Reposted by Prufrax
Thank goodness all of my investments are in the totally stable stock market, which never goes in any direction but up, and is absolutely not currently incredibly inflated by an AI bubble or anything
NEW: Cryptocurrencies have lost >$1 TRILLION in market value since Oct. 6.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Crypto World Wipes Out $1 Trillion as Bitcoin Plunges Anew
The great crypto crash of 2025 entered a new phase on Wednesday, as Bitcoin plunged to its lowest level in seven months, extending the more than $1 trillion wipeout across the digital‑asset world.
www.bloomberg.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Thank goodness all of my investments are in the totally stable stock market, which never goes in any direction but up, and is absolutely not currently incredibly inflated by an AI bubble or anything
Reposted by Prufrax
Business are willing to accept broken code if it means they don't have to pay humans anymore
#AmWorking
Big businesses: "We do n% of our code with AI now"
Me: BUT IT DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE! YOU BROKE IT! YOU COMPLETELY RUINED IT!
Had this TWICE today with two different kinds of big business software product and I am ready to throw things.
Big businesses: "We do n% of our code with AI now"
Me: BUT IT DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE! YOU BROKE IT! YOU COMPLETELY RUINED IT!
Had this TWICE today with two different kinds of big business software product and I am ready to throw things.
November 19, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Business are willing to accept broken code if it means they don't have to pay humans anymore
Reposted by Prufrax
This is an excellent story. We got similar pitches from the same writer at Defector and if they had not been entirely generated by someone plugging prompts into The Fabulism Device they really would've been cool.
A few months ago @thelocal.to got a promising pitch from a writer with bylines in whole bunch of reputable publications—The Cut, The Guardian, Dwell, Architectural Digest, etc. Then I started investigating. Here's a story about fabulists in journalism's AI slop era. thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 19, 2025 at 4:23 PM
This is an excellent story. We got similar pitches from the same writer at Defector and if they had not been entirely generated by someone plugging prompts into The Fabulism Device they really would've been cool.
Reposted by Prufrax
Another woman killed by an abortion ban.
NEW:
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas.
Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Another woman killed by an abortion ban.
Reposted by Prufrax
"Microsoft warns that Windows 11's agentic AI could install malware on your PC: 'Only enable this feature if you understand the security implications.'"
bro what--
what are we doing here, exactly, how can you--anyone be okay with this?
bro what--
what are we doing here, exactly, how can you--anyone be okay with this?
November 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
"Microsoft warns that Windows 11's agentic AI could install malware on your PC: 'Only enable this feature if you understand the security implications.'"
bro what--
what are we doing here, exactly, how can you--anyone be okay with this?
bro what--
what are we doing here, exactly, how can you--anyone be okay with this?
Reposted by Prufrax
i dunno man it sure does seem like all these global core internet backbone services outages coming in the wake of major layoffs and public announcements of shifting to AI for development work is something that feels like could be related
November 18, 2025 at 9:29 PM
i dunno man it sure does seem like all these global core internet backbone services outages coming in the wake of major layoffs and public announcements of shifting to AI for development work is something that feels like could be related
Reposted by Prufrax
Whomst among us hasn't felt a little vacuum about snackie all done
November 18, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Whomst among us hasn't felt a little vacuum about snackie all done
Reposted by Prufrax
Identity thieves the world over: "It's a Christmas miracle!!!"
TurboTax is about to be integrated into ChatGPT, where customers will be guided through tasks tied to their tax filings or financial profile by the AI chatbot.
TurboTax owner Intuit is also paying OpenAI more than $100 million a year to power AI agents.
TurboTax owner Intuit is also paying OpenAI more than $100 million a year to power AI agents.
November 18, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Identity thieves the world over: "It's a Christmas miracle!!!"
Reposted by Prufrax
During the last days of the dotcom bubble, we arrived at a weird place where companies saw a bump in share price just for putting ".com" at the end of their name, or referring to a website in a press release.
Even if such things were nonsensical.
Just putting that out there.
Even if such things were nonsensical.
Just putting that out there.
I don’t want to seem out of touch but I don’t actually understand the economy anymore.
November 18, 2025 at 9:53 AM
During the last days of the dotcom bubble, we arrived at a weird place where companies saw a bump in share price just for putting ".com" at the end of their name, or referring to a website in a press release.
Even if such things were nonsensical.
Just putting that out there.
Even if such things were nonsensical.
Just putting that out there.
Reposted by Prufrax
Just a reminder that Eastercon memberships go up on December 1st, 2025. Today is a good day to get a membership.
Current membership rates
Adult Attending (18+) - £80
Low Income Attending (18+) - £50
Child/Teen (7-17) - £20
Infant (0-6) - Free
Apocryphal - £2
Supporting - £40
Current membership rates
Adult Attending (18+) - £80
Low Income Attending (18+) - £50
Child/Teen (7-17) - £20
Infant (0-6) - Free
Apocryphal - £2
Supporting - £40
November 18, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Just a reminder that Eastercon memberships go up on December 1st, 2025. Today is a good day to get a membership.
Current membership rates
Adult Attending (18+) - £80
Low Income Attending (18+) - £50
Child/Teen (7-17) - £20
Infant (0-6) - Free
Apocryphal - £2
Supporting - £40
Current membership rates
Adult Attending (18+) - £80
Low Income Attending (18+) - £50
Child/Teen (7-17) - £20
Infant (0-6) - Free
Apocryphal - £2
Supporting - £40
Reposted by Prufrax
BBC News: "the government believe refugees are deliberately bringing their children to avoid deportation"
As opposed to doing what with their children??
As opposed to doing what with their children??
November 17, 2025 at 10:11 PM
BBC News: "the government believe refugees are deliberately bringing their children to avoid deportation"
As opposed to doing what with their children??
As opposed to doing what with their children??
Reposted by Prufrax
they call it a hex editor bc you are casting little spells on the computer
September 27, 2025 at 12:12 PM
they call it a hex editor bc you are casting little spells on the computer
Reposted by Prufrax
I think the reason romantasy is dwarfing sales of fantasy & sci-fi is that it's a subset of romance.
And romance is the biggest, most profitable category in literature.
Romantasy allowed romance readers, who read very widely, to take cross-genre romance mainstream & it's reaping the rewards.
And romance is the biggest, most profitable category in literature.
Romantasy allowed romance readers, who read very widely, to take cross-genre romance mainstream & it's reaping the rewards.
November 17, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I think the reason romantasy is dwarfing sales of fantasy & sci-fi is that it's a subset of romance.
And romance is the biggest, most profitable category in literature.
Romantasy allowed romance readers, who read very widely, to take cross-genre romance mainstream & it's reaping the rewards.
And romance is the biggest, most profitable category in literature.
Romantasy allowed romance readers, who read very widely, to take cross-genre romance mainstream & it's reaping the rewards.
Reposted by Prufrax
This piece was greenlit and then killed by a British newspaper, so I’ve decided to publish myself instead.
Trans People Deserve Better.
"Gender critical" feminism doesn't help women but it does help the far right
open.substack.com/pub/wellread...
Trans People Deserve Better.
"Gender critical" feminism doesn't help women but it does help the far right
open.substack.com/pub/wellread...
Trans People Deserve Better
"Gender critical" feminism doesn't help women but it does help the far right
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:36 AM
This piece was greenlit and then killed by a British newspaper, so I’ve decided to publish myself instead.
Trans People Deserve Better.
"Gender critical" feminism doesn't help women but it does help the far right
open.substack.com/pub/wellread...
Trans People Deserve Better.
"Gender critical" feminism doesn't help women but it does help the far right
open.substack.com/pub/wellread...
Reposted by Prufrax
this is a really good point
Refugees have often smuggled valuables so that they aren’t completely destitute on arrival at their destination. Sewing coins or jewelry into clothing as a nest egg for starting a new life. This is deliberate impoverishment followed by complaints about dependence on state resources.
November 17, 2025 at 12:33 PM
this is a really good point
Reposted by Prufrax
The deadline for applications to the art show has been moved to 31st December 2025 due to high levels of interest.
The Art Show is a highlight of the convention, offering members the chance to showcase their creativity and share their work with the community.
The Art Show is a highlight of the convention, offering members the chance to showcase their creativity and share their work with the community.
November 17, 2025 at 12:51 PM
The deadline for applications to the art show has been moved to 31st December 2025 due to high levels of interest.
The Art Show is a highlight of the convention, offering members the chance to showcase their creativity and share their work with the community.
The Art Show is a highlight of the convention, offering members the chance to showcase their creativity and share their work with the community.
Reposted by Prufrax
Kinda wondering if the steam boxes release and are popular enough, if that would help popularize linux use/releases a bit more after how rancid Microsoft/windows is these days
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Kinda wondering if the steam boxes release and are popular enough, if that would help popularize linux use/releases a bit more after how rancid Microsoft/windows is these days
Reposted by Prufrax
I feel sick reading Labour’s asylum policy. They’re setting fire to their base and the scum they’re pandering to despise them regardless.
It’s simple. Process and let asylum seekers work and pay tax.
It’s indefensible despicable shit.
I’m fucking disgusted by them.
