JCPhoenix's recent activity
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Comment on What are some of your recent "little" failures? in ~talk
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Comment on ‘ICE Out’ strike and protests: what to know about demonstrations across the US in ~society
JCPhoenix Link ParentAnd to me, that's too far away. Sure, the administration and ICE seem to be backing off for now, but that can change at any moment, especially once full government funding is agreed to (FWIW, I...And to me, that's too far away. Sure, the administration and ICE seem to be backing off for now, but that can change at any moment, especially once full government funding is agreed to (FWIW, I think there will be a relatively brief partial shutdown). Will we see more Americans -- people, period; Americans or not -- brutalized or even murdered in the streets before March?
I think those who are against ICE and CBP and the administration's actions need to capitalize on the anger now. There even seem to be pockets of 2A supporters, who might've supported ICE and CBP's action otherwise (though not necessarily), who are pissed, as well. There's no guarantee those people will be mad in two months. Plus, two months with this administration might as well be two years, with the way it generates controversies left and right, flooding the zone and all that.
So to me, it makes sense to strike while the iron is hot. Not saying don't hold the March 28th No Kings protest, but I think we need more than a handful of major nationwide protests every year.
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Comment on Elon Musk says Tesla ending Models S and X production in ~transport
JCPhoenix Link ParentThat'll be a trim level for Optimus. The 3rd Generation Optimus S-EX model. With a name like that, Tesla might not be able to keep up with the demand!That'll be a trim level for Optimus. The 3rd Generation Optimus S-EX model.
With a name like that, Tesla might not be able to keep up with the demand!
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Comment on USB-C PD all the things! in ~tech
JCPhoenix LinkBrief (6min) video by Jeff Geerling on a neat piece of gadgetry. It's essentially a universal barrel connector adapter kit, but uses USB-C instead of a standard wall plug. The barrels can be...Brief (6min) video by Jeff Geerling on a neat piece of gadgetry. It's essentially a universal barrel connector adapter kit, but uses USB-C instead of a standard wall plug. The barrels can be swapped out, and the adapter can be programmed through a simple web app to change the voltage. Think it goes up 48V @ 5A.
Though my main concern would be the fact that the web app isn't local. What happens if the company stops supporting this thing? Or they go under? Or they get enshittified and start charging for access? I'd want to have the ability to change the adapter voltage locally.
Still might pick up this kit. Would be a nice tool to have around the house for my homelab shenanigans. I've definitely had to order a barrel connector AC adapter for a device, without even know if the device still worked!
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USB-C PD all the things!
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Comment on Elon Musk says Tesla ending Models S and X production in ~transport
JCPhoenix LinkI totally get ending production lines for things that aren't selling. Happens with everything. But switching to humanoid robots? I know Tesla is a company that tries to be ahead of the curve. All...I totally get ending production lines for things that aren't selling. Happens with everything. But switching to humanoid robots? I know Tesla is a company that tries to be ahead of the curve. All his companies try to be that way; nothing wrong with that. But this Optimus thing seems pretty farfetched. Which wouldn't be a first for their clown of a leader, of course.
Maybe one day these will be a common feature in the household and in the workplace (and how we get to the events in one of the Animatrix short films that leads to the Matrix 😱), but I don't think that day is anytime soon.
Unfortunately, feel like workers at the Fremont factory might want to start tidying up their resumes...
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Comment on Upcoming solo trip to San Diego - any advice? in ~travel
JCPhoenix LinkMy brother and I went to San Diego a couple years ago for a long weekend. And the San Diego Museum of Art at Balboa Park was really good. I think both of us were surprised. Overall, just walking...My brother and I went to San Diego a couple years ago for a long weekend. And the San Diego Museum of Art at Balboa Park was really good. I think both of us were surprised. Overall, just walking around Balboa Park is great, like Frinet says.
We stayed in the Gaslamp Quarter, like within a few blocks of Petco Park. Lots of restaurants and bars in that area. And it gets pretty lively over there most nights. Though I'm sure there are less touristy spots that the locals know.
We also took the ferry over to Coronado and just walked around. I don't think there was anything specific we were looking for, but just went over there as part of overall experience.
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Comment on What's something you've moved on from? in ~talk
JCPhoenix LinkDrinking alcohol and consuming marijuana. I still drink on occasion, but it generally has to be an occasion. Like I went up to New York recently and visited a friend. I had a couple beers over...Drinking alcohol and consuming marijuana. I still drink on occasion, but it generally has to be an occasion. Like I went up to New York recently and visited a friend. I had a couple beers over dinner. Before that, I had a beer at home for NYE. Before that...I had a couple drinks at a work holiday lunch at a restaurant. I'm not just like getting home from work and fixing myself a drink. Or going to a bar by myself just because. It has to be a social call or a holiday.
