EgoEimi's recent activity
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Comment on Communities, relationships, and navigating the enshittification of absolutely everything in ~talk
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Comment on Communities, relationships, and navigating the enshittification of absolutely everything in ~talk
EgoEimi LinkI actually love the modern Internet and think it's in the golden age. I've been a digital native since the 2000s, and I find there are infinitely more platforms, communities, and third places now...I actually love the modern Internet and think it's in the golden age. I've been a digital native since the 2000s, and I find there are infinitely more platforms, communities, and third places now than before. There are more options than ever. Software is better than ever too. There are tons of privacy-oriented options for literally everything. And everything comes in a dozen different design philosophies too.
I'm part of like... maybe 40~60 online communities, including this one? I get to connect with many irl and online friends and acquaintances across many hobbies and interests.
More people are online than ever, and I get to know the lives of every kind of person on earth.
There's more choice than ever, and you get to make your own experience.
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Comment on Liberals who were formerly far-left (communist, anarchist, etc.), what led to you coming to liberalism? in ~society
EgoEimi Link ParentI always argue that injustice — or rather, indifference to or absence of justice, ajustice — is the default state of life, of existence. From cellular organisms consuming and animals hunting each...There hasn’t been some past utopia we ruined.
I always argue that injustice — or rather, indifference to or absence of justice, ajustice — is the default state of life, of existence. From cellular organisms consuming and animals hunting each other to black holes consuming stars, existence is violence.
It is an accidental evolutionary history that our brains evolved to become sufficiently intelligent to build increasingly complex economic systems and societies. Those unequal societies supported an elite leisurely intellectual class to could ponder and eventually invent the concept of justice, individual liberty, and human rights. It's taken a long time for our biology to finally evolve to a point where we can even begin to free ourselves from that biology and transcend the existential mandate of violence.
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Comment on What science says we’ve been getting wrong about exercise in ~health
EgoEimi Link ParentI don't think the wellness industry is trying to keep people from realizing the secret. It's not even a secret. There's plenty of boring, practical wellness advice and products out there. It's...It turns out that that's the incredibly boring secret that the wellness industry spends hundreds of millions of dollars trying to keep you from realizing.
I don't think the wellness industry is trying to keep people from realizing the secret. It's not even a secret. There's plenty of boring, practical wellness advice and products out there.
It's like you said: people don't want boring solutions. They're eager to pay for a magic one, and there are many entrepreneurs willing to oblige.
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Comment on Liberals who were formerly far-left (communist, anarchist, etc.), what led to you coming to liberalism? in ~society
EgoEimi LinkI was a leftist when I was very young and under the impression that the world came to be through injustice and chaos and so needed to be reorganized more justly, but then as I read more I came to...I was a leftist when I was very young and under the impression that the world came to be through injustice and chaos and so needed to be reorganized more justly, but then as I read more I came to realize that the world is shaped by millions of mundane economic phenomena, which themselves spring from our fundamental and diverse psychologies (and pathologies) and the very nature of our existence and what we want out of it. So I've now come to the dead center.
I think liberalism fundamentally assumes infinite complexity that cannot be fully comprehended by a single observer (like a monarch or a central planner) and so, by enshrining market economics and individual property rights and autonomy, allows human systems to self-organize according to local information.
But then there is the matter of regional or global information that is needed for organization but which cannot be so readily ascertained or gathered organically, which then requires some sort of central coordination (like a central bank, regulatory agencies, etc.)
That's just a high level overview. I'm extremely skeptical of extremist, purist views. I've come to view the world as a series of interlocking problems that require the implementation of economic tools from across the ideological spectrum — all of which have trade-offs.
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Comment on We are witnessing the self-immolation of a superpower in ~society
EgoEimi Link ParentI think something that gets overlooked is how California wealth inequality is undergirded by inequality in human capital and productivity. The economy is structured around very high value-added...I think something that gets overlooked is how California wealth inequality is undergirded by inequality in human capital and productivity. The economy is structured around very high value-added industries, which rely on highly educated workers, and California attracts a good number of the planet's most exceptionally educated and productive people.
