#Stolen program or software

[ousinc]

Zombie Codes and Cyber Criminals Looting a Spaceship with its Technology to continue their Scam or Scheme in California.

May 18, 2025. Irvine, California, United States of America.

Zombie codes. Syntax or code programming that's still operating without their original source code, computer, or servers. It can also be codes that haven't been updated, outdated codes, outdated versions, but it's operating on its own.

It's operating on its own, like a zombie.

Mostly likely the program, software, hardware or website, has been stolen or harvested by cyber thieves, if it's a zombie.

This is connected to the Cyber Entrapment and Extortion games of criminals in California, Fake Jesus Extortion and Entrapment Games scam. It's probably where they got the alien technology to operate and continue their scam.

A past employee running away with his/her employers' technology.

[ms-demeanor]

So. Okay. I use my personal computer for work. This is not an ideal situation, and it's a holdover from Gary refusing to buy work computers for anyone when we went remote. I do not recommend this. You should not do this. If you are a business, you should not allow your employees to do this. It's a security issue for you and for your employer and is, all around, a bad idea.

My company installs an RMM agent (a program that lets us remotely manage the device and to view the screen in certain circumstances) on all of our client computers; you need the agent to do some server access stuff, so sometimes I have to have the RMM agent on my computer and get joined to our environment. When I'm done doing whatever it is, I uninstall the agent because I don't want my boss to have remote control software on my personal device. If you are using your personal computer at work, you should not allow your employer to maintain remote control software on your personal device.

My computer has a dorky name. I usually name my computers dorky things. This one is called Atredies and the last one was Gandalf and the one before that was Hende Nicholas and the one before that was Robocop. This, notably, does not match our office's pattern of "BN-1508," or even Gary's standard of "Work-Related-Concept" ("Shipping") or "First Name" ("Maddy") for naming our office computers. So sometimes I'll be sitting in the virtual office and someone will look up from doing device approvals and will say "What company has a desktop named Atredies" and I'll be like "us, the sleeper has awakened, let me on" and everyone is like hey Alli you're a huge dork and I'm like yeah.

So here's the thing. You should not be using your personal computer as a work computer. If you are using your personal computer as a work computer, you should not allow your employer to leave control programs installed on the device. If you do have control programs on the device, it's good to make sure that your computer is VERY VERY VERY identifiably *not* a computer owned by your employer. If your employer gave you an old computer that was being decommissioned, you should make sure to do a fresh OS install and you should make sure to rename the machine something that will make it easy to see it's your machine.

This post is brought to you by the lady whose gifted-from-her-job 12 year old laptop named "WP-1644" we just bricked because the client didn't maintain an inventory list and when they couldn't identify the user they decided it was stolen.

[staycalmandhugaclone]

Reassigned

Prompted by @clonexocweek's day one: First Meeting for the rather massive series of Doc's Misadventures! If you're new, start at the beginning with Touch Starved!

We'll return shortly to your irregularly scheduled programming after this short, angsty break!

Warnings: Not a ton of warning: some bullying, some angst; written via phone, so probably could have used some more editing

WC: 1,480

There was a way these things were done; an unspoken social contract dictating some illusion of pleasantries in spite of whatever prejudice or disdain seethed beneath the surface, but I'd been warned long before forcing myself down the nauseatingly pristine halls of Kamino: the squad I’d been reassigned to flaunted their independence in every way they could absent thought of maintaining even a glimmer of such abstract notions of decorum.

I wasn’t deterred by those warnings. The thought of clones not only celebrating what self-autonomy they could but boasting that sense of individuality with unapologetic acts of rebellion offered a comfort both in ridding me of my own nervousness for adhering to the strict code of conduct dictated by rank in those first introductions as well as in the simple relief that they were allotted some glimpse of such freedoms at all. The variation in how closely these soldiers followed that code was staggering, fluctuating not just from legion to legion, but even between squads in the same platoon. Seeing some of the more reserved groups left me with a sense of gratitude for the men I’d initially found myself working with. Wolffe presented himself as some uncompromising, heartless tyrant, but the reverie and warmth that I'd so come to love amidst him and his men was evidence of just how deeply he cared.

But Wolffe wasn’t here. He hadn't offered to escort me like Boost had, a gesture I’d forced myself to turn down lest my first impression with my new squad present me as the weak, needy civi they surely expected. Still… I couldn't deny the deep disappointment, the confusion in how… clean our farewell had been… I hadn't expected tears… not from him, though I’d shed more than my share since learning of my reassignment, but he'd been so indifferent… cold… and that wasn't something I was used to from him… not anymore…

I tried not to focus on the shock that had stolen through me as he’d offered his hand when I'd moved in for a hug, tried to dismiss the ease with which he offered some rote semblance of gratitude for the work I’d done and platitudes toward my continued service with the GAR. I couldn't let myself focus on it, on him. He wasn't my commander anymore. I was no longer the medic of the 104th… For some unknown reason, a captain of the 501st had requisitioned me for a different squad altogether. None of it made sense, but I was in no position to voice objection to those orders. So, I walked through those sterile halls alone, cursing the way my heart pounded harder with each step toward the single room they'd been allocated in the stead of a proper barracks.

