0x29A's recent activity
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
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Comment on How do you decide if a piece of music is good? in ~music
0x29A LinkThis is a thought-provoking line of questioning. I think there are so many different reasons I am drawn to all sorts of music, that it cannot easily be distilled into a single point or two....This is a thought-provoking line of questioning. I think there are so many different reasons I am drawn to all sorts of music, that it cannot easily be distilled into a single point or two.
- Technicality
- Songwriting quality
- Emotion-provoking
- Just generally fun
- Just some actual tones/sounds that simply sound good
- Melodies, harmonies
- Things that break traditional molds (time signatures, very avant-garde stuff, things other people don't consider music at all, etc)
- Songs that one can embody because the lyrics/story fit in with their life in some way
- Songs that are fun to envision myself performing, covering, playing, etc.
- Plenty of other facets of music I can't think of at the moment
The interesting thing is- all of these items above- sometimes they can be at the expense of another, and that's okay. Sometimes there's a simple metal song that provokes emotion, makes me feel good, etc without being technical or even any kind of pinnacle of songwriting. I like that sometimes a single facet or two of a song can be good enough for me to enjoy it.
I also, time and again, keep trying to make sure I am not gatekeeping music. I might joke about certain genres, fanbases, etc. and/or point out legit problems with various acts, but gatekeeping has been a thing for a long time and it's really time for that elitism to die. I started enjoying way more music when I stopped being so damn critical of it
I listen to all sorts of genres of music, with a heavy rotation of metal, indie rock, synthpop, synthwave. Music is such an important part of my life- one of THE most important. I am not religious anymore, but if music were a religion I'd be an adherent
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Comment on What are we in the golden age of? in ~talk
0x29A Link ParentVery much so. Even in just a single top-level genre like metal- there is so much good music coming out that it's almost too much to handle- to the point where you nearly end up with FOMO where you...Very much so. Even in just a single top-level genre like metal- there is so much good music coming out that it's almost too much to handle- to the point where you nearly end up with FOMO where you feel you're missing out on artists X and Y by listening to artist Z. I have difficulty keeping my collection small and then I end up with option paralysis.
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Comment on What are we in the golden age of? in ~talk
0x29A Link ParentThis is actually one reason I stopped going to a 'board game night' I used to have with friends. Learning new rulesets (which in some cases takes half the night on its own)- or playing from start...This is actually one reason I stopped going to a 'board game night' I used to have with friends. Learning new rulesets (which in some cases takes half the night on its own)- or playing from start to finish, often many hours, sometimes multiple playthroughs, then finding out things were done very incorrectly- all of it gets mentally exhausting after a while- to the point where I started actively avoiding it because of the mental investment necessary.
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Comment on Ableton Push 3 in ~music
0x29A Link ParentThat's a good point. I'm guilty of browsing Sweetwater instead of eBay. I buy tons of PC stuff used, and music hardware seems well-suited for resaleThat's a good point. I'm guilty of browsing Sweetwater instead of eBay. I buy tons of PC stuff used, and music hardware seems well-suited for resale
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Comment on Ableton Push 3 in ~music
0x29A LinkThere are lots of input devices like this that I eye from time to time, but they're always so expensive that they're mostly always out of hobby reach for me.There are lots of input devices like this that I eye from time to time, but they're always so expensive that they're mostly always out of hobby reach for me.
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Comment on Neeva.com is shutting down in ~tech
0x29A Link ParentI don't know if it can pull from Kagi- I don't think it's an option by default but you can probably add custom engines- I haven't tinkered too heavily with it. I have a tiny Unraid server running...I don't know if it can pull from Kagi- I don't think it's an option by default but you can probably add custom engines- I haven't tinkered too heavily with it.
I have a tiny Unraid server running a few self-hosted things, and Unraid makes docker containers super easy/automated to install and use, so I installed SearXNG through that, and then set my browser to use it as my search engine as well as homepage, so I hit the local instance and search there.
It's pretty fast though sometimes can run afoul of certain search engine APIs (too many requests, etc) but not too often. I know it supports quite a few things out of the box- Startpage, Brave, Google, Bing, Qwant, etc. - and you can also specify different engines for image search, customize a number of other things too. It's pretty neat, but I've only skimmed the surface.
Only issue I've found is that, unlike Google, Bing, Kagi, etc- you miss out on instant-result stuff like tracking number recognition, etc.
I also don't truly know how private it is. Presumably since it's querying Google instead of me logged into an account in a browser- it's less associated with me.. but I guess because I host it inside my house- all of the queries to those search engines are still coming from my IP... but I didn't expect super anonymous search or anything, just liked having a layer between me and google, and also having multiple engines underneath. If I wanted additional privacy, running the whole thing over VPN would probably be best (or VPS + VPN maybe?)- or even just using something like Mullvad's search engine that's available when using their VPN
I just liked the idea of hosting my own search proxy/engine and having that level of control vs. using existing engines directly.
