Tootfinder

My jaw dropped 30 seconds into this video. 🤣
▶️ 30 Minutes of Exposing Scam Companies - Ben Palmer #Compilation
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Sj0xs8j4C8Y&si=twMXLYIdE…

I've seen a bunch of "the CA age verification law is the best way to do a bad thing and so we shouldn't oppose compliance" takes, which others are rightly pointing out is a bad stance because it's blindingly obvious that compliance now sets the stage for compliance later and the clearly set up later is mandatory verification of age data. Even if you think that, for example, California's current "progressive" government won't go there, we're all currently seeing just how easy it is for a new government to pick up the oppressive tools the "good" government was using "restraint" with and put them to worse ends.
On the other hand, I'll freely admit that distros *do* need a way to shield themselves from liability right now. The clear (to me; IANAL) correct solution is to say on your website "don't download this OS if you're in a jurisdiction where it's not legal for us to provide it."). Assuming this does put you in the clear liability-wise, it has several positive effects:
- Stops zero people from downloading it.
- Makes it clear that your project will not collaborate with fascists/oppressive regime enjoyers.
- Means that when the next law makes verifying user ages mandatory (and/or explicitly requires using Palantir-adjacent services to do so) you've already got a strategy in place and there's no need for a "debate" in your "community" about compliance.
- Gets users more practice with "the law is malicious/needlessly bureaucratic/oppressive; let's ignore it" which to be honest people in general clearly desperately need at this point.
- Is the most effective political move if you want to resist the way things are going. Forcing the other side to explain why "California bans Linux" is good rhetorical strategy. Make *them* try to explain "well it's actually not so harmful since we let users set it themselves" and answer your follow-up "but what if next year the requirements change; I just refuse to go along with this slippery slope stuff and I'm not bothered if that means you want to *ban* me."
#AgeVerification

🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on BBCRadio3's #RoundMidnight
Tahn Solo:
🎵 Closer
#TahnSolo
https://open.spotify.com/track/17EFv7pVfG7tZssV6lPeNd

Under Trump, the government’s watchdogs are losing their independence
Inspectors general have long touted their independence from partisan politics,
maintaining a strict firewall between themselves and the White House appointees whose activities they are supposed to check.

But now, over a year into the new Trump administration,
political figures and the White House have sought greater influence over government watchdogs than ever before,
-- leading to concerns…

Under Trump, the government’s watchdogs are losing their independence
Inspectors general are subject to growing partisan pressures as the White House and political figures seek greater influence over them than ever before.

Hello migraine with aura my old friend… 😘
Could be fun to try to visualize that. The patterns are different every time and a mix of blank spots, blurry areas, and rainbow stars or rather twinkling chrystal patterns slowly growing and wandering around my field of vision. ✨

🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on KEXP's #AfternoonShow
The Blue Nile:
🎵 Tinseltown in the Rain
#TheBlueNile
https://djtonybelony.bandcamp.com/track/the-blue-nile-tinseltown-in-the-rain-belony-edits
https://open.spotify.com/track/31lJXgZxFqcqi6FCKb4wWl

"Humans burn themselves—and survive burns—with a frequency likely much greater than any other animal. Most animals avoid fire completely, while in contrast, humans live alongside fire and most humans will experience minor burns throughout their lives."
Exposure to burn injuries played key role in shaping human evolution, study suggests

Exposure to burn injuries played key role in shaping human evolution, study suggests
Humans' exposure to high temperature burn injuries may have played an important role in our evolutionary development, shaping how our bodies heal, fight infection, and sometimes fail under extreme injury, according to new research.

By partnering with betting markets, news organizations undercut themselves by effectively endorsing competitors and opening audiences up to ripoffs by insiders (Elizabeth Lopatto/The Verge)
https://www.theverge.com/business/881967/polymarket-kalshi-journa…

Prop bet
Polymarket and Kalshi have made a series of deals with Dow Jones, CNN, CNBC and other news outlets.

Sadly, lawmakers are primarily concerned with satisfying the demands of their newest and most generous campaign contributors.
Senate Banking Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) told Politico,
“These are folks who think that when they’ve bought themselves a Congress, then they expect it to behave the way they say.”
After a year of this Congress, it would be hard to argue they’re wrong.

Trump nomination of Mullin for DHS chief advances out of Senate committee
A Senate committee narrowly voted Thursday to advance Donald Trump’s nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)
to become head of the Department of Homeland Security
to the full Senate for consideration.

In an 8-7 vote, the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee
sent Mullin’s nomination forward despite opposition from Chairman Rand Paul (R-Kentucky),
who tangled…

Trump nomination of Mullin for DHS chief advances out of Senate committee
A committee voted in favor of sending Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security to the full Senate for consideration.