aakresearch

Case in point.

This is not even wrong :-\

I'm really puzzled how my words can be seen as "pushing" any "agenda". My only intent was to point out that "just-so story" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just-so_story) is a lame way to explain complex events. People, of course, are happy to settle on it because of comfort it provides.

I'm sure GP is aware of this. This root has "shitty" connotations in many languages, Russian included.

Indeed, I was going to point out that it may be an innocent mistake, like a decade old "Fedora for Raspberry PI" blunder. But now I've had a close look at the list of contributors, I cannot stop thinking it is an exquisite trolling!

Mary Mallon's case was singled out of many more similar cases. She was treated unfairly and with prejudice. No wonder she behaved "anti-socially".

What revisionism? There was nothing sensible, measured, effective, justified, "common sense" or genuine in the "response" to that "pandemic". I came to believe that it was not even well-intended beyond the first couple of months. No, in my book, authorities lying and manipulating to save their own arse and cover incompetence cannot be absolved or rationalized as well intended.

What you describe is the idealistic picture of how it, perhaps, should have unfolded. You may even genuinely believe it is what actually transpired, and sure as hell you want us to believe the same, but reality disagrees. We remember how it was and we "have receipts".

In Victoria (AU) people were definitely not "asked" but very much demanded to perform all these theatrics. I remember watching some news with police wallowing in pride of scolding and ultimately fining a man who they "caught" sitting in his own car "outside of property boundary" after curfew, apparently needed to escape a heated family situation. By sitting alone and unmasked in the car he would surely cause a mass-spreading of your beloved "virus". We were, in fact, forced to stay indoors. What is the other meaning of "curfew"?

In other multiple examples people were jumped from behind by police, tasered, hand-chocked and even rammed by police cars - again, for being found in "non-compliance" with this nonsense. There was no lack of footage showing people forcibly masked by police. Other measures included arresting people in their homes for "inciting" on social media, large scale deployment of armored vehicles, helicopters and drones to spy on those having BBQ "over allowed number of visitors". Tear gas and rubber bullets for transgressors. Mounted police "kettling" of protesters of such "measures". Care to quantify anti-viral properties of curfews?

We knew all there was to know very early in the show. Diamond Princess was perfect in-vivo experiment. A sardine can full of old farts had 700 out 3700 "infected". Pardon, "tested positive" - I imagine with a PCR test. I wonder was the PCR test at the time used at 40 cycles, which is enough to find traces of this "deadly virus" in orange juice and machine oil? Apparently 14 people later died "from" the "virus". Interestingly, both "tested positive" and "died" were reported after half- to one-and-half-months since vessel was fully abandoned. I can only conclude that those poor 14 were ventilated to death, as it was a preferred method of disposal at the time. Is it even so much over the "baseline" for 3000 septagenarians regardless of covid or any other malaise?

Epidemiology has proven itself to be full of it and unable to take on any new learnings. I suspect it was always like that. "People educated in epidemiology to guide a rapidly changing situation" were even unable to follow their own "guidance"! When they were "blowing off steam" in underground orgies or similarly unable to hold their urges. Do you need reference for that?

There was no justification for anything. Masks were mandated on a whim. Premier of the state went from "wearing a mask for this virus is a waste of mask" to "you are an extremist and far-right if you don't wear one" in one day. Some "health advice" was cited, but request to release that advice later on was denied, and denied it stays to this day. Apparently, it was "not in public interest" to release. Yeah, sure. I totally believe it wasn't pulled out of.. thin air.

On a personal front, not showing unbounded enthusiasm was branded "conspiratorial thinking" and "actively wanting 10% of over-60s dead". By people I considered friends, not less.

So, who really engages in revisionism and newspeak here? Who is an extremist - the one who shuns a useless mask or those who point a (rubber bullet) gun at them or break into their home with handcuffs? What is this derogatory, offending rhetoric spouted from highest level of political and bureaucratic power, if not gaslighting? Who is "spouting full throated delusions as fact"?

