This stuff is all controlled by semi-autonomous Excel scripts.

[hirez]

Oh, FFS.

(Via R. B. Trageandrewducker)

Comments

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

So, if I'm reading that right, they're saying that the automated quotes are acting like a DOS attack on competitors? Interesting approach ...

[bluekieran.livejournal.com]

s/acting like/being used as/ ?

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

[grin] Fair correction!

[nalsa.livejournal.com]

Fucking Skynet, again.

[hirez.livejournal.com]

I'd mind less if it was some dispassionate machine intelligence. Since it's a howling mob of coked-fired StatArbs who really, truly need to be unemployed for the good of humanity, it's all just... Tawdry.

One wants super-intelligent cackling villains so as to be able to get a proper hate on. One gets sweaty nose-pickers with stained ties and crap haircuts who only got the work because those further up the tree are even thicker.

[drumiller.livejournal.com]

Oh goody. This is what you happens when you give feral quants and multi-generational MBAs sharp pointy code/standoff weapons. Is it the seven figure academy education instilling some sort of lord of the flies mentality?

[quercus.livejournal.com]

Skynet's implemented in Excel.

Suppose they gave a war, and it was rubbish.

[badnewswade.livejournal.com]

Robotraders are bastards. Just like the real thing!

[hirez.livejournal.com]

Hm. A trivially exploitable war. Now there's a Strossian thing.

[hirez.livejournal.com]

Hack the Patriarchy!

[hirez.livejournal.com]

Yes. I'd suggest reading Vance Packard and the full-disclosure list before writing that story, but since you already know that stuff... :)