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Comment on Another update to Kagi plans - More searches and unlimited AI interactions for subscribers in ~tech
0x29A (edited )LinkJust started trialing Kagi so nice to see this before I make my choice to start subscribing. The bump to 300 might be just enough that I wouldn't hit the cap... maybe. The issue is there are...Just started trialing Kagi so nice to see this before I make my choice to start subscribing. The bump to 300 might be just enough that I wouldn't hit the cap... maybe. The issue is there are particular days during the month where I'm doing a lot of searches regarding bands and new music and those repetitive searches can add up- whereas the rest of my normal search frequency is much lower.
I could use a different engine specifically for those high frequency searches- but that defeats the point. Those searches could use the refinement options Kagi offers.
I'd also potentially like to use it at work- and maybe that makes a higher plan make sense anyway. I'm thinking a "Family" plan that has 1 work account, 1 personal account might work well. That said, I'm still not sure I want to spend that much on searches, so I'll stick with the trial and then probably a standard plan to start.
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Comment on Neeva.com is shutting down in ~tech
0x29A LinkI've been tempted by Kagi lately. Currently using a self-hosted SearXNG instance as a 'search proxy' essentially that can pull from multiple engines. That's nice for putting a layer between me and...I've been tempted by Kagi lately. Currently using a self-hosted SearXNG instance as a 'search proxy' essentially that can pull from multiple engines. That's nice for putting a layer between me and search providers but it's only 'okay' at results. I think I'll at least try the Kagi trial.
I don't love the idea of having yet another subscription nickel-and-diming me but search is important, and it seems Kagi has done a lot to provide quality results, be pretty transparent about privacy and how the search operates, and in general help 'find the signal in the noise'- or at least that's what I've heard from others.
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Comment on Google released a .zip web domain and people can't decide if it's the phishing apocalypse or just as bad as any other dodgy link in ~comp
0x29A LinkPeople like to snarkily argue that we went through this with ".com" already so why worry about it with .zip and .mov, but I think that these are not equivalent. There are parallels, yes, but .com...People like to snarkily argue that we went through this with ".com" already so why worry about it with .zip and .mov, but I think that these are not equivalent.
There are parallels, yes, but .com files have never been commonly used or run by the every-day computer user like .zip/.mov. The move to approve these domains feels like another one of those that doesn't even remotely consider how regular every-day people use computers
In today's world, with tons of extensions, applications, and platforms that auto-convert text into URLs, you're going to have tons of accidental .zip and .mov links that could easily point to some malware domain/file
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Comment on AlbumLove recommendations thread: May 2023 in ~music
0x29A Link ParentI agree, this is is very new but very good- I am a huge fan of Cattle Decapitation in general and they succeeded yet again.I agree, this is is very new but very good- I am a huge fan of Cattle Decapitation in general and they succeeded yet again.
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Comment on Linus Sebastian is stepping down as CEO of Linus Media Group, Creator Warehouse, and Floatplane in ~tech
0x29A LinkGlad that he and Yvonne are retaining full ownership behind the scenes. It seems like the best of both worlds - they refused a huge sellout offer, retain ownership, but Linus is stepping out of...Glad that he and Yvonne are retaining full ownership behind the scenes. It seems like the best of both worlds - they refused a huge sellout offer, retain ownership, but Linus is stepping out of management to do what fits him better- which is being talent- and allowing someone he personally knows and trusts that has management skills to take his place and has managed him before.
Seeing that that new CEO has been in huge corporations (Dell, etc) before in various roles gave me a bit of pause, but I don't think I can make assumptions based on that- those huge corporations are a different beast and he is but one person
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Comment on This free TV comes with two screens - Would you give up your data in exchange for a free TV? in ~tech
0x29A LinkGets users more accustomed to increased advertising and surveillance. I see something like this as a plague on society, just like ads and surveillance are. Furthers the anti-right-to-repair and...Gets users more accustomed to increased advertising and surveillance. I see something like this as a plague on society, just like ads and surveillance are.
Furthers the anti-right-to-repair and anti-modification agendas that these companies love.
This adds no benefit to society and should not exist, and possibly should not even be allowed to exist. It is a net negative and ethically bankrupt
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Comment on What scares you the most? What fears and apprehensions are central to your identity and how you view the world? in ~talk
0x29A LinkI fear that I'm going to let another decade or two pass without actually digging in and doing things I want to do (create/write/record music, among many other things), simply because I pacify...I fear that I'm going to let another decade or two pass without actually digging in and doing things I want to do (create/write/record music, among many other things), simply because I pacify myself with paths of least resistance (like watching Youtube or whatever) and just feel sapped of energy after work
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Comment on Ten reasons to live on a boat in ~life
0x29A Link ParentNice. I've definitely enjoyed and have been inspired by the content/info on 100RabbitsNice. I've definitely enjoyed and have been inspired by the content/info on 100Rabbits
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Comment on Elon Musk said Thursday that Twitter is getting a new CEO and that he will move to a product and technical role in ~tech
0x29A LinkHis reported pick for CEO is... just as concerning as having Musk as CEO honestly. https://twitter.com/MichaelEHayden/status/1656820279119687681 "When the incoming CEO of Twitter follows "Bumble"...His reported pick for CEO is... just as concerning as having Musk as CEO honestly.
