The unimportant news thread

[DavidW]

I kind of hate how companies all jump onto the useless AI bandwagon.

[Todd]

AI is of course the in thing, even though no one has really demonstrated its utility in all but narrow applications.  Guess what, math heavy finance, and in particular trading, can benefit from machine learning.  Language processing has so far yielded results ranging from hot garbage to mediocre but swift cutting and pasting.  A good portion of AI integration is being driven by FOMO and investment in associated industries, much like telegraph expansion led to the construction of some useless railroad lines.  Also, there's a degree of Barnumism surrounding AI.

[Todd]

FAA chief says Boeing safety culture reforms may take years

Gosh, what happened to the power of AI?

From May 2023: Boeing turns to AI to cull safety risks from mountains of data

[Brian]

Yesterday I saw an article that claimed AI was going to "solve grief" - that when you lost a family member, AI would I guess replicate them so you wouldn't have to miss them.

[hopefullytrusting]

Yesterday I saw an article that claimed AI was going to "solve grief" - that when you lost a family member, AI would I guess replicate them so you wouldn't have to miss them.

AI is such a flop. I work in a field that was supposed to be decimated by AI - not even a dent.

AI is New Coke.

[Todd]

AI is New Coke.

Hey now, that's uncalled for.  It's more like Zima.

[DavidW]

AI is such a flop. I work in a field that was supposed to be decimated by AI - not even a dent.

AI is New Coke.

Yes, here, the English faculty was expecting some kind of apocalypse. It turned out that AI is so bad that it is easy to pick up when students use it. It also turns out that Turnitin's AI detector is surprisingly reliable. And far fewer students cheat with AI than was expected. It was a big nothing burger.

[hopefullytrusting]

Hey now, that's uncalled for.  It's more like Zima.

I had forgotten about Zima.

Lol.

[LKB]

RIP Dame Maggie Smith.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgk7375ngkxo

[Todd]

Why TF Are Pantera Dominating Gardening Playlists?

[Kalevala]

RIP Dame Maggie Smith.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgk7375ngkxo

Noooooo!   

Kalevala

[DavidW]

A ton of music videos just left YouTube .

I found out the hard way. I watched a bunch of 90s music videos last night, and tonight I wanted to come back to my fav of the group: Nirvana's Heart Shaped Box... and I couldn't watch it!!!

[Kalevala]

A ton of music videos just left YouTube .

I found out the hard way. I watched a bunch of 90s music videos last night, and tonight I wanted to come back to my fav of the group: Nirvana's Heart Shaped Box... and I couldn't watch it!!!

Oh, dear!  I suspect that, from the tiny bit that I know, that artists were protesting about not getting enough royalties from youtube and the company that is representing their online interests.

K.

[Todd]

Far right wins Austria election, boosting European rightwing surge

Decidedly unimportant news.  I mean, what's the worst a far-right politician from Austria can do?

Oh, wait . . .

[Kalevala]

Yesterday I saw an article that claimed AI was going to "solve grief" - that when you lost a family member, AI would I guess replicate them so you wouldn't have to miss them.

Or "appear" as your best friend and send over a bottle of single malt scotch and set up online chat time?  🤔

K

[Brian]

Or "appear" as your best friend and send over a bottle of single malt scotch and set up online chat time?  🤔

K

This might work if the scotch is real! 

[Kalevala]

This might work if the scotch is real! 

That's what I was thinking!  Maybe an Islay?

K

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Buried US second world war bomb explodes at Japanese airport.


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/02/buried-us-second-world-war-bomb-explodes-at-japanese-miyazaki-airport?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

[Kalevala]

Buried US second world war bomb explodes at Japanese airport.


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/02/buried-us-second-world-war-bomb-explodes-at-japanese-miyazaki-airport?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

I'm glad that no one was hurt!

Amazing that after all of this time that they can still go off.  Wonder whether or not there's a way that they can use some sort of imaging device or detector(s) to scan the area (given its history)?

K

[drogulus]

    Go to cash NOW!!