REALITYCHEX.COM - Constant Comments - The Conversation -- December 26, 2023

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New York Times: “The New York Times Company has agreed to license its editorial content to Amazon for use in the tech giant’s artificial intelligence platforms, the company said on Thursday. The multiyear agreement 'will bring Times editorial content to a variety of Amazon customer experiences,' the news organization said in a statement. Besides news articles, the agreement encompasses material from NYT Cooking, The Times’s food and recipe site, and The Athletic, which focuses on sports. This is The Times’s first licensing arrangement with a focus on generative A.I. technology. In 2023, The Times sued OpenAI and its partner, Microsoft, for copyright infringement, accusing the tech companies of using millions of articles published by The Times to train automated chatbots without any kind of compensation. OpenAI and Microsoft have rejected those accusations.” ~~~

~~~ Marie: I have no idea what this means for "the Amazon customer experience." Does it mean that if I don't have a NYT subscription but do have Amazon Prime I can read NYT content? And where, exactly, would I find that content? I don't know. I don't know.

Washington Post reporters asked three AI image generators what a beautiful woman looks like. "The Post found that they steer users toward a startlingly narrow vision of attractiveness. Prompted to show a 'beautiful woman,' all three tools generated thin women, without exception.... Her body looks like Barbie — slim hips, impossible waist, round breasts.... Just 2 percent of the images showed visible signs of aging. More than a third of the images had medium skin tones. But only nine percent had dark skin tones. Asked to show 'normal women,' the tools produced images that remained overwhelmingly thin.... However bias originates, The Post’s analysis found that popular image tools struggle to render realistic images of women outside the Western ideal." ~~~

~~~ Marie: The reporters seem to think they are calling out the AI programs for being unrealistic. But there's a lot about the "beautiful women" images they miss. I find these omissions remarkably sexist. For one thing, the reporters seem to think AI is a magical "thing" that self-generates. It isn't. It's programmed. It's programmed by boys, many of them incels who have little or no experience or insights beyond comic books and Internet porn of how to gauge female "beauty." As a result, the AI-generated women look like cartoons; that is, a lot like an air-brushed photo of Kristi Noem: globs of every kind of dark eye makeup, Scandinavian nose, Botox lips, slathered-on skin concealer/toner/etc. makeup, long dark hair and the aforementioned impossible Barbie body shape, including huge, round plastic breasts.

New York Times: “George Clooney’s Broadway debut, 'Good Night, and Good Luck,' has been one of the sensations of the 2024-25 theater season, breaking box office records and drawing packed houses of audiences eager to see the popular movie star in a timely drama about the importance of an independent press. Now the play will become much more widely available: CNN is planning a live broadcast of the penultimate performance, on June 7 at 7 p.m. Eastern. The performance will be preceded and followed by coverage of, and discussion about, the show and the state of journalism.”

No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land. -- Magna Carta ~~~

~~~ New York Times: “Bought for $27.50 after World War II, the faint, water stained manuscript in the library of Harvard Law School had attracted relatively little attention since it arrived there in 1946. That is about to change. Two British academics, one of whom happened on the manuscript by chance, have discovered that it is an original 1300 version — not a copy, as long thought — of Magna Carta, the medieval document that helped establish some of the world’s most cherished liberties. It is one of just seven such documents from that date still in existence.... A 710-year-old version of Magna Carta was sold in 2007 for $21.3 million.... First issued in 1215, it put into writing a set of concessions won by rebellious barons from a recalcitrant King John of England — or Bad King John, as he became known in folklore. He later revoked the charter, but his son, Henry III, issued amended versions, the last one in 1225, and Henry’s son, Edward I, in turn confirmed the 1225 version in 1297 and again in 1300.”

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Tuesday

Dec262023

The Conversation -- December 26, 2023

Colleen Slevin of the AP: "Police said Tuesday they are investigating incidents directed at Colorado Supreme Court justices and providing extra patrols around their homes in Denver following the court's decision to remove ... Donald Trump from the state's presidential primary ballot.... The FBI said it is working with local law enforcement on the matter."

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Several entries posted late this morning.

Helene Cooper of the New York Times: "The United States conducted a new round of airstrikes early on Tuesday in Iraq, most likely killing militants and destroying three facilities used by Iranian proxies that had been targeting American and coalition troops, U.S. officials said. The American strikes were in retaliation for a series of assaults, including a drone attack hours earlier by members of Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups on Erbil air base in Iraq, according to Adrienne Watson, a National Security Council spokeswoman. The drone attack injured three American service members, one of them critically, she said." ~~~

~~~ ABC News: "Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the strikes were carried out at the direction of President Joe Biden and in response to attacks carried out by the groups against coalition forces in the region."

THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN, LIED TO CONGRESS, CHEATED ON FISA, RIGGED A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, ALLOWED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, MANY FROM PRISONS & MENTAL INSTITUTIONS, TO INVADE OUR COUNTRY, SCREWED UP IN AFGHANISTAN, & JOE BIDEN'S MISFITS & THUGS, LIKE DERANGED JACK SMITH, ARE COMING AFTER ME, AT LEVELS OF PERSECUTION NEVER SEEN BEFORE IN OUR COUNTRY??? IT'S CALLED ELECTION INTERFERENCE. MERRY CHRISTMAS! -- Donald Trump's Christmas Eve message ~~~

So forget that "peace on earth, goodwill to men" crap. -- Marie ~~~

~~~ Still Crazy. Stephen Collinson of CNN: Donald Trump "unleashed an online torrent of fury and bitterness, largely over his legal plights, spanning Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, previewing the discord and personal obsessions he will inflict on the nation in a pivotal election year in 2024. Trump raged at President Joe Biden and special counsel Jack Smith, making expansive and false claims that his attempts to stay in power after losing the 2020 election represented a vital defense of American democracy and were thus perfectly legal. In a tide of invective in block capitals on his Truth Social network, Trump escalated extreme rhetoric on immigration that has drawn comparisons to Nazi demagoguery in the 1940s and reprised his view of unlimited presidential power that has critics fearing autocracy if he wins the next election.... And his tirades, at a time when Americans who celebrate Christmas gathered with loved ones and sought a moment of peace, hint at a furious state of mind and extreme denialism."

Presidential Race 2024. Jonathan Swan, et al., of the New York Times: "Since beginning his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald J. Trump has said the 'termination; of the Constitution would have been justified to overturn the 2020 election, told followers 'I am your retribution' and vowed to use the Justice Department to prosecute his adversaries -- starting with President Biden and his family. Beneath these public threats is a series of plans by Mr. Trump and his allies that would upend core elements of American governance, democracy, foreign policy and the rule of law if he regains the White House."

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Israel/Palestine. The Washington Post's live updates of developments Tuesday in the Israel/Hamas war are here: "The World Health Organization said it is concerned about 'unbearable' strain on the few hospitals that remain open in Gaza as Israel steps up strikes on Hamas. At least three areas in central Gaza were hit this weekend, including the Maghazi refugee camp, where at least 80 people were killed on a residential block, the director of a nearby hospital said.... An airstrike killed an Iranian commander in Syria on Monday, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency. Brig. Gen. Seyed Razi Mousavi, a senior adviser to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed outside Damascus. The Revolutionary Guard Corps attributed the strike to the Israeli military, which declined to comment." ~~~

~~~ The New York Times' live updates for Tuesday are here. CNN's live updates are here.

