Latest Activity > middleearth

Sites

All the latest Neocities site news!

Neocities allows anyone to create a free web site to express themselves. Want to create your own awesome site? Join us!

Just so you know, imgur hosted images aren't viewable for people living in the UK. It might cause issues for people wanting to join the book webring if they can't use the button.
Here's another little epilogue to the AI problem. Robin Hobb (AKA Meghan Lindholm) has discovered that she and other authors' work have been used by Meta in a data set to train AI without their consent. Here's a couple of links to the Author's Guild about the issue... https://authorsguild.org/news/meta-libgen-ai-training-book-heist-what-authors-need-to-know/
1 like
1 like
bright-eyes's avatar bright-eyes 1 year ago

I did a search on this site to see which authors are in the Lib Gen database, and works from everyone I looked up came up in it, from authors like Tolkien to modern day writers like Marie Brennan.

1 like
readingproject's avatar readingproject 1 year ago

It's pretty disgusting. You've obviously been following this. You suggested I do a blog post last month about it. I think I'll wait to the beginning of next month when the post will be active for longer. Think I will also include something in my next newsletter. If you want to write anything for either of those I'd be happy to include it in either of those. Thanks

Odinists - 1% spirituality and 99% hating everything.
Everyone thinks that AI is going to destroy the world in the same manner that you see in Terminator, I, Robot or Humans, but in actuality it's going to be through spreading mis-information through over consumption of power/water contributing to climate change, AI generated content, copyright infringement, bogus crafting patterns that don't work and fake art.
In other news, Harper-Colins is once again having a 50% off sale, so I managed to snag four Raymond E. Feist books, and a Meghan Lindholm...
Stuff like this really pisses me off, and it's an insult to my grandmother's generation... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clynxz2ypv8o
I was hoping to have an afternoon on LOTRO, but it looks like it's their maintenance day. Always seems to happen...
One thing that cracks me up is when you're cleaning, reorganizing, packing up to move home/unpacking after you've moved home, you always find a random object that you didn't know how you came to possess it, what is actually is or what it's used for, all you know is that you have no use for it or that it's trash...
bright-eyes's avatar bright-eyes 1 year ago

Random metal objects that seem to come from something mechanical/DIY seem to be the most common, plastic second.

I thought that you might be interested in doing a piece about this on the blog portion of the Reading Project. I've noticed over the past year or so that there are a lot of low quality e-books showing up on Amazon in particular - you can usually tell them because the author doesn't have a fantastic fiction page about them and their books, and they usually have
1 like
bright-eyes's avatar bright-eyes 1 year ago

a series of books which have a lot of books in them in an inconceivably short period of time. https://www.404media.co/ai-generated-slop-is-already-in-your-public-library-3/

1 like
readingproject's avatar readingproject 1 year ago

I've been noticing ads pop up on my feed promoting 'AI' programs that will get your novel written in the afternoon so you can have it published and selling by dinner, sort-of-thing. I made comment about this sort of thing in the sidebar for a recent review on Richard Osman's We Solve Murders. It's a depressing situation

readingproject's avatar readingproject 1 year ago

I've just finished reading the article. It's really terrible. I hadn't thought about the issue librarians face, of trying to curate their collections and the problems of paying to use low-quality AI-produced material that is not clearly labelled as AI generated. I was speaking to several authors last year who were also depressed about how this is changing their industry

bright-eyes's avatar bright-eyes 1 year ago

It is. I first came across the problem with Kindle e-books because I looked up some that looked interesting and then when I opened the page, they were badly written. There are several apps that e-mail kindle book suggestions to you which you can download for free, or low cost and I suspect that most of those are AI generated, or at least poorly written and edited. I now only buy/download kindle books from authors I

1 like
bright-eyes's avatar bright-eyes 1 year ago

recognize. It is frustrating as a reader and it's probably equally as frustrating for authors, especially new ones because people will be reluctant to buy/read their work. In some ways, I wished I'd bought a different e-reader because I don't see the same problem associated with other e-readers, and kindle unlimited isn't that useful.

