#AI project guidance

[kaijutegu]

IL is having a contest to replace our not-very-good state flag and there are some amazingly good unserious submissions. I'm gonna show you my three favorites first and then put up a read more because this is a long post but you should click the read more anyways because laser Lincoln is too good to pass up.

If you want to see all of them, the PDF is here- but be warned, it's 1,878 pages long. However, there are some REALLY cute and well-thought-out kid designs towards the end- I think my favorite one from the kid-submitted ones is the one where there's our state mushroom releasing spores. Or maybe the one where the description says "We have the cubs and they suck."

Anyways, flags!

"The green background color represents our State's beautiful prairies. The goblin represents the uplifting spirit of our citizens, always hungry to achieve our dreams and goals. The "State Seal Dish" represents our state's government and the guidance and support it provides. The state of Illinois that is being consumed represents the nourishment that this State provides to its people. The text simply displays what is true."

"My flag represents the great turtles of our state. Illinois is home to seventeen different turtle species! This flag shows what Illinois is all about."

(There's nothing unserious about this, this SHOULD be our flag.)

"the laser beam projects a powerful image of Illinois. I believe my design is so powerful it does not need to be discussed."

"The blue-heeler cartoon dog represents the below-average rate of dogs in Illinois and the need for more. It also represents Australia's looming takeover of young America's minds. The blue background represents Illinois's blue sky. The word "Illinois" written in Hello Headline font represents Illinois and the clouds. The scroll has the words "State Sovereignty, National Bluey" written on it, which serves as a tribute to the old flag."

"The white and blue color is inspired by the Centennial flag, while the brown represents the Dave Matthews Band incident which is fondly remembered to Illinoisians. The bird is a Norhern Cardinal, the Illinois state bird. It destroying Chicago skyline represents how the city is often overrepresented and other cities didn’t get the representation deserved. The CGpog emojis pays tribute to Gavin Atack, which is the most legendary Chicagoan and symbolize how Illinois is a very POG state."

"This flag depicts Abraham Lincoln riding a woolly mammoth. Abe, who is the subject of our state motto "Land of Lincoln", represents honesty and virtue. The mammoth is an example of one of the most impressive creatures that roamed our state in its prehistory. The white background is an homage to the previous state flag, where the white separated it from the typical "seal on blue bed sheet".

This one is just AI slop- but it did make me laugh because I found the pretentious artist description to be hilariously at odds with the fact that this is AI slop: "StreetVanGogh: The Paintbrush that Binds Chicago and Illinois"In the heart of Illinois, where the wind whispers secrets through the prairies and the river runs like ink across a page, lies a city born from fire—Chicago. StreetVanGogh, an artist molded by this urban forge, wields a paintbrush not just as a tool, but as a compass that draws the lines connecting his city to the state he calls home.Chicago is the pulse of Illinois, a metropolis with a skyline that scratches at the stars," Hey, StreetVanGogh? Illinois famously does not have mountains. And Chicago famously does not have two Sears Towers. Try harder next time.

"It's a glistening NUTS though"

"The flag has a rainbow background, celebrating the vibrant LGBTQ culture in Illinois as well as the racial and ethnic diversity that makes this state great. The Chinese text is there to represent our fantastic Chinese community, the largest in the midwest. It reads, "Peace and joy, independent nation" which is what this state should aspire to be. In the center, is an outline of the great state itself with our most famous person, Abraham Lincoln, blushing to honored to be on this flag." I would love to know what those characters actually say.

"16th US President and Illinoisan Abraham Lincoln is a symbol of our great state and his work in quashing The Confederacy in the American Civil War cannot be understated. The background color is meant to evoke that of a Union Army uniform of the period, with the red representing the blood he shed defending our democracy to the bitter end. Lincoln would be proud to fly this beautiful banner commemorating his achievements."

"The colors represent the proud Chicago style hot dog. Beige for the bun and celery salt, carmine for the tomato and vienna beef, chartreuse for pickles and sport peppers, citrine for the mustard, white for the onions, and kelly green for the relish. The 21 black dots represent poppy seeds, as well as Illinois' inclusion as the 21st state. The citrine stripe of the mustard also represents corn and Malört."

There were a couple of hot dog flags, but this one gets a special dishonourable mention for mentioning Malört.

[literary-illuminati]

2025 Book Review #14 – The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

I have no memory whatsoever how this charming little mystery ended up on my TBR shelf – it was on some ‘best of’ list or another I skimmed through more than likely. However it happened, I’m happy it did – this was hardly high art, but it was a fun and engaging Twilight Zone episode of a novel, and left me very interested in reading more of Turton’s other work.

The novel is set on a remote island some time after the apocalypse, the only place in the world where the last heroic efforts of preapocalyptic scientists created a barrier to hold back the plague of poisonous fog which boiled up from beneath the world and wiped out all other life. Ninety years later, the three surviving Elders and the omnipresent, mind-reading artificial intelligence Abi guide and rule over a village of a hundred-and-seven, the last remnants of all the refugees who reached the island before the end. Filled with now-irreplaceable medical technology and genetic enhancements, the Elders are fairly literally superhuman and viewed by the generations of villagers who have been born and died since the end of the world with near-religious awe. So when the eldest and most beloved of them dies – and seemingly after directly ordering Abi to wipe everyone else’s memories of the ruinous night before her brutal murder – things get very tense. And that’s before everyone realizes that the barrier holding back the fog was deactivated by a dead man’s switch tied to her heart beat. Now it’s up to the irritatingly curious and irreverent village neerdowell to to solve the mystery and satisfy the system that justice has been done so it will reactivate the barrier before the fog consumes them all.

So this is a very high concept novel. First and foremost, it’s at the moment literally the only book I can remember that more or less pulls off first-person-omniscient narration – the book is told from Abi’s perspective, and all the increasingly sinister asides and bits of context that leak through from it as its attention shifts from one character’s brain to another is a major part of the book’s charm. It is very on brand for me to say the creepy AI is the best character, but as far as compellingly nonhuman intelligence go it is right up there.

