@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

Thread context 2 posts in path

Parent @cstross@wandering.shop Open

@cstross@wandering.shop

US defense logistics agency is only able to resupply Thule in Greenland in the months of June/July using a convoy led by a CANADIAN icebreaker. The USA is militarily unable to occupy the nearest coast

Current reply

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz · Jan 14, 2026

@cstross@wandering.shop That's much too subtle a point for the Orange One.

View full thread on mathstodon.xyz

0

Thread context 3 posts in path

Root @ChuckMcManis@chaos.social Open

on chaos.social

Open ancestor post

Parent @cstross@wandering.shop Open

@cstross@wandering.shop

@ChuckMcManis@chaos.social @dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz @synlogic4242@social.vivaldi.net I expect the USA to hold elections this year, and in 2028, because elections are decentralized and run on a cale

Current reply

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz · Jan 10, 2026

@cstross@wandering.shop That sounds about right. And: > because elections are decentralized Which points out the difference between state and federal elections. I had only been thinking of the federal presidential election, but they are indeed two separate things, with potentially different fates. (Of course the voters and their voting is decentralized in both cases, but the instigation of elections is centrally controlled in the federal case.) @ChuckMcManis@chaos.social @synlogic4242@social.vivaldi.net

View full thread on mathstodon.xyz

0

Boosted by

Charlie Stross @cstross@wandering.shop

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz · Jan 10, 2026

RE: https://mastodon.social/@bruces/115869158915213819 "Intelligence is not a ladder, with steps along one dimension; it is multidimensional, a radiation. The space of possible intelligences is very large, even vast, with human intelligence occupying a tiny spot at the edge of this galaxy of possible minds. Every other possible mind is alien, and we have begun the very long process of populating this space with thousands of other species of possible minds."

View on mathstodon.xyz

1

0

1

0

Thread context 2 posts in path

Parent @cstross@wandering.shop Open

@cstross@wandering.shop

NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF MLEM https://norden.social/@feliz/115790271152257386

Current reply

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz · Dec 28, 2025

@cstross@wandering.shop In a superposition of guilty and innocent at the same time. Just look at that face.

View full thread on mathstodon.xyz

0

Thread context 2 posts in path

Parent @cstross@wandering.shop Open

@cstross@wandering.shop

Ay ay ay, William McGonagall! (Lest ye forget, one of the worst railway disasters in British history happened on this day in 1879. But it took the questionable talent of The McGonagall to immortalize

Current reply

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz · Dec 28, 2025

@cstross@wandering.shop Either everyone clicked at once and brought that server down, or I have really bad luck. Either way, archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20250315161036/https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/tay-bridge-disaster/

View full thread on mathstodon.xyz

0

Thread context 2 posts in path

Parent @cstross@wandering.shop Open

@cstross@wandering.shop

#ScribesAndMakers Dec 24: Reading at your typical pace and assuming no unexpected interruptions, about how long would it take you to read a 300 page book? A: I'm currently sight-impaired (need catarac

Current reply

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz · Dec 24, 2025

@cstross@wandering.shop I learned to speed read at an early age, but quickly learned to slow down for a good novel, for multiple reasons. So I think that's a page every 60 to 120 seconds, so 300 to 600 seconds; 5 to 10 hours.

View full thread on mathstodon.xyz

0

Thread context 2 posts in path

Parent @cstross@wandering.shop Open

@cstross@wandering.shop

#WritersCoffeeClub Day 14: Share how you tackle a first round of revisions. First, hate-read the edit letter, chanting "noNoNO!!!"—then put it away and sleep on it. That gets the defensive ego bullshi

Current reply

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz · Dec 14, 2025

@cstross@wandering.shop > First, hate-read the edit letter, chanting "noNoNO!!!" At first I was sure you meant that you send *yourself* edit email, and then react that way. Actually...do you?

View full thread on mathstodon.xyz

0

Thread context 3 posts in path

Root @scalzi@mastodon.social Open

on mastodon.social

Open ancestor post

Parent @crazyeddie@mastodon.social Open

@crazyeddie@mastodon.social

@scalzi@mastodon.social Yeah, right around the time that the US government wiped out all birds on the planet and replaced them with artificial drones. They used dinosaur DNA for the bio components so

Current reply

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz · Dec 11, 2025

@crazyeddie@mastodon.social > right around the time that the US government wiped out all birds on the planet and replaced them with artificial drones. Was that before or after they wiped out all humans on the planet and replaced them with artificial clones? I always forget. @scalzi@mastodon.social

View full thread on mathstodon.xyz

0

Thread context 2 posts in path

Parent @cstross@wandering.shop Open

@cstross@wandering.shop

This goes for me too, alas ... (Minus the green card, but I've spent 1-2 years there over a couple of decades). https://mastodon.social/@markmccaughrean/115695647314620504

Current reply

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz · Dec 10, 2025

@cstross@wandering.shop Sorry. ☹️

View full thread on mathstodon.xyz

0

Thread context 3 posts in path

Root @abstractcode@eigenmagic.net Open

on eigenmagic.net

Open ancestor post

Parent @cstross@wandering.shop Open

@cstross@wandering.shop

@abstractcode@eigenmagic.net Yes, except my Muse is a grizzled ex-USMC drill sergeant who periodically goes AWOL on three month drunken binges, then shows up, hung over and mean, to yell story prompts

Current reply

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz · Dec 05, 2025

@cstross@wandering.shop @abstractcode@eigenmagic.net I can see that that grizzled ex-USMC drill sergeant will be in your next story. (You may not know that, but assuredly your Muse does) P.S. It has been ages since I've seen a reference to Oglaf!

View full thread on mathstodon.xyz

0

Thread context 4 posts in path

Root @cstross@wandering.shop Open

@cstross@wandering.shop

#WritersCoffeeClub 11/21. What are some preconceptions about writers you'd like to see challenged? Almost every depiction of a writer in TV or film is grotesquely wrong, starting with: they're all ric

Ancestor 2 @dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz Open

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

@cstross@wandering.shop Some of them solve murders on the side. Maybe you solve murders and you just forgot.

Parent @cstross@wandering.shop Open

@cstross@wandering.shop

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz No I don't! I murder my imaginary friends instead.

Current reply

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz · Nov 21, 2025

@cstross@wandering.shop You serve as an shining example to us all!

View full thread on mathstodon.xyz

0

Thread context 2 posts in path

Parent @cstross@wandering.shop Open

@cstross@wandering.shop

#WritersCoffeeClub 11/21. What are some preconceptions about writers you'd like to see challenged? Almost every depiction of a writer in TV or film is grotesquely wrong, starting with: they're all ric

Current reply

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz

I'm a philomath (many interests; call it polymath-wanna-be) professional computer programmer in Silicon Valley, specializing in operating systems, languages/compilers, sometimes AI, usually non-traditional parallel software and hardware architectures. Also: # computer_science # unicode # unix # linux # bsd # compilers # operating_systems # GOF_AI # cognitive_science # linguistics # physics # mathematics Ex-springboard diver; scuba diver; free diver Ars longa, vita brevis.

mathstodon.xyz

@dougmerritt@mathstodon.xyz · Nov 21, 2025

@cstross@wandering.shop Some of them solve murders on the side. Maybe you solve murders and you just forgot.

View full thread on mathstodon.xyz

0

DougMerritt (log😅 = 💧log😄)

Posts