So this suggests that the best scams are the ones that make you think you're in control, especially in a system where you have none. Huh. That feels like a very important insight about a lot of things.
To put this in perspective chestnut trees used to be dominant species in the United States. Billions of trees were killed by fungal blight and now fully grown America chestnuts are functionally extinct. There is no getting them back. Ever. All for a data center.
Such a good thread about AI, aesthetics, and how much knowledge you need to actually make something cool. And-- importantly-- that there's no AI shortcut.
There's a wildfire in Sooke, and the smoke rolled in through Saanich inlet yesterday. This morning it's cool and rainy and smells like fire, but the water looks uncannily like Moonlight Sacrifice by Holo Taco. Huh. I think it's the orange microshimmer that does it.
IT'S TODAY!!! My fantasy novella, A DUBIOUS CLAMOR, is out today! From here on out, if you suddenly have the urge to read about harpies, opinionated weapons, and a bunch of misfits fighting the fash, you can just DO THAT! Order direct or from bookstores: hornedlarkpress.com/product/a-du...
I feel like kitten bites are so good for you they could maybe replace yoga some days. Though I guess kittens wouldn't help my hip flexors being painfully tight? Won't know unless I try!
Also? Social media is real life. If you're being an ass on the internets but nice at home, you are still being an ass.
This especially goes for "but they're only doing it as a public persona!" My sibling in Mithras, whatever you're willing to do for your persona is SOMETHING YOU'RE WILLING TO DO.
SJohn Scalzi@scalzi.com
Yup. I know bullies online who are perfectly pleasant offline, and what I take from that is "Oh, so you know how to behave when you might get punched."
And to tell on myself, this is one reason I'm a nicer person online now than I was a decade+ ago. I stopped liking that version of me, a lot.