I cannot possibly fit all my points into this HN post, or I won't have any time left to work today. But for every bit of nonsense we have a pile of receipts completely refuting it. Even if some "measures" in isolation could be argued reasonable, the whole well was so deeply poisoned that it is absolutely impossible to look at it positively. My most charitable interpretation is that they wanted the measures to be first and foremost visible, and effectiveness or even necessity was not a priority. But my appetite for being charitable went away too, as the stench of their BS was overwhelming. It probably does not matter for establishing the truth, as the trenches have been dug out and the war is declared for many decades ahead. Covid enthusiasts' camp "won the battle" - we were all subjected to all these outlandish orders and demands. Did it help in the end? I do not understand. Not only they were successful with inflicting the maximum pain, but they also now demand us to remember it fondly??? Why? How twisted one's mind has to be? Or is it intoxication from the high of righteousness? Righteousness is a hell of drug, indeed.

If I may address the "such as?" insinuation in the GP post. I'm sure they aren't really genuine in wanting to hear the answer. Otherwise their claimed "education" would have allowed them to see at least some of reasons. If "education" doesn't stand for "brain-washing" and "indoctrination", as it mostly does these days, unfortunately. But I would like to point out at least some political harm. Prior to 2020 I didn't care about politics at all. I do not "consume" news, I didn't know my state's Premier name, and only know our federal PMs for the laughing stock they are, "left" and "right" alike. I can say I was largely onboard with "consensus" on "climate change" and an "ally" on most cultural "issues". But living through the stress of three-year-long torrent of vile, unadulterated lies not only broke my physical body (I developed a condition which will finish me much sooner than I would like), but also made me feeling so incredibly dirty for even remotely associating with that camp. If anything was "baked into my perception", it was by this experience only, not by my apriori position or any media influence. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to wash off this filth, but the only way I'll be able to live with myself and not to finish myself off before my condition does it for me is to deny, defy and sabotage every initiative of everyone who sits atop of this pyramid or wants to climb up to it. No matter how "educated" they are, it is now proven to me that they have less capacity to reflection and learning than even the worst LLMs of today. In fact, calling them "bots" or "NPCs" is an insult to bots or NPCs. In my opinion all they deserve is Nuremberg trial and guillotine, and by association all others who are willingly singing the same song.

Disappointing and astonishing it is, how much of post-hoc rationalization, memory-holing, wishful thinking and general newspeak was squeezed into that post.

Lies, even repeated very often, do not become truth.

Ah-ha, "Boys just havin' fun"™. Being Australian is not incompatible with impostors' or being a good troll!

Judging by what he puts in the open in his other articles, an accomplished fencer he is, so there must be a few who had to fight!

May I point you to the "Compliments" section of his blog, in your search for self-deprecating.

> won't make sense if you're not fluent in both English and online culture.

I am not fluent in either and I'm in love with his style and substance!

I've recently read through many of the author's articles and also through his LinkedIn content, and came to the opposite conclusion. The intentional "In-Your-Face-Trolling" style is intended as a cover for "Impostor Syndrome in Overdrive", which lots of us suffer. Yet he was able to fool so many! Just check the "Compliments" section on his website :)

I made the following comment about him in a conversation with a coworker: " The guy who authored the article is mad. Certifiably mad. Just spewing around pure unadulterated truth. (LinkedIn link goes here) What does it tell about me (or anybody) who so far hadn't found anything in his writings to disagree about? "

Krazam (search YouTube) is the other example of largely the same. But because it is visual it is a bit more obvious.

In other words, "there would be no smoke without fire". I believe, personally, that this truism is a major cause of injustice and grief in the world, historically and at present time. It is absolutely fair and warranted to be skeptical in every possible way every time it is pronounced.

Wow, the projection here is blatant! Well done. Also, "a good reason" may be so in the court of (some) public opinion, but not so much in the court of law. No matter how justified one's reasons are, if they lead to somebody's death it is a case for manslaughter, is it not?

