by Rob Funk
One of my friends discovered this bug actually! Several years ago in fact. Weren't even playing dwarf fortress or anything, her eyes just rolled back in her head and said this and a bunch of other stuff I don't really remember. bsky.app/profile/reki...
"babies are born worshipping unknown gods" is one of the most incredible dwarf fortress bugs i have heard of. its poetry.
November 11, 2025 at 11:03 PM
One of my friends discovered this bug actually! Several years ago in fact. Weren't even playing dwarf fortress or anything, her eyes just rolled back in her head and said this and a bunch of other stuff I don't really remember. bsky.app/profile/reki...
Reposted by Rob Funk
My latest at @comicsjournal.bsky.social: I talked to @oglaf.bsky.social! Not the character, but rather, the people who create it.
They don't do many interviews, so this was a real treat. They're funny people! Turns out they're not super private, just...really bad at PR?
www.tcj.com/talking-ogla...
They don't do many interviews, so this was a real treat. They're funny people! Turns out they're not super private, just...really bad at PR?
www.tcj.com/talking-ogla...
Talking Oglaf with Trudy Cooper and Doug Bayne: 'We'd stay up all night drawing stuff to make each other laugh' - The Comics Journal
Other than some time off every year for Christmas, Trudy Cooper and Doug Bayne have delivered a new Oglaf comic, skewering fantasy tropes with absolutely not safe for work humor, every week since 2008...
www.tcj.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM
My latest at @comicsjournal.bsky.social: I talked to @oglaf.bsky.social! Not the character, but rather, the people who create it.
They don't do many interviews, so this was a real treat. They're funny people! Turns out they're not super private, just...really bad at PR?
www.tcj.com/talking-ogla...
They don't do many interviews, so this was a real treat. They're funny people! Turns out they're not super private, just...really bad at PR?
www.tcj.com/talking-ogla...
Reposted by Rob Funk
There is something really wrong with people who need workers to be not just competent, but slavishly fake-happy. "Slavishly" used on purpose, bc that's where this grotesquerie comes from.
"Store employees are now required to smile if they are within 10 feet of a shopper.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
Target is now requiring its employees to smile more
As the holiday season fast approaches, Target is urging its employees to add a little more “jolly” to their work routine.
www.wilx.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:12 PM
There is something really wrong with people who need workers to be not just competent, but slavishly fake-happy. "Slavishly" used on purpose, bc that's where this grotesquerie comes from.
Reposted by Rob Funk
If you donate to your local food bank remember your employer might match your donations and double them. Every month I send $50 and they get $100
November 8, 2025 at 3:16 PM
If you donate to your local food bank remember your employer might match your donations and double them. Every month I send $50 and they get $100
Reposted by Rob Funk
I could try to make moral arguments about spending your Spotify fee on one Bandcamp album a month.
But let's go simpler. It is *so easy* to just switch from Spotify to Tidal, Apple, or Qobuz! You won't barely notice the difference! You can move your playlists! The audio quality is better!
But let's go simpler. It is *so easy* to just switch from Spotify to Tidal, Apple, or Qobuz! You won't barely notice the difference! You can move your playlists! The audio quality is better!
Spotify is crashing HARD because of the boycott. Their stock dropped 11% in value over the last month. Let’s keep this going!
Tell everyone you know to boycott Spotify. There are plenty of alternatives that don’t run ICE advertisements and screw over artists.
We made it easy at boycottspotify.com.
Tell everyone you know to boycott Spotify. There are plenty of alternatives that don’t run ICE advertisements and screw over artists.
We made it easy at boycottspotify.com.
November 7, 2025 at 10:56 PM
I could try to make moral arguments about spending your Spotify fee on one Bandcamp album a month.
But let's go simpler. It is *so easy* to just switch from Spotify to Tidal, Apple, or Qobuz! You won't barely notice the difference! You can move your playlists! The audio quality is better!
But let's go simpler. It is *so easy* to just switch from Spotify to Tidal, Apple, or Qobuz! You won't barely notice the difference! You can move your playlists! The audio quality is better!
Reposted by Rob Funk
I don't know who needs to hear this, but this is not Daylight Savings Time, which just ended. This is the start of normal, standard time. The getting dark earlier thing is just the thing that happens at this time of year. It only seems more dramatic because we won't stop fucking with the clocks.
November 3, 2025 at 12:56 AM
I don't know who needs to hear this, but this is not Daylight Savings Time, which just ended. This is the start of normal, standard time. The getting dark earlier thing is just the thing that happens at this time of year. It only seems more dramatic because we won't stop fucking with the clocks.
