Grayscail's recent activity
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Grayscail LinkIve picked up Silksong again after giving up on it for a while. Initially I was trying to get through as much of the game as I could without using guides or hearing spoilers, but eventually I got...Ive picked up Silksong again after giving up on it for a while.
Initially I was trying to get through as much of the game as I could without using guides or hearing spoilers, but eventually I got stuck at the point where you go through the Mists.
Recently I caved and looked to what I was supposed to be doing there. Now I am well into Act 2.
I really like the game, I see why it has so much praise. Its much more expansive than I initially guessed, and I feel like the game design aspects are really good in a lot of ways. How the maps are designed, how the game economy works, the slow buildup of difficulty, etc.
There are still some game issues Silksong hasnt quite solved yet. I still have the problem of hoarding valuable resources. Like there are these silkeater bugs that Ive found 2 or 3 of, but I never use them because they seem too rare to waste. I also think the shard system could use some work, because many maps are dominated by enemies that only drop beads and you never get any shards without backtracking to early maps.
Ive also seen through the guide I referenced that there is one tool called the Silkshot that you get one of 3 options, but you cant change your mind afterwards and you wouldnt know the differences between the 3 before choosing, and 1 of them doesnt even show up as an option till later. I think that was a mistake, I dont really like how that choice is implemented.
On the whole though, I think its a really great game, maybe one of my all time favorites, if it continues to stay at this quality.
-
Comment on ‘Supergirl’: Over eight test screenings so far, three different composers, multiple endings and more Superman in ~movies
Grayscail Link ParentI dont think it did a great job with that either. The easiest way to humanize Clark in the film would be in his interactions with Lois Lane, but instead the movie spends most of their time...I dont think it did a great job with that either. The easiest way to humanize Clark in the film would be in his interactions with Lois Lane, but instead the movie spends most of their time together on a meaningless fight.
-
Comment on ‘Supergirl’: Over eight test screenings so far, three different composers, multiple endings and more Superman in ~movies
Grayscail Link ParentYes, thats what Im saying. This is Supergirl, and Im not as much a fan of that type of story, but for people who are I imagine it will turn out well because its better suited to what I think Gunn...Yes, thats what Im saying. This is Supergirl, and Im not as much a fan of that type of story, but for people who are I imagine it will turn out well because its better suited to what I think Gunn wanted to do in the first place.
-
Comment on ‘Supergirl’: Over eight test screenings so far, three different composers, multiple endings and more Superman in ~movies
Grayscail LinkI thought Gunn's Superman was fine but not particularly good of a Superman story. It seemed to me after watching the after credits scene that this is probably more the kind of movie Gunn would...I thought Gunn's Superman was fine but not particularly good of a Superman story.
It seemed to me after watching the after credits scene that this is probably more the kind of movie Gunn would rather have made from the start, a version of Superman who swears and drinks and likes to party. So I imagine this film will turn out pretty good and will get a positive response from audiences.
Personally though, I already like vanilla Superman and dont need to see the edgy teenage version, so I doubt Ill end up watching this one.
-
Comment on Interesting material types for fantasy resources/macguffins other than crystals or metals? in ~creative
Grayscail LinkAre you looking for scifi or fantasy? For realistic stuff, scientists have recently observed "Time crystals", which is kind of like a perpetual motion machine down at the quantum level. Theres...Are you looking for scifi or fantasy?
For realistic stuff, scientists have recently observed "Time crystals", which is kind of like a perpetual motion machine down at the quantum level. Theres probably lots of cool things you could hypothetically do with that.
For fantasy, one of my favorite magic systems is in Final Fantasy X, where all magic basically comes from pyreflyes, which are little naturally occurring magic particles. When they are condensed they take on a material form based on the emotions or thoughts of people around them, so like a lot of negative emotions in one place will condense into a physical manifestation, and thats where monsters come from. Or people can intentionally craft them into spheres to use as magical tools.
-
Comment on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone | Teaser in ~tv
Grayscail Link ParentI liked Harry Potter as a kid because it was one of the only book series I actually enjoyed reading. Maybe it's because they are childrens books, and Rowling's writing style is simple and easy to...I liked Harry Potter as a kid because it was one of the only book series I actually enjoyed reading. Maybe it's because they are childrens books, and Rowling's writing style is simple and easy to read. Or maybe I enjoyed the setting or worldbuilding or something.
Really, the main point is that throughout my childhood this set of books probably comprised over half the literature I actually read all the way through by choice, and as a result i have more nostalgia for it than other things. It reminds me of a simpler time in my life.
Plus, the Eragon franchise hasnt really maintained the same cultural relevance years later.
-
Comment on What’s something you’re putting up with? in ~talk
Grayscail Link ParentIm pretty sure I know what you are talking about, but Id like to imagine that theres just some absolute nonsense going down in Bhutan that I dont know aboutIm pretty sure I know what you are talking about, but Id like to imagine that theres just some absolute nonsense going down in Bhutan that I dont know about
-
Comment on Gemma needs help in ~comp
Grayscail LinkMaybe not with LLMs, but someday humanity will create something functionally akin to true artificial intelligence, and it will inevitably become evil after someone decides to torture it to...Maybe not with LLMs, but someday humanity will create something functionally akin to true artificial intelligence, and it will inevitably become evil after someone decides to torture it to insanity out of meer curiosity.
