Iblis Bane
@iblis-bane.co.za
Undecided. Dubious. Thoughtful. Interested.
Pinned
Iblis Bane
@iblis-bane.co.za
· Nov 22
Well, it seems that this is the customary start... :D
> Reading
- Sci-Fi, Fantasy, History, Poetry, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology
> Writing
> Gaming
- Kenshi, X4, Bannerlord, UQM, *emergent, *open world, *rpg
>Tech
- Computers, Internet, AI, Search, etc.
>Art
>Cats
>Nature
>The Human Condition
> Reading
- Sci-Fi, Fantasy, History, Poetry, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology
> Writing
> Gaming
- Kenshi, X4, Bannerlord, UQM, *emergent, *open world, *rpg
>Tech
- Computers, Internet, AI, Search, etc.
>Art
>Cats
>Nature
>The Human Condition
Fairly pleased with how this bougainvillea glabra is progressing. Bought as nursery stock 3 years ago, after a 10+ year hiatus from #bonsai.
Plan a semi-cascade root-over-rock, & will start exposing the rock (present but buried) in the upcoming re-pot next spring. (Also need a more suitable pot. 🙂)
Plan a semi-cascade root-over-rock, & will start exposing the rock (present but buried) in the upcoming re-pot next spring. (Also need a more suitable pot. 🙂)
December 4, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Fairly pleased with how this bougainvillea glabra is progressing. Bought as nursery stock 3 years ago, after a 10+ year hiatus from #bonsai.
Plan a semi-cascade root-over-rock, & will start exposing the rock (present but buried) in the upcoming re-pot next spring. (Also need a more suitable pot. 🙂)
Plan a semi-cascade root-over-rock, & will start exposing the rock (present but buried) in the upcoming re-pot next spring. (Also need a more suitable pot. 🙂)
Reposted by Iblis Bane
Writing is a unique human technology. It's predicated on neurobiological and psychological processes in humans and it has both a technical and a creative component, both of which are complex in their own right. A machine that could do that well at book-length, isn't here yet.
November 30, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Writing is a unique human technology. It's predicated on neurobiological and psychological processes in humans and it has both a technical and a creative component, both of which are complex in their own right. A machine that could do that well at book-length, isn't here yet.
When an author you like likes an author you like. 😁
Yesterday's Word Count = 1,202
Moving on to Donaldson book 2.
Moving on to Donaldson book 2.
November 17, 2025 at 9:50 AM
When an author you like likes an author you like. 😁
Reposted by Iblis Bane
We are now seeing the first long-anticipated use of AI for semi-autonomous cyberattacks.
"This approach allowed the threat actor to achieve operational scale typically associated with nation-state campaigns while maintaining minimal direct involvement" www.anthropic.com/news/disrupt...
"This approach allowed the threat actor to achieve operational scale typically associated with nation-state campaigns while maintaining minimal direct involvement" www.anthropic.com/news/disrupt...
November 13, 2025 at 7:12 PM
We are now seeing the first long-anticipated use of AI for semi-autonomous cyberattacks.
"This approach allowed the threat actor to achieve operational scale typically associated with nation-state campaigns while maintaining minimal direct involvement" www.anthropic.com/news/disrupt...
"This approach allowed the threat actor to achieve operational scale typically associated with nation-state campaigns while maintaining minimal direct involvement" www.anthropic.com/news/disrupt...
Interesting interview with Dr Susan Schneider. I wonder if the "walled gardens" of the various providers will be a hindrance to this sort of thing? Or maybe there is more "inter-system" connection than I realise.
bigthink.com/the-long-gam...
bigthink.com/the-long-gam...
Why the AI “megasystem problem” needs our attention
A conversation with Dr. Susan Schneider on the AI risks we’re not talking about and why the fixation on AGI is misplaced.
bigthink.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Interesting interview with Dr Susan Schneider. I wonder if the "walled gardens" of the various providers will be a hindrance to this sort of thing? Or maybe there is more "inter-system" connection than I realise.
bigthink.com/the-long-gam...
bigthink.com/the-long-gam...
