#economic incentives

[american-baidu-yandex-contact]

Yandex - Gaslighting

[bradleycgeiger]

Corporations and other economically oriented entities have economic incentives to cut corners and reduce the use of resources and this leads to be less reliable in relation to topics associated with the safety or potential safety of individuals than governments. Such topics include the determination of individuals' veracity as life forms and or determinations related to their sentience.

[fondcrimes]

I also think part of the problem is that online art communities and to some extent fandom spaces kind of corrode the lines between commercial art and fine art (?) which has observably good and bad results. psychologically the intentions behind creating/posting art become very unclear for both creator and audience… I also think art community discourses end up confusing a lot of people about why somebody would say something like “make art for yourself” honestly this just goes back to how the internet completely obliterates any social context behind a message

[sadwetmoomin]

dude what on earth happened on tumblr admin side in the past month that allowed us to get back to practically uncontrollable porn bots

[fractaldunes]

The problem i have with AI is its integration into the capatalist system to benefit those in power and how inherently anti-art it is. AI is being used to replace artists. To "cut out the middle man" from the art industry and create a direct line to profit. To create mush that can be bought and sold and shown in theater. To create PRODUCTS. These products are called art but that could not be further from the truth.

Art exists within the meanings embedded in the final piece. That meaning can come about inherently during the process of creating the artwork, intentionally introduced by the artist and featured in the final piece, or built from interpretation by an audience. What's important is that the thought and craft put into the piece at every part of the process will always create meaning, even if the meaning is just "this piece of art sucks" it is still DOING SOMETHING.

AI art does not do anything. It isn't anything. There is no craft, there is no vision, there is no purpose. Any meaning an audience member can give it does not come from anything but a contextless reading of a mass. All the AI does is consume and regurgitate actual art and then try to recreate something according to the patterns it observes. Its an algorithm that tries to make what the prompt desires by destroying art into a paste and regurgitating it into a form it thinks was desired.

There is no art in that process. It is just plagarism used to fill the pockets of those who benefit from the labor of artists.

[neverfeltthewinterquitesodead]

you people have no grifter sense. shameful!

[themathomhouse]

as a lawyer I almost feel bad for people who are just learning that international law is basically fake, but I also know they'll be obnoxious and Loudly Wrong until they come back around to thinking it's still important that we do it

like, yeah no there are kind of no consequences for ignoring it if you're powerful enough. no there's no enforcement mechanism, not really. yeah it's basically entirely run on international shaming and wanting to be able to criticise other people if they later do exactly what you're doing right now. weirdly that does kind of sort of work - not every time, but broadly speaking yeah

[makeuphall]

[king-of-men]

This may be galaxy-brained: Suppose we offer EU or US citizenship to Russian soldiers who defect, in an effort to attrite Putin's army without having to actually fight. Aren't we, in effect, drastically increasing the pay rates in the Russian army? That is, we are saying "in addition to whatever pittance Putin pays, we'll give you the extremely valuable option of defecting". Presumably if you pay more, you'll get more soldiers, exactly the thing we Do Not Want. Do you get more defectors than new recruits? Hard to say! Presumably it's not that easy to desert from the Russian army. They know they have a problem, we may believe they've taken some countermeasures and could increase them if needed. If the option-to-defect is perceived as more valuable than it really is, because it's hard to exercise in real life, then you might be recruiting for Putin.

[g4rchomp]

just because it is used in soulless, minimalist interior design doesn't mean beige is a bad color in itself. something isn't bad because it's beige, it's bad because it's part of a trend that favors interiors that have no trace of lived in presence. a beige sanrio plush isn't a minimalist nightmare... also sanrio is not colorful resistance to capitalism it is just another successful business

[the-psudo]

It's so insightful to see these contrasts put side-by-side, and the consistent pattern of this contrast across a variety of industries.

[trendynewsnow]

Tribute to James Ledbetter: A Media Critic's Legacy

James Ledbetter: A Tribute to a Media Visionary James Ledbetter, a distinguished former media critic and editor, passed away on Monday at his residence in Manhattan. He was 60 years old. The news of his death was confirmed by his sister, Kathleen Ledbetter Rishel, who chose not to disclose the specific cause. Ledbetter was most notably recognized for his incisive writing as the author of the…

[omegaphilosophia]

Free Riders: A Necessary Consequence of Hyper-Efficient Economies

In a hyper-efficient economy, where resources are optimized, and systems are streamlined for maximum productivity and minimal waste, free riders become a necessary consequence due to the structure of public goods, incentives, and the difficulty of excluding people from shared benefits. Here’s why this happens:

1. Public Goods and Non-Excludability

Public goods are services or resources that are non-excludable (cannot prevent others from using them) and non-rivalrous (one person's use doesn't diminish availability for others). Examples include clean air, national defense, and public infrastructure.

In a hyper-efficient economy, the focus is on maximizing the utility of such goods. However, because it’s difficult to exclude people from using them, even those who haven’t contributed to their provision can still benefit. This creates the free rider problem, where individuals or entities enjoy the benefits of these goods without contributing to their cost.

