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Mike Dolbow

@mmdolbow@mapstodon.space

mastodon 4.6.4

GIS geek, family guy, beer lover, and bassist for jbellmusic.com - he/him. Committed to a better world for the future.

That means the only thing we can't tolerate is intolerance.

Auto-deleting posts after 1 month. Also:
#spatial
#geo
#music
#dadjokes
#UltimateFrisbee
#SocialJustice
#ClimateJustice
#NoAI

I'll usually follow back if you appear real. For me, that means at least fill out a bio and pin an introduction or similar post.

1572 Followers

2400 Following

24 Posts

Joined November 24, 2022

GitHub profile:

https://github.com/mmdolbow

Rarely used blog:

https://assumptionblanket.blogspot.com/p/links.html

REST endpoint tutorial:

http://mmdolbow.github.io/RESTendpts/

Band web page:

https://jbellmusic.com

Posts

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · 5d ago

Replying to @sundogplanets@mastodon.social

@sundogplanets@mastodon.social a friend of mine once told me about the extremes in this region, "it's not the *end* of the earth, but on a clear day, you can see it"

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Jul 30, 2026

Replying to @sundogplanets@mastodon.social

@sundogplanets@mastodon.social they probably put one of those Spinal Tap blokes in charge of the design

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · May 15, 2026

Replying to @BernieDoesIt@mstdn.social

@BernieDoesIt@mstdn.social @inthehands@hachyderm.io there is ... and honestly we don't want *states* attempting to regulate speech. And one could argue that unis are state institutions. (Some clearly are, getting a lot of funding from a state.) BUT: canceling a speaker is STILL a far cry from passing a LAW.

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · May 13, 2026

Replying to @inthehands@hachyderm.io

@inthehands@hachyderm.io terrific explanation! Another thing I see the idiots screwing up about the 1st Amendment: it says "Congress shall make no law...." I think "Congress" is broadly interpreted as "the government", and that's fine. But despite often receiving government funding, universities *aren't* the government... and they're not *making laws* ... they're just rightfully choosing not to amplify domestic terrorists.

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · May 13, 2026

Replying to @JoBlakely@mastodon.social

@JoBlakely@mastodon.social generally don't, but while I used to see them as a "solution looking for a problem", I've come to see the utility. Anecdotal example: Red Cross blood drives. They used to have a bar code for their "Rapid Pass", which is a pre-screening tool that donors can use to save time. The bar code was really difficult to scan off my phone, requiring several painful tries from staff. They replaced the bar code with a QR code, and it consistently works better.

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · May 11, 2026

Replying to @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space

I just got my highest score ever on the Daily Game - over 21k out of a possible 25k! (That's based on a short history of the 5-puzzles-per-day that started on 4/1, not my history before then that had 3 per day.) I'm noticing this addiction is changing the way I look at the world! When I'm out driving, I look at and notice way different details than before. It's kinda funny. Still looking for friends - and a better understanding of how friends interact on #geoguessr ...!

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · May 04, 2026

Current status: in the Jury Duty waiting room. Hilarity ensues, film at eleven #FML #CivicDuty

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 29, 2026

Replying to @kgjenkins@mapstodon.space

@kgjenkins@mapstodon.space lol, yes! Because it's not in any official capacity - I just do it for the team and parents/fans to reference. And it's just on a spreadsheet that I maintain, it's not announced to the crowd or anything.

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 27, 2026

Replying to @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space

Fingers crossed both boys are healthy for "Natties"! In a world full of hurt, watching this team brings me so much joy. I can't wait to travel again to see them. When it's over, I'll be very sad, but in an "I'm so lucky" way.

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 27, 2026

This weekend I had the honor of watching (and scorekeeping) for CHOP, the Carleton DIII Men's Ultimate team. They won their region, which means they advance to the National Championship tournament in May. They're ranked 3rd in the country and despite a rash of injuries that took out two of their top 5 players, they have to persevered to beat expectations. My two boys (Senior and 1st-year) are both on the team, but the younger was injured. #UltimateFrisbee #Regionals #DIII

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 24, 2026

@deliaturner@mindly.social handsome fella! Reminds me of ours, who has decided lately that we need to be woken up earlier by reaching under our door and playing with the stopper. Even after I swapped out the spring kind with a solid kind.

