AnthonyB's recent activity
-
Comment on Why US health insurance reform is difficult in ~society
-
Comment on What's something new you started doing this year? in ~talk
AnthonyB Link ParentJesus. That's less than my deep cleaning and x-ray and I have the second most expensive dental insurance plan that my workplace offers. When I go in to replace a old crown and touch up a root...I needed multiple bouts of dental work over 6 months and fillings to sort my mouth out which cost me £300 in total.
Jesus. That's less than my deep cleaning and x-ray and I have the second most expensive dental insurance plan that my workplace offers. When I go in to replace a old crown and touch up a root canal next month it'll cost me about $3k. I don't even know if they can pull my teeth for 300 bucks.
If you or anyone else is ever looking to replace your electric toothbrush, I just picked up an Oral-B io and it was by far the best toothbrush I've ever used. It tells you if you're brushing too hard or too soft, and it leaves your teeth feeling freshly polished.
-
Comment on Is there a way for Donald Trump to run for US presidency for a third time? in ~society
AnthonyB Link ParentDon't forget, you'd also need 38 states to ratify the amendment.Don't forget, you'd also need 38 states to ratify the amendment.
-
Comment on A manifesto against for-profit US health insurance companies — by Michael Moore in ~society
AnthonyB Link ParentFWIW, the majority of users on tildes seemed to believe the same thing. He was also one of the few pundits to predict Trump's 2016 victory. But I don't really see what this has to do with anything...FWIW, the majority of users on tildes seemed to believe the same thing. He was also one of the few pundits to predict Trump's 2016 victory. But I don't really see what this has to do with anything in the this piece. I think this is a fair critique of the media's coverage of this story, and a good explanation for why so many people were unsympathetic to the murder.
-
Comment on She didn’t get an apartment because of an AI-generated score – and sued to help others avoid the same fate in ~life
AnthonyB Link ParentThose policies have generational impacts in terms of building wealth. On top of that, bias impacts almost every corner of credit building. Just because it is possible to build credit doesn't mean...I don't understand how historical redlining relates to credit score in this context.
Those policies have generational impacts in terms of building wealth. On top of that, bias impacts almost every corner of credit building. Just because it is possible to build credit doesn't mean there aren't systemic disadvantages that perpetuate historical inequality.
There is a lot of information out there on this topic that can be found with a quick search.
This offers a decent overview but there's also a Wikipedia entry that serves as a good starting point with links to various articles that explore the topic.
-
Comment on Op Ed from UnitedHealth Group CEO: The US health care system is flawed. Let’s fix it. (gifted link) in ~society
AnthonyB LinkOh gee, oh my, how lucky are we to have such thoughtful corporate executives. I'm so glad they are willing to recognize that the system is flawed and needs changing. I just wonder, what in the...Oh gee, oh my, how lucky are we to have such thoughtful corporate executives. I'm so glad they are willing to recognize that the system is flawed and needs changing. I just wonder, what in the world is standing in the way of that change? A mystery, really.
-
Comment on Tildes Demographics Survey, year… uh, it’s 2024? in ~tildes
AnthonyB Link ParentAm I the only one who thought you died? Is this the first tildes Mandela effect?Am I the only one who thought you died? Is this the first tildes Mandela effect?
-
Comment on Ten years ago, one of the uber-wealthy predicted "the pitchforks are coming for us" in ~society
AnthonyB LinkInteresting that this was written a few months before our last "normal" election. I think you could make the case that the pitchforks started to come out in 2016. Fortunately, the plutocrats found...Interesting that this was written a few months before our last "normal" election. I think you could make the case that the pitchforks started to come out in 2016. Fortunately, the plutocrats found an ally in Donald Trump, who has harnessed the underlying frustration and directed it towards immigrants, LGBTQ people, woke stuff, and "the deep state" that is somehow coordinating all of it. They've also caught a break every time the Democratic Party stamped the voices that made wealth inequality a central part of their politics.
