I have always thought that A.

FearlessFly comments on Oct 19, 2020:

I'm not sure that 'evil' has a universally accepted definition.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 20, 2020:

@AlanCliffe Nietzsche would be Philosophy, Trump (who you did not mention) would be Politics. :P

Informative AND entertaining. I love Jon Oliver. [youtube.com]

FearlessFly comments on Oct 19, 2020:

I don't disagree with his comments, but I'd rather not use comedians as a news source. :P

FearlessFly replies on Oct 19, 2020:

@silverotter11 I don't question the veracity, I object to folks using FB/YT/Yahoo as their primary source of 'news'. More often than not, posts here have links with (what I call) 'tracking crapola' which inescapably tell me the links were "shared" from FB (or worse).

What If the Government Ran a Social Network ?

Fernapple comments on Oct 19, 2020:

Why would they have to fund it. Let it carry adds and turn a profit.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 19, 2020:

@Fernapple . . . only one of us is making the case for government profit. I'm not suggesting I favor gov't waste, I do think social media are great examples of capitalism run-rampant. I think capitalist motives and government motives are (and should be) different.

What If the Government Ran a Social Network ?

Fernapple comments on Oct 19, 2020:

Why would they have to fund it. Let it carry adds and turn a profit.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 19, 2020:

@Fernapple Would you argue that prisons-for-profit is a great idea ? :O

What If the Government Ran a Social Network ?

Fernapple comments on Oct 19, 2020:

Why would they have to fund it. Let it carry adds and turn a profit.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 19, 2020:

I would contend that profit is not the reason we have government. :P

Informative AND entertaining. I love Jon Oliver. [youtube.com]

rogerbenham comments on Oct 19, 2020:

Video unavailable The uploader has not made this video available in your country.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 19, 2020:

@Barnie2years . . . THE reason (a very good read) : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16718183-without-copyrights

This complete psychological analysis reveals 14 key traits explaining Trump’s die-hard supporters ...

FearlessFly comments on Oct 18, 2020:

. . . 1hr54min, but worth it (the trailer is only 3min20sec) : https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/the-choice-2020-trump-vs-biden/

FearlessFly replies on Oct 19, 2020:

@MizJ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_the_United_States

Zeptoseconds: New world record in short time measurement [phys.org]

LucyLoohoo comments on Oct 18, 2020:

I'm impressed! Last one I heard about was a nanosecond....guess that's just ''slo-mo'' now!

FearlessFly replies on Oct 18, 2020:

. . . one small step for spacetime, one quantum leap for LucyLoohoo :)

File this under pet "peevs".

FearlessFly comments on Oct 18, 2020:

I'm continually amazed at the regular MISUSE of the word on this website by folks who think of themselves as 'Critical Thinkers' :O :P

FearlessFly replies on Oct 18, 2020:

@yvilletom . . . again, you do not answer the question I asked. :P SOMETHING is 'found'/noticed, no one (yet) knows what it is (regardless of what it is used to referred to it).

File this under pet "peevs".

FearlessFly comments on Oct 18, 2020:

I'm continually amazed at the regular MISUSE of the word on this website by folks who think of themselves as 'Critical Thinkers' :O :P

FearlessFly replies on Oct 18, 2020:

@yvilletom You didn't answer the question that I asked :P Do you acknowledge that the (as yet inexplicable) phenomenon exists ?

File this under pet "peevs".

yvilletom comments on Oct 18, 2020:

Has anyone looked at the etymology of "theory"? Non-scientists might have used it their way first. I worked with people who on tests like the Graduate Record Exam scored very high on Math and average or worse on Verbal. I had the (mis)fortune to score in the mid-90s on both.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 18, 2020:

Why would it matter (especially to 'free/critical' thinker(s) who "used it their way first" ?

File this under pet "peevs".

FearlessFly comments on Oct 18, 2020:

I'm continually amazed at the regular MISUSE of the word on this website by folks who think of themselves as 'Critical Thinkers' :O :P

FearlessFly replies on Oct 18, 2020:

@yvilletom I would contend that it is evidence of the phenomenon itself. Are you actually saying the phenomenon is non-existent ?

File this under pet "peevs".

FearlessFly comments on Oct 18, 2020:

I'm continually amazed at the regular MISUSE of the word on this website by folks who think of themselves as 'Critical Thinkers' :O :P

FearlessFly replies on Oct 18, 2020:

@yvilletom IMO, the term "dark matter" was 'coined' to refer to a phenomenon for which there is plenty of evidence, but no knowledge of its actual 'mechanism' -- roughly analogous to Isaac Newton and gravity. :P Are there publication(s) that never get anything 'wrong' ? Do you cite evidence to the contrary for published articles ?

