EgoEimi's recent activity
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Comment on Law banning child sex offenders from homeschooling stalled after nine child sex offenders testify against it in ~society
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Comment on What common misunderstanding do you want to clear up? in ~talk
EgoEimi Link ParentThe "profits over people" reductionism frustrates me. I meet lots of leftists who think there is a Clear, Easy Economic Answer To Solve All Suffering but evil capitalists, economists, and...The "profits over people" reductionism frustrates me. I meet lots of leftists who think there is a Clear, Easy Economic Answer To Solve All Suffering but evil capitalists, economists, and politicians stand in the way.
I remember in the early 2000s there was a leftist position that globalization exploits the global poor and makes poor countries poorer while making rich countries richer. Fast forward 20-some years, the anti-globalization activists have been proven wrong: the global middle class numbers in the billions, extreme poverty is nearly eradicated, and the average non-westerner lives way, waaay longer and happier now. There have been costs, of course, namely environmental damage and the hollowing out of middle classes in developed countries (ironically). But overall — a net positive for humanity.
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Comment on What's a product or service that you use but don't want to pay for and why? in ~life
EgoEimi Link ParentPeople say Youtube enshittified, but I happily pay for it because I think it's only getting better and better. Youtube used to be full of crappy home videos. Now it's overflowing with great,...People say Youtube enshittified, but I happily pay for it because I think it's only getting better and better. Youtube used to be full of crappy home videos. Now it's overflowing with great, well-produced content.
And Youtube is well-liked by creators for giving a 50/50 revenue share. And Youtube helps creators get discovered, and the UX and performance are great. Videos start nearly instantly. Streaming is buttery smooth. There are no mid-stream errors forcing me to refresh the page, which is common with other services.
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Comment on Travel essentials: eight items to pack for your next trip – and what to leave at home in ~travel
EgoEimi Link ParentExcept deodorant when visiting East Asia (if you're non-Asian). Asians have less body odor due to genetics, so deodorant isn't a common product there. But they'll definitely be able to smell you,...Check-in sized toiletries. I think having carry-on sized toiletries is useful (<100mL), but once it needs a carry on, just buy it there.
Except deodorant when visiting East Asia (if you're non-Asian). Asians have less body odor due to genetics, so deodorant isn't a common product there. But they'll definitely be able to smell you, the foreigner.
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Comment on OpenAI’s H1 2025: $4.3b in income, $13.5b in loss in ~tech
EgoEimi Link ParentThere probably is little difference when it comes to easy tasks like asking how-to's for household tasks or repairs, analyzing popular novels, etc. The differences reveal themselves on hard use...There probably is little difference when it comes to easy tasks like asking how-to's for household tasks or repairs, analyzing popular novels, etc.
The differences reveal themselves on hard use cases, like math, engineering, and other abstract reasoning tasks.
Terrence Tao reported that he found ChatGPT to be a "significant time saver" in engaging it in an extended conversation to help him answer a MathOverflow question. Moreover, he reports he encountered no hallucinations — but he thinks that's because he had a good idea of what he wanted and was very specific and detailed in his prompting.
ChatGPT is a double-edged sword. In the hands of newbies, it's going to create slop. But it's a force multiplier for skilled operators who are already knowledgeable in their domains. Personally, it has at least 2x'd my productivity; I'm accomplishing more and better.
I highly doubt they're going to put in ads. It's more likely they're going to create knowledge-work-specialized professional models (SWE-specialized GPT, med-specialized GPT, finance-specialized GPT, etc.) with ironclad data privacy agreements to sell to companies at enterprise ($$$) rates for employee use.
Enterprise, not consumer, is always where the serious money is.
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Comment on We’re seniors. It’s not our responsibility to fix the housing supply. in ~society
EgoEimi Link ParentThat is not the issue. Real estate companies are like any other seller and must clear at market rates, which are determined by demand and supply, which is affected by numerous factors like zoning,...The issue we’re having is massive corps buying up all the housing to rent it out. Massive corps building apartment buildings for rental instead of condos for purchase.
