Its Technical

[ap215]

Biden campaign debuts official TikTok account, but app is still banned on most government devices

President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign launched an official TikTok account Sunday evening. The account is noteworthy because TikTok is currently banned on most U.S. government-issued devices.

The TikTok account, with the handle ”@bidenhq,” debuted Sunday during Lunar New Year celebrations in China and Super Bowl 58 in the U.S.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/12/biden-c ... iktok.html

[ap215]

Paramount Global Set To Dismiss 800 Employees in Cost-Cutting Move

Paramount Global said it will begin to dismiss about 800 employees as part of a cost-cutting move to boost profits at the media company.

Paramount CEO Bob Bakish signaled that layoffs were coming last month, warning that the company would be streamlining operations and reducing the size of its workforce.

https://www.nexttv.com/news/paramount-g ... tting-move

[ap215]

New York City sues social media companies, accuses them of contributing to 'youth mental health crisis'

The City of New York on Wednesday sued the companies behind SnapChat, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, accusing them of fomenting a "nationwide youth mental health crisis" by exposing children "to a nonstop stream of harmful content."

The lawsuit, filed in California Superior Court, alleged the companies intentionally designed their platforms to purposefully manipulate and addict children and teens to social media applications. The lawsuit pointed to the use of algorithms to generate feeds that keep users on the platforms longer and encourage compulsive use.

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/new-yor ... =107239297

[ZoWie]

They will lose, of course, but still, it's about time and I applaud this bold move. Finally someone had the cojones that Congress lost years ago.

I suppose they filed in CA because the companies are based there.

Funny, all those algorithms did for me was to drive me off social media except when I want to know why half the fire department went past my house code 3. We used to have radio scanners for that, but encryption has become easier to do and harder to break.

[Number6]

They will lose, of course, but still, it's about time and I applaud this bold move. Finally someone had the cojones that Congress lost years ago.

I suppose they filed in CA because the companies are based there.

Funny, all those algorithms did for me was to drive me off social media except when I want to know why half the fire department went past my house code 3. We used to have radio scanners for that, but encryption has become easier to do and harder to break.

I use an app on my phone an iPad called PulsePoint that gives a very brief description like fire, flood, medical, etc. for the particular fire department you're following.

[ZoWie]

PulsePoint works some of the time. You don't get the immediacy and detail that you get on a radio scanner. I didn't have mine going when the explosion happened, but there was plenty of radio traffic of the "Mayday mayday mayday! Firefighter down!" variety played on the Nooz. (This is illegal, by the way; public safety communications are protected by Federal law.)

PulsePoint was actually pretty good for the explosion just to show the huge size of the response. It was LA's version of a four-alarm fire in New York. Here, they call it a greater emergency fire. There were 200 FD personnel on scene at one point, and probably that many more cops and whatever.

The explosion is interesting for another reason. We were told that the CNG fuel tank in the truck caused the explosion, but the footage from someone's door camera looked much bigger than that. There are two blast waves visible. In addition to that, there's a secondary explosion on a power pole that was likely a transformer blowing. Maybe a truck CNG tank could do that, don't know. If so, there are a lot of bombs driving around LA.

The truck frame was reduced to scrap metal. The cab was gone... vaporized. No trailer, the tractor was bobtailing back for another load, when the driver noted a brake fire or whatever. The driver was OK, since she'd run away and called 911 before everything blew. Last night the scene was still crawling with homeland security and civil emergency units. (PulsePoint again.) You wouldn't get that kind of response just for a traffic incident. Was it the proximity to a port, or what??????????

[Number6]

PulsePoint works some of the time. You don't get the immediacy and detail that you get on a radio scanner. I didn't have mine going when the explosion happened, but there was plenty of radio traffic of the "Mayday mayday mayday! Firefighter down!" variety played on the Nooz. (This is illegal, by the way; public safety communications are protected by Federal law.)

