Francis Spufford once said that Bletchley Park was an attempt to build a computer out of human beings so the credit for this metaphor belongs to him. But it can be generalised to any bureaucracy. They are all attempts to impose an algorithmic order on the messiness of the world, and to extract from it … Continue reading The Vatican is the Oldest Computer in the World
Tag: computers
How to Add a Directory to Your PATH
Step by step instructions for adding a PATH to your directory.
Note: Add To New Laptop
An ongoing note of what to add to a new laptop, should I ever buy one. Suggestions welcomed. Will add to over time. Add Whiteboard Contact Paper as bottom layer sticker for cover.
Creative Immiseration
"These tools represent the complete corporate capture of the imagination, that most private and unpredictable part of the human mind. Professional artists aren’t a cause for worry. They’ll likely soon lose interest in a tool that makes all the important decisions for them. The concern is for everyone else. When tinkerers and hobbyists, doodlers and … Continue reading Creative Immiseration
Metaphorical Apes & Gorillas
https://youtu.be/R4TO7nay37Y?t=880 Apes & Gorillas is another little gem from Joe Armeanio. It closely mirrors the idea two computing revolutions talked about in this post that talks about: Apps with easy to use interfaces designed for casual users Application layers, that provide tools that allow new ways of using a computer that were previously impossible There's … Continue reading Metaphorical Apes & Gorillas
How-to: Be a Darknet Drug Lord
"[The advice in this article can be adapted to suit the needs of other hidden services, including ones which are legal in your jurisdiction. The threat model in mind is that of a drug market. The tone is that of a grandfather who is always annoyingly right, who can't help but give a stream-of-consciousness schooling … Continue reading How-to: Be a Darknet Drug Lord
Algolia: A Custom Search Engine for Hacker News
Algolia has a custom search for Hacker News, https://hn.algolia.com/
Questions About Technology Investment: CharaCorder
"The CharaChorder is a new kind of typing peripheral that promises to let people type at superhuman speeds. It’s so fast that the website Monkeytype, which lets users participate in typing challenges and maintains its own leaderboard, automatically flagged CharaChorder’s CEO as a cheater when he attempted to post his 500 WPM score on the … Continue reading Questions About Technology Investment: CharaCorder
A Boring Dystopia: Mouse Movers
"“The pandemic has proved to be a catalyst to saying no to the ‘9-to-5’ schedule. The tables have turned in favor of the Worker,” Rodriguez told me. “They are in power today. They value work flexibility. They are ambitious. They value work-life balance and are not afraid of saying no to employers who don’t share … Continue reading A Boring Dystopia: Mouse Movers
The Computers Are Out of Their Boxes
"What does that mean? Well, computers haven’t changed much in 40 or 50 years. They’re smaller and faster, but they’re still boxes with processors that run instructions from humans. AI changes that on at least three fronts: how computers are made, how they’re programmed, and how they’re used. Ultimately, it will change what they are … Continue reading The Computers Are Out of Their Boxes
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