de minimis: No small matters

Just this past week, the US and its so-called greatest ally Israel initiated a war against Iran. While the justification for this war has varied, with various US and Israeli leaders giving numerous contradictory explanations, the war continues nevertheless. The US and Israel assassinated the Ayatollah Khomeini, the spiritual and political leader of Iran. Iran…

As described in my earlier post, Android is becoming much less open at the behest of Google. Later this year, Google will fully implement ADV, “Android Developer Verification” in Android. ADV is a technical measure that requires all Android developers, even developers who provide apps through sources other than the Google-operated Play Store, to submit…

Of late, I’ve decided to make giving to others an important part of my life. Growing up, I always thought it was better to receive than to give; now that I am at this stage in my life, it seems it truly is better to give than to receive. I feel better when I give…

Windows 11 is spyware. Windows 8 and 10 really shook off the pretense of your own computer being independent of centralized control in their attempt to provide a smartphone-like interface. But Windows 11 takes hostility towards the user to another level. Forced Microsoft account just to use the computer A couple years ago, a friend…

When we think of Italian cars, we often think of major luxury brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini. But, in my opinion, the best Italian car is the Fiat Cinquecento (500). A small city car; efficient, practical Unlike “supercars” from Italian marques, the Fiat 500 is a practical and efficient vehicle. It seats up to four…

I have decided not to feature a comments section on this website. Why? While I hope you find the content of value on a personal level, your affirmation or discontent is not the reason I write. If you like it, you’ll read it and share the ideas, perhaps apply them to your life. I don’t…

Charity, of whatever sort, and humility, are the best ways to undermine the vile money-based, exploitative system in which we find ourselves today. Why are they the best ways? First, they are not illegal. While there are other ways that might be more effective if enough people did them, charity and humility not only undermine…

I recently learned a city I frequent near my home not only already has installed, but in fact elected to expand, quite significantly, their police department’s Flock camera network. I had heard of Flock before, and as I looked into it I became rather dismayed at the use of tax dollars for mass surveillance AI…

I’ve been using Android for quite a while. Over a decade, in fact; my first Android device was a Chinese-made 7in Android tablet “aPad” running v1.6. Now, however, I’m essentially done with smartphones (whether iOS, Android, AOSP, or some flavor of GNU/Linux). Instead, I’m moving to a “dumbphone”, a flip-phone running Kai OS, and below…

I am beginning a journey away from technology, especially “throwaway” technology and technology that is either designed or known to surveil the user. As part and parcel of this decision, last week I gave away my Samsung Galaxy smartwatch, and will be replacing it with a Casio G-Shock digital watch with atomic clock receiver (enabling…