Asato Asari's light novel 86 emerged from his winning entry in the 2016 Dengeki Novel Prize. The competition's theme, "this light novel is amazing!", inspired Asari to explore the darker aspects often omitted from such narratives, specifically focusing on the exploitation and dehumanization of a marginalized group. He crafts a story about the Republic of San Magnolia, seemingly fighting a bloodless war with autonomous drones, when in actuality, the "drones" are piloted by the oppressed Eighty-Six, forced to fight and die for the privileged Alba. Asari utilizes mecha and military sci-fi tropes to examine themes of racial discrimination, prejudice, and the consequences of societal indifference to injustice. The novel's success stems from its compelling narrative, complex characters, and powerful social commentary.
Zeynep Tufekci's TED Talk argues that the current internet ecosystem, driven by surveillance capitalism and the pursuit of engagement, is creating a dystopian society. Algorithms, optimized for clicks and ad revenue, prioritize emotionally charged and polarizing content, leading to filter bubbles, echo chambers, and the spread of misinformation. This system erodes trust in institutions, exacerbates social divisions, and manipulates individuals into behaviors that benefit advertisers, not themselves. Tufekci warns that this pursuit of maximizing attention, regardless of its impact on society, is a dangerous path that needs to be corrected through regulatory intervention and a fundamental shift in how we design and interact with technology.
Hacker News users generally agreed with Zeynep Tufekci's premise that the current internet ecosystem, driven by advertising revenue, incentivizes harmful content and dystopian outcomes. Several commenters highlighted the perverse incentives of engagement-based algorithms, noting how outrage and negativity generate more clicks than nuanced or positive content. Some discussed the lack of viable alternatives to the ad-supported model, while others suggested potential solutions like micropayments, subscriptions, or federated social media. A few commenters pointed to the need for stronger regulation and the importance of individual responsibility in curating online experiences. The manipulation of attention through "dark patterns" and the resulting societal polarization were also recurring themes.
Simon Willison's blog post showcases the unsettling yet fascinating capabilities of O3, a new location identification tool. By analyzing seemingly insignificant details within photos, like the angle of sunlight, vegetation, and distant landmarks, O3 can pinpoint a picture's location with remarkable accuracy. Willison demonstrates this by feeding O3 his own photos, revealing the tool's ability to deduce locations from obscure clues, sometimes even down to the specific spot on a street. This power evokes a sense of both wonder and unease, highlighting the potential for privacy invasion while showcasing a significant leap in image analysis technology.
Hacker News users discussed the implications of Simon Willison's blog post demonstrating a tool that accurately guesses photo locations based on seemingly insignificant details. Several expressed awe at the technology's power while also feeling uneasy about privacy implications. Some questioned the long-term societal impact of such readily available location identification, predicting increased surveillance and a chilling effect on photography. Others pointed out potential positive applications, such as verifying image provenance or aiding historical research. A few commenters focused on technical aspects, discussing potential countermeasures like blurring details or introducing noise, while others debated the ethical responsibilities of developers creating such tools. The overall sentiment leaned towards cautious fascination, acknowledging the impressive technical achievement while recognizing its potential for misuse.
The author predicts a future where AI-driven content farms flood the internet, creating an overwhelming amount of low-quality, SEO-optimized content designed solely for ad revenue. This will drown out human-created content, making it increasingly difficult to find valuable information online. The internet will become a vast wasteland of algorithmically generated text and images, ultimately degrading the online experience and leaving users frustrated with the lack of genuine human connection and authentic content. This bleak future is driven by the economic incentives of advertising, where quantity trumps quality, and AI provides a cost-effective way to dominate search results.
HN users largely agree with the author's premise that AI will disrupt creative fields, leading to a glut of mediocre content and a devaluation of human-created art. Some highlight the historical precedent of technological advancements impacting creative industries, such as photography replacing portrait painters. Concerns about copyright, the legal definition of art, and the difficulty of proving human authorship are recurring themes. Several commenters discuss the potential for AI to become a tool for artists, rather than a replacement, suggesting humans might curate or refine AI-generated content. A few express skepticism, pointing to the limitations of current AI and the enduring value of human creativity and emotional depth. The possibility of AI-generated art creating new artistic mediums or aesthetics is also mentioned.
The article explores a peculiar editing choice in Apple TV+'s Severance. Specifically, it highlights how scenes depicting remote desktop software usage were altered, seemingly to avoid showcasing specific brands or potentially revealing internal Apple practices. Instead of realistic depictions of screen sharing or remote access, the show uses stylized and somewhat nonsensical visuals, which the article suggests might stem from Apple's desire to maintain a controlled image and avoid any unintended associations with its own internal tools or workflows. This meticulous control, while potentially preserving Apple's mystique, ends up creating a slightly distracting and unrealistic portrayal of common workplace technology.
HN commenters discuss the plausibility and implications of the remote editing process depicted in Severance. Some doubt the technical feasibility or efficiency of using remote desktop software for high-end video editing, especially given Apple's own ecosystem. Others suggest it's a commentary on corporate surveillance and control, reflecting real-world trends of employee monitoring. A few commenters highlight the show's satirical nature, arguing that the implausibility is intentional and serves to underscore the dystopian themes. The most compelling comments analyze the remote editing as a metaphor for the detachment and alienation of modern work, where employees are increasingly treated as interchangeable cogs. Several also appreciate the attention to detail in the show's depiction of outdated or quirky software, viewing it as a realistic portrayal of how legacy systems persist in large organizations. A minority of comments focus on the legal and ethical questions raised by the severance procedure itself.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44022322
Hacker News users discuss the etymology of "86," meaning to remove or reject something. Several commenters corroborate the article's claim of its origin at Chumley's speakeasy in New York, specifically referencing its 86 Bedford Street address and the ejection of unruly patrons. Some debate revolves around whether the term originated with the specific address or with Chumley's "86'ing" specific menu items when they ran out. Other commenters offer alternate, though less substantiated, theories involving railroad terminology or rhyming slang. A few simply express appreciation for finally learning the term's origin.
The Hacker News post titled "An Uplifting Origin of 86 (2001)" with the ID 44022322 has several comments discussing the origin of the term "86" used in restaurant lingo to mean "remove from the menu" or "out of stock." The comments generally revolve around corroborating or disputing the article's proposed etymology, offering alternative theories, and sharing personal anecdotes.
One compelling comment thread discusses the potential connection between the term "86" and Chumley's, a speakeasy bar in New York City located at 86 Bedford Street. Commenters share various stories and interpretations about how the bar's address might have become associated with the slang term, with some suggesting that unruly patrons were "86'd" from the premises. This theory is debated, with other commenters expressing skepticism and pointing out the lack of definitive evidence.
Another comment thread focuses on alternative etymologies, including the possibility of a connection to diner lingo and the practice of shortening orders to expedite communication. One commenter suggests that "86" might have originated as a code for items that were no longer available, simplifying communication between the waitstaff and the kitchen.
Several comments also mention the use of "86" in other contexts, such as in military slang, further complicating the search for a definitive origin. Commenters share their own experiences and regional variations in the use of the term, highlighting the diverse and often contradictory nature of slang etymology.
A few commenters offer personal anecdotes about using or hearing the term "86" in restaurants and other settings. These anecdotes provide a real-world context for the discussion and illustrate the term's widespread use.
Overall, the comments on the Hacker News post offer a range of perspectives on the origin of "86," from historical anecdotes to linguistic analysis. While a definitive etymology remains elusive, the comments provide a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of slang and the challenges of tracing its origins.