2. Maximization of Efficiency Encourages Cost Minimization

Hyper-efficient systems aim to lower costs and maximize outputs, leading some individuals or groups to minimize their own contributions while still benefiting from collective outcomes.

This can manifest in behaviors where individual incentives are to ride on the contributions of others. For example, if an efficient system is producing public goods with minimal oversight or cost allocation, there’s less pressure on individuals to contribute, incentivizing free riding as a rational economic choice.

3. Collective Action and Incentive Structures

In highly efficient economies, the focus is often on scaling production and outcomes, which means systems become more dependent on collective action. However, the more participants there are in a system, the easier it becomes for individuals to hide within the crowd and avoid responsibility, knowing that others will continue to contribute.

The marginal impact of any one person not contributing becomes negligible in large, efficient systems, which reduces the incentive for individuals to participate fully, as they reason that their contribution or lack thereof will not noticeably affect the outcome.

4. Transaction Costs and Monitoring

In a hyper-efficient economy, transaction costs (the costs associated with monitoring, enforcing, or tracking contributions) are minimized. While this drives efficiency, it also reduces the ability to monitor and prevent free riding effectively.

The absence of detailed enforcement or tracking mechanisms (because they may be seen as wasteful in an efficiency-driven model) makes it easier for free riders to escape notice or punishment.

5. The Paradox of Hyper-Efficiency and Collective Good

The paradox is that while a hyper-efficient economy is designed to optimize resource allocation and reduce waste, it inadvertently fosters conditions where some can exploit the system. In fact, because the economy is so efficient at producing goods, the cost of free riding may not be immediately felt, allowing it to persist without significant disruption to the system.

Over time, however, widespread free riding can degrade the system's integrity, as the imbalance between contributors and non-contributors grows.

6. Historical and Theoretical Perspectives

The free rider problem is a common issue in collective action and public goods theory, notably discussed by economist Mancur Olson. In a hyper-efficient economy, this issue is amplified because the system works so well that the cost of exclusion becomes too high or inefficient, leading to an acceptance of free riding as a necessary trade-off for overall system efficiency.

Free riders are a necessary consequence of a hyper-efficient economy because of the nature of public goods (which are non-excludable and non-rivalrous), reduced transaction costs, and incentive structures that make it easy for individuals to benefit from collective goods without contributing. In such economies, hyper-efficiency focuses on maximizing outputs and minimizing enforcement or exclusion efforts, which inadvertently creates opportunities for free riding. While the system may remain efficient in the short term, widespread free riding can lead to longer-term imbalances.

[technicallymysticaltidalwave]

Strategies for Establishing a Startup-Friendly Tax in Bangladesh

Learn how a startup-friendly tax regime can drive growth and innovation in Bangladesh. By easing tax burdens and providing incentives, this approach supports new businesses and fosters a favorable environment for entrepreneurs. Discover the potential benefits of adopting a tax policy that encourages investment and development, paving the way for a thriving startup ecosystem in the country.

[usa-journal]

Secuoya Studios President and Former Ambassador Discusses Spain’s Journey to Become Europe’s Hollywood

James Costos, President of Secuoya Studios and former U.S. Ambassador to Spain, recently participated in a panel at the Iberseries & Platino Industria event in Madrid, where he addressed Spain's ambition to become the "Hollywood of Europe." Costos, along with industry leaders, discussed Spain’s evolving entertainment landscape and the opportunities within the Ibero-American market.

During the panel, questions regarding the appeal of the Ibero-American market for U.S. studios were raised, touching on aspects such as lower production costs, collaboration with local talent, and potential co-production agreements. Costos expressed optimism about Spain’s trajectory, which was highlighted by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's earlier aspirations for the country.

He noted, “Spain has a wealth of natural beauty, diverse locations, and favorable weather, making it an attractive destination for filming.” Costos emphasized that significant reforms in fiscal incentives are necessary to spur economic growth and job creation, benefiting both Spain and U.S. companies looking to invest there. He praised the government's efforts to streamline bureaucracy and expedite shooting permit approvals.

Secuoya Studios is actively promoting Spain as a premier production destination, offering top-notch infrastructure and a variety of projects, from films and scripted series to unscripted content. Costos underscored the importance of attracting as much business as possible, stating, “We want that business to land here,” highlighting the increasing interest from U.S. companies over the past four years.

Additionally, Costos described Spain as “a goldmine for developing localized stories,” noting the talent and skills available in the country. However, he cautioned that Hollywood's pre-existing relationships in other regions sometimes lead to shortcuts that overlook Spain's potential.

Georgina Gonzalez, VP of Global Scripted Series at Universal International Studios, reiterated the significance of creating content that resonates with Spanish culture from the outset. She cited upcoming projects, including The Day of the Jackal, featuring notable talents like Eddie Redmayne and Money Heist star Úrsula Corberó.

Reflecting on the success of Money Heist, Costos explained that the show's universal themes and authentic Spanish roots contributed to its global appeal. He concluded, “It resonated because it had themes that connected with audiences beyond Spain, offering a unique cultural experience.”

As Spain continues its quest to solidify its status as Europe’s entertainment hub, industry leaders remain hopeful about the collaborative potential and growth opportunities within the region.