-
Comment on Man suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO is ordered held without bail after brief court appearance in Pennsylvania in ~news
AnthonyB LinkThe manifesto.To the Feds, I'll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn't working with anyone. This was fairly trivial: some elementary social engineering, basic CAD, a lot of patience. The spiral notebook, if present, has some straggling notes and To Do lists that illuminate the gist of it. My tech is pretty locked down because I work in engineering so probably not much info there. I do apologize for any strife of traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming. A reminder: the US has the #1 most expensive healthcare system in the world, yet we rank roughly #42 in life expectancy. United is the [indecipherable] largest company in the US by market cap, behind only Apple, Google, Walmart. It has grown and grown, but as our life expectancy? No the reality is, these [indecipherable] have simply gotten too powerful, and they continue to abuse our country for immense profit because the American public has allwed them to get away with it. Obviously the problem is more complex, but I do not have space, and frankly I do not pretend to be the most qualified person to lay out the full argument. But many have illuminated the corruption and greed (e.g.: Rosenthal, Moore), decades ago and the problems simply remain. It is not an issue of awareness at this point, but clearly power games at play. Evidently I am the first to face it with such brutal honesty.
-
Comment on Man suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO is ordered held without bail after brief court appearance in Pennsylvania in ~news
AnthonyB Link ParentSpot on. As much as they'd have us believe otherwise, CEOs are also expendable under this system. The amount of murdering necessary to make a meaningful dent would be... gratuitous. The callous...There are systemic issues at play which allow healthcare to be yet another market to maximize profits in. The solution to that problem is the the only solution to all systemic problems we have; policy
Spot on.
As much as they'd have us believe otherwise, CEOs are also expendable under this system. The amount of murdering necessary to make a meaningful dent would be... gratuitous.
The callous indifference - or in many cases, joy - the public showed in the wake of the shooting should be another wakeup call for America's somewhat sane political party. There is genuine bipartisan resentment towards the healthcare system, and a healthy appetite for the government to step in.
Will anyone harness that resentment and use it to push meaningful policy? I wouldn't count on it.
-
Comment on 2024 Spotify Wrapped thread in ~music
AnthonyB Link ParentYeah, there's some weird voodoo in both of them when it comes to the artist. I don't know if it values streams, minutes, or some other factor. I like that stats.fm can show you the full year,...Yeah, there's some weird voodoo in both of them when it comes to the artist. I don't know if it values streams, minutes, or some other factor. I like that stats.fm can show you the full year, though. It's kind of weird how Spotify just ignores the last six weeks of the year. That Frog album that I had on repeat came out on November 17, 2023 so none of it showed up on my wrapped last year. When I check the info for all of 2023 on stats.fm, my top three songs are from that album.
I don't get why we burn up all of the year in review content in early-mid December. It'd be nice to have all that as a treat after the holidays are over.
-
Comment on What’s your “I didn’t know I needed that” item? in ~life
AnthonyB LinkI'm with Reapy and Akir - go with something you'd use if not for the price. For a relatively cheap option: upgrade the wardrobe basics with something nicer. Bombas socks, Tommy John underwear,...I'm with Reapy and Akir - go with something you'd use if not for the price.
For a relatively cheap option: upgrade the wardrobe basics with something nicer.
Bombas socks, Tommy John underwear, True Classic T-shirts. Nothing flashy, but it makes a huge difference. I never would've gone for any of them on my own since Hanes is sitting right there for a fraction of the price, but I got all three as gifts last year and now I'm never going back.
If you have a bigger budget and the recipient likes to cook, then a good pan is always nice. Last year, I had a student whose parent worked for Hexclad and they hooked me up with a couple pieces. Total game changer.
-
Comment on 2024 Spotify Wrapped thread in ~music
AnthonyB Link ParentI'll go to my grave arguing for the early eps and Innerspeaker. I love Tame Impala and I love Pond, but sometimes Tame Impala is a little too tame and Pond is a little too...pondy? Innerspeaker...I'll go to my grave arguing for the early eps and Innerspeaker. I love Tame Impala and I love Pond, but sometimes Tame Impala is a little too tame and Pond is a little too...pondy? Innerspeaker hit the sweet spot between the two.
