DynamoSunshirt's recent activity
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Comment on US to require automatic emergency braking on new vehicles in five years in ~transport
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Comment on US to require automatic emergency braking on new vehicles in five years in ~transport
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentI don't think painted road diets are enough. Even in a city on a 25mph speed limit road, I don't like sharing space with cars. Drivers are frequently distracted, exceed the speed limit, and a...I don't think painted road diets are enough.
Even in a city on a 25mph speed limit road, I don't like sharing space with cars. Drivers are frequently distracted, exceed the speed limit, and a small mistake can easily kill one (or more) bicycists due to the size and design of modern vehicles. Where I previously lived (before I got fed up with trying to bike around a US city and moved away), cars frequently ignored painted bike lanes, parked in them to create dangerous situations, and failed to yield to bikes when applicable at intersections. And that's not even bringing up the situations where drivers scream, yell, throw objects, rev their engines, roll coal, or otherwise menace pedestrians and bicycle riders just because they're angry.
We desperately need to remove giant trucks and SUVs from cities entirely (seriously, these things don't fit in street parking or city parking spaces any more, and the simple act of existing blocks visibility enough to endanger anyone nearby). We need automated ticketing systems to enforce speed limits. We need the police to strictly enforce license plate and unpaid ticket rules so people take the automated systems seriously. We need to punish road rage with an iron first. Only then will I trust paint to keep me safe from the small but significant number of psycopathic homicidal maniacs who truly, honestly believe that another human being's life and dignity are optional.
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Comment on AI, automation, and inequality — how do we reach utopia? in ~talk
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentVery interesting point. I grew up pretty poor, and when I graduated college and started my first tech job, it took me at least a year to adjust to this. I moved to NYC and rent was easily 90% of...I also suspect that people have gotten out of the habit of living frugality. Why bother when so many of your costs seem to be out of your control?
Very interesting point. I grew up pretty poor, and when I graduated college and started my first tech job, it took me at least a year to adjust to this. I moved to NYC and rent was easily 90% of my costs because I ate free food from work whenever possible, never went out, limited myself to free activities on weekends like exploring the city on foot, and batch cooked cheap rice and beans for meals. I had months where I spent less than $100, yet my rent was almost $2000 (admittedly, I could have had more roommates or lived further out of the city and cut this in half, but then I couldn't have walked to work). I slowly gave up on trying to save because it was very socially limiting but only saved me a fraction of rent costs.
Flash forward a few years, and I moved in with a girlfriend. Suddenly rent costs were less than $1000/mo. So I could go out for lunch and dinner and drinks multiple times a week and still live cheaper than when I paid for my own bedroom.
I think this experience has really shaped my worldview and informed my belief that housing and transportation costs have ballooned wildly out of control in the USA (and the UK -- my experience elsewhere is limited). The homelessness crisis has only reinforced this belief. If we can reduce those costs for most people (which shouldn't be that hard, since housing and transportation are wildly inefficient), we could uplift a huge number of people from poverty into the middle class.
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Comment on What email client do you use? in ~tech
DynamoSunshirt LinkApple Mail works great on my laptops, both work and personal. Fast search, solid native interface, easy on battery, dark mode works well. Recently switched over to Android, and I've been liking...Apple Mail works great on my laptops, both work and personal. Fast search, solid native interface, easy on battery, dark mode works well.
Recently switched over to Android, and I've been liking FairEmail over the last few months. It's on F-Droid, supports damn near every option I could want, and looks pretty darn good after a bit of customisation.
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Comment on Reddit pops as much as 70% in NYSE debut after selling shares at top of range in ~tech
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentNote: $200 richer after capital gains tax.Note: $200 richer after capital gains tax.
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Comment on TV Tuesdays Free Talk in ~tv
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentI just started my first rewatch in ages last week! You're in for a treat. I'm astonished by just how much better this show is than I remembered; I loved it back when I was younger, but especially...I just started my first rewatch in ages last week! You're in for a treat. I'm astonished by just how much better this show is than I remembered; I loved it back when I was younger, but especially compared to a lot of modern shows I think it holds up really well.
