Another Weekend Down the Drain
So I spent most of Saturday writing holiday cards, organizing my office and watching Knives Out for the second time, whilst following along in the script. It is fascinating how many lines in this film appear to have been improvised. This was the last movie we saw in a theater, for the first time in years!
And then the pandemic hit. Oh, well.
Here are a few articles I ran across Sunday morning, as I read the Washington Post. I’ll provide the “gift links,” courtesy of the owner Jeff Bezos, ex-CEO of Amazon and owner of said newspaper.
Here’s why Elon Musk is the worst kind of boss.
Okay. Right. Elon Musk is “the worst kind of boss,” because … (and I quote from the article here)
Musk purchased Twitter in late October by loading the social media company with a massive amount of debt. Days later, he eliminated half the staff, decimating entire divisions to cut costs. The layoffs were carried out so fast the company had to backtrack and ask some workers to return.
Those who remained were told to commit, in writing, to a “hardcore” workplace or quit. “This will mean working long hours at high intensity,” Musk said in an email to employees.
Hundreds chose unemployment, refusing to sign a pledge to perform at levels best reserved for robots.
So … do I really have to point out the irony here? ( Thank God for the New York Times! That should be another “gift link.”)
Oh, and here’s something filed under the heading of “Innovations.”
Meta’s new AI is skilled at a ruthless power-seeking game.
Oh, goody.
Plus, TSA wants to scan your face at security. Here are your rights.
Here’s a quote from that article (emphasis in bold mine):
After hearing concerns from Washington Post readers who encountered face scans while traveling, I wanted to know how the TSA is using the tech and what our rights are. Everybody wants better safety, but is this really safer — and what are its real costs?
So I quizzed the TSA’s Jason Lim, who helps run the program formally known as Credential Authentication Technology with Camera (CAT-2). And I also called Albert Fox Cahn, the founder of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, or STOP, and one of the biggest critics of facial recognition.
I learned the TSA has put some important constraints on its use of facial recognition — but its current programs are just the beginning.
No, you don’t have to participate in facial recognition at the airport. Whether you’ll feel like you have a real choice is a separate question.
Oh, man! Do I hear that?
Like, you know, the whole idea of actually having a choice about … oh, for instance, being exclusive to Amazon or not being exclusive to Amazon. Or say running Amazon ads vs. not running Amazon ads. Oh, or being on BookTok (that’s TikTok for authors or readers or both, I guess) versus not giving a shit about TikTok or whatever new sparkly thing comes along!
Okay, then. Here’s an opinion for you.
Where do you really come from? That’s a toxic question. And do help yourself to another “gift link.” Don’t worry about Jeff’s finances. I get the distinct feeling he’ll be just fine.
And if you think that question is awkward, you should see me try to answer people when they ask, “Where did you grow up?” 🙂
The answer is complicated. But I started off living in Queens, NY, in a building that looked pretty much like this one.
Looks like something out of The French Connection! 🙂
Oh, and next time you’re in the NorthWest of the US, check out these three towns!
I’ve been to Hood River and it’s pretty cool. I’ve been to Astoria, too. Twice! The one pictured above (Astoria, NY) and Astoria, OR. I imagine Astoria, NY, may have risen in the world somewhat since my last visit (which was like reliving a nightmare), but I suspect Astoria, OR hasn’t changed a whole lot. But it’s been a while since I went there, and it was much less like a nightmare.
What a ringing endorsement, eh? 🙂
PS: Want a cartoon? Here’s one I drew of the above photo. Well … it’s … a little different. 🙂
PS: Please note the category “humor” has been checked!
Originally published at http://randomandsundrythings.wordpress.com on December 12, 2022.
