HeroesJourneyMadness's recent activity
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Comment on California junk fee ban could upend restaurant industry in ~food
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Comment on For those involved / interested in Web3, what do you make of the near and long term future for it? in ~tech
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentFully agree. This reminded me of how long Linux sucked at being a daily-driver workstation. Maybe the real issue is just that collaborative open systems just take years to fight through the...Fully agree. This reminded me of how long Linux sucked at being a daily-driver workstation. Maybe the real issue is just that collaborative open systems just take years to fight through the hucksters? I like that idea.
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Comment on For those involved / interested in Web3, what do you make of the near and long term future for it? in ~tech
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentI might have a new favorite YT channel- I’d heard of the channel before- I bookmarked that thread on YT recommendations a while back and this was on there, but never looked into it. I like him....I might have a new favorite YT channel- I’d heard of the channel before- I bookmarked that thread on YT recommendations a while back and this was on there, but never looked into it. I like him. And holy crap was that damning of DAOs. Now I’m not sure what to think. A good chunk of that criticism is justifiably aimed at scam culture, and it sure sounded on point. I can’t tell anymore whether the arguments about added layers of complexity outweigh the benefits is just a temporary issue or if it’s a full stop dealbreaker. I do believe the startup and scam economies are definitely not helping to get any real-world implementations off the ground.
Does anyone know of ANY blockchain implementation that is part of real world work- like verifying logistics in distribution channels or any of those early-day startup pitches?
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Comment on For those involved / interested in Web3, what do you make of the near and long term future for it? in ~tech
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentAfter a quick look, that seems like the same old “how do we trust anything on the web” issue, not a failure of the core idea of checking against a blockchain. I can fully see how it limits dapp...After a quick look, that seems like the same old “how do we trust anything on the web” issue, not a failure of the core idea of checking against a blockchain. I can fully see how it limits dapp development… but of course any app or dapp is only as good as the data fed in. So I’m failing to see how it’s wrong in any sense of it being a blockchain tech issue.
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Comment on For those involved / interested in Web3, what do you make of the near and long term future for it? in ~tech
HeroesJourneyMadness LinkTL/DR - Still nearly fully untapped potential long-term, and I dare you to convince me otherwise. I’m no Web3 engineer, just a nerd who still believes the internet is a net positive and has and...TL/DR - Still nearly fully untapped potential long-term, and I dare you to convince me otherwise.
I’m no Web3 engineer, just a nerd who still believes the internet is a net positive and has and will make the world a better place. So, at risk of restating the obvious here, I’d like to kind of flip some of what @unkz was talking about on its head. Can someone here break my hope in the promise of blockchain by explaining why blockchain ISN’T a massive groundbreaking shift in technology with huge potential to do good?
Setting aside what I believe are short-term innovation/technical issues (financial transactions, scams, speculation, and environmental impact), below is a basic summary of my understanding of how blockchain (and smart contracts) work, and why it’s a.huge f***ing deal and ultimately will do real good. Please keep in mind I am nerdy, but no engineer, so while I have a limited understanding of Level 2, gas prices, and rollups, I don’t know what validators or RPC nodes are.
Here we go… as I understand it, the fundamental innovation of blockchain/web3/smart contracts is that it brings the capability of what I believe is called a “trustless” system in computing to the internet itself.
It enables global, programmatically-created, math-based, perfectly trustworthy 3rd entities against which we can verify conditions and base decisions. At the most fundamental level, internet communications that have been going from A to B can, with blockchain, be VERIFIED using the internet itself (or more specifically, data shared/viewed/verified to be true across the network by all parties involved in said blockchain, thereby making it a perfect truth to check against). This is an entirely new ability. Previously there was a need for some human-led third party.
This is why It’s a major paradigm shift. It’s also some of the same fundamental concepts that have made BitTorrent unstoppable. This core concept is why I still am buying the promise of it. It’s such a fundamental “add” to the internet - turning it from a communications protocol into something more by way of the unique collective nature of networks - that I just can’t believe it’s not a major net good.