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Comment on Book recommendations, specifically in ~books
DynamoSunshirt LinkI recently read The Malazan Book of the Fallen and I was absolutely blown away at the characters, dialogue, worldbuilding, and the overall satisfaction of the 10-book-long story arc. This is the...I recently read The Malazan Book of the Fallen and I was absolutely blown away at the characters, dialogue, worldbuilding, and the overall satisfaction of the 10-book-long story arc. This is the first fantasy series that feels closer to literature than just "fantasy". Has anyone experienced something similar in the sci-fi or fantasy space? Or even just read any book series at all with a sprawling, deeply human cast and coherent, satisfying plot?
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Comment on Book recommendations, specifically in ~books
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentSlightly off-topic, but I read the first book and didn't continue because the series dragged a little for me. Would you recommend picking the series back up, or does it basically continue in the...Slightly off-topic, but I read the first book and didn't continue because the series dragged a little for me. Would you recommend picking the series back up, or does it basically continue in the same vein?
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Comment on Book recommendations, specifically in ~books
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentMinor spoiler: The first three books have a decent amount in this same vein. It's pretty pulpy and the dialogue is... imperfect (shrugs, raises eyebrows), but it's a quick, fun sci-fi romp....Minor spoiler: The first three books have a decent amount in this same vein. It's pretty pulpy and the dialogue is... imperfect (shrugs, raises eyebrows), but it's a quick, fun sci-fi romp. Recommended.
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Comment on Tell US Congress: Stop the TikTok ban in ~tech
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentI understand that, to those of us who pay attention to politics and try to think critically about how government can do the right thing, it's obvious that Trump is a brain-rotted fascist with...I understand that, to those of us who pay attention to politics and try to think critically about how government can do the right thing, it's obvious that Trump is a brain-rotted fascist with xenophobic tendencies and a chronic lack of guilt.
But let's not pretend that everyone feels this way about him, either because they don't pay as much attention or because they subscribe to his cult of personality.
You're making the same mistake the DNC made in 2016 right now. It's entirely possible that Trump has enough supporters out there to legitimately win this November. Why?
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price inflation of food, housing, and other essentials has been significant since 2020. Trump has successfully convinced a large faction that this is Biden's fault... and many who don't pay attention to Trump simply assume it is Biden's fault because they don't dedicate much thought to the subject.
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like it or not, the migrant crisis is worsening, many American cities are struggling with the influx of refugees, and the federal government has not done enough to help with this (of course, they've been hamstrung by Republicans, but for those who don't pay attention or who listen seriously to Trump, that's inconsequential)
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the state of many American cities has gone downhill enough, in terms of things to do, cleanliness, visible homelessness, and more, since 2020 that many Americans vaguely blame Biden
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Biden has done a good job with lots of subtle stuff -- I'm particularly happy with his track record with anti-trust -- but for the Average American driving around in their Average F150 living in an Average Doublewide working at an Average Factoryish Employer it's hard to associate Biden with any recent positive developments
I'm very concerned that the DNC's ground game is going to wind up failing just like in 2016 because the political establishment is fundamentally out of touch with anyone who doesn't make six figures and live in a rich suburb of a thriving American city (or have parents who live this way). Rust belt cities? The South? Hell, even rural New England, a pretty progressive place by rural standards, has an awful lot of Trump signs up. They've only multiplied since 2020.
I do not want Trump to win. But he absolutely could., make no mistake.
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Comment on Sorry. Your car will never drive you around. in ~transport
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentIt's high time we recognized the downsides of car culture, especially the side effects when it comes to urban design, pedestrians, and bicycles. For those who think they're only a driver, and...It's high time we recognized the downsides of car culture, especially the side effects when it comes to urban design, pedestrians, and bicycles. For those who think they're only a driver, and never a pedestrian: we're also talking about your walk from your parking space to the store or restaurant. Whether you use walking to traverse miles of distance unassisted or park in a handicap spot 5 feet from a building entrance, we're all pedestrians sometimes.
