stevenray

@stevenray@sfba.social
782 Followers
724 Following
8.3K Posts

Sound artist, photographer. Former sys admin. Political progressive, Left Coaster. Red wine yes, nationalism no. Dogs & cats & strange music!

I have never been older than I am right now. That happened yesterday, too.

Neurodiv

Pics:
@45rpm (vinyl)
@wine (wine reviews)
@stevenlouisray (b&w pics)

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/stevenray.sfba.social.ap.brid.gy

#fedi22 #experimentalMusic #wine #sanFrancisco #socialism #equality #FreePalestine #proVax

Websitehttps://stevenray.carrd.co
PronounsHe/Him
Last Books ReadOn New Terrain, Kim Moody | Re-Sisters, Cosey Fanni Tutti
Currently ReadingThe Book of Disquiet, Fernando Pessoa
stevenray11h ago

This includes a video with an in-depth look at Jung Hoo Lee's mechanics and a comparison with his stats from Korea. For baseball geeks only, I suppose. 🙂 ⚾

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-teams-most-improved-positions-in-2025

#baseball

stevenray15h ago
Daniel Howard 🌻15h ago

Tuesday

https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/04/29/50-year-legacy-vietnamese-boat-people-thrive-as-monterey-fishermen/?share=awerrpnh5ee0ucovmncp

50-year legacy: Vietnamese boat people thrive as Monterey fishermen

War refugees who arrived with nothing but fishing skills have survived the industry’s throes to feed the community.

The Mercury News
stevenray1d ago

Today's #wineReview: a nice Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California. Very affordable and very tasty!

On #Pixelfed, natch.

https://pixelfed.social/p/wine/822589903350249077

More reviews @wine

Wine (@wine@pixelfed.social)

2020 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon Harvester Paso Robles, California $15.35 / 89 13.5% ABV. Deep ruby in the glass, thick tears/legs. A more budget-friendly Cab from a winemaker whose main-label wines routinely fetch $60-150 a bottle. Full-bodied, bold. Dark cherry, graphite, herbs and smoke on the nose. Dry with dark cherry, wet gravel, herbs on the palate. Medium-plus chalky tannins, lightly spicy medium acidity. Had with vegetarian pizza with fake Italian sausage, mushrooms, garlic and onions, as well as braised potatoes, red beans and rice and shrimp and corn served over rice. It's certainly fine with the braised potatoes, and with the corn and rice as well. The shrimp, red beans and pizza (shrimp and red beans pizza? No.), the wine’s acidity ratcheted up a couple of notches. Here, I think the wine was better on it’s own. Notes on Day 2: getting some sensuous blackberry on the palate today, and the graphite noted on Day 1 has gone. Otherwise very similar. Overall, a well-balanced and inexpensive Paso Cab. Those of you for whom a daily drinker is a goal, or even a weekly drinker which won’t break the bank, might consider this wine as a contender. I might have to stock up. #wineReview #wine #california

Pixelfed
stevenray2d ago
The Icarian2d ago
stevenray3d ago

So much in life is ephemeral and troubled, but at this particular moment, this one specific part of the world is alright with me.

#baseball

stevenray5d ago
Scarlet the FoxApr 17

Y'all, I'm a former local government person, and I want to talk about the things that I saw that did move the needle. (I was pushed out of government due to fighting racism, but before that, I was able to push meaningful things through.)

In normal times, it's enough to call your senator or representative. However, right now, we aren't in normal times, and it may become necessary to take advantage of the limits of Federal government power.

1/12

stevenray5d ago
New #book in the house.
#feminism #bookstodon
stevenray5d ago

Anyone know what's happening with the sfba.club #Bookwyrm server? Been down for 2-3 days.

#bookstodon

stevenray6d ago
European Commission6d ago

Today, we have fined Apple and Meta for breaching the Digital Markets Act.

Apple restricts developers from informing customers about offers outside the App Store, while Meta doesn’t give consumers the choice of a service that uses less of their personal data.