It’s also a strikingly misanthropic book – in the literal sense, the book has a very dim view of humanity and the ambiguous but happy ending involves taking the species off the board for at least the foreseeable future. Thematically it’s about getting over the past and trusting your students/children/successors to find their own way in the world without your constant guidance, but on a very literal level this is a story where humanity’s successors are strictly better off with us. And also where a project that in basically every other story I’ve ever read would be the cartoonishly evil plot of a cackling supervillain is portrayed as monstrous in execution but well-intentioned and more tragically impossible than evil in concept. It’s an interesting shift in perspective from most self-consciously humanist sci fi I’ve read.

The actual mystery is very fun and satisfying twisted and obscured by all the other dirty secrets the Elders are keeping from each other – the narrative used the memory to have multiple people come think they were the murderer and act accordingly in a very satisfying way. That said, I’m not sure the broad strokes twilight zone-ness of the setting really mixed well with the mystery plot – not that it wasn’t used for some fun twists, but it’s more than a bit unclear at points which parts of the world you should carefully interrogate for clues and hints, and which you kind of just need to shrug and take as a given for the story to work.

I admit I do just have a reflexive, contrarian aversion to stories that end up just being someone’s planning going off perfectly. Which isn’t really fair to hold against the book, but on a purely subjective level did make me enjoy the finale and epilogue less than I might have otherwise. Still, all in all this was a fun brain teaser and page-turner. Would recommend, if the synopsis at all appeals.

[memorandum]

...EXPERIMENT: BEGIN ! I commend you for finding this file. In the chance of my death, I must ask you continue to document ASU-NARO agents. Do whatever you must to extract our desired results. Don't worry—they've already signed away their lives.

{ This is an interactive ask blog, set one year prior to the Death Game! Run by @faresong }

☕️ KOA MYOJIN ;; Adopted heir of the Hiyori/Myojin Branch. Japanese/Vietnamese; 11 years.

KOA MYOJIN is the replacement heir for Hinako Mishuku, Myojin's biological granddaughter. Being raised with this knowledge hanging over her head has resulted in a rather cynical mindset wherein she views those around her, up to and including herself, as pieces in a larger game. A mindset reinforced by Mr. Chidouin in Myojin's absence, for he had faith in her where Myojin did not—seeing her solely as a mandatory last-resort to continue his reign of power. But of course, even a pawn can become a queen.

🎃 RIO RANGER (LAIZER PROJECT) ;; Experiment of the Gotō Branch. Doll, Japanese model; 20 years.

RIO is an experimental project spearheaded by Gashu Satou simulating the deceased Yoshimoto heir. It was initiated with its basic personality, and to compensate its limited emotional range, this iteration of AI technology was granted a much more adaptive program compared to M4-P1. As such, he has taken to mimicry of the researchers which surround him in all their crudest forms. Despite denouncing humanity, his development has certainly been typical of one. The candidate AIs are proven promising.

🐉 SOU HIYORI ;; Heir of the Hiyori/Myojin Branch. Japanese; 22 years.

SOU HIYORI is the heir of the Family and inherently quite skilled at keeping appearances—only if it benefits him. He obeys Asunaro with the sneer of someone who thinks himself something above it, and has recently taken great lengths to abandon its ruling through the rejection of his individual humanity. It is a bastardization which requires admirable resolve, but implies him to be a much larger threat if left unchecked. Thus, Mrs. Hiyori arranged plans for his execution on the day Myojin and herself are simultaneously incapacitated or dead.

🦋 MAPLE (ITERATION M4-P1) ;; Experiment of the Gotō & Hiyori Branch. Obstructor, Japanese model; 26 years.

MAPLE was the first Obstructor to be granted emotional programming, and is the final Obstructor to be decommissioned. However, this fate has been put on standby due to the new researchers intrigue in her, insisting she exists as a base from which all other AI programs were spawned and must be archived properly. Until her execution, Maple tends to menial tasks within the laboratory she resides and spends her idle time pining for Hiyori and wishing to learn more about humanity through the researchers who care for her.

🩸 KAI SATOU ;; Patriarch of the Gotō Branch. Japanese/Wa Chinese; 26 years.

KAI is a reserved patriarch whose reputation precedes him. Though once thought denounced, he's rumored nonetheless a controversial figure in Asunaro's midst—however, all can agree him to be a vengeful, resolute person lent the power of God.

💉 MICHIRU NAMIDA ;; Lieutenant of the Satou Family, Gotō Branch. Korean; 28 years.

MICHIRU is a revered researcher within Asunaro's newer ranks, having quickly rose to a position of respect for her ruthless pursuit of seizing humanity's destiny with her own two hands. Without being absorbed by the superficial desire for power, many recognize her dedicated state of mind to be reminiscent of the natural way Mrs. Hiyori assumed her role under Asunaro's whispers of guidance. There is importance in the fact that the Godfather's right hand regards her as a peer, where he otherwise dismisses his own kind by blood, by culture.

🫀 EMIRI HARAI ;; Lieutenant of the Satou Family, Gotō Branch. Japanese; 29 years.

EMIRI is a new researcher and serves as the connecting point between Asunaro's primary facility and civilian life. For all her resentment buried inside one-off remarks and festering within herself, she throws herself to her work with the drive of a passionate someone who has lost all else. Someone who perhaps hungered for life.

(￣▽￣) MR. CHIDOUIN ;; Godfather. Japanese; 44 years.

MR. CHIDOUIN aligned himself with the Gotō Family's lost heir after his father's untimely death, uniting the two families in a manner he hoped would justify the suffering once inflicted upon them—but particularly his wife, who had been cast out by her own. Despite, or as he had claimed, for his being extremely capable of detaching to arrange the larger canvas upon which Asunaro's story is written, he takes a personal pride in being the one to groom and inevitably cull its important pieces.

⚰️ GASHU SATOU ;; Captain of the Satou Family, Gotō Branch. Japanese; 62 years.

GASHU is a remarkably candid researcher with a scrutinizing eye for detail. Despite regarding most with unrelenting cynicism, he places his remaining shreds of hope in a choice few. Whether they reinforce this worldview and finally break him is a decision entirely in their hands.

[https-lvesick]

⌕ LYING WEBS, a mark smau

[02] study group goes terribly wrong...

half-written chapter. [1.4k]

You veer away from the classroom, heart racing as you slip out of the school unnoticed.

Thankfully, you’re always prepared—the Silk suit is snug beneath your clothes. With a quick glance to confirm you’re alone, you switch into hero mode, stash your backpack in the bushes, and breathe in the adrenaline.

