Gub's recent activity
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Comment on Recommended training courses for graphic arts? in ~design
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Comment on Recommended training courses for graphic arts? in ~design
Gub LinkI am also interested in seeing some recommendations, because my girlfriend wants to learn graphic design. I've generally had good experiences with courses on Udemy for other topics. They are very...I am also interested in seeing some recommendations, because my girlfriend wants to learn graphic design. I've generally had good experiences with courses on Udemy for other topics. They are very to-the-point.
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Comment on Browser ‘favicons’ can be used as undeletable ‘supercookies’ to track you online in ~tech
Gub LinkIf this were to happen, wouldn't Mozilla or an add-on developer make a script to clear the favicon f-cache automatically?If this were to happen, wouldn't Mozilla or an add-on developer make a script to clear the favicon f-cache automatically?
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Comment on What are you into lately? in ~hobbies
Gub Link ParentI'm with you on stream of consciousness-type writing. Sometimes it's amazing what memories I can invoke, and the insights I can have simply by writing them out.I'm with you on stream of consciousness-type writing. Sometimes it's amazing what memories I can invoke, and the insights I can have simply by writing them out.
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Comment on What's a dish you've made that you're most proud of? in ~food
Gub LinkLiver tastes absolutely vile but it's too nutrient-dense for me to turn down. After trying and failing many recipes I've made one that only uses bacon, onion, liver, and salt (no breading, no deep...Liver tastes absolutely vile but it's too nutrient-dense for me to turn down. After trying and failing many recipes I've made one that only uses bacon, onion, liver, and salt (no breading, no deep frying) that tastes not only not terrible, but that has been reviewed as "actually kind of good." The trick is thoroughly rinsing the liver and soaking it in lemon water before cooking.
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Comment on Overconsumption and growth economy key drivers of environmental crises in ~enviro
Gub LinkIt's refreshing to see a science paper conclude that technology (more science) will not solve the problem. Consuming less seems to be the only reliable solution, but unfortunately I can't see that...It's refreshing to see a science paper conclude that technology (more science) will not solve the problem. Consuming less seems to be the only reliable solution, but unfortunately I can't see that catching on with society at large.
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Comment on Can't invite someone new in ~tildes
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Can't invite someone new
I am trying to invite a friend to Tildes, and on my invite page I see the message "You aren't able to generate more invite links right now." Is this a default setting for new users?
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Comment on What is something that most people don't realize is harmful? in ~talk
Gub Link ParentYes. Often we are waiting for our turn to speak, not actually listening to the other person. And especially so if it's a topic on which we disagree with them. Your last line is a great point. The...Yes. Often we are waiting for our turn to speak, not actually listening to the other person. And especially so if it's a topic on which we disagree with them. Your last line is a great point. The other person wants to be heard as much as us, so when we actually listen it puts them at ease.
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Comment on What is something that most people don't realize is harmful? in ~talk
Gub Link ParentThis is a great insight. Thanks for being open about your realization. I used to jokingly bad-mouth my friends when we were in public, out at a bar/party or otherwise meeting new people. I...This is a great insight. Thanks for being open about your realization.
I used to jokingly bad-mouth my friends when we were in public, out at a bar/party or otherwise meeting new people. I realized that it was an easy way to get a cheap laugh out of the new person. They wouldn't have known whether I was being serious or not, but of course my friend would. It came from a place of immaturity where I was uncomfortable opening up to new people.
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Comment on What is something that most people don't realize is harmful? in ~talk
Gub LinkProcessed vegetarian foods compared to unprocessed animal products. Replacing a freshly cut steak with a veggie burger filled with processed wheat, soy, extracted protein and refined oil is not a...- Exemplary
Processed vegetarian foods compared to unprocessed animal products. Replacing a freshly cut steak with a veggie burger filled with processed wheat, soy, extracted protein and refined oil is not a healthy choice.
