DrStone's recent activity
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Comment on Digg has shutdown (again) in ~tech
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Comment on Britain's Parliament boots its last hereditary Lords after 700 years in ~society
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Comment on NYT Quiz: Who’s a better writer: AI or humans? in ~tech
DrStone Link ParentDon't even get started me on the mountain of absolute garbage one needs to sift through to find something worth reading when it comes to books for children. I'm fortunate enough to have a friend...Don't even get started me on the mountain of absolute garbage one needs to sift through to find something worth reading when it comes to books for children. I'm fortunate enough to have a friend who is a book enthusiast/collector who happens to have a kid around the age of mine; he enjoys the hunt, all of our kids enjoy the spoils.
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Comment on The average US college student is illiterate in ~life
DrStone Link ParentBeyond the phone, I've noticed a troubling increase in the need for multi-stimulation. Scrolling phones while watching a show or movie, watching a stream while playing a game, that sort of thing....Beyond the phone, I've noticed a troubling increase in the need for multi-stimulation. Scrolling phones while watching a show or movie, watching a stream while playing a game, that sort of thing. I've seen people struggle to focus on just one thing, even if it's something they truly enjoy. There was a funny web clicker/idle game a little while ago that satirized by having the goal to be maximizing the stimulation you're getting by amassing layered sounds, windowed video streams, animated desktop widgets, playing music tracks, and such (I think it was posted here, though I can't recall the name).
I've fortunately haven't had much of an issue with this when there's a clear activity, but I've been thinking about how to handle the "grey area" time like riding a bus, waiting in a queue, or walking somewhere. Sure, there's not much else to do, but there's usually plenty of "mundane" things that can be interesting to observe and think about if given full attention. I've been trying to be "in the moment" more in those situations. It's still a struggle, but it's already paid off with things like noticing new (to me) shops while riding the bus
When you're stuck and there's really nothing worth your attention, like sitting on the toilet, sure, whip that phone out without an ounce of regret while you do your business.
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Comment on The US Pentagon says it’s ‘lethalitymaxxing’. Why has ‘incel’ slang crossed into the mainstream? in ~society
DrStone Link ParentIn games like D&D, you play a character with different stats/traits, like Strength and Constitution, that impact your options and abilities. Strength might increase your damage when using a sword,...In games like D&D, you play a character with different stats/traits, like Strength and Constitution, that impact your options and abilities. Strength might increase your damage when using a sword, while Constitution determines how much health and endurance you have. At the start you're given some quantity of points to allocate into each of these stats, and receive more upon leveling up. People often allocate points in a semi-balanced way while still favoring the stats that most benefit their play style. Min-Maxing (one x) is the strategy of, essentially, dumping all points into the most beneficial stat or two to maximize their impact, accepting the consequences of the rest being at a minimum. You could end up with a character that deals extremely high damage, but will die if they get hit a single time, for example. Or a character who can pass every strength obstacle with ease, but is dumb as a brick.
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Comment on What would you do with a video game style inventory? in ~talk
DrStone LinkIs there any kind of inventory management capability, like browsing, searching, and sorting? If we need to rely on memory or other external tracking of the contents, I'd want to be a lot more...Is there any kind of inventory management capability, like browsing, searching, and sorting? If we need to rely on memory or other external tracking of the contents, I'd want to be a lot more careful and deliberate with what gets stored to avoid forgetting and losing things forever.
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Comment on Leaked email suggests Ring plans to expand ‘search party’ surveillance beyond dogs in ~tech
DrStone Link ParentThere are wireless doorbells, and ones with multiple chime receivers, so you could place them more strategically. I have a single-reciever wireless doorbell for my home so I could place the chime...There are wireless doorbells, and ones with multiple chime receivers, so you could place them more strategically. I have a single-reciever wireless doorbell for my home so I could place the chime in a more central location that could reach every room with roughly equal volume. It's nothing smart, network enabled, or anything like that; just a dumb wireless bell. The receiver is even small enough that I've lowered the volume and carried it with me to avoid disturbing my kids' naps when they were infants. Only downside is replacing batteries; mine is cheap and doesn't have a low-battery indicator, so either I regularly test or wait for someone to tell me the bell didn't work.
