PositiveNoise

Based on a comment in this thread, it seems like you want to learn some basic music theory, to get a feel for how music is put together. Based on that, I recommended electronic keyboards as the instrument. Keyboards are laid out in a fairly intuitive manner that can help you learn how scales and chords are built, and more advanced music theory depending on what you want to learn. Also, electronic keyboards can be quite cheap, and the sound making part (synthesizers) can live in a computer and be pretty affordable as well. But don’t get a keyboard without full sized keys…that will limit your fun and have you learning bad muscle memory. You want to use a keyboard the size you would keep using if you eventually put thousands of hours into playing that instrument.

For shopping, you want a ‘midi keyboard controller’ with a usb connection. It should be velocity sensitive (all the but cheapest ones have this…hit a key faster and note is louder), and I’d recommend 61 keys or a bit more (but that is not critical at first, to just start learning theory and building muscle memory. But I don’t recommend a mini-controller with only like 12 keys or so…that is not enough to learn what you want). Keep in mind that keyboard controllers often don’t make sounds by themselves and instead are supposed to connect to a computer or some such, where the synths are. You can of course buy a keyboard that makes sounds and will function as a controller, but that costs more money, although it also might be much more helpful for you, especially if you don’t have a computer.

And all electronic instruments usually require something else to make physical sound, which means you would be taking a step into having a tiny home music studio, buying speakers and an amp, or triggering a synth on your computer and using existing computer speakers. Once again, you can find something that does all of that, but it won’t be GREAT at doing all of that while also being cheap. But that’s a fine way to get started, and if get hooked, then you can start buying gear to turn it into a more serious hobby home studio setup.

I have the same hopes. There is no good reason to have to upload IDs for this sort of stuff. It’s a matter of getting the regulators to craft good laws that implement these new approaches (easier said than done, often).

Yes, but the best example is currently being implemented. The EU has already decided to implement this stuff, essentially. It should be working around 2027 or so. The good potential of this is that since the EU is a gigantic example, if it works well in the EU, it could cause a tipping point for much of the world to follow. I don’t have an exhaustive list of places implementing parts of this, but looking at what Scandinavian countries and Estonia have done is a great place to research. Estonia kind of ‘solved’ digital governance THIRTY years ago, in particular, but is such a tiny country that no one cares, and most people consider talking about Estonia the same as talking about Narnia. The EU doing good privacy stuff can not be ignored, though. If these things help out there, it’s a very big deal.

The good news: approaches have already been developed to mostly allow this. The bad news: incompetent or lazy or corrupt people try to NOT implement these, and doomers always show up to loudly say that everything sucks and we should all just live in despair.

Nothing is perfect, but implementing the stuff mentioned below would be a big improvement to balancing privacy and security compared to virtually all previous human history. It involves the government implementing a few things and citizens having new ID-type-things that are not like photo IDs.

If these systems are set up correctly, a person can digitally prove that they are 18 years or older, but without providing ANY other information. Not there name or photo or anything other than ‘yup. I’m 18+. Let me do my thing.’

Here are three critical tools to leverage, and do a bit of research on:

Verifiable Credential (VC)

• What it is: A digitally signed attestation about you, issued by a trusted entity (e.g. a country government).
  Example: a university issues you a credential saying “PositiveNoise earned a Master’s degree in 2008.”

• Structure: Typically uses the W3C Verifiable Credentials standard — it’s a JSON document signed cryptographically by the issuer.

• Key idea: You hold it (not them). You can present it later to anyone (“verifier”) to prove something about yourself, and the verifier can confirm the signature without calling the issuer.

Analogy: A digital version of a stamped diploma or driver’s license, but one that lives in your own encrypted wallet rather than a government database.

Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP)

• What it is: A cryptographic technique that lets you prove a statement is true without revealing the underlying data.
  Example: Prove “I am over 18” without showing your exact birthdate.

• In relation to VCs: VCs can include data that can be selectively revealed or proven via ZKPs, so you never have to expose full documents.

Analogy: Showing only the needed part of your ID through a frosted window, but mathematically guaranteed.

Digital ID Wallet

• What it is: The software or hardware container where you store and manage your Verifiable Credentials.
  Think of it like a crypto wallet, but instead of coins, it holds identity proofs (e.g., driver’s license, student ID, health certificate).

• In relation to the others:

  • It stores your VCs (the signed attestations).

  • It lets you create ZK proofs on demand when sharing data.

  • It maintains control and consent: you decide when and what to share.

Analogy: A private digital passport holder that can generate “proof slips” without handing over the whole passport.

You are going to accidentally burn your place down, aren’t you?

Cthulhu remembers!

Yeah. Lovecraft was one of the popular authors the creators of D&D had read. Sci-fi, fantasy, horror etc genres did not have tons of superstars in the 70s, so a lot of people were reading the same books/authors. It’s similar to how everyone had seen movies like Jason and the Argonauts.

Lovecraft was writing back in the 30’s, the same era of early Conan etc, but had become much more popular by the 70s.

Vote! Then find something else to think about, since apart from voting for sane politicians, there is not much directly you can do to prevent nuclear war.

<Sudden thirst trap activated> another small win for the Netherlands!

‘slight confusion’ is the theme of this post, in several ways so far 😀

Jesus Christ Superstar

Anything that is fun for you that makes musical noise is a good option for you! Presumably you are not attempting to be a world class music producer right away, and are more interested in having a bit of musical fun. Go for it.

I think that if people get to have Universal Basic Income, and society can be arranged to provide it without causing big problems to society, then it doesn’t need to be tied to Automation in any way, and instead can simply be viewed as a core benefit of being a member of society. That seems like a more elegant approach.

People would not want to be told ‘oh, it seems like we are going to scale back automation some, so everyone is going to only get 50% of the UBI they have been receiving previously’.

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Incredibly uplifting. It’s amazing to think that beavers were essentially eliminated in the region over 500 years ago, and due to some positive modern movements, have been able to bring themselves back into the region. Good Job, Team Beavers!

You: Whatcha doin Whiskers?
Cat: …I am taking orders from Sauron… <mumble mumble>
You: Oh, that’s a fly! cool :)
Cat: …soon I will bite. Yes. soon… <mumble mumble>

Bite Them! You need no reason. Just Bite TEHM!

spoiler: it feels like an alarm clock made of half melted jello

rule 1 of bathroom club : do NOT talk about Final Step

Hmm. A bit of stretching might feel nice. Work that leg! Oh, and napping! Napping is super great. This is awesome. I think I’ll just hang here and wait for Miss Servant to bring me some noms (presumably).