File this under pet "peevs".

FearlessFly comments on Oct 18, 2020:

I'm continually amazed at the regular MISUSE of the word on this website by folks who think of themselves as 'Critical Thinkers' :O :P

FearlessFly replies on Oct 18, 2020:

@yvilletom Isn't actual evidence to the contrary always an option ?

One last vote: In Michigan, a terminally ill man’s mission to cast a ballot - The Washington Post

FearlessFly comments on Oct 17, 2020:

. . . paywall . . . cut-paste of the entire article is highly likely a copyright violation. :P

FearlessFly replies on Oct 17, 2020:

@Paul4747 . . . all it would take is one disgruntled interloper . . . :O

My Brief Spell as an Activist – Quillette

girlwithsmiles comments on Oct 17, 2020:

Great article, thanks for sharing 😊

FearlessFly replies on Oct 17, 2020:

https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/quillette/

Vote for Gary Dye, Libertarian, for US Senate, Oregon [www.

barjoe comments on Oct 17, 2020:

If I lived in Oregon I'd vote for Jeff Merkley. He is a really excellent man. Libertarians have a different definition of liberty than I do.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 17, 2020:

https://bleedingheartlibertarians.com/2014/04/10-questions-libertarians-cant-answer-and-hope-you-wont-ask/

So I just watched the first season of Superior Donuts, with Judd Hirsch, 13 episodes back-to-back...

FearlessFly comments on Oct 17, 2020:

I liked Jude Law in the movies 'The Law' and of course 'Ordinary People' :)

FearlessFly replies on Oct 17, 2020:

@Dyl1983 . . .don't know why I wrote Jude Law -- another senior moment. :)

I am going to attempt to taxidermy a skunk over the next few weeks.

FearlessFly comments on Oct 16, 2020:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt-o2xlffWo

FearlessFly replies on Oct 16, 2020:

@azzow2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vl87h10OMQ

I am going to attempt to taxidermy a skunk over the next few weeks.

FearlessFly comments on Oct 16, 2020:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt-o2xlffWo

FearlessFly replies on Oct 16, 2020:

@azzow2 He has lots of others as well . . .

From a small town in North Carolina to big-city hospitals, how software infuses racism into U.

girlwithsmiles comments on Oct 15, 2020:

Hopefully now it’s recognised some people will work towards changing it, but if it comes down to money and black and hispanic people are at the lower end of the spectrum, the companies will probably justify it somehow. Do poorer areas not have any kind of community or charity hospitals in ...

FearlessFly replies on Oct 16, 2020:

@girlwithsmiles I think it it a powerful expose about much/all that is hopelessly wrong with healthcare in the US. I highly recommend it.

The same applies to Assange [abc.net.au]

barjoe comments on Oct 15, 2020:

Assange should spend many years in prison.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 16, 2020:

@barjoe "He was a fugitive for a reason" IMO, there is a reason why a 'open/free' press (whistleblowers) are widely considered valuable. (even to those who think they may not be "heroes"). :P

The same applies to Assange [abc.net.au]

barjoe comments on Oct 15, 2020:

Assange should spend many years in prison.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 16, 2020:

@barjoe "Assange assisted" -- would you lock-up journalists for disclosing wrongdoing ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfvFpT-iypw "He is an international criminal" -- no trial, no convictions.

Oxford scientists develop 5-minute Covid-19 antigen test [cnbc.com]

Fernapple comments on Oct 16, 2020:

Broken link, sorry.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 16, 2020:

. . . edited, should work now

The same applies to Assange [abc.net.au]

barjoe comments on Oct 15, 2020:

Assange should spend many years in prison.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 16, 2020:

@barjoe . . . again, your OPINION, no evidence. :P Do you think Daniel Ellsberg was a spy ? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Ellsberg

From a small town in North Carolina to big-city hospitals, how software infuses racism into U.

girlwithsmiles comments on Oct 15, 2020:

Hopefully now it’s recognised some people will work towards changing it, but if it comes down to money and black and hispanic people are at the lower end of the spectrum, the companies will probably justify it somehow. Do poorer areas not have any kind of community or charity hospitals in ...

FearlessFly replies on Oct 16, 2020:

@girlwithsmiles . . . don't think so -- watch the 3min trailer in the link.