That is not the issue. Real estate companies are like any other seller and must clear at market rates, which are determined by demand and supply, which is affected by numerous factors like zoning, permitting, construction labor supply, material costs (which depends on construction demand, tariffs, and other supply chain issues), and the general financial environment (like high interest rates increasing financing costs for developers).
We have an unhealthy housing environment where supply constraints causes prices to increase more quickly than inflation, causing real estate to offer a relatively high ROI and to become an attractive asset class. In markets for other goods, high prices are a signal for suppliers to increase supply, thus bringing prices down. But the housing market's supply mechanism is broken.
In parallel: AI is offering high ROIs as valuations skyrocket, so investors are pouring money in, and AI startups are springing up like clovers. Investment induces growth, when market mechanisms are healthy.
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Comment on We’re seniors. It’s not our responsibility to fix the housing supply. in ~society
EgoEimi Link ParentI find the blurbs to be incredibly don't-eat-avocado-toast-level out-of-touch and enraging, and they make me wish we could do what the ancient Inuit did and put these people on ice floes. They got...I find the blurbs to be incredibly don't-eat-avocado-toast-level out-of-touch and enraging, and they make me wish we could do what the ancient Inuit did and put these people on ice floes.
They got in early and now exhort us to save and just buy a small starter home. I'm well-educated and work a very good job and I can just barely afford a starter home on my own — and I'm not splurging on avocado toasts. How the hell are normal young people without elite educations or careers supposed to afford anything?
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Comment on We’re seniors. It’s not our responsibility to fix the housing supply. in ~society
EgoEimi LinkI have many thoughts on this but unfortunately am running out the door. Land is a zero-sum game: you can't make more of it. And land in valuable urban area is especially scarce. Young people don't...I have many thoughts on this but unfortunately am running out the door.
I am sorry that families are struggling to find homes, but this should not be seen as a zero-sum game. I shouldn’t have to give up my home for young families to find theirs.
Land is a zero-sum game: you can't make more of it. And land in valuable urban area is especially scarce. Young people don't want to perpetuate suburban/exurban sprawl and live in the middle of nowhere and endure hour-long commutes, and older voters are stingy and vote against public transit and gave us our current car-hell.
All those empty bedrooms could be housing someone. All those cutesy urban cottages they bought 20+ years ago could be multifamily buildings housing 10+ people instead of 1 or 2.
I am living alone in a house that is much too big for me, on a piece of land that’s also much too big for me. But my mortgage payment is lower than the rent for a one-bedroom apartment in my town. I desperately want to downsize, but I can’t afford to do so where I live.
This is pretty much the endgame of NIMBYism: the housing shortage has resulted in a lack of housing liquidity. Housing is basically a game of musical chairs, and we don't have enough spare chairs enough.
Older people don't get enough flak for being selfish and trapped in nostalgia.
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Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (October 2025) in ~health.mental
EgoEimi Link ParentI've long worried about the possibility of the capture of our democracy by the uneducated, uninformed, ignorant masses—the idiots—in this country. And it seems to have happened.I've long worried about the possibility of the capture of our democracy by the uneducated, uninformed, ignorant masses—the idiots—in this country. And it seems to have happened.
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Comment on Tiny co-living spaces are popping up across New York. Local communities see them as ‘harbingers of gentrification’. in ~life
EgoEimi Link ParentI'll twist a classic quote: The law, in its majestic equality, forbids that rich as well as the poor to sleep in anything less than a single family house.I'll twist a classic quote: The law, in its majestic equality, forbids that rich as well as the poor to sleep in anything less than a single family house.
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Comment on Tiny co-living spaces are popping up across New York. Local communities see them as ‘harbingers of gentrification’. in ~life
EgoEimi LinkPersonally in an era of atomization and alienation I think it's socially healthy for people to live in communal settings, where they must negotiate chores, boundaries, differences, desires. I...Personally in an era of atomization and alienation I think it's socially healthy for people to live in communal settings, where they must negotiate chores, boundaries, differences, desires.
I reckon that a contributor to our societal issues is how the structure of our economy and society make it so easier to be an individual and not have to meet and compromise with others.
