Algorithms and Civil Rights: Understanding the Issues

MaryW, 19.01.18, 07:22

Thankfully, our existing civil rights laws apply no less forcefully when software, rather than a human decision maker, engages in discrimination. In fact, equipped as they are with the disparate impact framework, the Fair Housing Act (FHA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), and the later-enacted Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), these laws can make...

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Waltzing Above Ground

StefanL, 18.01.18, 01:10

Here is the promised upload of "Waltzing Above Ground" by Guy Klucevsek. It is a little adapted to the existing moving pictures we had for it and also to today's a bit shorter attention spans. But still lovely from start to end.

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Alles Walzer

MaryW, 17.01.18, 07:59

Die Wiener Ballsaison steht bevor und ich fliege nach Sudamérica und werde mich der Natur, dem Wandern, dem Lesen, den Palmen, dem Schwimmen und, wenn überhaupt, dem Tango argentino widmen. Weil also Argentina winkt und insbesondere die "Tierra del fuego", lese ich wieder einmal die wunderbaren Erzählungen "Todos los fuegos el fuego" von Julio Cortázar, über dessen Werke Pablo Neruda...

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Mimi and Joan Sing a Duet

MaryW, 16.01.18, 08:04

Just by accident me and a friend detected that sometimes the same song performance has the power to comfort us when the mind is on the brink of despair. This one has two sister's voices and an absurd South American patriotism song. The location is Sing Sing Prison and the year is 1973. We were 16 and 15 years or so...

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2 Funerals in 2 Days

StefanL, 12.01.18, 20:25

2 funerals in 2 days has been a bit much for me. Both personalities passed away before their time at the end of last year. Both of them I Iiked and also estimated them highly. I knew Johanna a lot better than Michael and consequently also liked her in a different way and more. Our relationship had been less close in...

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2 Verstorbene - ein Nachruf

StefanL, 08.01.18, 21:01

Judging it by the its start only, 2018 is already worse than 2017. On January 4 we had to learn from the press that Mag. Michael Truppe had died on December 26, 2017. It's always shocking to us survivors when the great killer, that he had fought for some time and that tried me too, has won one more victory and...

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Dixie Chicken

StefanL, 05.01.18, 23:43

Long before the Dixie Chicks there was the Dixie Chicken (and the Tennessee lamb of course). For people with a sometimes more down to earth musical taste like us here in Jamaica, the song was one of the highlights in any Little Feat concert. Lowell George († June 29, 1979) played and sang it in a way that one could...

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The Wind Screams Mary and the Doves Cry at Themselves

MaryW, 04.01.18, 06:25

50 odd years ago, a nice gentleman from Seattle, King County, Washington wrote a nice song for me. Had to think of it and him yesterday while sobering up from yesteryear's 2nd most funny day and this year's holiday thereafter. Even had to cry a little bit remembering him. He's been dead for 47 years now. A broom is drearily sweeping up...

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