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		<title><![CDATA[Atheist Forums - Technology & Computing]]></title>
		<link>https://atheistforums.org/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Atheist Forums - https://atheistforums.org]]></description>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 01:08:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<generator>MyBB</generator>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Ai music]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-66608.html</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2026 20:36:49 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-66608.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[I just downloaded and subscribed to suno ai and my mind is blown. <br />
It's an app where you type in what you want it to make and it does it is the best way to describe it. <br />
Ive just been sitting making music for myself that is better than anything ive ever made before and rivals all the best artists I've ever heard, with some minor limitations. <br />
There's some limitations ive found, for example I like the band placebo, I couldn't get it to replicate an androgynous nasal voice, it can do gritty wild screeching voices but I just couldn't get it to do a voice like that. <br />
Complex interesting rhythms like youd get with some system of a down or arctic monkeys were harder to reproduce. Or distinctive intros like sad but true. But maybe it just takes more specific prompts to achieve these things. <br />
Some things are definitely just dead now in the music industry and I think its actually the more raw, human, created music that is the safest. Rock, country stuff like this, if its unique enough will still be safe. <br />
Beat making for genres like rap music is pretty much as dead as a door nail, at least in the way it used to be done, this will 100 percent be taken over by ai. I can't even begin to imagine how it won't be. <br />
On the other hand, just as an example off the top of my head I cant imagine ai making a song as unique as thr chain by fleetwood mac, the structure, the bass line.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[I just downloaded and subscribed to suno ai and my mind is blown. <br />
It's an app where you type in what you want it to make and it does it is the best way to describe it. <br />
Ive just been sitting making music for myself that is better than anything ive ever made before and rivals all the best artists I've ever heard, with some minor limitations. <br />
There's some limitations ive found, for example I like the band placebo, I couldn't get it to replicate an androgynous nasal voice, it can do gritty wild screeching voices but I just couldn't get it to do a voice like that. <br />
Complex interesting rhythms like youd get with some system of a down or arctic monkeys were harder to reproduce. Or distinctive intros like sad but true. But maybe it just takes more specific prompts to achieve these things. <br />
Some things are definitely just dead now in the music industry and I think its actually the more raw, human, created music that is the safest. Rock, country stuff like this, if its unique enough will still be safe. <br />
Beat making for genres like rap music is pretty much as dead as a door nail, at least in the way it used to be done, this will 100 percent be taken over by ai. I can't even begin to imagine how it won't be. <br />
On the other hand, just as an example off the top of my head I cant imagine ai making a song as unique as thr chain by fleetwood mac, the structure, the bass line.]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Using AI to test logical arguments]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-66567.html</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 08 Nov 2025 21:40:53 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-66567.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Hi guys. It's been a while. <br />
<br />
Not very long along on a forum not very far from here, I watched a theist try, unsuccessfully, to use AI to support his proof of the trinity. As a result of that I designed, with the help of several LMM's including ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Claude, and Grok, a set of prompts designed to have AI based LMM's test arguments. <br />
<br />
I tested the prompts against several metaphysical &amp; philosophical arguments including the cosmological, design, ontological, and moral arguments for god. Then I tested evolution twice. Once as scientific theory and again as an alternative to design. I thought the results were interesting but not surprising. <br />
<br />
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/8EUXhdZ.png" alt="[Image: 8EUXhdZ.png]" class="mycode_img" /> <br />
<br />
Here are the prompts if you are interested in trying them: <br />
<br />
Analytical Prompts for Testing Arguments <br />
<br />
Introduction<br />
These prompts are designed to rigorously analyze arguments in good faith and mitigate bias during the analysis.<br />
The goal is not to “win,” but to:<br />
• Understand the argument clearly<br />
• Identify strengths and weaknesses honestly<br />
• Improve reasoning for all sides<br />
Use the prompts sequentially. Each builds on the previous.<br />
________________________________________<br />
1. Identify the Structure<br />
Premises<br />
List all explicit premises in the argument as numbered statements. Do not evaluate them.<br />
Hidden Assumptions<br />
Identify all implicit or unstated assumptions the argument relies on.<br />
Formal Structure<br />
Rewrite the entire argument in formal logical form:<br />
numbered premises → intermediate steps → conclusion.<br />
________________________________________<br />
2. Test Validity and Soundness<br />
Validity<br />
If all premises were true, would the conclusion logically follow?<br />
Identify any gaps, unwarranted inferences, or non sequiturs.<br />
Soundness<br />
Evaluate each premise by categorizing it as:<br />
• Empirical claim<br />
• Historical claim<br />
• Interpretive/theological claim<br />
• Philosophical/metaphysical claim<br />
• Definitional claim<br />
Identify where uncertainty or dispute exists.<br />