The same applies to Assange [abc.net.au]

barjoe comments on Oct 15, 2020:

Assange should spend many years in prison.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 15, 2020:

I would not want to live in a country without whistleblower(s). :P

'Person in jetpack' spotted flying again near LA airport [bbc]

Amzungu comments on Oct 15, 2020:

It wasn't me this time!🤣

FearlessFly replies on Oct 15, 2020:

. . . obvious implications for LAST time ! :)

From a small town in North Carolina to big-city hospitals, how software infuses racism into U.

girlwithsmiles comments on Oct 15, 2020:

Hopefully now it’s recognised some people will work towards changing it, but if it comes down to money and black and hispanic people are at the lower end of the spectrum, the companies will probably justify it somehow. Do poorer areas not have any kind of community or charity hospitals in ...

FearlessFly replies on Oct 15, 2020:

http://www.bigcharityfilm.com/

A man caught coronavirus twice—and it was worse the second time That makes him the fifth ...

AnneWimsey comments on Oct 14, 2020:

If just one person gets it more than once, obviously "herd immunity" isn't going to be possible. Period. And BTW "herd immunity" is achieved when everyone with no resistance is DEAD, & then the survivors breed resistant children. Not happening this week......

FearlessFly replies on Oct 15, 2020:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31924-3/fulltext

A man caught coronavirus twice—and it was worse the second time That makes him the fifth ...

girlwithsmiles comments on Oct 15, 2020:

Wow, I thought the new chap was the first to contract twice, thanks. Looks like a good source, do you subscribe?

FearlessFly replies on Oct 15, 2020:

. . . no

A man caught coronavirus twice—and it was worse the second time That makes him the fifth ...

Petter comments on Oct 15, 2020:

Accepted wisdom is that once you have had chicken pox you won't get it again. But many adults do, except that it is then called shingles. Same virus, but with a subtle difference. Will there eventually be a special word for Covid, part two?

FearlessFly replies on Oct 15, 2020:

It is possible that there may be as many variations as the flu.

How/Why does a post on this website show-up in the results of a search engine ?

Boomtarat03 comments on Oct 15, 2020:

Is that alarming for what? Security? privacy? I don't get it, sorry 🙂

FearlessFly replies on Oct 15, 2020:

@Boomtarat03 . . . hmmm, there are other alternatives : https://gdpr-info.eu/

How/Why does a post on this website show-up in the results of a search engine ?

dalefvictor comments on Oct 15, 2020:

This web site is viewable by Google and so it is available through Google. That is the way it works, otherwise one would have to use the dark web to access it.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 15, 2020:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robots_exclusion_standard#Standard

How/Why does a post on this website show-up in the results of a search engine ?

Boomtarat03 comments on Oct 15, 2020:

Is that alarming for what? Security? privacy? I don't get it, sorry 🙂

FearlessFly replies on Oct 15, 2020:

I have read the TOS and Privacy Policy of this (and all the sites with my logins). They are the most privacy favoring that I have ever read. I don't think that I am alone is actually caring about privacy. I had/have the expectation that it matters to this website also. ymmv

2.

barjoe comments on Oct 14, 2020:

I was low tech back then. I still had a landline and bought newspapers, used encyclopedias, mailed in all my bills, drove to the bank and went to the library to do research. The earliest I remember using is AOL.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 14, 2020:

Usenet and BBS pre-date AOL. :)

How/Why does a post on this website show-up in the results of a search engine ?

bingst comments on Oct 14, 2020:

Because it's publicly accessible. Open the agnostic.com link in a private/incognito window. Search engines don't have to obey robots.txt anyway.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 14, 2020:

All the main ones do . . . :P https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robots_exclusion_standard#Standard

How/Why does a post on this website show-up in the results of a search engine ?

Cutiebeauty comments on Oct 14, 2020:

I dont understand your question...

FearlessFly replies on Oct 14, 2020:

I was looking for an alternative (non-paywalled) source. I put the headline in a search engine (Startpage). I was surprised/dismayed to find the agnostic.com post show-up in the results.

Inside Singapore’s huge bet on vertical farming Covid-19 has made food security a major issue.

Petter comments on Oct 14, 2020:

Pay wall.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 14, 2020:

https://cryptopress.network/inside-singapores-huge-bet-on-vertical-farming/

..as she’s painfully confused… this is why I consistently vote Democrat! [youtube.]

FearlessFly comments on Oct 13, 2020:

Dark money comes from BOTH sides. :P https://www.opensecrets.org/dark-money/basics

FearlessFly replies on Oct 13, 2020:

@rainmanjr He's only exposing the dark money of opponents. :P

Barrett’s Appointment To Supreme Court Could Make It Harder To Fight The Coronavirus Pandemic | ...

wordywalt comments on Oct 13, 2020:

Barret refuses to take a public stand on any moral issue, except for her clear public stand on abortion. This is totally unacceptable!!!!