“Ruby, take me there!” you shout, shooting a web at the nearest rooftop.

Ruby—your trusty AI partner—springs to life. Programmed with nanotech, she keeps your suit flexible and near indestructible. Her link to your phone keeps Ningning, your tech-savvy friend, in the loop.

“Text from Yizhuo. Ningning says: Two hostages confirmed—one worker, one customer.”

Your stomach twists. You pick up speed, swinging across the city as Ruby’s guidance paints a clear route.

You arrive at the ATM vestibule. Police form a tense perimeter while three gang members—two frantic, one keeping watch—cling to their last shred of control. Armed and dangerous.

“Silk!” A cop waves you over. “Two hostages inside. We need them out before we can move.”

“I’ll handle it. Stand by.”

You creep along the walls, silent as a whisper, until you cling to the ceiling, scanning. Two criminals clutch heavy bags of cash, guns trembling in their hands. Sweat beads on their brows—desperation makes them reckless.

But the hostages come first.

“Ruby, distract them.”

The small “S” on your chest detaches, a crimson blur darting through the air. A flare of panic erupts as the gadget sparks and buzzes.

You drop silently behind the CCTV guard. He doesn’t hear you—until it’s too late. A sharp move disarms him, and a swift blow knocks him out cold.

“Stay calm. I’ll get you out,” you whisper, freeing the hostages from their bindings. Their wide, terrified eyes soften with relief.

As you exit the room, fists clenched and ready for a fight, you freeze. The other two criminals lie sprawled on the ground, unconscious. Ruby reattaches with a self-satisfied beep.

You stifle a laugh. Power charge mode. Figures.

The hostages are safe. The day is won. But you can’t bask in the glory—interviews and applause aren’t your style. With a polite “bye,” you launch a web, vanishing into the city skyline, just another student heading back to class.

Mark, Chenle, Haechan, Jisung, and Renjun lounged around a library table, waiting for the girls to arrive. Renjun and Chenle exchanged glances, their project untouched.

“They should be here by now,” Jisung grumbled, checking his watch for the third time.

“Maybe they forgot and went home,” Renjun suggested, shrugging.

“No way. Sweets wouldn’t do that,” Donghyeok replied, pulling out his laptop with practiced ease.

Mark grinned at the nickname. “She’s the one who set the time in the first place,” he added, flipping open his notebook.

“Wait—‘sweets’?” Renjun whispered to Chenle.

“Y/N,” the younger clarified, smirking.

Before the teasing could continue, they heard panting. Heads turned as Yujin stumbled into view, flushed and clearly flustered under the weight of their stares.

“Uh… hi, guys,” she mumbled, sliding into the seat next to Jisung. “Sorry for being late. I had questions for my teacher.”

Jisung froze like a deer in headlights, blinking rapidly as if he’d forgotten how to breathe. His friends watched, eyes gleaming with mischief. Even Renjun, who barely knew him, suppressed a grin.

“Are we waiting on more people?” Yujin asked, adjusting her notes.

“Just mine and Mark’s partner,” Haechan answered, biting his cheek to stop from laughing.

“But don’t wait on us. You two should get started,” Mark encouraged with a kind smile.

As Yujin shifted closer to Jisung, his hands trembled, cheeks burning red. Haechan, trying to contain his laughter, rested his forehead on the table—but his head hit with a loud thud.

The sound echoed through the library, drawing annoyed glares from nearby students.

“Fuck, Ningning!” he hissed, rubbing his forehead while muffled snickering erupted around him.

It was painfully obvious to everyone—except Jisung—that Yujin had a crush on him. The way she leaned in when she spoke, her subtle touches on his arm, and her bright, lingering smiles made it clear. Meanwhile, Jisung was a ball of nerves, too distracted by her presence to focus on their project. His hands fumbled with his pen, and his cheeks flushed with each playful nudge. Neither seemed to notice the stares from the rest of the boys.

“Finally,” Haechan muttered, spotting you and Ningning by the door before Mark even had a chance to turn around.

“Sorry we’re late,” you offered with a sheepish grin, plopping into the seat next to Mark while Ningning sat across from Jisung and Yujin. The tension hit her immediately, her eyes narrowing.

“Hi!” Yujin greeted brightly. You smiled politely, but Ningning’s lips stayed sealed, her eyes like daggers as she rifled through her supplies.

“Why’d it take so long?” Renjun asked cautiously, sensing something off.

“Uh… girl stuff,” you said, sharing a quick glance with Ningning. Your bright smile made Renjun’s ears turn pink, and he shifted uncomfortably.

The group finally settled into work. Projects moved forward, partnerships formed routines, and little habits emerged.

Mark admired how color-coded your notes were, your handwriting neat and meticulous, capturing only key insights. He quietly marveled at your efficiency. Across the table, Jisung discovered Yujin had a habit of chewing a plain old pen cap, reserving her fancier glittery pens for writing. She furrowed her brows intensely when focused, nearly crossing her eyes.

Meanwhile, Renjun’s pen twirled skillfully between his fingers whenever boredom hit, while Chenle smirked at his partner’s dramatic sighs of exasperation over simple tasks.

Ningning, however, wasn’t amused by her own partner, she already knew everything about him. She looked more focused on something else.

Every flirtatious giggle, lingering touch, and shared glance between Jisung and Yujin made her stomach twist into knots. Her gaze darted between the two, her anger simmering like a storm ready to break.

“Calm down,” Haechan whispered, rubbing her back soothingly. “We’re here to study.”

“They aren’t,” she hissed back.

“Then politely tell them to shut up—nicely.”

Her eyes flicked back just in time to see Jisung laugh at something Yujin said, his shoulders relaxed, his nerves gone. She clenched her fists.

“Ning—”

“You do not get to tell me to calm down,” she snapped, her voice low and deadly. “Not when you’re practically jumping Mark’s bones.”

Without waiting for his response, she stood abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.

“What’s your problem?” she seethed, glaring at Yujin. “This is a study group, not a flirting session. Your voice is giving me a headache, and I can’t even hear my own thoughts.”

The library fell silent. Students stared. Even the air seemed to still.

“Ningning…” Jisung started, wide-eyed.

“You. Shut up.” She stormed out, leaving everyone stunned. The other students didn’t even had the courage to silent them.

