Shawn Sallis
@shawnsallis.bsky.social
Materials science PhD. Lover of all things science, math, and computer/tech related. Recently escaped to Europe from the US.
Always looking for the next project/hobby I can halfway finish and then forget about forever.
Always looking for the next project/hobby I can halfway finish and then forget about forever.
Relatively sure in that ruling against the federal government because it can't produce some evidence seems a lot like saying that the federal government lied.
Recent events seem to be changing this but my limited understanding was there is a presumption of truth for the feds.
Also pessimism.
Recent events seem to be changing this but my limited understanding was there is a presumption of truth for the feds.
Also pessimism.
November 18, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Relatively sure in that ruling against the federal government because it can't produce some evidence seems a lot like saying that the federal government lied.
Recent events seem to be changing this but my limited understanding was there is a presumption of truth for the feds.
Also pessimism.
Recent events seem to be changing this but my limited understanding was there is a presumption of truth for the feds.
Also pessimism.
I was vaguely aware of that potentially being a thing that can happen but also relatively sure it would never be used against the federal government.
Are there examples of it being used against the federal government or does the presumption of regularity prevent it?
Are there examples of it being used against the federal government or does the presumption of regularity prevent it?
November 18, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I was vaguely aware of that potentially being a thing that can happen but also relatively sure it would never be used against the federal government.
Are there examples of it being used against the federal government or does the presumption of regularity prevent it?
Are there examples of it being used against the federal government or does the presumption of regularity prevent it?
It's not going to happen but the courts should just be like "Without this evidence you were legally required to preserve and didn't we have no other option than to accept all allegations as true and rule against you."
If only.
If only.
November 18, 2025 at 3:20 PM
It's not going to happen but the courts should just be like "Without this evidence you were legally required to preserve and didn't we have no other option than to accept all allegations as true and rule against you."
If only.
If only.
That sounds a bit like a norm/tradition. Are we supposed to be respecting those again?
(Laughably absurd anyway because it's never been a thing and obviously shouldn't be a thing because separation of powers and all that.)
(Laughably absurd anyway because it's never been a thing and obviously shouldn't be a thing because separation of powers and all that.)
November 16, 2025 at 4:41 PM
That sounds a bit like a norm/tradition. Are we supposed to be respecting those again?
(Laughably absurd anyway because it's never been a thing and obviously shouldn't be a thing because separation of powers and all that.)
(Laughably absurd anyway because it's never been a thing and obviously shouldn't be a thing because separation of powers and all that.)
Is that an UZI in the middle on the couch? And does he have an M249 or something like it?
As an American I still can't help but feel that's grossly excessive to have much less pose for a family photo with.
Also not convinced any of them could fire those safely/accurately.
As an American I still can't help but feel that's grossly excessive to have much less pose for a family photo with.
Also not convinced any of them could fire those safely/accurately.
November 13, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Is that an UZI in the middle on the couch? And does he have an M249 or something like it?
As an American I still can't help but feel that's grossly excessive to have much less pose for a family photo with.
Also not convinced any of them could fire those safely/accurately.
As an American I still can't help but feel that's grossly excessive to have much less pose for a family photo with.
Also not convinced any of them could fire those safely/accurately.
I get the utility of awareness campaigns but if you need a reminder for basic kindness there are way deeper issues that need addressing.
It's great the day exists I'm just working through the cognitive dissonance of the fact it's even needed. I've got no grand ideas to fix that need unfortunately.
It's great the day exists I'm just working through the cognitive dissonance of the fact it's even needed. I've got no grand ideas to fix that need unfortunately.
November 13, 2025 at 12:54 PM
I get the utility of awareness campaigns but if you need a reminder for basic kindness there are way deeper issues that need addressing.
It's great the day exists I'm just working through the cognitive dissonance of the fact it's even needed. I've got no grand ideas to fix that need unfortunately.
It's great the day exists I'm just working through the cognitive dissonance of the fact it's even needed. I've got no grand ideas to fix that need unfortunately.
