DingusMaximus's recent activity

  1. Comment on Looking for a good guide to gigs in ~music

    DingusMaximus
    Link Parent
    It's definitely much better now. Maybe because of a VPN(?) it used to give me suggestions for stuff all over the country. Now I'm essentially griping about having to manually change my region...

    It's definitely much better now. Maybe because of a VPN(?) it used to give me suggestions for stuff all over the country. Now I'm essentially griping about having to manually change my region every once in a while. It is kind of a pain, and I wish you could add more than one region/city, but it's really not a big deal. I still use it because other than that one drawback it still works really well for discovery.

    1 vote
  2. Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books

    DingusMaximus
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    I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way about Bobiverse. It's certainly not bad. I think it's great in audiobook format, where you can listen kind of passively1. It's fun and...

    I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way about Bobiverse. It's certainly not bad. I think it's great in audiobook format, where you can listen kind of passively1. It's fun and entertaining, but as you said, it's not at all challenging or new, which I tend to prefer.

    So I'm not saying going from Bobiverse is bad, but for anyone reading, I wouldn't go into it expecting anything similar to TBP.

    1 I'm not saying audiobooks are inherently to be listened to passively, just that they can be. There was actually a fairly recent study that showed neglible difference in comprehension and retention among college-educated native english speakers presented with non-fiction text via either audiobooks or e-books. E.g. An audiobook can be pretty much the same as actually reading.
    1 vote
  3. Comment on Looking for a good guide to gigs in ~music

    DingusMaximus
    Link Parent
    The only gripe I have with using Spotify for this is that I live pretty much equally distant from three cities and it will only really suggest for one of them at a time. AFAIK there isn't a way to...

    The only gripe I have with using Spotify for this is that I live pretty much equally distant from three cities and it will only really suggest for one of them at a time. AFAIK there isn't a way to say, "show me venues from X, Y, and Z areas." Or even X and Y.

    That may not be a common problem though. So if that's not a deal-breaker for you, then yeah, Spotify is great for finding shows.

    1 vote
  4. Comment on Covid kills nearly 10,000 in a month as holidays fuel spread, WHO says in ~health

    DingusMaximus
    Link Parent
    It was a jab and some of Trump's great ideas on how to handle covid early-on.

    It was a jab and some of Trump's great ideas on how to handle covid early-on.

    7 votes
  5. Comment on Covid kills nearly 10,000 in a month as holidays fuel spread, WHO says in ~health

    DingusMaximus
    Link Parent
    Same. The wife and I are vaccinated, boostered, all that good stuff. It still whipped our asses. I still just don't care anymore though. Short of shining sunlight up my ass or going back into a...

    Same. The wife and I are vaccinated, boostered, all that good stuff. It still whipped our asses.

    I still just don't care anymore though. Short of shining sunlight up my ass or going back into a self-imposed lock-down there's nothing else I can do. I'll get it or I won't. It'll suck or it won't. I'm just along for the ride hoping for the best at this point. I can't spend every day perpetually in fear of it.

    8 votes
  6. Comment on Largest dataset powering AI images removed after discovery of Child Sexual Abuse Materials in ~tech

    DingusMaximus
    Link Parent
    I'm honestly not sure if you're using hyperbole, being facetious, acting intentionally naïve, or if someone sold you AI in general as, "all good and wholesome and wonderful." No form of AI is...

    this futuristic business that's supposed to be all good and wholesome and wonderful

    I'm honestly not sure if you're using hyperbole, being facetious, acting intentionally naïve, or if someone sold you AI in general as, "all good and wholesome and wonderful."

    No form of AI is inherently by of those things.

    Furthermore, if you want it to be those things, who gets to be the arbiter of what good, wholesome, and wonderful is defined as?

  7. Comment on Gazans bombarded by Israel have no hope and no escape in ~news

    DingusMaximus
    Link Parent
    Exactly. From what I've seen, not necessarily the government, but the people seem to have the exact same foaming-at-the-mouth mindset as Americans (all the way from moderates to right-wingers)...