You blinked, sharing a glance with Haechan who was gathering not only his, but her belongings too before following his best friend.

“I’ll be right back,” you muttered, following Ningning’s perfume.

In the empty classroom, Ningning paced like a caged tiger, her fury palpable.

“I hate him. I hate her. I hate how they look at each other, how he’s so oblivious, and how I can’t stop caring!”

You wrapped your arms around her, holding her tightly. “Let it out.”

“She’s so annoying,” Ningning groaned, her voice muffled against your shoulder.

Haechan leaned casually against a table. “We could string him up with your webs,” he teased. “Leave him dangling for a bit.”

“That would teach him,” you agreed, flexing dramatically.

Ningning cracked a smile, her anger ebbing just a bit.

“Hae… do you mind if we work at my house? I don’t think I can face them now. Not only because of the shame, but… you know…” he nods, aknowledging why. But he hesitates a bit, pondering her offer, thinking about the whole reason behind this study group.

“You like him,” you whispered.

“I can’t.”

“You never stopped,” you said softly.

Her eyes shone with unshed tears, but she nodded forcefully. “Take me home?”

Haechan slung her bag over his shoulder. “Of course.”

You watched them leave, your heart heavy with empathy. Back in the library, you slipped into your seat.

“She needed to cool off,” you explained, looking pointedly at Yujin. “But she was right. This is a study group. Let’s focus.”

Mark leaned closer. “Is she okay?”

“Yeah,” you whispered. “Haechan’s got her.”

Silence settled as the group refocused, the weight of unspoken truths hanging thick in the air.

previous ⋆ series masterlist ⋆ next chapter

★ chapter 2 and a conflict already omg im so.... anticlimatica 😞

🏷 @jungaji @spacejip @lyvhie @sinisxtea @jirsungs @polarisjisung @chenlezip @ayukas @leleszn @mystverse @prologue-ae @hibernatinghamster @kj-kts @lovesuhng @haechanahceah67 @jeonghansshitester @hyusun @ncthoe69 @dawntyun @snowyseungs @bunnysoonie @haechansssun @n0hyuck @yvaniile @cheolcam @dreamwithlost @spiderm444rk @nosungluv @chenlesfavorite @nanaxwi @cosmic-marauder @yewshi @morkiee @jensdior @soggyfrogfarts @f6llsun @kittydollzz @nahyuckers @222brainrot @nctrawberries

[technofeudalism]

there's an ever-growing list of things that will make me click out of a job application. all of these things are applicable depending upon my mood:

requiring a login

requiring a cover letter

requiring my full address

requiring my age

requiring pretty much any personal information beyond my name/number/e-mail

requiring me to answer questions about my "personality"

requiring me to answer behavioral interview questions in the application itself

requiring references

requiring a drug test of any kind for an e-mail job

listing the job as Remote and then sneaking in a 1, 2, 3, etc. day requirement at the very bottom

not listing the salary

listing the salary in a ridiculously broad range (40k-95k???)

anything prioritizing AI usage where it doesn't belong

requiring me to enter my work experience in addition to my resume

requiring me to enter a list of arbitrary "skills" that are already on my resume

requiring me to complete additional questions via e-mail

requiring me to complete a puzzle or project

requiring me to do a presentation during the interview process

requiring me to work a schedule 5> days per week, regardless of the hours

using language that implies up front that working extra hours or putting in extreme effort is a regular expectation

using language that implies i will have no guidance and will have to be totally self-sufficient from day 1

there's probably more. i realize this makes it exponetially more difficult to find a job. i am fine with that. maybe i won't be in a few months but for now, i'd rather starve than spend my time on this shit just for a job that is probably going to discard me like rotten meat in a few years anyway.

[fableforger]

Hi - I just wanted to take a moment to clarify something, since I realize I may not have made it clear enough here.

Echoes of Olympus is not an AI-generated story.

Every scene, every character, every decision, and every word choice is something I shape, write, and rewrite myself - often obsessively. That part matters to me.

That said, I’ve used AI tools along the way - mainly for phrasing help, translation support (English isn’t my first language), and structural guidance when I was stuck.

If I hadn’t allowed myself to use those tools, the game probably wouldn’t exist in this form at all. It started as a small personal project — just something I was building quietly for myself and a friend. I didn’t expect it to grow like this, but I’m deeply grateful it has.

I want to be clear that I have a lot of respect for writers who don’t use AI tools - and I’m not trying to compare myself or compete with that.

I mentioned the use of AI clearly on my Patreon info page and in the original CoG forum post, so I thought that would be enough. But I understand now that it should’ve been stated more directly here as well - and that’s on me.

The story will always be free to play.

There are paid tiers on Patreon - yes but they’re entirely optional and exist only for people who want to support the project and get access to some extra side content (like POV scenes, bonus lore, etc.). Nothing behind a paywall is required to understand or enjoy the game itself.

I’m not trying to turn this into a product or a business - just a story I care about, told the best way I can, with the tools I have.

If you ever have questions, I’ll always do my best to answer them. 💙

[banamine-bananime]

meets an encouraging, patient, fatherly commanding officer that chooses tucker specifically for an assignment and takes him under his wing. he’s actually a secret operative for a sinister military project recruiting tucker as a target practice guinea pig orchestrating the next couple years of his life to be a lie.

meets an alien that tells tucker he’ll help him fulfill the quest he’s the legendary hero of. he chestbursts him and steals a getaway vehicle given upon the “end” of the quest.

meets some weird computer program programmed by the culture the prophecy came from, pretty much the only remaining source of information about this “quest” that’s upended his life. it’s actually the ai of the freelancer trying to kill him and kidnap and use his kid to end the great war… uh, with slavery of the alien species

meets one of his best friends, an acquired taste and kind of an ass, but they give each other as good as they get and they’re a team. she leaves them to make the plan to capture junior and use him to enslave his species succeed. and tucker feels like can’t even be mad about it without feeling guilty because in her mind she was sacrificing herself and junior to save humankind from a losing war for survival, and immediately after he thinks she fucking dies and takes his kid with her!! they were friends and then for a few minutes they were almost enemies because she did the worst thing for the best reasons and then that’s it!!! how do you even grieve and process that. apparently tucker opted for watching reservoir dogs instead of therapy and i can’t blame him. that’s not the sort of grief you can find a self-help book for. HELLO I’VE BEEN SCREAMING FOR YEARS. never over it they make me insane.

