Category: Non Fiction
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IP Bloat and ZIRP
IP bloat and zero interest rates, my friends, are the twin nightmares of our modern entertainment and economic systems. The former, a grotesque carnival of stale franchises and soulless sequels, floods the market with an avalanche of derivative dreck, hoping to drown out the creaky echoes of its own mediocrity. The latter, zero interest rates,…
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Capital is Not Autistic
In the intricate dance of societal structures, the nature of capital and the condition of autism present a compelling contrast, both in their levels of abstraction and their impact on the world. To understand these differences fully, we must delve into the nature of each—capital as a force of systemic abstraction and autism as a…
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A Carrier Bag Theory of Systems
In the world of system design and implementation, the path from conception to deployment is fraught with unexpected complexities and inefficiencies. As John Gall might astutely observe, systems invariably cost more, take longer, and deliver less than anticipated. This truism extends seamlessly to new architectures, where the promise of streamlined functionality and optimized performance often…
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The Great Silicon Valley Shakedown: Pearls, Sophistries, and the Hymn to Stability
By the time the sun rises over the spires of Silicon Valley, a certain brand of chaos has already taken hold. It’s a controlled chaos, carefully crafted and nurtured by the so-called “disruptors” who sit in high-backed chairs made from the bones of yesterday’s industries. These men—and they are almost always men—are the Venture Capitalists,…
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Algorithms and Section 230
A platform’s algorithm, far from being a neutral intermediary, actively constructs reality by shaping and directing the user’s desires, creating a speech that is its own, and therefore, liable. The algorithm acts as the Big Other, imposing a Symbolic Order on the user, reflecting back a distorted image of the self, rooted not in the…
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The Industrial Revolution of a Type I Civilization:
As humanity inches closer to becoming a Type I civilization—a status where we can harness and manipulate the total energy output of our planet—we stand at the precipice of an unprecedented industrial revolution. Yet, as with all monumental leaps forward, this journey is fraught with challenges that echo some of the oldest paradoxes and most…
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The Symbolic Reality of AI and the Unseen Frontier of Type I Civilization
In the twilight of the 21st century, humanity finds itself standing at the threshold of a new epoch, one where the boundaries between the digital and the physical blur into an indistinct haze. Artificial Intelligence, the latest and perhaps most transformative offspring of the Industrial Revolution, now governs vast swathes of human activity. Yet, for…
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The High Cost of Necessity
In the landscape of modern technology and agriculture, the dominance of companies like OpenAI and Monsanto presents a strikingly similar narrative. Both sectors—artificial intelligence and genetically modified organisms—exhibit a troubling trend: market leaders imposing inflated costs while wielding disproportionate power. This essay explores the dual-edged nature of this dominance, dissecting the cynical realities behind the…
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Whodunit: The Jacobean Revenge Play Turned on Its Head
The whodunit, a subgenre of detective fiction, has captivated audiences for over a century with its intricate plots, red herrings, and the ultimate revelation of a murderer. Yet, beneath its polished veneer lies a structure that bears striking resemblance to an older, bloodier tradition: the Jacobean revenge play. While the Jacobean play explores the inexorable…
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Tyrant
In the labyrinthine corridors of power, the tyrant’s greatest challenge is not the executioner’s blade, but the absence of the mind. For in the realm of simulacra, where reality is a mere reflection, it’s increasingly difficult to find those who dare to choose, those who risk the void by asserting their will against the currents of control. The tyrant craves the…