Robert Andrew Lentz
@ralentz.bsky.social
Facilitator. Mostly Harmless. Irreverent bastard. Survivor. Shepherd and Cassandra. Midwestern son. RIP USENET, the best discussion platform (and clients).
One of those nights I am very proud to be from the Midwest with the core values I learned of being principled and fair.
Stacking the deck is wrong, it is a form of cheating.
Everyone deserves their fair say, that is for what our veterans have fought, and too many died.
Stacking the deck is wrong, it is a form of cheating.
Everyone deserves their fair say, that is for what our veterans have fought, and too many died.
December 12, 2025 at 1:00 AM
One of those nights I am very proud to be from the Midwest with the core values I learned of being principled and fair.
Stacking the deck is wrong, it is a form of cheating.
Everyone deserves their fair say, that is for what our veterans have fought, and too many died.
Stacking the deck is wrong, it is a form of cheating.
Everyone deserves their fair say, that is for what our veterans have fought, and too many died.
Reposted by Robert Andrew Lentz
If a human told you things that were correct 80% of the time but claimed, flat out, with absolute confidence, that they were correct 100% of the time, you would dislike them & never trust a word they say. All I'm really suggesting is for people to treat chatbots with that same distrust & antagonism.
June 19, 2025 at 4:05 PM
If a human told you things that were correct 80% of the time but claimed, flat out, with absolute confidence, that they were correct 100% of the time, you would dislike them & never trust a word they say. All I'm really suggesting is for people to treat chatbots with that same distrust & antagonism.
Moyers on Democracy
Bill Moyers on America “Here in the first decade of t…
www.goodreads.com
June 27, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Your New Glenn launch is now 10 stops away...
See where your New Glenn launch is:
www.blueorigin.com/missions/ng-1
See where your New Glenn launch is:
www.blueorigin.com/missions/ng-1
New Glenn Mission NG-1 | Blue Origin
New Glenn will launch for the first time from LC-36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
www.blueorigin.com
January 13, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Your New Glenn launch is now 10 stops away...
See where your New Glenn launch is:
www.blueorigin.com/missions/ng-1
See where your New Glenn launch is:
www.blueorigin.com/missions/ng-1
A simmering, multi-decade rebellion finally and suddenly topples a key Iranian proxy in the same year that the U.S. and Israel come into open direct and in-direct conflict with Iran...
I'm looking forward to what later comes out about how this was engineered by the U.S. and Israeli governments.
I'm looking forward to what later comes out about how this was engineered by the U.S. and Israeli governments.
December 9, 2024 at 3:15 AM
A simmering, multi-decade rebellion finally and suddenly topples a key Iranian proxy in the same year that the U.S. and Israel come into open direct and in-direct conflict with Iran...
I'm looking forward to what later comes out about how this was engineered by the U.S. and Israeli governments.
I'm looking forward to what later comes out about how this was engineered by the U.S. and Israeli governments.
Busy day for the Onion:
The Onion just announced that they are the secret dark money funder behind the Trump campaign.
The Onion just announced that they are the secret dark money funder behind the Trump campaign.
November 14, 2024 at 3:56 PM
Busy day for the Onion:
The Onion just announced that they are the secret dark money funder behind the Trump campaign.
The Onion just announced that they are the secret dark money funder behind the Trump campaign.
The only way the Matt Gaetz appt. makes true sense (beyond having blackmail material on him with which to control him) is that it makes Speaker Mike Johnson's management of the House much easier. (Gaetz brought the motion to vacate that toppled McCarthy and been difficult since)
November 13, 2024 at 9:45 PM
The only way the Matt Gaetz appt. makes true sense (beyond having blackmail material on him with which to control him) is that it makes Speaker Mike Johnson's management of the House much easier. (Gaetz brought the motion to vacate that toppled McCarthy and been difficult since)
Try telling me that Marvel doesn't purchase the services of Twitter bot armies:
A mere 12 minutes after posting it already has over 1300 re-tweets and 5600 likes on 88,000 views. So many people must have been waiting with baited breath and mashing refresh.
A mere 12 minutes after posting it already has over 1300 re-tweets and 5600 likes on 88,000 views. So many people must have been waiting with baited breath and mashing refresh.