Forgive me for that long basic-bitch retelling of the crypto-bro’s songbook, but it’s this core idea that I want gunned down, if anyone can put it in a way I can understand. Consider this a gauntlet thrown. ;-)
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Comment on The Museum of Science and Industry abruptly closed for a day last week to allow it to move “military artifacts from archival storage” in ~humanities.history
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentI guess my institutional skepticism antenna started quivering when Ken Griffin’s name came up. This, and the long history of land shenanigans that the city of Chicago has been known to pull-...I guess my institutional skepticism antenna started quivering when Ken Griffin’s name came up. This, and the long history of land shenanigans that the city of Chicago has been known to pull- consuming suburbs, redistricting, certain aldermens’ and general financial shenanigans… coupled with the historic nature (being the last structure of the World’s Fair)…
I was wondering specifically if the land and building are actually owned by the museum or not?
I was kind of just expecting something about foundation support, benefactor or partnership with the city or some sort of complexity. It’s really this absence of detail/disclaimer/explanation that made me suspicious. In essence all this is just cynical speculation and laziness and not really looking into it myself. There’s probably nothing there.
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Comment on The Museum of Science and Industry abruptly closed for a day last week to allow it to move “military artifacts from archival storage” in ~humanities.history
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentYeah, it was an unjustified reach on my part, readily admitted. That said, maybe I’m an idiot (some might say likely) but I didn’t see on that link where ownership is explained. I see trustees, a...Yeah, it was an unjustified reach on my part, readily admitted. That said, maybe I’m an idiot (some might say likely) but I didn’t see on that link where ownership is explained. I see trustees, a president’s board, but no real overview of the structure of the org or ownership? I’m not trying to attack anybody- just seems like there should be some clear explanation somewhere of who owns what.
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Comment on "Civil War" discussion thread in ~movies
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentThank you for saying this. It’s something. I was considering seeing it again in a theater, but it’s too intense for me. I’d buy someone a ticket who was considering going though. I really want the...Thank you for saying this. It’s something. I was considering seeing it again in a theater, but it’s too intense for me. I’d buy someone a ticket who was considering going though. I really want the ideas in this film to be a conversation that’s held widely.
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Comment on The Museum of Science and Industry abruptly closed for a day last week to allow it to move “military artifacts from archival storage” in ~humanities.history
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentHere’s hoping. I noticed that entry didn’t mention who or what entity owned it though, so I went with what was most dramatic.Here’s hoping. I noticed that entry didn’t mention who or what entity owned it though, so I went with what was most dramatic.
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Comment on The Museum of Science and Industry abruptly closed for a day last week to allow it to move “military artifacts from archival storage” in ~humanities.history
HeroesJourneyMadness (edited )Link ParentAbsolutely weird corporate vibes. Fully agree. No worries- and sorry if I got snippy. I wasn’t happy to learn that that guy owns it and is the reason it’s such a great museum. So annoying. Public...Absolutely weird corporate vibes. Fully agree. No worries- and sorry if I got snippy. I wasn’t happy to learn that that guy owns it and is the reason it’s such a great museum. So annoying. Public spaces don’t have to suck, unless you’re in the US.
edit: okay - I take that back. Not all our public spaces, just most that involve humans in numbers doing things. Our national parks rule. Best in the world if I'm not mistaken.
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Comment on The Museum of Science and Industry abruptly closed for a day last week to allow it to move “military artifacts from archival storage” in ~humanities.history
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentThis got my attention. It's one of those comments that I find of questionable value and brings up a whole host of questions and complexities. The reason I find it questionable is because I don't...This got my attention. It's one of those comments that I find of questionable value and brings up a whole host of questions and complexities. The reason I find it questionable is because I don't know exactly what "ownership" of a museum means. Does it still have some kind of charter that ensures it's a public good? What governing body makes operational decisions? Your comment just kind of sounds like it's asserting the museum has some kind of "right" to wall off decisions from the public, and the truth is most likely way more complicated.
And I haven't even gotten to the part about how it sure looks like the frigging supervillan that is Ken Griffin seems to have (clandestinely?) bought the museum in 2019?
