Notcoffeetable's recent activity
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Comment on No love for fiction or literary pursuits on Tildes? in ~tildes
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Comment on Experimental real property tax basis-set rate based on usable area per person in ~finance
Notcoffeetable Link ParentSo to set a baseline, we agree that increased density is a good goal. The challenge I see here is that a family home (condo or house) is the largest investments many people will make. Ownership is...So to set a baseline, we agree that increased density is a good goal.
I'm not certain homeownership is a desirable goal, in any event, especially if it requires sprawl to accomplish
The challenge I see here is that a family home (condo or house) is the largest investments many people will make. Ownership is desired because rather than putting money in a landlord's pocket, you are paying off the cost of an appreciating asset. If we just swap out mortgages for rent payment we will be moving more money out of middle income families and into a land holding class. To me that sounds like an easy way to widen wealth gaps. I think we'd have to concurrently reduce rents substantially so that people could invest the difference elsewhere.
The other challenge I see is cultural. Outside of large cities I don't think people want to buy condos. Maybe this is a solution for larger cities, but we have similar housing problems in small/medium sized cities where the culture isn't quite "city dweller."
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Comment on Experimental real property tax basis-set rate based on usable area per person in ~finance
Notcoffeetable LinkYou've probably thought about this so I'd be curious to hear what you're response would be. But wouldn't this favor landlords? If a landlord can take a house and split it into individual...You've probably thought about this so I'd be curious to hear what you're response would be. But wouldn't this favor landlords? If a landlord can take a house and split it into individual apartments they'll save where as the single family trying to buy the same house would be at a disadvantage.
Now in already dense areas this might be a moot point. But in areas where I live the challenge is actually making home ownership affordable to even upper middle class families. I fear this could lock people into renting even longer than they currently are.
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Comment on People without an inner voice have poorer verbal memory in ~humanities.languages
Notcoffeetable Link ParentI think I am on the side of not "hearing" a voice, but rather recalling the mental fingerprint of what hearing the words is like. I feel like "inner dialogue/monologue" is more accurate for my...I think I am on the side of not "hearing" a voice, but rather recalling the mental fingerprint of what hearing the words is like. I feel like "inner dialogue/monologue" is more accurate for my experience. It can have accents and vocal stylings.
A good example is a picture of Prof. Farnsworth from Futurama saying "good news everyone." I can recall his voice and inflection mentally but I wouldn't call it hearing except in the most colloquial sense.
Similarly I can envision images vividly but I wouldn't say I "see" them. But I can recall colors, shapes, and relationships of those shapes and colors with each other.
Interestingly my partner cannot do this visually. She can't for example bring up an image of an apple on a table. She also struggles with navigation, and watching her use a map is a bit painful as she orients maps in a way that doesn't relate to either her orientation nor cardinal directions.
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Comment on What is a value or belief you have that is extremely outside the norm? in ~talk
Notcoffeetable Link ParentI'm with you on the architecture as well! Vegas gives me anxiety but there is a lot to admire in how such opulent structures have been built! Likewise I would bet AI on its own will not create...I'm with you on the architecture as well! Vegas gives me anxiety but there is a lot to admire in how such opulent structures have been built!
Likewise I would bet AI on its own will not create artistically novel creations. But I do believe people will find away to do something interesting with it. One of my favorite bands, Kraftwerk, is a prototype of where I can see AI art going. They rejected traditional instrumentation, invented electronic devices to automate their music, but made something wholly unique and helped create a genre. So in that way I view AI as an artistic medium. The medium doesn't make the art, the artist does.
Edit: I'm much more optimistic about AI art than any other use of AI. I don't think it will displace artists, but I think we will eventually see a movement of artists that incorporate AI into some new thing.
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Comment on What is a value or belief you have that is extremely outside the norm? in ~talk
Notcoffeetable Link ParentAgreed that spiritual value to secular art is a bit odd. And while it is an object, merely being an object doesn't preclude the fact that an observer can have an emotional experience consuming...Agreed that spiritual value to secular art is a bit odd. And while it is an object, merely being an object doesn't preclude the fact that an observer can have an emotional experience consuming art.
In fact growing up my mom made a point to have us look at books of famous art work and learn about the artists. But it never really resonated with me. That is until college and I took a history of modern art course. Part of the course required us to visit the local museum an write critiques of art we saw there. Since then I've had some very vivid and moving experiences visiting art museums.
I haven't seen the Mona Lisa in person, but I've seen enough portraits of the era to expect that I wouldn't be particularly moved by it. What I found surprising is how modern art like abstract expressionism, color field, etc moves me. Rothko is my favorite and pictures of his art do nothing for me. But standing a half foot from one of his paintings is a different experience.
I could see myself being the guy defending the museum of blank canvases. Yeah it's a stupid idea and there's a pretentious performative aspect to it. But I'd still call it art. I assume that gallery was setup because of the reaction it would cause. It's pretentious as hell but that's the point. Even better if someone bought one of those blank canvases for a ludicrous amount of money. That's the performance.
That all said, (copyright issues aside) I have no problems with AI art as a medium. I feel like the debate from purists sounds much like what was argued when the camera started becoming accessible. It's a legitimate medium. And art is most interesting to me when there is a lot of experimentation; giving a middle finger to the academy. I trust some artists will do awesome things with AI. We're just in the beginning stages.
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Comment on Ubisoft shut down The Crew. Here is what we can do about it. in ~games
Notcoffeetable Link ParentInterestingly enough I agree with you morally. A racing game should be good on its own merits and not the brands it is able to license. But in actuality the first thing I do in a racing game is...Interestingly enough I agree with you morally. A racing game should be good on its own merits and not the brands it is able to license.
But in actuality the first thing I do in a racing game is checking out what Porsches I can get. I own two IRL and being able to drive one of them recklessly in a racing game is something that keeps me engaged. Heck when I found out I could get a 930 Turbo in Cyberpunk that became my goal. I have Assetto Corsa set up with my exact 981 and my local track. I'm not really interested in driving other cars real or otherwise.
I guess the closest to IP free racing that I like is Art of Rally, and even then the cars are obviously references to real cars.
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Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (May 2024) in ~health.mental
Notcoffeetable LinkLately I feel myself slipping into some form of depression. I think it's a confluence of factors coming to a head. I'm doing okay but I'm hoping writing and sharing this will help me right the...Lately I feel myself slipping into some form of depression. I think it's a confluence of factors coming to a head. I'm doing okay but I'm hoping writing and sharing this will help me right the ship before a spiral happens. I don't struggle with depression often but have at different ponts in time due to external circumstances.
The past couple weeks my motivation has been really low. My interest in hobbies has vanished.
- I don't like my job. It's been an issue for a couple years and I've just crossed the 3 year mark. It's pretty typical for me to get bored of a job at this point so I think that is a factor. But the really challenge is that I just don't like management. There are things I like about it, mentoring, watching junior team members grow into their role and making big impacts, getting their due recognition by other leaders in the business. What I absolutely despise is the politicing, glad-handing, wielding power. It's just gross, draining, and a waste of my technical skillset.
- There are lots of opportunities in my business that I could move in to within the US or even AU or UK if I wanted. The problem is the politics. I get treated extremely well, performance reviews are excellent, and my visbility is at the global CEO/President/Board of Shareholders level. Leaving my position but remaining in the company would severely hamstring the team I lead and unintentionally look like a vote of no confidence on my direct leadership. The issue I have is that the work I do is boring, I give my team the interesting projects becasue they have the time to commit to them.
- My compensation is highly dependent on trends in commodity cattle markets. Our beef businesses lost money operating most of last year so I made about 15% less than expected and 30% less than I would have averaged over the previous 5 years. I make good enough money that it isn't a big deal in my day-to-day but sets me back on future plans and savings.
- I had several big competitions in my main hobby (powerlifting) this spring. Going into that my training schedule was 6 days a week. In some ways it was nice because high frequency drowned out other anxieties. Now that summer has hit and I'm not planning on competing for a while we're in a more standard 3 days/week schedule. Which means noise elsewhere feels louder and I have a harder time keeping up momentum and adherence with the days off inbetween. I've never been someone to claim my exercise is therapy, but I think the lower frequency is probably connected with some hormonal changes.
- I started playing videos games again. It's a hobby I've always enjoyed but have taken extended breaks for years at a time. Even though I avoid the skinner box type games I wodner if the easier dopamine hits are causing problems.
- The last year was difficult in my relationship. Not really our connection but it was very difficult for my partner who went through a lot jobwise. Which meant there were a lot of emotional demands on me. I think I did well by her and I'm proud of how we got through it. But there I feel like there is an emotional toll on myself that is just starting to show itself.
I just feel like I need to make a change. We discussed moving to be closer to her family and friends. While we could easily do it financially it seems smarter to stay where we are, we love our place, our landlords are the best I've had, and rent while not cheap, is very competitive. I have a job prospect outside of the company but that is progressing glacially slow. I have a lot of trust in the friend who offered the position, but it's a planned expansion of his team so he's working the politics inside his business to make the position available.
I want to spend more time sharpening my coding skills. I've spent most of my career writing code (C#, javascript/nodejs, python, magma) but some how it never seems to be recognized by businesses. I find it difficult to spend time after work working on personal projects.
I guess I just feel in a rut and I absolutely hate ruts. My partner is wonderful, understanding, and supportive. I'm going to work on adhering to my workouts better and commit more time to being outside in the evenings. It's just difficult because so much of my day feels swallowed by work. I'm working or commuting from 7am-6pm. We want a family but I'm flabbergasted at how anyone makes this work.
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Comment on My not so nice thoughts on Battlestar Galactica in ~tv
Notcoffeetable Link ParentDo not let people dissuade you from TNG based on BSG. BSG feels like turn of the century camp to me and I didn't really like it. TNG on the other hand is as relevant (more?) relevant today than...Do not let people dissuade you from TNG based on BSG. BSG feels like turn of the century camp to me and I didn't really like it.
TNG on the other hand is as relevant (more?) relevant today than ever. Today whole movies are made to discuss social issues that TNG tackled in ~40 mins. Topics covered by TNG in the 80's that are still contentious today:
- Gender as a social construct.
- What is sentience/consciousness? How do we recognize it?
- When are the rights we grant ourselves extended to other species or individuals which fall outside of our understanding of human?
And over all it is positive. Rather than getting dark and gritty it is a colorful world. Capitalism is considered a failed experiment. Conflicts are resolved through diplomacy and mutual understanding as much as possible.
It's a show I can watch and feel good. People are recognized for their competence and expertise. There are story arcs but each episode is standalone. Some are campy fun adventures to break up the heavier stuff.
It might align with your tastes and I'm not saying anyone needs to watch it. But if someone is curious I'd recommend giving it a spin. People recommend skipping season 1 because it's a bit more off the rails and weird. I didn't and it still hooked me, but if you don't like the first episodes try skipping to S1E1.
It's perhaps the most impactful piece of media I've ever watched. Some books and movies have blown my mind in interesting ways. But TNG changed the future I want to believe in.
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
Notcoffeetable Link ParentThanks! I'm pretty excited because the Dark Souls/Elden Ring design philosophy and aesthetic nails my preferences exactly. But no matter much much I tried I couldn't get the mechanics to work for...Thanks! I'm pretty excited because the Dark Souls/Elden Ring design philosophy and aesthetic nails my preferences exactly. But no matter much much I tried I couldn't get the mechanics to work for me. Honestly I credit God of War and Stellar Blade for onboarding me a bit. Getting me to think more about i-frames and what my preferred playstyle actually is.
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
Notcoffeetable (edited )LinkA decade of buying FromSoftware games and bouncing off them I started buckling down. After some success in DS3 I wondered how I'd fare in Elden Ring. Embarrassingly Magrit was my white whale. Back...A decade of buying FromSoftware games and bouncing off them I started buckling down. After some success in DS3 I wondered how I'd fare in Elden Ring. Embarrassingly Magrit was my white whale. Back around release I sunk ~30 hours exploring, grinding, and failing to kill Magrit. Last night I rerolled a character and within ~2 hours one shot Magrit. That puts me 3/3 on boss one shots since revisiting the Dark Souls/Elden Ring series. It just suddenly feels easier?