Read more: https://europa.eu/!9RDQmk

stevenrayApr 23
Worst #baseball game I’ve seen this year.
×
European Commission6d ago

Today, we have fined Apple and Meta for breaching the Digital Markets Act.

Apple restricts developers from informing customers about offers outside the App Store, while Meta doesn’t give consumers the choice of a service that uses less of their personal data.

Read more: https://europa.eu/!9RDQmk

Show threadAndré Simões 🇵🇹🇪🇺6d ago
@EUCommission not enough.
Show threadArnel Šarić Sharan 6d ago

@andresr @EUCommission

Stop META AI

Show threadAndyGER 6d ago
@EUCommission You fine them to pay money. The one thing both companies have a lot of. How about fining them about to stop doing business within the #eu? THAT would be a game changer, right?! ... ;-)
Show threadJoe Breuer6d ago

@andreas_heitmann @EUCommission quite exactly my own thoughts. They'll just figure such fines into their "cost of doing business" and will only be even more creatively exploitative in recouping those costs.

Edit: typo

Show threadPurple 6d ago

@jmbreuer @andreas_heitmann @EUCommission

I'm convinced a 500 million euro fine for apple is still very much a serious impact. Additionally if things are not being followed up upon, additional fines will follow.

I'm very glad to know the European Union is now 700 million euros richer, which will improve the lives of its citizens, on top of upcoming increased freedoms on the platforms of Apple and Meta.

Show threadJoe Breuer6d ago
@Purple @andreas_heitmann @EUCommission hm, what impact does that fine have on the actual people who decided the stance/course of the company in that regard?
Show threadPurple 6d ago

@jmbreuer @andreas_heitmann @EUCommission

You bet your ass if you're the reason why the company gets a fine of 500 million euros that questions are being asked internally. Too many of those and you'll 100% lose your position

Show threadWilfried Klaebe6d ago

@Purple Only if the responsible persons aren't Cook / Zuck themselves...

@jmbreuer @andreas_heitmann @EUCommission

Show threadJoe Breuer6d ago
@Purple @andreas_heitmann @EUCommission unless you're owner/'leader' to begin with.
Show threadbytebro6d ago

@jmbreuer @andreas_heitmann @EUCommission

Sure; those fines (while not deductible as revenue expenses, at least not when I was doing accounts some years ago) will just get amortised over the expected period between similar fines.

Show threadiamspeedmaus6d ago
@andreas_heitmann @EUCommission absolutely right, where do these companies get their money from? from us. so it‘s the public paying these fines.
Show threadMikkaels6d ago
@speedmaus @andreas_heitmann @EUCommission No, not really. This impacts directly on the company's Profit and Loss account.
Less profit for them, less money for investors. Customers are not impacted as the company does not adjust the price of products following the fine (as it would after trade tariffs are imposed).
Show threadiamspeedmaus6d ago
@mikkaels @andreas_heitmann @EUCommission Yes on this end it‘s less money for investors. And still, the reason why these companies make money in the first place is because apple sells hardwear to us and meta is farming our time and attention. So we are paying. We already did. The purchases from all of us over the past two centuries are what made these companies.
Show threadMikkaels6d ago
@speedmaus @andreas_heitmann @EUCommission This is all good but it has nothing to do with EU fines.
Show threadWilfried Klaebe6d ago

@speedmaus OTOH, it's the shareholders getting less revenue.

@andreas_heitmann @EUCommission

Show threadXCM6d ago
@andreas_heitmann @EUCommission
Precisely. Additionally, that money should go to directly compensate consumers
Show threadxinit ☕6d ago
@andreas_heitmann yeah, the trouble with fines like this is that the companies just build them into their budgets as a cost of doing business. Make it hurt. @EUCommission
Show threadMaki6d ago
@EUCommission You have not fined Meta enough. You have not crippled their monopoly position. You have not done anything worthwhile to stop their malpractices on the European market. It's just the bare minimum.
Show threadBerlinFokus6d ago

@EUCommission

I demand to get rid of the whole "#consent" concept and to define what is legal and what isn't (regardless of the user choice).

