justing.net

The Learning Currents 50

By Justin G. on 25APR08TUE

I encountered a number of words that I had never seen before this week. Also, the robots are coming.

1. Articles & Newsletters
   • After last week’s puzzlement over the sartorial requirements of the robot kind, there has been a timely update. The robots are coming and they have clothes (nyt gift link). I admit that was sooner than I expected. This, machine, is just up the proverbial road from my house.
   • Large models are a social technology is a useful framing for thinking about the impacts on human society. Other technologies, for reference: writing, and the printing press, rapid mail, the telegraph, radio, the internet, etc. What is not a social technology?
2. Podcasts
   • Panic World about how to deal with it when someone you know falls for conspiracy theories. Do they even know it when they are being mislead? Do I?
3. Words
   • Peavey, a tool for turning logs. I had completely forgotten this word until I was talking with B about steam donkeys and old family logging stories.
   • [a]estivate: to pass the summer, possibly dormant.
   • recondite: concealed, hidden, or not easily understood.
   • aesthete: a person who appreciates particularly the beautiful, or who acts that way.
   • limpid: clear or transparent, easily intelligible, calm.
   • modality: fundamental, essential, or core mode of being.
   • casuistry: logic, often flawed, for deciding a case of conscience.
   • prolixity: long-winded.
   • liminal: the threshold below which stimulus cannot be perceived.
4. Facts & Ideas
   • The video game industry is over 5 times larger, in terms of revenue, than the movie industry.

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