FearlessFly replies on Oct 13, 2020:

https://www.uscourts.gov/judges-judgeships/code-conduct-united-states-judges

Cyber Command has sought to disrupt the world’s largest botnet, hoping to reduce its potential ...

barjoe comments on Oct 11, 2020:

Do you think Trump will have Mark Esper interfere to sabotage that effort? I would think any bot activity in the election would be to benefit Trump.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 11, 2020:

. . . no

War is never good, but still funny.

Willow_Wisp comments on Oct 11, 2020:

When they say “aluminum” is the worst.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 11, 2020:

@Willow_Wisp "zed" certainly does disambiguate it. :P

War is never good, but still funny.

Willow_Wisp comments on Oct 11, 2020:

When they say “aluminum” is the worst.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 11, 2020:

'They' actually say is correctly, Americans have 'bastardised' it. https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/13/aluminium

Some Physicists See Signs of Cosmic Strings From the Big Bang: [quantamagazine.org]

RoyMillar comments on Oct 11, 2020:

At least they have a theory,now to try and approve or disapprove it ,which will take decades probably

FearlessFly replies on Oct 11, 2020:

In SCIENCE, a **theory** already has 'mountains' of evidence. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/scientific-theory

People voting with their feet and moving vans. [twitter.]

rainmanjr comments on Oct 11, 2020:

Tweet was deleted

FearlessFly replies on Oct 11, 2020:

. . . tweleted :O :P

Should Colleges Do Admissions Without Standardized Tests? why/not ?

Apunzelle comments on Oct 11, 2020:

Interesting read. Yes, get rid of the SAT! People are so munch more than a single test score.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 11, 2020:

What criteria should be applied ?

Should Colleges Do Admissions Without Standardized Tests? why/not ?

barjoe comments on Oct 11, 2020:

Link isn't working. Is this it? https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2020/09/30/the-forbes-investigation-how-the-sat-failed-america/

FearlessFly replies on Oct 11, 2020:

. . yes, thx -- updated.

Day of the Girl Child I used to say I was sorry compulsively, like all the time.

FearlessFly comments on Oct 10, 2020:

I think you should delete the OTHER 5 times your post has appeared :O :P

FearlessFly replies on Oct 10, 2020:

@thinkwithme . . . just pick one

Day of the Girl Child I used to say I was sorry compulsively, like all the time.

FearlessFly comments on Oct 10, 2020:

I think you should delete the OTHER 5 times your post has appeared :O :P

FearlessFly replies on Oct 10, 2020:

@thinkwithme YOU can still delete any post you initiated . . . :O

Day of the Girl Child I used to say I was sorry compulsively, like all the time.

Storm1752 comments on Oct 10, 2020:

No men apologize way too much. I'm just talking about my own culture. What I'm REALLY talking about is me. Women need to step up and rescue us from the patriarchy. They're the only ones who can do it.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 10, 2020:

I don't think it is womens' job, although highly motivated they may be. How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb ? . . . just one, but the light bulb has to REALLY want to change ! :O :P

question - I started a quick thread in politics and then noticed that a level 4 had made a post and ...

FearlessFly comments on Oct 9, 2020:

"made a post" ? or a comment for your approval ? I have approved several comments for lesser-level folks.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 9, 2020:

@kmaz Ever since I reached level (? can't remember). I started 9/25/19, so just over a year.

Some of you may think I’m “nutty”, but I thought I’d share this here anyways for those that ...

AnneWimsey comments on Oct 9, 2020:

Around here the Highway Dept removes & cremates them. I believe a lot of states do this.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 9, 2020:

"tired" animals :) http://tiredanimals.com/roadkill-states-specifics/

Some of you may think I’m “nutty”, but I thought I’d share this here anyways for those that ...

Mofo1953 comments on Oct 9, 2020:

in many states like Kansas, Arkansas, etc. people eat roadkill, why?

FearlessFly replies on Oct 9, 2020:

I once (no chance to miss it) 'shot' a deer with my Ford. :O :P Paid $5 for an out-of-season tag to keep it -- tasty. :)

Yelp Says It Will Mark Pages of Businesses Accused of Racist Conduct The online review company ...

barjoe comments on Oct 9, 2020:

So if you have a dispute with a business, you could accuse them of being racist and destroy their business. People lie on Yelp. I know for a fact people who can't get a reservation at a restaurant so that give them a bad review even tho they've eaten there. Someone didn't let you make a fraudulent ...

FearlessFly replies on Oct 9, 2020:

@barjoe "People lie on Yelp" "I know for a fact people who can't get a reservation" "They all say the place is "racist" " "This happens" "It misinforms users and hurts businesses" "Yelp removes negative reviews, for monetary fees" "My comment is opinion based" IMO, it would be useful to consistently self-label OPINIONS as opinion to distinguish them from statements that sound like fact(s) (without evidence).

