Sasha Akhavi @sakhavi@qoto.org

Currently betting that a lot of authors and their agents are about to pick up subscriptions to @TheAtlantic

Searchable database of books found in Large Language Model datasets:

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/09/books3-database-generative-ai-training-copyright-infringement/675363/

Excited to see so many folks join Mastodon this weekend now that #AoIR2023's official social media will be here on the platform.

Welcome!

AoIR will not be using Twitter/X during #AoIR2023. We will be posting here. Please see this announcement for additional information and details. https://aoir.org/aoir2023onmastodon/

Thanks for putting a bow on it, Clarence! #ImpeachClarenceThomasNow #SCOTUS #SupremeCorruption #JohnRoberts #SamAlito

Clarence Thomas’ Latest Pay-to-Play Scandal Finally Connects All the Dots https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/09/clarence-thomas-chevron-ethics-kochs.html?via=rss

Don"t miss this!! On Sept 27 at 10-11 am PDT /1-2 pm EDT Christoph Becker will discuss the role of computing in sustainability, and what has to change @ACM @sigcas - online & free. but registration is required. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sigcas-wip-insolvent-how-to-reorient-computing-for-just-sustainability-tickets-633954273297 #InsolventBook #sustainability #computing #JustSustanability

It's possible to fuse critical perspectives with work in computer science, showing new and fruitful directions for computing professionals and researchers to pursue.

WWJFCD

Deeply disappointed but horribly unsurprised about the outcome of the UK's Online Safety Bill. Too much weight in this world is being lent to surveillance, authoritarianism, and control, all wielded overwhelmingly against already marginalized populations.

Way more work still to do.

I went to my optometrist this morning. They don't require customers to mask anymore, but were happy to have all their staff wear masks, including receptionists.

After my appointment finished, I noticed that all the waiting patients had masks as well, which I originally thought was just good luck. However, the receptionist told me that every customer had entered without a mask, and within a few minutes they all either put on their own mask or asked for one from the receptionist, noticing that they were the odd one out.

This experience powerfully showed me that for many, the decision to mask or not is heavily influenced by peer pressure.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with a parent deciding a certain book is not right for her child. There is a colossal problem with a parent deciding that, therefore, no child should be allowed to read that book.” - Jodi Picoult

USA conference organizers: please do not plan conferences in trans-exclusionary states.

Here is the current list of USA trans-friendly states/regions:

- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- D.C.
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Mexico
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin

Resources:

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/anti-trans-legislative-risk-assessment

https://translegislation.com/

https://oag.ca.gov/ab1887

#uspol #conference #transphobia

The Unity self-immolation is really hitting all of the points on my modern corporate evil checklist.

- Slimy TOS tricks to prevent critique
- Invasive spyware being weaponized
- Rent-seeking on existing customers for zero benefit
- Platform abusing their power over developers
- "We're listening" placatory statement
- Disproportionate harm to indies over megacorps