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Comment on Need a replacement for my old macbook pro, should I just get another one? in ~comp
DrStone Link ParentYou can click “Bookmark” under the topic text and the post will get saved to your Tildes bookmarks. Works for individual comments too.You can click “Bookmark” under the topic text and the post will get saved to your Tildes bookmarks. Works for individual comments too.
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Comment on What are your food aversions? in ~food
DrStone Link ParentAdult-onset food allergies are tragic. I developed a couple seemingly unrelated ones in my 20s, all of which were foods I previously looked forward to. Thankfully no throat swelling, but itchy...Adult-onset food allergies are tragic. I developed a couple seemingly unrelated ones in my 20s, all of which were foods I previously looked forward to. Thankfully no throat swelling, but itchy tongue immediately and severe chest cramps within a minute that will last for 1 to several hours.. It's been a pain as some are have gained popularity as ingredients, but often aren't immediately visible (if at all), and are uncommon enough allergens that they never get called out. At least it's not as bad as my friend - an ethnically Chinese person who's absolute favorite food was scallops - developing a shellfish allergy as an adult.
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Comment on Need a replacement for my old macbook pro, should I just get another one? in ~comp
DrStone Link ParentI looked into this a bit more, and it seems the $30 difference (framed as a carrier discount) depends on both the model and the carrier, at least when buying it without financing. The 17 Pro, 17...I looked into this a bit more, and it seems the $30 difference (framed as a carrier discount) depends on both the model and the carrier, at least when buying it without financing.
The 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, Air, and 16e have no discount for any carriers.
The 17 has a $30 discount for all carriers.
The 16 and 16 Plus have a $30 discount for carriers except AT&T -
Comment on Need a replacement for my old macbook pro, should I just get another one? in ~comp
DrStone Link ParentIt should just be a matter of taking the sim card out of your old phone and popping it into the new one, just like you might do while traveling abroad and using a local sim. It shouldn't involve...It should just be a matter of taking the sim card out of your old phone and popping it into the new one, just like you might do while traveling abroad and using a local sim. It shouldn't involve any calls to your carrier.
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Comment on Need a replacement for my old macbook pro, should I just get another one? in ~comp
DrStone Link ParentI would still buy it direct from Apple to skip the carrier lock-in period at the very least, even if you don't have plans right now to switch.I would still buy it direct from Apple to skip the carrier lock-in period at the very least, even if you don't have plans right now to switch.
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Comment on Need a replacement for my old macbook pro, should I just get another one? in ~comp
DrStone Link ParentWhy do you need to buy the iPhone through your carrier? Unless something has changed since I last upgraded years ago, buying direct from Apple was better in every way; unlocked phone from the...Why do you need to buy the iPhone through your carrier? Unless something has changed since I last upgraded years ago, buying direct from Apple was better in every way; unlocked phone from the start, lower total cost compared to the carrier cost spread out over monthly bill add-ons, apple trade-in program if you want to offset the cost of more frequent upgrades.
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Comment on One Piece | Season 2 official trailer in ~tv
DrStone Link ParentWatch enough anime and multi-year season gaps for shows will become your new, frustrating expectation.Watch enough anime and multi-year season gaps for shows will become your new, frustrating expectation.
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Comment on What are your food aversions? in ~food
DrStone Link ParentIdeally, after oiling so it has something to stick to. Without oil… tough call; dry going in, mostly dry coming out. Maybe when you do the mid-way toss would be best since it should be a bit moist...Ideally, after oiling so it has something to stick to. Without oil… tough call; dry going in, mostly dry coming out. Maybe when you do the mid-way toss would be best since it should be a bit moist on the surface at that point.
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Comment on What are your food aversions? in ~food
DrStone Link ParentAir fryer is how I usually prepare mine because of how dead simple it is. I'll halve them, quarter if they're large. Tossing with a tiny bit of oil helps, but it works dry like you're planning...Air fryer is how I usually prepare mine because of how dead simple it is. I'll halve them, quarter if they're large. Tossing with a tiny bit of oil helps, but it works dry like you're planning too. Without a preheat, it's usually 15-20min at the highest temp on mine. They can stack up a bit, so half way through I give things a shake for more even cooking.