5:30 am this morning - birds singing, cat playing, body refusing to sleep 🤦‍♂️

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 22, 2026

On LinkedIn, I shared this article as part of an #EarthDay post, asking my colleagues to think twice about using AI. I doubt I'm going to get much traction there.

Here, I'm anticipating at least a mixed reaction.

I'm not arguing for a complete halt in usage. But given that about 95% of the uses I've witnessed are problematic and unjustified, I am arguing for a radical slowdown.

Not holding my breath, obviously.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/news/content/ar-AA1ZL7P1

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 18, 2026

Replying to @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space

I just figured out how to share my profile, that's how much of a noob I am! 🤓😎 https://www.geoguessr.comhttps//www.geoguessr.com/user/691484f385581d9018200844

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 18, 2026

Replying to @toxision@mastodon.social

@toxision@mastodon.social request sent, thanks! OMG your xp level reflects those 8 years! #goals

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 18, 2026

Anyone play the official #geoguessr and want to be "friends" with me?

I'm pretty new - been playing about 6 months. Really digging the upgrade to the free daily challenge they rolled out on April 1: five games, 3 minutes per game. My typical score is around 8-12k points, so I'm not very good. And I have no interest in upgrading to play more - I'd never stop, lol.

I don't even know what a "friend" means there but I think it'd be cool to compare scores and maybe chat.

https://www.geoguessr.com

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 17, 2026

I've started blocking and reporting any email at work that isn't from a colleague but mentions "AI".

I've had this work email address for over 20 years, and seemingly every tech mag and blog has it. I've been looking for an excuse to stop getting useless emails for years.

Now I have one. ✊
#no_ai_bullshit #noAIcontent

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 15, 2026

Replying to @geospacedman@mastodon.social

@geospacedman@mastodon.social why don't YOU start it and then when I'M ready, I'll be your first "employee"? 😉

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 15, 2026

Replying to @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space

I'm going to pin this so it doesn't automatically delete. I was thinking about this because I am *really* looking forward to the idea of an early retirement. I figure if I combine freelance cartography with playing bass (maybe teaching lessons?) then I can stretch my savings until I'm qualified to receive full SS and pension benefits. I dunno if it's feasible but... I am quite certain I'd be happier than right now.

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 15, 2026

Putting this out into the fedi in the hopes I don't forget about it in the long run: mnemonic device maps.

You know how when you're learning geography and the task is memorizing nations, capitals, etc on a map? With dozens to remember, mnemonic devices are handy. As a cartographer, one day I'd like to make some maps that a) illustrate such devices and b) enable the user to make up their own.

This is something I'd love to do as a freelancer.
#gischat #cartography #maps

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 04, 2026

Replying to @gunchleoc@mastodon.scot

@gunchleoc @Lightfighter @david_chisnall that's what I was gonna say! That video would not have been as epic without a senile Ronnie

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 01, 2026

Replying to @thierna@mastodon.green

@thierna @FreakyFwoof I agree... and these are reasons why *I* don't see it as just a tool. So that's why I'm questioning the premise of the OP.

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 01, 2026

Replying to @FreakyFwoof@universeodon.com

@FreakyFwoof whoops - my bad - I read too fast!

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 01, 2026

Replying to @FreakyFwoof@universeodon.com

@FreakyFwoof you didn't mention Napster in your OP, but *yes*, great example of that phenomenon. And, in that case, the industry used copyright law to shut it down. Of course, it wasn't the *mp3 technology* that was the problem, but the way Napster *used* that technology. I'd love to see a similar reckoning happen for "AI". I'm not holding my breath.

Mike Dolbow @mmdolbow@mapstodon.space · Apr 01, 2026

Replying to @FreakyFwoof@universeodon.com

@FreakyFwoof I'm struggling to answer this question: did any of those other tools perpetuate a massive amount of plagiarism and copyright infringement? It's a complicated question, for sure.... but I just don't see "AI" as just another tool.

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