binsrc @binsrc@qoto.org

A #mastodon exclusive! You are invited to play on a *REAL* PDP-8/e running the TSS/8 monitor (TimeSharing System 8) pictured here. There is a user contributed tutorial here:

https://wiki.livingcomputers.org/doku.php?id=tss_8

To connect, ssh tss8@tty.livingcomputers.org

If you are unable to connect that means all 6 (yes, just 6) lines are in use. Remember, this is real hardware and there is NO EMULATION happening. It is the real deal! Enjoy!

#retro #fun #computing

Why do science advocates listen to Bill Maher? Answer: They don't.

https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2019/12/19/a-lot-of-people-think-lip-service-to-science-is-sufficient/

@binsrc it boils down to fast approximation vs slow precise answer. When you are constrained on time, you just can't be slow. In teaching the constraint could be the amount of attention the student is willing to pay before getting any tangible results/gains.

The point of what's more correct becomes moot, especially when you realize that most practical applications of mathematical theories are fast approximations.

Ocean acidification and sea animal death https://gnusocial.no/url/1769851

An interesting article in Quanta Magazine, highlighting issues with a recent paper dismissing dark energy

https://www.quantamagazine.org/no-dark-energy-no-chance-cosmologists-contend-20191217/

#cosmology

Me 5 minutes into my diet

#dog #dogs #funny #humor

The things you can learn from discarded wads of gum…

https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2019/12/18/chew-more-gum-for-posterity/

Just wanted everyone to know that effective immediately I'll be stepping down as a Mod at QOTO.

I'm really just not enjoying it, and I've found I'd much rather be on Fedi doing silly stuff.

Qoto is my first instance, and I've always liked it here. I hope everyone continues to love QOTO and the community continues to grow.

So long, and thanks for all the Fish. :)

@design_RG You've taught me never to send you a DM. It won't happen again.

I looked up the term "ascerbic."

I don't see how this adjective applies to my words. Maybe if I change some of the words, it will mitigate the stigma.

DIFFERENT WORDS

I decided not to express any opinion in the QOTO moderator selection process because it is a procedural charade.

The fact that my point-of-view is missing will have no effect on the short-term outcome, of course.

But it does make sense to acknowledge a problem which has potential long-term consequences.

Without more, a sham process is meaningless except for the unanticipated consequences going forward.

DIFFERENT FORMAT

A. FACT. My support or lack of it will have no effect on the short-term process of selecting you as a QOTO moderator.

B. QUESTION. Does it make sense to acknowledges a problem that has long-term consequences?
ANSWER: Yes

C. PROBLEM. Without more, a procedural charade is a meaningless in the short-term and potentially meaningful consequences long-term are not unlikely.

Some people are not happy with my spider obsession. Well, this one is for you. It could be so much worse.

https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2019/12/16/not-a-spider/

➽=ALL The future that graphene builtMove over, flat carbon. Meet borophene, phosphorene and the rest of the next generation of “atomically thin” super-materials.
The wonder material graphene — an array of interlinked carbon atoms arranged in a sheet just one atom thick — promised a world of applications, including super-fast electronics, ultra-sensitive sensors and incredibly durable materials. After a few false starts, that promise is close to realization. And a suite of other extremely thin substances is following in its wake.
https://www.knowablemagazine.org/article/technology/2019/graphene-2d-materials