Crazy to see people go further down the crappy urban design rabbit hole to try to force "self-driving cars" to work IRL. For the love of god, can we please just admit defeat and build some freaking trains? If we have to build special lanes for your self-driving cars, you know what you've designed? A personal train. With a huge computer in it, special expensive roads instead of rails, and a shitton of wasted space and energy. And you've made the world even harder for pedestrians to navigate, because now they have extra lanes to walk across. And now the poor people who can't afford a $100,000 self-driving car are stuck in megatraffic in the non self-driving lanes, and have to waste even more of their time in cars waiting for self-driving cars to cross at separate times.
Trains, bikes, and feet. At least for urban areas, it's all you need. Self-driving cars at best double down on an unsustainable, expensive, and dangerous lifestyle... at worst, they don't exist in reality so the crude self-driving fascimiles will extract a blood toll from the rest of us.
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Comment on Atlanta’s squatter problem is vexing Wall Street landlords in ~life
DynamoSunshirt LinkYou love to see it. Every nonlocal multi-property slumlord deserves this. And this shouldn't hurt attentive local landlords at all, especially those who cut prices to get a tenant instead of...You love to see it. Every nonlocal multi-property slumlord deserves this. And this shouldn't hurt attentive local landlords at all, especially those who cut prices to get a tenant instead of sitting for months at a ridiculous price.
As long as landlords are incentivised to maximise profit, instead of simply providing a fundamental human right with modest margins to compensate their time and repair costs, we need tools like this to fight back. Much like healthcare, electricity, running water, and food, a functional society should strive to provide housing to all, even if it's not generating the maximum profit. Consider it a sunk cost to subsidise poor paying jobs until we figure out UBI.
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Comment on Bobiverse book 5 (Not till we are lost) - coming Sept 5 2024 in ~books
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentThe original trilogy still feels complete to me, even after reading 4. A few thoughts (I read the whole series last week, so it's fresh): It is longer, easily 2-3x the length of the original...The original trilogy still feels complete to me, even after reading 4. A few thoughts (I read the whole series last week, so it's fresh):
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It is longer, easily 2-3x the length of the original trilogy books.
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The majority of the book takes place in a single setting. There's a lot less Cool Space Shit, much more civilization porn similar to the Deltan arc.
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It's a growing pains kind of book. Seems to me like the author didn't plan out anything past the original trilogy, but it's too successful to just abandon the series (especially to Audible, I think). So he's trying to build a new foundation for more ongoing books. It went OK.
if you liked the original 3, you'll enjoy most of book 4. If 5 turns out great, it'll be worth it.
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Comment on What makes you chew fire? in ~talk
DynamoSunshirt LinkThe Winds of Winter, the (supposedly forthcoming, supposedly penultimate) Song of Ice and Fire novel. Especially since GRRM is going to conventions, writing scripts and pilots for new HBO series,...-
The Winds of Winter, the (supposedly forthcoming, supposedly penultimate) Song of Ice and Fire novel. Especially since GRRM is going to conventions, writing scripts and pilots for new HBO series, ans constantly saying it'll be out in a couple of years.
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The fact that Microsoft bought Bethesda, and thus The Elder Scrolls series, and is making it Xbox exclusive. Though there are rumors swirling that they might reverse that decision since Gamepass has been eroding actual sales in the MS-verse.
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Comment on What makes you chew fire? in ~talk
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentWhen was the last time you revisited WMF? I loved NotW when I first read it but WMF got really bogged down in, uh... authorial wish-fulfilment porn? I guess I should consider myself lucky that it...When was the last time you revisited WMF? I loved NotW when I first read it but WMF got really bogged down in, uh... authorial wish-fulfilment porn? I guess I should consider myself lucky that it turned off my interest in the series before I got bogged down in a 13+ year wait!
Edit: D'oh, 5 years ago. My guess is you've outgrown it -- I recently had a similar experience trying to read Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn, which I found unbearably simplistic in every way. And I really liked the last 3 Wheel of Time books, which Sanderson also wrote.
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Comment on Restaurant advice Astoria, Queens, NYC in ~travel
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentMartha's is indeed an excellent spot. The same area also has a lot of great Greek food, both food truck and sitdown.Martha's is indeed an excellent spot. The same area also has a lot of great Greek food, both food truck and sitdown.