And then to enforce the #law. Just like offline.

Because in "real life" it would still be illegal to rob me, even if someone tricked me into some "consent" or whatever scam.

Whatever you do now, is being complicit in an international crime network.

Show threadRejZoR6d ago
@EUCommission There is a way of service that uses less of personal data. By not using garbage Meta puts out. Their entire MO is hoarding user data and selling stuff to advertisers. Every single person on Facebook or whatever service they offer are nothing but a product, not an user.
Show threaddevoir6d ago
@EUCommission thank you 🙏
Show threadSamuelJohnson6d ago
@EUCommission Shame the fines were so paltry.
Show threadiamspeedmaus6d ago
@EUCommission Fine them until they retreat, also Mark „Goebels“ #Suckerberg to Den Haag NOW for supporting Genocide, Femicide and Dictatorships with his companies, lock him up for life🗑️
Show threadBrian Hawthorne6d ago
@EUCommission @Natasha_Jay #DoBetterApple
Show threadSassinake! - ⊃∪∩⪽6d ago

@EUCommission

Apple, rooting around they pants pockets:
"Sure, I've got a $20 around in here somewhere? Ah. Got change for a $50? Listen keep the change. Well just say 'you owe me'. "

Show threadBrynawel6d ago

@EUCommission

That's a good start!

Show threadproNET IT Technologie6d ago
@EUCommission good for open source thinking.. 👍
Show threadSaupreiss #Präparat5006d ago

@EUCommission

If it just wouldnt emit the foul odor to be a diplomatic thing but a fine.

Show threadGBS Media Pro6d ago
@EUCommission
Is this in response to the tariffs from the USA seeking fair and equal trade?
Show threadFranciscoJorge286d ago
@EUCommission
Show threadFabian (Bocchi) 🏳️‍🌈6d ago
@EUCommission can we talk about forced LLM integration including data scraping for more and more Meta services?
Show threadTim Ward ⭐🇪🇺🔶 #FBPE6d ago
@EUCommission Do let us know, in 17 years' time or whenever the appeals finally peter out, whether anything ever actually gets paid.
Show threadEnes6d ago
@EUCommission EU ↔️⬆️
You guys making tech better. Thanks 🔥
Show threadAndreas Burger6d ago
@EUCommission super!
now the other bigtechs please
Show threadPerlPlayer6d ago
@EUCommission It's about time, and I hope there will be more.
Show threadjozefch6d ago
@EUCommission and still not enough! What percentage it is from their yearly incomes? what a fucking joke 🤦‍♂️
Show threadChris 🦑6d ago

@jozefch

thanks for asking!
for Apple this means they pay 10,41hours of annual revenue or 0.12%

for Meta this means they pay 14,61hours of annual revenue or 0.17%

@EUCommission do better.

UPDATE: EU can actually take up to 10% if I got that right, but they didn't because reasons on the other side of the ocean

Show threadSaupreiss #Präparat5006d ago

@sturmsucht

So in human terms, it’s an above average speeding ticket. 🎫

@jozefch @EUCommission

Show threadChris 🦑6d ago

@Saupreiss

for most of Europe yes. Would advise to go with the Finish speed ticket fees for big tech

@jozefch @EUCommission

Show threadlaund6d ago
@jozefch @EUCommission its good that something is happening yes? it could be better, but if you are punished for any small step, you will never learn to run.
Show threadWerner6d ago

@EUCommission

👍 🇪🇺

Show threadTimo Grün6d ago

@EUCommission

Now maybe do something about your incompetent and counterproductive cookie regulations that have made the cookie situation much much worse for everyone.

Show threadamonduin6d ago

@khoji @EUCommission

How are they worse for everyone?

