canadian_voter

But most importantly — programs are real. You touch them. You see them everywhere — they can only run when visible. You can change anything and see what happens. No black boxes.

I think I'm in love.

The computer of the future is not a product, but a place.

Comment · 9 years ago

I highly recommend the 2017 Massey Lecture that deals with genocide and the history of human rights. It's called In Search of a Better World by human rights lawyer Payam Akhavan.

Listen to the whole thing for free[1] or check out the book[2].

[1] http://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/lecture-1-in-search-of-a-bette...

[2] https://houseofanansi.com/products/in-search-of-a-better-wor...

Comment · 9 years ago

If it's not an app, yup.

I'd have actually read the article if had been titled: You won't believe how I increased sales by 10% with this one simple trick.

Comment · 9 years ago

> That bad guy student (Ambrose?) has no motivation beyond just being a deliberate antagonist

Ambrose is a bully. You've never met a bully?

"The researchers found that children who bullied were often motivated by a desire to increase their popularity and that they chose generally unpopular victims to avoid losing social status... Bullies tend to be aware of the social hierarchy within the class and are seeking the admiration of specific people." [0]

Amrbose (unknowingly) thwarts Kvothes QUEST as part of a petty prank to put him in his place. Kvothe fights back. Once that antagonistic relationship is established, it gets out of hand and there is plenty of motivation to keep it going.

[0] https://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20100325/what-motivates...

Comment · 9 years ago

At best, this is a way to sweep unaccountable decision-making under the carpet of "the software said so". Quite likely, though, is that such products will make society a living hell for everyone until these practices are entrenched in the industry and it is too late to roll it all back.

Sounds a lot like redlining to me[0][1].

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redlining [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/upshot/how-redlinings-rac...

Comment · 9 years ago

And little things, like if you're in a relationship, how often do you do the laundry and dishes?

I've been in a relationship for 3 years. I do literally all of the dishes, all of the cooking, all of my own laundry and my GFs laundry more often than she does. I'm also the only one who vacuums. I'm probably selfish here: caregiving and housekeeping can be very rewarding.

We like to act like that was so long ago, but that's one grandpa's lifetime.

But there is no reason we have to do things like our grandfathers. Change can be hard, but it's also incredibly liberating to do what you believe is right without worrying about so-called "social pressure". Change comes from the inside out.

Comment · 9 years ago

Even hate speech is free speech.

Is it? Really?

Many people disagree. Many countries[0] have laws against hate speech. In Canada, for example:

> it is a criminal act to "advocate or promote genocide" — to call for, support, encourage or argue for the killing of members of a group based on colour, race, religion, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.[1]

"Stirring up or inciting hatred" is also against the law.

I have no doubt that The Daily Stormer would be illegal in Canada.

Also illegal, under another part of the Criminal Code, is assault; including "nazi punching". Not everyone who thinks websites like this should be shut down support physical violence against those they disagree with.

There is no slippery slope here -- shutting down hateful propaganda is not the same as full blown censorship: a provision prevents "people from being charged with a hate crime if their statements are truthful or the expression of a religious opinion."[1]

I know that might sound scary to some of you (who gets to decide what is true, or what is a religious belief?), but in Canada, we're lucky enough to have reasonable judges. The system works pretty well -- check out [1] for a few examples, and you can see what you think of the courts decisions.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_speech

[1] http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/when-is-it-hate-speech-7-signi...

Comment · 9 years ago

"I think we'd better get downstairs before those kids get engrossed with those damned beasts again."
Just then they heard the children calling, "Daddy, Mommy, come quick -quick!"
They went downstairs in the air flue and ran down the hall. The children were nowhere in sight. "Wendy? Peter!"
They ran into the nursery. The veldtland was empty save for the lions waiting, looking at them. "Peter, Wendy?"

The door slammed.

- Ray Bradbury, The Veldt[0]

[0] http://www.veddma.com/veddma/Veldt.htm

Comment · 9 years ago

Quite right! There should be laws against the poor reproducing. Perhaps a tax on children? Or some sort of permit system? Maybe a one child policy, exceptions only for the rich? Or just take away the children of the poor if they're irresponsible enough to have them and not be able to afford them. Give them to rich families so they can be raised properly.

I wonder if there are any examples in history that we could learn from? Surely other enlightened countries have tried something similar?

Comment · 9 years ago

Bingo.

Marriage is a responsibility, but it also provides rights. A system that financially punishes marriage is cruel.