We're given the message that meat is bad for you, makes you fat, gives you heart disease. But rarely is a comparison made between products of equal processing.
I eat a meat-heavy diet because I feel better physically and mentally, so I want to make a plug for local farmers. There is a massive difference in quality between grocery store meat versus at the farmers market.
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Comment on What is something that most people don't realize is harmful? in ~talk
Gub Link ParentYou have a good point about positive things happening while drinking. It's easy to use those as justification, but I consider them poor choices with good outcomes. I remember throwing back a shot...You have a good point about positive things happening while drinking. It's easy to use those as justification, but I consider them poor choices with good outcomes. I remember throwing back a shot of whiskey a minute before my date knocked on my door. While that situation ended positively, my choice was out of fear - the fear of awkwardness, rejection, etc. With social situations like you describe, I ask myself whether I could have got to the same end point without alcohol.
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Comment on America needs a ministry of (actual) truth in ~tech
Gub Link ParentSeems like you and I decided to do our "information cuts" around the same time. I thought I'd miss Facebook, but not once since deleting it have I wished that I had access to it. It makes keeping...Seems like you and I decided to do our "information cuts" around the same time. I thought I'd miss Facebook, but not once since deleting it have I wished that I had access to it. It makes keeping in touch with friends (real friends, i.e. 5% of the people on my friends list) so much more enjoyable.
I joined Tildes because I was sick of the censoring, bias, groupthink, and infiltration campaigns. Sounds like you may have had similar reasons for joining. If we could know the demographics of Tildes users in detail, we could get a feel for what kind of information the average user here is likely to share, and what the "average" opinion would be. For instance maybe 60% of Tildes users work in white collar jobs, as opposed to 40% on Reddit or some other medium. That would influence and be correlated with their views on many topics. Since we can only know very little about the users here, I think it's best to take what we see here with some level of skepticism, knowing that the people on this forum may very well have different values that we are assuming. Just because there are a lot of posts about topic X, doesn't mean topic X is necessarily important and urgent.
Regarding your questions, I ask myself similar things all the time. When you posted this article and your accompanied comments I felt some relief that someone has the same concerns. It's easy to get stressed out about the problems in the world. I equate that to turning a car on, putting it in neutral and revving the engine at max. It's so much wasted energy. I'm convinced that the best choice - the one that can lead to fulfillment and peace with ourselves - is to take the action that most directly causes a small change. And I believe this often means working within our immediate spheres of influence - how we take care of ourselves, our friends, and our families, and how we treat people every day.
There isn't a quick answer to most important issues, despite the immediate gratification offered by social media, TV, and Amazon. Have you considered spending your own time and effort to influence the causes that you care about? Not the politics themselves, but the results that politicians/movements are (claiming to be) aiming for. So whatever cause you care about, working to spread awareness, teach others, implement improvements within your immediate circle. I don't know what you value, so I can't say what's more valuable, but I would bet that you would find it more meaningful.
For example, the BLM movement has resulted in a lot of public demonstrations, but how many protesters went home afterwards, feeling like they did their good deed, and went back to their same habits. Maybe some donated to BLM or to a political candidate. Why abdicate their influence and autonomy to a political group? What if the group mishandles the money? What if the politician makes claims and doesn't follow through? What if a policy gets enacted but is so bloated with bureaucracy that nothing ends up happening? And even so, what's the policy going to do - force people's brains from ever firing their neurons in a way that results in unfair treatment of another person? Compared to the US white population, the black population is more impoverished and has a higher rate of single-parent homes. Clearly, generations of slavery and racism contributed to this. But what do we do from here to help? There are mentoring organizations, food banks, parent advocacy groups within nearly every community that have shortages of volunteers.
To me, working to help a single person is more meaningful than laboring endlessly in politics. You can buy a homeless guy water and food and be criticized by those who say "there are organizations combating homelessness, the money is better given to them" or "you aren't helping him you're just making him dependent" or whatever. But when he takes the food, smiles and thanks you, and you smile back, you know it was meaningful. No one needs to tell you otherwise.
