tb_technical

The FCC wasn't trying before.

We need to put down a law to force network infrastructure companies to compete, like European nations, if we truly want change.

Diogenes was throwing defeathered chickens at people long before the pandemic made people more paranoid and contrarian.

This is older than dirt

Payment processing being opaque, heavy handed, and restrictive all started with the patriot act, and until it's gone payment processors can't be the dispassionate processors of transactions people expect.

It's very strange that porn is the thing rallying people to dismantle this nonsense.

If you operate a payment processor, and are a part of a legal oligopoly, you should be punished for not processing legal transactions - even if people are using your services to buy icky things you don't approve of.

We need to avoid parallel economies at all costs.

I am not the person you're replying to, but I am also concerned about this issue.

This is a concern for people who have a lot of digital content under Amazon's umbrella. I have hundreds of audiobooks, ebooks, music, and movies - and if I lose my Amazon account I lose access to hundreds if not thousands of dollars of content.

As for trying to constrain Amazon to play fair, and treat the peasants nicely? Good luck.

Amazon is a rival to Google in terms of content delivered to people, and, like Google, Amazon performs a lot of services for the federal government. They have lobbyists, legal teams, and even politicians in their pocket.

Your subjective experience, or a lack of interest from legislators, does not mean these issues do not exist.

Mostly what was in mind when I made the above posts were the after market ECU systems you can buy. I know it's not exactly the same - but I'm hoping that someday someone will make a aftermarket ECU for electric cars.

You're right! But rather than reverse engineer the cars computer, how about a complete aftermarket overhaul? You would lose some features, surely, but at least the car would work, no?

This is why I'll always buy cheap used cars - they already have a history of running. All they need is intensive oil changes and occasional part replacement for a couple years before I move onto my next used car.

I avoid all the whizbang rent seeking bullshit just by driving horrible old cars.

I really hope someone makes a conversion kit for the computer in these cars. It would suck to be out on a new car, and just have a brick sitting in your driveway.

I think we're starting to understand each other.

> That is a yes to my question, then. You do not know what the book is about but you do know the Correct Feelings that others should have about it.

Yes. From past experience I've observed less obnoxious behavior from some humans over others. Obnoxious is subjective. I'm fine with this.

> It is an odd thing to post and then vociferously defend, and it reminds me of a post I saw, “People willingly share things online that you couldn’t waterboard out of me”. That being said, I don’t think anyone is clutching pearls here unless you define literally any criticism at all as such.

But what if I'm lying about lying about my favorite book being Atlas Shrugged? You will never know!

Honestly, I find this all a little ridiculous.

"You admitted that you lie in real life."

Yes. Everybody does. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying. I lie about things that won't hurt people if discovered, or about things to make people feel better about themselves. And it's not fucking weird to say it.

Men have been lying to their wives about how the old dress fits for a long, long time - and if you think the correct answer is the honest one, you're a fool.

Thank you

I'm not fucking with you, and there's nothing to help.

I'm living my life happily surrounded by people I cherish and appreciate - and who cherish and appreciate me.

I pay taxes. I have a lover and children. I hang out with friends, and we all have a good time.

I can't see your viewpoint as anything but being inflexible. Contrary to popular belief lies are an important aspect of the human condition. We lie to others and ourselves.

I chose a lie that hurts people? Hurts them how? Have you never told someone that you're "having a good day" on an objectively terrible one?

Guilty. I like the narrow band of people who I can watch a football game with, and have it not be a chore.

Everything is so tiresome nowadays.

Well, thanks! That's much appreciated. I was being a little whimsical with the parent comment, by the way.

The entire comment tree is honestly really baffling to me.

From people claiming I'm a secret fan of Rand, to people claiming I'm antisocial, or a sociopath - it's been a wild ride.

From my perspective, it would be worse to subject myself to people who hate me. And just because I'm not friends with someone doesn't mean I wouldn't jump start their car, or help them out in another way in a pinch.

It's all just so bizarre to me.

Have a good night.

Unhealthy for who, exactly? People who I won't get along with?

Isn't it better that we don't interact, in this case? People aren't infinitely malleable - and I have no right to demand behavior from others. So, in my mind, it's better for everyone if we're separated from each other.

Do you hang around people that dislike talking to you? I don't recommend that. I don't think anyone recommends that.

I try to avoid white supremacists if at all possible.

Dude I read it in 8th grade. That was close to 30 years ago. All I remember about the book was the rant about cigarette brands at the train station and some notions about selfishness being a moral good or some such nonsense. It didn't speak to me then, and every time I've been dared to read it I've been bored to sleep.

Now as for why I do this? This book creates such a wild reaction in people that it's an effective tool for sorting out radicals, purity commissars, and generally annoying people. And it works.

I don't actually care about the book. I don't understand why people care about the book. I care about keeping pains in the ass out of my life. And, let's be honest here, the feeling is clearly mutual with some of these people.

And people here clutching at pearls over a white lie?

People find ways to self select with all sorts of methods. Mine doesn't involve immutable characteristics, and I prefer it that way.

If you want to believe that I'm this person there's nothing I can say to dissuade you.

But I'm not him.

Yeah as I've said before - don't remember much of the book. But freedom of association isn't exactly a concept the rand lovers have a monopoly over.

Pretty much, yeah. Any controversial political book will do.

Perhaps, but they do seem to like me. Should I warn them? Tell them I'm dangerous?

I'm not surprised that in over 1000 pages, a parallel can be drawn by a statement, from a character from the work in question, and a sentiment I hold.

Stopped clocks and all that.

It's difficult to describe without spoiling the book. The only way I can describe it without spoiling the three arcs is to say it has a very bleak outlook on human nature

If someone starts talking about train sex, the ensuing conversation is going to be an absolute riot

No I have no idea what any of this is about

I completely agree with you, and I have similar sentiments with my friends who hold different views.

I'm glad you had a laugh. That's what I was going for - and normally how the interaction in question plays out.

I don't like Atlas Shrugged and you can't convince me otherwise. The most interesting paragraphs in that book were rants about cigarette brands, and even that was a total bore.

Neuromancer is enjoyable, but mostly because I enjoyed cyberpunk inspired media before reading it. Seeing all the influences Neuromancer had on books, movies, anime/manga, and even half life mods was a real treat. That and I empathized with Case - in my youth I was addicted to amphetamines, and it was a really nasty habit to kick.

As for Dying Earth, although the first wizards story is a little bit of a slow burn, seeing the elf sisters come back for their own pieces in the anthology was a real treat. Seeing the disturbed one overcome her sickness and find love was a fun triumphant end for her character arc. I'm also a DnD player, so seeing the early inspiration for the spell slots mechanic was a really cool experience for me.

But, really, what really annoys me about what people like you do is interrogate people for purity. I lost too much time in my youth trying to keep people, who I thought were my friends, like you happy.

That sort of stress isn't worth it. People who act this way are not a positive influence on my life, and I just don't have the time for it. And it's perfectly acceptable not to want to be friends with people who accuse other people of being too chuddy.

It's just gross, man

No, and I don't know who he is either.

Don't let me dissuade you, but it's not a very good read. There's a reason I forgot almost all of it.

But if you like her long-winded style, have fun! It's a long one.