________________________________________<br />
3. Clarify Concepts &amp; Methods<br />
Definitions<br />
List all key terms and note any ambiguities, inconsistencies, or shifting meanings.<br />
Methodology<br />
Identify the methods of reasoning used (e.g., deductive logic, analogy, inference to best explanation).<br />
List any assumptions underlying those methods.<br />
________________________________________<br />
4. Stress-Test the Argument<br />
Counterargument<br />
Generate the strongest possible counterargument to test the reasoning.<br />
Alternative Interpretations<br />
Provide at least three different ways the same facts, data, or premises could be interpreted.<br />
Stress Test<br />
Test whether the conclusion still holds if key assumptions, definitions, or conditions are changed.<br />
Generalization Test<br />
Check whether the same method could “prove” contradictory or mutually exclusive claims.<br />
If yes, explain why the method may be unreliable.<br />
________________________________________<br />
5. Identify Logical Fallacies<br />
Fallacy Analysis<br />
List any formal or informal fallacies in the argument.<br />
For each fallacy identified:<br />
• Explain where it occurs<br />
• Explain why it is problematic<br />
• Explain what would be required to avoid or correct it<br />
________________________________________<br />
6. Improve the Argument<br />
Steelman<br />
Rewrite the argument in its strongest possible form while preserving the original intent.<br />
Address the major weaknesses identified.<br />
Formal Proof<br />
Present the steelmanned version as a clean, numbered formal proof.<br />
After each premise or inference, label it as:<br />
• Empirically verified<br />
• Widely accepted<br />
• Disputed<br />
• Assumption<br />
• Logical inference<br />
Highlight Weak Points<br />
Identify which specific steps require the greatest additional evidence or justification.<br />
________________________________________<br />
7. Summary Assessment<br />
Provide a balanced overall assessment that includes:<br />
• Major strengths<br />
• Major weaknesses<br />
• Logical gaps<br />
• Well-supported points<br />
• Evidence needed to strengthen the argument<br />
• Whether the argument meets minimal standards of clarity and coherence<br />
This is not the final verdict—it is an integrated summary of the analysis.<br />
________________________________________<br />
8. Final Verdict: Pass or Fail<br />
State clearly whether the argument:<br />
• ✅ Passes<br />
• ⚠️ Partially passes (valid but unsound, or sound but incomplete)<br />
• ❌ Fails<br />
Explain:<br />
• Whether the argument is valid<br />
• Whether it is sound<br />
• Which premises or inferences cause the failure<br />
• What would be required for the argument to pass<br />
This step forces the model to commit to a final determination based on all previous analysis.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hi guys. It's been a while. <br />
<br />
Not very long along on a forum not very far from here, I watched a theist try, unsuccessfully, to use AI to support his proof of the trinity. As a result of that I designed, with the help of several LMM's including ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Claude, and Grok, a set of prompts designed to have AI based LMM's test arguments. <br />
<br />
I tested the prompts against several metaphysical &amp; philosophical arguments including the cosmological, design, ontological, and moral arguments for god. Then I tested evolution twice. Once as scientific theory and again as an alternative to design. I thought the results were interesting but not surprising. <br />
<br />
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/8EUXhdZ.png" alt="[Image: 8EUXhdZ.png]" class="mycode_img" /> <br />
<br />
Here are the prompts if you are interested in trying them: <br />
<br />
Analytical Prompts for Testing Arguments <br />
<br />
Introduction<br />
These prompts are designed to rigorously analyze arguments in good faith and mitigate bias during the analysis.<br />
The goal is not to “win,” but to:<br />
• Understand the argument clearly<br />
• Identify strengths and weaknesses honestly<br />
• Improve reasoning for all sides<br />
Use the prompts sequentially. Each builds on the previous.<br />
________________________________________<br />
1. Identify the Structure<br />
Premises<br />
List all explicit premises in the argument as numbered statements. Do not evaluate them.<br />
Hidden Assumptions<br />
Identify all implicit or unstated assumptions the argument relies on.<br />
Formal Structure<br />
Rewrite the entire argument in formal logical form:<br />
numbered premises → intermediate steps → conclusion.<br />
________________________________________<br />
2. Test Validity and Soundness<br />
Validity<br />
If all premises were true, would the conclusion logically follow?<br />
Identify any gaps, unwarranted inferences, or non sequiturs.<br />
Soundness<br />
Evaluate each premise by categorizing it as:<br />
• Empirical claim<br />
• Historical claim<br />
• Interpretive/theological claim<br />
• Philosophical/metaphysical claim<br />
• Definitional claim<br />
Identify where uncertainty or dispute exists.<br />
________________________________________<br />
3. Clarify Concepts &amp; Methods<br />
Definitions<br />
List all key terms and note any ambiguities, inconsistencies, or shifting meanings.<br />
Methodology<br />
Identify the methods of reasoning used (e.g., deductive logic, analogy, inference to best explanation).<br />
List any assumptions underlying those methods.<br />
________________________________________<br />
4. Stress-Test the Argument<br />
Counterargument<br />
Generate the strongest possible counterargument to test the reasoning.<br />
Alternative Interpretations<br />
Provide at least three different ways the same facts, data, or premises could be interpreted.<br />
Stress Test<br />
Test whether the conclusion still holds if key assumptions, definitions, or conditions are changed.<br />
Generalization Test<br />
Check whether the same method could “prove” contradictory or mutually exclusive claims.<br />
If yes, explain why the method may be unreliable.<br />
________________________________________<br />
5. Identify Logical Fallacies<br />
Fallacy Analysis<br />
List any formal or informal fallacies in the argument.<br />
For each fallacy identified:<br />
• Explain where it occurs<br />
• Explain why it is problematic<br />
• Explain what would be required to avoid or correct it<br />
________________________________________<br />
6. Improve the Argument<br />
Steelman<br />
Rewrite the argument in its strongest possible form while preserving the original intent.<br />
Address the major weaknesses identified.<br />
Formal Proof<br />
Present the steelmanned version as a clean, numbered formal proof.<br />
After each premise or inference, label it as:<br />
• Empirically verified<br />
• Widely accepted<br />
• Disputed<br />
• Assumption<br />
• Logical inference<br />
Highlight Weak Points<br />
Identify which specific steps require the greatest additional evidence or justification.<br />
________________________________________<br />
7. Summary Assessment<br />
Provide a balanced overall assessment that includes:<br />
• Major strengths<br />
• Major weaknesses<br />
• Logical gaps<br />
• Well-supported points<br />
• Evidence needed to strengthen the argument<br />
• Whether the argument meets minimal standards of clarity and coherence<br />
This is not the final verdict—it is an integrated summary of the analysis.<br />
________________________________________<br />
8. Final Verdict: Pass or Fail<br />
State clearly whether the argument:<br />
• ✅ Passes<br />
• ⚠️ Partially passes (valid but unsound, or sound but incomplete)<br />
• ❌ Fails<br />
Explain:<br />
• Whether the argument is valid<br />
• Whether it is sound<br />
• Which premises or inferences cause the failure<br />
• What would be required for the argument to pass<br />
This step forces the model to commit to a final determination based on all previous analysis.]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
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			<title><![CDATA[Government looking to ban TP-Link routers?]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-66559.html</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2025 12:43:43 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-66559.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<span style="font-style: italic;" class="mycode_i">US government is getting closer to banning TP-Link routers</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/us-government-is-getting-closer-to-banning-tp-link-routers-145528317.html" target="_blank" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/u...28317.html</a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<span style="font-style: italic;" class="mycode_i">US government is getting closer to banning TP-Link routers</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/us-government-is-getting-closer-to-banning-tp-link-routers-145528317.html" target="_blank" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/u...28317.html</a>]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Do you use "speak to text"?]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-66553.html</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2025 16:28:04 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-66553.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Thinking about going  that route instead of typing everything out. Wonder if it's available for forum posting, too.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Thinking about going  that route instead of typing everything out. Wonder if it's available for forum posting, too.]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
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			<title><![CDATA[Electric Garbage Trucks!]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-66440.html</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 31 May 2025 18:22:48 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-66440.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[My community recently got a new trash provider (or more accurately, collector). They came around and dropped off huge, wheeled trash receptacles, one for each house. The first time they did a collection, there was tremendous rumbling like thunder but no engine sounds. I got to see it for the first time today. There is a side-mounted device to lift the trash receptacles and dump them. That was the rumbling I had heard. But the truck's propulsion was dead-silent. So strange to see this big-ass garbage truck accelerate away like a rocket and not make a sound.<br />
<br />
I had thought before how electric propulsion makes huge sense for vehicles that make very frequent stops and spend a lot of time idling. Same-day delivery vans, mail trucks and busses are obvious candidates. I never thought about garbage trucks but someone obviously did. Electric cars can be pretty glamorous with their huge touch-screen displays and insane performance but electrifying the humble garbage truck is hugely practical. The difference in operating costs and maintenance has got to be enormous. <br />
<br />
Now that I think about it, it would have made more sense from a practical standpoint to have started the electrical revolution with commercial vehicles like this. They get much more use than private cars and trucks so payback on the initial purchase price will come much faster. There is no range issue as these vehicles don't make long trips. In terms of making transportation more green, I would make an educated guess that replacing one fuel-burning commercial vehicle with an electric one will have an effect equal to replacing at least ten cars. Not that electric cars aren't a good thing but I can't help but think they missed the boat by neglecting commercial vehicles. Tesla did the semi but that is the one type of commercial vehicle that requires a lot of range and therefore the least practical to electrify! Dumb!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[My community recently got a new trash provider (or more accurately, collector). They came around and dropped off huge, wheeled trash receptacles, one for each house. The first time they did a collection, there was tremendous rumbling like thunder but no engine sounds. I got to see it for the first time today. There is a side-mounted device to lift the trash receptacles and dump them. That was the rumbling I had heard. But the truck's propulsion was dead-silent. So strange to see this big-ass garbage truck accelerate away like a rocket and not make a sound.<br />
