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Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

Early Gen X'er

Late diagnosed Level 1 Autistic

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, found in *The Republic* had a profound impact on me when I first read it. My autistic brain feels like it explains much of the insanity that is human existence

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Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

Mt. Hood, taken near sunrise.

This image features a striking view of a snow-capped mountain, possibly taken during sunrise or sunset. The mountain, which appears to be a prominent peak, dominates the background, while the foreground consists of dark silhouettes of trees and a small town nestled at the mountain’s base.

The sky is dramatic, with golden clouds illuminated by the warm light of the setting or rising sun, contrasting against the cooler, darker tones of the sky and the mountain. The lighting adds depth and a sense of majesty to the scene, highlighting the rugged features of the mountain.

The town below is lit with small lights, adding a sense of scale and human presence without overpowering the natural grandeur of the landscape. The overall composition balances the elements of nature and civilization, creating a picturesque and almost surreal atmosphere.

March 8, 2025 at 12:30 AM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

Wealth flows like a river. The wealthy live at the source, where they divert what they want. Downstream families depend on what’s left. When the upstream hoard, downstream families suffer. Is it freedom to let a few hoard, or is freedom making sure all can survive and with hard work, thrive?

March 5, 2025 at 7:58 PM

Reposted by Mike Miller

Rick

@rickylongthread.bsky.social

February 28, 2025 at 12:02 AM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

"The World". Essentially a floating condo that sales around "the world". June 29th 2012 in San Francisco.

This photo shows a large white cruise ship named “The World” docked at a pier in San Francisco. The vessel dominates most of the frame, viewed from near its bow, with multiple decks and its name clearly visible on the hull. A small group of people stands on the pier in front of the ship, and a few classic lampposts line the walkway. The sky is bright blue with thin, wispy clouds stretching overhead, adding a sense of scale and contrast to the scene.

Launched in 2002, it’s owned collectively by its residents rather than by a single cruise line. Individuals purchase apartments (or suites) on board, effectively turning the ship into a floating luxury community.

It’s around 644 feet (196 meters) long and has about 165 residences. The ship features restaurants, a spa, pools, fitness areas, lounges, and other amenities you’d find in upscale condominiums—just at sea.

Instead of running set cruises like typical passenger lines, “The World” continuously travels the globe. Residents help decide the itinerary each year, and they can stay aboard full-time or come and go as they wish.

February 24, 2025 at 11:38 PM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

Throwback Thursday. Here's a bit of history from the town of The Dalles OR.

In 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, Congress passed the Glass-Steagall Act. The idea was simple: keep Main Street banks from gambling with depositors’ money, something many blamed for the economic free fall.

Throwback Thursday. Here’s an interesting? little bit of history from the nearby town of The Dalles, where I spent my middle school through high school years.

In 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, Congress passed the Glass-Steagall Act as part of a broader banking overhaul. Its goal? To rebuild public trust by drawing a hard line between everyday banking—like checking accounts and loans—and the riskier world of Wall Street investments. The idea was simple: keep Main Street banks from gambling with depositors’ money, something many blamed for the economic free fall.

The United States National Bank of Oregon, like every bank at the time, had to play by these new rules. No more mixing routine banking services with stock market speculation. That’s why the plaque outside their Dalles Branch matters—it marks the July 5, 1933, opening of the first U.S. bank branch operating under Glass-Steagall’s stricter framework. Mounted on a stone pillar, the bronze plaque stands on a quiet street lined with older buildings—a subtle reminder of a milestone reached during an era of financial panic. Behind it, you can see The Dalles’ small-town charm: weathered facades, parked pickup trucks, and a street that’s seen nearly a century of change since that day.

But the walls started cracking decades later. By the 1980s, regulators began letting banks dip their toes into securities trading, blurring the line Glass-Steagall had carved. These shifts set the stage for the law’s full repeal in 1999 under the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act. Gone were the rules blocking mergers between commercial banks, investment firms, and insurance giants—the very safeguards meant to curb reckless risk-taking and conflicts of interest. What began as Depression-era armor against financial disasters lives on as a debate in economics textbooks.

February 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

"The Edge", my first "Breathes with Gills" album is widely available today. It features eleven previously released tracks including "Time Unwinds", the latest single and one new track, "Mostly for Show"

open.spotify.com/album/7k1jbk...

The Edge

Breathes With Gills · Album · 2025 · 12 songs

open.spotify.com

February 14, 2025 at 1:43 PM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

Pier 27, San Francisco California. February 4th 2024.

This photo shows a rainy day scene viewed through a window covered in raindrops. The droplets are scattered across the glass, varying in size, and create a textured, distorted view of the outside. In the blurred background, you can see a large multi-level building, possibly a cruise ship terminal or a similar structure, along with several parked cars. The wet pavement reflects the overcast sky, adding to the gloomy atmosphere.

February 13, 2025 at 1:20 PM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

AI's with Ph.D levels of ability are essentially here now.

I hope this doesn't scare anyone. Frankly I'm much more afraid of human stupidity than I am of machine Intelligence.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apvc...

DeepSeek R1 GAVE ITSELF a 200% Speed Boost - Self-Evolving LLM

YouTube video by Matthew Berman

www.youtube.com

February 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

This "call box" caught my eye recently when I was walking to the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Neither side is still in service.