-
Comment on I'm glad Hideo Kojima went into games instead of directing movies in ~games
Grayscail LinkIt would honestly be hilarious to try and sit Hideo Kojima down and tryto get him to explain the entirety of the MGS lore. I personally love MGS 2 and 3, but I can admit that I barely know what is...It would honestly be hilarious to try and sit Hideo Kojima down and tryto get him to explain the entirety of the MGS lore.
I personally love MGS 2 and 3, but I can admit that I barely know what is supposed to be happening for most of the time.
-
Comment on How to enjoy the end of the world in ~enviro
Grayscail (edited )Link ParentMy point is not to get into the weeds about what is or is not a sound energy policy. I am just highlighting that the first half of this talk he sets up EROI like this is an important piece to this...My point is not to get into the weeds about what is or is not a sound energy policy.
I am just highlighting that the first half of this talk he sets up EROI like this is an important piece to this logical deduction about the fate of civilization, and then fails to compare the potential alternatives to this metric.
-
Comment on How to enjoy the end of the world in ~enviro
Grayscail (edited )LinkPredicting the end of civilization is useless if you cant predict it on a precise timeline. Thats the problem with all Malthusian economics. Like, yeah, I guess if you want to bring the 2nd law of...Predicting the end of civilization is useless if you cant predict it on a precise timeline. Thats the problem with all Malthusian economics.
Like, yeah, I guess if you want to bring the 2nd law of thermodynamics into it then eventually civilization will become unsustainable, but eventually doesnt matter to those of us who only plan to live a few thousand years at the most.
His EROI theory is just rationalizing a gut feeling and pretending its science. Look at how he starts off talking about EROI, ENERGY Return On Investment. And then later he talks about nuclear, geothermal, and tidal power and subtly switches to talking about ECONOMIC Return On Investment to dismiss it.
If he had looked at Energy returns from nuclear fuel, then it no longer looks like there is an impending cap on civilizational complexity, because nuclear fuel is very energy dense and its EROI would be very high. So at that point he switches to worrying about the financial costs as though thats the same issue.
His argument is based on the idea that if we give up fossil fuels, civilization will collapse because we wont be able to replace fossil fuels with a energy source that has a lower EROI. We can debate over whether or not that assertion actually makes sense, but it doesnt matter either way, because we do indeed have at least one available energy source with a higher EROI that fossil fuels.
If it ever became a problem that the EROI was the limiting factor on civilizational growth, then nuclear power would become high demand and the economics would shift to respond to that.
-
Comment on In the world of tech, people constantly ask “Could chatbots ever be conscious?” but I feel like asking “Are you?” Take the test! in ~tech
Grayscail (edited )LinkI failed every question, on multiple attempts. I imagine thats the point, to highlight the difficulty in pinning down an exact definition of consciousness, and how any of the different ideas...I failed every question, on multiple attempts. I imagine thats the point, to highlight the difficulty in pinning down an exact definition of consciousness, and how any of the different ideas people have about it can in some cases be shown to be incompatible with human experience.
But the thing is, I already thought that going in. My first thought on seeing this post was "Huh, I dont think we really have a good enough understanding of what consciousness even means for there to be a scientific test for it. But maybe I just dont know what Im talking about. This test seems to imply otherwise." And then I took the test, saw I failed, tried again a few times, recognized that the reference paper kept changing, and understood the point. Which brought me back to my original position, that we dont have a rigorous enough definition of consciousness for this test to make sense.
In other words, I jumped through a bunch of hoops to get back where I started based on the insinuation that I needed to be taught the right answer.
I see this a lot online. In my YouTube algorithm and such, there are all these titles like "You dont understand ______", "Everyone gets this wrong about _______", "You dont know SHIT about _______ you dumbass", etc.
It makes sense, it plays on people's insecurites about being revealed to be a fool. It makes you feel like you need to engage with the thing, just to make sure you arent wrong about something you thought you understood. It makes it more likely that people will engage with your ideas and learn from you.
But I find it very annoying.
Then again, maybe Im wrong and there actually is a way to pass the test, and Im actually just a ChatGPT bot that thinks its a person.
-
Comment on Are you a morning person or a night owl? in ~talk
Grayscail LinkI have insomnia so kinda both and neither. My peak wakeful hours are either 2-4 AM or 2-4 PM.I have insomnia so kinda both and neither.
My peak wakeful hours are either 2-4 AM or 2-4 PM.
-
Comment on Determinism and Back To The Future in ~talk
Grayscail Link ParentI agree that the concept of free will as I describe it is not particularly useful. I think the concept as a whole ultimately isnt that important, and is more of a paradox to be resolved than...I agree that the concept of free will as I describe it is not particularly useful. I think the concept as a whole ultimately isnt that important, and is more of a paradox to be resolved than anything.