It’s simple. Process and let asylum seekers work and pay tax.
It’s indefensible despicable shit.
I’m fucking disgusted by them.
November 17, 2025 at 10:42 AM
I feel sick reading Labour’s asylum policy. They’re setting fire to their base and the scum they’re pandering to despise them regardless.
It’s simple. Process and let asylum seekers work and pay tax.
It’s indefensible despicable shit.
I’m fucking disgusted by them.
It’s simple. Process and let asylum seekers work and pay tax.
It’s indefensible despicable shit.
I’m fucking disgusted by them.
Reposted by Prufrax
So this looks interesting - magnetic-based position trackers for VR full body tracking. They are about to kickstart the first manufacturing run it seems... www.fluxpose.com #vr #vrchat #cluster
FluxPose | VR tracking system
FluxPose is an occlusion-free 6DOF tracking system for FBT, robotics, DIY and more.
FluxPose offers occlusion-free, low-latency, and precision tracking at a fraction of current costs.
www.fluxpose.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:29 PM
So this looks interesting - magnetic-based position trackers for VR full body tracking. They are about to kickstart the first manufacturing run it seems... www.fluxpose.com #vr #vrchat #cluster
Reposted by Prufrax
The only fic, to my knowledge, ever inspired by a tweet of mine. It includes a phrase I would be proud to have written: “A man who does not love naked hot sauerkraut wrestling truly cannot be said to love our country.”
NB-
This is a reference to a simpler time (apparently 7:10 PM · Jul 2, 2021) . Fic thoughtfully bearing witness is archiveofourown.org/works/33342418
This is a reference to a simpler time (apparently 7:10 PM · Jul 2, 2021) . Fic thoughtfully bearing witness is archiveofourown.org/works/33342418
![Screenshot in intro to a fic (citation above)of two tweets [The link for the first one no longer works]:
Once upon a time, Ursula Vernon a.k.a. T. Kingfisher tweeted these two tweets in response to a troll:
https://twitter.com/UrsulaV/status/1411096126657335303
FATHER? WHY DO YOU LOOK SO FORLORN? HAS THE PIG GOTTEN INTO THE VODKA AGAIN?
WHAT? MOTHER? MOTHER HAS DIED?!
WHAT DO YOU MEAN, "CABBAGE POISONING?!"
https://twitter.com/UrsulaV/status/1411100077079339023
NO, FATHER. PUT DOWN THE AXE. PUT IT DOWN, I SAY! WE SHALL BURY MOTHER AMONG THE CABBAGES.
...VERY WELL, WE SHALL BURY HER WHERE THE CABBAGES WOULD BE IF THE TSAR'S MEN HAD NOT TAKEN THEM ALL FOR THEIR INDECENT HOT SAUERKRAUT WRESTLING RING.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:i33m3atdwnpjjocc2spipqex/bafkreicosl3pqxufuxkfufqrqhwg6wtm6pg6rv2e7ou3jrhmlfi2gk6ft4@jpeg)
November 15, 2025 at 8:17 PM
The only fic, to my knowledge, ever inspired by a tweet of mine. It includes a phrase I would be proud to have written: “A man who does not love naked hot sauerkraut wrestling truly cannot be said to love our country.”
Reposted by Prufrax
There's a shawarma restaurant chain in Canada that markets via well-produced YT / TikTok shorts. Their running gag is that if you put ketchup on the shawarma, their guy is going to hunt you down and take you out. I keep wondering when they're going to get dinged by a platform's moderation.
November 15, 2025 at 6:09 PM
There's a shawarma restaurant chain in Canada that markets via well-produced YT / TikTok shorts. Their running gag is that if you put ketchup on the shawarma, their guy is going to hunt you down and take you out. I keep wondering when they're going to get dinged by a platform's moderation.
Reposted by Prufrax
Yikes. Banning people for activities such as co-authorship and advising a graduate student is completely unreasonable in a modern research environment. And a retroactive 5 year ban is wildly unfair.
November 15, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Yikes. Banning people for activities such as co-authorship and advising a graduate student is completely unreasonable in a modern research environment. And a retroactive 5 year ban is wildly unfair.
Reposted by Prufrax
What is truly pathetic about Labour is that this is all they have got. They have failed so spectacularly already, despite a whacking great majority, to even attempt to govern positively that all they have is punching down on marginalised groups and saying "oh but Reform will be worse".
November 15, 2025 at 7:48 AM
What is truly pathetic about Labour is that this is all they have got. They have failed so spectacularly already, despite a whacking great majority, to even attempt to govern positively that all they have is punching down on marginalised groups and saying "oh but Reform will be worse".
