Ordinary Mode
@ordinarymode.com
Computer operator and meeting attendee. Some opinions on technology, data, AI and privacy. Occasionally found riding a bike in Naarm/Melbourne
Reposted by Ordinary Mode
Reposted by Ordinary Mode
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties submitted a formal complaint to the European Commission regarding the appointment of former Meta lobbyist Niamh Sweeney as the new Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) www.pulseit.news/irish-digita...
Complaint to EC on appointment of data protection commissioner - Pulse+IT
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties submitted a formal complaint to the European Commission regarding the appointment of former Meta lobbyist Niamh Sweeney as the new Data Protection Commissioner (D...
www.pulseit.news
November 21, 2025 at 12:10 AM
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties submitted a formal complaint to the European Commission regarding the appointment of former Meta lobbyist Niamh Sweeney as the new Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) www.pulseit.news/irish-digita...
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Looks like LLMs are *very* vulnerable to attack via poetic allusion: "curated poetic prompts yielded high attack-success rates (ASR), with some providers exceeding 90% ..."
https://arxiv.org/html/2511.15304v1
https://arxiv.org/html/2511.15304v1
November 20, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Looks like LLMs are *very* vulnerable to attack via poetic allusion: "curated poetic prompts yielded high attack-success rates (ASR), with some providers exceeding 90% ..."
https://arxiv.org/html/2511.15304v1
https://arxiv.org/html/2511.15304v1
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The Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia has views about this.
November 21, 2025 at 11:29 AM
The Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia has views about this.
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“One mile on a bike is a $.42 economic gain to society, one mile driving is a $.20 loss.”
“Which means that Copenhagen, a city of 1.2 million people, saves $357 million a year on health costs because something like 80% of its population commutes by bike.” #CityMakingMath
Some costs aren’t costs.
“Which means that Copenhagen, a city of 1.2 million people, saves $357 million a year on health costs because something like 80% of its population commutes by bike.” #CityMakingMath
Some costs aren’t costs.
One mile on a bike is a $.42 economic gain to society, one mile driving is a $.20 loss
Copenhagen, the bicycle-friendliest place on the planet, publishes a biannual Bicycle Account, and buried in its pages is a rather astonishing fact.
grist.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:40 AM
“One mile on a bike is a $.42 economic gain to society, one mile driving is a $.20 loss.”
“Which means that Copenhagen, a city of 1.2 million people, saves $357 million a year on health costs because something like 80% of its population commutes by bike.” #CityMakingMath
Some costs aren’t costs.
“Which means that Copenhagen, a city of 1.2 million people, saves $357 million a year on health costs because something like 80% of its population commutes by bike.” #CityMakingMath
Some costs aren’t costs.
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![4-panel vertical comic. (1) 100 Years Ago [two people standing next to bicycle with small car nearby] PERSON 1: It’s too dangerous riding a bike with these cars around. I should get a car, too. (2) 50 Years Ago [two people between smaller car and bigger car] PERSON 2 with short hair: Small cars are less safe in collisions with larger vehicles, so I should get a bigger one. (3) Today [two people between big car and even bigger car] PERSON 1: Everyone has huge SUVs now. If I don’t get the biggest one, I’m putting my family at risk. (4) Soon [two people next to large armored car with spiked clubs attached] PERSON 2: If I don’t install more whirling spike clubs, I’ll be destroyed by all the other drivers who...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreiby6can6k76yzfmv2czxs4pu2l7zie7bqbrpswi7h3ifmiadkuqvu@jpeg)
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Car Size
https://xkcd.com/3167/
'They really shouldn't let those small cars drive in traffic. I worry I'm going to kill someone if I hit one! They should have to drive on the sidewalk, safely out of the way.'
Explain xkcd: https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/3167
https://xkcd.com/3167/
'They really shouldn't let those small cars drive in traffic. I worry I'm going to kill someone if I hit one! They should have to drive on the sidewalk, safely out of the way.'
Explain xkcd: https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/3167
November 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Car Size
https://xkcd.com/3167/
'They really shouldn't let those small cars drive in traffic. I worry I'm going to kill someone if I hit one! They should have to drive on the sidewalk, safely out of the way.'
Explain xkcd: https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/3167
https://xkcd.com/3167/
'They really shouldn't let those small cars drive in traffic. I worry I'm going to kill someone if I hit one! They should have to drive on the sidewalk, safely out of the way.'
Explain xkcd: https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/3167
Reposted by Ordinary Mode
The AWS outage interfered with our cats’ automatic feeders and yes I am already embarrassed I assure you I have adequate shame already
The AWS outage bricked people's $2,700 smartbeds, leaving them in a reclining position or with the heat up. People were unable to use them, basically. A GitHub repo exists that lets people operate their beds without reliance on the normal infrastructure
www.404media.co/the-aws-outa...
www.404media.co/the-aws-outa...
