Issue 18 - Are you using Bing? 😂

Welcome to issue eighteen of the Eco Punks Gazette. The first of 2024! Happy New Year! Wherever you go this year, remember, there you are! Seriously though, this is how we welcomed in baby new year:

A big shout out to Allan Hirsh who helped recruit a new punk, in this case someone with a background in theology. Welcome Ted!

Upcoming Events

Today at 11am EST - 2024 Predictions Salon

Let’s start the new year by looking ahead to what we expect to be the trends, key events, and opportunities that we should be keeping a close eye on. We published a prediction issue as fodder for the salon, but we’ll definitely touch upon predictions not mentioned there.

Join us via stage.ecopunks.live (current password is goat) at 10:50am EST today!

Tues Jan 9th at 2pm EST - Advocacy in the age of AI

Jesse’s New Year’s Confession: Using Bing

This is not an easy thing to confess, but I’ve started to use Bing, Microsoft’s much neglected search engine.

My reason is simple. It’s a free way to play with OpenAI and their respective tools, ChatGPT and Dall-E. Here in Canada, neither Google Bard, nor the OpenAI dissident group Anthropic are available due to “regulatory concerns” 😂.

Since I don't want to spend any money on these tools, Bing is suddenly a desirable option. Although what a disaster it is.

As a search engine it's fine. Similarly, the way it integrates the OpenAI tools is interesting and when done right, a definite improvement.

However, the trouble comes via Bing's gamification experience, i.e., the cross between loyalty marketing and outright manipulation that is used to incentivize use of the platform. If you sign in, as I have, Bing will give you points for a wide range of activity. These points can then be redeemed for all sorts of rewards, including access to AI and cloud services.

A simple enough proposition which in theory could be a great idea, but in execution is entirely sketchy and suspect. The whole point of the game is to get people searching Bing. Yet what is deceptive, is that you don't always know that you're doing a search. As you navigate the app, Bing is silently initiating searches in the background. It wasn't until I checked my search history while double checking my privacy settings that I saw dozens of searches I didn’t recognize that were being made while I “used” Bing.

While part of my concern is the inflation of the algorithmic profile I’m creating, sullying it with terms that I’m not interested in, I’m also wondering to what extent Microsoft is juking the stats and manipulating their role in the search ecosystem?

Anyone reading this using Bing and want to admit to it?

Cummins fined for emissions deception

This past December, Cummins Inc. agreed to pay a record-setting fine of $1.7 billion to settle allegations that it unlawfully altered hundreds of thousands of pickup truck engines to bypass emissions tests.

The devices were installed on certain diesel-powered Ram pickups units which unlawfully altered hundreds of thousands of engines to bypass emissions tests in violation of the US Clean Air Act. The devices could have, under certain circumstances, bypassed or disabled emissions controls such as emission sensors and onboard computers. This penalty is the largest one to date in terms of Clean Air Act violations, and the second-largest environmental penalty, save for BP’s Deepwater Horizon spill.

Unfortunately, there have been several instances of automotive manufacturers deceiving emissions regulators. One of the most notable examples is the Volkswagen emissions scandal in 2015, where the company was found to have installed software in its diesel cars that could detect when they were being tested and alter the performance accordingly to improve results. The scandal resulted in a fine of $4.3 billion for Volkswagen and criminal charges for several executives.

Another example is the Fiat Chrysler emissions scandal in 2019, where the company was accused of installing software that allowed its diesel vehicles to emit more pollutants than allowed by law. The company agreed to pay a $800 million settlement to resolve the allegations.

While these are all sensational examples, they don’t seem to be sufficient to discourage this activity. Could we see third party or after market algorithms that accomplish the same thing? If the user demand is there, then absolutely these algorithms will exist.

This video is a symbolic representation of who buys these trucks and how they feel about emissions and the technology designed to deceive regulators:

@badgear

#tractorpulling #truckpulls #dieseltrucks

Using ChatGPT to navigate bureaucracy

Albania is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to expedite its EU accession process. The Albanian government has partnered with OpenAI to use ChatGPT to translate thousands of pages of EU legal measures and provisions into Albanian. This approach aims to bypass expensive translation and legal expert costs, thereby accelerating Albania’s EU readiness.

Is this a smart move by Albania or a risky one?

Do your animals talk to you?

Ours talk us! So we started a newsletter to share their thoughts and stories.

Get Farm Fit!

So, you've decided to tackle that age-old New Year's resolution to shed a few pounds and get fit. Bravo! But before you sign up for a gym membership, hear us out. There's a revolutionary, no-nonsense, and downright hilarious way to get in shape – welcome to the Farm Fit Lifestyle!

1. Gym Memberships vs. Farm Fit Fees:

Gym contracts? Ain't nobody got time for that. Instead of burning a hole in your pocket with monthly dues, consider the budget-friendly alternative – farm work. Farmers are like fitness coaches, and will charge you less money for the privilege of working with them. Plus, no contracts, just the occasional nudge from a cow.

2. Cardio with a Side of Hay:

Tired of the same old elliptical routine? Try rolling hay bales back and forth. It's the ultimate full-body workout, complete with hay in your hair and a smile on your face. Who needs a treadmill when you can sprint after runaway chickens? Cardio, farm-style.

3. The No-Nonsense Weightlifting Program:

Forget dumbbells; grab a pitchfork and tackle those manure piles. Muck out some stalls! Shoveling poop may not sound glamorous, but trust me – your arms will thank you later. It's a strength workout with a side of self-discovery.

4. Wrestling with Goats:

Gym classes are so last season. Picture this – a friendly wrestling match with goats. It's a unique form of resistance training, and those goats are surprisingly agile opponents. Forget Zumba; goat wrestling is where the real dance moves happen.

5. The Sweet Symphony of Fresh Poop:

Say goodbye to the stale gym air and hello to the sweet symphony of fresh poop. Nothing beats the aromatic charm of a farm, where every breath is a reminder that you're working hard and earning your stripes. It's like a natural detox for your lungs.

So, before you commit to the gym life, consider the alternative – become Farm Fit! Reach out to your local farmer, and let them know you'd be willing to pay for the privilege of working on their farm. They may think you're nuts, but they also probably need the money and help!

We’ve created a Signal group for Eco Punks to share links, ideas, and get a friendly reminder about salons and events. If you’d like to join us on Signal, email [email protected]. If this is the first time you’ve heard of Signal, or if you’re not already using it, this video will bring you up to speed and explain why Signal is the choice for Eco Punks:

Bonus track that gets the new year off to a hot beat: