I had soured on the DSA some time ago, but after their decision to endorse the slaughter and kidnapping of civilians in Israel by Hamas, they are dead to me. Lots of silence from other progressives I otherwise respect, like AOC.

You can be critical of Israel without endorsing terrorism. Absolutely disgusting to see people cheering in the streets about this. You can't be anti-war if you're cheering for death.

**Alex Vranas** @Alex@vran.as · Sep 27, 2023, 00:39

**Alex Vranas** @Alex@vran.as · Sep 27, 2023, 00:39

Sep 27, 2023, 00:39

Alex Vranas @Alex@vran.as

@bogdan_vasut Forget left and right tabs. The only thing Microsoft Edge got right was highly-functional vertical tabs. They must own a patent on it or something, because it's a killer feature, which is shamefully attached to an otherwise sub-par browser. Though I would argue it has better tab behavior overall compared to other Chromium browsers.

**Alex Vranas** @Alex@vran.as · Sep 27, 2023, 00:36

**Alex Vranas** @Alex@vran.as · Sep 27, 2023, 00:36

Sep 27, 2023, 00:36

Alex Vranas @Alex@vran.as

I just learned that FAA regulations do not prohibit packing florescent and neon lights (contain mercury) in your checked and carry-on luggage when flying on an airplane (made of aluminum).

Forgive me if I misunderstand, but this is a huge gap in security, right? Broken lights would release mercury, any even a little bit of mercury could pose a structural threat to the aircraft?

Maybe the amount of mercury isn't enough to be a problem, or aircraft are hardened against this kind of thing?

**Alex Vranas** @Alex@vran.as · Sep 25, 2023, 01:16

**Alex Vranas** @Alex@vran.as · Sep 25, 2023, 01:16

Sep 25, 2023, 01:16

Alex Vranas @Alex@vran.as

People argue about whatever minutia they think makes a web browser the best, but nobody every talks about how none of the major browsers out there have a functional download manager. Honestly, just adding a download resume function would be a game-changer.

**Alex Vranas** · Sep 17, 2023, 17:25

Alex Vranas boosted

**RickRussell_CA** @RickRussell_CA@kbin.social · Sep 17, 2023, 17:25

Sep 17, 2023, 17:25

RickRussell_CA @RickRussell_CA@kbin.social

But there are absolutely rules on whether Google -- or anything else -- can use that search index to create a product that competes with the original content creators.

For example, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authors_Guild,_Inc._v._Google,_Inc.

Google indexing of copyrighted works was considered "fair use" only because they only offered a few preview pages associated with each work. Google's web page excerpts and image thumbnails are widely believed to pass fair use under the same concept.

Now, let's say Google wants to integrate the content of multiple copyrighted works into an AI, and then give away or sell access to that AI which can spit out the content (paraphrased, in some capacity) of any copyrighted work it's ever seen. You'll even be able to ask it questions, like "What did Jeff Guin say about David Koresh's religious beliefs in his 2023 book, Waco?" and in all likelihood it will cough up a summary of Mr. Guinn's uniquely discovered research and journalism.

I don't think the legal questions there are settled at all.

**Alex Vranas** @Alex@vran.as · Sep 13, 2023, 21:41

**Alex Vranas** @Alex@vran.as · Sep 13, 2023, 21:41

Sep 13, 2023, 21:41

Alex Vranas @Alex@vran.as

Always fascinated by the choices made when you have to use a picture to represent something abstract. Not sure why I found this one so funny out of context.

(it's from my health insurance)

Show thread

**Alex Vranas** @Alex@vran.as · Sep 13, 2023, 21:37

**Alex Vranas** @Alex@vran.as · Sep 13, 2023, 21:37

Sep 13, 2023, 21:37

Alex Vranas @Alex@vran.as

Presented without context

c569d438836ee2f2.png

**Alex Vranas** · Sep 13, 2023, 18:50

Alex Vranas boosted

**the account formerly known as Luna** @luna@tech.lgbt · Sep 13, 2023, 18:50

Sep 13, 2023, 18:50

the account formerly known as Luna @luna@tech.lgbt

pronouncing “tomatoes” so as to rhyme with “comatose”, and vice versa

**Alex Vranas** · May 17, 2023, 04:30

Alex Vranas boosted

**Epidiah** @epidiah@dice.camp · May 17, 2023, 04:30

May 17, 2023, 04:30

Epidiah @epidiah@dice.camp

And whose fault is that?

49189db72f4861f9.png

**Alex Vranas** · Sep 10, 2023, 01:52

Alex Vranas boosted

**christopher ⚡⛵** @yawnbox@nautical.social · Sep 10, 2023, 01:52

Sep 10, 2023, 01:52

christopher ⚡⛵ @yawnbox@nautical.social

Welcome aboard #nautical.social, the digital haven for everyone who feels the call of the open water. From weekend paddle-boarders, novice #boaters, liveaboards, seasoned #sailors, to old seafaring legends, we've dropped anchor here for you! This is your safe harbor in a much larger #fediverse.

#mastodon #boat #boating #sail #sailing