zoniventris
@zoniventris.bsky.social
Mostly US politics with some programming and video games mixed in. Conflicted graphics programmer. they/them
Reposted by zoniventris
Honestly, I think so. But not in the sense that people think. It’s not a stack of words glued together onto a bunch of trees.
What do novels do, really? What do stories do?
Actually, here’s a different question: how do we share ideas and encode collective knowledge in society?
What do novels do, really? What do stories do?
Actually, here’s a different question: how do we share ideas and encode collective knowledge in society?
So, good software is a novel?
October 27, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Honestly, I think so. But not in the sense that people think. It’s not a stack of words glued together onto a bunch of trees.
What do novels do, really? What do stories do?
Actually, here’s a different question: how do we share ideas and encode collective knowledge in society?
What do novels do, really? What do stories do?
Actually, here’s a different question: how do we share ideas and encode collective knowledge in society?
Reposted by zoniventris
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
PSA: we're aware that Signal is down for some people. This appears to be related to a major AWS outage. Stand by.
October 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
Reposted by zoniventris
Okay, for the folks who asked: here's the majority AI view, writing up the reasonable, thoughtful view on AI that the vast majority of people in tech hold, that gets overshadowed by the bluster and hype of the tycoons trying to shill their nonsense. anildash.com/2025/10/17/t... Please share!
The Majority AI View - Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
anildash.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Okay, for the folks who asked: here's the majority AI view, writing up the reasonable, thoughtful view on AI that the vast majority of people in tech hold, that gets overshadowed by the bluster and hype of the tycoons trying to shill their nonsense. anildash.com/2025/10/17/t... Please share!
Reposted by zoniventris
I experienced exactly this recently, but even worse, it was used to write technical acceptance criteria based on a misunderstanding of the technical requirements by a non-technical product team member. I asked them to never do it again, pretty please, as I had to redo EVERYTHING
“Our product manager is using Copilot to write our Jira tickets” is the most cursed sentence I’ve heard all week, and I’ve been reading the news🗞️
My job hit us with mandatory Copilot sign up and training so they could brag to investors about our AI adoption rate. In reality no one outside of management is using it, and the way management is using it is actively making our lives worse. Our PM is using Copilot to write our Jira tickets????
October 19, 2025 at 8:48 AM
I experienced exactly this recently, but even worse, it was used to write technical acceptance criteria based on a misunderstanding of the technical requirements by a non-technical product team member. I asked them to never do it again, pretty please, as I had to redo EVERYTHING
Reposted by zoniventris
all the anxiety human evolution developed to help me spot bears now kicks in when i have to answer emails
October 19, 2025 at 3:42 AM
all the anxiety human evolution developed to help me spot bears now kicks in when i have to answer emails
Reposted by zoniventris
I am grateful to the way that @anildash.com continually names and makes space for the existence of "the reasonable majority" in tech, and the ways this industry deals out chilling effects on those working toward shared social good (which spoiler alert also = real innovation!)
Okay, for the folks who asked: here's the majority AI view, writing up the reasonable, thoughtful view on AI that the vast majority of people in tech hold, that gets overshadowed by the bluster and hype of the tycoons trying to shill their nonsense. anildash.com/2025/10/17/t... Please share!
The Majority AI View - Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
anildash.com
October 18, 2025 at 5:18 PM
I am grateful to the way that @anildash.com continually names and makes space for the existence of "the reasonable majority" in tech, and the ways this industry deals out chilling effects on those working toward shared social good (which spoiler alert also = real innovation!)
