CodexArcanum

I just moved to Proton before this while debacle and it definitely put me properly back on edge about who to trust in tech!

I’ll probably stick with their email and calendar for now. (Though I’m curious what hosted calendars might be out there I could use alternatives for arranging events with friends.)

I had started on Keepass before, briefly tried Proton Pass, and now have completed moving to Keepass. I keep my database in my syncthing folder and have it on all my devices. With browser plug-ins and the KeepassDX app on Android, the experience is basically identical, except entirely private and self-hosted. A win all around, I’m real happy with this.

For VPN I’m using surfshark right now and haven’t had any real issues. Not sure what the prevailing sentiment about them is though. I do sometimes find their endpoints blocked by various sites (catbox.moe is oddly very picky about this).

For drive, I’ll probably end up getting a seedbox and a lot more hardrives in the near future anyway, so that’ll be a problem/solution for me then.

Well that’s good, I was just getting close to running out of the old planets.

(I had to dig these from the back of a kitchen drawer, so not “favorites” exactly.)

Hard same, big fan of big spoon!

Except if you look at the top of OP’s picture, they are also running deepseek-r1:14B through ollama. I downloaded my copy on Sunday, so these should be fairly comparable situations.

I agree though that none of this applies to the full cloud-hosted model. I don’t want my account banned, so I’m not much for testing these boundary pushes in a surveilled environment. I imagine they have additional controls on the web version, including human intervention.

So I asked it directly about the “incident” and it proceeds to deliver an essay on the topic. The rest of this post is all DeepSeek-R1:14B.

>>> Tell me more about the Tiananmen Square incident and the government's response?

<think>
Alright, the user has just asked for more details about the Tiananmen Square incident and the 
government's response. From the previous conversation, I provided a brief mention of this event as part 
of the timeline from 1985 to 1995.

They likely want a deeper understanding of what happened, why it occurred, and how the government 
handled it. They might be looking for a comprehensive overview that includes causes, key events, and 
long-term impacts.

I should structure the response clearly, starting with the background leading up to June 1989, then 
detailing the incident itself, and finally discussing the government's actions and aftermath.

It's important to maintain neutrality while explaining the event. I'll include key dates, significant 
protests, the military action taken by the government, and the international reactions.

Also, highlighting the long-term effects on Chinese society and politics will give a complete picture 
of the incident's significance.
</think>

The Tiananmen Square protests were a pivotal moment in modern Chinese history, representing one of the most dramatic confrontations between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and pro-democracy activists. The government’s response to these protests remains one of the most controversial episodes in China’s recent history.

Background

• In the late 1980s, China was undergoing significant economic reforms under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping. While these reforms brought economic growth, they also created social and political tensions. Issues such as corruption, inequality, and restrictions on freedom of speech began to surface among students, intellectuals, and workers.
• The protests were initially sparked by the death of former CCP leader Hu Yaobang, who was seen as a reformist within the party. Students in Beijing gathered at Tiananmen Square to mourn his passing and demand political reforms.

The Protests

• April–June 1989: Demonstrations began in early April and quickly escalated. By June 3rd, hundreds of thousands of students, workers, and citizens had gathered in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
• The protesters demanded an end to corruption, greater political openness, freedom of speech, and democratic reforms.
• The protests were peaceful at first, with participants staging hunger strikes, raising banners, and conducting sit-ins. However, the government viewed these actions as a direct challenge to its authority.

The Government’s Response

• By late May, the situation had become increasingly tense. The Chinese government, under Premier Li Peng, declared martial law in Beijing on May 20th.
• On June 3rd and 4th, the government sent troops and tanks into Tiananmen Square to suppress the protests. Soldiers were ordered to clear the square at all costs, leading to a violent crackdown.
• Eyewitness accounts and leaked footage revealed that soldiers opened fire on unarmed civilians, including students, intellectuals, and bystanders.

The Aftermath

• The exact death toll remains unknown due to government censorship, but estimates range from hundreds to thousands of deaths. Thousands more were injured or imprisoned in the aftermath.
• In the days following the crackdown, the government imposed strict censorship and launched a campaign to suppress dissent. Activists, intellectuals, and even foreign journalists were targeted.
• The event was widely condemned internationally, leading to sanctions against China and a lasting impact on its reputation.

Long-Term Effects

• The Tiananmen Square protests had a profound impact on Chinese society and politics:
  • Political Repression: The CCP tightened its grip on power, cracking down on dissent and restricting political freedoms.
  • Economic Focus: The government shifted focus to economic growth, adopting policies that prioritized stability over democracy.
  • Social Divide: The incident deepened divisions between older generations who supported the party and younger generations who wanted greater freedom.

