Arshan's recent activity
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Comment on Why relativism is the worst idea ever in ~humanities
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What do you think about voting?
I don't understand why people think an individual vote changes anything. I don't mean this as an insult, I just don't understand by what mechanism my vote matters. To be clear, I am not saying you...
I don't understand why people think an individual vote changes anything. I don't mean this as an insult, I just don't understand by what mechanism my vote matters. To be clear, I am not saying you shouldn't vote, simply that one persons vote is a neutral act.
I assume that if I vote in an election my vote will literally be counted; the votes for one candidate will go from 100,000 to 100,001. In tiny elections, it is possible, not likely, for a single vote to change a result. However, arguing for a system from its top 0.1% best case scenario is a bit disingenuous. In 99.9% of elections, it does not come down to one vote.
I have also been told I should just choose the candidate that is closest to my beliefs or even put in a blank ballet. In the US, a 3rd-party candidate will not win any non-local election; in other countries, I understand that it is different, but I can't speak from personal experience. And its not like I would ever choose any of the main party candidates; some are much worse than others, but none represent my beliefs. My understanding of this idea is that what is being valued is the performance of representation, not my actual representation in the system. 'The medium is the message', or who you vote for does not matter, what matters is that you vote.
I've heard people say something to the effect of 'if you don't vote, you have no right to complain about the political system'. This idea ignores the fact that not voting is an explicitly political act. I am engaging with the system by refusing to play what I perceive to be a rigged game.
But its not like the political system changes whether I vote or not; its not like anyone can know if I voted or not, unless I tell them or wear one of those 'I voted' stickers. I've heard people argue that if everyone thought this way, then the OTHER SIDE would win. But other people's decision to vote or not isn't my responsibility.
Is there something I am missing?
EDIT:
I changed my formatting to be more clear and edited the text, as a few responses seem to have missed some of my points.
22 votes -
Comment on Recommendation for new season? in ~anime
Arshan LinkMy goto under-rated anime suggestion is the Sound of the Sky. Its a slice of life story set in a peaceful post-apocolyptic world. I always need to recommend Vinland Saga, because it is my...My goto under-rated anime suggestion is the Sound of the Sky. Its a slice of life story set in a peaceful post-apocolyptic world. I always need to recommend Vinland Saga, because it is my favorcite anime. I would also throw in Astra Lost in Space; I was surprised on how just good it was.
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Comment on Coming to terms with a lifetime of depression in ~life
Arshan Link ParentI'd be interested in Fantasy Strike, especially I use Linux. I've wanted to try a fighting game for a while, since I played a lot of Super Smash Bros as kid.I'd be interested in Fantasy Strike, especially I use Linux. I've wanted to try a fighting game for a while, since I played a lot of Super Smash Bros as kid.
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Comment on Coming to terms with a lifetime of depression in ~life
Arshan Link ParentI can definitely relate to the 'spiral of existential dread'. I used to do that with everything a person a said. Ohh, they took 1 second longer than usual to acknowledge my existence, well they...I can definitely relate to the 'spiral of existential dread'. I used to do that with everything a person a said. Ohh, they took 1 second longer than usual to acknowledge my existence, well they must hate me. They just replied to my text with one word, well they must hate me. It caused so many problems in my friendships, I fucking hated it.
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Comment on Coming to terms with a lifetime of depression in ~life
Arshan Link ParentI am open with my irl friends, but at this point in my life, that is 2 people. They also live far away, so I haven't seen them in a long time, ignoring Covid problems of traveling. I am a more...I am open with my irl friends, but at this point in my life, that is 2 people. They also live far away, so I haven't seen them in a long time, ignoring Covid problems of traveling. I am a more concerned about coming off as too open and weirding them out. I am a rather earnest person, if you couldn't tell :D, but that was something that my family always made fun of. So I am still a bit insecure about it.
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Comment on Coming to terms with a lifetime of depression in ~life
Arshan Link ParentDo you have any advice on conveying ability when I don't have much proof?Do you have any advice on conveying ability when I don't have much proof?
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Comment on Coming to terms with a lifetime of depression in ~life
Arshan Link ParentI definitely most interested in film and maybe in the future, 3d printing. Film has meant a lot to me, especially as a way to even consider the possibility of living a different life. It is also...I definitely most interested in film and maybe in the future, 3d printing. Film has meant a lot to me, especially as a way to even consider the possibility of living a different life. It is also really overwhelming for me, because there is so much complexity to it. I have tried to find some guides to basic cinematography, which is the thing I am most overwhelmed by.
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Comment on Coming to terms with a lifetime of depression in ~life
Arshan Link ParentI know Linux well enough that I am confident I could do the job, even if I would need to learn some things on the job. So far, I just haven't had any positive replies to my applications, so that's...I know Linux well enough that I am confident I could do the job, even if I would need to learn some things on the job. So far, I just haven't had any positive replies to my applications, so that's been pretty disheartening.