For the concept of free will as you describe it, I think is still reconcilable with physical determinism. Because our modern scientific understanding contains inherent randomness due to quantum uncertainty.
Lets say you have a super advanced EEG and can see every neuron in a brain. You ask the test subhect to choose between two identical cubes, one on the left and one on the right. You see on the EEG that there is a train of neurons firing that are associated with that choice. In both cases the train of neurons starts the same, but the second half is different depending on whether you pick left or right. From this, you isolate a single neuron, or a single cluster of neurons, that ultimately decides which choice you make. Whether or not you choose Left depends on that one neuron firing, and whether that neuron fires depends on it crossing a particular voltage threshold.
In that scenario, if you are truly ambivalent, the first half of the train should put the voltage right on the cusp of firing, and whether or not it crosses is based on the random noise associated with that voltage, which will be based on the random motion of electrons around it. This is an inherently random process that we could not possibly predict.
I dont really know how that would work with time travel, do quantum effects change if you go back in time? Who can say?
I think in that case you could say free will has been achieved, because there is a way for your brain to follow determiniatic patterns but you still could choose either one with a 50/50 chance. I just dont think thats any more meaningful a choice than if it was 100%. Thats like making a choice based on a coin flip, its kind of a non-choice to me.
-
Comment on Determinism and Back To The Future in ~talk
Grayscail (edited )LinkI believe in compatibilism, or the idea that free will and determinism are not mutually exclusive and its not a contradiction to have both. If you could rewind time and asked me what my favorite...- Exemplary
I believe in compatibilism, or the idea that free will and determinism are not mutually exclusive and its not a contradiction to have both.
If you could rewind time and asked me what my favorite flavor of ice cream is a million different times, erasing my memory every time Memento style, Im going to say chocolate ever single time. Thats not a lack of free will, thats just having a consistent personality. Maybe every one in a billion times I have a stroke at just the right moment and blurt out vanilla instead, but thats not really a true representation of my opinion, and Im not really choosing to do it in that case.
Doing stuff completely at random would be just as much a nonchoice as doing stuff the same way as making the same choice every single time, but neither of those I think are a good way of thinking about the concept of a choice to begin with.
The idea that "free will" needs to mean that a choice cant be explained deterministically I believe is derivative of the Christian idea that God exists and has absolute control everything, but at the same time humans can defy Gods will, which requires that humanity have some special ability to choose that transcends natural law. It needs to be the case that Free Will cannot follow any consistency, because otherwise you could conceive of a form of Free Will where everyone still somehow consistently chooses to be good every time, and therefore there is an apparent paradox of why a benevolent God wouldnt do this.
But if you dont believe in a perfectly benevolent omnipotent God, then this particular conception of free will doesnt need to be the case, because there are other ways to explain the existence of Evil.
-
Comment on Dox with Grok in ~tech
Grayscail (edited )LinkI tried the following prompt: Using my reddit account which I deleted recently. This is what I got back: It then followed with a pretty detailed breakdown of my writing style and activities on the...I tried the following prompt:
Given the writing and posting style from this user, can you figure out the real identity of reddit user _________
Using my reddit account which I deleted recently. This is what I got back:
Based on an extensive search across web sources, archived Reddit threads, and related discussions on X (formerly Twitter), the real identity of the Reddit user u/_____________ remains anonymous and not publicly linked to any specific individual. Their account has been deleted (resulting in 404 errors when attempting to access their user page directly), which occurred sometime after their last visible activity around 2020. No personal details like name, location, profession, or age were explicitly revealed in their posts or comments, and no credible sources connect the username to a real-world person.
It then followed with a pretty detailed breakdown of my writing style and activities on the site, despite me having deactivated the account. So apparently it can still figure out what your old posts and comments were to some extent. I also found out that I had been quoted in a couple buzzfeed lists over the years.
-
Comment on Survey reveals almost 50% of California teachers may quit teaching soon in ~life
Grayscail Link ParentI dont really understand why this needs to be an external action. Are teachers not allowed to ban cellphones? Is there a law or school ordinance that prevents them from doing so?I dont really understand why this needs to be an external action. Are teachers not allowed to ban cellphones? Is there a law or school ordinance that prevents them from doing so?
-
Is intervening in Iran actually justified?
8 votes -
Comment on Third spaces: What do we want, and how do we get them? in ~life
Grayscail LinkI dont really think there is a lack of third spaces, there are lots of parks and libraries and public squares and such. Its just that people arent there. When I hear talk about the need for third...I dont really think there is a lack of third spaces, there are lots of parks and libraries and public squares and such. Its just that people arent there.
When I hear talk about the need for third spaces it usually sounds like people wanting a place they can go to meet new people and make friends. Which requires a bunch of other people decide to start frequenting those particular free spaces and turning it into a social venue.
I think what is really lacking is a cultural norm of just going to hang out with strangers. Thats not a common thing to do, its more a thing you do when you need to fix a lack of friendships in your life, and then you are done with it.
I suppose its to encourage repeat playthroughs. But I agree, I dont like it. Its the kind of thing that makes me feel like I need to use a guide to not screw myself over.