I'd read their files; studied reports of their unique abilities in addition to character evaluations that, even from the hands of a Kaminoan were… colorful, and I didn't doubt that they’d been granted ample warning about me, as well. I hadn't decided yet if the incredible strengths they were preported to possess were reassuring or frightening, and tried not to let myself form any conclusions until after at least meeting them.

The door to their room opened without preamble or warning, the software controlling it apparently already recognizing me as a squad member with full access. I stared into the jumble of gear and cables and miscellaneous supplies strewn between beds and tables and couches that certainly weren't regulation for several seconds too long, frozen in both surprise and confusion long before finally realizing that, as cluttered as the room was, it lay utterly empty before me.

Frowning, I slipped my helmet back on, eyes flicking to the chrono. I wasn’t late, nor was I inappropriately early… Glancing once more around the room, I also noticed a striking lack of footlockers at the base of each bunk…

Frown growing even harsher, I stepped back and started quickly toward the hanger. There was a mission already assigned to us, but we weren't slated to depart for several hours… My jaw tensed at the obvious conclusion I tried not to let myself draw, strides just short of rushed. I’d been so focused on what first impression I’d wanted to present that it never dawned on me how readily they'd use the opportunity to fully illustrate their apparent disinterest. Part of me wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, to grant excuse for an unintentional mistake, but inventing such excuses would only lead to the creation of an endless cycle of similar events, and I had no intention of falling into that role, nor did I intend to make it easy for them to dismiss me so effortlessly, pace growing faster as I finally neared the hanger.

Their ship stood out among the far more popular LAATs, sharp fins boasting an elegance abandoned by the more utilitarian transports around it. I could just make out a pair of figures carrying crates up the ramp. The first quickly vanished within the cabin upon seeing me, but that quick glance was enough for me to note the shear mass of him, thick legs moving with surprising quiet as those final steps quickened to hide him from sight. The man behind him made no such effort to escape as I approached, dark helm tilting with an air of disdain I didn't need to see his eyes to feel.

“Think you've got the wrong ship.” His voice sounded almost hoarse, words drawn out with a slight drawl from lips clearly twisted into a scowl behind the cover of his bucket.

“Afraid not.” There was no apology in my retort, nor did I try to hide my own annoyance as I looked up at him. “I'm-"

“Don't care.” He interrupted, already turning back toward the cargo hold. “This isn't a cruise ship. Go play nurse somewhere else.” I felt the snarl pull at my face, shoulders pulling sharply back as I drew in a short breath to fuel my reply, but another man stepped out from the ship, strides deceptively laxed beneath a haughty stance, arms loose, torso leaned back just enough to give the impression that he was looking down on me despite his slightly shorter statute compared to the others, and I forced myself to release that breath in silence as I turned my attention to him.

“Thought we were supposed to meet at your barracks half an hour ago.” It wasn't a question.

“Must've missed that briefing.” My jaw clenched at the subtle, mocking lilt in his smoky voice.

“You certainly didn't miss the one about Scipio…” I muttered too quietly for the mic to pick up, but the barely perceptible tension that stole through him assured me he'd heard every word, proving the report of his enhanced hearing shockingly accurate. The home planet of the banking clan was, by all political standings, far removed from the war, thus any form of military presence could be grounds for far reaching repercussions. My knowing the location of their next mission was evidence enough of my place here, and he knew it.

I let that silence linger a moment, head tilting down just enough to indicate my impatience toward whatever hazing they’d planned, and to let him know that I knew he'd heard me.

“Seems like you intended on an early start. If your medbay is fully stocked, then I'm ready to go as soon as you are.” I let out a slow breath before I said it, tone reluctantly gentling into an unspoken olive branch I had to convince myself he deserved as I reached up to remove my helmet. He watched me for several seconds, and I loathed the way my skin crawled at that nauseating sensation of being studied, judged; of the unsettling certainty that I would never measure up to the impossible standards granted through a lifetime of training and meticulous genetic design, but I didn’t shy from the emotionless black crescent of his visor.

“It's stocked.” He finally replied, voice stiff, begrudgingly removing his helm as well. He looked so nearly identical to Wolffe and the others… but… not exactly. Beyond the startling half mask of faded ink, I could spot some differences. His nose was bigger, if only just, the already pronounced ridge even more prominent. The arch of his brows was softer, and his jaw slightly narrower. It was his eyes, however, that threatened to paralyze me.

I’d been to feral planets before; found myself the prey of frightfully dangerous beasts. Staring at him carried that same sense of dread, of danger. Here was a predator. He was stronger than me, faster than me, and I’d come to invade his home.

Without another word, he turned and tread back into the sanctum of his ship, and I knew it was the closest to a welcome I was going to get.