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Comment on We are witnessing the self-immolation of a superpower in ~society
EgoEimi (edited )Link ParentThe Tax Foundation did an excellent analysis breaking down the complexity and side effects of the proposed tax, and how assessment of wealth is not straightforward. The tl;dr: Assessing wealth is...- Exemplary
The Tax Foundation did an excellent analysis breaking down the complexity and side effects of the proposed tax, and how assessment of wealth is not straightforward.
The tl;dr: Assessing wealth is complicated. Billionaires' net worths are inflated because have non-tradable assets like voting shares. The proposed tax leaves open the possibility of the state taxing private assets as publicly tradable, which would make the wealth tax much, much bigger than 5%. It'd be irrational for many billionaires to not leave California.
Californians will think they defeated the billionaire class when really these billionaires are going to take their companies with them elsewhere, and California will be worse off economically for it. If I were so cynical I'd think it'd make a deviously good plot by a Machiavellian ultraconservative think tank to convince Californians to gleefully dismantle their own economic influence.
> Under the initiative, “For any interests that confer voting or other direct control rights, the percentage of the business entity owned by the taxpayer shall be presumed to be not less than the taxpayer’s percentage of the overall voting or other direct control rights.”[2] > > Founders often hold private Class B or other super-voting shares with transfer restrictions preventing them from being sold to the public, but which confer voting control over a publicly traded company. Together, for instance, Larry Page and Sergey Brin own about 11.3 percent of Alphabet (Google) but control 52.3 percent of voting rights. Similarly, Mark Zuckerberg owns about 13.6 percent of Meta but has 61.0 percent voting control.[3] > > It is possible that the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB), charged with administering the new tax, would determine that these shares are publicly tradable because they have an ascertainable value and can be converted into tradeable Class A shares under a dual-class structure. In that case, they would be taxed by their market value.It's complicated. People see 5% and they think it's small, but the tl;dr is that voting shares cause billionaires' net worth to be significantly inflated, and so taxing that inflated net worth is actually onerous. Plus, it makes California a drastically less attractive tax environment.
People think, "we're not going to miss the billionaires." But when the billionaires move, so too will the center of gravity for their companies. Then in 5–10 years, the headquarters will be changed to Austin or Miami. And then 10–20 years, the ecosystem of talent will start shifting over. And everyone knows that California isn't the most business-friendly: it has succeeded in spite of its environment because it lucked out on network effects for tech, biotech, and film and entertainment.
We can see a parallel in LA where the film industry has been struggling. The number of film productions has been dropping by 10–20% YOY, and unemployment in the entertainment sector has been rising. This is due to rising labor costs (the IATSE and SAG union strikes increased the cost of hiring in LA), in combination to other places offering cheaper labor costs and more generous film tax credits. So now, places like New Jersey, Georgia, Toronto, and Vancouver are merging as new film production hubs.
I realize I'm pulling the topic away from the US and toward California. But I see in California the same psychological process: people are experiencing a world that's changing and becoming more competitive, but in search of boogeymen they are leaping for short-term solutions that cause lasting damage to the foundations of their prosperity.
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Comment on We are witnessing the self-immolation of a superpower in ~society
EgoEimi Link ParentI dispute the notion that all the returns are concentrating in the few and none are going to normal people. Everyday Californians are incredibly wealthy: the median Californian has a net worth of...I dispute the notion that all the returns are concentrating in the few and none are going to normal people. Everyday Californians are incredibly wealthy: the median Californian has a net worth of $288k. For comparison, the median American has a net worth of $109k. The median European? A paltry $28k.
There are high housing costs and high living costs, which are driven by high housing costs driving high labor costs, but that is largely a policy issue that Californians inflicted upon themselves through Prop 13 and zoning, which respectively hinder development of high-value urban land and has severely restricted the housing supply from keeping up with the state's expanding and increasingly affluent population.
