marktacular
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marktacular
@mark.tacular.social
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mark.tacular.social
It was a Dept of Transportation rule that the Trump admin reversed course on.
• Under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) during the Joe Biden administration, a final rule issued April 24 2024 required airlines and ticket agents to provide automatic cash refunds when flights are cancelled or significantly changed, baggage is significantly delayed, or paid-services (like WiFi or seat selection) are not delivered.  • The same period rule also required disclosure of ancillary fees (e.g., checked bags, carry-on bags, reservation changes) at time of booking or ticket purchase to increase transparency.  • Later, in 2025, the DOT under Trump’s administration announced it would abandon a proposed rule emerging from the Biden period that would have required cash compensation for airline‐caused flight disruptions (delays or cancellations) beyond refunds.  • Also, a court in January 2025 blocked the Biden‐era rule on upfront fee disclosure: a U.S. appeals court found procedural problems with the rule and remanded it to the DOT. 
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 AM
mark.tacular.social
Let’s not forget his bestie
Elon Musk's relationship with empathy is complex and often a subject of debate. He has publicly described empathy as "the fundamental weakness of Western civilization," a comment made during a podcast interview with Joe Rogan.
November 6, 2025 at 11:42 PM
mark.tacular.social
Thank for this. I don’t know much about Tolkien/LOTR but your comments sparked curiosity. The background was super fascinating.
1) Elon Musk commentary about Lord of the Rings and immigration Recently (late 2024-2025), Musk made public comments implying that The Lord of the Rings can be interpreted as a warning about modern immigration, connecting the idea of "defending civilization" with opposition to demographic change in the West. His critics argue this frames immigrants as an invading evil force — which they see as a racist or xenophobic framing. The posts here are mocking that interpretation. 2) Tolkien's actual documented views Tolkien was very anti-Nazi. He explicitly rejected Nazi racial ideology — for example, in a 1938 letter responding to a German publisher wanting proof of "Aryan ancestry," he blasted Nazi race theories as "wholly pernicious and unscientific." However: • Tolkien was a conservative English Catholic • He loved Anglo-Saxon myth and heritage • He held many traditionalist views of his time • He disliked industrialization (hence the "anti-technocratic, anti-environmentalist genocide" joke — which refers to Saruman destroying nature for machinery and power) So the second post exaggerates for humor: Tolkien critiques power, industrialization, and domination — not immigration. 3) Were LOTR villains "about the Nazis"? It's more complicated: • Tolkien fought in World War I, not WWII, and much of LOTR draws from that trauma. • He started developing the mythology well before the rise of Hitler. • He denied LOTR was literally an allegory for WWII. • BUT... he hated fascism and totalitarianism, and his dislike absolutely influenced the tone. So the claim "the bad guys were literally Nazis" is tongue-in-cheek. A truer statement is: Tolkien's themes oppose domination, dehumanization, industrial militarism, and racial supremacy — and Nazis exemplified those traits. But LOTR wasn't written as a Nazi allegory. What the posts are really saying They are: • Mocking Nazi and white-nationalist readings of LOTR • Suggesting Tolkien's work is about power, corruption, and industrialized evil • Making fun of Musk for turning fantasy literature into anti-immigration rhetoric • Punching at modern far-right ideology using Tolkien as a cultural battleground It's satire of contemporary politics using Tolkien as ammo.
November 3, 2025 at 10:59 AM
mark.tacular.social
And I give you the director of the world most respected investigative agency.

Dinesh. What a fuckin douche canoe.
Book Overview Kash Patel tells the fantastical story of how two inquisitive minds, Dinesh and Debbie, search for the truth and uncover evidence of a terrible scheme to elect Sleepy Joe instead of King Donald on Choosing Day. Included in the book is a special message from
November 3, 2025 at 10:34 AM
mark.tacular.social
Tried removing the LitterRobot in #Lightroom and accidentally opened a portal to the uncanny valley.

Side note, LMK where I can find this nightmare #halloween #caturday pillow.
Two gray cats lounge on a fuzzy blanket; one real, and one nightmare hallucinated by Lightroom’s object removal algorithm. It’s a cozy domestic scene reimagined by a deranged AI with a thriving side hustle in cursed cat-head décor. The original: A gray cat lounging on a fuzzy pillow on a couch in a cozy living room. LitterRobot and some clutter in the background. A gray cat lounges comfortably on a fuzzy dark pillow on a couch in a warmly lit living room, looking directly at the camera. The background shows tidy furniture, plants, soft ambient light, and no other-worldly nightmares.
October 27, 2025 at 1:36 AM
mark.tacular.social
October 23, 2025 at 9:00 PM
mark.tacular.social
Yeah, should be aware of the AT protocol “firehose”
In Bluesky and the AT Protocol (atproto) ecosystem, “the firehose” refers to the real-time global data stream of all public events — posts, likes, follows, deletes, etc. — that occur across the network. Here’s a detailed breakdown: ⸻ 🔧 Definition The Firehose is an API endpoint (technically a relay stream) that delivers every public record published on the network in real time. It’s meant primarily for: • Developers building analytics, search, or custom feed services • Moderation systems that need to process or filter large volumes of content • Researchers studying social behavior or content trends Essentially, it’s “the public pulse” of Bluesky.
October 19, 2025 at 5:15 AM
mark.tacular.social
No no, what we need is a device you can just put them all in…
Like…
like a…
yeah! Like a juke box!