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Comment on Coming to terms with a lifetime of depression in ~life
Arshan Link ParentThere's something comforting about knowing there is another person who understands the conflicting emotions of it. I wish you the best on your journey to the possibility of so many things. :DThere's something comforting about knowing there is another person who understands the conflicting emotions of it. I wish you the best on your journey to the possibility of so many things. :D
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Comment on Coming to terms with a lifetime of depression in ~life
Arshan Link ParentI'd be interested in that; what games do you usually play?I'd be interested in that; what games do you usually play?
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Comment on Coming to terms with a lifetime of depression in ~life
Arshan Link ParentI studied Economics, but by senior year, I got pretty disillusioned with it as a field of study. The one thing I know I want in a job is to build something, which has usually manifested as...If you feel like sharing, what did you study in college? What is your dream career? Maybe come up with a list of ways to work toward that career and start checking them off one by one.
I studied Economics, but by senior year, I got pretty disillusioned with it as a field of study. The one thing I know I want in a job is to build something, which has usually manifested as programming. I have learned a lot about programming in the past, but I haven't written any serious programs yet.
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Comment on Coming to terms with a lifetime of depression in ~life
Arshan Link ParentI am very much in that camp; I do want to have sex, it seems fun, but not having really experienced means that the desire is very abstract. To be completely honest as I am trying to be, the thing...So when someone like OP gripes about being a virgin, I wouldn't interpret it as OP solely wanting sex, because it's more about sex as an outcome of human connection.
I am very much in that camp; I do want to have sex, it seems fun, but not having really experienced means that the desire is very abstract. To be completely honest as I am trying to be, the thing I always dreamed of was falling to sleep next to someone I loved, of having them just quietly hold me.
I am, luckily, not a neckbeard, and I am honestly more comfortable around women then men, though that was in a platonic fashion. And I whatever part of me that is innate is much more outgoing than I have lived up to this point. I guess my main concern is that I don't have any idea how to ask someone out.
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Comment on Coming to terms with a lifetime of depression in ~life
Arshan Link ParentI have considered going back to DMing a Tabletop Roleplaying game, but I have been unsure how to find a group. Other than that, I would like to get into more things and I am open to trying new...I have considered going back to DMing a Tabletop Roleplaying game, but I have been unsure how to find a group. Other than that, I would like to get into more things and I am open to trying new things. Do you have any suggestions for online communities, as I am currently stuck in a US suburb with no car?
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Comment on Coming to terms with a lifetime of depression in ~life
Arshan Link ParentI have always thought that 'in the future, I'd like to go to a therapist', but I could never take the first step. Right now, I am not sure if I can find a therapist; I am unemployed, so my...I have always thought that 'in the future, I'd like to go to a therapist', but I could never take the first step. Right now, I am not sure if I can find a therapist; I am unemployed, so my healthcare is through my parents. My relationship with parents is not good because they were the primary cause of my depression, so interacting with them is difficult for me. If I can find a way, I would like to go.
I brought up having no romantic experience because the feeling of being unlovable was something that added to my depression. Right now, I am more lost on how to meet people, be it romantic or not.
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Coming to terms with a lifetime of depression
I am just coming out of a lifetime of depression. I am 24 now, and I have no memories of an idyllic childhood, carefree adolescence or an exciting college life. Sure there were moments I enjoyed...
I am just coming out of a lifetime of depression. I am 24 now, and I have no memories of an idyllic childhood, carefree adolescence or an exciting college life. Sure there were moments I enjoyed more than others, but all were consumed by that all encompassing grey void. The one that makes everything have a dreary sameness. The one that steals every good thing and every bad thing, and just makes them both nothing
I have been crawling out of my depression for the last 6 years. I made small steps through college, but due to a horrible junior year, I fell back a lot in my senior year and the year after that. I worked a horrible job as a phone support technician. However quitting that job was my first step of healing, so that was one good thing I got out of it. I have been unemployed for the last year and a half, which has been the most valuable period in my life. I could do nothing but look into my own pain, observe my own wounds. It fucking sucked. But sometimes the only way is through.
Being depressed all my life, I haven't really done anything. I am a virgin and I've never been in a romantic relationship; I still feel a bit ashamed and uncomfortable with this. I've only ever had a few friends, though me having any is a bit of surprise. I've never focused on something, worked on it day-in-day. Thinking of all the opportunities I've never had for friends, for quiet moments, for the nervous butterflies of just meeting someone you like, fills me with an overwhelming sense of anguish. It hurts so much to imagine all the possibilities that I could have had if I had escaped sooner. But dwelling on it doesn't help me at all, so I try and not think about it too much.