Reposted by zoniventris
So these reactions are particularly sad to see because there is decades of actual incredible breakthrough science that M*sk is constantly taking credit for, that's been helping real patients for years, and it's not an "AI thing". @analog-ashley.bsky.social just gave an amazing talk about BCIs
Hi hello did you know that Elon Musk's third Neuralink patient (previously nonverbal) is "getting help from Grok" to communicate
and I hope -- I REALLY HOPE -- he's not stuck in his own brain listening as a robot talks for him without his input because this, to me, would be worse than death
and I hope -- I REALLY HOPE -- he's not stuck in his own brain listening as a robot talks for him without his input because this, to me, would be worse than death
This patient’s Neuralink brain implant gets a boost from generative AI
A patient who types with his brain thanks to a Neuralink implant is using AI chatbots to speed things up.
www.technologyreview.com
October 12, 2025 at 9:14 AM
So these reactions are particularly sad to see because there is decades of actual incredible breakthrough science that M*sk is constantly taking credit for, that's been helping real patients for years, and it's not an "AI thing". @analog-ashley.bsky.social just gave an amazing talk about BCIs
Reposted by zoniventris
I have a prediction that the most popular DevEx measures will be pretty useless in the AI era because they start with code writing as the only thing that matters and everything pushed out by that but key to AI usage -- evaluation, self regulation, creativity -- is pretty much ignored
October 9, 2025 at 11:31 AM
I have a prediction that the most popular DevEx measures will be pretty useless in the AI era because they start with code writing as the only thing that matters and everything pushed out by that but key to AI usage -- evaluation, self regulation, creativity -- is pretty much ignored
Reposted by zoniventris
co-signed. a robot might be able to type rote code faster than me, but *typing speed* is not the limiting factor in my effectiveness as a software engineer, and never has been.
*understanding* the code (and the pre-existing human and computational systems it interacts with) is the hard part.
*understanding* the code (and the pre-existing human and computational systems it interacts with) is the hard part.
I'd also identify a third position, "I see or imagine there are meaningful uses for LLMs, but that they are relatively few (not 'everything') and relatively small (+10%, not +10000%) and so may not support the cost of model building and inference or the valuation of these companies."
I think a lot of people who are reasonable AI skeptics are saying things like “I don’t see a reliable use for LLMs in areas I’m an expert in” and that those folks are quite distinct from people who argue that LLMs don’t have capabilities that they clearly do
October 5, 2025 at 3:09 PM
co-signed. a robot might be able to type rote code faster than me, but *typing speed* is not the limiting factor in my effectiveness as a software engineer, and never has been.
*understanding* the code (and the pre-existing human and computational systems it interacts with) is the hard part.
*understanding* the code (and the pre-existing human and computational systems it interacts with) is the hard part.
Reposted by zoniventris
Trying to not weigh in on this ai discussion but it’s important to remember technology exists in a political economic context and what a tech “is” and whether it is a net positive or even useful to most people is largely contingent on that context
October 5, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Trying to not weigh in on this ai discussion but it’s important to remember technology exists in a political economic context and what a tech “is” and whether it is a net positive or even useful to most people is largely contingent on that context
Reposted by zoniventris
I'll put this marker down now: if we go into a shutdown and Dems actually hold the line and don't immediately cave, their poll numbers will go up
90% of the reason their numbers are so low with non-Rs is they've managed exactly zero concrete opposition so far
90% of the reason their numbers are so low with non-Rs is they've managed exactly zero concrete opposition so far
"Dems will get blamed for a shutdown" as opposed to what, all the friendly coverage and positive credit they'd get for caving yet again? This whole premise is built on a delusion about what the alternative is. There's no cowering in the corner and being so inoffensive they won't still attack you.
September 30, 2025 at 2:12 AM
I'll put this marker down now: if we go into a shutdown and Dems actually hold the line and don't immediately cave, their poll numbers will go up
90% of the reason their numbers are so low with non-Rs is they've managed exactly zero concrete opposition so far
90% of the reason their numbers are so low with non-Rs is they've managed exactly zero concrete opposition so far
Some people who really ought to know better seem to have forgotten what speculative fiction is
September 30, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Some people who really ought to know better seem to have forgotten what speculative fiction is
Nonbinary erasure has been getting to me even more than usual lately
September 28, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Nonbinary erasure has been getting to me even more than usual lately
Reposted by zoniventris
Many of us called out that this law passed by Democrats would turn out to be a massive self inflicted wound.
They never should have passed the TikTok ban. It was a bad idea even WITHOUT oligarch capture.
They never should have passed the TikTok ban. It was a bad idea even WITHOUT oligarch capture.
