THE MATRIX SKIN
A work in Pogress. For my and John's personal enjoyment only.
What does John say about this stuff?
The photos I had on this page mostly came from you via my cell phone. They were so large my PC was crashing when I loaded the page so I removed them temporarily. There is a "thing" about Iphones sharing photos and videos with Androids but people don't talk about it a lot.
I love the first photo on this page but what I thought was John in the Matrix was really john showing that there was no ice cream at Walmart during the onset of Covid.
The CEOs themselves don’t appear to be getting a whole lot out of using AI tools. While two-thirds said they personally used AI, their average use amounted to only 1.5 hours a week, the survey found — less time than most people spend doomscrolling on their phones in a single day. That’s striking, considering that execs tend to be far more enthusiastic about the tech compared to their underlings. Another recent survey, for example, found that 40 percent of rank-and-file white collar workers thought AI didn’t save them any time at work, while 98 percent of their bosses did.
These latest findings will continue to raise questions about AI’s economic impact, and in its promise to supercharge productivity in the workplace. In another recent survey, more than half of nearly 4,500 CEOs said their companies weren’t seeing a financial return from investing in AI. A notable MIT study rang alarm bells across the industry after findings that 95 percent of companies that incorporated AI experiencing no meaningful growth in revenue.
Why this is the case isn’t much of a mystery. Studies have found that AIs fail at completing remote work and other white collar tasks, and slow down rather than speed up human programmers because they frequently slip errors into their code. Meanwhile, a fresher avenue of research exploring AI’s effect on the workforce using it is already producing damning insights. The tech may actually be intensifying work and accelerating burn-out, one report found, and it’s also leading to employees producing low-quality “workslop” that their co-workers are forced to fix, bogging down workflows and leading to resentment, another found — leading the researchers to opine that its “most alarming cost may be interpersonal.”
Perhaps what AI brings to the table is tough to quantify from an economic standpoint. Decades ago, the Nobel Prize winning economist Robert Solow correctly predicted that the advent of information technology wouldn’t lead to a measurable surge in productivity, and instead would lead to a slow in productivity growth. The phenomenon is now called the Solow paradox: though computers were obviously transformative, they didn’t immediately translate to economic gains.
AI pricing is .... "primarily based on a token-per-unit model, charging separately for input (prompt) and output (response) tokens, usually measured per 1,000 or 1 million tokens. Output tokens are typically 2–3x more expensive than input tokens because generating new content requires higher computational power"..... --- getting less and less important to me
Example of OpenAI pricing (here)
Google says, "in November 2022, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prohibited authorization for new Hikvision security equipment, including DVRs, due to national security threats. While the ban restricts importing or selling new models, it does not currently force the removal of older, pre-approved equipment in private settings..."
No, all CCTV cameras and DVRs (Digital Video Recorders) do not use the same chip. While many, particularly low-cost or OEM-branded devices, may share similar components from a few major manufacturers (e.g., Hikvision, Dahua), there is significant variation in chipsets, sensor types, and technologies. Here is a breakdown of why they differ:
Technology Differences: Analog Cameras: Use CCD (Charged Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) sensors to capture light, but rely on different chipsets to transmit analog signals (e.g., CVBS, AHD, HD-CVI, HD-TVI). IP Cameras/NVRs: Use System on a Chip (SoC) technology that integrates Image Signal Processors (ISP), video codecs, and networking capabilities. Sensor and Resolution Variations: Even within the same brand, cameras use different sensor chips to support different resolutions (e.g., 2MP vs. 4K) and lighting conditions (e.g., IR, low-light). Proprietary Firmware: Although many cameras might be manufactured in the same region, they are often loaded with different, proprietary firmware that makes them incompatible with other systems. Hybrid Systems: Hybrid DVRs are designed to handle both older analog and newer HD-over-coax cameras, requiring complex chipsets that can process multiple signal types.
While some specialized, high-end, or white-labeled products may share a similar SoC architecture for recording and compression, the industry is not standardized to a single chip.
Dahua and Hikvision collectively control most of the global market for business-grade security cameras. They're both Chinese manufacturers that sell under their own brands while also white-labeling for several big box retailers, such as Lorex and Ezviz, which are American brands. Despite the global popularity of security cameras and systems from Dahua and Hikvision, they're not NDAA-compliant. What does this mean for you as a business owner or security camera installation contractor?
If you own a business that installs security cameras in government buildings like police stations or works with any government-funded entity like car manufacturers or non-profits that take government contracts, NDAA compliance may be a requirement for your projects. Dahua and Hikvision products are not NDAA-approved, meaning you cannot use them in government buildings or at locations processing government contracts.