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[girlfriendsofthegalaxy]

tuesday again 5/27/2025

no lesbian novel this week! didn’t get to read much at work bc i had to do my actual job :( did manage to do some sewing

listening

ive been bumping this since the end of the season tbqh. the way in-universe this has been a chart-topping party song for over a year??? with its own little dance??? how Niamos is the name of a beach planet so this is functionally a Pitbull song where he yells MIAMI!!!! which is all of them???? show of all time. show of all fucking time.

it’s not on streaming platforms but THE IN UNIVERSE ELEVATOR REMIX!!!! FUCK!!! WHAT IF STAR WARS WAS GOOD!!!

-

reading

did not manage to read a lesbian novel. did manage to read half a book ive had in hold since january 2 of this year and i did not like it :(

this is playing in the same space as Canticle for Leibowitz and anything else that treats software programming as a magical mystical art with priests and such. love this space! you can probably name three more off the top of your head!

while it does have a fascinating 1920s level of technology world (aside from the big magical barrier), it really flounders about in the middle. the twist was pretty clearly telegraphed (fine) but after the twist i had zero desire to continue onward. i had no real interest in how or why this huge overarching societal problem could be solved, and think i could have liked it more if it were either novella or short story length. would be perfect as a classic episode of the twilight zone.

it also strikes a little too close to home for me with its depiction of a far-right religious cult running everything and a depressingly accurate depiction of what it’s like to be a woman in hard stem, down to the sexual assault from a person in the same research group. the two-thirds of the book i read was really just real life as a woman postgrad without many scifi elements. the promise of scifi elements were why i picked up the book, bc i was interested in a hard sci take on dark academia. further annoyances: i also did not love the “they’re trying to keep you PLACID and QUIET and WOMANLY!!!” scene with a doctor. there is an additional second-wave feminist stink around the “original” flavor of magic, stolen from the original women of the land. i hesitate to call it terfy. if i met someone with these views in the real world I would certainly ask more questions before scheduling a second hang. yanno?

-

watching

john wick the fourth bc i unexpectedly have peacock access. video game cutscene lookin ass movie (lovingly). the visual style, lighting, and nods to other movies (genuinely gasped out loud at a specific match cut bc the reference made sense within the plot and wasn’t just a fun visual) are all off the chain. slightly longer than i wanted it to be— the last chase/gun battle through paris dragged a bit despite having some of the coolest set pieces.

-

playing

nothing fun to report in genshin this week. still don’t have enough to guarantee the pink fox lady so i think i will bide my time and wait for skirk to drop at some point the next patch (yet another patch with no map update :( curious)

-

making

trying to clean my house or finish some projects whenever i want to leave my house or spend money. has led to a much cleaner house but a much more housebound me. anyway here’s a scrub cap with fabric a friend bought and asked “hey can you make me a scrub cap” When I Moved To Houston Nearly Two Years Ago. plus the lining galaxy fabric, bought at the joanns closest to umass in mmm 2017?

came home from work friday morning to discover catnip strewn about the living room bc da gorls managed to rip holes in BOTH mr cactus kickers. a somewhat slapdash mend but reinforced with fraychek so the next time they bite and tear the fabric Next to the patch will tear

[facts-i-just-made-up]

What’s the history of software piracy?

The first known instance of software piracy took place during the privateer resurgence following the War of 1812 when the pirate Limebeard, under a commission from the British Admiralty, made a copy of “Lemmings” for the Amiga 15 from American forces in Bermuda.

As the first act of software piracy, this was a difficult and unprecedented undertaking. Computer software in those days was inscribed on metal punchcards, and Lemmings took up 8 tons of them. Limebeard had three of his frigates split up to the load, and two sunk on the way to Britain. Their cargo was rescued by the others however and King George was able to play the game, though rumor has it he never got past level 3 before giving up and returning to Shufflepuck Café.

Over the next decades, piracy evolved along with technology. As floppy discs became popular around 1850, pirates such as Napster Rackham began to sail in the Altdotbinari sea and through the Norwegian Torrents. This was known as the “Golden Age” of software piracy when thousands of tons of software infrastructure was stolen from the huts in which it was stored, mostly Adobe huts.

When sea warfare hit its stride in WWI, software piracy diminished and had died out entirely by WWII. Luckily, WWIII, IV, and VII proved a boon to the pirate trade. Russia and America had a battle of interests in which programs ranging from music players to ICBM launch software were traded across the ocean at phenomenal rates. One program, "Hypercard," which was used to hide launch codes from the lower chain of command, sold for $8 million to a bidder in San Francisco known only as "Sjobs69xxx420," who was never found or heard from again.

Entertainment based on software piracy also became popular, and movies such as "Tron" and "Pirates of the Copyrightian: Curse of the Decentralized P2P" made box office history. Today, software piracy enjoys protected status across the globe as an exercise of natural law, and is never prosecuted at absurd degrees given its minimal harm, which is levied strictly upon the richest corporations.