This is the biggest self own Democrats have ever done. They handed control of the largest social media platform to far right regime allies.
Trump plans to sign a TikTok deal on Thursday; source: TikTok US would be run by a new joint venture company, with ByteDance holding less than 20% of its stock (NBC News)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
September 24, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Many of us called out that this law passed by Democrats would turn out to be a massive self inflicted wound.
They never should have passed the TikTok ban. It was a bad idea even WITHOUT oligarch capture.
They never should have passed the TikTok ban. It was a bad idea even WITHOUT oligarch capture.
Reposted by zoniventris
Disney+ is still on the BDS list, BTW.
Don't restart your subscription just because they brought back Kimmel. They only did that because they lost so much money anyway; they learned nothing. If Disney or ABC wants your money, make them divest from Israel first.
Don't restart your subscription just because they brought back Kimmel. They only did that because they lost so much money anyway; they learned nothing. If Disney or ABC wants your money, make them divest from Israel first.
September 22, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Disney+ is still on the BDS list, BTW.
Don't restart your subscription just because they brought back Kimmel. They only did that because they lost so much money anyway; they learned nothing. If Disney or ABC wants your money, make them divest from Israel first.
Don't restart your subscription just because they brought back Kimmel. They only did that because they lost so much money anyway; they learned nothing. If Disney or ABC wants your money, make them divest from Israel first.
Reposted by zoniventris
among the issues with people not having any knowledge of hybrid regimes in the global South is the fact that everyone assumes contemporary authoritarian governance looks like 20th century totalitarianism
September 19, 2025 at 1:19 PM
among the issues with people not having any knowledge of hybrid regimes in the global South is the fact that everyone assumes contemporary authoritarian governance looks like 20th century totalitarianism
Reposted by zoniventris
Three weeks ago, we lost two beautiful angels at the Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis.
The gun violence epidemic must end. That starts with a ban on assault weapons & high-capacity magazines.
www.hometownsource.com/sun_post/fre...
The gun violence epidemic must end. That starts with a ban on assault weapons & high-capacity magazines.
www.hometownsource.com/sun_post/fre...
COLUMN: Rep. Omar shares September update
Hello neighbor,
www.hometownsource.com
September 18, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Three weeks ago, we lost two beautiful angels at the Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis.
The gun violence epidemic must end. That starts with a ban on assault weapons & high-capacity magazines.
www.hometownsource.com/sun_post/fre...
The gun violence epidemic must end. That starts with a ban on assault weapons & high-capacity magazines.
www.hometownsource.com/sun_post/fre...
Reposted by zoniventris
this is just incredibly bleak
we wanted the machines to automate the drudgery so we had more time to create and they have done the exact opposite
we wanted the machines to automate the drudgery so we had more time to create and they have done the exact opposite
Freelance illustration gigs drying up. Ad agencies using Midjourney instead of hiring human artists. Costume design turned over to AI wholesale. Good work vanishing.
These are the stories of working visual artists, who describe losing jobs, wages, and hope as their clients and bosses embrace AI.
These are the stories of working visual artists, who describe losing jobs, wages, and hope as their clients and bosses embrace AI.
Artists are losing work, wages, and hope as bosses and clients embrace AI
Visual artists, illustrators and graphic designers share their stories about how AI is being used to lower wages, degrade work and even replace it altogether, in this installment of AI Killed My Job.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
September 17, 2025 at 7:19 PM
this is just incredibly bleak
we wanted the machines to automate the drudgery so we had more time to create and they have done the exact opposite
we wanted the machines to automate the drudgery so we had more time to create and they have done the exact opposite
Reposted by zoniventris
“That anyone uses LLMs to code is a testament to just how bad tooling and languages are.”
geohot.github.io//blog/jekyll...
geohot.github.io//blog/jekyll...
AI Coding
In my old age I’ve mostly given up trying to convince anyone of anything. Most people do not care to find the truth, they care about what pumps their bags. Some people go as far as to believe that per...
geohot.github.io
September 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
“That anyone uses LLMs to code is a testament to just how bad tooling and languages are.”
geohot.github.io//blog/jekyll...
geohot.github.io//blog/jekyll...