Yelp Says It Will Mark Pages of Businesses Accused of Racist Conduct The online review company ...

barjoe comments on Oct 9, 2020:

So if you have a dispute with a business, you could accuse them of being racist and destroy their business. People lie on Yelp. I know for a fact people who can't get a reservation at a restaurant so that give them a bad review even tho they've eaten there. Someone didn't let you make a fraudulent ...

FearlessFly replies on Oct 9, 2020:

@barjoe This is a website for AGNOSTICS. Anyone can give opinions. I'm not defending Yelp, never even visited the website. IMO, businesses have a renown history (and vested interest) of false information. I have not made ANY claim(s) about Yelp. The burden is on the one (you) making the claim(s).

Yelp Says It Will Mark Pages of Businesses Accused of Racist Conduct The online review company ...

barjoe comments on Oct 9, 2020:

So if you have a dispute with a business, you could accuse them of being racist and destroy their business. People lie on Yelp. I know for a fact people who can't get a reservation at a restaurant so that give them a bad review even tho they've eaten there. Someone didn't let you make a fraudulent ...

FearlessFly replies on Oct 9, 2020:

@barjoe . . . anecdote is not data :P

Yelp Says It Will Mark Pages of Businesses Accused of Racist Conduct The online review company ...

barjoe comments on Oct 9, 2020:

So if you have a dispute with a business, you could accuse them of being racist and destroy their business. People lie on Yelp. I know for a fact people who can't get a reservation at a restaurant so that give them a bad review even tho they've eaten there. Someone didn't let you make a fraudulent ...

FearlessFly replies on Oct 9, 2020:

@barjoe "a few friends to pile on" -- doesn't sound like FRIENDS to me. Sounds like your 'evidence' is no better than Yelp. :P

Yelp Says It Will Mark Pages of Businesses Accused of Racist Conduct The online review company ...

barjoe comments on Oct 9, 2020:

So if you have a dispute with a business, you could accuse them of being racist and destroy their business. People lie on Yelp. I know for a fact people who can't get a reservation at a restaurant so that give them a bad review even tho they've eaten there. Someone didn't let you make a fraudulent ...

FearlessFly replies on Oct 9, 2020:

. . . not defending Yelp, but that would not be "resounding evidence". :P

A NASA mission is about to capture carbon-rich dust from a former water world [sciencemag.org]

LucyLoohoo comments on Oct 9, 2020:

Maybe it's because JPL is about 15 minutes from here but....I LOVE THIS STUFF!

FearlessFly replies on Oct 9, 2020:

I'm a geek, I **have-to** like them. :)

Computer Scientists Break Traveling Salesperson Record After 44 years, there’s finally a better...

prometheus comments on Oct 9, 2020:

Well it's better, but maybe not as much as you hoped... > Now Karlin, Klein and Oveis Gharan have proved that an algorithm devised a decade ago beats Christofides’ 50% factor, though they were only able to subtract 0.2 billionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a percent. Yet this minuscule ...

FearlessFly replies on Oct 9, 2020:

. . . I read it, no need to "shoot the messenger" :)

Judge Orders Twitter To Unmask FBI Impersonator Who Set Off Seth Rich Conspiracy [npr.org]

thexter comments on Oct 9, 2020:

Fox is so full of conspiracy tinfoil.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 9, 2020:

. . . true enough, but notice the last 'bit' of the article : "Disclosure: NPR is involved in one of the legal battles tied to the Seth Rich controversy. Ed Butowsky has filed a defamation suit against NPR and NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik over the network's coverage of the Fox News story on Rich that has since been retracted." :O

PickupAlpha Helps Humans Embark on the Journey of Dating Through Coaching

itsmedammit comments on Oct 8, 2020:

He could start with a fashion consultant.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 8, 2020:

. . . when I teach children they should not judge a book by its' cover, I **mean** it. :O

New Tinnitus Treatment Alleviates Annoying Ringing in the Ears A noninvasive device designed to ...

Paul4747 comments on Oct 8, 2020:

Speak up!!!