meet some humans on the desert dig-team, charismatic down-to-earth soldier guys. breath of fresh air after he’s been stuck for months in complicated political situations with a species that has just recently decided to perhaps not kill all humans, as a reluctant religious figurehead in diplomatic corps that i’m sure just loved his way with words and women. bet he made a lot of friends there. the dig team kills them all except him and he proceeds to spend the next months in a psychological thriller slash survival horror.

meet church again. church leaves again (and then again) and tucker’s left furiously picking up the pieces of blue team with caboose and some blond guy they rescued from the pound. we needn’t talk about that blond guy and whether tucker knows he both set up and hit the Original Church Killswitch lest tucker doesn’t know and hears us because i think he doesn’t need that extra complication in his life tbqh.

meets a charismatic mercenary with a rough exterior, but a heart of gold, right when tucker and caboose have lost all of blue team’s charismatic mercenaries and/or assholes with a rough exterior but a heart of gold. he. well. he stabs him in the back, guys. you know. i can’t get more on-the-nose than that.

meets church again. he seems like maybe he kind of gets that he was an ass and won’t go off killing himself this time. immediately after reconciling he sees the siren call of martyrdom and kills himself instantly after simulating several ways it could go very, very extremely badly for tucker, not even counting the previous evidence from how this went for some blond guy (sorry i’m committed to just calling him some blond guy in this post now for no reason except that i think it’s a mildly funny bit).

meets church someone else who’s been fucked over by project freelancer. he’s been manipulating them to get close enough to freezermurder their friends and implicate them in terrorism charges.

meets yet another young stray asshole with Issues and a heart of gold who needs some guidance, maybe someone he can be the kind of a leader he wishes he could have been to green team. she also stabs him again.

at some point we have to let tucker just start stabbing people. like a lot of people. i don’t think he’d enjoy a villain arc once he realizes that’s what’s happening but he deserves the sheer free joy and clarity of just solving problems with pure simple stabbing before he comes to that realization.

[zylentrix]

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[politicalprof]

The Banality of AI and the destruction of actual thought:

In my continuing exploration of the many ways AI is going to make it ever easier to say bland and innocuous things without having to think about it, I present the following prompt and response from Google Gemini for anyone interested.

For context, universities have for decades now been layering on new requirements intended to provide an "objective" basis for assessing why one candidate deserves tenure or not, or why one applicant deserves a grant or a job, etc. However, while these layers may be well-intended, in time they devolve into rote exercises that prove little beyond the fact that you know how to write certain types of statements "the right way." One such statement that is commonly required these days is a "teaching statement." It is ubiquitous for job applications, tenure and promotion files, and even some grant applications. Enjoy!

Prompt:

write a teaching statement for a tenure application that emphasizes my use of student-centered, active learning with the goal of developing my students' critical thinking skills

Response:

Teaching Statement

My approach to teaching is rooted in the belief that students learn best by actively engaging with course material and constructing their own understanding. I strive to create dynamic, student-centered learning environments that foster critical thinking, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity. My goal is not simply to transmit knowledge, but to empower students to become independent thinkers and lifelong learners.

Student-Centered Learning: I prioritize student engagement and agency in the learning process. I design my courses with a variety of active learning strategies, including:

Inquiry-based learning: I pose open-ended questions and present real-world problems that encourage students to explore concepts, formulate hypotheses, and develop solutions collaboratively.

Collaborative projects: I incorporate group work and peer learning activities that promote teamwork, communication, and the exchange of diverse perspectives.

Case studies and simulations: I use case studies and simulations to provide students with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, analyze complex scenarios, and make informed decisions.

Reflective writing and discussions: I encourage students to reflect on their learning through journals, online forums, and class discussions, promoting metacognition and deeper understanding.

Developing Critical Thinking: A central focus of my teaching is to cultivate students' critical thinking skills. I explicitly teach and model these skills through:

Analyzing and evaluating information: I guide students in assessing the credibility, relevance, and bias of information sources, encouraging them to question assumptions and challenge conventional wisdom.

Constructing arguments and supporting claims: I provide opportunities for students to develop well-reasoned arguments, supported by evidence and logical reasoning.

Problem-solving and decision-making: I present complex problems that require students to analyze information, identify potential solutions, and evaluate their consequences.

Debates and discussions: I facilitate respectful and intellectually stimulating debates and discussions that encourage students to consider multiple perspectives and refine their own viewpoints.

Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment: I am committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive classroom where all students feel valued, respected, and supported in their learning. I strive to:

Establish clear expectations and learning goals.

Provide timely and constructive feedback.

Offer individualized support and guidance.

Promote a culture of respect and open communication.

Assessment and Continuous Improvement: I use a variety of assessment methods to measure student learning and inform my teaching practice, including:

Formative assessments: I use ongoing assessments, such as quizzes, in-class activities, and online discussions, to monitor student progress and provide timely feedback.

Summative assessments: I use exams, projects, and presentations to evaluate student learning outcomes and mastery of course content.

Student feedback: I actively solicit student feedback through course evaluations and informal surveys to identify areas for improvement and refine my teaching strategies.

Conclusion: I am passionate about teaching and dedicated to creating engaging and effective learning experiences for my students. I believe that my student-centered, active learning approach, with its emphasis on critical thinking, prepares students not only for success in their academic pursuits but also for meaningful engagement in their future careers and communities. I am committed to continuous growth as an educator and look forward to further developing my teaching practice at [Institution Name].

[pinkiemachine]

What happened to the El family?

