DrEvergreen's recent activity
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
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Comment on What's something new you started doing this year? in ~talk
DrEvergreen LinkDoing new things in general. It's been a terrible bunch of years, ongoing trauma that shocks anyone but the most unfortunate people. Top that off with a complete lack of care or help through...Doing new things in general. It's been a terrible bunch of years, ongoing trauma that shocks anyone but the most unfortunate people. Top that off with a complete lack of care or help through healthcare or legal venues.
It stripped me of any sense of future. Of time passing, not just being in a limbo, waiting for the pain to stop. But it never did. And help never came, and I was so often ridiculed and have some pretty nasty reports on me from a psych. specialist that chose to never to the trauma assessments I was referred for. Said it would be ineffectual to offer any kind of help, for as long as the patient isn't willing to admit what is wrong. Me describing my days, my body, my attempts at maintaining a connection with society was apparently not enough. The specialist didn't like how I said I don't have a name for this, which is why I was referred for assessment.
After that, I shut down. Hard. For years. At times not even leaving my bed more than once a day to drink and go toilet.
Circumstances forced a move, changed municipality, and within a fortnight I had several different kinds of support and help set in motion.
This year has been one where I finally was able to say I am ready to live again. LIVE, not just survive. And I will try new things, wherever they show up. Even if I don't like doing new activities all the time.
So far I've found out I am averagely bad/good at beginner's mini-golf, I can somewhat do crafts like embroidery, I've made some small things in a woodworking shop/class, I've joined a weekly swim, I've gotten back into PC gaming, I've accepted at least 10 offers of meeting up for a cup of coffee and a chat. That's about 10 more than I've done for years. I've read books on linguistics, not limiting myself in the belief I won't remember much. I don't, but that wasn't the point either! Laughs
I've made some dinners I've never made before. Some will never be made again. I've finally tasted what MSG is in its pure form. Very, very lackluster. Prefer flavour enhancers like Maggi.
I've done lots of small things here and there. Used other mugs than my favourite, just because. Sat back with less opinions on some things. Leant forward and spoken up more in other contexts.
My plan is to continue pursuing small, manageable, previously untried activities or experiences. No travelling the world or other lofty pursuits. Just pragmatic exploration within my window of tolerance.
Which is a lot bigger than it was a year ago.
I'll never "become my old self again". My experiences changes people on a fundamental level. But I am becoming more at home in my life and body, and more accepting of what was done that can't be changed. Not saying it was okay, not saying I am "forgiving" those that knowingly (sometimes willingly) caused harm.
But I am no longer fighting the idea that these things happened and can't be undone. That has been a MAJOR change for me. I've always been more of an activist type. "If it hasn't changed for the better yet, you just haven't tried for long enough" type. I am a lot more mellow now.
In short, conciously seeking out newness in small ways has been the new thing this year. And I will continue to do so going forward.
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
DrEvergreen Link ParentSo do I! Got a second-hand lot of Kaweco cartridges where every colour had no more than 1 used up, some still untouched. The small ones. And enjoyed changing ink and seeing the different shades...So do I! Got a second-hand lot of Kaweco cartridges where every colour had no more than 1 used up, some still untouched. The small ones. And enjoyed changing ink and seeing the different shades and transitions.
Would never sign anything professional with it like that...
But will I doodle an entire page full of lines or squiggles just to see the slow fade? Yes!
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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
DrEvergreen Link ParentHere in Norway the maximum such issues can be stretched without proof of an actual issue with the place (structural, lacks according to what the contract states etc) is 3 months. And even then,...Here in Norway the maximum such issues can be stretched without proof of an actual issue with the place (structural, lacks according to what the contract states etc) is 3 months.
And even then, rent has to be kept aside and preferably in a specific type of acct one can open with a bank, until the matter is settled and you either get a reduction in rent (still have to pay the rest at that point), or not (have to pay all of it).
This is different from the deposit account btw. Which is also legally required, a specific type of acct. in the renter's name, but where neither party can take the money without proof of rent agreement having come to an end, or a court order due to an issue like described above. It is illegal to not put deposits in a specific account like that. Lots of people dont, but it is illegal and the landlord will be then be liable to pay an 8.5% interest rate on the original deposit whenever the tenancy ends, for whatever reason.
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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
DrEvergreen Link ParentIn my eyes, 1 and 3 show the same: A lack of issues that the insurance company will have to pay for. 2 shows that you incur extra expenses all the time. To me, the entire notion of a credit score...Someone who has driven for over 100,000 miles without a traffic accident
Someone who has driven for over 100,000 miles with 300 traffic accidents
Someone who has picked up their driver's license but otherwise never driven more than 100 miles.