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Comment on Looking for free or cheap places to learn some SQL and XML in ~tech
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentThird-ed(?) CodeAcademy is great. I should probably bone up on some skills there too. Right now I'm working through an AWS course - all in one 13-hour long youtube video. (not on CodeAcademy.)Third-ed(?) CodeAcademy is great. I should probably bone up on some skills there too. Right now I'm working through an AWS course - all in one 13-hour long youtube video. (not on CodeAcademy.)
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Comment on Can noise canceling headphones be effective against non continuous noise such as music? in ~tech
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentI’m amused. I do exactly the same thing. I use a giant Coway air filter (also because of allergies in old buildings), foam ear plugs, and I wear a gaiter like a hat so I can cover my bald head,...I’m amused. I do exactly the same thing. I use a giant Coway air filter (also because of allergies in old buildings), foam ear plugs, and I wear a gaiter like a hat so I can cover my bald head, hold in the earplugs, and cover my eyes. Open the window in the winter and burrow in to hibernate.
It’s elaborate, but there would have to be something major to wake me.
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Comment on "Civil War" discussion thread in ~movies
HeroesJourneyMadness (edited )Link ParentFully agree. Lee’s death was fully foreshadowed/telegraphed. I wasn’t shook by it either because of it, and because by this point I was a limp dishrag of overwhelmed, but I think both were...Fully agree. Lee’s death was fully foreshadowed/telegraphed. I wasn’t shook by it either because of it, and because by this point I was a limp dishrag of overwhelmed, but I think both were deliberate choices by AG.
Lee was disassociated/dehumanized by war and violence from the jump. She was already dead inside to an extent and spent the movie trying to protect Jessie from this and/or explain the inevitability of it.
This is about the dehumanization of Jessie. It’s a more horrifying, more alien, and more difficult thing to ask the audience to be moved by- or even recognize. IMO that’s the point. We’ve seen war bring death in literally hundreds of movies. IMO AG was trying to show the dehumanizing, generations-long trauma and damage it brings to people that even do make it through. That’s a much more difficult thing to do and why I respect the hell out of this movie.
Death has been done (to death). This was about the death of the idea that life is precious. This is about dehumanizing people. This is about what we are currently doing to each other in order to justify going to war.
I believe this is what strikes a nerve. I watched two film critics try and talk about this movie on YouTube- one was with a newspaper, and one was with CNN, and the CNN guy kind of refused to analyze or criticize the film at all. He just insisted he didn’t understand what “the film was trying to do”.
That is exactly what the movie is about. It’s the exact same denial of humanity that allows pits of human bodies into existence again. If life isn’t precious, what does that make you?
I think that’s why some people won’t “get it” or won’t “like” it, or will be angry with it, or will try to deny the film its message. Because so many of us are already so dehumanized for whatever reason.
I really should ghost write TED talks. Gotta love Monday morning procrastination rants.
edit: This movie man, it's definitely gotten under my skin. I was just thinking about the journalism aspect of it. Of the exchange at the end re: getting a quote and of Jessie shooting Lee getting shot. Somewhere along the line I heard or read that some native Americans believed that a camera could steal your soul. Just an observation. Pretty sure this film illustrates how media is complicit in dehumanizing people as well.
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Comment on Where will people commune in a godless America? in ~humanities
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentI’ll go one further- just based on my very limited information of what remains of “Jesus’s teachings” it seems highly likely he probably would not sign off on any of those sorts of ads promoting...I’ll go one further- just based on my very limited information of what remains of “Jesus’s teachings” it seems highly likely he probably would not sign off on any of those sorts of ads promoting any of those churches.
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Comment on Where will people commune in a godless America? in ~humanities
HeroesJourneyMadness LinkOkay- this thread has been around for a bit, but I didn’t see this view- I reject the premise. When it comes to matters of spiritual or religious matters, there should be no place for...Okay- this thread has been around for a bit, but I didn’t see this view- I reject the premise. When it comes to matters of spiritual or religious matters, there should be no place for evangelizing. The only truly authentic way to approach it is via attraction, not promotion. Promoting anything in this matter has strings. Whether it’s an ideology or a product… and when the bottom of the discussion gets to faith, the only honest way to that is to have been asked.