Besides, California's 200 billionaires only own 7% of the state's wealth. There's a notion/vibe that the billionaires own nearly everything, but that's not true.
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Comment on We are witnessing the self-immolation of a superpower in ~society
EgoEimi LinkThe prosperity of the US is indeed built on boring foundations: market liberalism, a safe and friendly business environment, advanced technology, sound monetary policy, rule of law, military...The prosperity of the US is indeed built on boring foundations: market liberalism, a safe and friendly business environment, advanced technology, sound monetary policy, rule of law, military supremacy, US-centric globalism, etc.
But in our recently digital democracy, people have been riled up to look for easy boogeymen and have forgotten the hard, boring foundations of our prosperity. This happens across the political spectrum, both right and left. Most people I talk to in real life—both liberal and conservative—actually don't know how/why the US is prosperous: they just retreat to the same tired tropes.
An aside, I heard that in California voters are contemplating a tax on unrealized capital gains, and it's a close tie so far. Californians think that they're going to wrest what's theirs back from the evil billionaires, but they don't realize they're actually drawing their knife to their golden goose's neck.
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Comment on Why America needs fewer bus stops in ~transport
EgoEimi Link ParentBut public transit in America is designed for poor people. At a policy level, it's treated as a public good/service to be municipally subsidized for the good of a city's working class — but...But public transit in America is designed for poor people. At a policy level, it's treated as a public good/service to be municipally subsidized for the good of a city's working class — but fundamentally it is not seen as a product to be marketed and sold.
At best, it's a utilitarian experience. At worst, you're dealing with delays, bumpy jerky rides, litter, people blasting music, crowds, some suspicious dark brown stain on your bus' fabric seat that hasn't been cleaned in years, and/or some homeless guy sitting next to you with soiled pants.
In many US cities, public transit is a less comfortable and pleasant experience than private transportation. If you make $70k, then you're probably spending ~$10.5k/year on transportation. You could get yourself a nice used Lexus with comfy seats, a smooth suspension, AC, seat warmers, surround sound system, cup holders, the works.
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Comment on Why America needs fewer bus stops in ~transport
EgoEimi Link ParentThe author wrote: I've observed the same in major European cities. US bus routes have many stops that are only a small sign, whereas European bus routes have fewer stops, but those stops tend to...The author wrote:
By contrast, a bus stop in a French city like Marseille will have shelters and seating by default. Higher quality stops in the city also include real time arrival information, better lighting for safety, level boarding platforms, curb extensions that prevent illegal parking at bus stops, and improved pedestrian infrastructure leading to the stops. Marseille is not a particularly wealthy French city, but because it has wider stop spacing and fewer stops, it can invest more money into each one.
I've observed the same in major European cities. US bus routes have many stops that are only a small sign, whereas European bus routes have fewer stops, but those stops tend to have shelters, digital signage, and the works.
The bigger hurdle in America is getting people to even consider taking the bus.
I think the bus experience in America is just unpleasant. Frequent and aggressive start/stops (as drivers try to keep to schedule) makes for a very choppy ride experience. There are frequent delays, and the bus speed is still overall slow: I've sometimes given up waiting at a bus stop and simply outwalked the bus.
Plus, America has uniquely... interestingly ratchet characters that I have not encountered in such frequency in other wealthy and poor countries alike.
At the same time, Americans are wealthy and most Americans can afford private vehicles, so many prefer to not deal with the public transit experience.
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Comment on Why we are excited about confessions in ~tech
EgoEimi Link ParentThe jury's still out on this one. Some cognitive scientists suspect that consciousness emerges from recursiveness, that is a system thinking about and narrating itself. Consciousness and...The jury's still out on this one.
Some cognitive scientists suspect that consciousness emerges from recursiveness, that is a system thinking about and narrating itself.
Consciousness and intelligence aren't necessarily coupled. For example, people can walk and accomplish complex tasks (like washing dishes) while asleep.
But for sure, there's nothing metaphysically or divinely special about humans, and it's inevitable that we build an intelligence that rivals or surpasses our own.