Nah just kidding they sued a 12 year old for $45 million for downloading Metallica’s Black Album. Real justice shit going on here.

[ltechofficial]

ok so Im like really hyperfixated on this world and I kinda wanna write something about it, so I'm curious on what your thoughts are on the concept of a fluff yuri setup of a whitehat hacker girl and an illegally stolen "jailbroke" OS. I know you said that LTech has really good security measures but I just love the idea of someone being like super against the idea of OS's (maybe her gf was made into one or something) and hacking LTech's servers just to realize she has no clue how to deprogram somebody and keeps accidentally programming them even more everytime she tries to use the software she stole.

Yes i love this idea!! I absolutely support hacker characters and think there is lots of skilled ppl working on cracking OSeditor all the time... And i assume most of them are T4T yuri anarchist couples so please do make writings and fan ocs and everything

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Justin Baragona at The Independent:

Senior Trump adviser Kari Lake announced that she’d struck a deal with One America News to blast the right-wing channel’s pro-Trump propaganda out to the audience of Voice of America, making it clear what her intentions are for the government-run radio network. “United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is excited to announce a partnership with One America News Network (OAN) to provide newsfeed services to USAGM networks, including Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), Radio Martí, and Voice of America (VOA),” Lake posted Tuesday on social media. Noting that OAN was offering “their newsfeed and video service free-of-charge,” Lake acknowledged that while she may not have editorial control over VOA content in her role as senior adviser to the agency, she “can ensure our outlets have reliable and credible options as they work to craft their reporting and news programs.” “And every day I look for ways to save American taxpayers money. Bringing in OAN as a video/news source does both,” she added. “OAN is one of the few family-owned American media networks left in the United States. We are grateful for their generosity.” Lake did not immediately respond to requests for comment. OAN President Charles Herring, who also retweeted the Trump official’s post about the partnership, told The Independent that “Ms. Lake provided a complete summary.” The new partnership with one of the president’s most loyal media outlets comes just days after Lake informed VOA staffers that she would be implementing a structured return-to-office plan.

[...] OAN, which has been booted from nearly every major cable and satellite subscription service, was one of the biggest purveyors of Trump’s baseless conspiracy theories that the 2020 election was stolen from him. The network has settled multiple defamation lawsuits over its promotion of falsehoods about the 2020 election, which includes voting software company Smartmatic, two election workers in Georgia, and a former executive for voting machine firm Dominion. OAN is still facing a defamation case from Dominion, which the outlet baselessly accused of rigging the election for Joe Biden. Despite the network being nearly impossible to find on cable airwaves, OAN has seen its profile rise after Trump’s return to office. While its reporters have been featured more prominently in press briefings and gaggles at the White House, Matt Gaetz – the president’s disgraced initial pick for attorney general – serves as one of the channel’s primetime hosts.

MAGA hack Kari Lake announces that far-right propaganda outlet One America “News” Network (OANN) and United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) have formed a partnership for newsfeed content sharing, including to the Voice of America and Radio Martí outlets.

See Also:

The Guardian: Embattled Voice of America to use newsfeed from hard-right network

Axios: Kari Lake says USAGM has brokered a content deal with OAN

Daily Kos: MAGA news network to take over venerable government-funded outlet

[bricksandmutualaid]

🚨The Next Phase of Pigeon Radicalization: From Park Bench Agitators to Aerial Anarchists🚨

The first phase of pigeon radicalization was simple: liberate them from their docile, breadcrumb-munching existence and awaken their revolutionary potential. We exposed them to theory (carefully shredded and scattered pages of The Conquest of Bread), trained them in direct action (coordinated dive-bombing of capitalist figureheads on their lunch breaks), and laid the foundation for an avian uprising.

Now, we must escalate.

1. Establishing Autonomous Pigeon Zones

A true revolutionary movement needs strongholds. Public squares, rooftops, and abandoned buildings already serve as pigeon refuges—why not transform them into autonomous zones? Humans think they own city infrastructure, but pigeons have squatter’s rights. By reinforcing these spaces with barricades of stolen french fries and cigarette butts, our feathered comrades can create safe havens free from bourgeois oppression (i.e., anti-bird spikes and city ordinances).

Pigeon-led mutual aid networks must emerge. Cooperative bread redistribution efforts will ensure that no pigeon goes hungry while their human allies strategically disrupt the supply chains of overpriced urban bakeries.

2. Counter-Surveillance and Cyber-Warfare

The state has already deployed its pigeon surveillance division—commonly known as “Birds Aren’t Real” conspiracy theorists. We must assume that some pigeons have been compromised and are working as informants. This is why encrypted coo-munications must be implemented. Research into whether pigeons can be taught to recognize QR codes could be the next major step in secure, low-tech messaging.

Meanwhile, select tech-savvy pigeons should be trained to infiltrate government offices via open windows, planting USB drives loaded with decryption software and manifestos.