https://twitter.com/MichaelEHayden/status/1656820279119687681
"When the incoming CEO of Twitter follows "Bumble" Jack Posobiec, Libs of TikTok and Malaysian woke mind virus-survivor Ian Miles Cheong, it's time to start investing your attention to a new platform, if you haven't already started" -
Comment on Bernie Sanders is right, billionaires shouldn’t exist in ~misc
0x29A (edited )Link ParentSure, I don't think my post implied a lack of risk in de-privatization. Political change is a risk for any system, for any change. It feels like a given. I just absolutely oppose the privatization...Sure, I don't think my post implied a lack of risk in de-privatization. Political change is a risk for any system, for any change. It feels like a given.
I just absolutely oppose the privatization of various industries (absent extreme regulation), such as healthcare. I definitely lean more towards co-op ideas than nationalization, only because state-owned can be a bad thing when the state itself is bad (oppressive, etc). I also lean towards extreme regulation, especially surrounding competition/monopoly/consumer protection, but in many aspects.
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Comment on Bernie Sanders is right, billionaires shouldn’t exist in ~misc
0x29A (edited )Link ParentIn discussions/hearing from some others, my (only lightly-informed) view of UK healthcare is that it's only doing poorly because the political factions in the UK that want it to fail have...In discussions/hearing from some others, my (only lightly-informed) view of UK healthcare is that it's only doing poorly because the political factions in the UK that want it to fail have purposely underfunded/gutted it, ensuring its failure, but then blame the system itself for failing even though it would have been fine without their purposeful destruction. I hate that political tactic- it costs real human lives, health, time, and more, all just simply for an unnecessary agenda.
Though I do agree that things that work elsewhere will have a tough time working in the US in some cases, sometimes due to our sheer size and structure, but mostly due to tradition and our screwed up "American culture" that just seems to slam the door on good ideas all the time just because of who we unfortunately are (hyper-individualist, etc). I don't know how to fix that, or at least not on any sensible time-scale.
My honest belief is that we need radical change, and need to change things even when that means changing a lot of other difficult things simultaneously. That's idealistic, though... which is why it often feels rather hopeless here.
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Comment on Mercedes locks better EV engine performance behind annoying subscription paywalls in ~tech
0x29A (edited )Link ParentDespite parent's reply (which appears to be gone now, including the original post?... which I thought also added to the conversation here... I am not intending for this comment on that to be...Despite parent's reply (which appears to be gone now, including the original post?... which I thought also added to the conversation here... I am not intending for this comment on that to be hostile at all, but I respect their choice to do with their posts as they see fit). I think this is a valid addition to the conversation. I think it's worthwhile to point out how the majority of less "savvy" users will operate and how that can make the fight for openness/right-to-repair/etc more difficult, and how even skilled users may not want to take chances in some cases.
Though, to take the original post into consideration, I do think the more that manufacturers tighten screws, the more people will be interested in finding ways around it or fighting back- people we don't always consider tech-savvy. The John Deere / tractor situation with right-to-repair is one instance of this. If you push consumers hard enough, eventually some that would have never thought otherwise start wondering how they can ease the burden on themselves
It often feels like, in the case of Nintendo and others, that the masses just pay and choose to accept user-hostility, and that it's difficult to fight back when these companies keep raking in the money from fans that aren't willing to vote with their wallet or fight the situation, but I get it, some of us only have so much energy and time to expend on worrying about said issues... it's tough, because I would love for fighting DRM, fighting for right-to-repair, fighting subscription models for hardware, etc all to become far more popular... and who knows, maybe it's already heading that direction. One can hope.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
0x29A LinkTons of great new metal, new albums from: Century Enforced Smoulder Poison Ruin Lamp of Murmuur Drain New singles from: KC Rae - Blockbuster (synth pop, vocalist of Now, Now) Blackbraid - Moss...Tons of great new metal, new albums from:
- Century
- Enforced
- Smoulder
- Poison Ruin
- Lamp of Murmuur
- Drain
New singles from:
- KC Rae - Blockbuster (synth pop, vocalist of Now, Now)
- Blackbraid - Moss Covered Bones on the Altar of the Moon
- Geld
- Imperishable
- Torture Rack
- Moonlight Sorcery
Some great releases coming out today:
Gia Margaret - Romantic Piano
Cloak - Black Flame Eternal
Mournful Congregation - The Exuviae of Gods Part II
Dratna - Fomoraigh
Violent Sin - Serpent's Call
Usnea - Bathed in Light
Among others (Nattverd, Immortal, Mesathrim...)
The past week I've really been digging into hardcore / metallic hardcore and thoroughly enjoying it - Drain and Knocked Loose, in particular.