In my eyes, 1 and 3 show the same: A lack of issues that the insurance company will have to pay for. 2 shows that you incur extra expenses all the time.
To me, the entire notion of a credit score is a variant of your second suggestion. Someone that keeps getting in accidents, but is really good at paying for the repairs.
In my country (Norway) it really is more about showing that you've never mismanaged you finances to begin with. That with todays income and predicted future, you will be able to continue managing your loan even throughout ups and downs in the future. A lump sum/downpayment and/or co-signers for that sum is a part of that assessment. As a way to prove that you are able to save or have someone that is able to save and thus can manage.
I know some people look up their credit scores with companies that offer such services, but it is really not something most people ever do, nor need to. Not even for things like mortgages for homes or cars.
Our "credit checks" are agains the national registry where they keep track of mismanaged bills.
It really is an entirely different way of seeing it.
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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
DrEvergreen Link ParentEven this is specifically showing them how good you are at taking on, and then managing debt. Whereas where I live, it's the exact opposite. You are assumed to be okay until you prove you can't...Look, this is just flat out incorrect; you're repeating a common financial myth. For credit cards, all that matters is keeping the account open (referred to as "having an open line of credit"). All you have to do is buy a $5 gift card once a year to keep a credit card open to improve your credit score.
Lenders want to know if you're repay the debt they offer you. It's purely a measure of "if I give you money, will I get it back?" which is the same thing I assume most humans do with people that ask them for money.
Even this is specifically showing them how good you are at taking on, and then managing debt.
Whereas where I live, it's the exact opposite. You are assumed to be okay until you prove you can't manage your bills. Income and assets, a lump sum and/or someone co-signing, plus a lack of registered cases of failure to pay is what they look for.
Your final paragraph seems to me to say you kind of agree with me, just seeing it from the other side? That it is in fact about seeing who is good at staying in debt and managing it.
Plenty of people have seen their credit scores drop when they've paid off studen loans or stopped keeping a credit card.
Even if it is only a nominal sum, it is still proving that you're good at staying a little bit in debt, but not too much.
Not incurring debt of any kind to begin with seems much better to me. Showing that you never borrow from tomorrow to pay stupid silly things today.
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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
DrEvergreen Link ParentIt's a fundamental difference in world view. Paying rent is not credit. I've always chosen to pay ahead of the month, meaning no later than the last day of the month before the payment is...It's a fundamental difference in world view. Paying rent is not credit. I've always chosen to pay ahead of the month, meaning no later than the last day of the month before the payment is covering. So Jan 31 for the month of Feb.
No incurred credit/debt/temporary loan incurred at all.
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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
DrEvergreen Link ParentLook into redlining in the US. Credit scores are literally a score for how well you manage your credit. Meaning your level of debt, and how maintained it is. Not how much you avoid it to begin...Look into redlining in the US. Credit scores are literally a score for how well you manage your credit. Meaning your level of debt, and how maintained it is. Not how much you avoid it to begin with.
If you are denied loans for a home, denied credit cards, denied car loans etc, you won't be able to own. Meaning your children won't have you to lean on for help with getting started in life themselves, since most of those things that count for credit scores rely on maintaining debt and being allowed to take on debt with co-signers.
These types of societal barriers of entry, and when the wealthy are allowed to make their own way of living the standard they measure people up against, is intimately tied to social classes of all kinds.
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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
DrEvergreen Link ParentEdited to add: Credit scores only tell banks how good you are at maintaining a level of debt. Because that means they will earn fees off of you. Paying off loans, and not having credit cards...Edited to add:
Credit scores only tell banks how good you are at maintaining a level of debt. Because that means they will earn fees off of you. Paying off loans, and not having credit cards (which are also borrowed money until paid back) will see your score drop. Credit scores are only good for what is literally the name: how good you are at maintaining a credit. I.E. keeping a level of debt.
If you avoid debt to begin with, you have a shitty score. Despite potentially being much better at financial planning than someone that relies on keeping a debt to "build a credit score".
My ex. Who was not set up by his mum (this is the UK) early in life, turned 18 and was still living in the world of cash. Mum not renewing his childhood passport. And then he became an adult and was out of college and...
One of his exes put him on a bank account of hers so he could have a card to use. Teenagers as they were they didn't think much of this. When they split, they talked with the bank and got that account split off to him alone. He lived with girlfriends a couple of times, but other than that lived with his family at their rather large place. Not wealthy, just something bought back before prices exploded.
