#social media misuse

[kimskashmir]

'Social Media Misuse': Action initiated against nine persons across Kashmir, says police

SRINAGAR (KIMS) — The Jammu and Kashmir Police said that it has initiated action against nine persons across Kashmir region for misusing Social Media. Jammu and Kashmir Police said, “The action has been initiated against nine persons in various districts of Kashmir region for uploading and sharing hateful content and misusing Social Media platforms to spread rumours.” “The action has been taken…

[canisalbus]

Hello, I'm not sure if you're aware, but tumblr is going to start helping midjourney gather data for their AI. You're one of the artists I follow here pretty actively and I wanted to warn you to maybe start nighshading your art before posting it here so it doesn't get swept up!

I've seen a couple of posts about it. Feeling disappointed but not that surprised. Also not excited about having to start nightshading/glazing my pieces but if there isn't going to be any serious regulations regarding data scraping and ai "art", there aren't a lot of choices.

Thank you for taking the time to warn me just in case, it was very thoughtful of you!

[whatisamildopinion]

fig dropping out makes complete sense for her character, and I truly don't think this will negatively affect her friendships with the other Bad Kids, because that group is so attached to one another. but I feel like we have glossed over a truly hilarious aspect of fig dropping out, which is that she is 100% going to be the most annoying person in the entire stadium when the Bad Kids graduate.

like, forget the parents and guardians of the Bad Kids. figueroth "I think I'm just a really good friend" faeth, the archdevil of rebellion herself, is going to be in the audience seats screaming her head off when they cross the stage. she is a world-renowned bard and you better believe she is putting some magic in those screams. the walls are shaking. banners are falling. the bleachers are rattling. those are HER BEST FRIENDS graduating and she is SO PROUD OF THEM.

the parents are whooping a little bit in the way that is acceptable at high school graduations. fig and ragh, also in the crowd, have secret bullhorns that they have saved just for this purpose, and they probably roped ayda in to do some magic fireworks too. after all, who would ever stop them? aguefort probably helped them sneak the stuff in

[tenicola]

ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ Sup ya’ll

It’s been a lonnnnnnng while since I updated this art blog, I know. I fully intended to upload things by the end of 2024, but the holidays left me busy and exhausted.

There’s a lot to say about the last year and my goals for 2025, but for now, I'll use the next week to play some catch-up with sharing my artwork each evening. This will just include the major art and characters I got to in the year, but for other updates and tidbits, feel free to visit and follow me on Bluesky!

[chamerionwrites]

Maybe this is just me having a kids get off my lawn moment, but every time I see something along the lines of "racists DNI," I wonder what the venn diagram between self-identified racists and scrupulous respecters of DNIs looks like.

[anti-transphobia]

I do feel bad having a lot of reblogs centering around transmasc issues specifically and not more posts about transfem and nonbinary people, but unfortunately, repulsive lateral violence is the current discourse, which means that a lot of posts made about those issues are said BECAUSE "who is actually the most oppressed" is the current topic of discussion. So even posts that seem normal or even agreeable have language you have to look suspiciously at and when you check op you do in fact find that those posts about transmisogyny are because they got mad trans men are speaking up about the violence they face.

It's very similar to how ace discourse was. Completely normal seeming posts, in the context of a really bad couple of years where saying you're ace/aro publicly even once led to getting anon hate, were actually criticisms of the idea that other people face hardships. Hell, though people scoffed at it when I said it, even completely unrelated FANDOM posts could be clocked as being made by someone whose current fixation is hating on aspec people by the way they keysmashed. Because it wasn't just a discourse, but like a fandom, and fandoms follow quirks and trends and I could read it in a keysmash easily, check their blogs, confirm I was right, and block.

Anyway my point being that the issues, general and more specific, faced by non-transmasc trans people INCLUDING those issues caused by other trans ppl is EXTREMELY important to me, however I just unfortunately don't see a lot of people talking about it in good faith. And hell, me talking about my experiences about how afab trans people have harassed, sexually assaulted, misgendered, body shamed me, and leveraged their agab specifically to harm and exclude me for not being like them is something that I can't talk about without worry of it coming off as "trans men are evil". That's just the current culture. A reasonable worry of a post sounding like thinly veiled transphobia is silencing victims of the thing these transmasc oppression deniers claim to hate.