FearlessFly replies on Oct 8, 2020:

. . . hmmm, that would be hearing LOSS, not (unwanted and) gained :)

Do Black Holes 'Matter' ? :)

FearlessFly comments on Oct 7, 2020:

. . . so far, the comments have little **gravity** :P :)

FearlessFly replies on Oct 7, 2020:

@DangerDave . . . no illumination has been emanated. :)

H-1B visa: Trump administration issues major rule change Moves by administration likely to end up...

barjoe comments on Oct 7, 2020:

H-1B allows companies to keep their operations stateside. Without it they could just outsource tech operations to overseas. This is so stupid. I guess to his base this makes Trump look tough on immigration.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 7, 2020:

@barjoe "they don't pay taxes" https://bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/how-do-undocumented-immigrants-pay-federal-taxes-an-explainer/

H-1B visa: Trump administration issues major rule change Moves by administration likely to end up...

barjoe comments on Oct 7, 2020:

H-1B allows companies to keep their operations stateside. Without it they could just outsource tech operations to overseas. This is so stupid. I guess to his base this makes Trump look tough on immigration.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 7, 2020:

@barjoe "it" , "they" -- kinda ambiguous :O

H-1B visa: Trump administration issues major rule change Moves by administration likely to end up...

barjoe comments on Oct 7, 2020:

H-1B allows companies to keep their operations stateside. Without it they could just outsource tech operations to overseas. This is so stupid. I guess to his base this makes Trump look tough on immigration.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 7, 2020:

@barjoe "there are just shortages in certain fields" -- according to the employers :P

H-1B visa: Trump administration issues major rule change Moves by administration likely to end up...

barjoe comments on Oct 7, 2020:

H-1B allows companies to keep their operations stateside. Without it they could just outsource tech operations to overseas. This is so stupid. I guess to his base this makes Trump look tough on immigration.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 7, 2020:

@barjoe Then put the burden on the companies to make that less in their favor, not on workers.

I’m a software engineer at Uber and I’m voting against Prop 22 [techcrunch.com]

barjoe comments on Oct 7, 2020:

I agree. This will dramatically increase Uber fares and obviously that will drastically reduce ridership. Poor people do use Uber/Lyft or I should say did if Prop 22 passes. If you know how it works, the drivers well make less money. A lot less.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 7, 2020:

This would create a THIRD category, employee, contractor, **something-which-is-less-than-either-one**. :P IMO, a bad idea for both.

H-1B visa: Trump administration issues major rule change Moves by administration likely to end up...

barjoe comments on Oct 7, 2020:

H-1B allows companies to keep their operations stateside. Without it they could just outsource tech operations to overseas. This is so stupid. I guess to his base this makes Trump look tough on immigration.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 7, 2020:

H-1B allows companies to keep wages low, benefits absent, income remitted to home country.

Europe’s top court confirms no mass surveillance without limits [techcrunch.com]

barjoe comments on Oct 6, 2020:

Our freedoms in this country are evaporating because of the makeup of our courts. This decision wouldn't be rendered here.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 6, 2020:

@barjoe Multiple provisions of it have been ruled unconstitutional.

Europe’s top court confirms no mass surveillance without limits [techcrunch.com]

barjoe comments on Oct 6, 2020:

Our freedoms in this country are evaporating because of the makeup of our courts. This decision wouldn't be rendered here.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 6, 2020:

It wasn't the courts that passed (and renew) the Patriot Act : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Act

Where are you on the issue of abortion?

barjoe comments on Oct 5, 2020:

If men could get pregnant abortions would be protocol.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 5, 2020:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/17/gloria-steinem-activist-interview-memoir-my-life-on-the-road

Where are you on the issue of abortion?

FearlessFly comments on Oct 5, 2020:

. . . safe, legal, rare

FearlessFly replies on Oct 5, 2020:

@Green_Soldier71 . . . (as an 'old fart' ) I remember :O https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/12/the-brilliance-of-safe-legal-and-rare/603151/

Radiation levels on moon more than double those on space station [upi.]

Larimar comments on Oct 5, 2020:

cannot find page

FearlessFly replies on Oct 5, 2020:

. . . edited, should work now

Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded to Scientists Who Discovered Hepatitis C Virus Harvey J.

barjoe comments on Oct 5, 2020:

Any word on who was awarded the Peace Prize?

FearlessFly replies on Oct 5, 2020:

https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/about/prize-announcement-dates/

YouTubers are upscaling the past to 4K.

AnneWimsey comments on Oct 3, 2020:

Many old films & pix are deteriorating despite best efforts, and will be lost forever if not placed in/on another matrix

FearlessFly replies on Oct 3, 2020:

Neural Love spells this out to clients who want video colourising and smoothing. “We're very clear about this: it's not historically accurate,” says Peck. “It's a neural network making a best guess estimation based on the vectors that are present in the film.”

Let's Discuss What Islam Offers...

Storm1752 comments on Oct 3, 2020:

The worst of the worst. The ONLY thing Trump has gotten right.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 3, 2020:

@redbai . . . fanaticism doesn't necessarily require religion to be deadly, and only Islamic religion currently requires the death penalty for apostasy. Perhaps you know this already.