November 9, 2024 at 11:10 PM
Try telling me that Marvel doesn't purchase the services of Twitter bot armies:
A mere 12 minutes after posting it already has over 1300 re-tweets and 5600 likes on 88,000 views. So many people must have been waiting with baited breath and mashing refresh.
A mere 12 minutes after posting it already has over 1300 re-tweets and 5600 likes on 88,000 views. So many people must have been waiting with baited breath and mashing refresh.
Given the way things are trending at the moment, including the Senate race in Ohio:
Election after election it seems that Republicans' internal polling apparatus has a better picture of the electorate than everyone else. I keep wondering how... #Election2024
Election after election it seems that Republicans' internal polling apparatus has a better picture of the electorate than everyone else. I keep wondering how... #Election2024
November 6, 2024 at 4:15 AM
Given the way things are trending at the moment, including the Senate race in Ohio:
Election after election it seems that Republicans' internal polling apparatus has a better picture of the electorate than everyone else. I keep wondering how... #Election2024
Election after election it seems that Republicans' internal polling apparatus has a better picture of the electorate than everyone else. I keep wondering how... #Election2024
If Trump wins and the Republicans have control of both chambers of Congress as well, I guarantee you that Republicans will do away with the filibuster because Trump will get tired of not getting his bills passed. (Vance will also cheer on the move.)
November 6, 2024 at 3:50 AM
If Trump wins and the Republicans have control of both chambers of Congress as well, I guarantee you that Republicans will do away with the filibuster because Trump will get tired of not getting his bills passed. (Vance will also cheer on the move.)
My father had expected a surge for Harris, particularly with women. I pointed out that we had not seen (reported) any notable surge by women voting early (in person or requesting mail-in ballot). Also that likely such a surge would show up in at least some of the polling.
November 6, 2024 at 3:23 AM
My father had expected a surge for Harris, particularly with women. I pointed out that we had not seen (reported) any notable surge by women voting early (in person or requesting mail-in ballot). Also that likely such a surge would show up in at least some of the polling.
Interesting business decision coming up for Apple:
Will next week's Macs, and the iPad Mini 7, be part of their Black Friday program?
In past years Apple has often excluded newly released products, but this year that would leave out a good portion of their (low-end) line up.
Will next week's Macs, and the iPad Mini 7, be part of their Black Friday program?
In past years Apple has often excluded newly released products, but this year that would leave out a good portion of their (low-end) line up.
October 24, 2024 at 8:44 PM
Interesting business decision coming up for Apple:
Will next week's Macs, and the iPad Mini 7, be part of their Black Friday program?
In past years Apple has often excluded newly released products, but this year that would leave out a good portion of their (low-end) line up.
Will next week's Macs, and the iPad Mini 7, be part of their Black Friday program?
In past years Apple has often excluded newly released products, but this year that would leave out a good portion of their (low-end) line up.
Vice President Harris' handling of the questions on tonight's CNN Town Hall reminded me of 'Prevent Defense' in a football game: trying not to do anything to case a loss but also not really trying to score.
October 24, 2024 at 2:51 AM
Vice President Harris' handling of the questions on tonight's CNN Town Hall reminded me of 'Prevent Defense' in a football game: trying not to do anything to case a loss but also not really trying to score.
"Turns out that LLM summaries are actually useful.
Not for *summarizing* text -- they're horrible for that. They're weighted statistical models and by their very nature they'll drop the least common or most unusual bits of things. Y'know, the parts of a message that are actually important.
(1/3)
Not for *summarizing* text -- they're horrible for that. They're weighted statistical models and by their very nature they'll drop the least common or most unusual bits of things. Y'know, the parts of a message that are actually important.
(1/3)
October 24, 2024 at 2:47 AM
"Turns out that LLM summaries are actually useful.
Not for *summarizing* text -- they're horrible for that. They're weighted statistical models and by their very nature they'll drop the least common or most unusual bits of things. Y'know, the parts of a message that are actually important.
(1/3)
Not for *summarizing* text -- they're horrible for that. They're weighted statistical models and by their very nature they'll drop the least common or most unusual bits of things. Y'know, the parts of a message that are actually important.