Anyway I definitely do reblog good posts like that when I see em but I'm really not on Tumblr much anymore

[bovivinator]

“Lovebombing” is the trendy new word for internet armchair psychology, but this one’s especially confusing to me because in my life experience, “lovebombing” always meant making a bunch of paper hearts with nice messages on them for someone who had a birthday, or was going through a hard time or something, and leaving them all over the recipient’s door and front porch like they’d exploded.

So when I suddenly see a bunch of posts mentioning “lovebombing” as abusive behavior, leading me on a perplexed search to find alternate definitions, I have to assume this new usage got popular on tiktok and escaped containment, because I’ve never seen an explanation here, just people referencing it out if nowhere like it’s common knowledge

[lunarian-22]

Trunks and Goten have a TikTok channel that's just Vegeta confidently misusing slang because he's a Boomer on the internet.

he doesn't understand brainrot

[doodlemancy]

Hey, so, Patreon is lying to you about Apple forcing their hand.

Patreon is getting rid of 1st-of-the-month/per-creation billing, claiming a new decision by Apple has forced their hand. This will hurt a lot of creatives, and their excuse is bullshit. Allow me to explain.

In 2018, Patreon tried to impose a new ill-considered fee structure on everyone that would have cost creators a lot of smaller pledges. They ended up apologizing for this profusely; they have now deleted this apology from their website and unfortunately I was unable to find it on the Internet Archive. This was shameful, but to their credit they backed off quickly when things got ugly.

Back in 2021, Patreon discussed plans to force all creators into a rolling bill structure and get rid of first-of-the-month/pay-up-front billing. The community once again very decisively shouted them down, and they had to walk it back again. This whole fiasco damaged the already shaky trust between Patreon creators and staff.

This week, Patreon announced that, along with extra fees, Apple's policies were supposedly forcing them to move everyone over to the rolling fee structure that they first tried to get us to agree to in 2021. Patreon will tell you they are not happy about this. As a person who spent a long time watching Patreon make terrible decisions, I can tell you-- they are probably very happy about this, because it's exactly the smokescreen they needed to do what they've been trying to do for years, which is pull ALL Patreon creators away from 1st-of-the-month and per-creation billing.

The spin in the news I've seen so far is "Apple bullies Patreon, boo hoo hoo poor Patreon". This is very obviously not what's happening. Mind you: Apple does suck, and they are doing something bad here. Fuck apple. But Patreon and Apple are BOTH the asshole in this situation; Everyone Sucks Here. Patreon has options: they can make the iOS app a reader app and do billing through the browser to avoid the restrictions and the extra fees (Netflix and Amazon, notably, both do this), or they can allow creators to opt-out of iOS billing if they want to use billing models that don't work with it.

It seems most likely to me that the Apple situation is a real fire that Patreon has chosen to use as a convenient smokescreen to do what they've been wanting to do since at least 2021, and maybe since 2018.

What do we do?:

They have a feedback form specifically about this.

They also have a creator discord.

And they have lots of social media pages where they probably really, really hope that this doesn't blow up again, because they never learn. The incidents I've described here aren't the only two other times Patreon has pissed off their creators. They know if they don't contain the noise it'll be harder to get away with it, so make some noise. They've done a lot of work to spin this cleverly so you'll have sympathy for them and they won't get the kind of backlash they know they deserve.

Please don't misuse these links and make threats or spam or something. All you have to do is give well-reasoned feedback. Patreon hates feedback. Make sure they get a nice heaping helping of their least favorite vegetable.