The AWS Outage Bricked People’s $2,700 Smartbeds
When Amazon Web Services went offline, people lost control of their cloud-connected smart beds, getting stuck in reclined positions or roasting with the heat turned all the way up.
www.404media.co
October 22, 2025 at 7:09 PM
The AWS outage interfered with our cats’ automatic feeders and yes I am already embarrassed I assure you I have adequate shame already
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"Humans aren’t very efficient movers—until you put us on a bicycle, when we become some of the most energy-efficient land travelers in the animal kingdom."
www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-hu...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-hu...
October 14, 2025 at 11:22 PM
"Humans aren’t very efficient movers—until you put us on a bicycle, when we become some of the most energy-efficient land travelers in the animal kingdom."
www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-hu...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-hu...
I agree with this trend and have started doing the same for unknown numbers for the lack of ability to control voice recording. Also it is now custom to schedule calls via text
I have learned that Gen Z expects the person calling to say "hello" first, instead of the person answering; upending a century of phone norms. You know what? fine, I say. Phone calls aren't what they used to be anyway www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-phone-...
Gen Z doesn't say 'hello' when answering the phone. I'm concerned.
Gen Z is making up its own etiquette rules when it comes to answering the phone. Some of them aren't saying "hello." They want you to first.
www.businessinsider.com
July 15, 2025 at 1:37 PM
I agree with this trend and have started doing the same for unknown numbers for the lack of ability to control voice recording. Also it is now custom to schedule calls via text
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Audible will allow publishers to choose AI voices...
"I’ve narrated really raunchy sex scenes – AI doesn’t know what an orgasm sounds like,” Tudor, a narrator, says. “Birth scenes as well – I’d love to know how they plan on getting around that.” #AIEthics
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
"I’ve narrated really raunchy sex scenes – AI doesn’t know what an orgasm sounds like,” Tudor, a narrator, says. “Birth scenes as well – I’d love to know how they plan on getting around that.” #AIEthics
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
‘AI doesn’t know what an orgasm sounds like’: audiobook actors grapple with the rise of robot narrators
As demand for audio content grows, companies are looking for faster – and cheaper – ways to make it
www.theguardian.com
July 7, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Audible will allow publishers to choose AI voices...
"I’ve narrated really raunchy sex scenes – AI doesn’t know what an orgasm sounds like,” Tudor, a narrator, says. “Birth scenes as well – I’d love to know how they plan on getting around that.” #AIEthics
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
"I’ve narrated really raunchy sex scenes – AI doesn’t know what an orgasm sounds like,” Tudor, a narrator, says. “Birth scenes as well – I’d love to know how they plan on getting around that.” #AIEthics
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
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Perhaps Qantas has given us an opportunity to test if s13G of the Privacy Act is useful at all? classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth...
PRIVACY ACT 1988 - SECT 13G
Civil penalty provision for serious interference with privacy of an individual
classic.austlii.edu.au
July 2, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Perhaps Qantas has given us an opportunity to test if s13G of the Privacy Act is useful at all? classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth...
Cloudflare blocking AI scraping by default is a good start, however I have limited faith in the AI companies given their past ‘respect’ of content creator intentions
July 1, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Cloudflare blocking AI scraping by default is a good start, however I have limited faith in the AI companies given their past ‘respect’ of content creator intentions
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“Almost two dozen digital rights and consumer protection organizations sent a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday urging regulators to investigate Character.AI and Meta’s “unlicensed practice of medicine facilitated by their product…”
AI Therapy Bots Are Conducting 'Illegal Behavior,' Digital Rights Organizations Say
Exclusive: An FTC complaint led by the Consumer Federation of America outlines how therapy bots on Meta and Character.AI have claimed to be qualified, licensed therapists to users, and why that may be...
www.404media.co
June 13, 2025 at 10:38 PM
“Almost two dozen digital rights and consumer protection organizations sent a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday urging regulators to investigate Character.AI and Meta’s “unlicensed practice of medicine facilitated by their product…”
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Here is a gift link to @kashhill.bsky.social's must read piece on the dangers of OpenAI's sycophantic LLMs and the parasocial relationships people are creating with them.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/t...
They Asked an A.I. Chatbot Questions. The Answers Sent Them Spiraling.
www.nytimes.com
June 13, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Here is a gift link to @kashhill.bsky.social's must read piece on the dangers of OpenAI's sycophantic LLMs and the parasocial relationships people are creating with them.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/t...
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Reposted by Ordinary Mode
The Meta AI app continues to be full of people who are accidentally posting private conversations publicly. I saw posts sharing phone numbers, email addresses, medical questions, a teen describing her crush, child custody questions. www.businessinsider.com/mark-zuckerb...
Why Mark Zuckerberg's AI app is one of the most depressing places online
Mark Zuckerberg's Meta AI app has become the saddest place on the internet with its public feed of personal overshares.
www.businessinsider.com
June 11, 2025 at 1:09 PM
The Meta AI app continues to be full of people who are accidentally posting private conversations publicly. I saw posts sharing phone numbers, email addresses, medical questions, a teen describing her crush, child custody questions. www.businessinsider.com/mark-zuckerb...