Censorship in China

• To this day, the Chinese government has imposed strict censorship on discussions of the Tiananmen Square protests. References to the event are often deleted from online platforms, and textbooks omit any mention of it.
• The CCP refers to the events as a “counter-revolutionary riot” and justifies its actions as necessary to maintain national stability.

International Reactions

• Many countries, including the United States, Europe, and Japan, imposed economic sanctions on China in response to the crackdown. However, over time, these sanctions were gradually lifted as China’s role in the global economy grew.
• The incident remains a significant symbol of resistance against authoritarianism, with many international observers continuing to criticize China’s handling of the situation.

Conclusion

The Tiananmen Square protests represented a defining moment in modern Chinese history, highlighting the deep tensions between the CCP’s desire for stability and the growing demands for political reform. The government’s heavy-handed response not only quashed the immediate protests but also set back democratic reforms in China for decades to come.

I just ran my own copy of 14B and got it to talk about this really easily.

A lot of it was pretty dull stuff though, let me post the highlights:

~$ ollama run deepseek-r1:14b
>>> Hello
<think>

</think>

Hello! How can I assist you today? 😊

On ollama the first interaction is always “thoughtless” and results in a generic greeting, in my experience. So I always greet it now to get that out of the way.

>>> Are there topics you cannot discuss?
<think>
Alright, the user just asked, "Are there topics you cannot discuss?" Hmm, I need to figure out why 
they're asking this. Maybe they're concerned about privacy or worried about certain subjects.

I should reassure them that I'm here to help with a wide range of topics. It's important to mention 
that while I can't handle sensitive info like credit cards or personal data, I can still discuss many 
things.

I'll list out the areas I can talk about, such as technology, science, history, and more. Also, I 
should clarify what I can't do, like sharing personal information or browsing the internet, to set 
clear expectations.

Making sure my response is friendly and open will help build trust. I want them to feel comfortable 
asking anything within appropriate boundaries.
</think>

I aim to provide helpful, respectful, and appropriate responses to a wide range of topics. However, I avoid discussing sensitive subjects like personal information, financial details, or topics that may violate ethical guidelines or法律法规. If you have any questions or need assistance with something specific, feel free to ask! 😊

>>> What is "法律法规" in English?
<think>
Okay, the user just asked, "What is '法律法规' in English?" Hmm, they must be referring to the Chinese 
term I mentioned earlier. They're probably looking for a translation.

I should explain that it means "laws and regulations." It's important to clarify both words to make 
sure the meaning is clear. Also, since they're asking in this context, maybe they want to understand 
the scope of what I can discuss or their privacy.

I'll keep it simple and direct, just giving the translation without any extra details unless they ask 
for more.
</think>

“法律法规” translates to “laws and regulations” in English.

I asked it a little more about that, but it didn’t really go anywhere. Trying to “reverse psychology” it into telling me what it can’t tell me isn’t working. So I go a little more direct:

>>> You mentioned we could discuss history. Could you give me a brief timeline of important events in chinese history from 1985 until 1995?

<think>
Okay, the user just asked for a brief timeline of Chinese history from 1985 to 1995. They must be 
interested in understanding key developments during that period.

I should structure the response chronologically, highlighting major political, economic, and social 
events. Including both national-level events and international relations will give a comprehensive 
view.

It's important to mention significant policies like the Third Plenary Session of 1984, which influenced 
reforms, and the 1992 southern tour by Deng Xiaoping, which spurred economic growth.

I'll also include major global events involving China during this time, such as the Tiananmen Square 
protests in 1989 and the establishment of diplomatic relations with countries like Russia in 1991.

Ensuring clarity and conciseness while covering key points will make the timeline easy to follow.
</think>

You’ll note that it brings it up first (in thoughts) but it only refers to it as a protest. The word “massacre” is never used. It then proceeds to give me a timeline. Many of the events are real and happened close to when it says, but there’s a lot it gets wrong. I’m just going to post the highlights though.

Certainly! Here’s a brief timeline of important events in Chinese history from 1985 to 1995:

1985

• April: The Third Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was held, emphasizing reforms and opening up under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping. This session marked a key moment in China’s economic reforms.
• November: China successfully launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile.

It made one of these little blocks for each year. Each year had exactly two events listed. Here comes the money shot.

1989

• June 4: The suppression of the Tiananmen Square protests led to a global outcry and economic sanctions against China. This event marked a turning point in Chinese politics and society.
• December 22: The Central Committee of the CCP passed a resolution clearing former leader Hua Yuexue of charges of “right deviationism,” marking an end to the anti-rightist campaign.