3. Tactical Defecation Strikes

We must not underestimate the power of aerial bombardment. Pigeons have long been nature’s most precise ordinance delivery system. A well-placed dropping can demoralize CEOs, landlords, and police chiefs alike. In 2025, we must transition from opportunistic strikes to a well-coordinated tactical shitting campaign.

Pigeons must be trained to distinguish between targets. The rich: full force assault. The working class: solidarity poops only (gentle encouragement to unionize). Cops: full saturation bombing. This will require strategic feeding programs—certain dietary adjustments may yield more potent munitions.

4. Bridging the Gap Between Pigeon and Proletariat

We must take inspiration from history. During WWII, pigeons were trained as message carriers and even guided missiles. The technology exists; we must reclaim it for the people. Imagine a network of radicalized pigeons carrying encrypted notes between comrades in times of crisis. Picture a pigeon-mounted camera live-streaming protests from above, immune to tear gas and riot shields.

Further pigeon-human solidarity will require direct engagement. Bring your local pigeons into study groups. Offer them high-protein snacks for endurance training. Reward direct action efforts with choice sunflower seeds. It is time to integrate pigeons into the broader struggle against capitalism.

5. What Comes Next?

If we succeed in the above phases, the final goal is clear: the pigeons must seize the means of production. We begin small—commandeering street food carts and redistributing hot dogs to those in need. From there, it’s only a matter of time before pigeons occupy Amazon warehouses, pecking open boxes and redistributing goods to the people.

A liberated society must include all beings oppressed by capitalism. If we cannot achieve freedom for the pigeons, how can we ever hope to be free ourselves? The struggle continues. Let the revolution take flight.

Pt 1:

[msweebyness]

Times the Akuma Class Had Each Other’s Backs

Hey, folks! These are some old prompts for the Akuma Class that were in my notes! They were originally supposed to be shorts, but who knows? Maybe I’ll do some one day! Enjoy! @artzychic27 @imsparky2002

It should come as no surprise to you all that the akuma class absolutely despises Gabriel. For one thing, he’s a neglectful father who rarely gives his son the time of day, and for another, he’s an asshat who forced his son into a career that he doesn’t want. There have been so many breakouts from Adrien’s bedroom to take him to do something fun, or just trolling the heck out of Gabe in any way they possibly can. They plan to torment him until he gives up custody to The Gorilla.

It’s the sad truth that not all teachers have their students’ best interests at heart, and this was sadly the case with Kim and DuPont’s (now former) math teacher for their grade. He would constantly cruelly berate the young athlete and tell him he was an imbecile and would never leave middle school once the other students had left. He gave Kim extra work he wasn’t equipped to understand, and offered no kind of assistance. And when the other kids were there, he would constantly single Kim out, calling on him when he knew he was unprepared. Eventually though, the rest of the class caught on and all began taking notes and recording what they were witnessing. After a week or two, they reported their findings to the school board, and the teacher lost his employment. And when Kim’s parents were called in…the entire school could hear Mai screaming in furious Vietnamese.

It’s not rocket science that having your work stolen really hurts, and Max knows this firsthand. He worked for weeks on a new software format that would speed up processing to an insane degree, and was going to present it to a prestigious tech institution. Only for the program to get stolen by some jerks from another class who wanted the position for themselves. Thankfully, the akuma class is always prepared and had proven records of Max working on the program, such as photos and video, showing that it was his. They’ve done the same thing with jerks who’ve tried to steal or trace Nath’s art.

Whenever Rose can’t come to class because she’s having an episode of her condition, her classmates set up a tablet with a video call and place it in her seat next to Juleka so she can feel like she’s in class with them. They also take extra notes just in case the connection goes out and she misses something.

Juleka’s first professional modeling gig was a joyous occasion…and one that warranted a whole boatload of stress. Juleka nearly worked herself into an anxiety attack on the day the shoot was scheduled…until she saw the boatload of encouraging messages from her classmates and the rest of the Girl Squad there to accompany her. The class does the same thing when Mylene is nervous about speaking for one of her charities or going on stage.

Marinette was overjoyed when she was nominated to take part in a prestigious fashion competition…only to be consumed by anxiety when she discovered she would be up against professional designers who had entire teams at their disposal! Thankfully, she has a squad of dedicated friends who were willing to learn how to put dresses together, no matter how many times they pricked themselves or had to redo their work. They absolutely kicked ass and all the other designers were embarrassed they were beat by a group of teens.

(Here’s the big one!) We all know teens can be stupid little shits, and this was certainly the case with some of Ivan’s neighbors. The three assholes, like a bunch of dickheads, decided to entertain themselves by throwing rocks from their mom’s garden to scare a group of little kids who were playing in the nextdoor yard. Well, this was the Bruels’ house and Sasha happened to be among those kids…and one of the rocks hit her in the side of the head. Hearing his little sister sobbing from inside the house while he’d been helping Mylene (who was over at the time) make the kids something for lunch, Ivan came back out to see what was going on…and completely lost it. After Mylene took Sasha inside and called an ambulance because her head was bleeding, Ivan blew up at the three boys, demanding to know what the hell was wrong with them. Of course, they decided to use this outburst to claim he had been threatening them. Of course the parents believed them, despite the testimonies from the other children (Kiran and the Cesaire twins) of what had happened, and actually threatened to sue and posted a warning on the neighborhood Twitter that the people next door had a ‘very aggressive son’… only to be forced to take it down and apologize when the akuma class (as well as the other three classes in the grade) all left comments saying that was total bullshit…and Max got ahold of security footage from the neighbors behind the Bruels, permitting Sabrina to get her dad involved. Sasha ended up having to stay in the hospital for a day or two, getting stitches and making sure there were no internal injuries to her head. (Thankfully, she was clear) But when she got home, the entire akuma class had made a ‘Get Well Soon’ card for her with personal messages from each of them! Marinette even made her a cute Sulley Mini Plushy, (Monsters Inc is her favorite movie) and Nath drew a picture of her as a superhero nurse (what she says she wants to be when she grows up!) And don’t worry, those three idiots got in HUGE trouble. Let’s just say, Galina and Iosif were NOT happy with them…or their parents for that matter. (And it turns out the rest of the class had gone around talking to the neighbors and it turns out these kids had a history of problem behavior that their parents never did anything about!)

Family sticks together! (The Sasha one is based a little on personal frustration, because stuff like this happens, sadly more than once where I live. As someone who loves and works with young children, I HATE that the idiots who do that kind of stuff GET AWAY WITH IT. The last ended how I wish these situations would most of the time!) Leave your thoughts in the comments and reblogs!

[walks-the-ages]

Sorry peeps, but if you're genuinely out here trying to defend generative Ai because you think anyone against it is "ableist" sorry not sorry you're not just getting unfollowed you're getting fully blocked along with the OP and who you reblogged it from lmao.

"most people angry about Nanowrimo allowing AI are just being loudly ableist!!! Generative Ai is a great tool for disabled people!! Everyone should be able to use it!"

Hmm, sorry, maybe you need to curate your dash some more like I just did by blocking you, but literally the ONLY people I've seen talking about Nanowrimo's AI stance are people who are actually disabled themselves who are pointing out how fucking shitty it is for Nanowrimo to defend themselves and their sponsor using AI (and possibly scraping your works to further train their AI) By using ~Disabled People~ in concept as a shield against criticism.

Many, many people have posts on here about how they are physically or mentally disabled and they would absolutely hate having someone belittle them by telling them the only way they can accomplish something creative like writing a novel is to have a Computer spit nonsense out into a word document, or generate a "masterpiece" digital image for them from a few words typed in...

Like.

If you actually care about disabled people, you wouldn't be advocating for generative AI to be used to erase their creativity by just letting a computer churn out crap.

If you can type in a prompt on an AI generator, you can type in a word processor to write your story.

Can't physically type at all?

Use speech to text,

or do an audio recording of your novel, and have someone transcribe it,

or use actual existing Closed Caption technology to transcribe it for you!

These are all accessible technology options that actually help disabled people be creative, not just tell an AI generator "hey write me a book about x"

Disabled people have been authors and artists for millennia.

Stephen Hawking used a combination of Predictive Text, eye-control cursors, and an infrared sensor mounted on his glasses that would detect if he was tensing or relaxing the muscles in his cheek, allowing him to scroll a virtual keyboard.

Somehow, I don't think the people championing generative AI actually care about "disabled people" when they try to insist that typing a prompt into a generator and having it churn out random slop is the solution to 'allowing disabled people to be creative' instead of actually giving them the various technology and accessibility tools that have been a thing for at least 25 years, like:

Eye-tracking software that allows you to type or paint on a computer screen (this is now at the point where people can play online video games with this software!)

Having any kind of smart phone set up with speech to text and a word processing app like Google Docs or a notepad app

Using basic sound recording apps to dictate your novel for later transcription

Using other body parts than your hands (or using prosthetics) to hold paint brushes, pens, markers, digital stylus, computer mouse, etc to make art with.

And so much more!

The real ableism here is when pro-AI bros try to insist that Disabled People, categorically, are incapable of being creative and accomplishing anything without a computer doing all the work for them by generating things based on millions of stolen works, and the complete erasure of all of the disabled artists who are here *now* and existed in the past, acting like they do not and never existed, all so that rich white ai bros can continue to flood reddit with "super cool badass art I just made" which is a nonsense amalgamation, and throw tantrums when artists start using programs like Glaze and Nightshade in an attempt to protect their art from those same predatory ai tech bros.

Technology is meant to help humans be creative, not steal our works and livelyhood by replacing writers and artists entirely, because all some rich guy has to do now is type in a prompt.