[townpostin]

Cricketer Saurabh Tiwary's Identity Used in Online Cricket Scam

Fake Facebook account solicits registration fees for bogus league opportunities A fraudulent Facebook account impersonating former cricketer Saurabh Tiwary has been used to deceive aspiring cricketers in Jamshedpur. JAMSHEDPUR – Former cricketer Saurabh Tiwary, a resident of Vijay Garden Baridih, has fallen victim to identity theft in an online cricket scam targeting young athletes. The scammers…

[critical-skeptic]

The Grey Blob of Artificially Homogenized Opinions: A Critique of AI in Social Media

In an era where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into social media platforms has opened a Pandora's box of ethical, societal, and psychological issues. While AI holds immense potential for advancing human knowledge and security, its use in shaping and distilling public opinion is a dangerous trend that demands critical examination.

The Rise of AI Summarization and Sentiment Shaping

AI's ability to summarize large volumes of data and extract sentiment from public discourse is often marketed as a convenience. On the surface, it seems like an efficient way to navigate the overwhelming flood of information that social media generates daily. However, this convenience comes at a significant cost. When we outsource the distillation of ideas and the interpretation of public consensus to AI systems, especially those managed by profit-driven entities, we set the stage for widespread manipulation and control.

The Mechanisms of Manipulation

Bias and Control: AI algorithms are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on and the humans who design them. When these systems are developed by corporations with specific agendas, they inevitably reflect and amplify existing biases. This results in a skewed representation of public opinion, favoring narratives that align with the interests of those in power.

Echo Chambers and Polarization: AI's role in reinforcing echo chambers cannot be overstated. By feeding users content that aligns with their preexisting beliefs, AI exacerbates divisions and deepens societal polarization. This not only distorts individual perspectives but also fragments the collective understanding of reality.

Erosion of Critical Thinking: As users become increasingly reliant on AI-generated summaries and sentiment analyses, their capacity for critical thinking and independent analysis diminishes. This dependency fosters a passive consumption of information, undermining the essential democratic process of informed and critical public discourse.

The Ethical Dilemma

The commercialization of AI in social media has created a scenario where the primary objective is no longer the dissemination of accurate and unbiased information but rather the maximization of engagement and profit. This misalignment of priorities leads to a profound ethical dilemma: the well-being of society is sacrificed for corporate gain. The very platforms that should serve as arenas for free expression and the exchange of ideas are transformed into tools of manipulation and control.

A Call to Action

While I can appreciate the objective and practical uses of such technology—particularly the potential to provide a more balanced and encompassing interpretation of the entire body of responses and opinions on any given subject—this benefit is only reliable if we can ensure that the AI is not selectively sanitizing or omitting information during this distillation process. Otherwise, it defeats the very purpose of summarization.

To mitigate these dangers, we must advocate for a fundamental shift in how AI is utilized in social media. Here are key steps to consider:

Limiting AI's Role: AI should be used primarily to aid in moderation, security, and the protection of creators and their content. Its role should be confined to ensuring a safe and respectful environment rather than shaping public opinion.

Transparency and Accountability: Social media companies must be transparent about how their AI systems operate and the data they use. There should be stringent regulations and independent oversight to hold these corporations accountable for the societal impact of their technologies.

Promoting Critical Thinking: Education systems and public awareness campaigns should emphasize the importance of critical thinking and media literacy. Users must be equipped with the skills to critically evaluate information and recognize manipulation tactics.

Encouraging Diverse Voices: Platforms should prioritize amplifying a diverse range of voices and perspectives rather than homogenizing opinions. This approach would foster a more inclusive and representative discourse, counteracting the creation of a "grey blob" of artificially homogenized opinions.

Conclusion

The use of AI in social media is a double-edged sword. While it offers opportunities for enhancing moderation and security, its current application in shaping public opinion is fraught with ethical and societal risks. By critically examining these practices and advocating for responsible AI use, we can safeguard the integrity of public discourse and ensure that technology serves the collective well-being rather than undermining it. The stakes are high, and the time for action is now.

Ref: Meta AI comment section summaries.

[shi1498912]

aight, yeah all interesting and such, but

FUCK AI! PULL THE PLUG ON THAT BULLSHIT ALREADY!

i feel quite bad for people who are convinced nightshade and glaze are going to fix the balance of power in the art world because it really won't. they're quite useless and extremely easily circumvented, but trying to tell anyone this results in you getting shouted down. buddy i wish it worked too!

[diabetesnscoliosis]

Yeah so I think a lot of ppl tend ti reblog shit in good faith but when people are making oneu off of deceiving you, no. Yoi habe to be a bit more critical. The far right gets in so many movements bc of this. They're the ones making money off of this

[snekdood]

idk how or when i got 700 followers but cool and hi i guess

[clockwayswrites]

A Bird and a Menace of Bats - Part 17

masterpost

“We could always look up where he lives,” Tim suggested.

Bruce gave his son a tired look, turning slowly that he was sure not to jostle the sleeping man on his shoulder. “No, we can’t.”

“Sure you can. WE has to have it on file.”

“That would be a gross misuse of my postilion and an invasion of privacy,” Bruce said. “As in something Danny could very well sue for as us taking him home has nothing to do with his work and why we would have his address on file.”

“What about his driver’s license?” Duke suggested.

“He doesn’t have one, or at least not on him,” Dick said. He had Danny’s jacket pulled open and was carefully feeling inside for pockets.

Next to him, Jason was going through the card pocket on the back of Danny’s cellphone case.

“He does have a rewards card for Lacey’s though, so good taste there.”

Bruce rubbed tiredly at his face. “Dick, stop looking for a wallet. Jason, put all the cards back where you found them, please, and no hacking the phone.”

“You’re no fun anymore,” Jason said in a mocking whine.

Stephanie stifled a snicker.

“Stephanie, stop stalking him on social media and Babara, stop using what she’s found to try and triangulate where he is from,” Bruce said.

“Jason’s right,” Stephanie said as she slumped dramatically back into the seat, “you’re no fun anymore.”

“Yes, how boring of me,” Bruce drawled, “not invading the privacy of a man so unwell that he fell asleep in a noisy limo full of near strangers.”

Cass leaned forward at that.

Bruce quickly shifted gears to try and reassure her. “He’ll be alright, Cass.”

“Breathing is shallow. Heart?”

Bruce nodded. “He said there was an accident when he was a child that affected his heart and pulse. It was very slow and weak early after he stood up from his seat and had to sit back down. But he also said that it wasn’t unexpected and that he’s been to his doctor recently.”

“He did take this week off.”

“Tim.”

“What?” Tim said defensively. “He befriended my sister, I had to check him out.”

At least that was a reasonable excuse in case Danny was hearing any of this.

“If he’s doing badly, he shouldn’t be home alone, right?” Stephanie asked far too innocently.

“Not that we even know where he lives without waking him. Shouldn’t we let him rest?” Tim added.

“I shall start to the Manor then,” Alfred said, bringing an abrupt end to the discussion so suddenly that was that.

For what felt like the millionth time that night, Bruce sighed heavily.

-

It rather said something about the family that they were both efficient and graceful in getting an unconscious body out of the car. Bruce, with Dick’s help, passed Danny to Jason who held him out of the way as the rest of the family climbed out. Bruce was surprised to have Danny passed to him the moment Jason was able, but Bruce was quickly distracted.

“Right?” Jason asked.

“Hn.”

“Hn? Hn what?” Steph asked, popping up at Bruce’s elbow.

“The guy’s too light,” Jason answered. “It’s like he’s got bird bones.”

Tim stifled a snicker. Bruce, once again, sighed.

“Tim, take Steph and go help Alfred make sure the room is ready,” Bruce instructed. “Dick, help wrangle. Cass, darling, go rest. Jason, manage the doors for me, please.”

There was a coarse of agreement and the children were off. Bruce and Jason followed more sedately to be gentle on Bruce’s sleeping cargo.

“Jokes aside, he’s too light,” Jason said, keeping his quiet words between them. “This might be more than just a weak pulse.”