Also, these co-living ventures are just a natural market response to the housing supply shortage. Cities make it difficult to build new housing structures cheaply and quickly, so for some entrepreneurs it is easier and simpler to subdivide existing stock. In a way, they're creating positive social impact by making hyper efficient use of limited space. What might have simply housed a household of 2 or 3 people could then house 4 or 5.
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Comment on California Governor Gavin Newsom praises Charlie Kirk’s outreach to young men, suggests Democrats do more of their own in ~society
EgoEimi Link ParentIs that a bad thing? Being cynical doesn't mean being unprincipled: sometimes you recognize that the ends justify the means. Sometimes you have to prioritize being effective over being right....Is that a bad thing? Being cynical doesn't mean being unprincipled: sometimes you recognize that the ends justify the means. Sometimes you have to prioritize being effective over being right. Maybe Newsom has higher principles; maybe he's useful as someone who's able to harness power.
Times and politics have changed — a lot. The old strategy isn't working anymore. Democrats must evolve and win the hearts and minds of alienated demographics. Democrats need to learn how to cultivate and wield real power. If we don't and stick to our milquetoast Karen-from-HR, don't-offend-anyone ways, we risk losing the country.
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Comment on Is America ready for Japanese-style 7-Elevens? in ~finance
EgoEimi Link ParentIt's a real 50-50 toss up. On one hand, in many ways, America is completely different: it's much more racially diverse, and the cuisines that minorities have imported to the country have...But even if they do bring over their Japanese stuff, will it have the staying power, as @blivet mentions when Family Mart tried 20yrs ago, and more importantly will they maintain the necessary quality? Or will their potential Japanese offerings suffer the same fate as their American offerings?
It's a real 50-50 toss up.
On one hand, in many ways, America is completely different: it's much more racially diverse, and the cuisines that minorities have imported to the country have thoroughly infused its cuisine. You can find mochi ice cream in most urban grocery stores. 20 years ago, matcha was a niche thing you could find only in Japanese ethnic stores and hippy food co-ops: now it's everywhere, from every grocery store to every Starbucks offering matcha lattes. Dutch Bros Coffee has incorporated popping boba as a drink ingredient.
On the other hand, there is inertia in some fundamental eating habits. Americans tend to like big meals and don't really lightly snack throughout the day like the Japanese do. And 7-11's and mini eateries are all within a few minutes walking distance for many Japanese urbanites, who are used to walking a few doors down to grab a snack. But Americans are 5–15 minutes driving, so Americans are less inclined to just hop over to a convenience store for a snack. Maybe 7-11 will need a drive through concept.
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Comment on Sweden's employment agency has been tracking the online locations of thousands of citizens claiming unemployment benefits in an effort to crack down on welfare fraud in ~tech
EgoEimi Link ParentI think that even if the gross amount of fraud may be small, it produces bad optics and erodes public trust in The System. There's a special kind of indignity in paying some of the highest taxes...I think that even if the gross amount of fraud may be small, it produces bad optics and erodes public trust in The System. There's a special kind of indignity in paying some of the highest taxes in the world while feeling cheated somehow. It's important for public services to maintain the image of trustworthiness.
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Comment on Is America ready for Japanese-style 7-Elevens? in ~finance
EgoEimi Link ParentAh interesting! I looked it up. It is unusually small for an H Mart. They probably chose a smaller footprint for an urban format. Normally H Mart stores are in the suburbs and have traditional big...Ah interesting! I looked it up. It is unusually small for an H Mart. They probably chose a smaller footprint for an urban format. Normally H Mart stores are in the suburbs and have traditional big box footprints.
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Comment on Is America ready for Japanese-style 7-Elevens? in ~finance
EgoEimi Link ParentI think there are a few things working in 7-11's favor: Japanese snack foods are trending. Lots of people like to watch influencers visit Japanese 7-11's. In hip US cities, Japanese sando pop-ups...I think there are a few things working in 7-11's favor:
- Japanese snack foods are trending. Lots of people like to watch influencers visit Japanese 7-11's. In hip US cities, Japanese sando pop-ups are all the rage. I'm sure 7-11 has been taking notes.
