#Amazon Drive

[offhandway]

this is how i would rank kamen rider primaries if they were on twitter

special thank you to my friends and eunuchs for their input ^_^

(missing some showa guys because i havent seen any show seasons and i don't know many people who have seen shows from that era)

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Three AI insights for hard-charging, future-oriented smartypantses

MERE HOURS REMAIN for the Kickstarter for the audiobook for The Bezzle, the sequel to Red Team Blues, narrated by @wilwheaton! You can pre-order the audiobook and ebook, DRM free, as well as the hardcover, signed or unsigned. There’s also bundles with Red Team Blues in ebook, audio or paperback.

Living in the age of AI hype makes demands on all of us to come up with smartypants prognostications about how AI is about to change everything forever, and wow, it's pretty amazing, huh?

AI pitchmen don't make it easy. They like to pile on the cognitive dissonance and demand that we all somehow resolve it. This is a thing cult leaders do, too – tell blatant and obvious lies to their followers. When a cult follower repeats the lie to others, they are demonstrating their loyalty, both to the leader and to themselves.

Over and over, the claims of AI pitchmen turn out to be blatant lies. This has been the case since at least the age of the Mechanical Turk, the 18th chess-playing automaton that was actually just a chess player crammed into the base of an elaborate puppet that was exhibited as an autonomous, intelligent robot.

The most prominent Mechanical Turk huckster is Elon Musk, who habitually, blatantly and repeatedly lies about AI. He's been promising "full self driving" Telsas in "one to two years" for more than a decade. Periodically, he'll "demonstrate" a car that's in full-self driving mode – which then turns out to be canned, recorded demo:

https://www.reuters.com/technology/tesla-video-promoting-self-driving-was-staged-engineer-testifies-2023-01-17/

Musk even trotted an autonomous, humanoid robot on-stage at an investor presentation, failing to mention that this mechanical marvel was just a person in a robot suit:

https://www.siliconrepublic.com/machines/elon-musk-tesla-robot-optimus-ai

Now, Musk has announced that his junk-science neural interface company, Neuralink, has made the leap to implanting neural interface chips in a human brain. As Joan Westenberg writes, the press have repeated this claim as presumptively true, despite its wild implausibility:

https://joanwestenberg.com/blog/elon-musk-lies

Neuralink, after all, is a company notorious for mutilating primates in pursuit of showy, meaningless demos:

https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-pcrm-neuralink-monkey-deaths/

I'm perfectly willing to believe that Musk would risk someone else's life to help him with this nonsense, because he doesn't see other people as real and deserving of compassion or empathy. But he's also profoundly lazy and is accustomed to a world that unquestioningly swallows his most outlandish pronouncements, so Occam's Razor dictates that the most likely explanation here is that he just made it up.

The odds that there's a human being beta-testing Musk's neural interface with the only brain they will ever have aren't zero. But I give it the same odds as the Raelians' claim to have cloned a human being:

https://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/01/03/cf.opinion.rael/

The human-in-a-robot-suit gambit is everywhere in AI hype. Cruise, GM's disgraced "robot taxi" company, had 1.5 remote operators for every one of the cars on the road. They used AI to replace a single, low-waged driver with 1.5 high-waged, specialized technicians. Truly, it was a marvel.

Globalization is key to maintaining the guy-in-a-robot-suit phenomenon. Globalization gives AI pitchmen access to millions of low-waged workers who can pretend to be software programs, allowing us to pretend to have transcended the capitalism's exploitation trap. This is also a very old pattern – just a couple decades after the Mechanical Turk toured Europe, Thomas Jefferson returned from the continent with the dumbwaiter. Jefferson refined and installed these marvels, announcing to his dinner guests that they allowed him to replace his "servants" (that is, his slaves). Dumbwaiters don't replace slaves, of course – they just keep them out of sight:

https://www.stuartmcmillen.com/blog/behind-the-dumbwaiter/

So much AI turns out to be low-waged people in a call center in the Global South pretending to be robots that Indian techies have a joke about it: "AI stands for 'absent Indian'":

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/29/pay-no-attention/#to-the-little-man-behind-the-curtain

A reader wrote to me this week. They're a multi-decade veteran of Amazon who had a fascinating tale about the launch of Amazon Go, the "fully automated" Amazon retail outlets that let you wander around, pick up goods and walk out again, while AI-enabled cameras totted up the goods in your basket and charged your card for them.

According to this reader, the AI cameras didn't work any better than Tesla's full-self driving mode, and had to be backstopped by a minimum of three camera operators in an Indian call center, "so that there could be a quorum system for deciding on a customer's activity – three autopilots good, two autopilots bad."

