Mastodawn

I'm still working on this AI data center environmental effects talk (which, let me tell you, is seriously fucking depressing), but I wanted to share the best article I've come across on this topic, in case anyone else is interested in knowing exactly how much to hate slop-AI* use: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/20/1116327/ai-energy-usage-climate-footprint-big-tech/

(I am using slop-AI purposefully here to mean something you could do with more effort on your part, in a less energy intensive way)

We did the math on AI’s energy footprint. Here’s the story you haven’t heard.

The emissions from individual AI text, image, and video queries seem small—until you add up what the industry isn’t tracking and consider where it’s heading next.

MIT Technology Review

Proto Himbo European 9h ago

#survey researchers: how do you ask about national/cultural background/heritage?

We're trying to not be those people who ask about 5 race categories. For instance, "Asian American" or "Asian heritage" is wildly diverse, as are "Hispanic" and most (all?) other race/ethnicity categories.

We could ask about national heritage, and let participants choose multiple, then maybe ask which one is most influential in your cultural upbringing...? but even then, choosing only one will so some violence to people living multicultural lives.

Race/ethnicity is a main issue we're studying. Yes, race is mostly made up, but the world (and the USA) treats people differently based on this mostly-fake thing, and that's key to what we're studying.

Ideas for how to do this? Ideas that don't create 300 categories for an N of 2,000?

#research #race #question #help #ethnicity #asian #hispanic

Proto Himbo European 21h ago

Dave Dawkins (D. Harrigon)1d ago

Your heroes set out to right the wrongs of the world. How exactly will they do that?

#WritingTips #AmWriting #writing #WritingCommunity #ttrpg #dnd #GameDev

Proto Himbo European 1d ago

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National Security Counselors 🕵1d ago

And the judge made the decision to approve it on 3/19. But if you try to find any mention of any press coverage of that fact you'll come up empty. I literally only found it by accident. WTF guys.

In re Google Assistant Privacy...

Proto Himbo European 1d ago

Human Ghostwriter 1d ago

Patiently explaining to the canvasser who watched me and my entire family pull into our driveway that we cannot speak to him because we are all, tragically, dead.

Proto Himbo European 1d ago

gallaugher 1d ago

Because the word is terrible and you likely need some charming goofiness, here are finalists for the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. Every one would make a great profile avatar image. https://apple.news/AU8LKoqF_TMOG4M3vP2zz0Q

18 silly finalists from the Comedy Wildlife People’s Choice Awards — Popular Science

18 silly finalists from the Comedy Wildlife People’s Choice Awards And your prestigious winner is...*drumroll please*...a bird with grass on its face. "Now which direction is my nest?" A windy day on Bempton Cliffs during the nesting season. The people have spoken…and chuckled. Fans of the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards crowned Alison Tuck the winner of the Sterna People’s Choice Award. Tuck’s hilarious photo (seen above) captures the relatable frustration of a gannet on a windy day. “My gannet

Proto Himbo European 1d ago

Quokka 1d ago

Just me, or could the teacher organising school Cross-Country have chosen a better name for his doc?

Proto Himbo European 1d ago

Robbie 👾 (Author)1d ago

“I’m the goddamn Superman!”
~Bruce Kent

#MashUpSuperHeroAndQuotes
#HashTagGames

Proto Himbo European 1d ago

Gueule d'atmosphère 1d ago

Are you pondering what I am pondering, Mystique?
I think so Magneto, but won't the steel wool be awfully itchy?
#MashUpSuperHeroAndQuotes
#HashTagGames

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Proto Himbo European 2d ago

Update: My 14-year-old daughter heard me say that I was required to have a statement about AI in my syllabus. She responded, "Can the statement be FUCKITY FUCK FUUUUUCK FUCK THIS FUCKING BULLSHIT TO FUCKING HELL AND BACK?"

I think she is turning out OK. What a relief.

When you see a man who's broken	Pick him up and carry him
When you see a woman who's broken	Put her all into your arms
b/c we don't know where we come from	we don't know what we are
and you	you're no one
and you	you're falling
and you	you're traveling... at the speed of light