- Both adapted and modern Asian food has historically been very successful in making inroads into (urban) American tastes, more so than other cuisines (except maybe Mexican). First you had the mom and pop Chinese restaurants blazing the trail. Then you got the Panda Expresses, sushi restaurants, Thai restaurants. Now boba shops are ubiquitous in US cities.
I bet 7-11 senses that the konbini as the next Asian food 'thing'. At least in cities. I doubt they'll roll this out to small towns or rural areas.
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Comment on Is America ready for Japanese-style 7-Elevens? in ~finance
EgoEimi Link ParentI wouldn't describe H Mart as a convenience store: it's a full-service grocery store on the level of Safeway or Whole Foods, with a bakery, meat and seafood counter, deli, produce, etc. They...I wouldn't describe H Mart as a convenience store: it's a full-service grocery store on the level of Safeway or Whole Foods, with a bakery, meat and seafood counter, deli, produce, etc. They definitely have a very good and relatively healthy prepared food section. A roll of kimbap is always a delicious, nutritious, and cheap lunch option.
These kinds of businesses open to serve existing Asian American communities, but they end up attracting non-Asian shoppers too.
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Comment on Samification of the current Web in ~design
EgoEimi LinkI want to add that in the old days, you didn't have to care about accessibility. But around 2020ish, the DOJ said that ADA does apply to the web, so websites can be sued for being insufficiently...I want to add that in the old days, you didn't have to care about accessibility. But around 2020ish, the DOJ said that ADA does apply to the web, so websites can be sued for being insufficiently accessible — and they do. It generated a whole industry of lawyers looking for websites to sue. This meant more standardization in colors and forms.
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Comment on Is America ready for Japanese-style 7-Elevens? in ~finance
EgoEimi LinkGift link I'm really excited about 7-11 bringing elements of the Japanese Konbini experience to the US. There are technical and logistical challenges. I hope Mr. Dacus succeeds. If he succeeds in...I'm really excited about 7-11 bringing elements of the Japanese Konbini experience to the US.
Leading the push to expand Japanese-quality fresh food to 7-Eleven in North America is Stephen Dacus, a Japanese American former Walmart executive who started as chief executive of Seven & i Holdings, the 7-Eleven parent company, three months ago.
There are technical and logistical challenges.
The sandwiches are made with the fluffy Japanese “milk bread,” and a team in Texas worked with Japanese suppliers to learn how to produce it in the United States. Milk bread and Japanese mayonnaise give the egg sandwiches “the heavenly pillow thing,” Mr. Dacus said.
In the United States, Mr. Dacus said, fresh food often means hot food that can be frozen and cooked on site, eliminating the need for multiple daily deliveries. He added that the company could draw on a Japanese-style model of having closer ties to its food suppliers to improve products in response to what customers want.
I hope Mr. Dacus succeeds. If he succeeds in making convenience food fresh, healthy, cheap, and readily accessible—and convince other American companies that this is a real shift—then he will make seriously positive social impact on the American food landscape. I want to see a future where Americans can just easily and cheaply reach for a healthy rice ball or sushi roll as they can for a burger or hot dog.
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Is America ready for Japanese-style 7-Elevens?
40 votes
The title implies that those nine had a critical role in stalling the law, when in fact they are 9 among 40,536 people who submitted opposing witness statements (versus the 1,057 people who submitted supporting ones) when we look at the witness dataset for HB2827, see https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus/WitnessSlips?GAID=18&DocNum=2827&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=160905&SessionID=114&tabname=opp
So, ~0.02% of those 40,536 have been identified as sex offenders after the author presumably ran a cross-check of all witness names and sex offender registries. In 2016, ~0.2% of Americans were registered sex offenders (derived from 2016 NCMEC count divided by 2016 US population). So, either they didn't do a good job and failed to identify many sex offenders in the list, or the opposing witnesses as a whole simply had 90% fewer sex offenders than the general American population.
Personally I'm opposed to homeschooling, but I think this essay is practically misinformation because it is cherry picking details to delegitimize the bill's opposition by implying there is some sort of sex offender-led cabal eagerly wanting to trap children in home sex dungeons or something.