I'd boycott just for the forced interaction. I'll tell you if I need anything and want interaction.
November 8, 2025 at 10:22 PM
I'd boycott just for the forced interaction. I'll tell you if I need anything and want interaction.
Maybe I'm super cynical but are we sure it hasn't all been an act the whole time?
Basically MAGA version of Sinema? Like I can see how a person might sacrifice their reputation for power by playing to the stereotype.
If true those are some sharp instincts to start trying to pivot when she did.
Basically MAGA version of Sinema? Like I can see how a person might sacrifice their reputation for power by playing to the stereotype.
If true those are some sharp instincts to start trying to pivot when she did.
November 5, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Maybe I'm super cynical but are we sure it hasn't all been an act the whole time?
Basically MAGA version of Sinema? Like I can see how a person might sacrifice their reputation for power by playing to the stereotype.
If true those are some sharp instincts to start trying to pivot when she did.
Basically MAGA version of Sinema? Like I can see how a person might sacrifice their reputation for power by playing to the stereotype.
If true those are some sharp instincts to start trying to pivot when she did.
Well Mecha-Hitler happened and the whole South African thing. There's historical precedent for Musk controlled AI being objectively worse than competitors.
Out of curiosity what's your list of things he's created that are still going?
Out of curiosity what's your list of things he's created that are still going?
October 28, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Well Mecha-Hitler happened and the whole South African thing. There's historical precedent for Musk controlled AI being objectively worse than competitors.
Out of curiosity what's your list of things he's created that are still going?
Out of curiosity what's your list of things he's created that are still going?
Chat (I'm allowed to do the chat thing in my 40s right?) Given the context how is the most generous interpretation here not something like "Actually, it's not as horrible as you think it is." Because man...
October 9, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Chat (I'm allowed to do the chat thing in my 40s right?) Given the context how is the most generous interpretation here not something like "Actually, it's not as horrible as you think it is." Because man...
Man, putting overstaying a visa or crossing a border without documents on anywhere near the same level as pedophila in terms of deserving hatred is certainly a choice.
October 9, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Man, putting overstaying a visa or crossing a border without documents on anywhere near the same level as pedophila in terms of deserving hatred is certainly a choice.
Is this like a standard American University thing?
My first ever group photo with my research group for my PhD was done in front of our universities corpse flower in full bloom at the behest of my advisor.
My first ever group photo with my research group for my PhD was done in front of our universities corpse flower in full bloom at the behest of my advisor.
October 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Is this like a standard American University thing?
My first ever group photo with my research group for my PhD was done in front of our universities corpse flower in full bloom at the behest of my advisor.
My first ever group photo with my research group for my PhD was done in front of our universities corpse flower in full bloom at the behest of my advisor.
So AI death panels are ok then?
August 29, 2025 at 9:41 PM
So AI death panels are ok then?
I think he's gotten hung up on sovereign wealth funds and someone finally convinced him the US can't do it via oil like Norway or UAE. So he's like "The US leads in tech. Let's do that instead!"
Still socialism/communism bro. (Not that the US couldn't use some proper democratic socialism.)
Still socialism/communism bro. (Not that the US couldn't use some proper democratic socialism.)
August 22, 2025 at 6:43 PM
I think he's gotten hung up on sovereign wealth funds and someone finally convinced him the US can't do it via oil like Norway or UAE. So he's like "The US leads in tech. Let's do that instead!"
Still socialism/communism bro. (Not that the US couldn't use some proper democratic socialism.)
Still socialism/communism bro. (Not that the US couldn't use some proper democratic socialism.)
Swarms are just lots of satellites. Density could be kept really low to keep down material use.
Either way spheres are passé and have so many issues.
Either way spheres are passé and have so many issues.
August 19, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Swarms are just lots of satellites. Density could be kept really low to keep down material use.
Either way spheres are passé and have so many issues.
Either way spheres are passé and have so many issues.
I thought a "tech" bro would already know sci-fi largely moved on to rings/swarms.