PulsePoint was actually pretty good for the explosion just to show the huge size of the response. It was LA's version of a four-alarm fire in New York. Here, they call it a greater emergency fire. There were 200 FD personnel on scene at one point, and probably that many more cops and whatever.

The explosion is interesting for another reason. We were told that the CNG fuel tank in the truck caused the explosion, but the footage from someone's door camera looked much bigger than that. There are two blast waves visible. In addition to that, there's a secondary explosion on a power pole that was likely a transformer blowing. Maybe a truck CNG tank could do that, don't know. If so, there are a lot of bombs driving around LA.

The truck frame was reduced to scrap metal. The cab was gone... vaporized. No trailer, the tractor was bobtailing back for another load, when the driver noted a brake fire or whatever. The driver was OK, since she'd run away and called 911 before everything blew. Last night the scene was still crawling with homeland security and civil emergency units. (PulsePoint again.) You wouldn't get that kind of response just for a traffic incident. Was it the proximity to a port, or what??????????

As I said, PulsePoint gives you a very brief description of what is happening. No details like what you'd get from a scanner but in most cases I don't need that information. The problem with a scanner is either you have it on all day to catch something or when you hear the sirens you turn it on and try to find the right channel to listen to. I used to have a handheld scanner which I could program frequencies for separate police and fire departments. I'd try to catch something going on and it was listen to a channel and decide if it was the one I want or to silence it while the scanner finds the next channel. Sometimes frustrating but 30 years ago that was the technology. Now, you can listen to a scanner online.

[ap215]

Tech companies sign accord to combat AI-generated election trickery

Major technology companies signed a pact Friday to voluntarily adopt “reasonable precautions” to prevent artificial intelligence tools from being used to disrupt democratic elections around the world.

Executives from Adobe, Amazon, Google, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI and TikTok gathered at the Munich Security Conference to announce a new framework for how they respond to AI-generated deepfakes that deliberately trick voters. Twelve other companies — including Elon Musk’s X — are also signing on to the accord.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics ... story.html

[ZoWie]

They talk a good game, but until one of them gets a huge fine or a few weeks in Club Fed, nothing will change.

[ap215]

Why is Apple facing a €500m fine from EU over music streaming?

Apple is to be fined €500m (£427m) for allegedly hobbling rivals in the music streaming market.

The Financial Times reported that the EU’s executive arm, the European Commission, will hand down the punishment after a long-running investigation.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/ ... -streaming

[ap215]

The Supreme Court Could Determine the Future of Social Media Content Moderation

Next week, the Supreme Court will hear arguments for two cases that could determine the fate of social media content moderation.

In 2021, the states of Florida and Texas both passed laws that aim to address social media sites’ content moderation practices and their perceived bias against conservative viewpoints. The cases being heard in the Supreme Court next week were both filed by industry groups representing the social media sites, who argue that the laws infringe on their First Amendment rights to decide what content they publish and promote.

https://time.com/6762361/supreme-court- ... oderation/

[ap215]

It's all Facebook this is on them.

How We Investigated Shadowbanning on Instagram

Since the Israel–Hamas war began, hundreds of users have accused Instagram of censoring their posts supporting Palestine. Many users specifically said that what they were sharing on Instagram was being shadowbanned—that is, hidden for everyone except the original user who posted. To investigate, The Markup reviewed hundreds of screenshots and videos from users, analyzed metadata from thousands of accounts and posts, spoke with experts, and interviewed 20 users who believed their content had been blocked or demoted.

While there was no universal understanding among users we interviewed as to what it meant to be shadowbanned, they reported a wide variety of behaviors that could be a form of censorship, such as disappearing comments, broken links, and dips in how many people saw their videos.

https://themarkup.org/automated-censors ... -instagram

[ap215]

Good luck with that.

Kevin O’Leary suggests he will buy TikTok if proposed ban advances

“Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary suggested that he will buy social media platform TikTok if a proposed ban goes ahead Friday.