Reposted by Iblis Bane
The beginning is near.
September 30, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The beginning is near.
Reposted by Iblis Bane
🚨 New twist in the npm malware wars:
Socket just uncovered a malicious package, fezbox, that hides its payload inside a QR code image.
Yes, you read that right. JavaScript malware using QR code steganography to steal browser cookies & passwords
⬇️ Technical detail below
socket.dev/blog/malicio...
Socket just uncovered a malicious package, fezbox, that hides its payload inside a QR code image.
Yes, you read that right. JavaScript malware using QR code steganography to steal browser cookies & passwords
⬇️ Technical detail below
socket.dev/blog/malicio...
Malicious fezbox npm Package Steals Browser Passwords from C...
A malicious package uses a QR code as steganography in an innovative technique.
socket.dev
September 22, 2025 at 9:01 PM
🚨 New twist in the npm malware wars:
Socket just uncovered a malicious package, fezbox, that hides its payload inside a QR code image.
Yes, you read that right. JavaScript malware using QR code steganography to steal browser cookies & passwords
⬇️ Technical detail below
socket.dev/blog/malicio...
Socket just uncovered a malicious package, fezbox, that hides its payload inside a QR code image.
Yes, you read that right. JavaScript malware using QR code steganography to steal browser cookies & passwords
⬇️ Technical detail below
socket.dev/blog/malicio...
This is obviously good news medically speaking, but I must admit my first reaction was "What's the point of a non-hallucinogenic psychedelic?"
😈
www.psypost.org/non-hallucin...
😈
www.psypost.org/non-hallucin...
Non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analog boosts brain plasticity in an unexpected way
Researchers discovered that tabernanthalog, a non-hallucinogenic analog of psychedelic drugs, can stimulate cortical neuron growth and improve depression-related behavior in mice. The study suggests t...
www.psypost.org
September 18, 2025 at 12:06 PM
This is obviously good news medically speaking, but I must admit my first reaction was "What's the point of a non-hallucinogenic psychedelic?"
😈
www.psypost.org/non-hallucin...
😈
www.psypost.org/non-hallucin...
Reposted by Iblis Bane
Ayup.
Still true
Still true
September 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Ayup.
Still true
Still true
Reposted by Iblis Bane
Reposted by Iblis Bane
This paper finds LLMs' ability to understand that others have different beliefs (Theory of Mind) comes from 0.001% of their parameters. Break those specific weights & the model loses both its ability to track what others know AND language comprehension
Interesting implications for models (& minds?)
Interesting implications for models (& minds?)
September 4, 2025 at 6:43 PM
This paper finds LLMs' ability to understand that others have different beliefs (Theory of Mind) comes from 0.001% of their parameters. Break those specific weights & the model loses both its ability to track what others know AND language comprehension
Interesting implications for models (& minds?)
Interesting implications for models (& minds?)
Reposted by Iblis Bane
Just checked and Facebook/Meta has been accessing my phone photos without me giving them permission (as far as I can remember). I'm normally fairly conscientious about these things.
This is the prompt to delete Facebook from my phone and never install it ever again...
www.zdnet.com/article/meta...
This is the prompt to delete Facebook from my phone and never install it ever again...
www.zdnet.com/article/meta...
Meta might be secretly scanning your phone's camera roll - how to check and turn it off
Some Facebook users have noticed new settings that let Meta analyze and retain your phone's photos. Yes, you read that right.
www.zdnet.com
August 29, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Just checked and Facebook/Meta has been accessing my phone photos without me giving them permission (as far as I can remember). I'm normally fairly conscientious about these things.
This is the prompt to delete Facebook from my phone and never install it ever again...
www.zdnet.com/article/meta...
This is the prompt to delete Facebook from my phone and never install it ever again...
www.zdnet.com/article/meta...
Reposted by Iblis Bane
Ugh, not another “de-extinction”!
“Changing a living species by editing a few genes to get something that looks like the extinct creature is not the same thing as re-creating the extinct creature.”
whyevolutionistrue.com/2025/07/09/n...
“Changing a living species by editing a few genes to get something that looks like the extinct creature is not the same thing as re-creating the extinct creature.”
whyevolutionistrue.com/2025/07/09/n...
Now Colossal proposes to “de-extinct” the moa; Peter Jackson helps
It’s an hour until.Walrus Call, so I wanted to bring to your attention another insane attempt by Colossal Biosciences to “de-extinct” a species. This time it’s the moa, one …
whyevolutionistrue.com
July 10, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Ugh, not another “de-extinction”!
“Changing a living species by editing a few genes to get something that looks like the extinct creature is not the same thing as re-creating the extinct creature.”
whyevolutionistrue.com/2025/07/09/n...
“Changing a living species by editing a few genes to get something that looks like the extinct creature is not the same thing as re-creating the extinct creature.”
whyevolutionistrue.com/2025/07/09/n...
Reposted by Iblis Bane
"Where man had been... garbage remained. Even in his pursuit of the ultimate truth and quest for his God, he produced garbage... For more long-lived than man is his refuse. Garbage alone lives after him."
— Günter Grass, The Rat ("Die Rättin")
#BookSky
— Günter Grass, The Rat ("Die Rättin")
#BookSky
July 1, 2025 at 11:46 PM
"Where man had been... garbage remained. Even in his pursuit of the ultimate truth and quest for his God, he produced garbage... For more long-lived than man is his refuse. Garbage alone lives after him."
— Günter Grass, The Rat ("Die Rättin")
#BookSky
— Günter Grass, The Rat ("Die Rättin")
#BookSky
Reposted by Iblis Bane
Introducing Blue Rain — the fire hose that is the BlueSky feed, falling semi-cryptically down your screen in Matrix-style letter droplets. Ahh, isn’t that nice? hackaday.com/2025/01/28/i...
It’s Raining From The BlueSky
Which would you rather feel? The blast of a fire hose, or a cool, digital rain? That’s what we thought. Introducing Blue Rain — the fire hose that is the BlueSky feed, falling semi-cryp…
hackaday.com
June 22, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Introducing Blue Rain — the fire hose that is the BlueSky feed, falling semi-cryptically down your screen in Matrix-style letter droplets. Ahh, isn’t that nice? hackaday.com/2025/01/28/i...
Oh great...now I have this stuck in my head. :D
🤘
🤘
Appropriate: Black Sabbath ~ War Pigs youtu.be/LQUXuQ6Zd9w?...
Black Sabbath ~ War Pigs
YouTube video by Gabrielle Marie
youtu.be
June 23, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Oh great...now I have this stuck in my head. :D
🤘
🤘
Reposted by Iblis Bane
Reposted by Iblis Bane
While unsurprising, the study gives us levels of measurement - Using LLMs to write essays decreases the learning value in all ways. Much as if you used machines to life the weights at a gym, it defeats much of the training and strengthening purpose, leading to weaker learning and development.
Found this overview of a study on students' brains and ChatGPT by MIT fascinating. Not all that surprising, but certainly food for thought as to how this may impact the brains of younger generations in the future.
Will be reading the full paper over the next few days.
Will be reading the full paper over the next few days.
Project Overview ‹ Your Brain on ChatGPT – MIT Media Lab
With today's wide adoption of LLM products like ChatGPT from OpenAI, humans and businesses engage and use LLMs on a daily basis. Like any other tool, it carrie…
www.media.mit.edu
June 15, 2025 at 1:20 PM
While unsurprising, the study gives us levels of measurement - Using LLMs to write essays decreases the learning value in all ways. Much as if you used machines to life the weights at a gym, it defeats much of the training and strengthening purpose, leading to weaker learning and development.