I think I remember rings being barely possible to make structurally stable given known material constraints (unlike spheres). Still issues with the amount of material.
I think I remember rings being barely possible to make structurally stable given known material constraints (unlike spheres). Still issues with the amount of material.
August 19, 2025 at 7:29 AM
I thought a "tech" bro would already know sci-fi largely moved on to rings/swarms.
I think I remember rings being barely possible to make structurally stable given known material constraints (unlike spheres). Still issues with the amount of material.
I think I remember rings being barely possible to make structurally stable given known material constraints (unlike spheres). Still issues with the amount of material.
Oh there was probably a lot of thought. Just dishonest thought about how to BS this in a way plausible enough to give the Supreme Court cover.
August 13, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Oh there was probably a lot of thought. Just dishonest thought about how to BS this in a way plausible enough to give the Supreme Court cover.
Right in my soul.
In my case therapy has helped me understand that for me it's largely a response to the trauma that was near constant during my childhood.
In my case therapy has helped me understand that for me it's largely a response to the trauma that was near constant during my childhood.
August 2, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Right in my soul.
In my case therapy has helped me understand that for me it's largely a response to the trauma that was near constant during my childhood.
In my case therapy has helped me understand that for me it's largely a response to the trauma that was near constant during my childhood.
Brendan Fraser has said this many times I believe. In addition to the sexual assault/harassment he endured I'm sure I remember him saying something like it just wasn't physically possible for his body to continue being an action star.
July 19, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Brendan Fraser has said this many times I believe. In addition to the sexual assault/harassment he endured I'm sure I remember him saying something like it just wasn't physically possible for his body to continue being an action star.
The fridge/freezer temp delta to the kitchen is much higher than the house to outside temperature delta by at least a factor of 2.
When you're not cooking/haven't cooked in awhile does the kitchen feel significantly warmer than the rest of the house? I've never noticed a difference myself.
When you're not cooking/haven't cooked in awhile does the kitchen feel significantly warmer than the rest of the house? I've never noticed a difference myself.
July 13, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The fridge/freezer temp delta to the kitchen is much higher than the house to outside temperature delta by at least a factor of 2.
When you're not cooking/haven't cooked in awhile does the kitchen feel significantly warmer than the rest of the house? I've never noticed a difference myself.
When you're not cooking/haven't cooked in awhile does the kitchen feel significantly warmer than the rest of the house? I've never noticed a difference myself.
This might help. Assuming you have a fridge/freezer that's just an AC unit cooling a relatively small room. I'd bet the ratio of fridge volume to kitchen volume is a lot higher than house volume to outside volume potentially impacted by AC units.
July 13, 2025 at 7:48 PM
This might help. Assuming you have a fridge/freezer that's just an AC unit cooling a relatively small room. I'd bet the ratio of fridge volume to kitchen volume is a lot higher than house volume to outside volume potentially impacted by AC units.
Ok so here's a radical idea: If a licensed medical professional says it's needed then it's authorized.
July 12, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Ok so here's a radical idea: If a licensed medical professional says it's needed then it's authorized.
That just kicks the can down the road a bit though. After the list there needs to be investigations and prosecutions. They do have some fear of outright lies in court so fake prosecutions are a bust.
Best offramp is here actually. Blowback was inevitable and there are less lies to explain away now
Best offramp is here actually. Blowback was inevitable and there are less lies to explain away now
July 12, 2025 at 12:03 AM
That just kicks the can down the road a bit though. After the list there needs to be investigations and prosecutions. They do have some fear of outright lies in court so fake prosecutions are a bust.
Best offramp is here actually. Blowback was inevitable and there are less lies to explain away now
Best offramp is here actually. Blowback was inevitable and there are less lies to explain away now
He's asking for martyrs but I don't think it's on purpose. He's just really that stupid and honestly senile.
July 11, 2025 at 11:53 PM
He's asking for martyrs but I don't think it's on purpose. He's just really that stupid and honestly senile.