It was later drummed up by pretty much all masking enthusiasts that not wearing a mask is equal to murdering a grandma or two, and some "immunnocompromised" people on top. Surely, grand-scale messaging from position of high authority that "you don't need to wear a mask" will have a quantifiable number of associated deaths, and a very substantial one, under such assumption? Why the perpetrators of the message aren't put on trial for manslaughter? After all, the court may find that they had a "good reason" and acquit them of charges! I will have some basis to believe "public health" messaging, but not before such case is heard. What is the chance it will be?

I know it will never happen.

Why would you act differently when you're experiencing symptoms but the test is negative, if you know the negative is (relatively) highly likely to be "false"? And why would you test if you're having no symptoms? To me it is a very definition of useless test - neither positive nor negative add anything to decision making.

May I ask, what are the appropriate actions which would be different or not appropriate at presence of the same symptoms sans positive test result?

In my corner of Australia healthcare is effectively closed to me, as GPs around here demand wearing masks and allow no exemptions. I guess that's democracy in action. No mask - no rights, as per majority decision.

One of the biggest regrets is letting my US GC "win" to lapse a few years ago. Oh well, it all went down the toilet over there just the same, isn't it?

I am trapped inside of Victoria, unfortunately. I wholeheartedly agree with GP poster. We saw visitor bans, curfews, work permits, arrests, rubber bullets and riot gear police deployed as "epidemiological" measures. My respect for police and public service in general went right out the door. Now there is only fear. Biggest regret of my life to settle down here. The huge majority electing the same person only solidifies my view that they may just be the different biological species. The "premier" spared no expense in making the event all about him and only him - just check the Wikipedia page [0].

That's a feat no other leader in any world's jurisdiction even attempted to. I don't know if it is another "red shirts" undertaking or a sycophantic "grass roots" movement - wouldn't be surprised with both, but just don't care at the moment. Seeking an exit of Victoria, but the most likely one for me will be out of existence.

If you think public support validates the "measures", check another example of similar landslide victory - election in Belarus of 1994. That win was as democratic as they get, I am telling you as a first-hand witness. The support was very genuine, for at least a decade to come. As for myself and my family - we feel that we escaped that hellhole only to land in a worse one... where there is no escape from.

0 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Victoria

Am I looking in the mirror now? Can relate exactly to the T.

Exactly! Prior to 2020 "infectious diseases" wouldn't even have make it to the list as explicit inclusion. Everyone would have thought it is silly to single the mundane topic out like this. It is as ridiculous now as it was back then, but serves as a perfect giveaway of their agenda. See, they bolted it on as a "fifth" to their "list of four", but couldn't be bothered to fix the numerical :)

Exactly!

The analogy I use is SQL is like two-wheeled motorbike - fast, nimble, elegant. Yes, it may be dangerous. Yes, you may need to wear a helmet. Yes, it cannot carry too much load. But it gets you very quickly very far, if you have skill!

Now, ORM sees deficiencies and presents you... two motorbikes welded together side-by-side by some iron sticks. They call it a "car". Four wheels are better than two, right? Two engines can push more load, right? No helmet needed, right?

But does it really become a "car", or it is just has most of deficiencies of the motorbike plus some spectacular new ones? And no benefits of a car whatsoever?

I run away in disgust.

Absolutely agree with the opening statement. However, the example given suggests that the same principle applied to government would result in endless lockdowns and "safety" measures above any reasonable boundary. Officials' accountability should be pinned to something else, not "safety" and not even "money", I think.

I am with you. The analogy I came up with is "map layers". Usually on a geographical map the features are drawn using contours, colours and accompanying names. Such map is, certainly, not a "territory" but is a good representation and easy to work with. Using (capital DI!) Dependency Injection is like a having a map "lobotomized", split into layers where you can never see them together. You either see contours devoid of names, or names hanging in the void. Bonus point if names don't even follow the contours. For any non-trivial number of classes/concepts my brain explodes.