1 like
readingproject's avatar readingproject 1 year ago

I had an ereader many years ago but didn't enjoy the experience. Reading old fashioned books mitigates this problem to a large degree. But I can see scenarios, long-term, where even that could be affected.

There's a nazi bloke on dreamwidth moaning about people with disabilities and chronic illnesses like it's some kind of spiritual and moral failing. Should I tell the guy that it could happen to anyone, including him? My partner was diagnosed with a heart condition last year, his son in law almost died from a brain hemorrhage in the summer and has only now gone back to work (I hope he stays ok), countless people -
1 like
bright-eyes's avatar bright-eyes 1 year ago

we've known have become ill and died with cancer, one friend witnessed a bloke getting shot in the head while he was at work and getting severe ptsd from it, folks in the military can at any time, get permanently injured during their day's work, a person can get injured while crossing the road, a baby can be born with genetic condition...

1 like
We have a normal winter, relatively speaking, compared to what we've had for yonks... OK, it could be because we are further north than we have lived before, but still... So we have a normal winter, and the BBC posts this rubbish... What do you want? We have a normal winter and you try to say that it is abnormal, but ignore years of warm winters because it's more - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn938ze4yyeo
bright-eyes's avatar bright-eyes 1 year ago

convenient.

bright-eyes's avatar bright-eyes 1 year ago

There you have it, folks. A normal winter is more abnormal than an abnormal one...

Time marches on... But what I think is worrying in conjunction with all of this, is the rise of the far-right all over the world, not just in the US (for obvious reasons), but also elsewhere. I've been following the Bulletin for a number of years now (heck, it always surprises me that the seconds countdown was only announced a couple of years back - it seems longer to me!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqifSCvzaFI
1 like
bright-eyes's avatar bright-eyes 1 year ago

Moving it on one second only seems a little bit optimistic - I would have moved it on further. I wonder if Starmer and the rest of the politicians will grow up and start making sensible moves to make things better? Probably not, because we wouldn't be in this mess if they had.

If tech companies can rip off creators with AI, then fan ficers, fan artists, musicians, etc, should be able to make money of work that isn't their own too. (I don't believe that, but changes in law to allow tech companies to use AI to generate money like this is a farce.) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xqv9g8442o
2 likes
Is Channel 5 feeling alright? An actual, traditional, sci-fi space show? I didn't know that those were made now adays...
bright-eyes's avatar bright-eyes 1 year ago

Real Sci-Fi is a rarity on British run channels these days.