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Comment on Why the renovation of US Federal Reserve headquarters costs $2.5 billion in ~finance
EgoEimi Link ParentFor $2.5bn you can get a new office building every year for 25 years. From an architectural standpoint, the Federal Reserve Building isn't even remarkable.For $2.5bn you can get a new office building every year for 25 years. From an architectural standpoint, the Federal Reserve Building isn't even remarkable.
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Comment on Why the renovation of US Federal Reserve headquarters costs $2.5 billion in ~finance
EgoEimi Link ParentThat is true. I just feel/think that $2.5bn is mind bogglingly obscene for two mere buildings, and I hope that whatever systems led to this get changed. For comparison, the reconstruction of Notre...That is true. I just feel/think that $2.5bn is mind bogglingly obscene for two mere buildings, and I hope that whatever systems led to this get changed.
For comparison, the reconstruction of Notre Dame—also a large but far more delicate historic preservation project—cost $900m.
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Comment on Iran’s supreme leader signals harsher crackdown as protest movement swells in ~society
EgoEimi LinkAs much as I despise Trump, I find his (well, most likely Marco Rubio's) approach to regime change in Venezuela interesting because: It was relatively bloodless and had almost no civilian...As much as I despise Trump, I find his (well, most likely Marco Rubio's) approach to regime change in Venezuela interesting because:
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It was relatively bloodless and had almost no civilian casualties.
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They did not invade or dismantle the government. Instead they kept existing institutions intact, preventing destabilization of the country. Interestingly, they disempowered an incompetent leader and empowered someone competent: Delcy Rodriguez. This is a radically different, realist approach from past US approaches that'd try to replace a government outright.
Rodriguez is a socialist minister who has been implementing limited market reforms that have helped to somewhat stabilize Venezuela in recent years. Now that she's empowered, she might have a freer hand at implementing market reforms and stabilizing the country further, alleviating the refugee crisis.
Now with Iran, the IRGC is bloodily trying to put down protests. Without assistance, anti-government forces face a very bloody path to overthrowing the government. At this point, regime change seems inevitable: the government has lost the most crucial pillar of legitimacy: the economic pillar, in addition to the social pillar. Now the question is: how many Iranian lives will be expended to achieve regime change?
Limited military intervention—strikes on IRGC and state security sites—by the US and its allies could accelerate the process and reduce the government's ability to violently suppress protesters, thereby saving tens of thousands of lives.
It is easy for us to say, "well, the Iranian people must decide for themselves, we cannot intervene!" The process of "deciding for themselves" is messy and never purely organic. We must remember that the American Revolution would have been impossible if not for the financial and material assistance of France, Spain, and the Netherlands.
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Comment on Why the renovation of US Federal Reserve headquarters costs $2.5 billion in ~finance
EgoEimi LinkApple's spaceship HQ is much larger, has extensive underground infrastructure, uses ultra-high-end materials, and was built in an ultra HCOL with very high construction costs, and it cost just...Apple's spaceship HQ is much larger, has extensive underground infrastructure, uses ultra-high-end materials, and was built in an ultra HCOL with very high construction costs, and it cost just $5bn.
I think sometimes it's just more efficient to tear a building down and build something new.
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Comment on Amazon Pharmacy starts offering Novo Nordisk's Wegovy weight-loss pill in ~health
EgoEimi Link Parent$150 breaks down to a (coffee shop) coffee a day, which is pretty good for a drug that can improve quality of life and life expectancy to a life-altering degree.$150 breaks down to a (coffee shop) coffee a day, which is pretty good for a drug that can improve quality of life and life expectancy to a life-altering degree.
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Comment on US households using Ozempic spend less on groceries in ~health
EgoEimi Link ParentInitially when it was released there was a huge shortage (due to overwhelming demand), but now competitors have emerged and production capacity has exploded, so prices have been cratering.Initially when it was released there was a huge shortage (due to overwhelming demand), but now competitors have emerged and production capacity has exploded, so prices have been cratering.