BLM is only one example of an issue, but one that you mentioned and that's been relevant. I am interested to hear your take. What appeals to you about WIRED compared to other sources? Are you well-connected in your city, or are most of your friends and family elsewhere?
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Comment on America needs a ministry of (actual) truth in ~tech
Gub Link ParentExactly. These organizations already sound dystopian when you consider how they perform.Exactly. These organizations already sound dystopian when you consider how they perform.
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Comment on America needs a ministry of (actual) truth in ~tech
Gub LinkI was driving on a highway in Texas when a coyote strolled lazily across the road. It glanced at my car but wasn't bothered, so even after hitting the breaks and slowing down it still got...I was driving on a highway in Texas when a coyote strolled lazily across the road. It glanced at my car but wasn't bothered, so even after hitting the breaks and slowing down it still got pulverized. I realized that the coyote simply couldn't perceive an asphalt road, or the shiny metal objects on wheels. Nothing in its brain had evolved to understand any of these stimuli or perceive them as dangerous. It's easy to consider ourselves "above" animals, but I wonder how much our modern technology is beyond our biological ability to handle. Are we adapted to sit in front of screens, indoors, eating modified foods, with constant visual and aural stimulation? On a subconscious level it could be causing our brains to short-circuit or come up blank.
I like that the author pulled back and gave plenty of caveats to his argument. Jake, he seems to come to a similar level of skepticism as you. The world is getting to a weird point where nothing is verifiably true - is the first result on Google the right answer, or is it what Big Goog thinks is best for me? TV inundated with ads, dating apps and social media replacing real socialization.
I'm more and more inclined to just ignore the world, do my work to contribute to society and lie low until I die.
I agree. I've decided that the best way for me to live is within my community, interacting with people in real life as much as possible. When you can perceive something with your own eyes and ears you can at least be reasonably assured that you are experiencing reality.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Gub Link ParentIs TF2 a game where you can always pick the same class and thrive in any match, or is it important to learn all of them and then pick the right one for each situation? I enjoyed the tank/medic...Is TF2 a game where you can always pick the same class and thrive in any match, or is it important to learn all of them and then pick the right one for each situation? I enjoyed the tank/medic combo when I played but it's been a while. I am considering getting back into it after your comments.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Gub LinkThe Last of Us. Wow, what a game. The storyline was incredibly compelling and the atmosphere created a true sense of urgency. It was the first survival game I've played where I actually felt...The Last of Us. Wow, what a game. The storyline was incredibly compelling and the atmosphere created a true sense of urgency. It was the first survival game I've played where I actually felt scarcity for safety and resources. I ended up playing for about 5 hours straight because every time I thought I was at a safe resting point, something urgently dangerous would happen again. It's a PlayStation exclusive that I was able to play on my brother's PS4, so I'll have to find a way to play Part II when it comes out.
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
Gub LinkI've been learning search engine optimization to help two friends with their businesses. It's helpful to have some practical projects with measurable goals. I've grown tired of learning new...I've been learning search engine optimization to help two friends with their businesses. It's helpful to have some practical projects with measurable goals. I've grown tired of learning new programming skills for the sake of learning them, so if I work towards something tangible I'm much more likely to follow through.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
Gub Link ParentRecently a lot of Brian Crain. Until I heard of him a few months ago, my knowledge of piano music was only the classical "hits" and covers of pop songs. Do you mean music you listen to while reading?Recently a lot of Brian Crain. Until I heard of him a few months ago, my knowledge of piano music was only the classical "hits" and covers of pop songs.
Also, some stuff that makes up my sci-fi reading playlist.
Do you mean music you listen to while reading?
Well I'm glad to hear he might get his job back. If you're using it yourself I found some more tutorials that might be helpful. They aren't free but I like having all the material in one place.