(1/3)
Given how often a certain party’s candidates express concern over a fair election, if Musk’s efforts to effectively buy votes is found to be illegal, those candidates should put their money where their mouth is and step down if they win having the support of Musk’s illegal efforts.
October 22, 2024 at 5:24 PM
Given how often a certain party’s candidates express concern over a fair election, if Musk’s efforts to effectively buy votes is found to be illegal, those candidates should put their money where their mouth is and step down if they win having the support of Musk’s illegal efforts.
We can’t compare Harris’ standing to the 2020 election. Yes, Biden won, but that was with the ‘tailwind’ of Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Without the pandemic Biden would have lost. (Which makes invalid all the claims that 'only Biden can beat Trump'.)
October 22, 2024 at 5:20 PM
We can’t compare Harris’ standing to the 2020 election. Yes, Biden won, but that was with the ‘tailwind’ of Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Without the pandemic Biden would have lost. (Which makes invalid all the claims that 'only Biden can beat Trump'.)
How to say that you don’t have confidence in your candidate to overcome obstacles and perform well (as with hostile world leader):
A fund-raising email sent to supporters and signed by Vance said the VP debate on CBS, "will be no different" than the "rigged" presidential debate
A fund-raising email sent to supporters and signed by Vance said the VP debate on CBS, "will be no different" than the "rigged" presidential debate
September 27, 2024 at 8:59 PM
How to say that you don’t have confidence in your candidate to overcome obstacles and perform well (as with hostile world leader):
A fund-raising email sent to supporters and signed by Vance said the VP debate on CBS, "will be no different" than the "rigged" presidential debate
A fund-raising email sent to supporters and signed by Vance said the VP debate on CBS, "will be no different" than the "rigged" presidential debate
Regarding posting of the 'JD Vance dossier':
To me there is the issue that this is criminally sourced material. While there is a place for 'civil disobedience' (eg some feel Boston Tea Party was appropriate), there is no indication here yet that the material warrants ignoring the criminal sourcing.
To me there is the issue that this is criminally sourced material. While there is a place for 'civil disobedience' (eg some feel Boston Tea Party was appropriate), there is no indication here yet that the material warrants ignoring the criminal sourcing.
September 26, 2024 at 7:55 PM
Regarding posting of the 'JD Vance dossier':
To me there is the issue that this is criminally sourced material. While there is a place for 'civil disobedience' (eg some feel Boston Tea Party was appropriate), there is no indication here yet that the material warrants ignoring the criminal sourcing.
To me there is the issue that this is criminally sourced material. While there is a place for 'civil disobedience' (eg some feel Boston Tea Party was appropriate), there is no indication here yet that the material warrants ignoring the criminal sourcing.
I'm from Ohio, and I do not endorse Bernie Moreno's message on women's healthcare:
"It’s a little crazy by the way, but — especially for women that are like past 50 — I’m thinking to myself, ‘I don’t think that’s an issue for you.”
"It’s a little crazy by the way, but — especially for women that are like past 50 — I’m thinking to myself, ‘I don’t think that’s an issue for you.”
September 24, 2024 at 4:26 AM
I'm from Ohio, and I do not endorse Bernie Moreno's message on women's healthcare:
"It’s a little crazy by the way, but — especially for women that are like past 50 — I’m thinking to myself, ‘I don’t think that’s an issue for you.”
"It’s a little crazy by the way, but — especially for women that are like past 50 — I’m thinking to myself, ‘I don’t think that’s an issue for you.”
About the latest from Nate Silver:
Don't give in to others’ clickbait presentation, Harris did not take the lead.
Nate Silver: "the streams have crossed for the 3rd time in the campaign, though that sort of thing will happen a lot when you’re near 50/50. It's a toss-up."
x.com/NateSilver53...
Don't give in to others’ clickbait presentation, Harris did not take the lead.
Nate Silver: "the streams have crossed for the 3rd time in the campaign, though that sort of thing will happen a lot when you’re near 50/50. It's a toss-up."
x.com/NateSilver53...
x.com
x.com
September 20, 2024 at 5:48 PM
About the latest from Nate Silver:
Don't give in to others’ clickbait presentation, Harris did not take the lead.