Idk, I just don't have the urge to drink. And certainly not go HAM like I did in my 20s. Rarely have I drank like that in my 30s; and I'm almost in my 40s now!
Weed is tied to more to my job. I am not allowed at all to consume marijuana. I could lose my job if my employers found out. Which kinda sucks, but really it's a minor annoyance. Because I pretty much stopped consuming marijuana like 2yrs before I even got this job. My usage had tapered off A LOT before I stopped on my own. Like maybe an edible twice a year, if that. It just wasn't as fun as it used to be. On those rare times I did do it, I'd just fall asleep. I don't need to weed to do that. I nap all the time as is!
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Comment on Why there's no European Google? in ~tech
JCPhoenix Link ParentTheir logo is pretty clever, too. Like definitely looks like a cat peaking above a wall, but the cat in pixel art form looks like an M, for Mistral!Their logo is pretty clever, too. Like definitely looks like a cat peaking above a wall, but the cat in pixel art form looks like an M, for Mistral!
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Comment on Why there's no European Google? in ~tech
JCPhoenix Link ParentHuh. I guess on the language front, I assumed that those who need to work with these platforms and tools know English. Because they're already using American-based tools. And so having tools in...Huh. I guess on the language front, I assumed that those who need to work with these platforms and tools know English. Because they're already using American-based tools. And so having tools in English would be enough. Very Anglocentric of me, I know.
But I guess I hadn't considered if there are any regulatory/legal requirements by the EU or by specific countries within that require software to have local/native language options. Especially if used by governments. If laws like that do exist, I could see how having a diverse number of languages -- normally a good thing -- could be an impediment, at least in the start-up phase.
On the VC market front, that's interesting that's it not unified, even though there is a common market and currency. That said, I know very little about all that, so maybe not that unusual!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentGood call on the spoiler tag! I don't mind a twist; and having played many of these detective games as some around here know I do, yeah, there's always a twist. You have reminded me that, yes,...Good call on the spoiler tag!
I don't mind a twist; and having played many of these detective games as some around here know I do, yeah, there's always a twist. You have reminded me that, yes, DR2's twist is somewhat similar. And I did have similar-ish feelings about it at the time. But, crucially to me, it stays "in-character." Whereas DR3's twist does not.
I'm reminded of the first time I came across a game that had an ending like DR3: "Star Ocean: Till the End of Time." Which is also the third game in that JRPG series. And the ending is very similar. I'll admit, I didn't finish SO3, instead I read ahead in a player's guide I had because I was a dumb teenager. But when I read the ending I was so like...Ugh, really? SO3's ending is a little more nuanced than that, but it still was enough to make me not want to actually finish the game. Because it's such a lazy ending to me. Like I know it's not real. I don't need to be told it's not real. Probably a good thing I was too young to watch the TV show drama St. Elsewhere and their then-infamous "snow globe" ending scene!
Ah well, enough bitching. I am glad to have played it and finished it. It's my first finished game of 2026! I probably won't play any of the spin-off games, but I likely will watch some of the anime series. My understanding is that those stay "in-character," and do help explain some of the stuff with regards to the Future Foundation and what happened after Junko Enoshima and all that.
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Comment on Highguard | Official launch showcase in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentSo this game has a little history that might be playing into it. Highguard was showcased at this past Game Awards as the final world premier trailer. In recent years, that spot has been for...So this game has a little history that might be playing into it. Highguard was showcased at this past Game Awards as the final world premier trailer. In recent years, that spot has been for something big.
In 2024, it was Naughty Dog's still-in-development "Intergalatic: The Heretic Prophet". In 2023, it was Monster Hunter Wilds. And in 2022, it was the Final Fantasy XVI release date trailer.
And from what I saw online -- and even my own when I watched the Awards -- the reaction was: "...That's it? Oh." And then since that world premier, there's been practically nothing but radio silence from the studio. Yet it was supposed to release this month? The Game Awards was only in early December.
Some people started wondering if the studio paid to have that spot. Supposedly it did not. But that didn't stop the Internet from doing what it does best: making shit up and ragging on things that they know nothing about.
And given that the game kinda looked mid from that world premier trailer, it was kinda expected that the game would be DOA. And so here we are today.
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Comment on Why there's no European Google? in ~tech
JCPhoenix LinkAs a non-European (rather, a dirty American), I feel like this is a little bit of cope. Like yeah, that's great that Europe and Europeans contributed greatly to the foundations of the modern...As a non-European (rather, a dirty American), I feel like this is a little bit of cope. Like yeah, that's great that Europe and Europeans contributed greatly to the foundations of the modern Internet. And contributions will continue to be made and will be made for a long time to come! A lot of cool tech comes out of Europe.