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Comment on The hidden cost of AI art: Brandon Sanderson's keynote in ~tech
DrStone Link ParentA big part of the lack of pull is just the explosion of choice in what's available and the methods of consumption leading to fragmentation and rapid churn. When all you've got are a dozen radio...A big part of the lack of pull is just the explosion of choice in what's available and the methods of consumption leading to fragmentation and rapid churn. When all you've got are a dozen radio stations, the local record store and dive bar, and MTV for listening and discovery of mostly local (country + global sensations), the widely shared experience leads to a popular song exploding in the public. Now practically everyone can instantly broadcast to the entire world in one way or another, and everyone else can consume exactly the niche sounds they want when and how they want to from these global broadcasts, it's harder for any individual band to generate that sound-of-a-generation impact. If a band does manage to pull it off, there's so much else that it's a huge fight to stay relevant before the next fad. The sounds that are still considered timeless and widely loved are mostly stuck in the set from the Before Times. Same thing is happening with television with all of the streaming platforms, on-demand binge watching, and global content deals.
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Comment on Hair loss open discussion in ~talk
DrStone Link ParentHair loss has a number of causes, so it’ll depend on what’s causing yours. Hereditary, age, menopause, stress, malnutrition, etc. Identifying the root cause for your situation is the first step,...Hair loss has a number of causes, so it’ll depend on what’s causing yours. Hereditary, age, menopause, stress, malnutrition, etc. Identifying the root cause for your situation is the first step, which likely involves a doctor if it’s not obvious.
I noticed increased shedding from chronic stress and very poor sleep when my kids were very young, which cleared up when everyone could finally sleep through the night on a regular basis.
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Comment on Most and least expensive US supermarkets in ~food
DrStone Link ParentMy family of four growing up - one that clipped coupons, shopped at multiple stores for the best deals per item, and diligently avoided food waste - made great use of Costco. Stocking up on...My family of four growing up - one that clipped coupons, shopped at multiple stores for the best deals per item, and diligently avoided food waste - made great use of Costco. Stocking up on pantry/shelf-stable, non-perishables, pre-frozen, and the many non-food items are the most obvious; those don't need to be "fresh" each week. Plenty of other perishables like meats freeze well, especially if you take them out of their original packaging, wrap in cling film, and pack in a freezer bag (we didn't have a vacuum sealer). Other perishables can be consumed if you plan your week's meals around them, or select only a few in a category each week (e.g. fruit this week is bananas and grapes, next week apples and strawberries, rather than a large variety in one week).
Not to mention the other well-priced services like optical and tires & auto.
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Comment on The downfall of OnePlus will be studied | The "enthusiast brand" arc in ~tech
DrStone Link ParentMy experience has been even better than yours. I'm in software development. My employer-issued laptop was a new 2011 Macbook Pro. It worked like a champ without issue for nearly a decade; I didn't...My experience has been even better than yours. I'm in software development. My employer-issued laptop was a new 2011 Macbook Pro. It worked like a champ without issue for nearly a decade; I didn't get (or need, really) a new machine until getting a new 2020 M1 Macbook Pro, nine years later. And that upgrade was more about using the department's allocated budget than anything wrong with the old machine. Another four years later and I have a 2024 M4 Macbook Pro now only because I switched employers and got issued a new machine.
My current personal laptop is a working 2013 Macbook Pro (thirteen years old). The screen coating on that one isn't great any more, the speakers gave out around year 11, and the battery capacity took a dive in recent years, but it still works for simple daily tasks and websurfing. I think I swapped the hard drive at some point, but was able to do it myself so it didn't cost much. Never paid for or wished I had AppleCare for a Macbook.
Yeah, I don't know what they were thinking. Launching community creation at the same time as opening up to a public beta with no restrictions on brand new accounts creating communities immediately. Plus the existing user base was barely able to keep the default communities looking active. It's not their first rodeo, so I don't know how they didn't see this coming.