Dimestorehalo @Dimestorehalo@qoto.org

HEARTBREAKING: At least 10 people have been shot to death in a #MassShooting amid #LunarNewYear celebrations in #MontereyPark, #California.

The deadly deregulation of guns in America remains a clear and present threat to the public safety of every American.

Time for an #introduction

Magpie Market is a federated platform aiming to be an alternative to #etsy; leveraging the Fediverse to help #artists, craftspeople, and others promote and sell their goods and services. We believe the #fediverse deserves a marketplace built with federation in mind.

@SimonRoyHughes @bookstodon

Revelation 6:8

And I looked, and behold a pale horse
And his name that sat on him was Death.
And Death did give unto the pale horse a sugar lump.
“Good boy Whatnot,” said Death. “You deserve that treat after all the apocalypsing we’ve been doing this morning.”

Americans will really do anything to avoid using the metric system.

Due to an attack on @soc-au-fediland.de I will block any accounts joining me from this instance. This will be temporary until their admin have control over the Russian bot attack. If you get any accounts joining from the instance I would consider taking the same action in the meantime.

No surprise that once pictures of George Santos in drag surfaced, he immediately denied it with a ridiculous statement. But, lordy, now there's video, and yeah...we see you, George. 👀

https://www.comicsands.com/santos-brazilian-drag-queen-photos-2659280983.html?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=toot&utm_campaign=sand

I've been listening and reading on AI, and it strikes me how most of the real questions around are far from new, and not technological at all.

So I laughed really hard at this story of a dog who, in 1908, was rewarded with steak for saving a child who'd fallen into the Seine. Naturally, he started pushing kids in to rescue them to get more steak. Much like a bot optimizes to its parameters. (the fancy term is "principal-agent" problem). https://www.nytimes.com/1908/02/02/archives/dog-a-fake-hero-pushes-children-into-the-seine-to-rescue-them-and.html

Have you ever thought about how much braver and strong liberals are than conservatives?
We can wear masks with complaint during the #COVID19 pandemic.
We don't need assault weapons to protect ourselves in restaurants or supermarkets.
We support Ukraine rather than fear what a Russian madman will do in retaliation.
Women enter restrooms unafraid a transgender person may be in the next stall.
Men live their lives without worrying if they're perceived as sufficiently “alpha.”

New runestones discovered!
The oldest datable runestone has been discovered in Svingerud in Ringerike (Norway). The context of the find is datable through typology and C14, and it dates from 1-250 CE, which means it might very well be the oldest runic inscription discovered. I am thrilled to be on the team of the initial investigation of these inscriptions.

https://www.nrk.no/kultur/fant-2000-ar-gammel-runestein-pa-ringerike-1.16256351

Photobomb of the year!
Photo: Bill Furey

Is it just me, or are robots not just getting more capable but also a little cocky? 😆 (Watch to the end.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e1_QhJ1EhQ

House Republicans are trying to pass a bill to implement a MASSIVE 23% national sales tax on all taxable goods and services — with more tax hikes to come later on.

This would be absolutely crushing for middle-class families.

The corrupt bargain Kevin McCarthy made with far right Republicans, which he still refuses to make public, includes a promise to advance a 30% national sales tax. They repeal taxes on billionaires while you pay 30% more for gas, food, and so much more:

https://www.semafor.com/article/01/18/2023/republicans-worry-a-national-sales-tax-bill-would-be-a-political-gift-for-democrats