Nate Silver: "the streams have crossed for the 3rd time in the campaign, though that sort of thing will happen a lot when you’re near 50/50. It's a toss-up."
x.com/NateSilver53...
Don't give in to others’ clickbait presentation, Harris did not take the lead.
Nate Silver: "the streams have crossed for the 3rd time in the campaign, though that sort of thing will happen a lot when you’re near 50/50. It's a toss-up."
x.com/NateSilver53...
The wheels of government turn ever so slowly:
Secret Service is still seeking more resources and personnel due to the first attempt on former President Trump.
Sept. 5 letter to Senate Leaders asked for “tools, resources and personnel” to “execute our mission going forward.” (1/2)
Secret Service is still seeking more resources and personnel due to the first attempt on former President Trump.
Sept. 5 letter to Senate Leaders asked for “tools, resources and personnel” to “execute our mission going forward.” (1/2)
September 16, 2024 at 7:00 PM
The wheels of government turn ever so slowly:
Secret Service is still seeking more resources and personnel due to the first attempt on former President Trump.
Sept. 5 letter to Senate Leaders asked for “tools, resources and personnel” to “execute our mission going forward.” (1/2)
Secret Service is still seeking more resources and personnel due to the first attempt on former President Trump.
Sept. 5 letter to Senate Leaders asked for “tools, resources and personnel” to “execute our mission going forward.” (1/2)
Former President Trump already under performed on fund raising in August. Will be interesting to see how much the money flow dries up after the rough month of his rhetoric, Arlington National Cemetery, and now the debate.
I predict Trump will raise less than $80 million in Sept, a notable shortfall
I predict Trump will raise less than $80 million in Sept, a notable shortfall
September 13, 2024 at 7:21 PM
Former President Trump already under performed on fund raising in August. Will be interesting to see how much the money flow dries up after the rough month of his rhetoric, Arlington National Cemetery, and now the debate.
I predict Trump will raise less than $80 million in Sept, a notable shortfall
I predict Trump will raise less than $80 million in Sept, a notable shortfall
With OpenAI's o1 model, generative AI is starting to be truly generally useful.
Sam Altman's post includes the explicit honesty we need: “o1 is still flawed, still limited, and it still seems more impressive on first use than it does after you spend more time with it.”
openai.com/index/learni...
Sam Altman's post includes the explicit honesty we need: “o1 is still flawed, still limited, and it still seems more impressive on first use than it does after you spend more time with it.”
openai.com/index/learni...
Learning to Reason with LLMs
We are introducing OpenAI o1, a new large language model trained with reinforcement learning to perform complex reasoning. o1 thinks before it answers—it can produce a long internal chain of thought b...
openai.com
September 12, 2024 at 9:45 PM
With OpenAI's o1 model, generative AI is starting to be truly generally useful.
Sam Altman's post includes the explicit honesty we need: “o1 is still flawed, still limited, and it still seems more impressive on first use than it does after you spend more time with it.”
openai.com/index/learni...
Sam Altman's post includes the explicit honesty we need: “o1 is still flawed, still limited, and it still seems more impressive on first use than it does after you spend more time with it.”
openai.com/index/learni...
Starting to get to be truly generally useful.
Also the kind of honesty we need with regard to AI: “o1 is still flawed, still limited, and it still seems more impressive on first use than it does after you spend more time with it.”
openai.com/index/learni...
Also the kind of honesty we need with regard to AI: “o1 is still flawed, still limited, and it still seems more impressive on first use than it does after you spend more time with it.”
openai.com/index/learni...
Learning to Reason with LLMs
We are introducing OpenAI o1, a new large language model trained with reinforcement learning to perform complex reasoning. o1 thinks before it answers—it can produce a long internal chain of thought b...
openai.com
September 12, 2024 at 9:08 PM
Starting to get to be truly generally useful.
Also the kind of honesty we need with regard to AI: “o1 is still flawed, still limited, and it still seems more impressive on first use than it does after you spend more time with it.”
openai.com/index/learni...
Also the kind of honesty we need with regard to AI: “o1 is still flawed, still limited, and it still seems more impressive on first use than it does after you spend more time with it.”
openai.com/index/learni...