Also, being in the top .05% for a band with 20mil monthly listeners is an accomplishment.
-
Comment on 2024 Spotify Wrapped thread in ~music
AnthonyB Link ParentLove me some Nilüfer. I have a vivid memory of listening to Paralysed as I drove around town the day after the 2020 election results were announced. The depressing lyrics with a bunched of masked...Love me some Nilüfer. I have a vivid memory of listening to Paralysed as I drove around town the day after the 2020 election results were announced. The depressing lyrics with a bunched of masked up people celebrating in the street was quite the combo.
-
Comment on 2024 Spotify Wrapped thread in ~music
AnthonyB LinkArtists: Frog Pavement (8th straight year in the top-5) Parquet Courts Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks Ducks Ltd. Songs: Gone Back to Stanford - Frog New Ro - Frog U Shug Go 2 Me - Frog Who Was In My...Artists:
- Frog
- Pavement (8th straight year in the top-5)
- Parquet Courts
- Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks
- Ducks Ltd.
Songs:
- Gone Back to Stanford - Frog
- New Ro - Frog
- U Shug Go 2 Me - Frog
- Who Was In My Room Last Night - Butthole Surfers (worth it)
- So Twisted Fate - Frog
I like Frog.
Also, Spotify Wrapped lost a lot of its luster after I signed up for stats.fm. Stats gave me all of this info and a whole lot more. You can see your all-time songs/artists/streams/etc. or go year by year and sift through all of the info that Spotify has on your listening habits. Worth the ~8 bucks or whatever it was.
-
Comment on Why are people on social media fixated on sharing insane takes for "criticism" or mocking? in ~talk
AnthonyB LinkAs others have pointed out, anger/negativity drives engagement. One thing that I would add is that it is a coping mechanism. I think the people you're talking about recognize the many gigantic,...As others have pointed out, anger/negativity drives engagement. One thing that I would add is that it is a coping mechanism. I think the people you're talking about recognize the many gigantic, frightening, rage-enducing problems in the world and they feel powerless when it comes to addressing those problems. Proper organization/mobilization/whatever is very difficult. It takes planning, coordination, willpower, time, leadership, and worst of all, getting up and doing something. That's a very daunting task. Not only are they trying to get by in life, but they're also facing a multi-billion dollar machine that is engrained in every level of the political process and has a propaganda outlet that targets the other side's fears and resentments with precision.
When people feel helpless, and there's nothing really there to channel that feeling and turn it into something productive, then the shitposts that mocks the absurdity of the situation become cathartic. There's comfort in knowing someone else out there feels the same way.
-
Comment on An antitrust advocate reflects on the US Democratic Party's cult of powerlessness in ~society
AnthonyB Link ParentI should clarify - I'm familiar with the concept and some of the broad strokes of what Linda Khan has been doing. I was referring to the evolution of the thinking, especially the part about Bork...I should clarify - I'm familiar with the concept and some of the broad strokes of what Linda Khan has been doing.
I was referring to the evolution of the thinking, especially the part about Bork and how, supposedly, the counter-culture paved the way for his radical changes in anti-trust and regulatory policy. I'm skeptical of that claim, but I don't know enough about that era and the nitty gritty of how these sweeping changes took effect, especially when it's about something that specific. I'm familiar with the hippie to yuppie pipeline, and the general malaise of that era, but I didn't think they wielded that kind of political power or influence in the late 70s.
-
Comment on An antitrust advocate reflects on the US Democratic Party's cult of powerlessness in ~society
AnthonyB LinkHuh. Interesting piece, but I feel like I need to know more about economics/anti-trust to have a full appreciation for it. I can't really dive into any of the specifics on that because it's not my...Huh. Interesting piece, but I feel like I need to know more about economics/anti-trust to have a full appreciation for it. I can't really dive into any of the specifics on that because it's not my area of expertise and I'm a dumb dumb.