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Comment on What are some stories of progressivism gone wrong in implementation? in ~society
EgoEimi Link ParentI think anyone who spends enough time in progressive spaces knows that those spaces, like any other space, can have their own share of bullies, sociopaths, and narcissists. And people in...As an extreme example, I'd prefer a kind grandma that uses (what I'd consider) slurs over a cruel bully that speaks politely.
I think anyone who spends enough time in progressive spaces knows that those spaces, like any other space, can have their own share of bullies, sociopaths, and narcissists.
And people in progressive spaces aren't immune to groupthink and misinformation. People across the spectrum fall into the trap of thinking that if they're on the right side then they're thinking the right thoughts.
It's necessary and healthy for a democratic society and its various sub-societies and factions to self-critique.
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Comment on What private companies are you happy doing business with? in ~talk
EgoEimi (edited )Link ParentFrom inside sources, I heard that they worked extremely hard to make AirPods repairable and recyclable. Like, they spent years and burnt out many TPMs before throwing in the towel. I also disagree...The only product in Apple’s lineup that I think planned obsolescence is a problem is their AirPods, which lies entirely in their non-replaceable micro-batteries.
From inside sources, I heard that they worked extremely hard to make AirPods repairable and recyclable. Like, they spent years and burnt out many TPMs before throwing in the towel.
I also disagree with @OBLIVIATOR's assertion that Apple is some e-waste villain. I know through friends that Apple takes recycling extremely seriously and throws real corporate weight into it. It's not just marketing. They have whole teams dedicated to building full recycling supply chains and entire new technologies and equipment to recycle their products. They throw huge corporate resources behind their sustainability efforts, and the executive leadership cares and checks in and holds the teams accountable — so it's not some forgotten department relegated to a back room. It's actually central.
They really do lead the industry in sustainability.
I use a blend of corporate, indie, and free software.
I'm connected to several communities on Heylo, but I found those communities irl and then they brought me onto those platforms. I use Instagram, Discord, iMessage, WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram for community group chat-forums. And I'm on Tildes, Hacker News, and a few small forums that might make it too easy for me to track me down. ;P
I use Are.na, Kinopio, and SOOT.world for vision boarding and collecting and laying out ideas. Each has its own creative community. Instagram and especially Threads are excellent for following and discovering new artists and creatives.
I use Excallidraw for diagrams. I use the Excallidraw plugin too inside Obsidian, which a proprietary but extensible and local-first note taking app with a big ecosystem of open-source plugins. I run scripts against my notes for task tracking, self-reflection, etc. There's Penpot, an open-source alternative to Figma.
AI-wise, I use ChatGPT and Codex, but I also use Ollama to run models, including heretic ones, locally for stuff I don't want out there. I like Perplexity for asking about current events. I occasionally use ChatGPT Atlas when I need something from a website but I'm feeling ugh and not wanting to touch it, so I let ChatGPT do it for me. (Like scraping data or whatever.)
I used to use Meetup but not anymore because it's been enshittified by Bending Spoons — but hey, it's a free market, and people have gone out and built many other new platforms. I use Partiful for social event management: both organizing my own hangouts and making myself available to be invited to things. Luma is good for professional events.
I like Strava and Apple Fitness' sharing feature as platforms for connecting with friends over sports and fitness. It's nice to give shoutouts for good workouts, and it often leads to going on runs or bike rides or doing sports games together.
I use Apple Find My and Instagram's friend map to see who's around. Sometimes it leads to my friends and I swinging by each other to say hi. It's nice.
This isn't me, but one of my friends is disabled and he's part of a disabled community that uses VR to explore virtual worlds, because they're leveling spaces where they can be just as able as able-bodied users.
idk, I think people can be too pessimistic. The modern internet is very much 'pick your own adventure'. If you don't like one of the big bois then there are plenty of medium and small bois to pick from. And none of them suit you, then there are probably other people just like you so go build your own. (I'm doing that actually for one of these categories.)
I'm having a great time on the modern internet, and I feel it helps me live a diverse, vibrant, and connected life.