H R Pickens
@hrpickens.bsky.social
I don't expect to be followed back. When I find your stuff interesting, I don't necessarily expect you to find my stuff interesting.
That photo is fake. It's not me. But also, basically, it is.
That photo is fake. It's not me. But also, basically, it is.
Where I work, we put our biggest brains (which do not include me) on the anonymization problem.
December 10, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Where I work, we put our biggest brains (which do not include me) on the anonymization problem.
Amateurs very consistently overestimate the amount of data that it takes to uniquely identify an individual.
Amateur anonymization is about as good as amateur cryptography.
Amateur anonymization is about as good as amateur cryptography.
December 10, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Amateurs very consistently overestimate the amount of data that it takes to uniquely identify an individual.
Amateur anonymization is about as good as amateur cryptography.
Amateur anonymization is about as good as amateur cryptography.
The one time I served on a jury we spent a lot of time debating that question. 60% was way outside the range we debated. And way outside the guidance the judge gave us.
If someone got convicted on a judge saying that to a jury, they got railroaded.
If someone got convicted on a judge saying that to a jury, they got railroaded.
December 10, 2025 at 4:03 AM
The one time I served on a jury we spent a lot of time debating that question. 60% was way outside the range we debated. And way outside the guidance the judge gave us.
If someone got convicted on a judge saying that to a jury, they got railroaded.
If someone got convicted on a judge saying that to a jury, they got railroaded.
Are you sure you're replying to the post you meant to reply to?
December 9, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Are you sure you're replying to the post you meant to reply to?
Defeatist nonsense. An adult in a fallen world often has to choose between imperfect options.
In a general election, that might lead one to vote for Newsom. In a primary, however, there's virtually certain to be far better offerings.
In a general election, that might lead one to vote for Newsom. In a primary, however, there's virtually certain to be far better offerings.
December 9, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Defeatist nonsense. An adult in a fallen world often has to choose between imperfect options.
In a general election, that might lead one to vote for Newsom. In a primary, however, there's virtually certain to be far better offerings.
In a general election, that might lead one to vote for Newsom. In a primary, however, there's virtually certain to be far better offerings.
Newsom without hesitation. I would vote for Liz Goddamn Cheney before I would vote for Jefferson Davis Vance.
But that'll never happen. No way Newsom wins the primary.
But that'll never happen. No way Newsom wins the primary.
December 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Newsom without hesitation. I would vote for Liz Goddamn Cheney before I would vote for Jefferson Davis Vance.
But that'll never happen. No way Newsom wins the primary.
But that'll never happen. No way Newsom wins the primary.
Related: In Hammurabi's law code, "an eye for an eye" was a limit on vengeance, not a floor.
December 9, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Related: In Hammurabi's law code, "an eye for an eye" was a limit on vengeance, not a floor.
Seems trivial and obvious in hindsight, but at the time it was a revelation.
December 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Seems trivial and obvious in hindsight, but at the time it was a revelation.
Sometimes what you learn isn't what you expected to learn.
In one literature class, we read one story by Hawthorne and two by the professor, who I guess thought he was twice as important to the American canon as Hawthorne.
The important lesson I learned there was: any jackass can write a book.
In one literature class, we read one story by Hawthorne and two by the professor, who I guess thought he was twice as important to the American canon as Hawthorne.
The important lesson I learned there was: any jackass can write a book.
December 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Sometimes what you learn isn't what you expected to learn.
In one literature class, we read one story by Hawthorne and two by the professor, who I guess thought he was twice as important to the American canon as Hawthorne.
The important lesson I learned there was: any jackass can write a book.
In one literature class, we read one story by Hawthorne and two by the professor, who I guess thought he was twice as important to the American canon as Hawthorne.
The important lesson I learned there was: any jackass can write a book.
It was entirely lost on me at the time that much of the point of getting an education was to learn to appreciate the joy of learning widely and deeply.
University isn't a vocational school.
University isn't a vocational school.
December 9, 2025 at 7:37 PM
It was entirely lost on me at the time that much of the point of getting an education was to learn to appreciate the joy of learning widely and deeply.
University isn't a vocational school.
University isn't a vocational school.
I remember grumbling a fair bit, as a student, about this subject or that being unlikely to be important later in life.
With far more years behind me now, I see that those judgments were often flawed. I had so little perspective then, and anyway couldn't see the future.
With far more years behind me now, I see that those judgments were often flawed. I had so little perspective then, and anyway couldn't see the future.
December 9, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I remember grumbling a fair bit, as a student, about this subject or that being unlikely to be important later in life.
With far more years behind me now, I see that those judgments were often flawed. I had so little perspective then, and anyway couldn't see the future.
With far more years behind me now, I see that those judgments were often flawed. I had so little perspective then, and anyway couldn't see the future.
King Thailand: "No, see, it's fine. I have determined that we're in armed conflict with those civilians. And I made a list of them. And anyway, some of them fled when we shot at them. We thought that running away was very threatening--they might go get help. So we had to shoot them."
December 9, 2025 at 6:56 PM
King Thailand: "No, see, it's fine. I have determined that we're in armed conflict with those civilians. And I made a list of them. And anyway, some of them fled when we shot at them. We thought that running away was very threatening--they might go get help. So we had to shoot them."
There go the Americans again, banging on about protecting civilians. They're just a broken record, aren't they? Every day, the Americans are in the news, protecting civilians.
December 9, 2025 at 6:54 PM
There go the Americans again, banging on about protecting civilians. They're just a broken record, aren't they? Every day, the Americans are in the news, protecting civilians.
If Alice is ready to feed ICE into the wood chipper and purge MAGA goons from every level of the federal government and Bob is all "let's look forward, not back," Alice has got my vote and Bob can go straight to hell.
December 9, 2025 at 5:59 PM
If Alice is ready to feed ICE into the wood chipper and purge MAGA goons from every level of the federal government and Bob is all "let's look forward, not back," Alice has got my vote and Bob can go straight to hell.
I can't imagine I'd vote for her in the primary. She had her shot, and she lost. It's time for someone new.
The pressing issue of the next cycle is: who is best able to burn down the MAGA machine and salt the earth where it stood. I don't know who that'll be, but if it's a woman, she's got my vote.
The pressing issue of the next cycle is: who is best able to burn down the MAGA machine and salt the earth where it stood. I don't know who that'll be, but if it's a woman, she's got my vote.
December 9, 2025 at 5:55 PM
I can't imagine I'd vote for her in the primary. She had her shot, and she lost. It's time for someone new.
The pressing issue of the next cycle is: who is best able to burn down the MAGA machine and salt the earth where it stood. I don't know who that'll be, but if it's a woman, she's got my vote.
The pressing issue of the next cycle is: who is best able to burn down the MAGA machine and salt the earth where it stood. I don't know who that'll be, but if it's a woman, she's got my vote.
Much better. Thanks.
I don't like Harris's chances in the primary. She wasn't a very appealing candidate in 2020, and now she has the stink of a loser about her.
But it'd be an overreaction to conclude at this point that a woman can't win, after only two tries. Unjust, too.
I don't like Harris's chances in the primary. She wasn't a very appealing candidate in 2020, and now she has the stink of a loser about her.
But it'd be an overreaction to conclude at this point that a woman can't win, after only two tries. Unjust, too.
December 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Much better. Thanks.
I don't like Harris's chances in the primary. She wasn't a very appealing candidate in 2020, and now she has the stink of a loser about her.
But it'd be an overreaction to conclude at this point that a woman can't win, after only two tries. Unjust, too.
I don't like Harris's chances in the primary. She wasn't a very appealing candidate in 2020, and now she has the stink of a loser about her.
But it'd be an overreaction to conclude at this point that a woman can't win, after only two tries. Unjust, too.
I suggest that these metaphors, piled as high as they are, have become unhelpful. They're obscuring more than they reveal. I feel like I might have a chance at understanding what you're getting at if you were to speak plainly.
December 9, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I suggest that these metaphors, piled as high as they are, have become unhelpful. They're obscuring more than they reveal. I feel like I might have a chance at understanding what you're getting at if you were to speak plainly.
This raises questions to which I absolutely do not want the answers.
December 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
This raises questions to which I absolutely do not want the answers.
I could spend half an hour just explaining to Henry Ford about Calvin peeing on his logo.
December 9, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I could spend half an hour just explaining to Henry Ford about Calvin peeing on his logo.
First thought: wow that's a lineup of heavy hitters. I'd be, by a mile, the dullest, least interesting person at the table.
Second: Actually, wait. I'm from the far future. I'm easily the MOST interesting person at that table.
Second: Actually, wait. I'm from the far future. I'm easily the MOST interesting person at that table.
December 9, 2025 at 5:09 PM
First thought: wow that's a lineup of heavy hitters. I'd be, by a mile, the dullest, least interesting person at the table.
Second: Actually, wait. I'm from the far future. I'm easily the MOST interesting person at that table.
Second: Actually, wait. I'm from the far future. I'm easily the MOST interesting person at that table.
Okay, seat one is a dilemma.
Ford and Voltaire are both super interesting people. But if you're stuck between them, they'll probably just start banging on about Jews and you won't be able to get them off the topic.
Ford and Voltaire are both super interesting people. But if you're stuck between them, they'll probably just start banging on about Jews and you won't be able to get them off the topic.
December 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Okay, seat one is a dilemma.
Ford and Voltaire are both super interesting people. But if you're stuck between them, they'll probably just start banging on about Jews and you won't be able to get them off the topic.
Ford and Voltaire are both super interesting people. But if you're stuck between them, they'll probably just start banging on about Jews and you won't be able to get them off the topic.
I hadn't either. Barely knew of the guy. He was just one of that string of presidents between Jackson and TR whose names are familiar, but about whom, excepting Lincoln-Johnson-Grant, I know nothing.
Now Garfield and Arthur are burned into my memory as unforgettable characters. That's fine work.
Now Garfield and Arthur are burned into my memory as unforgettable characters. That's fine work.
December 9, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I hadn't either. Barely knew of the guy. He was just one of that string of presidents between Jackson and TR whose names are familiar, but about whom, excepting Lincoln-Johnson-Grant, I know nothing.
Now Garfield and Arthur are burned into my memory as unforgettable characters. That's fine work.
Now Garfield and Arthur are burned into my memory as unforgettable characters. That's fine work.