@cheryanne@aus.socialRec Me Podcast
Each week we discuss an Album that we have recommended to each other based on a theme, and then decide if it goes into our rotation...
Great Australian Pods Podcast Directory: https://www.greataustralianpods.com/rec-me/
@roland@devdilettante.comRichard Powers:: 'The Overstory'. 'There are a hundred thousand species of love, separately invented, each more ingenious than the last, and every one of them keeps making things.' <- I couldn't agree more! Highly recommended!
@tiotasram@kolektiva.socialJust finished "A Psalm for the Wild-Built" by Becky Chambers. Overall it's good but I also have some Thoughts.
First, it was very pleasant to finally read some non-trite utopian solarpunk after having read stuff like Octavia Butler recently. Both hope and despair can be poisonous on their own IMO, so getting some balance in is nice. It's definitely a very valuable thing to be able to lay out an actually desirable and in many ways imaginable future given our grim present. Chambers is no LeGuin though. I'll probably be reading more of her work and maybe she fleshes out these ideas elsewhere, but at least in this book there is no focus on either how the transition to a better society could happen nor on how the better society holds up in the face of adverse events and inclinations. Compare LeGuin's "The Dispossessed" or N. K. Jemisin's short story "The Ones Who Stay and Fight" and it feels like there's something important missing from Chambers' portrait of a future society. Of course, maybe the point is to make a cozy book, in which case fine, there's certainly a place for such things, and I can look for deeper inspiration elsewhere.
The second big thought I had was that Chambers' worldview seems not well-informed by certain indigenous perspectives, and this creates some contradictions. For example, (minor spoilers) when Dex enters the wilderness there's a whole bit about understanding humankind's place in nature and how human settlements are what we're used to but they're only a brief interruption of the vast untouched wilderness. Along the same lines, much of the world is intentionally left untouched by humans as a way to keep it pristine and natural. Later however, a character makes the point that humans *are* animals. The indigenous perspective that I appreciate would agree with that, and would further question the value in distinguishing between human influence on ecosystems and influences that others have. More sharply, one might observe that there's a bigger difference between how different kinds of humans relate to and influence their environments than between how less-disruptive humans and various animals do the same: the strip-mine-operator vs. migrant tribesperson impact difference is probably much greater than the migrant tribesperson vs. beaver gap, for example. Rather than talking about limiting human disruption, then, as if all human-environment interactions are disruptive and must be minimized, we could/should be talking about how to create human societies that have beneficial relationships with their environments and acknowledging that we actually have many positive examples of that, both historical and contemporary. Chambers' utopia is a "humans dominate nature but restrain themselves so that their disruptions are minimal and thus nature can thrive" vision, but what I'd even more like to see would be a "humans study old ways and make new ones so that they can interact positively with ecosystems again" vision, including some of "here are the places that sometimes breaks down but also the patterns and institutions that ensure repair of those breakdowns and thus long-term sustainability."
Final big thought: Chambers' utopia is too homogenous for my tastes. Of course it's hard enough and valuable work dreaming up and sharing any utopia and Chambers' transcends triteness in a number of ways, so this criticism is a bit rude. But the single shared religion, lack of mention of conflicts around shared decisions, especially historical society-defining ones, and nagging questions like "what about the people indigenous to the now-uninhabited lands?" and "what about the indigenous peoples who weren't part of the factory-building societies?" leave me wishing for more nuance in this direction.
All in all: a good book, and I'm criticizing out of a place of appreciation, not scorn. I've got there sequel out from the library as well and will probably detour to a few other books but get to it pretty soon.
Sadly I don't remember who, but I got this one because of a recommendation on here, so thanks if you're someone who recommended it!
#AmReading #ReadingNow #Bookstodon
@fanf@mendeddrum.orgfrom my link log —
Cryptographic key length recommendations.
https://www.keylength.com/en/
saved 2021-01-05 https://dotat.at/:/9C8XW.html
@scott@carfree.cityYay! So happy Jackie is back and ready to go. I've never had someone better represent me in government.
https://missionlocal.org/2026/06/jackie-fielder-return-to-office-san-francisco/
@marcel@waldvogel.familyWho would expect anything else?
