This is the one case where I’d make an exception. I read through the threads, it got particularly heated.

I put on my robe and wizard hat

Life has gotten better since I dropped it. Moved a dozen or so people over to Signal and have been running with that ever since.

I do miss the ability to easily stream games, though.

This is a really good point. Historically communities have always relied on unpaid/underpaid labor in some capacity. Even mowing your neighbors lawn once in a while could be considered a value of a few hundred dollars (fuck lawns btw) - there has always been this invisible layer of communal support that is now becoming commodified.

Marginalized groups being fairly compensated is an objectively good thing, but the financial stress is real. As society continues to grow even more individualistic, we will probably see additional pressures mount until another fundamental shift happens. I have no idea what that will look like, but it is interesting to think about.

Someone feel free to jump in and audit my take:

The Internet Archive is not a company, does not sell me anything, and is merely providing a public service.

The service has nothing to do with my health or wellbeing. It is not marketed as being privacy forward. Hell, the whole purpose of the project is to make data publically accessable.

Therefore, exposing email addresses… I kinda don’t care?

Of course, it would be way better if they just used generic login numbers etc instead, but… I feel like this is the equivalent of my library card number getting leaked, and these headlines are treating it like Equifax just leaked my SSN again.

I already subconsciously do this because I know it pisses them off, but I like your justification much better

874 partners

Man these polycules are getting crazy

Most recently, I’ve made some very interesting friends through volunteering. You’re pretty much stuck with a group of people for a period of time and it gives you a perfect pretense to start conversations - and if you pick a cause you care about, you’re very likely to meet like-minded people.

most notably, in-person friendships require much less time investment to develop than online friendships, IMO (not that online friendships aren’t just as enjoyable)

Its truly a numbers game, though. Put yourself out there enough and eventually something will click.

I completely forgot these existed until this post. What a vivid flashback. Totally going to try them when out

No, closest thing is to join a datahoarder group and trade when needed.

Although with LinkWarden gaining popularity, something like this developing is a possibility.

I define it by whether something is independently verifiable.

I am told that there are 8* planets in our solar system, and where they are located. If I wanted to, I could buy a big telescope, point it at the sky and find all 8.

I am told that it is possible to boil water through nuclear fission. If I had the means, I could take a number of resources, spend decades researching nuclear physics, build my own test reactor, and verify that this is possible.

I am told that the earth is flat. I could get a pilots license, buy a plane, and fly to Antarctica to see the ice wall. I would find that there is no ice wall, just a number of scientists who are very passionate about ice samples. Therefore, it is not independently verifyable.

I don’t have the money to verify all of these claims, but they are all claims that have been verified by hundreds, if not thousands of independent people and organizations throughout history.

Quantum immortality is just solopsism, with the added twist of watching all your loved ones die

Hard pass

No matter how you look at it, Wikipedia is one of the modern wonders of the world; those who maintain and defend it are doing holy work. The availability of free, high quality, publically indexed and equitably accessible information about our modern world is such an under-appreciated gift.

Education is a powerful tool, but when most people hear “knowledge is power” they think of personal success or political might. But its true power is on an evolutionary scale.

No other species in the history of our (known) universe has the capability to study the world, and then share those the conclusions to the next generation with high precision, like we do. It’s absolutely fascinating. It’s what sets us apart from the rest. It defines the human experience.

The reality is that the integrity of this mechanism (or rather, the democratization of said mechanism) is under threat. It always has been, but the nature of the threat has changed, and its scary. I’m glad it is being protected, at least for now.

I have no sympathy for those who attack and deface our libraries, whether they be physical or digital

Yeah, I’ve rewatched s1 several times, but s2 only once

Not free, just very very very cheap. Economy of scale

I was like “oh, that’s a cute comic” and then I just started fucking wheezing

Yes, yes, but think of the value we could generate for the shareholders!!!

Yep. Its just another form of tribalism.

In a similar vein as Meyers-Briggs, Harry Potter houses, and every single buzzfeed quiz.

People are dynamic. We are the product of our experiences, not the position of the planets.

I remember the concern years ago was: since the application was bought (acquired?) and the tool was still publically free, that the new owners had added the spyware to try and monetize the data coming from said spyware/telemetry.

After reading your comment I went back and did some cursory searches, and it looks like the general concensus is that its less of a concern than it was originally - although, there is still uncertainty around how the tool is being monetized, which is enough for some to stop using it.