Then last night I started a new character and was just exploring. Eventually found myself at Magrit's bridge. Was down several flasks since I had cleared the whole path up to him including the troll without resting. Touched grass outside his arena but didn't rest (game wouldn't let me for some reason). My ashes were unavailable and figured I'd just give it a shot, die, and then get a rested attempt. Quickly made it into the enrage phase around that time my ashes became available. I popped out the jellyfish and he was just... melting? Hadn't done any other content so was slightly under leveled (17?) and +1 on my katana. Doing a dex/bleed build but really haven't put much into it yet, equipment is all stock samurai, haven't done any other dungeons. Previous attempts I was around RL 30ish with faith/dex builds and the winged scythe. Really happy this type of game is finally clicking for me.
I had assumed it was going to take a significant effort to down Magrit based on previous experience so that was my goal to mark the bingo card. Let's see if I can get every FromSoftware game on my bingo card, requirement being first boss down since that's always been my stumbling block. Next up: Sekiro, DSII, and DS.
(I'm counting horse riding as "having driving" 'cause I'm not gonna check that box with anything else I have on my backlog)
NotCoffeeTable's Git Gud 2024 (3/25)
Mode: Standard Bingo! Finished 3/25 From a studio you haven't heard of before
✔ Humanity (tha ltd)Is considered “abandonware” Uses at most three buttons You can complete it in one sitting Has been banned, censored, or challenged Chosen for you by someone else You own it on physical media Randomness determines your fate It’s already installed An updated version (remake, re-release) of an older game A solo-dev project Great reviews, but not your usual type ★ Wildcard
✔ Dark Souls IIISomeone else has played it for their Backlog Burner Multiple playable characters Recommended by someone IRL You heard about it in our weekly gaming topics Your friend loves it Has more than 82 achievements From now-defunct dev studio Has a review score below 65 Focuses on exploration Has driving
✔ Elden RingPart of a trilogy Is mostly text-based -
Comment on Humble Choice - May 2024 in ~games
Notcoffeetable LinkHi-Fi Rush is a neat little character action type but with some smart rhythm game elements. It has a great art style and the whole world is groovin' to the beat. Actions are more potent when they...Hi-Fi Rush is a neat little character action type but with some smart rhythm game elements. It has a great art style and the whole world is groovin' to the beat. Actions are more potent when they land on the beat but it is fairly forgiving. I played the first hour or so when it was released and it's a game I plan on returning to for Backlog Burner. At one point it was on Game Pass, worth checking if it still is.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon curious what people think of this as an entry point into Yakuza games. I haven't played one but I would like to pick up one. Is this a good place to start?
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Comment on Hey GM: If you want to beat Apple, give people the buttons CarPlay can’t in ~transport
Notcoffeetable Link ParentWhy would Android Auto or Carplay interact with vehicle hardware at all? My 2021 car has physical buttons for all car functions and the touchscreen which supports carplay (with rotary knob for UX...Why would Android Auto or Carplay interact with vehicle hardware at all? My 2021 car has physical buttons for all car functions and the touchscreen which supports carplay (with rotary knob for UX navigation) strictly controls media. I assume if i go into idrive I can change some car settings, but I don't need to because there are physical buttons to do it.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Notcoffeetable Link Parent100% yes. The difficulties unlock when you complete a mission at the preceding difficulty. but you can pick whatever difficulty you have unlocked. It's even possible to play the first couple...Would you say that it's still possible to jump in as a newbie and have fun
100% yes. The difficulties unlock when you complete a mission at the preceding difficulty. but you can pick whatever difficulty you have unlocked. It's even possible to play the first couple difficulties solo. I enjoy my time playing with randoms, it's been a relatively low toxicity game in my experience. But it really shines if you can get a couple friends on voice comms.
Highly recommend it.
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Comment on Kendrick Lamar - Meet the Grahams (2024) in ~music
Notcoffeetable (edited )Link ParentI haven't followed this much. I just listened to the diss tracks today. When I first heard about it I was kind of surprised Drake would stir somethin up with Kendrick. Drake has never been very...I haven't followed this much. I just listened to the diss tracks today. When I first heard about it I was kind of surprised Drake would stir somethin up with Kendrick.