“Not going to get banned, ‘cause I’m gonna buy it,” O’Leary [Fox News BLOCKED] on Fox News’ “The Story” in an interview with anchor Gillian Turner. “Somebody’s going to buy it, it won’t be Meta and it won’t be Google, ‘cause…regulator [will] stop that.”

https://thehill.com/policy/technology/4 ... -advances/

[Toonces]

If O'Leary does buy it, it'll drop to an unprecendent level of suckage, if his restaurants are any indication.

[Motor City]

Ironically Tesla's supercharger fast charging technology is to charge with Direct Current, maybe should call the plug an Edison Plug.


what they call level 1 and 2 charging is Alternating Current charging
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YcnMRSqdtE

Electrical Vehicle Chargers Explained | Ask This Old House

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAfgq243XpY

DC Charging of electric vehicles

News media and industry tend to characterize the difference as timing as a longer or shorter time to charge while downplaying the additional pressure and heat that can damage or heat up everything in its path.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrgdNNIFlXA

The Difference Between AC and DC Charging


Nikola Tesla won out over Edison by reducing the building up of heat and pressure through the system with the charge that flips back and forth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWq-Mq1Uqpw

Why Tesla, GM And Other EV Companies Have A Fire Problem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUEA9hEIRiA
Video of trucks burning in Dearborn highlights what makes electric vehicle fires so dangerous



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7WHmGySyas
New Lion Electric plant in Illinois to churn out thousands of electric trucks, school buses

[ZoWie]

The problem could easily be solved by the use of AC in vehicles, except that batteries don't work on AC. This is a fundamental problem. Nikola Tesla, the guy whose name got appropriated for Musk's crappy vehicles, invented the AC power system because it allowed use of transformers to provide the best voltages for distribution and end users. Later Tesla solved a major problem with high-powered motors, by using multiple phases to run them. Actually he used a 2-phase design, and modern power systems use 3-phase, but the fact remains.

These high-powered chargers still convert the AC power to DC to charge the batteries. Tesla's fast charger is like the ones in the video only bigger and using a much more powerful connection to the power lines than your house does. The ones you use are basically like the wall warts for your cell phone, except much bigger and often hardwired into your 220 volt service. What happens after that is how you move the vehicle, not where the potential difference comes from.

They're having the same problems with e-bikes and scooters. Somehow they'll have to develop safer batteries.

[Motor City]

The problem could easily be solved by the use of AC in vehicles, except that batteries don't work on AC. This is a fundamental problem. Nikola Tesla, the guy whose name got appropriated for Musk's crappy vehicles, invented the AC power system because it allowed use of transformers to provide the best voltages for distribution and end users. Later Tesla solved a major problem with high-powered motors, by using multiple phases to run them. Actually he used a 2-phase design, and modern power systems use 3-phase, but the fact remains.

These high-powered chargers still convert the AC power to DC to charge the batteries. Tesla's fast charger is like the ones in the video only bigger and using a much more powerful connection to the power lines than your house does. The ones you use are basically like the wall warts for your cell phone, except much bigger and often hardwired into your 220 volt service. What happens after that is how you move the vehicle, not where the potential difference comes from.

They're having the same problems with e-bikes and scooters. Somehow they'll have to develop safer batteries.

Safer batteries yea or safer way to deliver the charge without destabilizing and degrading the batteries and related components.

I believe the difference in the charges are where they are changed from AC to DC, the supercharger spits out DC directly into the car whereas the lower voltage charger or home charger is spitting out AC and then changed by the car to DC. There are differences between the cars and chargers as well in knowing what each other need and limitations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u91MofSXLMw

Miami-Dade receives 50 new electric buses through Biden administration

Brand-new, environmentally friendly school buses were introduced in Miami-Dade County on Monday morning.

[ZoWie]

At some point it goes to DC to charge. There are no AC batteries, just DC batteries with inverters. A battery is basically a controlled chemical reaction that has been slowed down and optimized to produce a strong DC current. As the market demands higher energy output from batteries, the batteries become closer to bombs. As always, the laws of physics can be a real bitch.

Don't forget, though, that fossil fuel vehicles are basically using controlled explosions in the cylinders of the engines, so either way things are going to go bang and catch fire. The alternatives all involve the use of horses or oxen, with their own set of problems.

This is not to minimize the problems posed by our existing lithium batteries, just to note that any energy has its dangers. My understanding is that better batteries are in the pipe, but of course they'll never be completely safe.

Every advance is a tradeoff. The problem is that we're always one generation behind in our ability to cope with technology.

[ap215]

FTC launches inquiry into Reddit's AI deals, ahead of IPO

The Federal Trade Commission has launched an inquiry into Reddit's licensing of user data to AI companies, according to a Friday afternoon disclosure by the social media company.

Why it matters: This comes just days before Reddit is expected to complete its long-awaited IPO.

It also suggests that the FTC is expanding its look into AI-related deals, which previously appeared to be focused on equity investments.

https://www.axios.com/2024/03/15/reddit ... -user-data

[ap215]

Blinken tells democracy summit that technology must sustain democratic values

SEOUL, South Korea -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the need to make sure that technologies sustain democratic values, telling a democracy summit on Monday that authoritarian regimes deploy them to undermine democracy and human rights.

Blinken spoke at the ministerial conference of the third Summit for Democracy, a U.S.-led initiative held in Seoul, South Korea, this year.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wi ... -108232018

[ZoWie]

Why do you think I get nervous about all the shit my cell phone broadcasts? Geezus h stands for horny Christ, I have the location accuracy turned down all the way, and it still shows what room of the house I'm in.

Best cartoon in the latest Funny Times is the one where the artist takes on CNBC. He's got it down. A couple of people in business dress and very good hair are ecstatic because a company's stock went up after it replaced 20,000 workers with AI.

Funny Times isn't as good as when it ran Tom Tomorrow every month, but it still finds some stuff the major media would rather you didn't find.

[ap215]

EU adopts measures soon to curb election risks on X, TikTok, Facebook

March 20 (Reuters) - Under EU guidelines likely to be adopted next week, Elon Musk's X, TikTok, Facebook and other major online platforms are expected to act to mitigate risks to elections or face fines, a European Commission official said on Wednesday.

The EU executive had in February announced the draft guidelines, part of the Digital Services Act (DSA) which requires Big Tech to do more to tackle illegal and harmful content on their platforms.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-eu-imp ... 21808.html

[ap215]

Apple Reportedly Faces DOJ Antitrust Suit Over iPhone In Latest Move Vs. Big Tech

The Justice Department reportedly will sue Apple (AAPL) as soon as Thursday for violating antitrust laws related to the iPhone. Apple stock fell slightly overnight.

The lawsuit will accuse Apple of blocking rivals from accessing iPhone hardware and software features, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday night.

https://www.investors.com/news/technolo ... er-iphone/

[ZoWie]

Apple is guilty on this one, as any iPhone user knows. It's a closed system, and certain features only work with other iPhones or Apple products such as Apple Watch and Apple Pay. If you buy a Samsung (Android OS) phone you get Google's app store along with Samsung's. With iPhone it's Apple all the way, and you pay more for the phone to get the name and the system that you can't access any other way.

For me it's always seemed like an inconvenience more than a Federal offense, but the case for violation of antitrust law is a better one than most of these. Doesn't mean it will win, or even go to trial any time soon.

The stock didn't tank, it just dropped something like 3%.

[ap215]

Billionaire Jeff Yass May Be The Donor Behind Trump’s TikTok FlipFlop: Here’s What To Know

Republican mega donor and billionaire TikTok investor Jeff Yass is speculated to be be the person behind a sudden change of heart that saw Donald Trump oppose banning the Chinese-owned video app despite having tried to do it himself while in office.

Trump, who cited national security concerns when he issued a 2020 executive order demanding parent company ByteDance sell TikTok within 45 days or face a ban, last week spoke against the latest push in Congress to ban the app, saying it would only help Facebook, which he considers “an enemy of the people.”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroelof ... 029c717d6c