That said, "Learned helplessness" is an interesting way to describe the problem that Democrats have. I can't remember where I saw it, but after the election I saw someone talking about the Democrats' inability/unwillingness to persuade Americans on an alternative vision for the country, the way that FDR, Reagan, and Trump have done. That missing element of persuasion, and the examples cited in this article, feel like two symptoms of the same problem. Why that problem exists - whether it's inability or unwillingness - is a different conversation.
Coincidentally, the last thing I was reading before this was US Representative-elect Sarah McBride's statement about using the men's room on the hill. Jesus Christ, what a perfect example. How far will the Democrats go when capitulating to Republicans? Obviously, it's probably a very difficult position for McBride to be in, and in all likelihood she'll end up using a private restroom, but this is that "learned helplessness" on full display. A non-helpless party would be behind her and refusing to let this go. Not only are they letting some of the most vulnerable people in the country down, but they're also giving up a great opportunity to get a great counter message out through a media that is obsessed with these types of culture war issues. There's just no fight in them.
-
Comment on I am looking for 100% ad-free apps for older adults with dementia. Things like jigsaw puzzles, coloring and the like. Paid is fine. in ~life
AnthonyB (edited )LinkHey, what a coincidence! I'm currently staying in a rehab facility with a family member that is recovering from major brain surgery and we just got a list of apps that were recommended from the...Hey, what a coincidence! I'm currently staying in a rehab facility with a family member that is recovering from major brain surgery and we just got a list of apps that were recommended from the cognitive therapist. Unfortunately, I can't vouch for the ad-free part just yet as we haven't gone through them all, but it doesn't hurt to share the stuff the pros recommended, right?
Here's the list:
Edit: apps I've checked out and are ad free are in bold
Peak-Brain Training by Brainbow
Fit Brains Trainer by Rosetta Stone Canada
BrainHQ by Posit Science
Elevate by Dana Nakano, PhD
Lumosity by Human Cognition Project
Tetris by Alexy Pajotnov
Sudoku 2 by Finger Arts
Memory Block by Category 5 Games
Stroop Effect by Attila Hegedus
Visual Attention by Tactus Therapy Solutions Ltd.
Brain Lab by Digital Brain Factory
Word Search+ by Brainium Studios LLC
Word Jigsaw by Sarah Pierce
Brain Challenge by Gameloft
Chain of Thought by Jay Bacal
This is to That by Jay Bacal
Chicktionary by Ludomade
1010! by Gram Games
Free Flow by Big Duck Games LLC.
Rush Hour by ThinkFun Inc.
Unblock Me by KirGames Co., Ltd.
Cognito by TidePool Inc.
I'm going to download them all and look through them over the next day or so then I'll update if any of them have unavoidable ads.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AnthonyB Link ParentI'm not sure. I've been playing it on my switchI'm not sure. I've been playing it on my switch
I had that exact passage copied when I came to the comments. I don't think its something that should scare legislators away from advocating for big changes. Sure, plenty of insured people are happy with their insurance. Technically, I am happy with my insurance. I have plenty of local doctors and pharmacies in my network, and like a lot of people, I haven't had to deal with a denied claim yet. But, that doesn't mean I support the healthcare industry. In fact, most people dislike the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
Here are some figures from that poll:
This is without any meaningful mainstream persuasion efforts over the past four years. Lean into it!
I think it's a mistake to give any legitimacy to private insurance because it inherently undermines the position that a public option or government-based system is better and it puts you on defense when you try to make that case. Instead, they should be laser-focused on highlighting the many flaws and evils of the health insurance industry. Any time this nonsense about positive ratings is brought up, it should be met with something along the lines of, "Sure, until the provider drops them, denies a claim, or the person loses their job." Or shit, highlight some of the gross inefficiencies that Krugman laid out. Whatever it is, just stay on the attack!
A public option should the floor of what is acceptable, not the starting point. Unfortunately, the likelihood of us hearing that type of messaging from anyone outside of the most progressive wing of the Democratic Party is very slim, thanks to the millions and millions of dollars the insurance and pharmaceutical companies spend in campaign contributions and lobbying efforts. Kind of weird how that wasn't mentioned at all when discussing the reasons for why health insurance is so difficult to reform.