Prior to the cookie regulation cookies could track you invisibly without any option to opt out. While the new situation isn't great at least you can now opt out. That isn't worse.

Show threadTimo Grün6d ago
@amonduin @EUCommission
The opt out rules are so bad that 99% of users just click accept all. Almost all the popups are dark patterns and incomprehensible for most users, making a genuine choice effectively impossible because the only easy choice is accept all. Users still don’t understand what cookies are, hate the popups way more than the cookies and are now accepting more tracking than without the rules. That is worse in every way.
Show threadamonduin5d ago

@khoji @EUCommission
Why do you believe they are accepting more tracking? Has the cookie consent screen enabled new tracking that wasn’t already happening? If so, how?

Second, not all websites have dark patterns for consent. I suspect you’re right and that most people click accept all, personally, I am glad I have the choice because I’m one of the weird ones who actually engages with the dark patterns to opt out.

Show threadMagnus Ahltorp6d ago
@khoji If by “made the situation much much worse” you mean “made bad actors show what they are doing and harass people instead of just selling off their information without hassle”.
Show threadTimo Grün6d ago

@ahltorp

The opt out rules are so bad that 99% of users just click accept all. Almost all the popups are dark patterns and incomprehensible for most users, making a genuine choice effectively impossible because the only easy choice is accept all. Users still don’t understand what cookies are, hate the popups way more than the cookies and are now accepting more tracking than without the rules. That is worse in every way.

Show threadMikkaels4d ago
@khoji @ahltorp If that 99% figure of yours was correct, so many websites wouldn't have implemented the cookie wall.
That checks with my experience as well: a lot of people I know take their time to uncheck all of the consent options before browsing a website.
Show threadMoise6d ago
@EUCommission
Off to a good start! ❤️
Show threadSturmflut6d ago

@EUCommission Where does the money go to? Is it invested into European alternatives?

#digitalsovereignty

Show threadEuropean Commission4d ago
Hello @Sturmflut! Thank you for your question! The fines will go into the EU budget. Did you know that for the first time ever we are asking citizens to contribute in shaping our budget? You can have your say here: https://europa.eu/!hKRJmV
European Commission - Have your say

European Commission - Have your say

European Commission - Have your say
Show threadT Lisa B6d ago

@EUCommission

Are you going to make them pay taxes, too?

Show threadsaradsmejem6d ago
@EUCommission supporting such dangerous evil like meta should be awarded by limited woting right for their users...
Show threadJoddo6d ago
@EUCommission halleluja👏👏👏 now spend that fine money on something good for the peeps
Show threadFreya Anduin, author6d ago

@EUCommission

at present Meta even makes it absurdly hard to delete posts with 'errors' and just plain spite, having a session shut down quickly so you need mark up the same posts over and over again and with a 50 pæost limit at a time it takes forever. no doubt it's deliberate

Show threadKevin Karhan 6d ago

@EUCommission as long as these are mere #fines, they'll be written off as (laughable!) business expenses.

  • You need to ban then from doing business until they comply and jail key staff until compliance is evidenced. Otherwise they'll just pay up and continue.

Also #NSAbook violates #HumanRights incl. #GDPR by collecting, storing and utilizing data of non-users without or even against their explicitly declined consent!

Show threadDifferent Drummer4d ago

@EUCommission You should absolutely block both these entities completely from access to the EU.

Not to is to invite contempt and corruption.

Seek European alternatives.

Show threadThanatos3d ago
@EUCommission
When open source alternatives were more competitive with proprietary offerings, a lot of EU politicians scoffed at the idea of supporting local free software alternatives. FFWD 20 years later: in the digitalised countries you pretty much can only communicate with the govt. via Google or Apple if you want it digitally, while using a browser is more cumbersome. It's either that or you live in a country like Germany where govt clerks are ideologically reactionary and swear on fax. It's a sad state. I don't even want to think about money and banking...