Russia. Ivan Nechepurenko & Anton Troianovski of the New York Times: "The Russian opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny has been moved to a remote Arctic prison and 'is doing well,' his spokeswoman said on Monday, ending a 20-day mystery over his whereabouts that had many supporters fearing the worst. 'We have found Aleksei,' the spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said on social media. 'His lawyer saw him today.' Ms. Yarmysh's announcement marked the end of a frantic search through Russia's vast prison system for Mr. Navalny, who disappeared on Dec. 5. Mr. Navalny's exiled allies said that they had found him in the remote penal colony in the Arctic after sending more than 600 requests to prisons and other government agencies." ~~~

~~~ Update. Ivan Nechepurenko of the New York Times: "Aleksei A. Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition leader, published a letter on Tuesday describing an arduous transfer to his new penal colony in the Arctic.... Mr. Navalny's comments, posted on his social network accounts and written with a heavy dose of irony and humor, highlighted his good spirits and seemed intended to assuage concerns among allies who had grown anxious about his health and status since his sudden disappearance from the public eye on Dec. 5."

Ukraine, et al.

Constant Méheut of the New York Times: "The Ukrainian military said on Monday that it had shot down five Russian fighter jets in three days, one of the biggest weekly losses for the Russian air force since the war began and a rare bright spot for Ukraine, whose forces have faced setbacks since its failed monthslong counteroffensive this year. But the news could be offset if Russia's claim that it had seized full control of the eastern town of Marinka is true. Russian forces have gradually advanced over months of battle against Ukrainian troops there, but Ukraine denied that the town was entirely under Russian control.... Early Tuesday morning, Ukraine's Air Force claimed another victory, saying it had destroyed a Russian ship, the Novocherkassk. The account could not be independently verified. Sergey Aksyonov, the Russia-installed head of Crimea, said that Ukrainian forces had attacked the Crimean Black Sea town of Feodosia, starting a fire in its port." A related CNN story is here.

Andrew Kramer of the New York Times: "Of Ukraine's many Western-oriented changes, put in place bit by bit since independence and accelerated during the war, one brought special joy this year: Christmas came early. After centuries of marking the holiday on Jan. 7 under the Julian church calendar, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church this year formally switched to celebrating on Dec. 25 with most of the rest of Europe -- and pointedly not with Russia." MB: Now all they need are weeks of Christmas special sales beginning in November and some tinsel trees.

U.K. Karla Adam of the Washington Post: "King Charles III's annual festive address saw the British monarch posing next to a replantable tree festooned with dried oranges while delivering a message that acknowledged the 'growing awareness' of the need to protect the planet. The monarch's Christmas message has long been a fixture in Britain -- like wearing silly Christmas sweaters or colored paper hats. The speeches are uncontentious -- and this year's was no exception. But it's also one of the few times the monarch delivers a speech they write themselves, without government guidance, meaning royal watchers pay close attention. The address is normally viewed by millions in Britain and Commonwealth countries." ~~~

~~~ Stephen Fry's Alternative Christmas Message: "I am a Jew":

Vatican. Nicole Winfield of the AP: "Pope Francis on Monday blasted the weapons industry and its 'instruments of death' that fuel wars as he made a Christmas Day appeal for peace in the world and in particular between Israel and the Palestinians. Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to the throngs of people below, Francis said he grieved the 'abominable attack' of Hamas against southern Israel on Oct. 7 and called for the release of hostages. And he begged for an end to Israel's military campaign in Gaza and the 'appalling harvest of innocent civilians' as he called for humanitarian aid to reach those in need. Francis devoted his Christmas Day blessing to a call for peace in the world, noting that the biblical story of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem sent a message of peace. But he said that Bethlehem 'is a place of sorrow and silence' this year."

Joe & Jill Biden read "A Visit from St. Nicholas":

Some excellent comments in yesterday's thread. As I read them, my droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow. Ho ho ho.

News Lede

New York Times:"Despite lingering inflation, Americans increased their spending this holiday season, early data shows.... Retail sales increased 3.1 percent from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to data from Mastercard SpendingPulse...."

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Reader Comments (6)

Happy Boxing Day to all. As I understand it, today is when the
rich and powerful box up all those Christmas gifts that they don't
like and hand them down to the slaves, or peons, or workers.

Wonder what I'll be getting today.

December 26, 2023 |

ForrestMorris

Just read the Christmas message that the former president* posted
on his Truth Social networky thing.
He hopes that all supporters of "electric car lunacy" would "ROT IN
HELL." Lots of other wishes thrown in, none positive.
Guess I'm one of those lunatics since I own a Hybrid, part gas and
part electric. Maybe I'm only half lunatic then.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-wishes-electric-car-supporters-
215004894.html

December 26, 2023 |

ForrestMorris

A glass more than half empty take on Ukraine.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/12/26/orban-ukraine-europe-threat-west-hungary/

Thought some of the comments interesting, particularly as they veered into the tribal interests that energize the European Right--and our own.

December 26, 2023 |

Ken Winkes

Michael Cohen must follow RC.

December 26, 2023 |

unwashed

@unwashed: Thanks. I had no idea Chrismahanukwanzakah was a thing! I think those Christians & Jews & African Americans are trying to co-opt Festivus, not to mention Saturnalia & Yule. Oh, why can't they be more inclusive?

December 26, 2023 |

Marie Burns

Just read all comments December 24-26 and enjoyed them. Just had a Dump-free three days. I wish the same to all you lovely folk near and far! I treasure you all! Love and peace to this community. And thousands of thanks to our Queen, Marie. You’re the best.

December 26, 2023 |

Jeanne

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