What Jason didn’t say is that they knew it was more than just a weak pulse—or at least it had been that night. It was concerning to think what lingering effects the transformation might be having on Danny. Especially concerning because…

“Cass is already attached,” Jason said, as if finishing Bruce’s own thoughts.

“I know.”

“And now the others are curious. Well, more curious.”

“I don’t suppose I could pay you to keep them in line?”

Jason snorted. “Even you couldn’t afford that, old man.”

“I was afraid not,” Bruce said as he fought back a smile.

Despite Jason’s refusal, Bruce knew that his son would keep his eyes others. Jason wouldn’t likely stop them, but he would keep an eye on them. Danny was still enough of an unknown that Bruce couldn’t help but be wary of the man’s presence in the middle of the family.

At least the guest wing was on the other side of the Manor from the family wing. The spaced eased the anxiety, a little. Alfred was just finishing shoeing Stephanie and Tim from the guest room as they approached and Jason peeled off to take his leave with them. Bruce entered the room with Danny on his own.

And apparently it was going to stay that way as Alfred said, “I trust you to see our guest settled,” and closed the door.

Bruce resisted the urge to sigh one more time.

At least Alfred had already folded down the sheets.

Bruce laid Danny down and started with the dress shoes, mostly to delay having to decide just how much clothing was appropriate to strip a near stranger of. After all, Danny didn’t know that he had slept curled up with the whole family once before. Bruce was also aware that he had less propriety than most people, given his unusual night life.

By the time the shoes were off and set aside, Bruce decided that the bare minimum would likely be most comfortable for Danny in the morning. The tie and belt went onto the seat of the nearby arm chair while the suit jacket was draped over the back. Danny’s phone was set on the nightstand. Alfred, of course, already had clothing set out for Danny to change into in the morning, should he wish. Bruce left it at that and covered Danny lightly with the sheets before he took his leave.

[phoenixyfriend]

The ColourPop Twilight: New Moon collection is very pretty. There are four different items I'm drawn to.

However. It is Twilight merch, and specifically New Moon merch, and I doubt there are any plans from Colourpop to donate any of the proceeds to the Quileute people, who have never seen a red cent of SMeyer's profits from her appropriation of their culture.

So. If you feel similarly, maybe pop over to this page and politely tell them about your concerns, and suggest that some profits go to the Quileute Higher Ground project.

Please share, maybe see if you can get people on other platforms talking about it.

Don't copy this directly, write your own, but here is what I wrote.

----------------------

Hello,

I have purchased many of your products over the last few years, sometimes through the site and sometimes not. I find the New Moon collection beautiful, but I feel some trepidation over it. Given your dedication to other moral issues, such as staying cruelty free, I hope that you are open to hearing me out.

Over the past two decades, Stephanie Meyer has made hundreds of millions of dollars from the Twilight series, and much of the draw of the three later books came from her use and misuse of the traditional stories of the Quileute peoples. None of the copious amounts of money that she made from her appropriation of their culture has ever gone to them.

At this time, the Quileute people are experiencing great risk due to rising sea levels, something they likely could have worked around easily had they any of the funds that the Twilight series should have led to for them. The current standard among Twilight fans is that, should any money come from a Twilight fan product (e.g. pins), then a portion of that money should go to "Quileute Move to Higher Ground," as a way of honoring the way their people's traditions led to a series we enjoy, and their lack of any true gain from that situation.

The collaboration you are doing will lead to yet more money going to Mrs. Meyer, and there is little doubt that she will continue to ignore the Quileute people's situation. I would like to suggest that your company donate a portion of the profits from this collaboration to the Higher Ground project, maybe even talking about it on social media if possible.

As it stands, this collaboration appears to continue the tradition of basing products on the Quileute people and their traditions, without compensating them in any way for it.

The donations can be found here: https://mthg.org/

I am not affiliated with the Quileute Move to Higher Ground in any way, but I am a consumer who is interested in your products, and would love to buy these specific products. Many who express concern regarding the Twilight franchise and its impact on the Quileute people may be driven to actually buy this collection if told that this particular set, which draws from the book most heavily based on them, will benefit them.

Thank you for your time.