Pinned toot

So I joined in March 2019, but since there's been so many new people showing I think it's high time I posted a for them.

I am a recently-minted mathematics Ph.D. currently going for a masters' degree in cybersecurity at Rochester Institute of Technology. I am very interested in math, computers, computer security, literature (particularly fiction --- I like writing short stories) and languages. For hobbies I do coding, math research, walks at night, biking, camping and hunting with my father.

My political views at the moment (they have evolved over time, and will undoubtedly continue to evolve) are best described as a blend of social democracy and left-leaning liberalism, with one or two outlying positions thrown in as well. This aside, I don't mind hanging out with pretty much anyone, as long as they aren't hateful, bigoted, arguing in bad faith, or otherwise more unpleasant than pleasant to deal with. I tend to think, based on experience, that the best way to understand other perspectives and even get others to change minds on subjects is to be friendly, talk openly and honestly, and engage others in good faith whenever possible. (@tolortslubor, I hope this helps and is to your liking!)

ML2 boosted

An all-star group of folks has come together to write this online safety guide for protecting yourself against harassment by individuals, loosely organized groups, and cybermobs.

This is a much-needed guide and I'm glad it exists.
gameshotline.org/online-free-s

ML2 boosted

Vernissage is available to download from App Store: apps.apple.com/pl/app/vernissa

What is Vernissage? Vernissage is a simple and intuitive Pixelfed client that is focused on showcasing and sharing photos. With Vernissage, you can browse through a timeline that is dedicated to photos only. This means that you won't find any other types of media in the app, so you can focus solely on discovering and enjoying beautiful photography.

ML2 boosted

@hugo The only viable path is to counter their vague nationalist fever dream with an equally bold vision of the future. A country without needless suffering. People in all their diversity creating great things together. Maybe a railroad or a moon landing or public libraries— something big that everyone can be proud of. The true believers in bigotry won’t be won over but many others will. I don’t think “hate is wrong” will be enough to keep us safe. Sorry.

ML2 boosted
ML2 boosted

I talk about Binker Bonkers a lot and he's a wonderful cat.

But when he entered my life in late September 2015, he had a buddy, Sanouk. More than buddies, they were bonded and loved to nap with one another. When Sanouk passed away in early November 2018, I grieved at losing him but also soon feared would Brinkley adjust to being a solitary cat?

Somehow he did. I could see at times he would search and yell for his buddy. And so I often would cuddle him, try to soothe him.

Show thread
ML2 boosted

It's telling to me that the Fediverse—which provides all the self-governance of a DAO, and all the decentralization of web3—has no interest from the VC bootlicker class.

It reveals a lot about how a plausible technological benefit evolves into a grift. web3 nonsense was never about new paradigms. It was about constructing bags and conscripting bag holders. The proof is right here. Those guys are now chasing AI, instead of viable expressions of the goals they claimed to be so invested in.

ML2 boosted

What Zuckerberg should actually cut is Reality Labs. That, right there, would save them $13.7B a year.

But he won't do it because Meta is now chasing losses in an industry that might not be viable for another 10 years.

If the Metaverse is ever viable.

newsobserver.com/news/business

Show thread
ML2 boosted

Such a disturbing story: New Report Says Nurses at Illinois Facility Forced Patients to Dig Through Their Own Feces

propublica.org/article/illinoi @ProPublica

ML2 boosted

Florida professors consider fleeing the state after DeSantis' 'un-American' mass search of texts, emails - Daily Dot apple.news/A-lQKcx88SzS-kDFSJv

ML2 boosted

🚨 IMPORTANT 🚨

Be aware: mastodon.lol is shutting down.

If you're on that instance, migrate your account RIGHT NOW!

ML2 boosted

I have almost 150,000 followers on Twitter. About 1/10th of that on Mastadon, yet Mastadon is often getting superior engagement for the same ideas.

I think more people need to know this is a place worth investing time in.

ML2 boosted
ML2 boosted

Twitter just announced free access to the Twitter API will end on February 9, with unannounced pricing or usage details, effectively killing every free fun and useful thing ever built with it: bots, games, mashups, visualizations, research projects, autoposters, autoblockers, deleters, and so much more. twitter.com/twitterdev/status/

ML2 boosted

Educational institutions might have to start adopting the Fediverse.

Especially now that Twitter's API is no longer free.

Which means an entire generation of students will be learning about ActivityPub and Mastodon's API.

ML2 boosted

Considering the data above ⬆️

I'm guessing that 6.5 posts are made per Fediverse user.

Keep in mind these are just public posts—unlisted and private posts aren't being measured.

Comparatively, I'd love to know how many posts are made per Twitter user.

Show thread
ML2 boosted

Twitter keeps getting more buggy. I’m now getting duplicate notifications and the app got rid of the scroll bar indicator.

ML2 boosted

If you had said 3 months ago that I'd be boosting posts about decentralized protocol projects, I'd have channeled years of web3 skepticism into a categorical denial. But here we are in blockchain-less Mastodon-land, which has totally rehabilitated the brand of 'decentralized' and reminded us of the great successes of email,internet.torrent tech, and that we should want more.
mastodon.cloud/@anildash/10950

ML2 boosted

POST-DOCTORAL POSITION IN DATA SCIENCE

Located in Portland, Oregon, Lewis & Clark College is a small liberal arts college with 2,100 undergraduates. We invite applications for a 2-year post-doctoral position in Data Science. The Data Science program at Lewis & Clark consists of an undergraduate minor supported by an interdisciplinary group of faculty members. This position will collaborate with existing faculty to elevate the data science program by offering enriching introductory and upper division data science courses. 

Details:

apply.interfolio.com/120374

ML2 boosted

I wrote about that new study looking at Russian interference in the 2016 election, and why Matt Taibbi and the “Russiagate” skeptics are, as usual, wrong. The study was solid but extremely narrow in scope, to the point of very limited generalizability, and it did *not* show that Russia’s influence campaign had no impact.
open.substack.com/pub/weaponiz

ML2 boosted

FYI, Ivory for for Android is not Ivory for iOS.

Seems as though Ivory for Android came out first and hasn't been updated for awhile.

Also, Ivory for Android doesn't even work.

Show more
Qoto Mastodon

QOTO: Question Others to Teach Ourselves
An inclusive, Academic Freedom, instance
All cultures welcome.
Hate speech and harassment strictly forbidden.