Now that I am not being crushed by depression, I am filled with so many conflicting emotions. I am impatient because now that I can experience some of life, I want it all now. I am terrified because I am, for all intents and purposes, a new person who has no experience in anything. I am excited because I have so many first times for so many different things. I am scared shit less because I am unemployed and I don't have a clear path to finding work. I am constantly stressed that everything will come crashing back down around me, and I will fall back into depression. I am happy because I am going to see my best friend soon, for the first time I am on this side.
I am writing this because I want to say it to people who know nothing about me. I want other people to acknowledge my pain. Its a bit selfish, I know, but I am okay with that. So if you read through all of this, thank you
And if you are going through depression or even just hard times, please feel free to message me. And no you won't be bothering me, no I dont have better things to do, no I won't judge you.
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Comment on How should we understand the warnings about artificial intelligence? in ~science
Arshan LinkI definitely fall into the radically pro-AGI camp, and all the moral panic around a technology that we aren't even vaguely close to solving annoys me. We have no idea what particular method of...I definitely fall into the radically pro-AGI camp, and all the moral panic around a technology that we aren't even vaguely close to solving annoys me. We have no idea what particular method of computation, software model, data gathering techniques are needed to create a smart human level of AGI, let alone super-intelligence level. All of the particulars will define how AGI interacts with humans as a whole. Do we need to give it a physical body that is its 'own'? I personally doubt it, but like I said, we have no idea. Do they need massive, city-sized data-centers to inhabit? Have we created machines that can be the limbs of the AGI? Without any idea what form the Intelligence will take, it is only detrimental to speculate.
I would guess that a lot of the broad fears around AGI are subconsciously acknowledging a rather dark possibility; that the AGI will be exactly like us. Its no secret that humans have mercilessly trampled over every thing that has less power than it. We kill and destroy animals, forests, landscapes, really anything if we can achieve any benefit from it. I think we are terrified that the AGI will, as the most powerful species, treat us in the same way. We aren't afraid that AGI will be unfathomably different, but that they will be humans 2.0.
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Comment on What are some best anti-capitalist books? in ~books
Arshan LinkAs the book I would normally recommend 'The Conquest of Bread' has already been suggested, I would offer a broader suggestion. Learn about some society you know nothing about; learn how they...As the book I would normally recommend 'The Conquest of Bread' has already been suggested, I would offer a broader suggestion. Learn about some society you know nothing about; learn how they organized their political and economic system. I recently did this with the Inca, and it found it helped me remember that our current system is not special or sacred in anyway. Other systems have come and gone, and in all likelihood, so will capitalism. It moves the question from 'pro capitalism vs anti-capitalism' to 'what type of economic system are were transitioning to?'
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Comment on It turns out, all those 'woke' White allies were lying in ~misc
Arshan LinkWell, yeah. Our current system will change as little as it can, which in this case was agree that its problem and then proceed to fuck off. Change can start in demonstrations and in...Well, yeah. Our current system will change as little as it can, which in this case was agree that its problem and then proceed to fuck off. Change can start in demonstrations and in community-building, but they are not the solution to any problems.
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Comment on The existence of God and the beginning of the universe in ~humanities
Arshan LinkAs far as I can tell, the author is ignoring the fact that their argument also applies to a creator god. Also, the bad faith arguing for existence requiring a cause when the entire point of their...As far as I can tell, the author is ignoring the fact that their argument also applies to a creator god. Also, the bad faith arguing for existence requiring a cause when the entire point of their argument is that god is an uncaused cause.
Since I was just thinking about relativism, I have more thoughts on this subject than I normally would. I also want to clearly separate 'truth' and moral relativism.
I'd like to start with truth relativism, as it effects moral relativism a bit. The simplest way I can describe my relativistic views is that the problem is in the demarcation/proving of objective truth, not its existence or non-existence. My perspective does not view the world as it is, or if I do view the world as it is, how would I ever prove/know that? As an example, what can I say about my experience of sound as sound and the experience of sound in the world? I can't know how sound exists in the external world, because I only know my own experience. I usually try to get people to say out loud that they are the God who understands the world as it is, that they are the ultimate being whose perspective is CORRECT. Most people get uncomfortable saying something so arrogant out loud; it hasn't changed anyone's opinion yet, but it is fun for me. So, my truth relativism has nothing to do with reality, but with how anyone would differentiate between truth and falsity.
To go onto moral relativism, my opinion is that moral rules are at best pointless, and at worst, actively detrimental. I am only discussing morality from an individual context, mainly because getting into the social aspects of morality would make this post twice as long. Morality is pointless because you will make whatever decision you make in the moment regardless of whatever code you say you follow. It could be detrimental because it is an attempt to outsource your decisions to something else. At the end of the day, the people in the scenario will make whatever decision they do, with whatever knowledge and perspective they have.