#Enshittification #Google #AI
@fgraver@hcommons.socialEthical AI Companies | Ethical Consumer https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/technology/shopping-guide/ethical-ai-companies-llms
@nerdsitu@datasci.socialNew NERDS publication on fairness of human-AI collaboration in candidate recommendation
https://nerds.itu.dk/2026/06/29/new-nerds-publication-on-fairness-of-human-ai-collaboration-in-candidate-recommendation/
@njamster@mastodon.gamedev.placeIn case anybody is interested, here's my review after finishing the campaign: https://steamcommunity.com/id/njamster/recommended/4573210/
@cdarwin@c.imBabies need vitamin K to help their blood clot,
but they aren’t born with enough of it in their system.
Two researchers were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1943 for their discovery of vitamin K and its ability to form clots and stop bleeding in babies,
The vitamin K shot has been a standard intervention for newborns in the U.S. since the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended it more than 60 years ago.
But in recent years, parents have started refusing the shot.
@darkrat@chaosfurs.social@… have you seen that squeakross is on the list of recommended games for the upcoming Apopo/HeroRats Fundraiser?
https://tiltify.com/apopo
@toxi@mastodon.thi.ngRE: https://eupolicy.social/@bert_hubert/116939646868483647
Recommended read of the day... 👏
"This essay is an attempt to describe the bizarre dynamics that are currently at play, as I am in the rare position where my wellbeing is not contingent …
@fathermcgruder@jorts.horseMy mom is staying over and asked me to put on the news for her. I suggested she watch a movie instead and recommended Eddington. I wonder how she'll like it. Can't be worse for her than the news.
@hex@kolektiva.socialNow, I don't especially like the term "church" so I may use something else... like "coven." You can do what you want. But I happen to have already mapped out an example. (It is exactly that, just an example, so take if it's useful, change if you need, and don't stick to anything too closely.) Oh, this mapping also means that you would, for religious reasons, only be allowed to work under capitalism 4 days a week instead of 5.
Given the increases in productivity over the last 100 years, a 4 day work week is a completely reasonable expectation. If we have to annex Monday for the weekend by force of religion, so be it. It is rightfully ours anyway. If enough people try it, this will probably work. If it doesn't work, it just needs more people.
The Practice of Worship:
It is recommended to break down worship in to three sections: the functional, the communal, and the spiritual. It is also recommended to break these across multiple days. A common structure for some Christian churches is to take 10-15 minutes for announcements (Functional), an hour or two for services (Spiritual), followed by (Communal) coffee, tea, and cookies for an unspecified time up to two hours after. When starting or working with limited time a single compressed model like this may work, but it's not optimal.
- The Functional
The purpose of this section is to address the functional needs of the coven. Block out time (less than 90 minute blocks is recommended) to go through reports and updates from those involved in the Dispensary, Library, Works Committee (infrastructure), and Services Committee (providing services internally and, potentially, externally). Talk through any additional announcements, including those from other covens you may be federated with.
It is helpful to include unstructured communal time, such as shared meals, during or after functional meetings. As the federation grows, more time will be needed. It is recommended to break functional meetings, work parties, and such across multiple days. When a federation becomes sufficiently large, it is recommended to take every Monday, on top of Saturday and Sunday, as a third day of community and worship.
The scope of the functional spans 3 realms (which may be more-or-less fluid): the personal or family, the coven and federation, and humanity itself. It is up to each coven and individual to negotiate how to allocate the three days of the weekend once we have liberated Monday from the work week, but it is important to reserve it for one of these three. However, some people must work on weekends. Medical personnel, for example, cannot conform to a standard work week. While the work week should be universally restricted, which specific days are used will be up to the specific coven and their members.