Then at 30-something was suddenly out on his own when the family couldn't afford the place anymore. At least a proper bank acct, other than that, nothing to his name. No passport for the last 20 years, no tenancies to his name, nothing.
Despite having worked his entire adult life, but mostly for family or on the farm of an ex, or in an ex's shop etc. Phone number from before they started registering those to the degree they do today.
He didn't exist as far as credit score goes, really. Was quite the process when he wanted a passport to go abroad with me.
I'd much prefer the way we do it in my country. You get marks against you for failed payments that go to collections, and then those marks stay for 3 years beyond being fully paid off if they went to collection via a bailiff. But sometimes those are struck off as well when paid. Depends on type of claim.
You are marked as a non-payer if you have bills that have not been paid, only.
A phone bill from your younger years wouldn't scare a bank that sees you haven't miskept anything major.
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
DrEvergreen Link ParentI have 2 cheap "shark pens" bought from some china-website or other for the equivalent of about €2 each, and 1 "proper" pen that runs about €15-20 depending on where you buy it. I use a blunt...I have 2 cheap "shark pens" bought from some china-website or other for the equivalent of about €2 each, and 1 "proper" pen that runs about €15-20 depending on where you buy it. I use a blunt tipped syringe to fill old plastic cartridges with ink I love that only comes in bottles.
I am beyond pleased with the cheapest ones, and have never had any issues with them. Of the more expensive ones I've tried, only the 1 has stayed with me.
I do not use them for calligraphy, and my penmanship isn't anything to write home about.
It just makes me happy. Shopping lists, doodles, you name it, it makes me happy.
I also don't take them apart to wash all the pieces all the time. They are pens. Just pens.
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Comment on Annual gift of a Christmas tree from the people of Oslo in Norway to London continues – tree was cut down early yesterday morning in woods in the northern part of Oslo's capital in ~life
DrEvergreen Link ParentSo the tree species that is usually sent, as far as I am aware of, is Norwegian Spruce. It does indeed have droopy foliage. Or whatever the name is for the green parts of those trees. Escpecially...So the tree species that is usually sent, as far as I am aware of, is Norwegian Spruce. It does indeed have droopy foliage. Or whatever the name is for the green parts of those trees. Escpecially compared to other kinds of spruce.
However, the trees sent are usually gorgeous examples of whatever type of tree it is. Saying that as someone that lives surrounded by much less gorgeous examples of Norwegian Spruce.
I love the tradition of both us sending, and the English showing love by ribbing on it.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
DrEvergreen Link ParentWhat game is "FTL"?What game is "FTL"?
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Comment on Is the current war in Palestine the first time the victim wound up being seen as the aggressor? in ~humanities.history
DrEvergreen Linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CTpVNKw7UM From the description box: If we are to assess who we think is the aggressor and who is victim, we should take into account what has happened in the...- Exemplary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CTpVNKw7UM
From the description box:
"Does the average Jew know anything about the people of Palestine?"
Physician and trauma expert Dr Gabor Mate answered an Israeli audience member asking how she could have compassion for whoever was involved in last year's 7 October attacks.
Dr Mate first corrected her recollection of 7 October before arguing that history did not begin on October 7th and comparing the treatment of indigenous Palestinians with that of indigenous communities in Canada and the US, receiving multiple rounds of applause from the rest of the audience.
Later, Dr Mete apologised to the lady who asked the question for his "emotional reaction" answering her question. He said, "The proper response to your question would have been: 'I understand where you're coming from, but this is not the place for me to address that issue."
If we are to assess who we think is the aggressor and who is victim, we should take into account what has happened in the bigger scheme of things. Over a longer time frame.
Exactly where we place the cutoff for "what we think should count" makes all the difference in how we percieve something, and how we then feel about it.
Questions and answers of this nature seems to me to be mostly emotionally based.
People will claim their position is one based on logic, we all do usually, but at the end of the day...
History is an ongoing event and it rarely offers a very clear cut "it started here".
It more often offers "it came to a head at this point". But again, where we consider that point to be is also going to differ.
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Comment on What are your favorite “chore” games? in ~games
DrEvergreen Link ParentYou can limit both the number of adults in your fortress (when no more migrants will come, and no babies are born), and the total number of inhabitants (also includes babies, which the former does...but not fun after it grows to about 120+
You can limit both the number of adults in your fortress (when no more migrants will come, and no babies are born), and the total number of inhabitants (also includes babies, which the former does not so you might go over that number due to births).
I don't know how to do it natively, as I've only done it through the third party Lazy Newb launcher.
