Month: May 2019

Far-Right Extremists Banned from Instagram and Facebook

Instagram and Facebook Ban Far-Right Extremists

In an effort to contain misinformation and extremism that have spread across the platforms, Instagram and its parent company, Facebook, have banned Alex Jones, Infowars, Milo Yiannopoulos, Paul Joseph Watson, Laura Loomer, and Paul Nehlen under their policies against dangerous individuals and organizations. They also banned the Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who has repeatedly made anti-Semitic statements.

Infowars is subject to the strictest ban. Facebook and Instagram will remove any content containing Infowars videos, radio segments, or articles (unless the post is explicitly condemning the content), and Facebook will also remove any groups set up to share Infowars content and events promoting any of the banned extremist figures, according to a company spokesperson. (Twitter, YouTube, and Apple have also banned Jones and Infowars.)

Oh, happy day!

Prairie Warbler

This set of images was photographed during a recent Ray Hennessey field trip that I attended. I took a lot of photos of birds that morning. I am still reviewing each shot to find keepers.

The birds fly quickly between the branches of the low trees eating insects. When they stopped, I had just seconds to compose my photograph and push the shutter. I had the frame rate of the Fujifilm X-T2 set on continuous high with camera mode set to performance boost. The camera is shooting at 11 frames per second.

The Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) is a small songbird found in New Jersey during the breeding season. It prefers open habitats such as shrubby areas, young forests, and grasslands with scattered trees. The male Prairie Warbler has yellow underparts with streaks on the sides, a yellow face with a black eyeline, and olive-green upperparts. Females and juveniles have duller plumage. They feed primarily on insects and spiders, foraging in shrubs and low vegetation.

During migration, Prairie Warblers travel to Central and South America. In New Jersey, they build cup-shaped nests in shrubs or low trees using grass, leaves, and twigs. Prairie Warblers are territorial during the breeding season and use distinctive songs to communicate and defend their territory.

Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) · 27 April 2019 · FujiFilm X-T2 · XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR

You can learn more about Ray Hennessy's work and sign up for his workshops on his website.

Apple is lobbying against California Right to Repair Bill

Apple lobbyist helps push back Right to Repair vote in California

Right to Repair legislation in Apple’s home state of California has been successfully pushed back to at least January 2020. After intervention by an Apple lobbyist, the co-sponsor of the bill pulled it from committee on Tuesday.

“While this was not an easy decision, it became clear that the bill would not have the support it needed today, and manufacturers had sown enough doubt with vague and unbacked claims of privacy and security concerns,” said California Assembly member Susan Talamantes Eggman.

Eggman first introduced the bill in March 2018, and then again in March 2019. The Right to Repair act would compel tech companies to release repair guides and make official parts available to those who want them. This would have many benefits — including reducing the amount of e-waste produced each year year.

I don’t recall“leasing” any Apple hardware. I’m sure I own - as in took possession of - all the Apple hardware I purchased. I don’t recall seeing any language in the hardware manual’s or in the receipt that suggest or indicated that I am not allowed to attempt repair of the product.

There is language in the warrant that suggests that I attempting repair on my own or through a third-party may invalidate the warranty. But that’s my choice if I so choose to invalidate the warranty.

Perhaps California needs to look to the north east for inspiration and guidance.