Well you see, Krypton was in big trouble, and they had been for a long while. Their sun, Rao, was nearing the end of its life. What this meant was that, long before it even went supernova, it had started to expand, throwing off dangerous amounts of radiation and heating up Krypton. The scientists of the time, Jor-El included, promised their leaders that they could fix the problem and “reset” their star (though this was a big undertaking). For years and years they worked, running simulations, doing experiments on other stars, but this had turned out to be a rather difficult nut to crack. All the while, Rao loomed ever closer. And there were some who criticised the scientists. Zod, one of the greatest generals in the Kryptonian army, was one such naysayer. He thought that the very idea of trying to “fix” a STAR was a sign of immense hubris. Only a fool would think they could control a force of nature as powerful as that! Surely they would doom the planet before finding a solution, not to mention they were running out of time! They needed to evacuate the planet! Get everyone to safety! And yet, the government listened to the scientists and carried on, telling people not to panic. See, Krypton had grown over confident in themselves over the years. They were an advanced race and had done incredible things, so they put their faith in their technology, not bothering to evacuate people. Do you have any idea how many starships that would take? Finally, after a large solar flare vaporised a scientific team, Zod took matters into his own hands. He planned a coup—one that didn’t go over so well. Civil war broke out. Zod wanted to bring all Kryptonian people under his command so he could be king on the next planet, but not everyone agreed with his methods or ideals (beyond saving Krypton). During the final days of the war, with supplies and time dwindling even further and everyone in a panic, Jor-El and the other scientists knew that there was nothing more they could do with their star project. They needed a plan B. And so they created a new colony on an uninhabited planet in secret. There, they sent some of their most important council-members, scientists, engineers, and biologists, etc. they would start from scratch. Begin again. They wanted to bring more people with them, but they were running out of Starships, and Zod would be sure to notice and they couldn’t risk him discovering the colony. Jor-El and his family—his wife Lara and newborn son Cal, his brother Zor-El, his wife Alura, their daughter Kara and her dog Krypto—were the last to leave Krypton, bringing with them the last bits of technology they would need to terraform the planet to suit them better. They were traveling in their personal starship, about to take off into hyperspace. Zor-El and his family had already gone into cryosleep for the journey. That’s when Zod found them. Before the crazed general could capture them, Jor-El told his wife to take their son and jettison in a long-distance escape pod. He ejected his brother, sister-in-law, and niece as well, hoping that they could still make it to the colony site if he stayed behind to distract Zod. However, things did not go according to plan. After being jettisoned, Zod’s ship opened fire on the pods, destroying two of them, and knocking the rest off course. Jor-El managed to evade Zod that day… but his family were not as lucky. Zor-El and Alura died in the explosion. Kara+Krypto and Lara+Cal had their guidance systems fried. Lara later landed on Earth, gravely wounded in the blast, while Kara and her dog crash landed even further lost in space. Jor-El didn’t even know if he would see them again. During his lonely travels, he would record messages for his family and created an AI version of himself within the ship, just in case something happened to him.

[eskawrites]

AI is the worst thing in the world because I spent all of last week asking my coworkers for guidance on a priority project (and for context they are higher up the ladder than me and it is their job specifically to provide guidance when these situations arise), but I was ignored to the point that the 3 people in manager positions in that chat didn’t even remember I had asked for help multiple times. And now when I finally have the information I need to work on this now very late task, the director of the department has the nerve to come to me and be like “if you’re struggling you should use AI to write it”

Buddy. I haven’t even had the chance to struggle because everyone else on this team 1) uses AI to write their messages and emails and so they have zero communication and reading comprehension skills and 2) has been so brain rotted by a pro-AI company that the writing role that makes the foundation of our entire product appears absolutely useless to them, so I get ignored in every interaction I have

[mariacallous]

If Donald Trump wins the US presidential election in November, the guardrails could come off of artificial intelligence development, even as the dangers of defective AI models grow increasingly serious.

Trump’s election to a second term would dramatically reshape—and possibly cripple—efforts to protect Americans from the many dangers of poorly designed artificial intelligence, including misinformation, discrimination, and the poisoning of algorithms used in technology like autonomous vehicles.

The federal government has begun overseeing and advising AI companies under an executive order that President Joe Biden issued in October 2023. But Trump has vowed to repeal that order, with the Republican Party platform saying it “hinders AI innovation” and “imposes Radical Leftwing ideas” on AI development.

Trump’s promise has thrilled critics of the executive order who see it as illegal, dangerous, and an impediment to America’s digital arms race with China. Those critics include many of Trump’s closest allies, from X CEO Elon Musk and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen to Republican members of Congress and nearly two dozen GOP state attorneys general. Trump’s running mate, Ohio senator JD Vance, is staunchly opposed to AI regulation.

“Republicans don't want to rush to overregulate this industry,” says Jacob Helberg, a tech executive and AI enthusiast who has been dubbed “Silicon Valley’s Trump whisperer.”

But tech and cyber experts warn that eliminating the EO’s safety and security provisions would undermine the trustworthiness of AI models that are increasingly creeping into all aspects of American life, from transportation and medicine to employment and surveillance.

The upcoming presidential election, in other words, could help determine whether AI becomes an unparalleled tool of productivity or an uncontrollable agent of chaos.

Oversight and Advice, Hand in Hand

Biden’s order addresses everything from using AI to improve veterans’ health care to setting safeguards for AI’s use in drug discovery. But most of the political controversy over the EO stems from two provisions in the section dealing with digital security risks and real-world safety impacts.

One provision requires owners of powerful AI models to report to the government about how they’re training the models and protecting them from tampering and theft, including by providing the results of “red-team tests” designed to find vulnerabilities in AI systems by simulating attacks. The other provision directs the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to produce guidance that helps companies develop AI models that are safe from cyberattacks and free of biases.

Work on these projects is well underway. The government has proposed quarterly reporting requirements for AI developers, and NIST has released AI guidance documents on risk management, secure software development, synthetic content watermarking, and preventing model abuse, in addition to launching multiple initiatives to promote model testing.

Supporters of these efforts say they’re essential to maintaining basic government oversight of the rapidly expanding AI industry and nudging developers toward better security. But to conservative critics, the reporting requirement is illegal government overreach that will crush AI innovation and expose developers’ trade secrets, while the NIST guidance is a liberal ploy to infect AI with far-left notions about disinformation and bias that amount to censorship of conservative speech.

At a rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, last December, Trump took aim at Biden’s EO after alleging without evidence that the Biden administration had already used AI for nefarious purposes.

“When I’m reelected,” he said, “I will cancel Biden’s artificial intelligence executive order and ban the use of AI to censor the speech of American citizens on Day One.”

Due Diligence or Undue Burden?

Biden’s effort to collect information about how companies are developing, testing, and protecting their AI models sparked an uproar on Capitol Hill almost as soon as it debuted.

Congressional Republicans seized on the fact that Biden justified the new requirement by invoking the 1950 Defense Production Act, a wartime measure that lets the government direct private-sector activities to ensure a reliable supply of goods and services. GOP lawmakers called Biden’s move inappropriate, illegal, and unnecessary.

