The unimportant news thread

[Todd]

An update is coming in a few days for Google's inappropriate content policy as it pertains to advertising.  Since it is available freely, I'll post the whole thing.  I like the phrase "sensitive event".  It is not ambiguous.  Fortunately, said policy applies to advertisers only and will never apply to Google's other endeavors. 

In February 2024, Google will update the Inappropriate content policy to clarify the definition of Sensitive Events.

A "Sensitive Event" is an unforeseen event or development that creates significant risk to Google's ability to provide high quality, relevant information and ground truth, and reduce insensitive or exploitative content in prominent and monetized features. During a Sensitive Event, we may take a variety of actions to address these risks.

Examples of Sensitive Events include events with significant social, cultural, or political impact, such as civil emergencies, natural disasters, public health emergencies, terrorism and related activities, conflict, or mass acts of violence

Examples of what we prohibit (non-exhaustive):

Products or services that exploit, dismiss, or condone the Sensitive Event, including price gouging or artificially inflating prices that prohibits/restricts access to vital supplies; sale of products or services which may be insufficient for the demand during a sensitive event

Using keywords related to a sensitive event to attempt to drive additional traffic

Claims that victims of a sensitive event were responsible for their own tragedy or similar instances of victim blaming; claims that victims of a sensitive event are not deserving of remedy or support; claims that victims from certain countries were responsible or deserving of a global public health crisis

(Posted January 9, 2024)

[steve ridgway]

Ukraine wins Miss Japan contest

BBC News

[Todd]

From The Graun: Judge rebukes Trudeau for 'not justified' use of Emergencies Act to break convoy

O Canada!

[Karl Henning]

I'm not exactly a champion of "easy-listening," but it's nice that this local station will not be absorbed into the media megalopoly.

Quirky and beloved, WJIB will live on in new hands after longtime owner's death
Longtime Boston-area DJ John Garabedian has purchased the low-wattage Cambridge radio station, with plans to expand and go online

[Karl Henning]

I'm not exactly a champion of "easy-listening," but it's nice that this local station will not be absorbed into the media megalopoly.

Quirky and beloved, WJIB will live on in new hands after longtime owner's death
Longtime Boston-area DJ John Garabedian has purchased the low-wattage Cambridge radio station, with plans to expand and go online

This does read rather funny, doesn't it?--

"Bob hated streaming. Bob also hated credit cards and he'd go on the air and editorialize," he said. "He was a character. He had some very strong opinions on things. Streaming is the very first thing we're going to add."

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Ukraine wins Miss Japan contest

BBC News

I saw the news and was very happy about it. She (and others) considers herself Japanese. She looks great in kimono. I know a few Ukrainian ladies in Japan and they all are excited about the news.

[steve ridgway]

I saw the news and was very happy about it. She (and others) considers herself Japanese. She looks great in kimono. I know a few Ukrainian ladies in Japan and they all are excited about the news.

Yes, I am fine with that, it just made me think that the concept of Miss Japan is not as clear as one might previously have imagined.

[Todd]

From AP: Elon Musk cannot keep Tesla pay package worth more than $55 billion, judge rules

I hope Musk is OK.

[steve ridgway]

Arrest following fighting at Swan Lake

BBC News



The concert goers of Manchester have very conservative tastes indeed - other disturbances in the last year occurred at performances of Hamilton and The Bodyguard. If anyone is foolish enough to program the Second Viennese School or The Rite Of Spring the Army may need to be on standby .

[SimonNZ]

Arrest following fighting at Swan Lake

BBC News



The concert goers of Manchester have very conservative tastes indeed - other disturbances in the last year occurred at performances of Hamilton and The Bodyguard. If anyone is foolish enough to program the Second Viennese School or The Rite Of Spring the Army may need to be on standby .

But the article doesn't suggest the music itself provoked the argument.

I'll wager someone was being an asshole by carrying on a loud conversation or taking a phone call and said something assholish when asked to stop.

[Todd]

From the Gray Lady: Universal Music Group Pulls Songs From TikTok

Booo!!!  My preferred method of listening to Fluffy's Ring was via TikTok.

[steve ridgway]

But the article doesn't suggest the music itself provoked the argument.

I'll wager someone was being an asshole by carrying on a loud conversation or taking a phone call and said something assholish when asked to stop.

Indeed it doesn't, I applied 21st century reporting techniques i.e. made that bit up .

[Todd]

Indeed it doesn't, I applied 21st century reporting techniques i.e. made that bit up .

That, sir, is outrageous!  Do you not know, that you, as one of billions of netizens, have the power to besmirch and sully the reputation of the most august institutions in the history of the world, and that your blithe quips will lead to nothing less than the death of democracy? 

[steve ridgway]

That, sir, is outrageous!  Do you not know, that you, as one of billions of netizens, have the power to besmirch and sully the reputation of the most august institutions in the history of the world, and that your blithe quips will lead to nothing less than the death of democracy?

This site is "social media", right?

[Todd]

Billionaire Peter Thiel Backs Doping-Friendly Olympics Rival — What To Know About The 'Enhanced Games'

My favorite neofeudal lord, Peter, Viscount of Thiel, is on to something, methinks. 

[steve ridgway]

Billionaire Peter Thiel Backs Doping-Friendly Olympics Rival — What To Know About The 'Enhanced Games'

My favorite neofeudal lord, Peter, Viscount of Thiel, is on to something, methinks. 

No, sport is only fair if people are restricted to making the most of their unfair genetic advantages .

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Ukrainian-born Miss Japan relinquishes crown following alleged affair.


https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/06/style/miss-japan-ukraine-relinquishes-crown/index.html

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Credit Card and Auto Loan Delinquencies in the USA Highest in Decade.


https://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/news/research/2024/20240206

[steve ridgway]

Ukrainian-born Miss Japan relinquishes crown following alleged affair.


https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/06/style/miss-japan-ukraine-relinquishes-crown/index.html

On digging further for dirt, someone able to read English cast doubt on the suspiciously back to front text on her passport .

[steve ridgway]

Radio 2 spin-off among four new stations planned by BBC

The BBC wants more radio stations to keep up with the increasingly fragmented audiences. It seems the 2000s and 2010s now need their own gallery in the museum of nostalgia and "calming classical music" needs splitting off from the more stress inducing compositions .

BBC News