Another bonus point when DI is used for some deep-context "dependencies". Hey, I need a HttpClient object here, to post something somewhere. Why, instead of having a URL and instantiating my client right here, I need to dig through the sands of DI bindings to find a way to "configure" HttpClient for this particular instance? Well, I understand theoretical reasons, but in practice they never make sense and only add pain.

Another bonus point for run-time binding errors. Those sometimes slip through even when there is a "test" in the CI/CD suite for that. I think dependency injection has its place, but as used presently it resembles a cargo-cult.

Where is this fairy country Australia? Living at the western fringe of Greater Melbourne, any charging infrastructure is invisible here, I'm not sure it exists. And $45k or $70k alike both look incredibly expensive to me, I would never find a reason to justify such a purchase. Perhaps going to consider a second-hand deal when the price is below $10k and age is over 10 years, provided the longevity of the battery would look good for the next 10 years and there are "wagon" options on the market.

Honestly cannot understand who are those subsidies for. Recently I witnessed a few times a scene on a parking lot, which appeared to me as a group of overjoyed young people congratulating their happy mate about acquisition of a new ride (invariably a fancy Shelby Mustang or a mean-looking BMW, and invariably on their Ps) - you know, sniffing under the car, patting (the car and the lucky owner) on all surfaces, marveling from all distances. Laughing and selfying. The average age within all those groups, to my judgement, was around 16yo, so I highly doubt they could make full use of Salary Sacrifice incentive. And families like mine will always consider paying for a new car a complete waste. Going "carless" is also absolutely not an option, so if we must spend we're looking for maximum value and minimum outlay.

NNT is certainly smart and is an expert, but what domain? Last time I checked it was mathematical risk modelling and options trading, not medical research. And the most robust modelling on a flawed premise is still flawed.

Of course I don't want it. Why would I? It is like demands for intercourse from random strangers, claiming you're immoral for not caring about "benefits" for THEM. Mask IS dehumanizing, and IS a symbol of control, just like any forced sexual activity. Why breathing and face are suddenly considered less sacred than nether zone? "What makes it different", from masks, or pants, or waiting the red light? If consensual sex between lovers is a wonderful and most natural experience ever, with all soothing and healing aspects, why it is not appropriate to make it mandatory under some circumstances? Even more, why breaching sexual consent even in minor way is considered worse-than-murder in some cultures?

Wearing mask is as revolting as sex against one's natural "orientation". If someone thinks this is unreasonable and one should "get help" to "fix" it, I remind them that they may be fighting against strongly held "identity" belief. "Conversion therapy" is being declared evil, for some valid reasons. And I won't even say how I feel about forced, mandatory mask wearing.

From my perspective, this is what happens every night when I go to sleep. I may well "not exist" for the duration of the night. The whole connection from me-today to me-yesterday is my memory. Even the concept of physical continuation of the body (and every other belief, spiritual or materialistic) may be the induced memory. The only thing that help keep the fear of sleeping (effectively, dying) at bay is confidence that tomorrow large chunk of my today's memory will exist. And from this perspective, it doesn't matter whether this memory is bound to the single physical body or spread in the community.

> So the patterns of the consciousness of any individual are actually distributed, holographically, through a community of brains.

Beautifully said. Exactly matches my own perception. The width of this distribution is helped by conversations shared with people, books read together, movies watched, games played. "Common" memories. I think the momentum to write, to make art generally is driven by this instinctive intuition, desire to extend the life of one's consciousness in the community. We really don't die until we're completely forgotten.

Was going to ask for any reading recommendation, but noticed the Hofstadter right there. Thank you!

So it is the same effect as with mandatory bicycle helmets, where the main contribution to decreased trauma rates seems to come from many people refusing to ride the bicycle at all, missing on all the goodness it brings. I even wonder if most mandates' (helmets, face masks, seatbelts, all kinds of licensing, etc.) effect is confounded primarily by them serving as "red tape". I'm guessing no one is really interested in finding this out.

You almost got me, friend, with these platitudes. Almost. First class right here!