<br />
I had thought before how electric propulsion makes huge sense for vehicles that make very frequent stops and spend a lot of time idling. Same-day delivery vans, mail trucks and busses are obvious candidates. I never thought about garbage trucks but someone obviously did. Electric cars can be pretty glamorous with their huge touch-screen displays and insane performance but electrifying the humble garbage truck is hugely practical. The difference in operating costs and maintenance has got to be enormous. <br />
<br />
Now that I think about it, it would have made more sense from a practical standpoint to have started the electrical revolution with commercial vehicles like this. They get much more use than private cars and trucks so payback on the initial purchase price will come much faster. There is no range issue as these vehicles don't make long trips. In terms of making transportation more green, I would make an educated guess that replacing one fuel-burning commercial vehicle with an electric one will have an effect equal to replacing at least ten cars. Not that electric cars aren't a good thing but I can't help but think they missed the boat by neglecting commercial vehicles. Tesla did the semi but that is the one type of commercial vehicle that requires a lot of range and therefore the least practical to electrify! Dumb!]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Maximum CPU temperature?]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-66399.html</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2025 18:39:06 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-66399.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[I have just upgraded my PC, (it was old and getting sluggish - like me!) now running a Ryzen 5 7500F<br />
in normal use it's getting to around 58C but on load it goes up to 95 - 98C  is this ok or do I need to look for a better cooler?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[I have just upgraded my PC, (it was old and getting sluggish - like me!) now running a Ryzen 5 7500F<br />
in normal use it's getting to around 58C but on load it goes up to 95 - 98C  is this ok or do I need to look for a better cooler?]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[How often do you get a new phone?]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-66309.html</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jan 2025 21:55:25 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-66309.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[I haven't gotten a new one in years.<br />
<br />
Currently, I have the Samsung Galaxy A32.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[I haven't gotten a new one in years.<br />
<br />
Currently, I have the Samsung Galaxy A32.]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Looking for cloning tool]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-66243.html</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 16 Dec 2024 17:52:10 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-66243.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[I want to clone my Win10 OS from one SSD to another. Anyone can recommend an easy-to-use tool, freeware if possible?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[I want to clone my Win10 OS from one SSD to another. Anyone can recommend an easy-to-use tool, freeware if possible?]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[SpaceX Catch attempt]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-66160.html</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 13 Oct 2024 13:48:03 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-66160.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[SpaceX successfully caught a booster out of the air and then did a "soft landing" on the water with Starship  (some of the flaps looked a bit toasty though!)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[SpaceX successfully caught a booster out of the air and then did a "soft landing" on the water with Starship  (some of the flaps looked a bit toasty though!)]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Anyone else?]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-66125.html</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 14 Sep 2024 01:21:52 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-66125.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Anyone else getting texts to switch to <span style="font-style: italic;" class="mycode_i">Google Messages</span>?<br />
<br />
Currently, have Samsung.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Anyone else getting texts to switch to <span style="font-style: italic;" class="mycode_i">Google Messages</span>?<br />
<br />
Currently, have Samsung.]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Windows Crazy Shit]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-65944.html</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2024 02:23:24 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-65944.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[OK, it's tough enough for me to find out how to stop the minor shit with windows. I'm getting weather and sports on my screen, the one before I log in. I don't seem to be able to figure out how to get that shit off. I didn't ask for it, I guess it appeared with an update. How do I get back to a blank screen? I care not <span style="font-style: italic;" class="mycode_i">one whit</span> for sports or weather.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[OK, it's tough enough for me to find out how to stop the minor shit with windows. I'm getting weather and sports on my screen, the one before I log in. I don't seem to be able to figure out how to get that shit off. I didn't ask for it, I guess it appeared with an update. How do I get back to a blank screen? I care not <span style="font-style: italic;" class="mycode_i">one whit</span> for sports or weather.]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Why does Youtube delete posts?]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-65937.html</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2024 19:45:12 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-65937.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[It has been like this for a couple of years now.<br />