    Exactly. From what I've seen, not necessarily the government, but the people seem to have the exact same foaming-at-the-mouth mindset as Americans (all the way from moderates to right-wingers) from around 2001 to 2008. Which was glass the whole fuckin' middle east, fuck 'em.

    Not many governments openly call for genocide. People do all the time though. I feel like that was kind of a given.

    10 votes
  8. Comment on Best and worst US states to drive in in ~transport

    DingusMaximus
    (edited )
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    I see SC is the 2nd most dangerous state to drive in, which totally tracks. If you've driven/live here, you know. But I'm honestly surprised SC doesn't rank higher for worst overall just based on...

    I see SC is the 2nd most dangerous state to drive in, which totally tracks. If you've driven/live here, you know. But I'm honestly surprised SC doesn't rank higher for worst overall just based on the terrible infrastructure alone. The cost of road maintenance is low because we just don't fucking do it! The state just passes that cost along to drivers via excessive vehicle maintenance.

    I guess cheap fuel (relatively) also nudges the state out of the top 10.

    3 votes
  9. Comment on What is some life advice that has stuck with you throughout the years? in ~life

    DingusMaximus
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    The grass isn't greener on the other side. It's greener where you water it.

    The grass isn't greener on the other side. It's greener where you water it.

    3 votes
  10. Comment on Non-revolutionary anarchism in ~humanities

    DingusMaximus
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    Revolution is inherent to anarchism. Or literally any other system that challenges capitalism. The capitalists will not give up their capital/private property without a fight. You would quite...

    Revolution is inherent to anarchism. Or literally any other system that challenges capitalism. The capitalists will not give up their capital/private property without a fight. You would quite literally have to pry it from their cold, dead hands or die trying.

    That said, from your other comments, OP, it sounds like you're looking for a calm, rational discussion of anarchism, and not necessarily flat-out rejecting the idea of revolution being necessary. If that's the case, check out Dr. Zoe Baker's YouTube channel or her blog (specifically the essays or recommended reading sections) or her book Means and Ends.

    1 vote
  11. Comment on Smartwatch primarily for notifications and battery life? in ~tech

    DingusMaximus
    Link Parent
    I used to feel about smartwatches the way I felt in 2007 about the first iPhone. I have a phone. I have an iPod. Why would I need to waste money just to mash the two together? Man, was I ever...

    I used to feel about smartwatches the way I felt in 2007 about the first iPhone. I have a phone. I have an iPod. Why would I need to waste money just to mash the two together? Man, was I ever wrong about that! So I picked up a cheap alphabet soup named smartwatch on Amazon to give it a go.

    I absolutely love it, primarily because it keeps me off of my phone a lot. Instead of picking up my phone to reply and then checking weather and news and socials while I've got it unlocked for who knows how long, now I just look ay my wrist and move on with my day, replying if needed. The sleep and fitness tracking has been a great resource to help with therapy as well. I'm godawful at manual tracking those things, so now I've got much better data for us to go off of.

    I'm not saying a smartwatch is for everyone. But as someone who was initially skeptical of the idea, after trying even a shitty, cheap one I see and benefit from their usefulness now.

    That said, I still don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on one. But I also want more features than the $35 aliexpress/amazon specials can offer. The bangle.js seems to be exactly what I'm looking for. Plus being so easily able to modify/create apps is a huge selling point. Even if I were able to just fire off some IFTTT triggers from it I'd be happy, but that's just scatching the surface of what you could do with it, really. Pretty excited for to try it tbh.

    I've never ordered anything to the US from the UK though. Anyone have experience with that process? What should one expect?

    2 votes
  12. Comment on New tinnitus therapy can quiet torturous ringing in the ears in ~science

    DingusMaximus
    Link Parent
    I hope I'm not negating anyone else's experience, but I don't understand how people say it doesn't bother them much. A constant, 24/7 screaming in one's ears has to have an effect on the psyche. I...

    I hope I'm not negating anyone else's experience, but I don't understand how people say it doesn't bother them much. A constant, 24/7 screaming in one's ears has to have an effect on the psyche. I feel like it largely contributes to irritability in my life that I otherwise wouldn't have to constantly put effort into overcoming. It's fucking exhausting.