Looked at this way, the church’s purpose I think becomes more pure and honest- tho admittedly I’m not a churchgoer.
There are innumerable “third spaces” for people to gather. It’s a non-issue and kind of a distraction from addressing the many symptoms of an unhealthy culture. It doesn’t matter if the helpful conversation comes from an old book lesson, over a pool table, or in a garage.
If you want religion, seek it out. You do you, but don’t try to convince me “we need it” - because then you’re selling an agenda.
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Comment on What's the best way to avoid scams when being paid by strangers on the internet? in ~finance
HeroesJourneyMadness LinkI’ve run into this several times, and absolutely the minute something smells funny I lose all hope of having the job and immediately start raising the bar on their ability to do business with me....I’ve run into this several times, and absolutely the minute something smells funny I lose all hope of having the job and immediately start raising the bar on their ability to do business with me. Meaning I start treating them as a scam, but professionally. I start with requiring a deposit. It’s refundable, but I do it over Venmo or PayPal or some way it’s known and safe for me. Then I stop communicating. If they actually want me to do the job, they’ll make the deposit, otherwise I’m out. Saves me time and energy, and I’ve done it probably a half dozen times and never felt I lost an actual job. - only one made the deposit, and they turned out to be a great client.
FWIW, ymmv.
Edit: part of doing it professionally for me includes a bit of transparency in that I usually say something along the lines of “unfortunately, because I’ve had work stolen in the past, I’ve had to institute this policy…” if they’re not a scam, they’ll understand.
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Comment on What are your go to fast but tasty meals? Is there prep you do on weekends to make meals faster? in ~food
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentSimilarly I like to do instant pot carnitas. Chunk up pork butt, marinate as desired, sear in cast iron and 45 minutes in the instant pot. The key part is to then shred and stick it under the...Similarly I like to do instant pot carnitas. Chunk up pork butt, marinate as desired, sear in cast iron and 45 minutes in the instant pot. The key part is to then shred and stick it under the broiler for added crispness. I’ll sometimes ladle on some of the juices/marinade from the instant pot when under the broiler too.
This is one of the best meat dishes to reheat IMO because all the fat makes it re-crisp up to almost like freshly cooked.
It’s cheap and versatile. That and some good Mexican style blackbeans (also done in the instant pot) make for a good week of meals.
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Comment on How do you feel about student loan forgiveness? in ~life
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentI would be willing to address the debt aspect of this topic if we were addressing all other aspects of federal spending waste. If not, it becomes irrelevant in my opinion because this is a...I would be willing to address the debt aspect of this topic if we were addressing all other aspects of federal spending waste. If not, it becomes irrelevant in my opinion because this is a priority well over and above defense, farm subsidies, wealthy tax evasion and loopholes, etc, etc...
I think if the cost benefits of having an educated populace were actually clearly understood, it would become hilariously obvious how important it is and how much profiteering and warping of systems is going on. To bring up debt forgiveness otherwise is kind of just revealing more than you think.
To put it another way, I dug out an old long remembered and loved tweet:
I beat cancer. If they suddenly find a cure for cancer now, I’m gonna be so mad!
This tweet is about student loans. -@AaronFullerton -
Comment on Does the Dog Die? - A website for filtering movies by triggers in ~movies
HeroesJourneyMadness Link ParentI may have told this story already, but one night the family was watching Hatchi and I noped out to go rewatch John Wick. Hatchi will destroy you.I may have told this story already, but one night the family was watching Hatchi and I noped out to go rewatch John Wick. Hatchi will destroy you.
I read an article years ago about a restaurant opening a second location that didn’t allow tipping. The owner referred to tipping being “a parasitic economy” on his business- what with certain amounts of tips being paid out to kitchen staff and some wait staff using this to leverage the kitchen. He offered benefits to employees, had substantially lower turnover, and claimed it was much easier to foster a team-like atmosphere and was easier to manage.
Conceptually I wonder if this kind of operation isn’t more empowering to the business than restrictive? It might even offer up opportunities to move even more toward equitable employment via some kind of profit sharing or something?