A functional meeting can start with an agenda like the following:
Functional Invocation
Announcements
Report Backs
Dispensary
Inventory Check
What is low
What is empty
What is expiring
What is needed
Funds status
Library
Inventory Check and Items needing return
Library acquisition requests
Funds status and budget check
Works Committee
Upcoming projects
Subcommittee updates (Following the Works Committee agenda)
New committee formations
Funds status
Services Committee
New capabilities announcements
New needs requests
Subcommittee updates (Following the Works Committee agenda)
New committee formations
Funds status
Task Check
Breaking the Circle
This agenda is a suggestion for those who don't know where to start. It can be adapted or ignored as appropriate.
- The Spiritual
Spirituality is necessarily an undefined space. It is deeply personal. Each individual taking time to share their own personal spiritual experiences can help each connect with each other. This experience of connection can itself be a spiritual experience. It may also be useful to read esoteric, mystical, or philosophical texts together as type of "book club" and share thoughts. Others may draw from their own knowledge or traditions. This is something that must be defined together within a group.
- The Communal
The communal aspect of the practice of worship bind the coven and federation together. Within the community we find joy and release, connection and comfort. The coven is where we turn in times of need, and where we share our hopes and dreams.
@simon_brooke@mastodon.scotThis is actually a superb, humane podcast on mental health, from an unlikely source. Highly recommended!
Scotcast: Mental health: unhappier than ever, or overmedicated?
Episode webpage: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0nl8mg9
Media file:
@bammerlaan@mastodon.nlI'm in the market for a reliable sewing machine—I want to replace my old Singer. I made a mistake at first, buying an old Bernina Virtuosa with mechanical/electronic issues (luckily returned).
A sewing machine repairman told me that early digital Berninas are risky, and he recommended a mechanical Bernina 930, 1030 or 1031.
A serviced vintage Bernina 930 is now on hold for me at a dealer.
Anyone here with Bernina 930 experience? #Sewing #Bernina #SewingMachines
@Sustainable2050@mastodon.energyMore than 800 Canadian wildfires burning as air quality alerts extend to US:
The air quality in large parts of the northern states of Michigan, Minneapolis and Minnesota is deemed "hazardous" by the US Air Quality Index program, with people recommended to stay indoors.
https://bbc.com/news/articles/c0m7n427
@egallager@social.treehouse.systemsFollow-up: someone in the GCC IRC recommended Goguma to me, and that seems to work fine: https://goguma.im/
@markhburton@mstdn.socialI voted for him.
These quick vote AGM options, by which Boards encourage members to not read the materials and follow their lead, they should be banned.
"About 95% of votes were cast in support of Nationwide’s pay report, which was recommended by the board, after the building society nearly doubled the pay of Debbie Crosbie, the chief executive, to £4.7m."
A mutual??????
Nationwide customer vows to fight on after failed attempt to join board | Nationwide | Th…
@doktrock@toad.socialStill thinking about those delicious Steak Frites at Little Bad Wolf in Andersonville from over a month ago - highly recommended #Chicago
@theprivacydad@social.linux.pizzaWhile some privacy-first software tools are on par with their mainstream counterparts and can be recommended without reserve, others should come with a few warnings for new users.
https://theprivacydad.com/privacy-tool-recommendations-should-come-with-caveat…
@Gord1i@fosstodon.orgHad a lovely visit to the #CapeTown Science Centre yesterday. Not too overwhelming, but plenty to expend a little person's energy and pique their curiosity! There is also a very good board game library. Highly recommended for a spare afternoon or two. The annual membership rates are very reasonable, so suspect we'll be back
@fennek@cyberplace.socialHave I ever recommended "Hacks"? Magnificent series. 8/10
The changed dynamic in season 5 is a bit weird, but I am now through episode 4 and I think it works.
