Louis Ingenthron @LouisIngenthron@social.cleverlibre.org

A lot of folks are saying something like "Programmers need to consider ethics before creating a thing."

But... most of us do already, especially senior developers. Some of us even have a proven history of resigning from positions where we're asked to do something we find morally reprehensible.

But the real problem is that the money guys who want to exploit these technologies don't care. Half their workforce quits in protest? No big deal, just hire some kids out of college.

See, the thing about ethics is that they tend not to be able to stand up to the prospects of going jobless while the noose of student loans slowly tightens. Plus, younger folks just don't have the wisdom and experience to identify the ethical quandaries. So they get exploited.

And that, my friends, is how DRM was created.

I wonder if the Gadsen flag would be so popular among the nationalist right if the phrase was "Don't tread on anyone". Not only does that better represent true American values, but it rolls off the tongue better.

Wow.

How to Mastodon (apparently):

Step 1- Complain about something on social media.

Step 2- Receive several helpful suggestions from internet randos.

Step 3- Complain about "reply guys" on social media

Last year, when the hurricane hit, I had minor damage to the roof of my back porch. I reported it to my insurance company. Apparently this was a big mistake.

They sent out an inspector who determined that I had extensive roofing damage that I couldn't see (my main roof looks fine to me). The total amount of the claim, to be filed in December, was about $800 more than my $10K-something deductible. They then demanded that I use their preferred contractor and pay up that five-figure deductible so they could begin work.

I called to decline coverage, because I didn't want to pay $10K for damage that I wasn't convinced was even there. So their lawyer called me up and offered to settle the claim by sending me a check for the $800 over my deductible so I could use that to get the minor damage fixed myself and they could close the claim. I accepted that offer.

However, today, many months later, I get another letter informing me that if I don't submit proof to them that I fixed the damage to my roof that I still don't think exists, then they may stop covering my entire roof. Worse, it has to be performed by a licensed contractor, but the licensing system in Florida is fucked, so there are only a few licensed contractors in my entire city and they charge 10x what non-licensed contractors do (it's a racket).

So now, because I reported minor damage to one tiny section of my roof from a storm, I have the choice of either spending at least ten thousand dollars to replace my entire roof out of my own pocket, or lose my insurance, and potentially, my mortgage.

And this is on top of my insurance rates increasing by over a thousand dollars every year since I got it.

I would be right now, in every way, better off if I wasn't required to have insurance at all. And my story is far from the worst that you can read in Florida.

Hey all companies: If I'm logged into your website to do something, the very last thing I want to do is scan some stupid QR code in a popup to install your broken app on a tiny screen. I'm logged into your website already on the big screen. Just let me do my thing.

Can scientists please make a cologne that smells like freshly baked dark rye bread?

Does anybody else play Baldur's Gate 3? Is there a "For the love of God, stop walking into lava" button?

Presumably they're not interested in repealing the law that made news unprofitable for Meta, a for-profit company.

After all, what's the point of allowing people who posted CSAM back on the platform if you can't force your users to view it?

1) Social media is created. Traditional media excitedly jump aboard because they're thrilled about the opportunity to drive revenue with free advertising.

2) Traditional media rework their entire business model around social media. "Share on Facebook!" they cry to their customers, as they let their direct-to-consumer infrastructure crumble.

3) Traditional media loses revenue share and spends money they can't afford on lobbying the government.

4) The government passes a law that says social media has to pay traditional media for hosting the very links that traditional media was so eager to have on social media.

5) Social media bans news rather than pay the extortion.

6) Traditional media blames social media for not providing the news during dangerous events, like the #Yellowknife fire. They run clickbait stories about how many people don't know there's an evacuation order because they get their news from social media.

So...

Elon Musk picked a fight with Mark Zuckerberg, got a bunch of press about standing up to him, and then backed down and pissed his pants.

Ron DeSantis picked a fight with Disney, got a bunch of press about standing up to them, and then backed down and pissed his pants.

Donald Trump picked a fight with the US Department of Justice, got a bunch of press about standing up to them, and what exactly do you think will happen next?