Popular Tags

art   music   videogames   programming   games   anime   food   personal   writing   cats   blog   movies   books   gaming   fashion   photography   comics   animation   design   horror   game   drawing   coding   arte   manga   portfolio   furry   reading   ocs   poetry   cute   technology   musica   kpop   history   animals   education   film   literature   fun   roblox   philosophy   programacion   sports   nature   html   science   tech   programing   videogame   politics   travel   minecraft   gamedev   web   love   retro   life   school   videojuegos   computers   youtube   pokemon   cartoons   2000s   blogging   fantasy   diary   video   illustration   pink   dogs   idk   gardening   random   comic   videos   internet   memes   linux   ai   oc   cooking   y2k   queer   arg   nostalgia   kawaii   tv   fandom   crafts   webcomic   test   journal   worldbuilding   aesthetic   cars   emo   business   fanfiction   media   vocaloid   films   learning   news   health   space   stuff   math   silly   fiction   website   stories   cutecore   culture   arts   scifi   90s   etc   journaling   painting   cat   baking   football   punk   crochet   graphics   3d   homestuck   goth   marketing   cinema   css   software   pixelart   diy   commissions   lgbt   psychology   program   archive   artist   sport   dance   shows   sanrio   digitalart   dnd   series   me   makeup   comida   creativity   metal   characters   trans   religion   graphicdesign   lgbtq   editing   funny   lifestyle   indie   aboutme   cool   rpg   friends   fanart   streaming   entertainment   clothes   plants   code   sonic   development   guitar   story   scene   roleplay   webcomics   javascript   comedy   languages   everything   electronics   rock   zines   ttrpg   sewing   community   engineering   weird   study   aesthetics   reviews   webcore   hacking   gay   cyberpunk   beauty   basketball   webdesign   originalcharacters   it   fnaf   educacion   vintage   soccer   computer   social   photos   spirituality   deltarune   vtuber   weirdcore   oldweb   pets   discord   informatica   blogs   coffee   project   storytelling   architecture   thoughts   biology   hobbies   flowers   shop   movie   vaporwave   information   clothing   undertale   magic   shopping   japan   language   lore   mlp   cosplay   nintendo   creative   ttrpgs   book   fitness   about   testing   fandoms   chat   radio   experimental   physics   digital   alternative   nothing   money   astronomy   blinkies   websites   crypto   html5   info   singing   birds   site   cybersecurity   personalwebsite   crafting   bugs   japanese   wip   witchcraft   juegos   research   anything   tecnologia   furries   occult   tvshows   band   finance   theatre   gamedevelopment   autism   projects   other   sleep   sleeping   moda   television   profile   dolls   events   resume   yaoi   futbol   interests   vr   knitting   work   lain   gatos   all   photo   system   fish   vampires   linguistics   genshin   apps   dreams   transgender   frutigeraero   romance   poems   collecting   astrology   wiki   puzzle   animes   splatoon   rap   mentalhealth   toys   meme   developer   fanfic   python   webdevelopment   visualnovels   dancing   app   free   aliens   gym   essays   ghchs   tarot   english   drawings   animations   marvel   skateboarding   cartoon   gothic   windows   hiking   family   bio   coquette   stamps   robots   gamedesign   carrd   medicine   pixels   intro   dog   modding   fortnite   chess   touhou   a   gyaru   interactive   humor   pizza   journalism   deportes   puzzles   mathematics   teaching   dragons   security   gallery   mystery   osc   characterdesign   links   popculture   birthday   yuri   online   roleplaying   adventure   zine   hobby   fnf   data   creepypasta   resources   no   jogos   rp   mythology   fansite   traveling   blender   musicals   jfashion   objectshows   pixel   ocean   lol   myself   piano   gifs   vkei   novels   zonelets   law   introduction   amor   meow   dreamcore   audio   twitch   peliculas   recipes   hiphop   ffxiv   home   libros   breakcore   indiegames   dark   style   studying   pjsk   noise   running   tf2   communism   stars   bfdi   danganronpa   privacy   paranormal   shrine   swag   podcast   scenecore   progamming   activism   rpgs   plushies   christianity   wrestling   graphic   death   car   boardgames   production   none   robotics   bunnies   spanish   foods   hellokitty   utau   pictures   socialmedia   ecommerce   craft   jewelry   twine   pinterest   songs   omori   awesome   filmmaking   outdoors   educational   feminism   android   volleyball   designing   travelling   lesbian   anarchism   cine   student   things   geography   collage   god   electronic   maths   grunge   3dmodeling   bl   misc   dev   dinosaurs   lolita   vent   scratch   deporte   brasil   webdev   alt   80s   environment   girls   sharks   store   blue   clowns   unblocked   