Conservatives have also blasted the reporting requirement as a burden on the private sector. The provision “could scare away would-be innovators and impede more ChatGPT-type breakthroughs,” Representative Nancy Mace said during a March hearing she chaired on “White House overreach on AI.”

Helberg says a burdensome requirement would benefit established companies and hurt startups. He also says Silicon Valley critics fear the requirements “are a stepping stone” to a licensing regime in which developers must receive government permission to test models.

Steve DelBianco, the CEO of the conservative tech group NetChoice, says the requirement to report red-team test results amounts to de facto censorship, given that the government will be looking for problems like bias and disinformation. “I am completely worried about a left-of-center administration … whose red-teaming tests will cause AI to constrain what it generates for fear of triggering these concerns,” he says.

Conservatives argue that any regulation that stifles AI innovation will cost the US dearly in the technology competition with China.

“They are so aggressive, and they have made dominating AI a core North Star of their strategy for how to fight and win wars,” Helberg says. “The gap between our capabilities and the Chinese keeps shrinking with every passing year.”

“Woke” Safety Standards

By including social harms in its AI security guidelines, NIST has outraged conservatives and set off another front in the culture war over content moderation and free speech.

Republicans decry the NIST guidance as a form of backdoor government censorship. Senator Ted Cruz recently slammed what he called NIST’s “woke AI ‘safety’ standards” for being part of a Biden administration “plan to control speech” based on “amorphous” social harms. NetChoice has warned NIST that it is exceeding its authority with quasi-regulatory guidelines that upset “the appropriate balance between transparency and free speech.”

Many conservatives flatly dismiss the idea that AI can perpetuate social harms and should be designed not to do so.

“This is a solution in search of a problem that really doesn't exist,” Helberg says. “There really hasn’t been massive evidence of issues in AI discrimination.”

Studies and investigations have repeatedly shown that AI models contain biases that perpetuate discrimination, including in hiring, policing, and health care. Research suggests that people who encounter these biases may unconsciously adopt them.

Conservatives worry more about AI companies’ overcorrections to this problem than about the problem itself. “There is a direct inverse correlation between the degree of wokeness in an AI and the AI's usefulness,” Helberg says, citing an early issue with Google’s generative AI platform.

Republicans want NIST to focus on AI’s physical safety risks, including its ability to help terrorists build bioweapons (something Biden’s EO does address). If Trump wins, his appointees will likely deemphasize government research on AI’s social harms. Helberg complains that the “enormous amount” of research on AI bias has dwarfed studies of “greater threats related to terrorism and biowarfare.”

Defending a “Light-Touch Approach”

AI experts and lawmakers offer robust defenses of Biden’s AI safety agenda.

These projects “enable the United States to remain on the cutting edge” of AI development “while protecting Americans from potential harms,” says Representative Ted Lieu, the Democratic cochair of the House’s AI task force.

The reporting requirements are essential for alerting the government to potentially dangerous new capabilities in increasingly powerful AI models, says a US government official who works on AI issues. The official, who requested anonymity to speak freely, points to OpenAI’s admission about its latest model’s “inconsistent refusal of requests to synthesize nerve agents.”

The official says the reporting requirement isn’t overly burdensome. They argue that, unlike AI regulations in the European Union and China, Biden’s EO reflects “a very broad, light-touch approach that continues to foster innovation.”

Nick Reese, who served as the Department of Homeland Security’s first director of emerging technology from 2019 to 2023, rejects conservative claims that the reporting requirement will jeopardize companies’ intellectual property. And he says it could actually benefit startups by encouraging them to develop “more computationally efficient,” less data-heavy AI models that fall under the reporting threshold.

AI’s power makes government oversight imperative, says Ami Fields-Meyer, who helped draft Biden’s EO as a White House tech official.

“We’re talking about companies that say they’re building the most powerful systems in the history of the world,” Fields-Meyer says. “The government’s first obligation is to protect people. ‘Trust me, we’ve got this’ is not an especially compelling argument.”

Experts praise NIST’s security guidance as a vital resource for building protections into new technology. They note that flawed AI models can produce serious social harms, including rental and lending discrimination and improper loss of government benefits.

Trump’s own first-term AI order required federal AI systems to respect civil rights, something that will require research into social harms.

The AI industry has largely welcomed Biden’s safety agenda. “What we're hearing is that it’s broadly useful to have this stuff spelled out,” the US official says. For new companies with small teams, “it expands the capacity of their folks to address these concerns.”

Rolling back Biden’s EO would send an alarming signal that “the US government is going to take a hands off approach to AI safety,” says Michael Daniel, a former presidential cyber adviser who now leads the Cyber Threat Alliance, an information sharing nonprofit.

As for competition with China, the EO’s defenders say safety rules will actually help America prevail by ensuring that US AI models work better than their Chinese rivals and are protected from Beijing’s economic espionage.

Two Very Different Paths

If Trump wins the White House next month, expect a sea change in how the government approaches AI safety.

Republicans want to prevent AI harms by applying “existing tort and statutory laws” as opposed to enacting broad new restrictions on the technology, Helberg says, and they favor “much greater focus on maximizing the opportunity afforded by AI, rather than overly focusing on risk mitigation.” That would likely spell doom for the reporting requirement and possibly some of the NIST guidance.

The reporting requirement could also face legal challenges now that the Supreme Court has weakened the deference that courts used to give agencies in evaluating their regulations.

And GOP pushback could even jeopardize NIST’s voluntary AI testing partnerships with leading companies. “What happens to those commitments in a new administration?” the US official asks.

This polarization around AI has frustrated technologists who worry that Trump will undermine the quest for safer models.

“Alongside the promises of AI are perils,” says Nicol Turner Lee, the director of the Brookings Institution’s Center for Technology Innovation, “and it is vital that the next president continue to ensure the safety and security of these systems.”

[justdalek]

Hello animation community! I am in need of guidance and areas to research for possibly building a team for an indie animated pilot (looking at like 2 years down the road for starting pre-production since I am currently dealing with a lot of personal irl things that should stable out in the next couple years).