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Presented without comment
June 10, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Presented without comment
Reposted by Ordinary Mode
In the midnight hour
she cried
Moore, More, Moore
With a rebel yell
she cried
Moore, More, Moore
she cried
Moore, More, Moore
With a rebel yell
she cried
Moore, More, Moore
June 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
In the midnight hour
she cried
Moore, More, Moore
With a rebel yell
she cried
Moore, More, Moore
she cried
Moore, More, Moore
With a rebel yell
she cried
Moore, More, Moore
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Just saw a comedian say "If vaccines caused autism then America would have trains" and I almost spit out my drink.
May 30, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Just saw a comedian say "If vaccines caused autism then America would have trains" and I almost spit out my drink.
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“Until recently, what are known inside Meta as privacy and integrity reviews were conducted almost entirely by human evaluators.
But now, according to internal company documents obtained by NPR, up to 90% of all risk assessments will soon be automated.”
But now, according to internal company documents obtained by NPR, up to 90% of all risk assessments will soon be automated.”
Meta plans to replace humans with AI to assess privacy and societal risks
Current and former Meta employees fear the new automation push comes at the cost of allowing AI to make tricky determinations about how Meta's apps could lead to real world harm.
www.npr.org
May 31, 2025 at 2:14 PM
“Until recently, what are known inside Meta as privacy and integrity reviews were conducted almost entirely by human evaluators.
But now, according to internal company documents obtained by NPR, up to 90% of all risk assessments will soon be automated.”
But now, according to internal company documents obtained by NPR, up to 90% of all risk assessments will soon be automated.”
Reposted by Ordinary Mode
I asked generative AI a simple question: How many Australian prime ministers have there been between 1970 and 2013?
Google Gemini said eight.
ChatGPT said 15.
Siri (using ChatGPT) said 14.
Microsoft Copilot said 12.
The answer, dear reader, is 10.
Google Gemini said eight.
ChatGPT said 15.
Siri (using ChatGPT) said 14.
Microsoft Copilot said 12.
The answer, dear reader, is 10.
May 26, 2025 at 8:28 AM
I asked generative AI a simple question: How many Australian prime ministers have there been between 1970 and 2013?
Google Gemini said eight.
ChatGPT said 15.
Siri (using ChatGPT) said 14.
Microsoft Copilot said 12.
The answer, dear reader, is 10.
Google Gemini said eight.
ChatGPT said 15.
Siri (using ChatGPT) said 14.
Microsoft Copilot said 12.
The answer, dear reader, is 10.
Reposted by Ordinary Mode
Casey Newton, in his latest newsletter:
“Every time I feel like progress in artificial intelligence is beginning to slow, a week like this one hits — and suddenly, it's all I can do to keep up.”
Me, a stratcomm professor: YES EXACTLY THAT’S A COMMS CAMPAIGN.
www.platformer.news/openai-jony-...
“Every time I feel like progress in artificial intelligence is beginning to slow, a week like this one hits — and suddenly, it's all I can do to keep up.”
Me, a stratcomm professor: YES EXACTLY THAT’S A COMMS CAMPAIGN.
www.platformer.news/openai-jony-...
OpenAI is going to make hardware
Generative AI and devices haven't yet found a good fit. Will Jony Ive be the one to change that? PLUS: Claude 4 arrives
www.platformer.news
May 23, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Casey Newton, in his latest newsletter:
“Every time I feel like progress in artificial intelligence is beginning to slow, a week like this one hits — and suddenly, it's all I can do to keep up.”
Me, a stratcomm professor: YES EXACTLY THAT’S A COMMS CAMPAIGN.
www.platformer.news/openai-jony-...
“Every time I feel like progress in artificial intelligence is beginning to slow, a week like this one hits — and suddenly, it's all I can do to keep up.”
Me, a stratcomm professor: YES EXACTLY THAT’S A COMMS CAMPAIGN.
www.platformer.news/openai-jony-...
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Librarian here. Got an email from a patron about our "poor selection" of books on AI, w/ list of new books that we HAD to get so ppl could stay informed about this important subject. Title, author, synopsis.
Of 11 titles on the list, 10 Did Not Exist. At all.
"Yeah, I got it from Ch*tGPT, why?"
Of 11 titles on the list, 10 Did Not Exist. At all.
"Yeah, I got it from Ch*tGPT, why?"
May 20, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Librarian here. Got an email from a patron about our "poor selection" of books on AI, w/ list of new books that we HAD to get so ppl could stay informed about this important subject. Title, author, synopsis.
Of 11 titles on the list, 10 Did Not Exist. At all.
"Yeah, I got it from Ch*tGPT, why?"
Of 11 titles on the list, 10 Did Not Exist. At all.
"Yeah, I got it from Ch*tGPT, why?"