@bourgwick@heads.sociallast night's frow show archive, including your recommended daily allotment of synthesized human voices, improv freakouts, prepared guitar, congolese jams, feelies spin-offs, leftist talking blues, & other essential sounds. https://heads.social/@bourgwick/116881646105161867
@michabbb@social.vivaldi.net▪ Also patched in legacy Composer 1.10.28 (upgrade to 2.x still recommended)
🚑 Immediate actions:
1️⃣ Run composer.phar self-update NOW
2️⃣ Can't update? Disable #GitHubActions workflows running Composer
3️⃣ Review CI logs for leaked tokens
4️⃣ Delete any log contents containing raw token values before they expire
📦
@cdarwin@c.imRE: https://c.im/@cdarwin/116936455224978549
“I don’t know any senior,
Republican or Democrat,
who asked President Trump to let AI decide
if their doctor-recommended treatment was necessary,”
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said Thursday.
L…
@kineticdiplomacy@infosec.exchange📚 My book review of Gewone mensen dragen geen machinegeweren: gedachten over oorlog
by Artem Chapeye
A very thoughtful book. The perspective of the philosopher at war, and the choices he needed to make is incredibly valuable. His writing hits very close to home, as he brings up scenarios and choices that led him to volunteer for the Ukrainian army. Highly recommended reading for realists and pacificsts alike.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
@NFL@darktundra.xyzMLB to speak with Dodgers doctor about role in Conor McGregor's alleged PED use https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7353194/2026/06/11/dodgers-doctor-questioned-performance-enhancing-drugs-neal-elattrache/
@matthiasott@mastodon.social#Webmention for Craft v1.3.0 is out 🎉 – first in a short series of #security releases. 🔒
Fixes a stored XSS vulnerability in author/entry URLs, adds per-IP rate limits, and failure-backoff to harden the public endpoint against abuse.
Upgrade recommended!
@kurtsh@mastodon.social'Board' is a tabletop video game console that plays board games on a giant touch screen w/ special interactive game pieces.
My family LOVES its games, especially 'Chop Chop' & 'Strata'. Highly recommended.
✅ Board | Board Game Feel Meets Video Game Magic
https://board.fun/
@raysofred@discordian.socialYoutube recommended #shitpost
@thomasafine@social.linux.pizzaCan anyone explain why the security people have recommended such an extremely dangerous exploit script to test for the copyfail vulnerability? And why they haven't developed and promoted a much more benign exploit?
Seems like the height of irresponsibility.
@nelson@tech.lgbtMostly desktop Linux has been a joy but then I run into things like this that remind me it's still not ready for civilians. Printing: still sucks in 2026.
(To be fair: the recommended driver is the right one and it did print correctly the very first time.)
@daniel@social.telemetrydeck.comThis is a lovely, quiet, wonderfully beautiful video about why your phone is pinging too much. A recommended watch https://youtu.be/Ira28fgSF7M?is=OVpRkKOYLKcBBz57
@hippyjo@c.imUkraine update from Dylan Combelick:
comprehensive, expert analysis. Satisfies recommended daily amount of awareness.
Share the friend link to bypass the paywall, and make the world a better place: https://medium.com/@dylan_combellick/u
@izzychambers@vivaldi.netIzzy has always had a lot of hair, but last summer a veterinary dermatologist recommended that she take a medicine for her recurrent ear infections. The dermatologist warned me that some dogs grow more hair on this drug, but said she didn’t know how Izzy could be hairier. Izzy said “hold my bone” and grew these cool bangs. #Mondog
@simon_brooke@mastodon.scotThis is the actual #CountBinface talking about #Democracy. He's serious — and very interesting indeed. Strongly recommended.
I want to see this man in parliament.
#UKPol
@tiotasram@kolektiva.socialJust finished "The Terraformers" by Annalee Newitz (@…). It was recommended as a "solarpunk" book, and I'm currently on a quest to find more speculative fiction as good as Le Guin or Butler, so I was eager to dig in. Having tagged the author (hi) I'll try to be polite here, but I'll admit I was disappointed.