Let's Discuss What Islam Offers...

Storm1752 comments on Oct 3, 2020:

The worst of the worst. The ONLY thing Trump has gotten right.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 3, 2020:

@redbai Which **religion** TODAY is actually "using death as a tool" to maintain their religion ?

The first black hole image helped test general relativity in a new way The Event Horizon ...

yvilletom comments on Oct 3, 2020:

More science fiction.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 3, 2020:

https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.141104

Let's Discuss What Islam Offers...

Storm1752 comments on Oct 3, 2020:

The worst of the worst. The ONLY thing Trump has gotten right.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 3, 2020:

@redbai In Islam, the penalty for apostasy is death. :O

Ransomware Victims That Pay Up Could Incur Steep Fines from Uncle Sam [krebsonsecurity.com]

barjoe comments on Oct 1, 2020:

It's like negotiating with terrorists. I think these fines are piling on a company that's already been victimized by the ransom.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 2, 2020:

@barjoe To be clear, the fines are not for the 'ransomed' companies, they are for the entities that "facilitate ransomware payments to cyber actors on behalf of victims"

YouTubers are upscaling the past to 4K.

David1955 comments on Oct 1, 2020:

I don't see the problem. If new technology can enhance old footage then good. I've watched a lot of enhanced footage on YouTube and I think it is extraordinary. Having grown up watching jerky old footage played at the wrong frame rate ect and loving history as I do I think it is amazing what they do...

FearlessFly replies on Oct 2, 2020:

. . . hmmmm, I doubt that a multi-mega-pixel digitization of the Mona Lisa would be worth more than the original.

For Subway, A Ruling Not So Sweet. Irish Court Says Its Bread Isn't Bread [npr.org]

barjoe comments on Oct 1, 2020:

This doesn't necessarily mean their bread is unhealthy, it enables the Irish Government to tax Subway rolls a VAT as desserts or cake. Money grab.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 2, 2020:

@barjoe A bread recipe has only flour, yeast, water, a little salt. Everything else is an adulterant. Do you think, it would be changed world-wide, or just in Ireland ?

This person got me blocked without interaction with this nuts, its weird how can she blocked me?

FearlessFly comments on Oct 1, 2020:

. . . can you see her now ? https://agnostic.com/member/AnaMavrin11

FearlessFly replies on Oct 1, 2020:

@Boomtarat03 . . . looks like she is having trouble accessing previous logins :P

For Subway, A Ruling Not So Sweet. Irish Court Says Its Bread Isn't Bread [npr.org]

barjoe comments on Oct 1, 2020:

This doesn't necessarily mean their bread is unhealthy, it enables the Irish Government to tax Subway rolls a VAT as desserts or cake. Money grab.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 1, 2020:

The government(s) don't tax the foods that meet their healthy/staple regs, Subway didn't qualify.

Ransomware Victims That Pay Up Could Incur Steep Fines from Uncle Sam [krebsonsecurity.com]

barjoe comments on Oct 1, 2020:

It's like negotiating with terrorists. I think these fines are piling on a company that's already been victimized by the ransom.

FearlessFly replies on Oct 1, 2020:

The companies you comment about typically haven't invested in the time/money/system-updates (a lot less than the ransom demands) that would have kept there systems secure. However, the article is actually about : “companies that facilitate ransomware payments to cyber actors on behalf of victims, including financial institutions, cyber insurance firms, and companies involved in digital forensics and incident response, not only encourage future ransomware payment demands but also may risk violating OFAC regulations.”

Anyone else like me that can't tell when a girl is just being nice to you or is actually flirting ...

GoodMan comments on Oct 1, 2020:

I’ve been there, and done that. If you like her; just ask her out. Rejection is certainly possible, but so is acceptance. Live in the moment. What do you have to lose?

FearlessFly replies on Oct 1, 2020:

While I agree with your sentiment(s), I would add 'one' cannot 'lose' something that one never had. :)

Seattle approves minimum wage for Uber and Lyft drivers The ride-hailing services will be ...

barjoe comments on Oct 1, 2020:

This will make me a villain in some people's eyes but this will hurt the poor. People of means will get used to paying more for ride share. Poor people who currently take Ubers will not be able to afford to do so. The price of rides will go way up, ridership will go way down. This doesn't help ...

FearlessFly replies on Oct 1, 2020:

@barjoe And my point is that NO driver from those two SHARE RIDES -- there is no "ride sharing" with Uber/Lyft. Using that terminology is fake news.

Serious injuries at Amazon fulfillment centers topped 14,000, despite the company’s safety claims...

AnneWimsey comments on Oct 1, 2020:

when you say "serious injuries"....pinched fingers, sprains, dropping stuff on your toes, or rivers of blood? I believe all injuries must be reported & are not categorized, unless "death"

FearlessFly replies on Oct 1, 2020:

@AnneWimsey https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-amazon-com-workers/how-big-unions-smooth-the-way-for-amazon-worker-protests-idUSKBN22X19Q https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/22/how-amazon-is-fighting-back-against-workers-efforts-to-unionize.html

Serious injuries at Amazon fulfillment centers topped 14,000, despite the company’s safety claims...

AnneWimsey comments on Oct 1, 2020:

when you say "serious injuries"....pinched fingers, sprains, dropping stuff on your toes, or rivers of blood? I believe all injuries must be reported & are not categorized, unless "death"

FearlessFly replies on Oct 1, 2020:

@AnneWimsey . . . sounds like nothing would convince you otherwise :P

Serious injuries at Amazon fulfillment centers topped 14,000, despite the company’s safety claims...

AnneWimsey comments on Oct 1, 2020:

when you say "serious injuries"....pinched fingers, sprains, dropping stuff on your toes, or rivers of blood? I believe all injuries must be reported & are not categorized, unless "death"

FearlessFly replies on Oct 1, 2020:

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-54355803 "Last year alone, there were 14,000 "serious" injuries - requiring days off or job restrictions - and the overall injury rate was almost double the industry standard, it says. A few warehouses reported as many as five times as many injuries as the industry average, measured in serious injuries per 100 workers. Amazon said that the injury rate in the reports used by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration was not a metric for "serious injury". The "Dart" rate - "days away, restricted or transferred"- was higher for Amazon because it "encourages someone with any type of injury, for example a small strain or sprain, to stay away from work until they're better", the company said. It did not, however, directly respond to the claim that the number of these incidents was higher in robotics-equipped facilities than those without."

Why is the government and news media not doing a better job of managing this virus?

FearlessFly comments on Oct 1, 2020:

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

FearlessFly replies on Oct 1, 2020:

@Flowerwall . . . AND, the map can display the stats in a wide variety of ways. :O

Seattle approves minimum wage for Uber and Lyft drivers The ride-hailing services will be ...

barjoe comments on Oct 1, 2020:

This will make me a villain in some people's eyes but this will hurt the poor. People of means will get used to paying more for ride share. Poor people who currently take Ubers will not be able to afford to do so. The price of rides will go way up, ridership will go way down. This doesn't help ...

FearlessFly replies on Oct 1, 2020:

. . . hmmm, there is NO "ride sharing" using Uber/Lyft

I just installed Linux in a laptop that brought it back to life after almost two years of gathering ...

FearlessFly comments on Sep 30, 2020:

Welcome to Linux. I have been running Linux exclusively since the 90's :) JIC you are not aware : https://agnostic.com/group/linux

FearlessFly replies on Sep 30, 2020:

@JimStanley I'd be happy to help, using jitsi : https://mashable.com/article/how-to-use-jitsi-meet-zoom-alternative/

Window shortcut to add emojis Do you ever use Agnostic on your laptop/desktop instead of your ...

Wildflower comments on Sep 30, 2020:

What if I don't have windows? I'm on a Chromebook.

FearlessFly replies on Sep 30, 2020:

http://mybrowseraddon.com/easy-emoji.html

I just installed Linux in a laptop that brought it back to life after almost two years of gathering ...

Spongebob comments on Sep 30, 2020:

Well, Ubuntu is for us simpletons and not hardcore adherents of the open source software. Listen to Richard Stallman on this https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=CP8CNp-vksc

FearlessFly replies on Sep 30, 2020:

That video is 7+ years old (showing version 12.10). The current version of Ubuntu is 20.04

Need a good reason to shop lift?

FearlessFly comments on Sep 30, 2020:

. . . the **actual source** (from 2.5 years ago) : https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/03/stealing-from-self-checkout/550940/

FearlessFly replies on Sep 30, 2020:

@WonderWartHog99 . . . the first sentence in the Wikipedia page : "Pocket, previously known as Read It Later, is an application and web service for managing a reading list of articles and videos from the Internet." IMO, a 'source' exhibits credibility and journalistic professionalism by adding to our understanding of new information, NOT (as you admitted "not when it was published") by leaving relevant facts out.

Need a good reason to shop lift?

FearlessFly comments on Sep 30, 2020:

. . . the **actual source** (from 2.5 years ago) : https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/03/stealing-from-self-checkout/550940/

FearlessFly replies on Sep 30, 2020:

@WonderWartHog99 In what way is "getpocket" ever a 'source' ? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocket_(service)