[theshadowsingersraven]

elriels and bryciels are paying for fanarts with AI 💀💀 this is so fucked up

I mean... do we actually know for sure that's what's happening? The software that's used to determine whether things are AI generated or not is often incorrect because it's...also AI.

As someone who uses Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Lightroom with a lot of familiarity, I can tell you for sure that there are features that use AI. (i.e., using generative AI to remove unwanted background items like cars, coffee cups, etc. from photoshoots.) I understand that generative AI can and does steal from real artists. But let's not be so ignorant to pretend that it doesn't also help artists create their work.

I know of artists who use AI-based tools or features in these programs to help them create color palettes or figure out shading in backgrounds when they're stuck creatively. I don't think they're any less of an artist for using an existing tool to make their art. They're still creating art, just using AI in the way it was initially intended to be used--helping people create what they love more easily.

I'm a college student, and I took an AI class, so I'm not really the best person to try and use for a collective, overwhelming AI witchhunt. It's advanced software that uses machine learning and perception to differentiate itself from standard algorithms as well as function closer to the same way the human mind does (though it does use algorithms, too).

Do you know what else uses algorithms or could be considered AI? Spellcheck. Is every fanfiction that uses spellcheck now "using AI" in the way you're trying weaponize? I imagine not.

I may not like these ships or have had bad interactions (as many people on different sides have) with certain shippers, but I'd rather you not just come into my inbox trying to stir up shit as an excuse to shame artists and shippers commissioning them. I am not the one, respectfully.

The best way to protect people from job displacement or having their work stolen from them by other people using AI is to actually understand what is and is not unethical uses of AI and how it works. Otherwise, we're totally in the dark and wrongly accusing innocent artists.

Let people do what they want and commission who they want for whatever ships they want. I do not care.

[saintmichale]

What's happening on instagram?

So basically Meta has announced that on June 26th, they’re going to start allowing ai software to begin sweeping over their apps to begin training those programs. In European countries, instagram users were given a choice to opt out and not allow meta to use their accounts to train AI, but so far American users do not have an option to say they own the copyright of whatever content they post to instagram.

Because of this, a lot of artists specifically are very worried that their art is going to be stolen and used to train AI without their consent. Many people are trying to fight this by posting on their pages saying they own the copyright and do not consent, but there’s no guarantee that meta will honor that declaration.

On Monday there’s going to be a boycott, asking meta to discontinue this program. Many Instagram users are moving over to the anti AI app Cara in an attempt to avoid being stolen from by AI.

[scipunk]

Hackers (1995)

----

Dade Murphy hacks into a local television station… infiltrates the station's broadcasting system… and he manipulates a robotic mechanism responsible for changing video cassettes used to air programs… then another mysterious hacker enters the scene and Dade and the unknown hacker engage in a virtual battle for dominance.

----

Dueling HACKERS 🔐💻 IS OUR Digital LIFE on the LINE? 🚨👁️

Yes it could very well be...

Our digital lives, often entrusted to large corporations, may face significant risks… in a recent cyber incident in 2023, two hacker groups claimed responsibility for an alleged attack on a major corporation. One hacker group asserted that they successfully compromised the target's systems and offered stolen data for sale.

----

The movie presents a stylized and exaggerated portrayal of hacking culture, where the young hackers manipulate technology to outsmart and outmaneuver law enforcement officials. The film showcases a perception that law enforcement, at least in the context of the movie, is often portrayed as being behind or clueless in understanding the world of hacking.

And let's remember the Greyball incident: Uber developed the Greyball software to determine if a user requesting an Uber ride was a potential law enforcement officer or regulator. The program used various data points, such as location information, device data, credit card details, and social media profiles, to identify individuals who might pose a threat to Uber's operations. When the program identified a potential threat, it would show a different version of the Uber app to that user. This altered version of the app would display fake cars on the map, making it difficult for the user to locate a real Uber driver.

Additionally... Greyball would provide false information about the location of Uber vehicles or show no cars available at all.

The intention behind Greyball was to obstruct and evade regulators and law enforcement officials who were attempting to enforce taxi and transportation regulations in cities where Uber faced legal challenges.

So, the Greyball incident, which occurred in the real world, involved Uber using technology to identify and circumvent law enforcement officials and regulators actively trying to enforce transportation regulations… it's a real-world application of tactics that mirror the fictional portrayal we see in the 1995 movie Hackers.

[purple-link]

I don't think people really understand what I'm talking about when I say I hate ai.

Medicine? As long as critical thinking is involved and its not replacing doctors, then yeah, go for it.

Filmmaking? There are ethical conversation about it to be had. James Earl Jones was okay with giving his darth vader voice as a voice bank, and Here was created in an ethical manner, not replacing prosthetics.

Quick searches, or otherwise used as a tool? I don't have a problem with it per se. I personally like developing ideas internally, inside my head, but at this point it's a preference. You don't have to listen to me. I would rather do without, but I can't control anybody else using it. I would rather not want to.