Newitz clearly has a powerful imagination and there's lots of great stuff in the book, but it's not at all pushing boundaries in terms of imagining future societies. I think the message and intent was good in a lot of places, but off or self-contradictory in others. I absolutely adore the relatively small point made at the end about revolutions being complicated and not boiling down to heroes and battles, but despite the book's attempt to avoid that, I think it still falls into that pattern. Without too many spoilers, the way that some big problems are resolved near the end leans too much on a legal framework without questioning how it's enforced, and that resolution then means that a few heroic acts are enough to tip the balance, which undermines the point about messy histories.
The biggest contradiction of the book to my mind though is with a central theme. The book really explores a world in which "anyone of any species can be a person, as long as we just bioengineer them to be intelligent enough," and it tries to make a point about how engineering limited intelligences is cruel. At several points characters comment about how personhood shouldn't depend on intelligence. There's even a brief quote about how maybe rivers could be people... But... the point could have been "anyone can be a person, regardless of intelligence." This would have made for much more interesting philosophical territory to explore IMO (how do we then bound personhood; how do we reconcile predator/prey relations between persons, etc.). These are also questions that the indigenous traditions Newitz draws on (and consulted about, as mentioned in the acknowledgements) has interesting answers for, but we don't get to explore them through Newitz' world, and because the question of personhood regresses to the question of intelligence, it feels like the moral philosophy of the ERT folks isn't any better than the "InAss" they disparage.
It's not a bad book overall, even if it doesn't engage with the questions I'm hungry to see others engage with. Newitz' efforts to sketch out a more vibrant and diverse future are still monumental and inspiring in a lot of ways. I'm just still looking for something more. Ultimately, I think it lives up to the "solar" but not very much to the "punk."
#AmReading #ReadingNow #Bookstodon
@GroupNebula563@mastodon.socialcanonical back on their bullshit again. nothing is sacred
https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/the-future-of-ai-in-ubuntu/81130
@cdarwin@c.imAn executive order signed with little fanfare by Donald Trump on Friday could have a huge impact on the health of US children,
as it instructs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to cut the number of recommended childhood vaccines almost in half.
The vague language of the order, which refers to “a scientific assessment that compared United States childhood immunization recommendations with those of peer nations” published in January by anti-vaccine activist Rober…
@thesaigoneer@social.linux.pizzaYep. Did it again. Couldnt have done it without this excellent guide, which is a write-up of a just as excellent YT video. This guy delivers and I really enjoyed setting this up yesterday: Fedora, btrfs, snapper, luks2 encryption. Obviously I changed something and used the Cosmic desktop for this experiment. Recommended!
#fedora
@gwire@mastodon.socialI've now been algo-recommended so many slop AI-narrated YouTube videos that will include an aside about how particular actors aren't being paid enough, that I'm convinced there's an ecosystem of videos being commissioned by talent agencies and publicists.
@nebucatnetzer@social.linux.pizzaWe went to a record fair yesterday and I found 13 CDs to buy, these cost me 48 CHF altogether.
So less than 4 CHF per CD and some of them were even still sealed.
I really enjoyed the experience to dig through boxes of CDs, looking at the covers and asking the sellers what kind of style the CDs were and wether they recommended it.
Now I have to rip them and add them to my digital collection.
@cheryanne@aus.socialSaw The Sapphires at the Playhouse today - it was a fabulous experience - highly recommended.
#Arts
@markhburton@mstdn.socialThe UK government has adopted the flawed (because insufficient) carbon budget recommended by their advisory group, the Committee on Climate Change.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/britain-sets-87-emissions-reduction-targe…
@cdarwin@c.imTrump’s Religious Liberty Commission takes aim at church-state separation
The Trump administration took aim at the separation of church and state Friday,
issuing a draft report from the "president’s Religious Liberty Commission"
that says the separation concept is a legal error
and that Americans should view religion as an “essential support”
and always remember “the Creator who made us and bestows our rights.”
The 224-page report recommended the…