    No exaggeration at all, I would at least strongly and carefully consider exchanging a whole goddamn limb in order to make it stop should I come across some diabolical genie one day. I know it's cliché, but I seriously wouldn't wish this on anyone. Even people I wish were dead.

    4 votes
  13. Comment on "Layered" music that builds throughout the song? in ~music

    DingusMaximus
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    I know everyone knows it as the I want to fuck you like an animal song, but imo the song is best in the second half, after the lyrics. Seriously check out Closer by Nine Inch Nails. I feel a...

    I know everyone knows it as the I want to fuck you like an animal song, but imo the song is best in the second half, after the lyrics. Seriously check out Closer by Nine Inch Nails.

    I feel a little like a poseur by suggesting their most popular song, I think there are better NIИ songs, but the layers and buildup/crescendo after the lyrics end is a phenomenal example of what I think you're asking for. Maybe not the genre your looking for, I don't know. I strongly suggest listening with headphones and trying to pick out each layer, or when layers come in/out.

    Many NIИ songs have rich, complex layers of sound actually. But I think the building up of intensity and crescendo of Closer is what you're talking about.

    Another example I think would be Adagio in D Minor by John Murphy (his channel is Distorter Records). It's the theme from the film Sunshine. John Murphy is also the composer who made In the House - In a Heartbeat, the theme from 28 Days Later, which may also be an example of what you're seeking.

    2 votes
  14. Comment on Favorite ASMR type? in ~health.mental

    DingusMaximus
    Link Parent
    Log out of YouTube, or open it in a private tab and just type asmr in the search bar. You won't have to scroll far. If at all. Loads of "asmr" channels are more or less just advertising for...

    Log out of YouTube, or open it in a private tab and just type asmr in the search bar. You won't have to scroll far. If at all.

    Loads of "asmr" channels are more or less just advertising for OnlyFans, patreon, etc.

    4 votes
  15. Comment on Books with WTF premises in ~books

    DingusMaximus
    (edited )
    Link
    The first book that comes to mind for me, aside from books already mentioned, is One-Hundred Years of Solitude. I don't even know how to summarize it without just re-typing out the while thing....

    The first book that comes to mind for me, aside from books already mentioned, is One-Hundred Years of Solitude.

    I don't even know how to summarize it without just re-typing out the while thing. Time is a circle. History is subjective.

    I wrote this same thing about another book that reminded me of Solitude, and thus it obviously applies to Solitude itself:

    What I do like about the book is the surrealism and use of what I'll call magic for brevity and lack of a better term. In that regard it's very Gabriel Garcia Marquez-esque. Barges in, uses magic, refuses to elaborate further, leaves. Even as a primarily very hard sci-fi fan, I really enjoy the lack of apologetics or explanation. You don't need to know how or why this crazy stuff happens, it just does. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

    Obviously, I really enjoy that aspect of the book. Along with pretty much everything else. Even translated from Spanish to English, the prose is gorgeous. I don't read Spanish well enough to pick up on any wordplay, or the finer intricacies, but it seems to be just as (likely more) gorgeous in Spanish.

    But the entire plot is just fuckin nuts. And on top of that, very quickly, you do buckle up and enjoy the ride. You go along with it. And all that craziness starts to make sense in it's own way and now you're batshit crazy too. I absolutely love it.

    14 votes
  16. Comment on Books with WTF premises in ~books

    DingusMaximus
    Link Parent
    You know a dude is writing some batshit crazy stories when "I hadn't actually slept with the woman, only cum in my pants" Wind-up Bird Chronicle is one of his normal books.

    You know a dude is writing some batshit crazy stories when "I hadn't actually slept with the woman, only cum in my pants" Wind-up Bird Chronicle is one of his normal books.

    5 votes
  17. Comment on What happened in 1971? (various graphs of U.S. economic data, showing turning points in or around 1971) in ~finance

    DingusMaximus
    Link Parent
    I know I'm going to come off sounding like a prick. This is a me problem of not knowing how to fix it, and not at all a you problem of reading into it the wrong way. Please keep that in mind as...