Reposted by zoniventris
As early as 1931, while still in Germany, Albert Einstein spoke against American racism.
"It must be pointed out … that the exclusion of the colored population from active civil rights by the common practices is a slap in the face of the Constitution of the nation."
- Albert Einstein, 1946
#History
"It must be pointed out … that the exclusion of the colored population from active civil rights by the common practices is a slap in the face of the Constitution of the nation."
- Albert Einstein, 1946
#History
How Albert Einstein Used His Fame to Denounce American Racism
The world-renowned physicist was never one to just stick to the science
www.smithsonianmag.com
April 19, 2025 at 11:35 AM
As early as 1931, while still in Germany, Albert Einstein spoke against American racism.
"It must be pointed out … that the exclusion of the colored population from active civil rights by the common practices is a slap in the face of the Constitution of the nation."
- Albert Einstein, 1946
#History
"It must be pointed out … that the exclusion of the colored population from active civil rights by the common practices is a slap in the face of the Constitution of the nation."
- Albert Einstein, 1946
#History
Reposted by zoniventris
Discovering computer as an adult makes you go crazy. Discovering computer as a baby makes you go crazy. In all of human history, there will only ever be one generation to discover computer at the correct age: 13
The problem with every post-Millennial generation is they got to go straight to high speed internet. Of course you'll get computer madness that way. Make them start with those old screeching modems and work their way up
September 12, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Discovering computer as an adult makes you go crazy. Discovering computer as a baby makes you go crazy. In all of human history, there will only ever be one generation to discover computer at the correct age: 13
Reposted by zoniventris
Here's something I always forget that most people don't know: finding & paying for your own attorney is the only realistic option for someone detained by ICE. There's no appointed counsel system, & limited non-profits who can only take a few at a time (if at all).
These cases are a *lot of work*
These cases are a *lot of work*
September 9, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Here's something I always forget that most people don't know: finding & paying for your own attorney is the only realistic option for someone detained by ICE. There's no appointed counsel system, & limited non-profits who can only take a few at a time (if at all).
These cases are a *lot of work*
These cases are a *lot of work*
Reposted by zoniventris
It turns out that protecting hate speech did not create the conditions to protect other kinds of speech; instead, it protected hate and allowed hate movements to take over all the institutions of that might have defended the rest of us.
September 9, 2025 at 11:51 AM
It turns out that protecting hate speech did not create the conditions to protect other kinds of speech; instead, it protected hate and allowed hate movements to take over all the institutions of that might have defended the rest of us.
Reposted by zoniventris
This is not true. Blackstone owns 0.06% of the single family homes in America. There is no market where they own more than 1% of the homes.
Nobody has a monopoly on housing. 2/3 of American households own their homes and rental housing is a VERY diversified and competitive industry.
Nobody has a monopoly on housing. 2/3 of American households own their homes and rental housing is a VERY diversified and competitive industry.
September 8, 2025 at 12:50 PM
This is not true. Blackstone owns 0.06% of the single family homes in America. There is no market where they own more than 1% of the homes.
Nobody has a monopoly on housing. 2/3 of American households own their homes and rental housing is a VERY diversified and competitive industry.
Nobody has a monopoly on housing. 2/3 of American households own their homes and rental housing is a VERY diversified and competitive industry.
Reposted by zoniventris
Techniken der Faschisierung: "Verteidigung" ist passiv, "Krieg" ist aktiv. Trump und Co tun alles, um sich als Macher der "Tatpolitik" zu inszenieren. Das steht nicht nur im Konflikt zu Dialog, Gewaltenteilung & Kompromiss; es soll die verbreitete Ohnmachtswahrnehmung der Bevölkerung kompensieren.
September 8, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Techniken der Faschisierung: "Verteidigung" ist passiv, "Krieg" ist aktiv. Trump und Co tun alles, um sich als Macher der "Tatpolitik" zu inszenieren. Das steht nicht nur im Konflikt zu Dialog, Gewaltenteilung & Kompromiss; es soll die verbreitete Ohnmachtswahrnehmung der Bevölkerung kompensieren.