tools   transformers   old   jazz   stickers   cafe   realestate   novel   vtubers   starwars   mario   jpop   computing   bitcoin   whimsy   jesus   acting   pc   theater   chemistry   tea   trains   bts   college   help   fotografia   creepy   doom   construction   manhwa   images   plurality   yoga   computerscience   tumblr   baseball   translation   services   args   vlog   event   flash   mcr   whatever   cyber   warriorcats   multimedia   collection   cozy   programmer   horses   programar   lego   pop   java   videography   retrogaming   videoediting   epic   pastel   f1   supernatural   filmes   escuela   persona   dj   skating   draw   trading   tabletop   weed   historia   southpark   gamer   insects   literatura   hardware   miku   therian   salud   yes   opensource   podcasts   techno   weather   girly   forum   tiktok   monsters   lgbtqia   dc   ecology   economics   js   green   socialism   truecrime   swimming   tcc   people   3dprinting   drama   programas   medical   angels   nerd   skincare   tattoos   maps   surrealism   bsd   chatting   sound   kandi   trinkets   hi   shoes   freedom   modeling   restaurant   ropa   cricket   otherkin   vhs   homepage   search   edm   learn   enstars   animanga   ideas   world   kirby   estudiante   cleaning   fishing   animales   author   healthcare   kidcore   hockey   livros   tourism   kdrama   sociology   artwork   cultura   artes   text   conspiracy   turismo   digitalmarketing   analysis   bible   halloween   service   sketching   hardcore   racing   tennis   petz   chill   videogaming   curso   bands   academia   plural   sculpture   shitposting   closedspecies   colors   depression   knowledge   wedding   thrifting   analog   friendship   visualnovel   did   eating   egl   writting   brazil   homework   christian   cv   women   programa   frogs   programacao   creation   purple   surreal   general   networking   rats   scary   drugs   furniture   library   ambient   alterhuman   sites   sciencefiction   retrogames   aviation   medieval   academic   mobile   hair   university   genshinimpact   sustainability   blockchain   gacha   graffiti   anarchy   foss   wellness   mangas   tutorials   mods   yapping   rants   ceramics   society   magazine   3dart   theology   cryptids   anthropology   glitch   quotes   batman   soft   water   truth   ux   webseries   garden   practice   rpgmaker   ghosts   writer   onepiece   schoolproject   server   talking   cycling   building   estudio   esoteric   erotica   harrypotter   cryptocurrency   informacion   tattoo   otaku   crocheting   concerts   nails   bot   review   superheroes   species   jjba   company   programs   theory   archives   guns   forsaken   conlang   character   notes   illustrations   creating   class   scrapbooking   liminal   live   analoghorror   neocities   shrines   camping   cards   cs   play   kdramas   meditation   startrek   bikes   spiderman   french   instagram   selfship   performance   kids   os   disney   shitpost   musicproduction   articles   miriadax   animal   handmade   noticias   seals   sanat   vampire   church   content   synthesizers   chaos   revival   communication   decor   google   terror   voiceacting   twitter   apple   shoegaze   ultrakill   crime   css3   house   unblockedgames   rhythmgames   blood   training   lostmedia   future   yumeship   industrial   mtg   crk   folklore   originalcharacter   vida   evangelion   advertising   mylittlepony   disability   quiz   creativewriting   idols   programmation   paganism   youtuber   vlogs   vrchat   exercise   new   sims   vinyl   dating   satire   animalcrossing   zelda   interactivefiction   party   commission   viajes   frontend   repair   marxism   hetalia   doodles   calculator   fanfics   rambling   dandysworld   embroidery   magick   joke   islam   sweets   animating   adhd   poesia   something   ia   spooky   designer   creatures   facts   vtubing   military   neopets   visualkei   programm   entretenimiento   prompts   daily   jobs   randomstuff   silliness   musics   cheese   shifting   finalfantasy   geek   bass   desing   more   tamagotchi   vegan   overwatch   scp   datascience   beach   halflife   mha   tareas   miscellaneous   black   cult   rainbow   oldinternet   anthro   developing   songwriting   jeux   shoujo   tarea   hack   club   webring   kink   jokes   todo   vibes   conlangs   happy   tecnology   warhammer   motorcycles   photoshop   spiritual   collections   zombies   dungeonsanddragons   studies   underground   musique   download   beginner   musicas   miniatures   arcane   glitter   hotel   tips   drinks   ranfren   musician   self   trabajo   mushrooms   videgames   tokusatsu   ui   1   private   stem   archival   doctorwho   lofi   cities   solarpunk   ar   gossip   faith   map   agriculture   productivity   streamer   beer   rave   instruments   secret   desarrollo   christmas   projectsekai   mecha   edits   blackmetal   pet   yugioh