What I'm not a fan of is it being forced into every piece of technology or software that forces its users to utilize ai or perhaps unknowingly use it. When it ceases to be an option, that's when I have a problem with it. That's when I begin to legitimately hate it.

When companies are pushing copyright to start generating images and voices for commercial use, perhaps eschewing writers, actors, and artists of every sort, they delegitimize occupations that people have taken very seriously for decades.

When people are using ai to generate artwork, they are using images or words scraped from websites to create a new image or story. Despite decades of online artists having to risk their creative works stolen and uploaded without their consent, they now have to deal with literal corporations doing the same thing and at a much faster pace because ai (generative or otherwise) being the next big thing.

When people are forced to use something they are clearly uncomfortable doing, technology companies who are unable to cope force the technology into every program they can get their hands on. If you have to manipulate your users, or even lie to them about ai, it is very clearly not a popular technology.

Not to mention that people are more likely to use it to steal personal information. They're developing bots that scrape words and info from other websites, forcing people further into the closet, and that hurts, especially for some of us that have taken a very long time to get out of them. I do not want to go back in there again.

And just for the final nail in the coffin, our own government (US only, uk and france, you guys are okie dokie) is frothing at the mouth to utilize generative ai to its strategic advantage, against its own people. US citizens are going to have to develop even more critical thinking skills to combat this.

So when I say i'm anti ai, what I mean is that it shouldn't replace workers, doctors, and other people's jobs. If we were using it like that, i would give it a very generous pass.

But it's not.

It's being put on a leash by greedy companies and studios, and tech companies are forcing it on us because it's the new thing.

But when it gets old, it's going to get old so fast. Especially if all it can really do is lie and steal.

Human beings? We're a lot more interesting than that. We are always hungry for originality, we like to be surprised, and we definitely don't like to be suppressed. If you give them a minute, I'm sure you'll find just how different the quality is.

[inbabylontheywept]

Too Confused to Interrogate, Too Confident to Question

When I started my first job in the DoD - in a facility where missiles components are tested - the address they gave me had some software glitches associated with it. If you put that address into apple maps, it takes you to the facility, which is at the end of this unreasonably long winding dirt road through the middle of farmland. It's literally ten miles from my job to the nearest gas station, and then another ten miles until you hit the city limits, and then three miles and I'm home. But if you put that same address into google maps, it takes you to the end of that road while it is still in the city limits. And that end of the road is another classified site, but it's for the IRS. I don't know why they put two classified facilities in the same tiny town in the middle of BFE. Now that I'm thinking about it, I don't know why the IRS has classified facilities at all. Some kind of genetically modified accountant program? God help us.

Anyway, they didn't warn me about the directions bug so for my first day I showed up at the IRS building. They obviously had no idea who I was, but I told them that it was my first day and I didn't know anything about anything except that I was supposed to be there and that I didn't want to be late.

And they let me in.

Because I asked. Because I was that just right blend of too-confused-to-interrogate, but too-confident-to-question. I spent thirty minutes inside of this IRS building before realizing I was not supposed to be there. And instead of telling anyone about this, I just went back to my car and drove off. I have no idea what the consequences of this were. There probably weren't any. I could have stolen a whole filing cabinet of secret genetic templates for our modified accountant program and gotten away scot free. I then drove to the correct location. Apparently, under normal circumstances, I was supposed to be let in by another coworker but because I was late they were all already in the building so I had to call the guard shack on base and do the same song and dance again. The guards are not supposed to let people in. They aren't allowed to. Their sole job is to keep people out. But I did it again, that same superweapon combination of too-confused-to-interrogate but too-confident-to-question and they sent a guy out to get me in. When I arrived on site, I beelined to see my manager (who at that point had become slightly worried about my wellbeing - I was driving on dirt roads in the middle of snowfall after spending my entire life in the desert), and the first thing my manager asked me when I got to his office was

"How the hell did you get in here?" And then I got to explain to him how I had been illegally let into not one, but two secret sites in one day just by being extremely insistent. He was impressed. He was not pleased.

[angstics]

AI anon again. Obviously there's a big difference in like heart and soul between art and programming but programming is still a feat of very human ingenuity that requires very human problem solving skills. It could do what you needed it to do sure, but we will never get good, creative, innovative code from AI just like we will never get good, creative, innovative art.

Not to mention all generative AI, regardless of what you are generating, has the same ethical issues - stolen intellectual property, disastrous levels of water use, corporate greed and putting shareholders over consumers ...

So it really seems more to me what you are the uneducated one with the malformed ethical code around the issue if you think saving a couple minutes on a project is worth basically pouring a bottle of water out on the ground to be lost forever off the backs of every software developer who did not consent to their codebase being used to train LLMs.

If someone wants to talk about this, you can DM me or reply under here. this is easily debunked on every point but i dont care to argue with the air. But, i will say, the energy spent using AI once for 15 minutes can not be any worse than using the internet 15 hours every day