I have experience in terms of creating a team for live action television production and executing the projects successfully, but in terms of an animation team I have very little knowledge on the matter. I'm not 100% sure of where to look in terms of researching seeing everything going on in the animation world from budget and job cuts to the hell that is AI, and I would like to have resources that give me the full scope of what exactly goes into the animation team in terms of pre, during, and post production.

I was initially thinking of pitching my project idea to corporate studios, but seeing their treatment of animation as a whole alongside the teams and creators, I would rather stay far away from that until corporate can get their shit together (this project of mine is around 7 years old creation wise, and currently is sitting with a final episode count of 100 across 6 seasons). I would like to see my project from being to end without the fear of it getting canceled part way through on top of letting artists, editors, designers, VAs, and other team members flourish and try new things with their craft under a chill and relaxed atmosphere.

Websites, books, and experiences/stories (both cooperate and indie) are more than welcome on this post! I want to make sure I'm treating the team right in terms of workload and timelines, and not creating a stressful or frustrating work environment if and when I bring this project to life.

[the-pen-pot]

So I was vaguely thinking about reupholstering my divan bed since my cats have used it as a scratching post. I found an article of a bed website and...

Centre your divan bed base and begin wrapping like you’re wrapping a precious gift. Smooth out the fabric, tucking in the edges neatly. This is your canvas—every fold, every tuck, a brushstroke on your masterpiece.

Okay that's kinda intense but...

With the fabric secured, it’s time to staple it in place. Start from the middle of each side, working your way outward. Imagine each staple as a commitment to your vision, anchoring your dreams to reality. The rhythm of the staple gun is a symphony of transformation.

What.

The corners are where your dreams come together. Fold them neatly, like turning the page of a beloved novel. The corners whisper tales of comfort and charm. Let them be a reflection of your attention to detail and your dedication to beauty.

I can't work out if this was written by a really wordy AI or if the author is just a desperate human trying to make reupholstering furniture poetic.

With your fabric securely in place, stand back and admire the metamorphosis. Your divan bed base is no longer just an object; it’s an expression of your soul. Run your fingers along the fabric, feeling the texture and emotion. Your haven is now a sanctuary.

*Backs away slowly*

This transformation was about aesthetics and a journey of self-discovery and nurturing. The fabric you’ve lovingly wrapped around your bed base holds within it the essence of your being. With each night’s sleep and each morning’s awakening, you’re reminded that you have not only transformed your divan bed base but also a part of yourself.

I think that's a lot of spiritual heavy lifting for a reupholstering project if I'm honest. 🤣

Want to see it in all its glory?

(And the next time anyone accuses me of purple prose, I'm sending them this article)

[republicsecurity]

The AI in your Helmet

The instructor's voice, crisp and unwavering, cut through the ambient noise of the workshop. "Listen closely, Cadet. The HUD you see before you is not merely a display. It is your lifeline, your guide, and your most trusted advisor. Every object, every person highlighted in your field of vision carries significance, a message from the AI that resides within your helmet. It distinguishes between the mundane and the crucial, ensuring your attention is always where it matters."

I nodded, my eyes fixed on the intricate interface projected inside the helmet. The HUD pulsed with information, a dance of symbols and data that seemed to possess a life of its own. The instructor continued, his tone carrying the weight of experience. "The AI is not just a tool, Cadet. It is your constant companion, your overseer, and your protector. It processes every piece of data available, analyzing your surroundings, your actions, and even your physiological responses. It understands you better than you understand yourself."

A sense of awe mingled with trepidation as I absorbed his words. The integration of AI into my very perception was both exhilarating and daunting. I wondered about the implications of such constant surveillance, about the erosion of privacy in the face of this all-seeing technology. The instructor seemed to sense my thoughts, his gaze steady as he continued his explanation.

"The AI is not here to intrude, but to enhance. It refines your decision-making, offering insights and suggestions based on its analysis of the situation. It anticipates your needs, providing guidance when you are uncertain. In the field, seconds matter, and the AI ensures you act swiftly and decisively."

The instructor's stern expression softened, as if he understood the weight of my contemplation. "Cadet, remember this: the AI is a tool, a guide, but it is not infallible. Your instincts, your empathy, your humanity—they are what make you a paramedic. The technology augments your abilities, but it does not define you. Trust your training, your experience, and let the AI be your ally, not your master."

[notfinancialadvice]

mark my words (not advice, not guidance, not a recommendation to do anything at all... largely blurbing this out to have a pin in the digital cork board to refer to in the future)

AI will begin to collapse in the next 12 - 24 months due to environmental factors (it will mostly be economic factors, but it's easier to swallow for a lot of folks to say environmental... and by easier to swallow, I mean, they'll find a way to make money off this loss via tax law and/or PR)

It will not go away (spoiler: it's not new, it's just en vogue right now)

There will be a 6-12 month period that it begins to rise again, much much much slower and much much much much quieter

During this uptick time there will be a slew of articles talking about "the death of the junior [creative/art, design, production] job"

Following this period (so 18 - 36 months from now) the role of a junior writer / designer / etc. will see a sharp uptick in the quiet usage of AI, thereby making those companies profitable and/or new companies profitable in this space, but at a significantly less speed

The "quiet usage" is not out of any shame, malice, or any other negative feeling. It is a combination of "how the sausage is made now" and strategic partnerships with specific entities designed to handle their specific tasks

The latter word salad becomes possible because the tech to build niche systems is going to be bought for fire sale prices after the collapse (see opening bullet point)

This will see a proliferation of freelance / tiny studios cropping up over the course of the next 5 years, because the usage of this tech will allow a smaller team to handle larger projects -- the "minimum size of entry for A Project This Large" will have shrunk across significant levels

In... I don't know... 7-10 years there will be a huge amount of firms that started small and grew to "small-medium to medium" and/or have just become award winning machines will start getting eaten like candy via larger firms (and non-design/advertising agencies -- holding companies, private equity, etc.) wanting to "diversify their offerings with strategic partnerships" i.e. liquidate their competition and thorns-in-ass with cold, hard, cash

this will be me at me in a handful of years

as this starts to roll out

again

it wasn't AI last time

but none of this is new

:)

you don't have to believe me if this gums your gears one way or another

I am semi-retired and out of this business

but I hope if you're in the professional creative field, I hope you will at least review this list, give it a think, do some research on what you disagree with

and ultimately

plan accordingly for your own needs and desires