Amazon got a ton of press from the launch of the Amazon Go stores. A lot of it was very favorable, of course: Mister Market is insatiably horny for firing human beings and replacing them with robots, so any announcement that you've got a human-replacing robot is a surefire way to make Line Go Up. But there was also plenty of critical press about this – pieces that took Amazon to task for replacing human beings with robots.

What was missing from the criticism? Articles that said that Amazon was probably lying about its robots, that it had replaced low-waged clerks in the USA with even-lower-waged camera-jockeys in India.

Which is a shame, because that criticism would have hit Amazon where it hurts, right there in the ole Line Go Up. Amazon's stock price boost off the back of the Amazon Go announcements represented the market's bet that Amazon would evert out of cyberspace and fill all of our physical retail corridors with monopolistic robot stores, moated with IP that prevented other retailers from similarly slashing their wage bills. That unbridgeable moat would guarantee Amazon generations of monopoly rents, which it would share with any shareholders who piled into the stock at that moment.

See the difference? Criticize Amazon for its devastatingly effective automation and you help Amazon sell stock to suckers, which makes Amazon executives richer. Criticize Amazon for lying about its automation, and you clobber the personal net worth of the executives who spun up this lie, because their portfolios are full of Amazon stock:

https://sts-news.medium.com/youre-doing-it-wrong-notes-on-criticism-and-technology-hype-18b08b4307e5

Amazon Go didn't go. The hundreds of Amazon Go stores we were promised never materialized. There's an embarrassing rump of 25 of these things still around, which will doubtless be quietly shuttered in the years to come. But Amazon Go wasn't a failure. It allowed its architects to pocket massive capital gains on the way to building generational wealth and establishing a new permanent aristocracy of habitual bullshitters dressed up as high-tech wizards.

"Wizard" is the right word for it. The high-tech sector pretends to be science fiction, but it's usually fantasy. For a generation, America's largest tech firms peddled the dream of imminently establishing colonies on distant worlds or even traveling to other solar systems, something that is still so far in our future that it might well never come to pass:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/09/astrobezzle/#send-robots-instead

During the Space Age, we got the same kind of performative bullshit. On The Well David Gans mentioned hearing a promo on SiriusXM for a radio show with "the first AI co-host." To this, Craig L Maudlin replied, "Reminds me of fins on automobiles."

Yup, that's exactly it. An AI radio co-host is to artificial intelligence as a Cadillac Eldorado Biaritz tail-fin is to interstellar rocketry.

Back the Kickstarter for the audiobook of The Bezzle here!

If you’d like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here’s a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/31/neural-interface-beta-tester/#tailfins

[finniestoncrane]

Cooper Howard x Fem!Reader, word count: 1.5k i want to stand in the middle of a room and let him do what he wants and see what he wants and blush the entire time ;-; 🤎 request info • prompt list • send me a request • kofi • masterlist minors DNI!! 🔞 cw: porn with very little plot, dominant/demanding behaviour, fingering, biting, breast/nipple play (we got tit-sucking with the ghoul, fellas), cmnf, scratching, teensy bit of possessive behaviour

Your eyes flitted briefly to the door of the abandoned shack. It wasn't as if anyone was going to walk in on you both, but you were still nervous, embarrassed to do as he asked.

"C'mon now, darlin'. Can't get any further while you've still got that pretty, blue suit on, can we?"

Cooper had been waiting for this moment since he'd first decided not to kill you. What lay beneath that now tattered, once pristine, vault suit? What were you keeping from him? How unspoiled were you? And what could he do to ruin you? It was no longer a deep desire, a passing fancy. He needed to see your body, and he needed to make his mark on you.

With a flourish of his hand, he urged you on, indicating his growing impatience at your refusal to bend to his will with a roll of his eyes. You watched as his fingers skimmed over the barrel of his gun, visions of everyone else he had so flippantly shot crossing your mind.

"I ain't gonna ask you twice, sweetheart. Take. It. Off."

With trembling fingers, you did as he asked, fumbling with the zip before slowly pulling it down, your eyes flicking upwards to Cooper, watching him as he watched you. As you slid your suit off your shoulders, exposing your breasts, you noticed his pupils widen. And when you shimmied it down over your hips, letting it drop to the floor, your entire body on display now, he pressed his tongue out, wetting his lips in silence.

You could feel your cheeks burning, your hands reaching to cover your breasts, thighs pressed together in a bid to shield your sex from him. He wasn't going to speak, so you did.

"Well..."

"Well what?"

