Cory DoctorowApr 23

An interesting stunt: Malus.sh will take your money and in exchange it will ingest any free/open source code you want, refactor that code using an LLM, and spit out a "clean room" version that is freed from all the obligations imposed by the original project's software license:

https://www.404media.co/this-ai-tool-rips-off-open-source-software-without-violating-copyright/?ref=daily-stories-newsletter

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If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this thread to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2026/04/23/poison-pill/#kobayashied

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Show threadFaraiweApr 23

@pluralistic TL;DR

Product:

#LLM #ai #scam

Show threadScott GallowayApr 23
@faraiwe @pluralistic Ironically that painting was elevated to a work of international importance (prior it was nothing notable) and the woman who started the restoration became a celebrity. I stopped using it as an exampel of failure and instead as one of a HUGE mistake paying off.
Show threadFaraiweApr 23

@scottgal @pluralistic She made some money. She also destroyed a wonderful piece of art, generated heaps of work that may not even be feasible to restore the art work.

She is an obscure, one-hit meme maker, with an even more obscure online shop, to cash in on her shitjob.

Nobody knows her name. You'd have to search HARD.

And the search would need to include the original work title/artist.

It's the PERFECT analogue, what the hell are you talking about, man =D

#LLM #ai #scam

Show threadFaraiweApr 23

@scottgal @pluralistic WITHOUT searching online.... WHAT IS HER NAME?

IS SHE ALIVE?

I remember the NAME of the art work.

I don't even know if she is alive.

So, yeah.

Show threadChucklesApr 23
@faraiwe @scottgal @pluralistic Cecilia Giménez Zueco. She died recently. She's quite well-known in Spain, and widely admired for her dedication to her community.
Show threadFaraiweApr 23

@celeduc Do yourself a favor: go anywhere else, walk the streets show a picture of her wonderful art.

Ask people her name.

Re-do this in 50yrs.

We still know Martinez´. Painting is from 1930s. I did NOT look this one up online.

And DON'T let me know.

be comfortable in that Venn circle. get a banana, tape to your wall, admire it.

Show threadChuckles
@faraiwe you seem nice
Apr 23 at 2:09pmMastodon for Android
Show threadFaraiweApr 23
@celeduc and you haven´t seen me dance, yet, techbro.