State of the Discussion

Too much Cyrillic, perhaps.

I fished it out of the spam folder. WordPress' built-in spam filter is a black-box trade secret. Too much Cyrillic is as good a guess as any.

This could go on and on.

"From a multiculturalist perspective, which emphasizes the peaceful coexistence of diverse cultural groups, mutual respect for differences, preservation of cultural identities without forced assimilation, and enrichment through diversity (often via dialogue, accommodation, and shared norms), the article portrays Riga as a successful, lived example of multiculturalism in practice..."

Multiculturalism in Riga: Subtle Coexistence

It’s not analysis, it’s an exercise in genre, which is why the LLM can plug in whatever ideology you choose and spread it over the dry toast of a general description.

"From a communist perspective, informed by Marxist-Leninist principles emphasizing collective solidarity, class consciousness, mutual aid, and the prioritization of communal well-being over bourgeois individualism, the article on everyday life in contemporary Riga reveals several key observations:.."

Communist Analysis of Riga's Social Norms

now change "from a libertarian viewpoint" to from a "from the viewpoint of a Hobbit".

keep in mind that LLM's don't know anything and are designed to output text that is statistically-likely.

"1. Appreciation for Simple Courtesies and Modesty

Subtle gestures of politeness: Hobbits value community, but not in a loud or intrusive way. The idea that people in Riga practice small courtesies, like offering a seat with a simple gesture or adjusting expectations without irritation, would feel very familiar. To a hobbit, these kinds of modest exchanges are the heart of a well-functioning community. The lack of grandiosity in social interactions, such as not making a spectacle out of kindness or politeness, would seem very aligned with hobbit ideals.Queueing with respect: The concept of respecting others' time in queues, where there is a mutual understanding that resources (like time and money) are limited, would be seen as a practical and sensible way of life. Hobbits, who enjoy quiet gatherings in their homes or the market in the Shire, would recognize the value of calm and respectful order in public spaces."

(ChatGPT)

I've somehow lost the gemini chat explaining it as a personification. I went back and got these

If you are hearing the phrase "Auntie Oksana" (Тетя Оксана) specifically in the context of Russian weather or "temperature," it is almost certainly a reference to popular internet memes or urban slang rather than a professional meteorologist.

In the Russian-speaking internet (Runet), "Auntie Oksana" has become a shorthand for a specific kind of unreliable or overly dramatic "neighborhood" source of information.

yokay, let me give you some more transcript

Now that I see the full context, the mystery is solved! This is a classic case of Speech-to-Text error.

The word isn't "Оксана" (Oksana); the reporter actually said "заставляют" (zastavlyayut), which means "force" or "make".

The Corrected Phrase

The transcript should read:

"...цифры на термометре заставляют: на улицу ни ногой!"

"...the numbers on the thermometer force [you]: don't set a foot outside!"

Why it sounds like "Oksana"

In fast Russian speech, the word заставляют (za-stav-lya-yut) can be mumbled. The middle "stav-lya" sounds can get swallowed, leaving something that sounds like "za-ya-yut" or "sa-na," which the computer AI then "corrected" to the common name Оксана.

I puzzled far too long over the phonetics and I don't see how the last one could be possible. Let's try that again

When she says "Auntie Oksana" (Тетя Оксана) at [00:09], she is referring to Oksana Fedorova, as discussed previously. Here is the breakdown of why she says it in that specific context:

• The Joke: The reporter is describing a record-breaking cold snap in Moscow. She says, "The numbers on the thermometer, [Auntie] Oksana, say don't you dare step a foot outside" [00:08].
• The Persona: She is addressing her "anchor" in the studio. In this comedic setup, Oksana Fedorova is imagined as the news anchor.
• The Cultural Irony: In Russia, Oksana Fedorova is the quintessential "Auntie" of television because she hosted the famous children's show Good Night, Little Ones!. By addressing the news anchor as "Auntie Oksana," the video is poking fun at the cozy, domestic nature of Russian state TV, contrasting it with the "deadly" freezing temperatures being reported.

Well, the woman in the video resembles an Oksana Federova, but if she's an auntie, I'm Batman. Here she is
https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=3b5cf2041e18d574&sxsrf=AE3TifP1ZrjiDImMWsmg-_tQH7vGKnlIvg:1766481139030&udm=2&fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZ1Y6MJ25_tmWITc7uy4KIeqDdErwP5rACeJAty2zADJgeXKnD4z7v_UXM32TmNnj1yxfQDJKRFuKsiopx1kXI2HeCwSiMz_r_cLw9z-Mtg7tSmcI7MYFK_I8uSxj7ZdznMQoypHL9PYUQVEywwdBJtoqMFqGEmQsJQqv8HLDXTUeS3OS-&q=Oksana+Fedorova&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi0hK2Gr9ORAxXEf_UHHcdJAecQtKgLegQIChAB&biw=1382&bih=1075&dpr=2

She could be the reporter in the video, but it isn't in her imdb

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1185905/

If should probably come as no surprise that Trump can lie continuously, given that the goal of AI seems to have been making a machine that can lie to use continuously.

...what does it take to use an icon of my own choice?

Register the e-mail address you use at Gravatar, and upload the image you want to use. WordPress loves Gravatar.

I like these: Heather Dale: Huron Carol, in 4 languages (Huron, French, English, American Sign Language)

This is a Mongolian band. It's very rich and interesting: GG 16x9 Multipants v25 0 c linh phuonglelinh hoanh

marching band is seen as a ‘girly’ thing in Japan.

Ever seen Girls and Panzer? ;-)
(For those who are not accustomed to the franchise: The premise is that "sensha-do" (tanking) is a 100% female thing and a prestige sport for girls who battle it out in WW2-era tanks) Lots of marching music there.

GREENLAND DESTROYS RUSSIA

Considering what Ukraine is doing to Russia, not necessarily impossible. The most surprising part is that it hasn't been front page news around the world. Where is the MSM in this??? Looks like a cover-up.
😝

check out the list of other videos from that channel.

https://www.youtube.com/@TheFallOfNations

RUSSIA JUST KILLED ITSELF
CHINA IS FALLING APART
GREENLAND DESTROYS RUSSIA
DEATH BY VODKA
THE DEATH OF RUSSIA
RUSSIA IS GOING DOWN
PUTIN IS DONE
BLACK DAY FOR PUTIN
END OF ALASKA
END OF NORTH KOREA
IMMIGRATION KILLED CANADA

christ

Since the topic is Japan-related, here's a video on Japan's declining population numbers and its resistance to immigration. The video is a bit lengthy and overwrought, but it addresses the demographic problems Japan is facing, such as a death rate that is approximately double the birth rate.

"This video explores Japan's unique stance on immigration, contrasting it with global trends and examining the nation's internal challenges. We look at the severe Japanese population decline and the resulting aging population, which are central to current societal pressures. Learn how Japan's birth rate decline and shifting demographics are influencing its politics and future direction amidst global issues."

Japan’s Clash With ISLAM Is Escalating — And the Nation Is Saying “NO MORE”

Trump's suit against the BBC looks like turning into an own goal. The BBC has filed discovery motions demanding Trump disclosure his taxes for the last decade or more (to substantiate, or not, his claims of financial harm), his medical records (to substantiate or not his claims of other kinds of harm). All that information he has been desperately trying to keep concealed.

Oops.