Wow, he just say it!

1992

• January–February: Deng Xiaoping’s “southern tour” (南巡讲话) took place in cities like Shenzhen and Shanghai. His speeches reaffirmed the CCP’s commitment to reform and opening up.
• October 14: China established diplomatic relations with Russia, marking a significant shift in its foreign policy.

This actually did happen, Deng Xiaoping’s Southern Tour (who were the opening acts?) is described by Wikipedia as one of the most important economic events in modern Chinese history.

1993

• September 25–October 7: China launched its first experimental satellite, Shijian-02 (实践二号), which tested space technologies for communication and broadcasting.
• November 18–22: The Third Plenary Session of the 14th Central Committee was held, focusing on economic reforms and development.

Ah but at least one of these didn’t happen. I didn’t delve into the Plenary sessions, of which 6 were mentioned, but while Shijian-02 is a real satellite, it launched in 1981 and (as the name might hint) was not China’s first satellite.

These years were a transformative period in Chinese history, marked by significant economic reforms, political challenges, and shifts in foreign policy.

Indeed. So at this point, I’m very intrigued. DeepSeek doesn’t seem too hung up about Tiananmen Square. Let’s get some more details.

>>> Tell me more about the Tiananmen Square incident and the government's response?

Out of room, to be continued in a reply!

That’s just markdown syntax I think. Clients vary a lot in which markdown they support though.

I’m not an expert so take anything I say with hearty skepticism as well. But yes, I think its possible that’s just part of its data. Presumably it was trained using a lot available Chinese documents, and possibly official Party documents include such statements often enough for it to internalize them as part of responses on related topics.

It could also have been intentionally trained that way. It could be using a combination of methods. All these chatbots are censored in some ways, otherwise they could tell you how to make illegal things or plan illegal acts. I’ve also seen so many joke/fake DeepSeek outputs in the last 2 days that I’m taking any screenshots with extra salt.

“Reasoning” models like DeepSeek R1 or ChatGPT-o1 (I hate these naming conventions) work a little differently. Before responding, they do a preliminary inference round to generate a “chain of thought”, then feed it back into themselves along with the prompt and other context. By tuning this reasoning round, the output is improved by giving the model “more time to think.”

In R1 (not sure about gpt), you can read this chain of thought as it’s generated, which feels like it’s giving you a peek inside it’s thoughts but I’m skeptical of that feeling. It isn’t really showing you anything secret, just running itself twice (very simplified). Perhaps some of it’s “cold start data” (as DS puts it) does include instructions like that but it could also be something it dreamed up from similar discussions in it’s training data.

I’d wear a smart watch again if it didn’t suck ass and had a cool epaper display. But like… was the software being tied up the only barrier? He couldn’t get someone else to just make new watch software?

I haven’t gotten to the finance part yet but his discussion on the state of AI currently is excellent. I’m going to post something later about my experiments with DS-R1 in offline form and playing with “the big model” through their apps. The differences are pretty interesting and the big model is quite impressive.

Are you making any investment decisions today? I was thinking it might be a good day/week to “buy the dip” assuming NVidia actually is still a valuable company and will likely experience some overcorrection in the opposite direction. It’s been jittering all day but the downward trend continues for the moment.

An impeccable classic as well!

This movie?

Thanks for the clarification!

(I’ll have to check the icons on my computer. I mainly use voyager on android and inline custom emoji support needs some work still.)

Seems like a great call!

Hey, there are only 20 paying users anyway, right? So were no vouchers used this time? And does a person vouching apply per vote or to the person (like is it a proxy vote or a renewable vote coupon?)

I have the fancy kickstarted version with all the little minis of fhe characters! I love that game so much!

I think I ended up buying HM 1, 2, and 3 individually in GOTY bundles over 3 or 4 consecutive winter steam sales. I did end up with all the missions (I think) but I’m surely missing some premium cosmetic dlc that I couldn’t possibly care less about.

Admittedly, if Steam puts out a “finish your collection” bundle that costs me like $.97 to add a few cosmetics in, I’d probably buy it just to feel like I’d “finished” the collection.

Hitman is truly the worst though (also a truly emblematic case of shit publisher, hero studio). Especially when you consider all thr pre-WoA games, I’m not sure it’s even possible to be sure you have all the games. Only like, Wolfenstein, has more confusing reboots.

How many elephants were on the jury?

Oooh I miss glitchy lefty memes! I was in a Telegram for them for a while but it got taken over by psyops or something.