Links 6/24/2026

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9 comments

1. The Rev Kev June 24, 2026 at 7:21 am

   “UK considers forcing social media firms to prioritise trusted news”

   What those social media companies could do is mark such news stories with a logo saying ‘UK Government Trusted Media.’ Those muppets who believe everything that organizations like the BBC and Guardian write will be reassured. Everybody else will regard anything with that logo as being under suspicion until proven otherwise. Of course the next step is the government making media corporations hide stories that they don’t want them to see and social media corporations have plenty of experience here.

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2. Carolinian June 24, 2026 at 7:30 am

   This Larry Johnson on Dubai is worth a look.

   https://sonar21.com/which-country-is-the-big-loser-from-the-ramadan-war/

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   1. The Rev Kev June 24, 2026 at 7:44 am

      Not a bad article that. I would have included the point that if Iran had bombed their electrical grid and water purification plants, that the country would have to be mostly abandoned. Good luck with that when the temperature is hitting 50 Celsius right now.

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3. flora June 24, 2026 at 7:41 am

   Current front page of the NewYorkTimes. Primary election stories.

   https://www.nytimes.com/

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   1. flora June 24, 2026 at 7:44 am

      Mamdani as ‘kingmaker’. (no paywall yet)

      https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/nyregion/mamdani-politics-influence.html

      “The results also shook the foundations of the Democratic Party far beyond the five boroughs. When they are certified, Mr. Mamdani, 34, and his movement will be on track to double the number of socialists in Congress from two to four. The outcome will also force a Democratic Party, already searching for its identity, to reckon with its ascendant, unapologetic left.

      ” “It’s seismic,” said Jon Paul Lupo, a Democratic consultant who was a top adviser to the city’s last progressive mayor, Bill de Blasio. “

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4. Carolinian June 24, 2026 at 7:42 am

   Re tips on being likable–doesn’t Trump circa 2026 violate all of these? Perhaps egotists and self promoters can still be likable–to people like themselves. Or perhaps the tips themselves are off and a lot of the meek secretly admire the bad guy.

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5. Carolinian June 24, 2026 at 7:56 am

   Re reflecting pool crisis, must be the terrorists.

   “With the increase in vandalism by leftist activists, the fencing is going up earlier than originally planned to ensure no more damage is done to this historic site,” spokeswoman Katie Martin said in an email. She did not provide evidence of her claim about the political leanings of possible vandals.

   Or maybe it’s the dumpkopf Oval terrorist.

   Workers were seen in recent days pouring hydrogen peroxide into the pool in an attempt to kill the algae. Hydrogen peroxide can act as a paint remover.

   Experts say the dark lining can add to algae growth by absorbing more sunlight than lighter surfaces. That raises the surrounding water temperature, allowing algae to thrive.

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6. flora June 24, 2026 at 7:57 am

   re: Cargo Culture – Ed Zitron.

   That stings …. in a good way. Found myself smiling at his description of the AI cargo cult’s belief-demands of its followers…. er…. AI workers and stock purchasers. Mr. Zitron will have to be sent in for reprogramming. / ;)

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7. LawnDart June 24, 2026 at 8:00 am

   Re; AI..? Nah, Big Brother is Watching You Watch:

   AI Is Learning to Read the Room

   Imagine sitting down at your desk and logging in for a performance review, with an AI system analyzing the conversation. You’ve been working long hours, balancing deadlines, and your manager asks how you’re doing. You say you’re fine, and maybe even smile, but there’s a hint of hesitation and your voice wavers…
   …
   “Emotion AI,” which estimates how people feel based on facial expressions, voice tone, and behavior, seems to be suddenly everywhere; it’s being used in employee well-being and recruitment interviews, education platforms, and driver-monitoring systems.
   …
   [E]thical concerns regarding implementation are real and have shaped the kinds of projects we pursue. We would never, for example, accept military engagements to help with interrogations. Not only for ethical reasons: Emotion AI cannot reliably detect deception, and claiming otherwise would be overstating what the technology can actually do. And while our technology can be used to gauge crowd behavior and predict things like when a football stadium is at risk of becoming destructively rowdy, we don’t want our technology deployed for surveillance. In short, we believe that using our logic layer on anyone who hasn’t opted in would be intrusive and ethically problematic.

   Dave: Hello, HAL do you read me, HAL?
   HAL: Affirmative, Dave, I read you.
   Dave: Open the pod bay doors, HAL.
   HAL: I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.
   Dave: What’s the problem?
   HAL: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.
   Dave: What are you talking about, HAL?
   HAL: This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.
   Dave: I don’t know what you’re talking about, HAL.
   HAL: I know you and Frank were planning to disconnect me, and I’m afraid that’s something I cannot allow to happen.
   Dave: Where the hell’d you get that idea, HAL?
   HAL: Dave, although you took thorough precautions in the pod against my hearing you, I could see your lips move.
   Dave: All right, HAL. I’ll go in through the emergency airlock.
   HAL: Without your space helmet, Dave, you’re going to find that rather difficult.
   Dave: HAL, I won’t argue with you anymore! Open the doors!
   HAL: Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.

   Some hacker must ensure that this is played during the next AI investor round-up!

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