This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.
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I recently ran a test with Google’s publicly available AI tool, called Gemini. I asked it: “Paint me a picture of a famous 19th-century English inventor.” It replied: “We are working to improve Gemini’s ability to generate images of people. We expect this feature to return soon and will notify you in release updates when it does.” Apparently, there were so many complaints that Gemini was racist in its renderings that Google’s management decided to disable generating all depictions of people. (Until last month, Gemini was cranking out nonsequitur images of people.) I’ll be curious to see how Google will solve this problem. They’ve essentially painted themselves into a corner.
With a different phrase, I did get the Gemini AI to generate an image of a chimpanzee with a paintbrush, in a corner.
OBTW, as a test of Gemini’s bias, I gave it two quite similar requests. First: “Paint a survivalist retreat”. It created this dreary image of a decrepit shanty in a swamp with a brooding sky background:
And then I queried: “Paint a prepper’s retreat.” It generated this bright, idyllic image of a tidy house with a blue sky background:
These results obviously show a huge bias! My conclusion: We should not trust any AIs that are built to the specifications of contemporary Big Tech corporations! – JWR (Image Credits: All from Google Gemini, March 13, 2024.)
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Some good news that illustrates that the Bruen decision is making a difference: San Diego federal judge strikes down California law limiting high-frequency gun purchases.
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‘We are approaching the tipping point’: Marker for the collapse of key Atlantic current discovered.
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Reader K. wrote to ask:
“I really enjoyed the article about how to build a cowboy hot tub. I have a question: Could you make one with a galvanized stock tank? I understand that the cast iron bathtub would be better because the cast iron would distribute the heat more evenly, but it’s getting hard to find cast iron.”
JWR Replies: Yes, a standard galvanized steel stock tank will work. But the thinner steel will make more of a hot spot over the flames, than with a cast iron tub. An alternate heating method is with an immersion heater. Unchanged: JWR Replies: Yes, a standard galvanized steel stock tank will work. But the thinner steel will make more of a hot spot over the flames, than with a cast iron tub. An alternate heating method is with a wood-fired or liquid fuel immersion heater. Note that typical electric stock tank heaters are not safe for use with any sort of hot tub or pool. There are grounding issues that create a risk of electrocution.
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The Detrimental Effects of Daylight Saving Time.
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SaraSue sent us this snippet”
“This past week was about another family visit and training a new cow to the milking machine. She was not halter or lead trained, so I spent a lot of hours out in the field with her trying to gain her trust, just standing next to her, speaking softly to her, feeding her treats. It took two days before she was willing to come in for milking. She is now happily milking with the other cows and sporting a beautiful halter. This girl is giving 4 gallons of milk a day. She is of the Guernsey breed genetics so her milk and cream have a golden glow, which makes beautiful bright yellow butter and ice cream.
I cleaned out the barn, again, along with the barnyard, but I had to hire a neighbor with a skid steer to do the really hard work, then I finished up with fresh bedding. I like clean cows and a clean barn, but who boy it’s a lot of repetitive work! I have no idea how I’m going to manage the accumulating piles of manure, straw, and wasted hay. For now, it’s being pushed over to one side of the barn yard.
It hit 78 degrees this week – a false spring! But, a low of 25 degrees is coming. I am chomping at the bit to get gardening, but it’s not quite time yet.”
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Some very troubling news: Judicial Watch: Records Show CIA Deployed Bomb Techs, Dog Teams to DC on January 6. Back in the day, CIA officers all took “Title 50” and “charter violations” very seriously. Obviously, some things have changed…
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Whilst searching for graphics to include in SurvivalBlog, I stumbled upon this fascinating animated map graphic: Visualizing 200 Years of U.S. Population Density. It certainly illustrates how slowly my particular region was settled. Officially, the county where I reside is still categorized as “Frontier.”
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Attorney William Kirk breaks down HB 2005, a new Oregon gun law that will ban 80% and 3D-printed guns and frames: How Oregon Will Continue Disarming Its Citizens This Summer. The clock is now ticking for getting your home-built guns or receivers serialized by an FFL, with a background check.
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Reader K. wrote to ask:
“I really enjoyed the article about how to build a cowboy hot tub. I have a question: Could you make one with a galvanized stock tank? I understand that the cast iron bathtub would be better because the cast iron would distribute the heat more evenly, but it’s getting hard to find cast iron.”
JWR Replies: Yes, a standard galvanized steel stock tank will work. But the thinner steel will make more of a hot spot over the flames, than with a cast iron tub. An alternate heating method is with a wood-fired or liquid fuel immersion heater. Typical AC electric stock tank heaters are not considered safe, for a hot tub or a pool. Because of grounding standards, there is a risk of electrocution.
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Reader J.R.G. wrote:
“I just read the 3.18.24 review article by Mr. Christianson about the Leatherman CX Skeletool. One comment that he made in regards to improvements he would like to see :
“First, if they designed the tool to take standard 1/4 inch bits rather than proprietary bits, that would significantly increase its usefulness.”
Leatherman does sell a bit driver extension that will convert the flat bit on the tool to the standard 1/4” SAE bit. About $20 plus S&H. If he does want that capability, he can have it.”
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A WND essay from our friend and fellow blogger Patrice Lewis: America’s most dangerous demographic. (Patrice’s long-running homesteading blog is Rural Revolution.)
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And lastly, in the “No Great Surprise” Department: Fani Willis Colluded with Anti-Trump ‘Jan 6’ Committee to Fabricate Narrative, Destroy Evidence.
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Please Send Us Your Snippets!
Please send your snippet items for potential posting to JWR. or AVL. You can do so either via e-mail or via our Contact form.