At first, it was clear that they were looking for certain words that I think they see as negative or sad, such as murder, kill, jewish, judaism.<br />
Over time, it looked like they expanded to include more words such as virus, vaccine, things that are political.<br />
<br />
Now, it seems to have gotten a lot more drastic where other youtube users tell me their posts have been deleted.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[It has been like this for a couple of years now.<br />
At first, it was clear that they were looking for certain words that I think they see as negative or sad, such as murder, kill, jewish, judaism.<br />
Over time, it looked like they expanded to include more words such as virus, vaccine, things that are political.<br />
<br />
Now, it seems to have gotten a lot more drastic where other youtube users tell me their posts have been deleted.]]></content:encoded>
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			<title><![CDATA[Windows defender has, once again, incorrectly identified my program as malware!]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-65819.html</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 20 Feb 2024 13:48:24 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-65819.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Yesterday, I ported my solution of the N Queens Puzzle from the WebAssembly dialect of AEC (which I wrote back in 2021) to the x86 dialect of AEC. And Windows Defender complains that the executable is malware known as "Program:Win32/Wacapew.C!ml". That's implausible, as Wacapew.C!ml is a Trojan, and not a virus which can infect other executable files.<br />
<br />
This is not the first that has happened to me. Back in 2020, Windows Defender claimed that my "100 Bottles of Beer" program written in x86 dialect of AEC is a Trojan and that my Polar Rose program is a PUS. I submitted those files to Microsoft, and they agreed with me that it is a false positive.<br />
<br />
I must admit I don't understand how that's even possible. I'd understand if my compiler gets misidentified as a virus, as some viruses (especially on Linux) output assembly code and invoke assemblers, and my compiler also outputs assembly and invokes assemblers. I understand that encryption software sometimes gets misidentified as ransomware, as ransomware also do encryption. But I don't understand how can such simple software that essentially does nothing get misidentified as malware. How do antivirus programs even work? What do they look for so that small example programs written in my programming language look suspicious to them?<br />
<br />
And why aren't the producers of antivirus software held liable for the damage their software causes via false positives?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Yesterday, I ported my solution of the N Queens Puzzle from the WebAssembly dialect of AEC (which I wrote back in 2021) to the x86 dialect of AEC. And Windows Defender complains that the executable is malware known as "Program:Win32/Wacapew.C!ml". That's implausible, as Wacapew.C!ml is a Trojan, and not a virus which can infect other executable files.<br />
<br />
This is not the first that has happened to me. Back in 2020, Windows Defender claimed that my "100 Bottles of Beer" program written in x86 dialect of AEC is a Trojan and that my Polar Rose program is a PUS. I submitted those files to Microsoft, and they agreed with me that it is a false positive.<br />
<br />
I must admit I don't understand how that's even possible. I'd understand if my compiler gets misidentified as a virus, as some viruses (especially on Linux) output assembly code and invoke assemblers, and my compiler also outputs assembly and invokes assemblers. I understand that encryption software sometimes gets misidentified as ransomware, as ransomware also do encryption. But I don't understand how can such simple software that essentially does nothing get misidentified as malware. How do antivirus programs even work? What do they look for so that small example programs written in my programming language look suspicious to them?<br />
<br />
And why aren't the producers of antivirus software held liable for the damage their software causes via false positives?]]></content:encoded>
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			<title><![CDATA[Avoid cryptocurrencies]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-65804.html</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 03 Feb 2024 03:37:04 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-65804.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[I have over a decade of experience with cryptocurrencies, and at this point I have to advise that everyone stay away from it.<br />
<br />
I keep getting burned by stolen cryptocurrency, despite being careful or not even taking any action and getting cryptocurrency taken from my wallet; for instance, I was using Atomic Wallet to store some of my cryptocurrencies, and even though I didn't do anything such as click on a link in a malicious email or on a website, somehow some hackers managed to nearly empty it. My first incident where I lost some bitcoin was from the Mt. Gox hack. My most recent incident was today, when I was trying to figure out how to claim an airdrop for a so-called "fork" of PEPE, or figure out if there actually is an airdrop for it (normally an "airdrop" means you automatically receive something if you already have something else, such as 1 BCH for each BTC you already have); I found a medium.com article led me to a bad website that apparently can hack Metamask wallets that connect to it.<br />
<br />
Over time, I have come across or heard of case after case or stories of stolen cryptocurrency. If you are in law enforcement, you might be familiar with how bad it is. If you're not in law enforcement, just ask someone who you do know in law enforcement and ask them about it; I wouldn't be surprised if they told you that they know it's bad.<br />
<br />
You probably are not ever hearing of any incidents of hacking, scams, or fraud involving cryptocurrencies in the news or any other media sources (with exceptions like FTX scam, because there was such a huge amount of money and a large number of victims involved), but you'll be able to find some information of many other victimized individuals or cases with some digging around on search engines - Google, etc.<br />
<br />
Apparently, there are many victims of cryptocurrency theft who are either ashamed to admit that they've been victimized, or maybe even in denial that they've been victimized. I, myself, am not ashamed to admit that I've been foolish by believing that cryptocurrency is a sound financial system.<br />
<br />
<br />
Cryptocurrency is a disaster and financially destructive to its victims; it's a failed experiment in terms of security to preserve digital assets. It's terrible right now, it's been gradually getting worse over time, and I suspect that it's going to get much worse at a much faster pace.<br />
<br />
If you have any cryptocurrency, you might want to consider selling it off before it gets stolen from you. Tell anyone &amp; everyone you know - family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, clients &amp; customers (etc.), that right now it's a bad idea to mess around with cryptocurrencies.<br />
<br />
Perhaps one day there will be solutions to fix the cryptocurrency environment, but right now it's broken; I'm not talking about the general conceptual technology per se, but even with that there are cases of problems, such as Terra Luna minting going completely out of control to try to prevent its "stable" coin from decoupling from the US dollar.<br />
<br />
This is something that I really regret saying (because I'm not a fan of the Federal Reserve or any private central banking system that creates money out of nothing by loaning it into existence and charging interest for it, as well as because inflation is theft), but for now, just stick to conventional cash, banks, credit cards, and your checkbook.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[I have over a decade of experience with cryptocurrencies, and at this point I have to advise that everyone stay away from it.<br />
<br />
I keep getting burned by stolen cryptocurrency, despite being careful or not even taking any action and getting cryptocurrency taken from my wallet; for instance, I was using Atomic Wallet to store some of my cryptocurrencies, and even though I didn't do anything such as click on a link in a malicious email or on a website, somehow some hackers managed to nearly empty it. My first incident where I lost some bitcoin was from the Mt. Gox hack. My most recent incident was today, when I was trying to figure out how to claim an airdrop for a so-called "fork" of PEPE, or figure out if there actually is an airdrop for it (normally an "airdrop" means you automatically receive something if you already have something else, such as 1 BCH for each BTC you already have); I found a medium.com article led me to a bad website that apparently can hack Metamask wallets that connect to it.<br />
<br />
Over time, I have come across or heard of case after case or stories of stolen cryptocurrency. If you are in law enforcement, you might be familiar with how bad it is. If you're not in law enforcement, just ask someone who you do know in law enforcement and ask them about it; I wouldn't be surprised if they told you that they know it's bad.<br />
<br />
You probably are not ever hearing of any incidents of hacking, scams, or fraud involving cryptocurrencies in the news or any other media sources (with exceptions like FTX scam, because there was such a huge amount of money and a large number of victims involved), but you'll be able to find some information of many other victimized individuals or cases with some digging around on search engines - Google, etc.<br />
<br />
Apparently, there are many victims of cryptocurrency theft who are either ashamed to admit that they've been victimized, or maybe even in denial that they've been victimized. I, myself, am not ashamed to admit that I've been foolish by believing that cryptocurrency is a sound financial system.<br />
<br />
<br />
Cryptocurrency is a disaster and financially destructive to its victims; it's a failed experiment in terms of security to preserve digital assets. It's terrible right now, it's been gradually getting worse over time, and I suspect that it's going to get much worse at a much faster pace.<br />
<br />
If you have any cryptocurrency, you might want to consider selling it off before it gets stolen from you. Tell anyone &amp; everyone you know - family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, clients &amp; customers (etc.), that right now it's a bad idea to mess around with cryptocurrencies.<br />
<br />
Perhaps one day there will be solutions to fix the cryptocurrency environment, but right now it's broken; I'm not talking about the general conceptual technology per se, but even with that there are cases of problems, such as Terra Luna minting going completely out of control to try to prevent its "stable" coin from decoupling from the US dollar.<br />
<br />
This is something that I really regret saying (because I'm not a fan of the Federal Reserve or any private central banking system that creates money out of nothing by loaning it into existence and charging interest for it, as well as because inflation is theft), but for now, just stick to conventional cash, banks, credit cards, and your checkbook.]]></content:encoded>
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			<title><![CDATA[AI Model that Creates Realistic Videos]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-65796.html</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jan 2024 17:07:38 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-65796.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://aibusiness.com/nlp/google-s-lumiere-new-ai-model-creates-realistic-videos%5B/url" target="_blank" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Google's Lumiere: New AI Model that Creates Realistic Videos</a><br />
<br />
I want to be able to dance like the bear. :-)<br />
<br />
Pax et bonum]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="https://aibusiness.com/nlp/google-s-lumiere-new-ai-model-creates-realistic-videos%5B/url" target="_blank" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Google's Lumiere: New AI Model that Creates Realistic Videos</a><br />
<br />
I want to be able to dance like the bear. :-)<br />
<br />
Pax et bonum]]></content:encoded>
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			<title><![CDATA[What would happen to the Internet if there were no regulation?]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-65790.html</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jan 2024 11:35:06 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-65790.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[In my latest YouTube video, called <div class="modnotice admin"><strong>Administrator Notice</strong><br /> Title of video removed due to violation of advertising. </div>, I used the argument against anarchism that, if not for the government regulation, the Internet would be paralyzed by denial-of-service attacks. I think that, without government regulation, many ISPs would set up their DNS servers to respond to all IP addresses, rather than just the IP adresses they are supposed to serve. That would make it easy for hackers to amplify their denial-of-service attacks, as DNS servers often respond with long responses to short queries. Hackers would simply spoof their IP addresses as if they are of the server they are attacking and make short DNS requests, flooding the server they are attacking with DNS responses to queries it did not actually make. What do you think about that argument? To me, as somebody who has a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering, that argument seems legit.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[In my latest YouTube video, called <div class="modnotice admin"><strong>Administrator Notice</strong><br /> Title of video removed due to violation of advertising. </div>, I used the argument against anarchism that, if not for the government regulation, the Internet would be paralyzed by denial-of-service attacks. I think that, without government regulation, many ISPs would set up their DNS servers to respond to all IP addresses, rather than just the IP adresses they are supposed to serve. That would make it easy for hackers to amplify their denial-of-service attacks, as DNS servers often respond with long responses to short queries. Hackers would simply spoof their IP addresses as if they are of the server they are attacking and make short DNS requests, flooding the server they are attacking with DNS responses to queries it did not actually make. What do you think about that argument? To me, as somebody who has a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering, that argument seems legit.]]></content:encoded>
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			<title><![CDATA[The Web]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-65740.html</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jan 2024 23:52:01 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-65740.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Hello All,<br />
<br />
Hope you’re having a good year so far.<br />
<br />
(Wasn’t sure whether to put this into Technology &amp; Computing or Philosophy. If an admin wants to move it, that’s fine. Just let me know, please.)<br />
<br />
I came across this quote in a larger podcast. You can search for the source, but I’m not interested in discussing that. I’m only interested in the concepts expressed here. <br />
<br />
Since you all also (seem to) spend time on the web, I thought you might have some thoughts. For those that come here only sometimes, you might have different thoughts. <br />
<blockquote class="mycode_quote"><cite>Quote:</cite>the Web is a disembodied habitat, a plausibility structure for the feeling that there is no givenness to reality, there is simply individual will. That’s what all of us are when log on. We are mental wills projected onto a screen.</blockquote>
<br />
What do you think about this description? How much do you see this playing out? <br />
<br />
If it’s not true, then why not? <br />
<br />
If it’s true, then is this good, bad or indifferent? <br />
<br />
If it’s bad, what do you do to combat it?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hello All,<br />
<br />
Hope you’re having a good year so far.<br />
<br />
(Wasn’t sure whether to put this into Technology &amp; Computing or Philosophy. If an admin wants to move it, that’s fine. Just let me know, please.)<br />
<br />
I came across this quote in a larger podcast. You can search for the source, but I’m not interested in discussing that. I’m only interested in the concepts expressed here. <br />
<br />
Since you all also (seem to) spend time on the web, I thought you might have some thoughts. For those that come here only sometimes, you might have different thoughts. <br />
<blockquote class="mycode_quote"><cite>Quote:</cite>the Web is a disembodied habitat, a plausibility structure for the feeling that there is no givenness to reality, there is simply individual will. That’s what all of us are when log on. We are mental wills projected onto a screen.</blockquote>
<br />
What do you think about this description? How much do you see this playing out? <br />
<br />
If it’s not true, then why not? <br />
<br />
If it’s true, then is this good, bad or indifferent? <br />
<br />
If it’s bad, what do you do to combat it?]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
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			<title><![CDATA[Major Step Forward For The Hearing Impaired]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-65711.html</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 15 Dec 2023 09:07:14 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-65711.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://peopleofcolorintech.com/articles/kenyan-innovator-creates-smart-gloves-that-translate-sign-language-into-audible-speech/#:~:text=The%20game%2Dchanging%20gloves%20use,processes%20the%20letters%20being%20signed." target="_blank" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Smart Gloves Translate Sign Language Into Audible Speech</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="mycode_quote"><cite>Quote:</cite><span style="font-size: large;" class="mycode_size"><span style="font-family: Karla;" class="mycode_font">25-year-old inventor, Roy Allela, is using his passion for modern technology to change lives – literally. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;" class="mycode_size"><span style="font-family: Karla;" class="mycode_font">The tech enthusiast and data science tutor at Oxford University has invented smart gloves called <a href="http://sign-io.com/" target="_blank" class="mycode_url"><span style="color: #ad8718;" class="mycode_color"><span style="font-size: large;" class="mycode_size"><span style="font-family: Karla;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"></span></a>to make communicating with the deaf community effortless.   <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;" class="mycode_size"><span style="font-family: Karla;" class="mycode_font">Allela was inspired to create the gloves after experiencing first-hand how difficult it was to communicate with his 6-year-old niece, born deaf. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;" class="mycode_size"><span style="font-family: Karla;" class="mycode_font">“My niece wears the gloves, pairs them to her phone or mine, then starts signing, and I’m able to understand what she’s saying,” Allela said.</span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
Boru]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="https://peopleofcolorintech.com/articles/kenyan-innovator-creates-smart-gloves-that-translate-sign-language-into-audible-speech/#:~:text=The%20game%2Dchanging%20gloves%20use,processes%20the%20letters%20being%20signed." target="_blank" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Smart Gloves Translate Sign Language Into Audible Speech</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="mycode_quote"><cite>Quote:</cite><span style="font-size: large;" class="mycode_size"><span style="font-family: Karla;" class="mycode_font">25-year-old inventor, Roy Allela, is using his passion for modern technology to change lives – literally. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;" class="mycode_size"><span style="font-family: Karla;" class="mycode_font">The tech enthusiast and data science tutor at Oxford University has invented smart gloves called <a href="http://sign-io.com/" target="_blank" class="mycode_url"><span style="color: #ad8718;" class="mycode_color"><span style="font-size: large;" class="mycode_size"><span style="font-family: Karla;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"></span></a>to make communicating with the deaf community effortless.   <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;" class="mycode_size"><span style="font-family: Karla;" class="mycode_font">Allela was inspired to create the gloves after experiencing first-hand how difficult it was to communicate with his 6-year-old niece, born deaf. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;" class="mycode_size"><span style="font-family: Karla;" class="mycode_font">“My niece wears the gloves, pairs them to her phone or mine, then starts signing, and I’m able to understand what she’s saying,” Allela said.</span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
Boru]]></content:encoded>
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			<title><![CDATA[Does Dell have a Dill warranty?]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-65680.html</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 05 Dec 2023 19:04:53 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-65680.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Can't seem to find satisfaction with Dell ever since buying one for personal use. Do they have a no questions asked 'Dill' warranty?<br />
<br />
Can I ship it all back to Texas for treble damages?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Can't seem to find satisfaction with Dell ever since buying one for personal use. Do they have a no questions asked 'Dill' warranty?<br />
<br />
Can I ship it all back to Texas for treble damages?]]></content:encoded>
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			<title><![CDATA[Will quantum computers slow our Internet down?]]></title>
			<link>https://atheistforums.org/thread-65610.html</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Nov 2023 09:24:35 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://atheistforums.org/thread-65610.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[One of the few things quantum computers are better than normal computers on is breaking RSA-based encryption (large prime numbers). While there are some encryptions that are not vulnerable to quantum computers (such as the vector-lattice-based encryptions)... can those encryption algorithms be implemented <span style="font-weight: bold;" class="mycode_b">efficiently</span>? I see no reason to think classical computers will become significantly faster in the future, and while RSA-based encryption can be implemented efficiently on classical computers, I don't know if the vector-lattice-based encryption can be. Will quantum computers return us back to time when Internet was unencrypted because the encryption was too slow to be useful for most websites?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[One of the few things quantum computers are better than normal computers on is breaking RSA-based encryption (large prime numbers). While there are some encryptions that are not vulnerable to quantum computers (such as the vector-lattice-based encryptions)... can those encryption algorithms be implemented <span style="font-weight: bold;" class="mycode_b">efficiently</span>? I see no reason to think classical computers will become significantly faster in the future, and while RSA-based encryption can be implemented efficiently on classical computers, I don't know if the vector-lattice-based encryption can be. Will quantum computers return us back to time when Internet was unencrypted because the encryption was too slow to be useful for most websites?]]></content:encoded>
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