"A-aren't you going to... take something off. Your coat at least?"

"Oh, you have sorely misunderstood, missy. I'm not taking off a damn thing. You're the star of this show."

You felt like it, and not necessarily in a good way. It was like a spotlight was shining on you, focusing on your body. Cooper's attention drawn to it, like a moth to a flame. You tried not to think about the way his eyes were taking you in, hungrily. It felt almost sinful, the way he greedily admired you.

His mind was in a frenzy, a carnal fugue state brought on by just how smooth you were in comparison to him. Your skin, perfect, unspoiled, untainted. A burning desire to mar that perfection in a wanton display of lust and violence.

"Well... look at you. If I'd known what you had underneath all that... well we might be a few days behind schedule at least."

It was almost torturous to stand there as he scrutinised you, and yet you found yourself yearning desperately for him to not look away. There was just something so beguiling about Cooper, a charm that oozed out of his every orifice, that made even his more sadistic habits seem reasonable and, yes, even attractive.

You wanted him to touch you, to feel like he was a part of this. That you weren't just there for him to stare at. He seemed to be able to sense your need, as he was quickly in front of you, warm, dry hands reaching for your body and settling on it. It was strange, how delicate he was. But clearly your willingness for his touch, the way you leaned into him, spurred on his more wicked nature.

He began to rake his nails across your skin, first up your arm, the ragged texture scraping over the top layer, making white tracks on the surface. Then he dug in deep, fingers gripped at your upper arms, your back, your hips, scratches etched into your perfect body. Like he was signing a piece of his work before he'd even started with it.

"I had wondered how you would feel, so smooth, like silk... like I remember marble feeling as I ran my fingertips over it..."

Just as his words began to feel sweet, too complimentary for them to feel like they were being said by him, he switched back to his more commanding tone, his orders coming out in a deep, serious growl.

"Lean back on that old table there and spread those pretty legs apart, darlin'. I want to get a better look at all of you."

The way he stretched that word out.

All of you.

All.

And the way he waited, patiently but uncompromising as the looked to him nervously, cheeks darkening with your blush. It felt so dirty.

But you did it anyway, knowing you couldn't refuse him, and didn't really want to. You were rewarded by the sharp intake of air as he sucked in a breath and let it out with a whistle.

"Now that is a fine lookin' cunt, sweetheart. So pretty. So wet."

He shoved his hand between your legs, fingers immediately spreading your pussy lips to feel your wetness. There was a sense of frustration bubbling stirring within Cooper as he indulged himself in in your heat, how soft your swollen lips felt, like velvet against his dry fingertips. How the patch of unruly pubic hair was tickling his skin, delicately. That you'd held this back from him for so long.

As his fingers glided pasted your lips and spread your folds you couldn't help but practically purr at how gentle he was being, and that in turn had Cooper biting back a moan. The thrill of seeing you there, at his command, beneath his touch. He couldn't help but feel a little smug.

"Still got it, Howard."

Your body was trembling as he explored you, and you felt yourself begin to squirm when he turned his attention to your clit. With his rough fingers, he teased at your hood, pulling it back to expose the sensitive bud, smiling as you hissed when he tapped softly on it. Writhing against him, the heel of his palm pressed into you, you tilted your pelvis into him to feel it against your opening, moaning as he fingered your clit, but aching to feel something more, something deeper.

"You need something inside you, darlin'?"

Nodding, you clenched your body as he removed his hand from you completely, a pleading mewl letting him know how badly your body needed him.

"Careful what you're begging for there, sweetheart."

Your back arched immediately in response to his fingers inside of your cunt, massaging your inner walls as he hooked them up and struck the perfect spot inside. Sweat began to bead on your forehead, your mouth hanging open, agape and panting as Cooper began pumping his fingers in and out of you. He was unforgiving, watching in cruel delight as you spasmed, sweating and huffing as he fucked you hard with his firm, practised digits.

He relished in the way you clenched around him, spasming as his merciless rhythmmade you wail in pleasure. It was almost reckless the way he was fucking you with his hand, borderline clumsy, and filled with passion. But he pulled away from you with a deep grunt, deciding that there were still other parts of you he wanted to experience before you were too spent to let him keep going.

"I'm 'gon need your help here, lil lady. Start touchin' yourself, I want you to feel how wet you are."

His voice was dark, a guttural growl that indicated how serious he was, and you obeyed his instructions with wide, nervous eyes.

As you began to stroke your own clit, Cooper leaned over you, his breathy moans of anticipation tingling over your skin as he sunk into your chest. He slowly laved at your sternum, following it up as his hands cupped at your breasts, and then his mouth shifted to your nipple, closing over it and sucking as his other hand worked your breast.

His tongue darted over the sensitive bud, lapping at it with flat, broad strokes before he pointed it, tracing around the nipple as your breath rasped at the stimulation. You were quivering, your core tightening as Cooper worked your soft flesh, savouring the taste of your skin, the tang of your sweat on his stiff tongue. He was laughing against you, a crude reaction to your whispered gasps and soft whines. The cruel way he received your body and encouraged your orgasm made you wail out against him as your fingers worked you the way you knew best.

You could feel it coming, the precipice of your release. Gut tightening, eyes rolling back, your groans becoming whimpers

Cooper let out a cruel laugh as you took in a shaking breath, filling your lungs with warm, dusty air to prepare for your orgasm. And then your back arched, your knees buckling, as you screamed out in pleasure.

Enough electricity rippled through your body that you could have powered the shack without a generator. And it still coursed through you when your cries died out, jerking you, your body convulsing as you came down from the seemingly impossible high.

"I hope those scratches don't stay on your soft skin too long, sweetheart..."

Cooper winked at you, lips stretching into a sneer.

"... and put your suit back on quick. Now that I know what you've got under there, it's mine only."

[t-u-i-t-c]

Giftober 2024 │ Day 13: Olympics

Kamen Rider Relay Antics

[orbitprism]

in defense of chan, short lyrics interpretation:

honorary shoutout to @wolfchans for inspiring me to make this.

disclaimer: english IS NOT my native tongue *click to enhance

in summary

ESCAPE: a form of love, defiance.

unshackling the expectations of social pressure and norms.

letting go of everything that holds you back; all in the name of love.

a shared liberating runaway to a quiet, secluded place, out of sight of everyone and everything.

conclusion: it really is- about- running- away. ✨

lyrics background from this set

video credit: unknown

(everyone copy pastes it everywhere,

if you are the op or know where it is from lmk)

it was impossible to track it down to one account

[cephalopistol]

im gonna miss this show so baaaaaaaddd

[voxsanitybox]

hey about the boycott, what are the other dates in the Instagram link, i don't have Instagram and i refuse to get it and i cant see half the dates there.

No problem!

March 7-14 - Amazon Boycott

March 21-28 - Nestle Boycott

April 7-14 - Walmart Boycott

April 18 - Economic Blackout 2

April 21-28 - General Mills Boycott

May 6-12 - Amazon Boycott 2

May 20-26 - Walmart Boycott 2

June 3-9 - Target Boycott

June 24-30 - McDonalds Boycott

July 4 - Independence Day Boycott

[lalalalalalakakakak]

WAKE UP BABE IT'S STATICAPPLE WEEK

[dancesingay]

Even though Amazon is talked bad about as an employer, they're the only viable full time entry level jobs available right now and part of the reason is because they put almost every industry out of business.

Another job viable for people, especially immigrants, disabled, and neurodivergent people that's being phased out is uber and taxi services. The self driving car is not only unsafe, it's actively taking jobs. I trust a human more than a self driving car (especially living in a coastal city with cliffs).

We need legislation to protect our jobs and automate industries that are dangerous for humans to do. I went to my local job center, do you know what they were hiring for? Coal miner. What century are we living in? Humans deserve safe and clean jobs. Have the robots mine the coal.

Look at this little guy, he yearns for the mines.

[aquasharkpencilmark]

“OOOOh, so when Krim Steinbelt drives the monster species he created to extinction when they threaten humanity,  that’s fine~!”

“But when I, JIN TAKAYAMA-“

[starmaker-astral]

POV : The Good Omens Fandom everyday since september

[suffering-and-happy-about-it]

i’ve just learned David Tennant hijacked Franz Ferdinand’s performance during in TOTP x Comic Relief in 2009

my cannon of Crowley loving Franz Ferdinand is thus confirmed (in my delusional head, that is)

[bluastro-yellow]

if they ever actually make that disco elysium amazon series it should just be about what martinaise's citizens were doing before the murder and during harry's three days party. harry/the murder is the thread that connects everything but he's more of a secondary character who shows up towards the end of the characters' stories

an episode or more focused on the capeside apartments, one on the whirling, one on the fishing village and church, one on precint 41, one on wild pines and krenel and the union...

and it's animated

and the og writers are involved

[i-j0s]

Jeremy Clarkson's Country Side Playground : Farmkhana

[percyjacksonspeen]

The boys soundtrack actually slaps so fucking hard.

This is how I’m listening to “you’ve got a license to drive (me crazy)” on repeat