Drake has never been very high on my list of artists. I didn't think he was bad but not my style. So I'm surprised to hear anyone thought Drake was a "hard MC." He always came off as kind of as more pop/R&B/rap to me. A guy you'd see at parties/clubs with a large entourage.
On the flip side, I've listened to a lot of Kendrick. He's generally comes off as grounded, aggressive, introspective. His albums containing a lot of autobiographical elements, reflecting on how money and fame impacts his relationships with people he grew up with and how generational trauma keeps its teeth in him.
So while my impression of Drake might not be accurate, this whole thing has gone about the way I expected it. Kendrick has always been able to write searing, pointed criticism usually targeted at himself. Drake (in my estimation) does a lot more "tropey" writing, talking himself up but rarely with depth I think necessary to hold his own in this beef.
I'm seeing a lot of Drake fans saying they never knew Kendrick was this good. I wonder if Drake drank his own koolaid and underestimated Kendrick. But I think what we've seen is a massively successful artist realize that he isn't the artist he thought he was when confronted by an artist who has kept their craft sharp.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Notcoffeetable LinkStill on my campaign to git gud at souls games. So I'm playing Dark Souls 3 I spent a lot of time on the High Wall of Lothric. Practicing my timings and positioning. Racked up a lot of levels....Still on my campaign to git gud at souls games. So I'm playing Dark Souls 3
I spent a lot of time on the High Wall of Lothric. Practicing my timings and positioning. Racked up a lot of levels. While running around I cleared the area around Vordt, only had 2 flasks but figured I'd hop into the fight to feel it out. Equipped the Deep Battle Ax because I was told he is weak to dark but didn't use any buffs since the intent was to gain information about the fight. Ended up taking him down on my first try. Suffice to say that gave me a lot of confidence and I've moved on to the Undead Settlement.
Haven't had any major issues and I've explored most of the settlement. I'm overleveled from all my time on the high wall (31 I think), but it's good because it gives me some margin of error. There are a couple areas I haven't explored but so far so good. Will need to find the friend NPCs and the Undead Bone Shard then I'll take on the Curse Rotted Greatwood.
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Comment on An equitable solution to a problem at work regarding sick leave and staffing? in ~life
Notcoffeetable Link ParentOne thing to know is that the current NLRB is extremely pro-union. You will have much more of an advantage starting the union process than trying to do an ad hoc collective action. The NLRB is...One thing to know is that the current NLRB is extremely pro-union. You will have much more of an advantage starting the union process than trying to do an ad hoc collective action. The NLRB is extremely political so the current administration impacts union policy very quickly. The current expectations:
- If you get enough intent to unionize cards signed for the union to announce a vote you enter the critical period. The critical period spans from the announcement of intent to when the vote happens.
- During this critical period any union busting the business commits (threats, promises, attempts to figure out who signed a card, etc.) means the vote is cancelled and the union automatically wins.
- The business can do some thing like state facts about how much union membership would cost, etc to try to make their case. But they cannot do anything that would make someone "Afraid" of being pro-union.
This means you don't have really have to worry about retaliation etc.
(This is based off my business's current union strategy. We generally have positive union relationships but get updated regularly on state of play.)
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Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
Notcoffeetable LinkAfter training 6 days/week for 6 months we've dialed it back down to 3 days/week. And I'm loving the extra free time! Sessions are a bit longer and harder but that's okay. I'm over the next couple...After training 6 days/week for 6 months we've dialed it back down to 3 days/week. And I'm loving the extra free time! Sessions are a bit longer and harder but that's okay. I'm over the next couple weeks some adaptions will take place and it'll feel like a new normal.
I'm going to take a year off from competition. Just focusing on overall health and strength. I think it's important to modulate training in this way. Going hard constantly causes burn out, boredom, and injury.
This week was an intro week since I essentially haven't worked out for two weeks (taper + recovery). It felt good to be back at it though with some different exercises.
I had taken a break from tracking macros because I wasn't at risk of missing weigh ins. But based on some nutrition issues I had week of the meet I'm back at it. I appreciate having the break but am feeling better with my diet back in line with where I want it to be. My tendency is to under eat and then eat a bit more processed stuff. Tracking helps me eat enough and also reduce guilty pleasures (I am a sucker for processed snack cakes and donuts). I don't believe that excluding food is a healthy or sustainable behavior but I feel better when that type of stuff is limited more aggressively. I am way hungrier though, unsure why.