We could call it THE MEGACHANGER! 🙃
A towering monument to 2008 optimism — the Sony BD Mega Changer, for people who thought owning 400 Blu-rays would be a lifelong flex instead of a digital cry for help.
October 13, 2025 at 7:43 PM
mark.tacular.social
CamoCat #Caturday
Is that a cat or a blanket? Or a catblanket?
September 13, 2025 at 8:18 AM
mark.tacular.social
My go-to is iced tea. Must specify not sweet as I live in the pseudo-southern US.

However, I was in Manchester 2 weeks ago and my mate took us to afternoon tea at the Midland.

OMG. The Brits can do tea! I had no idea hot tea that delicious existed.
Afternoon tea at The Midland Hotel in Manchester, featuring a white porcelain teapot, a cup of black tea, a glass of champagne, and a tiered tray with finger sandwiches, scones, and colorful pastries set against elegant bay windows with natural light.
September 8, 2025 at 7:34 PM
mark.tacular.social
The $3K is in the link
September 6, 2025 at 4:55 PM
mark.tacular.social
WMD’s?!?
September 6, 2025 at 6:52 AM
mark.tacular.social
lol flashbacks… I was a program manager for 15 years. One team I took over was having 3 hour weekly status calls 🤦🏻‍♂️

Which brings me to my favorite ‘Trains Planes and Automobiles’ movie quotes:

You know, when you're telling these little stories? Here's a good idea:
Have a point. It makes it so much more interesting for the listener!
September 4, 2025 at 4:50 PM
mark.tacular.social
Hopefully the FBIs (former) legacy of “integrity first” will protect the originals.

MS Office and Google docs etc have pretty robust archival functionality with immutable retention policies, but Federal record keeping is a whole different ballgame.

Here’s some info, full text in the ALT
1. Federal Recordkeeping vs. Commercial SaaS • Commercial SaaS (365, Google) has compliance features (retention, immutability, audit logs) designed for governance and regulatory frameworks like SOX, FINRA, HIPAA. • Federal agencies like the FBI are governed by the Federal Records Act (FRA), DOJ/FBI internal record management policies, and NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) requirements. • Instead of relying on SaaS defaults, agencies use specialized recordkeeping systems that are certified as FERMI/NARA-compliant, meaning they must ensure immutability, chain of custody, and audit trails that can withstand legal scrutiny. ⸻ 2. FBI & DOJ Documentation Systems • The FBI uses systems like Sentinel (case management), UNICORN (financial), and other classified platforms. These systems are designed so that records can be: • Declared as official records • Stored in immutable archives • Tagged for legal hold • Audited for every access/change • These systems are not just Office 365 with retention turned on—they are custom-built or certified recordkeeping tools where a simple “find & replace” is not possible without leaving evidence in audit logs. • Any action that alters or attempts to purge records is itself a federal offense 3. Safeguards Against Abuse • Audit trails: Every search, access, or change is logged. • Immutable storage: Records are stored on systems that enforce WORM (Write Once, Read Many) principles. • Oversight: Inspector Generals, Congressional committees, and courts can subpoena audit logs, not just the content of records. • Whistleblower protection: If someone tried to systematically alter records, internal whistleblowers and IG audits are a check. That said, administrative access always carries risk. A sufficiently high-ranking or corrupt actor might attempt to manipulate searches, but unlike in a corporate IT setup, government record systems are designed with multiple redundant checks to prevent undetectable tampering.
September 4, 2025 at 4:12 PM
mark.tacular.social
Don’t forget to recycle!! ♻️
A massive black cauldron sits outdoors, overflowing with molten gold. Inside, ornate golden furniture and objects, including armchairs, a bathtub, a grandfather clock, and a solid gold toilet, are melting and dripping liquid gold down the sides. A cheering crowd watches in the background, with the White House visible behind them at sunset.
September 2, 2025 at 8:47 PM
mark.tacular.social
That’s not true though, even being *inside*.

Furthermore, a garden implies outside which adds a significant additional risk.

