Today's threads (a thread)
Inside: Reverse centaurs are the answer to the AI paradox; and more!
Archived at: https://pluralistic.net/2025/09/11/vulgar-thatcherism/
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@pluralistic realise this is far from the main point, but as I'm just now replaying Universal Paperclips, I really enjoyed the paperclip reference 🖇️🖇️
That article also made me think I should revisit the podcast on Weizenbaum's "Computer power and human reason" that I have bookmarked somewhere...
@pluralistic Did anyone else who is subscribed to the email get this email?
![[2] [Plura-list] Reverse centaurs are the answer to the AI paradox
Cory Doctorow WE Yesterday
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From B Melissa Raulston <melissa@platowynne.com> wr 8:55AM
To Ed, plura-list@pluralistic.net v
A\ This email has failed its domain's authentication requirements. It may be spoofed or improperly forwarded. Learn more
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% This message will be automatically deleted on Sunday, October 12th, 2025 at 8:55 AM](https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/191/770/259/026/563/original/bceae71ff78d6eed.png)
@EdBruce It was my fatfinger. Sorry!
@pluralistic love this, and also, not looking forward to another crash. Trying to insulate myself and hedge, but we’re all connected
@pluralistic When I started coding, mainframes had compilers. You didn't "rent", "lease" or "subscribe" to the compilers, editors, OS, and whatnot. Then, for a brief time, I suffered the whims of Microsoft et al, before moving to Linux, where I once again have tools that are either gratis/libre or one-one time purchases.
I don't see that happening with AI... And it seems one must use multiple AIs. So, for me, not yet...
#Ithaca and #NYC! I'm heading your way for a zillion events from Sept 11-17. Here's a list of open-to-all #Cornell activities including two major keynotes; a movie night with dinner and discussion; and a public event at Cornell Tech in NYC:
https://adwhiteprofessors.cornell.edu/visits/cory-doctorow/
I'm also appearing at Buffalo Street Books on Sept 11:
https://buffalostreetbooks.com/event/2025-09-11/cory-doctorow-tcpl-librarian-judd-karlman
and at Autumn Leaves Books on Sept 13:
https://www.autumnleavesithaca.com/event-details/enshittification-why-everything-got-worse-and-what-to-do-about-it
I'll also be at the #Brooklyn Book Festival on Sept 21:
https://brooklynbookfestival.org/event/big-techs-big-heist-cory-doctorow-in-conversation-with-adam-becker/
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Reverse centaurs are the answer to the AI paradox: Not what the machine does, but who it does it to.
https://mamot.fr/@pluralistic/115186335896408611
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Hey look at this
* Flush door handles are the car industry’s latest safety problem https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/09/flush-door-handles-are-the-car-industrys-latest-safety-problem/
* The Great Space Race(ism): How Science Fiction Predicted the Future--and How Afrofuturism Could Negate It https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3gv8r1r5 (h/t Samuel Delany)
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#20yrago Themepunks (AKA Makers) serialized for next ten weeks on Salon https://web.archive.org/web/20050914060107/http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2005/09/12/themepunks_1/index_np.html
#10yrsago Data is a liability, not an asset https://web.archive.org/web/20150911201818/https://richie.fi/blog/data-is-a-liability.html
#10yrsago Missing from the computer science curriculum https://prog21.dadgum.com/210.html
#5yrsago Alexa for landlords https://pluralistic.net/2020/09/11/protocols-of-qanon/#landlord-alexa
#5yrsago Security Engineering, 3d edition https://pluralistic.net/2020/09/11/protocols-of-qanon/#security-engineering-v3
#5yrsago America's pandemic spiral https://pluralistic.net/2020/09/11/protocols-of-qanon/#doom-loops
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#5yrsago EFF vs filternet https://pluralistic.net/2020/09/11/protocols-of-qanon/#no-filternet
#5yrsago Qanon is basically the Protocols of the Elders of Zion https://pluralistic.net/2020/09/11/protocols-of-qanon/#godwins-qanon
#5yrsago Life as a precriminal https://pluralistic.net/2020/09/11/protocols-of-qanon/#chris-nocco
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Yesterday's threads: Hate the player AND the game; and more!
https://mamot.fr/@pluralistic/115181315700992088
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