Tootfinder

The 2025 Web Almanac mistook me.
I did *not* say LLMs provide better image descriptions. I cited SeeingAI and Be My Eyes as tools for undescribed IRL uses.
I said LLM-generated captions could be better than craptions. I mentioned abstracts / reading-level changes, which could be summaries?
But “better” image descriptions is right out.

National Portrait Gallery makes changes to Trump part of 'America's Presidents' exhibit (Raquel Coronell Uribe/NBC News)
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/national-portrait-gallery-makes-changes-trump-portion-americas-preside-rcna253354
http://www.memeorandum.com/260111/p75#a260111p75

Singapore-based ChemLex raised a $45M funding round led by Granite Asia to build an AI-powered, automated chemistry lab to accelerate drug discovery (Rachyl Jones/Semafor)
https://www.semafor.com/article/12/12/2025/singapore-startup-b…

Singapore startup builds AI-powered, self-running chemistry lab
The self-driving lab consists of AI software and robots that design experiments, run them, and gather data, with limited human intervention.

Trump administration's changes to the CFPB cost Americans $19B, a new report says (Ken Sweet/Associated Press)
https://apnews.com/article/cfpb-russell-vought-trump-elizabeth-warren-783a68f170d79e83444fe2350239d098
http://www.memeorandum.com/260209/p111#a260209p111

"A mileage-based charge for electric and plug-in hybrid car drivers from 2028 and a short-term freeze in fuel duty are among the key changes announced in the Autumn Budget 2025"
So am I right in thinking that this #budget has penalised electric cars and benefited fossil fuel vehicles?
That seems... Highly counter-productive.

Hš vinte anos atršs, eu achava que 480p era uma resolução ótima para vídeos e que somente filmes muito específicos (com fotografia excepcional) justificavam o uso de resolução de 720p, que ocupava muito espaço no HD/CD. Mas agora hš pouco estava assistindo um videoclip da Loreena McKennitt em resolução 480p na minha TV de 42 polegadas e mal conseguia distinguir as imagens.
Em parte isso é porque nossos cérebros ficaram muito acostumado a imagens em alta resolução. Mas, principalmente, c…

Good Morning #Canada
Sunday mornings should include some relaxation, a good cup of coffee, and a tale of one man forging a legacy of independence. Today we present to you the story of American businessman Russell Arundel who, in 1949, claimed sovereignty over approximately 4 acres of Outer Bald Tusket Island, off the southern tip of Nova Scotia. After purchasing the island for $750, Arundel announced the principality of Outer Baldonia with its own charter, a flag, currency, passports, and an organized military that consisted of 69 fishermen (all Admirals). Citizens of the principality who caught a Bluefin tuna and paid a $50 fee were accorded the rank of prince. Government officials included Prince of Princes Russell Arundel, Chancellor Elson Boudreau, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Ron Wallace. The Canadian government mostly ignored the farce but an official Russian communication declared Outer Baldonia a fascist state.
#CanadaIsAwesome #History
https://backyardhistory.ca/f/the-nova-scotian-island-that-declared-independence

There are two reasons that Motability includes “premium” brands:
1/ they are often the ones that meet the needs of the users with features like parking assistance for those who cannot see behind them
2/ the leases are often cheaper than non premium brands as their resale value is so much higher.
The effect of these changes might well be that Mobility actually costs the government MORE money 🤦‍♀️

Motability Scheme makes ambitious goal that half of Scheme vehicles leased from 2035 will be British built
Motability Scheme sets ambition for 50% of all vehicles leased to be British built from 2035  Scheme is a lifeline for disabled people and will now further support the UK economy  With government and industry support, ambitious commitment could create demand for 150,000 vehicles annually, boosting jobs and driving new investment  Premium brand vehicles, including Mercedes Benz and BMW, removed from the Scheme 

Here’s roughly what I told my US Senators:
“I am a resident of Minneapolis, which for the last 6 weeks has been a kind of hell. I am begging you, begging you, to do everything in your power to •stop funding this hell•.
The Department of Homeland Security has become a dangerous rogue organization. Dangerous! The correct amount of funding for the DHS under its current leadership — yes, you heard me, the •entire• DHS — is zero. ZERO.
I consider every dollar above that to be a concession. Fight.”