They are a feature that capitalists think will be useful - of course they are ultimately meant to make you spend more money. It’s not inconceivable that means they’ll make your visit to a site more pleasant (so you’ll be likely to come back to spend more).

That said, it’s also The Thing To Do these days to put AI into everything, whether it’s actually useful or not. So whether or not any particular AI assistant will be helpful or not is anyone’s guess and you’ll have to try them to see. Any AI assistant I’ve interacted with has been decidedly less than helpful and just barfed up what information I could’ve found more easily on my own.

• hey gym assistant, does the subscription include a trainer showing me how stuff works?
• the subscription includes a personalised training plan :)
• okay but will your staff show me how the equipment works?
• the personalised workout plan is included in the subscription and is personalised to you by our staff :)
• i am a total beginner, never been to the gym, will your staff show me how to use the equipment if i don’t know how to use it?
• our staff will help you design your workout plan personalised to your individual fitness level. sugar free drinks are included in the subscription too :)
• you’re not answering my question. i don’t want to know about the personalised workout plan or the drinks. i need to know about the equipment in the gym. is there anyone who can teach me how to use the equipment so i don’t hurt myself?
• i’m sorry, i don’t know that :( hey but our subscription is awesome :)

True story.

(I ended up assuming they’re not going to show me shit.)

You’re doing an excellent job of understanding gender.

Do What Thou Wilt

It tends to be but that’s because people are very nervous (not least because they expect pain because they’ve been told to expect pain) and can’t relax. There is nothing about the first time that is different than any other time.

Splendid idea, I don’t have a license, I don’t know what I’m doing so I shall sacrifice myself for the greater good and drive that car. Oh also, we’re listening to a playlist of songs by obscure indie Bravo punk band Die Ärzte, with Schrei nach Liebe being on there several times, obviously.

I sometimes make a conscious effort to understand electricity. For a few days, I then think I understand what’s going on and then promptly I forget.

(Yes, I shall watch this video.)

Oh gawd same. I’ll be eternally grateful, thank you for your service o7

I be not bovveréd, forsooth.

You’ll have to prove the existence of a coder first.

Nay, I daresay I judge it not possible, goode Sir or Lady, notte now nor e’er.

Just don’t expect nuance or depth. Or, in case of languages that aren’t closely related to yours, to be understood.

This is the internet, there is no healthy version of anything.

Oh shi- riiiight the thing with the mini-games, I’ve heard about that! Just didn’t connect the dots here, I guess.

That entire page goes WAY over my head so I’ll take your word for it, hah.

Can you patent a game mechanic? I could see the implementation of a mechanic being protected, the specific way the code is written in a game, which would mean you can always find a different way to achieve the same result. What are you thinking of when you say “game mechanic”?

Oh you’re saying that this is about right wingers who think the Last Samurai is okay (while Ass Creed isn’t).

… That… makes sense. Huh. I hadn’t seen it that way.

That’s presumably the beginnings of an awareness of why that narrative is problematic. And also of the importance of historic accuracy. His role in the narrative was that of a saviour though. (Also, he survives.)

And even then, there were people who were uncomfortable with a narrative of some heroic white dude coming in to save the exotic natives. Just wasn’t a very popular opinion.

There is a lot of highly critical discourse around the Last Samurai. Not current, because it’s not a current movie, but saying that it’s “okay” suggests you they haven’t looked for criticism.

Also, weary.

Edit: clarity.

Edit2: I have since been made aware by @[email protected] of a different perspective that makes a lot more sense, see comments below.

Well… Yes but… oh go post a letter. ;)