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 1 Discussion in ~games
Notcoffeetable (edited )LinkExcited to give this a shot! I have a couple ideas for some of these categories but some are going to be a fun challenge to find. Bingo Card (2/25) Mode: Standard Bingo! Finished 2/25 ✔ Humanity...Excited to give this a shot! I have a couple ideas for some of these categories but some are going to be a fun challenge to find.
Bingo Card (2/25)
Mode: Standard Bingo! Finished 2/25 From a studio you haven't heard of before
✔ Humanity (tha ltd)Is considered “abandonware” Uses at most three buttons You can complete it in one sitting Has been banned, censored, or challenged Chosen for you by someone else You own it on physical media Randomness determines your fate It’s already installed An updated version (remake, re-release) of an older game A solo-dev project Great reviews, but not your usual type ★ Wildcard
✔ Dark Souls IIISomeone else has played it for their Backlog Burner Multiple playable characters Recommended by someone IRL You heard about it in our weekly gaming topics Your friend loves it Has more than 82 achievements From now-defunct dev studio Has a review score below 65 Focuses on exploration Has driving Part of a trilogy Is mostly text-based -
Comment on What do I do if I don't have any clothes? in ~life.style
Notcoffeetable LinkI recommend establishing a uniform as your foundation. What is an easy style you like? For me it's black or white v-neck t-shirts, light wash jeans, and a basic sneaker (like Adidas.) It can help...I recommend establishing a uniform as your foundation. What is an easy style you like? For me it's black or white v-neck t-shirts, light wash jeans, and a basic sneaker (like Adidas.) It can help to identify a style you see on someone else that you'd feel comfortable wearing.
This biggest piece of advice is focus on fit. You can wear pretty much everything if it fits well. You can probably find some type of fashion fitting guide online for your preferred presentation. Some top bullet points with my preference as a cis-male for context:
- Where you like the collar of your shirt to be. I don't like them too high and I like a v-neck. Even button downs I tend to leave a but more unbuttoned because of how they fit me.
- How long do you like your shirts? I have a long torso so I prefer a longer shirt. Shirts you wear tuckered in need to be even longer.
- Where does the seam land at the top of your shoulder. I like it to land right before my shoulder turns down into my arm.
- Where do you like sleeves to end. I like short sleeves to end around mid bicep and long sleeves should just cover my wrist when extended and reveal my watch when my arm is bent 90%.
- Where do you like your pants to sit on your waist?
- Do you like roomier pants or tighter pants?
- How long do you like your pant legs? I like shorts to end a bit above my knees. I like pants to end right near the top of my shoe.
Building the foundation (male but can be adapted):
- T-shirts: I just buy in packs of 4-5 usually they are around the underwear section as an undershirt but the store near me sells a quality brand that is thick enough to wear without layering. I buy white and black.
- Dress shirts: After getting fitted I just go to the same store and buy 3-4 at a time when my others start wearing out.
- Jeans: when I find a brand/style I like I try to buy 2-3 pairs and donate or throw out older pairs that have worn or I don't like as much.
- Socks/underwear: Buy multiple pairs of whatever you like. Get rid of old stuff that you don't wear or is worn out.
- Shoes: it's good to have a couple air of daily wear shoes. They will last longer.
Everything else is bought on an ad hoc basis.
- Sweaters: When I decided to take my wardrobe seriously I bought 3 that I liked from different places. Those last forever. Usually around fall I will consider adding a sweater to my wardrobe and voting out the weakest link.
- Dress pants: If I have a big event coming up I'll try on all my dress pants to figure out what fits best. If I don't like what I have I'll buy a new pair.
- Sweatshirts: If I see one I like I'll buy it.
My partner does a similar thing. She'll pick out some new dresses as summer nears to buy a couple if an event is coming up. Occasionally she'll pick up some new sweaters or pants for work. But generally she wears a uniform of black yoga pants and black tops.
Seriously, the list of authors DefinitelyNotAFae posted are far from niche. Many Hugo award nominations/winners in that list!