Here, we'll look at the risks of using non-NDAA-compliant security cameras and why you need to consider security cameras approved by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). They May Not Be as Secure as You Think
These cameras often have known security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. For example, non-NDAA compliant Dahua and Hikvision cameras may be susceptible to hacks that allow remote access to the camera's feed. A hacker could potentially view your camera's feed from anywhere.
These cameras use high silicon chipsets that are forbidden by section 889 of the NDAA. These chipsets have caused cybersecurity issues in the past and pose the risk of being backdoor accessible, which makes them a prime target for hackers. NDAA-compliant solutions like SureVision cameras by CCTV Security Pros are a much safer option because they use M-Star chipsets that are NDAA-compliant. They May Not Comply with Laws & Regulations
Non-NDAA approved Dahua and Hikvision security cameras may not comply with laws and regulations. This is particularly true for businesses that must comply with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). That's because these cameras are often not compliant due to their vulnerabilities. As a result, you could be opening yourself up to potential lawsuits if you use these cameras at your business.
If your business engages in any government-funded work or federal-related projects, you need to be aware of the NDAA and its requirements. If you are an automotive manufacturer, the cameras at your plant may need to be NDAA compliant before you can legally accept a contract to make police cars, for example.
Dahua and Hikvision cameras do not meet NDAA requirements, so if you're using them, you could be in violation of the law. This could result in severe penalties for your business, including fines and legal liability. They Could Cost You More Money in the Long Run
With non-NDAA Dahua and Hikvision security cameras, you may have to replace your camera system sooner than you would have if you had invested in higher-quality or security cameras that meet compliance requirements. The cost of installing a commercial-grade security system can be significant, so you want to ensure you get a system that will last.
Investing in Dahua or Hikvision cameras may seem like a cost-effective solution at first, but you may have to replace your non-NDAA Dahua or Hikvision cameras since they are not NDAA compliant. You Could Be Risking Your Business's Reputation
If your business is associated with these cameras even after being made aware of their potential security risks, it could damage your business's reputation. This is particularly true if your business is required to comply with the NDAA and you're using Dahua or Hikvision cameras that don't meet these requirements.
Your business's reputation is one of its most valuable assets, so you need to be careful about any association with Dahua and Hikvision cameras. Even for businesses that aren't required to be compliant, make sure your customers and clients are aware of the potential risks so they can make an informed decision about whether to do business with you, especially in cases where you're installing non-NDAA approved Hikvision or Dahua cameras. You Could Be Putting Your Customers at Risk
If these non-NDAA-approved Dahua and Hikvision cameras are hacked, the hackers could gain access to your customer's personal information, including their names, addresses, credit card numbers, and more. This could put your customers at risk of identity theft or other financial crimes. In some cases, hackers could even use vulnerable cameras to spy on your customers.
Protecting your customers is essential to maintaining their trust, so you need to be sure you're using a security camera system that is up to the task. Non-NDAA-approved Dahua and Hikvision cameras may still offer some of the best surveillance options out there, but for security camera installations where NDAA compliance is required, you need to be sure you're using approved security camera brands.
AI Overview Analog CCTV systems use cameras that send signals via coaxial cable to a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), offering a cost-effective, reliable, but lower-resolution solution suitable for small businesses. Digital (IP) cameras provide high-definition (HD) quality, remote viewing, and AI analytics, sending data over networks.
Analog CCTV and DVRs Infrastructure: Uses coaxial cabling (BNC connectors) to send analog video to a central DVR. Performance: Generally limited to 720p or slightly higher, although 4K analog exists. Advantages: Lower initial cost, less bandwidth usage, reliable in low light, simple to set up. Best For: Budget-conscious, small-scale surveillance, or replacing older analog systems.
Digital CCTV (IP) and NVRs Infrastructure: Cameras process video internally and send it over Ethernet (Cat5/6) or Wi-Fi to a Network Video Recorder (NVR). Performance: High definition (up to 4K or higher), superior image clarity. Advantages: Remote viewing, AI-powered analytics (motion detection, facial recognition), scalable. Best For: Large-scale, high-security, and remote-managed setups
Best Buy talking points (photo removed)
Best Buy talking points (photo removed)
Best Buy talking points (photo removed)
Best Buy talking points (photo removed)
Light Pole/Camera Setup
Bullhorn made from metal conduit and a conduit bender.
see more about the Light Post (here)
Light Pole/Camera Setup
Light Pole/Camera Setup
Bullhorn I had custom made at a muffler shop.
John related photos I found.
John related photos I found.
John related photos I found.
John related photos I found.
John related photos I found.
John related photos I found.
John related photos - church or annual circumcision ceremony I can't remember which.
John related photos - church or annual circumcision ceremony I can't remember which.
John related photos - church or annual circumcision ceremony I can't remember which.
John related photos - church or annual circumcision ceremony I can't remember which.