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Comment on What are your favorite “chore” games? in ~games
DrEvergreen Link ParentWait until you have a panicking, thirsty dwarf stuck in a tree, trying to pathfind its way down but someone took their stool away while they were up in the tree picking fruit..... I love the game,...I've also had more framerate issues on Rimworld than DF so far, but I haven't made any mist generators or anything super intense with the fluids side of things in DF so far.
Wait until you have a panicking, thirsty dwarf stuck in a tree, trying to pathfind its way down but someone took their stool away while they were up in the tree picking fruit.....
I love the game, but by the gods it's horrible in the best and worst kind of ways. Didn't realise that was my issue until I found a dwarf listed in the deceased, and they couldn't put him in a coffin because it was up in the branches of a fruit tree.
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Comment on I think it's time to give a "news detox" a try in ~talk
DrEvergreen LinkI would add keeping up with locally relevant information through a municipality website of some sort. Allthough usually only good for official information regarding policies, rules, regulations...I would add keeping up with locally relevant information through a municipality website of some sort. Allthough usually only good for official information regarding policies, rules, regulations and such, many countries have local websites for the individual municipalities or cities.
There is often local decisions or events that fly by, forgotten in the midsts of bigger or more sensational fast paced news. Decisions that actually matter for the quality of life locally. And that can be influenced by showing up and having an opinion or suggestion.
Edit: And support local libraries. Going there to use their facilities, read magazines (often free onsite in many places around the world), and just to boost their use numbers. They are the last bastion of free information and being a gathering spot for everyone regardless of age or occupation, with no demand to spend money or invest effort whatsoever.
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Comment on What small questions do you have that aren’t worth a full topic on their own? in ~talk
DrEvergreen Link ParentI have one that was going on 15 years, worked on any surface and I kept it alive by opening up and fixing it several times. One major issue was that the thin wire connecting one of the sides of...Super cheap thee button wireless mouse just mysteriously died
I have one that was going on 15 years, worked on any surface and I kept it alive by opening up and fixing it several times. One major issue was that the thin wire connecting one of the sides of the battery bay kept coming off. Was hard to see and hard to fix as it was hidden behind plastic that wasn't easily opened. Plastic was fused, not press fit together in any way. I persevered and soldered it several times until I caved and got a better mouse.
The better mouse was more particular about what surfaces it worked well on.
I got another cheapo and it works on any surface just like the old one. Will continue to solder and try to fix whenever I can.
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Comment on What small questions do you have that aren’t worth a full topic on their own? in ~talk
DrEvergreen Link ParentThe potassium in bananas is somewhat known (though in informal ways, haven't looked up any research) to help with restless legs syndrome/feeling like there are ants in your legs. Especially when...The potassium in bananas is somewhat known (though in informal ways, haven't looked up any research) to help with restless legs syndrome/feeling like there are ants in your legs. Especially when resting or going to sleep.
Bananas are tastier than supplement pills. Both magnesium and potassium have a role to play in how our nerves and muscles work though, so could be other issues at play too.
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Comment on I'm a game developer with a special interest in horses and riding. I wrote a lengthy guide on what could be done better when adding horses to games. in ~games
DrEvergreen LinkThose front legs are just a human character model, for sure. Looking at the last 2 pictures/gifs in the article, the one on the left with the horse standing in water. Their front left hoof is...Those front legs are just a human character model, for sure. Looking at the last 2 pictures/gifs in the article, the one on the left with the horse standing in water. Their front left hoof is angled outward a bit just like human feet would be, it looks like. And it 100% explains all of the movement issues. Issues that are not issues if you imagine it being a human just horsing around.
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Comment on When victimhood takes a bad-faith turn. Wronged explores how the practice of claiming harm has become the rhetorical province of the powerful. in ~life
DrEvergreen LinkThe opressor claiming they were the victim of provocation and that they are the victim of their own behaviours is a very, very old trope. I would go as far as saying it is one of the basic human...The opressor claiming they were the victim of provocation and that they are the victim of their own behaviours is a very, very old trope.
I would go as far as saying it is one of the basic human behaviours. We always judge ourselves by our intentions (and how we want to be, regardless of how we actually are), and judge others by impact.
That's not to say there aren't people that are fully able to admit fault etc but the aggressor claiming they are the victim is hardly a new concept. Not even in literature.
The people such writings will reach are often the people that are already in a position to live life in a way that doesn't promote self-victimisation to begin with.
I am overly pessimistic about the impact of such work, but not blind to the fact that it does work. Just maybe not to the extent some people hope.
The only reason I reuse old cartridges was that I had bottled ink, and no converter. And then I've just kept doing it that way. No good reason to if you have converterts!