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[The deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure or structures that don't have specific military objectives is largely considered a war crime.]

#21

Politics, Society and News. / Re: Is World War III coming?

Last post by buster - October 22, 2026, 04:58:55 PM

Apparently Israel and Trump are going to start bombing Iran after the midterms.

"The New York Times reported that the administration and Israel want to restart operations soon after the midterms, citing multiple U.S. officials and "other people briefed on the deliberations" in its reporting.

According to that report, targets that the two countries could aim for in Iran include its missile and drone arsenals, but also civilian infrastructure such as power plants. The deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure or structures that don't have specific military objectives is largely considered a war crime.

#22

Politics, Society and News. / Re: Simple Known Dangers with ...

Last post by buster - October 22, 2026, 04:45:08 PM

Bit of a sell off today for what is known as "AI stocks" like AMD falling about 5%. Seems to be a worry that borrowing costs will not be covered by revenue, and so chip maker's profits will also suffer, and anyone tangentially connected economically to the expected cash-cow AI. 

But that could all change tomorrow.

#23

Politics, Society and News. / Re: Does AI have feelings?

Last post by ssfc72 - October 22, 2026, 12:52:56 PM

Sorry, I should have said that I use the Startpage search engine, not Google.

Startpage does actually use the Google search engine, but it somewhat isolates you from Google, so Google doesn"t really know who is doing the search query.

#24

Politics, Society and News. / Re: Does AI have feelings?

Last post by buster - October 22, 2026, 12:30:17 PM

" Look at the top of your search results; the first blurb is usually AI."

I like and use this feature a lot. Right now I'm researching and watching film noir and westerns, mostly 40's to 70's. The summaries are generally gathered info that has been established. It's a guilty shortcut.

If I wish to turn off AI during a search I follow this advice:

"Add -ai to Queries: Type -ai at the end of your search phrase to manually filter out generative results."

#25

Politics, Society and News. / Re: Does AI have feelings?

Last post by Jason - October 21, 2026, 09:17:17 PM

I have never used AI bots for questions/searches.

 I just use Google search for any answers that I need.

Google uses AI in its searches whether you want it to or not. Look at the top of your search results; the first blurb is usually AI. It seems other search engines do, too. I wish they wouldn't, though. If I want to use AI, I'll use a chatbot directly. If I want a search, I'll use that instead. I don't need a Frankenstein monster of search.

#26

Politics, Society and News. / Re: Simple Known Dangers with ...

Last post by Jason - October 21, 2026, 09:13:07 PM

I find it fascinating how people's whims can drag down entire economies, even when driven by bad information or the bandwagon effect. I'm taking Sociology this term, which certainly could study this group behaviour, and likely already does.

#27

Politics, Society and News. / Re: Simple Known Dangers with ...

Last post by buster - October 16, 2026, 03:57:14 PM

Continuing yesterday's post. This quote is from a summary analysis after markets closed today:

"• Semiconductors & Chipmakers: Major players like Nvidia, AMD, and Intel have faced multi-day slides following hotter-than-expected U.S. producer and consumer price inflation reports that shift Federal Reserve rate-cut expectations.
• Sector Rotation: While AI and tech indexes face pressure, investors have shifted capital toward defensive areas like healthcare and traditional value stocks."

#28

Politics, Society and News. / Re: Simple Known Dangers with ...

Last post by buster - October 15, 2026, 06:24:26 PM

Jason commented he thought the AI froth might stop any day, and today a few have decided it's going to, and not for moral or fear reasons, but because of simple monetary reasons, and have withdrawn money from the AI stocks.

The physical nature of AI requires graphics chips (and other types), storage, and ample electricity. We can maybe leave out for now transportation, clean water, and designers, as well as buildings and some staff.

To build the AI stations and it's needed infrastructure requires trillions of dollars of borrowed money. Trillions. And then the contracts are created and the users gradually pay off the loans. Sounds foolproof. Easy money.

However.

Some companies may not go whole hog and may just dip a few toes in to see if it suits them. And if their contract is 3 years, they may go somewhere else cheaper or better after the contract expires.

Inflation in the USA has kept moving up and lending rates are expected to be raised again in December. USA bond prices range from about 4.75 to 5.25 %. So AI borrowers need to pay back the principal (like trillions?) plus the interest on the principal which will grow each year unless the interest is paid down smartly.

Businesses will want to see results for paying for AI.

A hint of what might happen has taken place on the markets during the last few days. AI stocks, like AMD and Nvidia, have lost value. Some major investors have sold all these stocks. Nothing drastic has happened, but it has been commented upon, which you will notice if you check the market sites each morning and evening.

This is not a prediction, but an expansion on Jason's comment on a cultural turn.

[High Plains Drifter]

#29

Entertainment / High Plains Drifter is far mor...

Last post by buster - October 13, 2026, 06:37:53 PM

Watched today High Plains Drifter. Mystery, character study. Cowardice versus courage. Drama. Guilt. Great pacing. (A few things seem wrong because of our changing awareness, but not very much.)

The opening with the credits must be disappointing for those whose names appeared because the the slow descent of the unknown horseman as the credits rolled - all eyes are on him. One of the best openings ever, and one of the best climaxes at the end.

And a sensible romantic ending has to be avoided, but you can't know why until the final minute.

This is as close to art as a movie can get I suspect. It is not just guns and fights and good scenery. It stays within the genre, but goes beyond it in a way John Wayne never could.

Clint Eastwood directed very well. Lovely pace.

Impressive.

#30

Politics, Society and News. / Re: Does AI have feelings?

Last post by buster - October 13, 2026, 02:49:29 PM

I'm with Bill on this, though I do use the AI built into Google searches for things like movie reviews and geography. Usually I also look up some of the other sites that aren't part of the original summary.