If, like me, you've been actively seeking a job recently, you will likely be aware of the impact Ai has had on the job market. Virtually every other day is a msm news story about qualified and/or experienced people making hundreds of applications without getting anywhere.

Personally, although I've had a few interviews that didn't quite land (one I didn't really have enough experience, the others were pulled or lost funding), I've now applied for over 300 jobs over the past year. At this stage I'm quite philosophical about it and recognise it's not a reflection of my value.

Along with all the other current crises, there is now a looming employment and skills crisis. This is being framed as a benefits culture led by overdiagnosis of neurodivergence. Which makes me so very very cross it's difficult to put into words. I know that's not true. You know that's not true. *They* know that's not true. It's just a convenient demographic to throw under the bus to detract from the catastrophic damage being wrought by this new gold rush.

Urgh.

I've started typing this out a few times recently and always deleted. It's not something I feel very comfortable talking about. But I am really struggling with this and I figure that if I am there might be others. And I believe in visibility and not suffering in silence - been there and it was awful.

I know things will change at some point. And I know I've spoken to some of you separately irl about this (and thank you so much for your support), but just wanted to fire a beam out across Fedi to anyone else in this shitty situation. You are not alone. Always happy to chat offline if this is kicking your ass as much as it is mine! X

#jobs
#employment

Boo hiss! #Libraries should have more funding and support, not get closed down!

'A #library is more than a place with books, it is a lifeline'

Stephen Menon & Laurence CawleyBBC Investigations, London, 18 March 2025

"The UK is losing libraries at a rate of about 40 each year, BBC research has found. According to those who depend on them, local libraries are far more than a repository of books - they are community focal points and, for some, a vital lifeline to the outside world. What happens when one closes?"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg117gdky1o

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/8LgXZ

#LibariesRule #LibraryClosures #UKPol #LibraryOfThings #BuildingCommunity #CommunitySpace #MoreThanJustBooks

Identity protection provider Aura was recently breached, exposing 900,000 customer records. The irony of a service meant to prevent identity theft failing to secure its own database is a textbook example of the risks of data centralization.

Centralized "security" companies become high-value targets for hackers. Switching to open-source tools helps mitigate these risks.

Full story: https://bit.ly/aura-brch #privacy #opensource

I'm being reminded of just how fucking incredible #AgentsofSHIELD was.

I think it remains my favorite Marvel series. And that's no shade against WandaVision, Loki, etc.

Those were all great shows, don't get me wrong.

But AoS was just on another level from everything else, to me. Quality varied, season to season, but it had 7 seasons of constant reinvention (to various results). It could never be called boring, or lazy at least. The cast was excellent. And it REALLY went in weird, unexpected directions.

And given how the MCU treated it like shit, I say: fuck you, the MCU can kick rocks, this show was great enough to stand on it's own without the necessity of being validated by MCU recognition.

It was ultimately it's own thing. 🍺

AIPAC is gloating about "stopping progressives in IL" and claiming its proof that "being pro Israel is good policy and good politics"

But that's a lie. And AIPAC knows its a lie.

AIPAC spent $22M on Illinois primary elections without EVEN ONCE mentioning Israel or AIPAC. Instead they ran as "Elect Chicago Women" or "Progressive Caucus Chicago" because they know just how toxic AIPAC and Israel are. They are not "good politics."

Don't fall for AIPAC propaganda. They are losing and know it.

Kind and cherished FOSS and computing freedom advocate @sleepyowl (Joyce Ng) has gone missing and there is reason to fear she may have been apprehended by authorities, possibly likely even for being framed. Nobody has been able to reach her and many of us are worried for her safety.

Joyce does work on verifiable open source hardware. She also has been an activist pushing against the rise of far-right Christian nationalism globally but especially in Singapore. Because of this and her identity, she has people who would like to see bad things happen to her.

Probably for this reason, she may have been misidentified by Five Eyes as being a threat actor. Joyce wrote about this concern in November, posting a threatening screenshot where she was tipped off. https://bitowl.online/about

Please spread this wide. Hopefully this is a false alarm but Joyce is a kind-hearted person who fights for human rights and computing freedom; many of us are worried for her safety.

#misinformation

A short clip is going viral, where Trump appears to be confusing press secretary Caroline Leavitt with his former Councellor Kellyanne Conway from his first administration.

This is not correct.

The clip is from the Women’s History Month event on March 12, and as seen in the video below, Trump BOTH praises Caroline Leavitt (07:26) AND Kellyanne Conway (09:41), because they are both present.

There is plenty to criticize Trump for. But this is not it.

https://www.youtube.com/live/4tT2lp_k1w8