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Comment on Restaurant advice Astoria, Queens, NYC in ~travel
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentToo bad about Big Alice. The walk to Singlecut may be long, but remember that you can walk right by the Constanza's house...Too bad about Big Alice. The walk to Singlecut may be long, but remember that you can walk right by the Constanza's house (https://maps.roadtrippers.com/us/new-york-ny/points-of-interest/the-costanzas-house-seinfeld). I really love the row houses in that area.
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Comment on ‘Dune: Part Two’: How sci-fi space worm epic reared head to $81.5m opening after strike release delay in ~movies
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentDon't remind me! Even Returns ruined most of the movie with CGI. The OG is pretty solid except for a few CGI mummies towards the end, which stand out as a bit of a shame because the non-CGI...Don't remind me! Even Returns ruined most of the movie with CGI. The OG is pretty solid except for a few CGI mummies towards the end, which stand out as a bit of a shame because the non-CGI mummies at the end look great. And, well... they're mummies. All you have to do is wrap somebody in dirty rags! Stop complicating things with excessive CGI.
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Comment on Restaurant advice Astoria, Queens, NYC in ~travel
DynamoSunshirt Link ParentOne more: Adda Indian Canteen is an award-winning Indian place in Sunnyside, a pretty easy walk from LIC or Astoria or a short one-transfer subway ride (N/R to 7). I'm not the biggest fan, but if...One more: Adda Indian Canteen is an award-winning Indian place in Sunnyside, a pretty easy walk from LIC or Astoria or a short one-transfer subway ride (N/R to 7). I'm not the biggest fan, but if you love lots of spice, traditional biryani, and goat, it's well worth it. Reservation highly recommended, but it isn't particularly expensive.
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Comment on Restaurant advice Astoria, Queens, NYC in ~travel
DynamoSunshirt LinkUsed to live in Astoria pre-covid. IMO Retro has the best slice in the neighborhood, and they make a mean meatball sub. Salad is... pizza shop salad. It's cheap, it's authentic, the family that...Used to live in Astoria pre-covid.
IMO Retro has the best slice in the neighborhood, and they make a mean meatball sub. Salad is... pizza shop salad. It's cheap, it's authentic, the family that owns it is amazing. Bit of a hike from Ditmars but it's a nice walk and a great way to see the neighborhood. Milkflower is a great alternative if you want wood fired pizza with some more experimental toppings and a decent glass of wine.
Seva was my favorite Indian place in Astoria, my go-to delivery spot. It never disappointed, and I ate there once every two weeks at least.
Check out Diamond Dogs for a solid, not-too-pricy cocktail after your meal, get there before 8 for a good chance at snagging a coveted backyard spot. Il Bambino next door provides an excellent panini midnight snack.
Hit up Astoria Bier & Cheese (or their recently-divorced, but basically identical northern Astoria sibling) for the best selection of craft beer, craft cheese, and upscale sandwiches in the city. Or just walk on up to Singlecut for one of the original IPA-obsessed NYC craft breweries.
Slightly further afield in Long Island City you can find the excellent Dutch Kills cocktail bar (my favorite in the city) and a smattering of craft breweries like Fifth Hammer, whatever Iconyc is calling themselves these days, Rockaway brewing, and Big Alice. One of those might have moved recently, though.
Excellent point. I've grown deeply distrustful of legislation that imposes large costs across the board -- it would be interesting to find out who's happy with this regulation. Presumably auto companies want to raise prices to increase profits and juice numbers, and this gives them a scapegoat? Mechanics who can increase their own numbers as they maintain these systems?
What really grinds my gears is that there doesn't even seem to be an appetite for the things you mention in our political space. Every time I drive, the towering, hulking, blinding machines that dominate the roads today annoy me. Many friends share the same complaint. But if you try to tax large vehicles, a massive chunk of our country gets pissed that you're trying to "limit freedoms". If you try to remove shoddy vehicles from the road, the bleeding hearts complain that you're going to hurt the poor. If you suggest we enforce rules of the road, or phone use at the wheel, people complain that the cops can't be trusted.
Every year, the roads get more and more dangerous. And inatead of fixing things that can literally only be fixed by government regulation, we're... requiring flaky auto braking systems to introduce yet more complication in every vehicle.