Reposted by Rob Funk
Calling on my ancestors for guidance but the only one who answers is a weird eutherian rodent-mammal from the early cretaceous period. "EAT BERRY SLEEP UNDER ROCK" it says. Pretty good advice
July 4, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Calling on my ancestors for guidance but the only one who answers is a weird eutherian rodent-mammal from the early cretaceous period. "EAT BERRY SLEEP UNDER ROCK" it says. Pretty good advice
Reposted by Rob Funk
a ceasefire is not just all the times you aren't actively firing
BREAKING: The Israeli military says the ceasefire in Gaza is back in effect after it carried out heavy airstrikes across the Palestinian territory. The death toll from the overnight strikes climbed to 81, according to hospital officials.
Israeli strikes overnight in Gaza kill at least 60 people, including children, local officials say
Israeli strikes overnight in Gaza have killed at least 60 people, including many children. That's according to local hospital officials on Wednesday.
bit.ly
October 29, 2025 at 11:31 AM
a ceasefire is not just all the times you aren't actively firing
Reposted by Rob Funk
I only knew the modern meaning of "Luddite" until recently. Turns out, the Luddites were badass, actually. So you get a thread! And now you'll know too!
October 29, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I only knew the modern meaning of "Luddite" until recently. Turns out, the Luddites were badass, actually. So you get a thread! And now you'll know too!
Reposted by Rob Funk
Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.
June 19, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.
Reposted by Rob Funk
A portion of every dollar spent on Harry Potter merchandise goes to anti-transgender campaigns.
October 25, 2025 at 5:54 PM
A portion of every dollar spent on Harry Potter merchandise goes to anti-transgender campaigns.
Reposted by Rob Funk
25 Oct 2025 -- Great long-form piece in Current Events: "Don’t Just 'Protect' Trans Youth, Actually Support Them"
"A right-wing 'parents’ rights' movement is sweeping the country...Why are so many on the left repeating their talking points...instead of pushing back?..."
@rikiwilchins.bsky.social
"A right-wing 'parents’ rights' movement is sweeping the country...Why are so many on the left repeating their talking points...instead of pushing back?..."
@rikiwilchins.bsky.social
Don’t Just “Protect” Trans Youth, Actually Support Them
A right-wing “parents’ rights” movement is sweeping the country, and its ramifications for young people and LGBTQ people have already proven disastrous. So why are so many on the left repeating their ...
www.currentaffairs.org
October 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
25 Oct 2025 -- Great long-form piece in Current Events: "Don’t Just 'Protect' Trans Youth, Actually Support Them"
"A right-wing 'parents’ rights' movement is sweeping the country...Why are so many on the left repeating their talking points...instead of pushing back?..."
@rikiwilchins.bsky.social
"A right-wing 'parents’ rights' movement is sweeping the country...Why are so many on the left repeating their talking points...instead of pushing back?..."
@rikiwilchins.bsky.social
Reposted by Rob Funk
i’m just so mad because if we absolutely had to elect an unqualified media personality to be president we should have gone with either of the guys from CAR TALK
October 26, 2025 at 2:28 AM
i’m just so mad because if we absolutely had to elect an unqualified media personality to be president we should have gone with either of the guys from CAR TALK
Reposted by Rob Funk
Who gets to shape a city's schools? My latest @matternews.bsky.social column examines the Columbus school board race where grassroots progressives are challenging the CEO-funded Democratic Party establishment. It’s a story playing out in blue cities nationwide. matternews.org/voices/when-...
When CEOs pick the candidates: Inside the Columbus Board of Education race – Matter News
This year's school board election could be viewed as a fight between insiders and insurgents, centralized power and community power, corporate influence and neighborhood voices.
matternews.org
October 23, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Who gets to shape a city's schools? My latest @matternews.bsky.social column examines the Columbus school board race where grassroots progressives are challenging the CEO-funded Democratic Party establishment. It’s a story playing out in blue cities nationwide. matternews.org/voices/when-...
Reposted by Rob Funk
I wonder how many listening devices will be installed in the completed ballroom and which countries will have installed them
October 22, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I wonder how many listening devices will be installed in the completed ballroom and which countries will have installed them
Reposted by Rob Funk
1/ A longtime Wired editor just wrote a mush-brained essay about how he totally missed the political rot of Silicon Valley (& still doesn't get it).
But in the late 1990s, a Wired journalist warned of a toxic ideology bubbling up from tech. Paulina Borsook has largely been erased. Let's change that
But in the late 1990s, a Wired journalist warned of a toxic ideology bubbling up from tech. Paulina Borsook has largely been erased. Let's change that
September 24, 2025 at 6:36 PM
1/ A longtime Wired editor just wrote a mush-brained essay about how he totally missed the political rot of Silicon Valley (& still doesn't get it).
But in the late 1990s, a Wired journalist warned of a toxic ideology bubbling up from tech. Paulina Borsook has largely been erased. Let's change that
But in the late 1990s, a Wired journalist warned of a toxic ideology bubbling up from tech. Paulina Borsook has largely been erased. Let's change that
Reposted by Rob Funk
I was skeptical of the viral post but here’s a story about it www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/l...
October 18, 2025 at 8:04 PM
I was skeptical of the viral post but here’s a story about it www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/l...