    I know I'm going to come off sounding like a prick. This is a me problem of not knowing how to fix it, and not at all a you problem of reading into it the wrong way. Please keep that in mind as you read on, and know this isn't coming from a malicious place, trying to dunk on you or some shit like that. You asked, I'm trying to help, but I also suck at this. Here goes.

    Here are your key points:

    • Wealth should be more equally distributed
    • Interest makes the rich richer
    • It's complicated
    • The system favors the rich

    With the exception of the first point, which is a belief or value judgement (that I happen to agree with fwiw), the rest are essentially just truisms. After reading your comment I have no idea what exactly you disagree with or why.

    If it helps form a clearer rebuttal, here are NaraVara's main points:

    • The past 50 years had considerable economic growth and financial stability.
    • Gold standards differ little from fiat currency when the relationship between gold and currency can be manipulated by the controlling entities.
    • Inflation is good for people who work or have debt.
    • Inflation is bad for old money, as it devalues their idle wealth.
    • (You can break down the above two points a little more:)
    • If you work, your wages will increase to match the rising cost of living.
    • Debts will devalue due to inflation since they are based on nominal dollar figures.
    • Warnings against inflation from the financial press are propaganda from credit and financial markets, who want to limit the devaluation of their wealth caused by it.

    I hope the perspective of an outside observer helps clarify why why your argument was seen as vague, and maybe to form a clearer response.

    2 votes
  18. Comment on Con-men are flooding Kindle with AI children's books. They could do permanent damage to childhood literacy. in ~books

    DingusMaximus
    Link Parent
    I listen from time to time, I'm not some huge Behind the Bastards fan, but those episodes were really good. Luckily I already knew what to expect from the podcast (good stuff), otherwise I...

    I listen from time to time, I'm not some huge Behind the Bastards fan, but those episodes were really good. Luckily I already knew what to expect from the podcast (good stuff), otherwise I probably wouldn't have clicked since the title sounds like clickbait for doomscrollers. It's not that though.

    If y'all have time to burn on the commute or treadmill or whatever, give it a listen.

    Plus, Ben Bowlin was a guest! Absolutely love him. Stuff They Don't Want You to Know was one of my favorite podcasts back in the day.

    2 votes
  19. Comment on Help me build my “woke” Fourth of July playlist in ~music

    DingusMaximus
    Link
    Punk: Kill the Poor and Stars and Stripes of Corruption Dead Kennedys Fuck the Flag Anti-Flag Franco Un-American and The Idiots Are Taking Over NOFX Fuck America Choking Victim And one more that...

    Punk:
    Kill the Poor and Stars and Stripes of Corruption Dead Kennedys
    Fuck the Flag Anti-Flag
    Franco Un-American and The Idiots Are Taking Over NOFX
    Fuck America Choking Victim
    And one more that isn't punk:
    Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore John Prine

    23 votes
  20. Comment on Terrible, terrible movies? in ~movies

    DingusMaximus
    Link Parent
    This was one of my favorite movies as a kid. It was the worst/raunchiest movie my parents would let me watch when I first saw it, and I think that's only because they didn't think it would be as...

    This was one of my favorite movies as a kid. It was the worst/raunchiest movie my parents would let me watch when I first saw it, and I think that's only because they didn't think it would be as crass as it was.

    I went on for years (after having not seen it for as long) telling people it was one of my favorite movies. That is until I tried to re-watch it a few years ago. My wife, who also liked it as a kid, bailed within 20min. I stuck it out all the way through, partly because surely it had to get better at some point, right?, and also I think out of some misguided sense of duty (for lack of a better word) to nostalgia. I regret having done so.

    Howard the Duck is now one of the worst movies I can think of. And I love kitschy shit. It isn't kitsch though. It just stinks. Probably about as much as the interior of that semi-truck Dr. Jennings was driving around in, or Cleveland in general. If you liked the movie as a kid, please, keep it that way. Don't re-watch it. Go on remembering it for what it wasn't.