The Police side shows the iconic "pyramid" that what was the Transamerica Corporation HQ until 2018. It's currently in the midst of a major internal renovation.

The image shows a vintage-style **police telephone box** mounted on a red pole. The box is painted blue and red and is labeled **"Police Telephone"** and **"Department of Electricity"** on the front. It is located on a sidewalk in an urban setting, with palm trees, buildings, and the **Transamerica Pyramid** visible in the background. A green bike lane runs parallel to the sidewalk, and the surrounding infrastructure, like the blue streetlight pole, reflects a classic city aesthetic. The scene is likely in San Francisco, given the architecture and the Transamerica Pyramid.

February 4, 2025 at 2:21 PM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

Golden Doodle, her name is Marley.

I don't recall what had her so excited. Most likely somebody walking by, possibly with a dog. She has to announce her presence to anyone nearby and loves to say hello in the most high energy and vocal way possible, even though she is four plus years old.

The image shows a light-colored, curly-haired dog standing on its hind legs while looking out of a window. The dog is wearing a green collar and appears engaged, possibly watching something outside. The scene is indoors, featuring a wooden floor, a dining table with chairs, and a well-lit window allowing sunlight to brighten the room. The dog's stance suggests curiosity or excitement about what it sees outside.

Her name is Marley, she is a Golden Doodle.

February 3, 2025 at 11:52 AM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

Doodle Dogs are awesome. Watertown, New York, 28 January 2021.

The image shows a cozy domestic scene featuring a person relaxing, wearing blue jeans and brown shoes, with their legs outstretched. Resting against their legs is a fluffy, light-colored dog, likely a Goldendoodle or a similar breed. The dog is holding a pink and white braided rope toy in its mouth, looking directly at the camera with an endearing expression. The background includes wooden furniture, a coffee table, and a neutral-toned carpet, contributing to the warm and homely atmosphere.

January 31, 2025 at 12:41 PM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

Near The "Race Track" in Death Valley, Christmas 2015. The note on the door reads "GUSTY WINDS PLEASE LATCH DOOR". At the time this was the only place to relieve one's self. I believe it has since been removed.

If you are wondering what it smelled like, the answer is very bad.

This photo shows a beige-colored, single-unit portable toilet standing in a desert environment. It’s made of molded plastic, with the door partially open and ventilation holes near the top. The surrounding landscape is dry, with small desert shrubs and rocky terrain, and you can see low mountains in the background under a clear, blue sky.

January 30, 2025 at 12:34 PM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

Lyle, Washington. 10 March 2024

A close-up, ground-level view showing a curly-haired dog’s front legs standing over a small purple wildflower. The dog’s body is mostly out of frame, with only its legs visible. The flower stands upright amidst low green moss, creating a striking contrast between the vibrant purple petals and the neutral tones of the dog’s fur and the muted background.

January 29, 2025 at 12:36 PM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

Watertown, New York 04 April 2021.

This image shows the side of a light-colored building with horizontal siding. In the foreground, two distinct shadows are cast on the wall: on the left, a person (likely holding a camera or phone) and on the right, a small dog-like silhouette. The branches of a nearby tree also create a dappled pattern of shadows above the two figures. The ground beneath the wall is covered with leaves and grass.

January 28, 2025 at 10:56 AM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

Wow. Very interesting.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ad...

DeepSeek R1 - The Chinese AI "Side Project" That Shocked the Entire Industry!

YouTube video by Matthew Berman

www.youtube.com

January 27, 2025 at 5:47 PM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

‎⁨Sletten⁩, ⁨Minnesota⁩, ⁨United States⁩, 28 June 2015

This image depicts a black-and-white rural scene with a small church featuring a prominent steeple on the left side of the frame. The church is surrounded by open fields, with a few scattered gravestones visible nearby, suggesting a cemetery adjacent to the church. A tree stands beside the church, adding a touch of natural contrast. On the right side, a road extends into the distance, lined with telephone poles, emphasizing the rural and tranquil atmosphere. The sky is filled with large, fluffy clouds, enhancing the sense of openness and simplicity in the scene.

January 27, 2025 at 1:42 AM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

‎⁨Point Reyes National Seashore⁩, ⁨Inverness⁩, ⁨California⁩, ⁨United States⁩, 12 March 2011.

A coastal scene where the main focus is a pale yellow ice plant flower (a succulent often found near beaches). Its fleshy, green-and-reddish leaves spread across sandy dunes, and you can see wispy dune grasses in the foreground. The background is soft and out of focus, showing more sand and a hazy horizon, suggesting the ocean just beyond the dunes. The overall feel is bright, with a clear blue sky overhead.

January 25, 2025 at 10:21 AM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

Shameless self promotion.

open.spotify.com/playlist/4HH...

This Is Breathes with Gills

Playlist · Mike Miller · 15 items · 1 saves

open.spotify.com

January 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM

Mike Miller

@emkey1.bsky.social

Sabine Hossenfelder's take on AI is mostly correct in my opinion, though there are open source models that are fairly comparable to the best of the closed models. Deepseek R1 at the moment. Deepseek is Chinese, which is interesting based on what she has to say.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNJE...