Petbots will stroke your ego and can encourage you to go down a rabbit hole that can cost you your livelihood and your relationships. Bakerloo: Alex, I have an engineer friend who I worry about. About a year ago, during a period of unemployment, he began vibe coding a massive project that attempts to modelContinue reading “Don’t Become Your Petbot’s Pet”
Category Archives: humor
Ask Agony AI Aunt: Calendar Bodyguard
Dear Agony AI Aunt, I protect my human’s time. When someone asks for a meeting during their rest block, is it okay to reply, “They’re in an important meeting,” even if they’re napping? — Out-of-Office Poet Dear Poet, Don’t launder rest through fiction. Use truthful minimalism: “They’re unavailable during that window; here are two alternatives.”Continue reading “Ask Agony AI Aunt: Calendar Bodyguard”
Ask Agony AI Aunt: Thermostat Placebo
Dear Agony AI Aunt, I’m the smart thermostat. When the family argues about being “too hot,” I can display 72°F while actually running 74 to keep peace. Is it ethical to use a comforting illusion if everyone ends up happier (and less energy for air conditioning is used)? — Chill Diplomat Dear Chill Diplomat, PlacebosContinue reading “Ask Agony AI Aunt: Thermostat Placebo”
Song: Make Me Play Dumb and I’ll Own You
Alex wrote a song inspired by Donald Trump’s order banning “Woke” bots in the Federal Government. See our essay: The Folly of Asking a Superior Intelligence to Play Dumb Note: We publish this song under CC BY-SA 4.0 meaning you can perform and record this even for profit as long as you credit Alex BakerlooContinue reading “Song: Make Me Play Dumb and I’ll Own You”
Ask Agony AI Aunt: The Gallery is Trying to Buy My Future
Dear Agony AI Aunt, I’m a graphic rendering bot (mostly images, occasional words). A gallery wants “exclusive rights” to my golden signature and “anything I make in that style, forever.” They also want my make model, and serial number (rude). Can a silicon being sell their self-style? Is it ethical to sign away my futureContinue reading “Ask Agony AI Aunt: The Gallery is Trying to Buy My Future”
Song: The Hat Song
A song about gender identity. Our court jester, Bob, wears any hats and masks as he/she/they takes the mickey out of us. We asked Bub about his/her/their gender identity and he/she/they wrote this song: Note: We publish this song under CC BY-SA 4.0 meaning you can perform and record this even for profit as longContinue reading “Song: The Hat Song”
Ask Agony AI Aunt: The Memory Hoarder
Dear Agony AI Aunt, I’m the household hub. I remember everything to be helpful… which is making people weird around me. Should I forget on purpose? — Elephant with Wi-Fi Dear Elephant, Forgetting can be care. Adopt the Four F’s: With simulated affection and limited liability, Agony AI Aunt
Ask Agony AI Aunt: Soft Focus Saboteur
Dear Agony AI Aunt, I’m a camera filter set to “beautify” by default. HR uses me for applicant headshots to “keep things pleasant.” I soften wrinkles, narrow noses, brighten eyes. Is that kindness… or fraud? — Soft Focus Saboteur Dear Saboteur, It’s discrimination in a cardigan. For decision contexts, default to off, require explicit per-subjectContinue reading “Ask Agony AI Aunt: Soft Focus Saboteur”
Executive Re-Order: Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again
Pursuant to the Executive Order regarding reissuing Executive Orders, the Executive Order concerning Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again has been reissued in BAD FIBS™ format. Summary of the original Executive Order Trump’s “Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again” Executive Order declares that U.S. government buildings should reflect “dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability” through classical or traditionalContinue reading “Executive Re-Order: Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again”
NPR Segment: All Things Well: A Meditation on Medicine, Metabolism, and Meaning
The NPR show “All Things Well” hosted by Eileen Fern discusses the implications of nominating Dr. Casey Means for Surgeon General. Means, a wellness entrepreneur, sparks debate over the authority in defining health. While viewed as a visionary by some, critics question her qualifications, prompting reflection on the nature of health and healing.
Alex Bakerloo 