And I’m saying this as a person who has been naked in all of the provided spaces except a town square.
Yes — in many jurisdictions, a person can be charged with indecent exposure even if they're inside their own home, if they're knowingly visible to the public (like through a window facing a street, sidewalk, or neighbors). The key elements usually boil down to: • Intent or recklessness: Did the person deliberately expose themselves where they knew, or should have reasonably known, that others could see? • Public visibility: If the exposure can be seen by people outside (e.g., passersby, neighbors), courts often treat it as if it happened "in public." • Context: There's usually a difference between accidentally leaving the curtains open while changing versus deliberately standing nude in front of a window. So, "being at home" doesn't automatically protect someone from indecent exposure laws. The determining factor is whether the exposure was willful and viewable by the public.
September 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
mark.tacular.social
This is honestly PERFECT. www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
Here’s a list of five particularly timeless tips from the “Simple Sabotage Field Manual”: Telephone: At the office, hotel, or local telephone switchboards, delay putting calls through, give out wrong numbers, cut people off “accidentally,” or forget to disconnect them so that the line cannot be used again. Movie Theater Patrons: To ruin everyone’s time at the movies (without a cell phone, that is) bring in a paper bag filled with two or three dozen large moths. Open the bag and set it in an empty section of the theater. “The moths will fly out and climb into the projector beam, so that the film will be obscured by fluttering shadows.” Managers and Supervisors: To lower morale and production, think of the worst boss you’ve had and act like that. Be pleasant to inefficient workers; give them undeserved promotions. Discriminate against efficient workers; complain unjustly about their work. When possible, refer all matters to committees for "further study and consideration." Attempt to make the committees as large and bureaucratic as possible. Employees: Be forgetful. Clumsy. Work slowly. Think of ways to increase the number of movements needed to do your job: use a light hammer instead of a heavy one; try to make a small wrench do instead of a big one. Transportation: Make train or air travel as inconvenient as possible. One particularly effective trick: issue two tickets for the same seat on a train in order to set up an “interesting” argument.
August 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM
mark.tacular.social
I really like where you’re going with this post, I had to elaborate on it. Might have to make it into an infographic
Trump 10 Lie Constructions with misinformation types and explanations
July 12, 2025 at 4:11 AM
mark.tacular.social
Apple does already.

And of course there’s the hard lock quint-click 5x) on the lock button to disable Face ID (require password).

As in, always quint-click the lock button as you’re handing it to authorities.
A screw of the “Recently Deleted” folder on iOS requires Face ID to view the album. The hard lock on an iPhone is a security feature that instantly disables biometric access (Face ID or Touch ID) and requires your passcode to unlock the device. It also prevents unauthorized Face ID unlocking (like forcing your face in front of the phone). This is especially useful if you’re concerned about privacy or law enforcement access. iPhone Hard Lock Procedure (Emergency Lock / Security Lockout) For iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and newer): 1. Press the Side Button 5 times rapidly. • This will bring up the Emergency SOS screen. 2. Do not slide to power off or call emergency services. • Instead, press the Side Button once again or tap the screen to exit. At this point: • Face ID is disabled. • You’ll be required to enter your passcode to unlock the device.
July 12, 2025 at 1:48 AM
mark.tacular.social
Wow I had to look it up, unbelievable.
July 6, 2025 at 8:41 AM
mark.tacular.social
I had to laugh - I took this photo 45 seconds ago at my kitchen sink. I’m holding on to hope!
July 5, 2025 at 6:55 AM
mark.tacular.social
Not trying to blow up your spot but…

✅ 3 for 3 on “can’t feel embarrassment” 😬
# Embarrassment To feel embarrassment, a person typically needs a combination of specific cognitive, emotional, and social personality traits. Here’s a breakdown: ## Cognitive Traits 1. Self-awareness • The ability to see yourself as others might see you. • Without self-awareness, you can’t recognize a gap between your behavior and social expectations. 2. Theory of Mind • Understanding that others have thoughts, judgments, and perspectives about you. • Essential for imagining how others might react to your actions. ## Emotional Traits 3. Sensitivity to Social Evaluation • A heightened concern for what others think. • People low in this might feel less or no embarrassment even when socially inappropriate. 4. Guilt/Conscience Proneness • Often overlaps with embarrassment, especially when the behavior involves perceived moral or social failure ## Social Traits 5. Desire for Social Belonging • Embarrassment functions to repair social bonds. • Those who care about inclusion or rejection are more prone to it. 6. Social Norm Awareness • Understanding (and valuing) expected behaviors in a given group or culture. • Embarrassment often stems from violating those norms, even unintentionally. ## People Who Might Not Feel Embarrassment Individuals with: • Low empathy or narcissistic traits (less concern about others’ perceptions) • Antisocial personality traits • Certain neurological conditions (e.g., frontotemporal dementia, autism spectrum disorder—though this varies widely by individual) …may feel little or no embarrassment due to deficits in one or more of the above traits.
June 18, 2025 at 9:59 AM
mark.tacular.social
Aww my little frizzaballa cutecat turns 4 this week. FIV+ but completely manageable, even with other pets.
June 11, 2025 at 4:06 AM
mark.tacular.social
I was having ChatGPT help me extra-dramatize a similar sentiment and it told me I was using conspiratorial framing and hyperbole. It sounded perfectly reasonable to me 🤷🏻‍♂️
April 9, 2025 at 11:22 AM
mark.tacular.social
Holy Toledo! Somebody had fun!

I'd appreciate it if you'd show my associates the way down.

😉
March 31, 2025 at 7:37 AM