But like Bwerf says, where are the at-parity hyperscalers in Europe? Us Americans are weaponizing interdependence, even towards our allies and friends (maybe I need to add "former" as a qualifier, sigh), and Europe has no alternatives. OK, maybe there doesn't need to be an European alternative for TikTok or Douyin. I think there's an argument that NO ONE needs these in the first place...But how about AI? Seems like all the big players are American or Chinese. That said, I just learned about Mistral and its "Le Chat." Though I don't know how widespread its use is. Can anyone chime in?
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix (edited )LinkSo I finally finished Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony last night. I thought I'd complete it Friday night, while I was watching the first half of the 24hrs of Daytona, yet somehow the race ended...So I finally finished Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony last night. I thought I'd complete it Friday night, while I was watching the first half of the 24hrs of Daytona, yet somehow the race ended 12+ hrs later and I was still working on hours beyond the end of the race!
(Pinging @Well_known_bear because I think they were the last person I talked to about this game)
Spoilers and more in-depth complaining
What a slog. And for a wholly unsatisfying ending. Aggravating, even. I just don't care for meta endings. "None of this is actually real! It's all just a 'game'!" Oh. So does that mean the first two games were just part of said "game"?" What does that mean for all the lore and worldbuilding from the first two games, anime, manga, spin-off games, etc?
I've seen some of the fanbase justifications. That V3 is non-canonical or it's in an alternate universe, that takes places separate from DR1 and DR2. But that's not stated anywhere. That's just an assumption, again, a justification.
Let me refocus. If you saw any of my previous comments from earlier in the month, I mentioned that I didn't like this game because of the characters mostly being pretty awful; one-dimensional. I still hold that belief (except for probably Kokichi). But I came back to the game because I wanted to see if there was a narrative reason for that. And I guess technically there is: it's because they're all unknowingly participants in a reality TV show, so their personalities are "scripted." Since they're not "real" people, their personalities and backstories are entirely fictional, that's why they're not deep and have weird or offputting personalities. They're bad because they were intentionally written to be that way.
Oh. OK. That's actually not said at any point; I'm just connecting possible dots. It could be that there's no reason at all why they're just not as good as DR1 and DR2 characters.
I also think the end comes off way too preachy and accusatory. The creator is definitely assigning blame to us players. There's no other way to take it, I don't think. "Why are these killing games happening? Because you the audience, the actual IRL players [such as me], wanted it! You wanted more Danganronpa video games, so that's why these high schoolers keep killing each other and dying gruesome deaths! YOU are killing them, all for your entertainment! So you can feel good about hope triumphing over despair!" Alright, buddy, relax.
Idk, this is absolutely, IMO, the worst game of the three mainline entries. By far. That's not to say there weren't some funny moments. That the style and art wasn't good; it was quite good. And that there weren't some moments that I enjoyed that were poignant and did make me rethink some of my thoughts on the characters. Again, that's mostly focused on Kokichi, but even on our MC, Shuichi though to a far lesser extent. But the characters overall, the pacing, the length of the game, and the terrible ending outweigh everything else.
I'm glad it's done. That was an instant uninstall after the credits finished. I think there's some other gamemode, but I have zero to desire to touch this game ever again.
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Comment on 2026 IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona - Jan 24-25 in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix LinkThat was an exciting last 30min in the GTP and GTD classes. Idk if I'd say it's the cleanest driving I've ever seen, but eh. I was rooting for Aitken at the end, but Nasr was on fire. I fell...That was an exciting last 30min in the GTP and GTD classes. Idk if I'd say it's the cleanest driving I've ever seen, but eh. I was rooting for Aitken at the end, but Nasr was on fire.
I fell asleep around like 11:00p/midnight EST. So did not stay up for all 24hrs, which was no surprise to me. The race was under FCY when I passed out. When I woke up around 6:45a EST, I saw the race was also under FCY. I was like, "This isn't the same FCY...Surely not." And then I asked online if I had missed anything, and people were like, "Nope, this is the same FCY that you went to sleep to!" One of the best comments I saw was, "These guys have been driving for 6+ hrs yet they're still in Daytona" lol. But yeah, how incredibly boring that's gotta be. 6+ hrs of FCY at night, with heavy fog.
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Comment on San Francisco parents are letting teens ride in Waymos without an adult in ~transport
JCPhoenix Link ParentAh I see, appreciate that. I read the comment several times and was like "Wait, what are they saying?"Ah I see, appreciate that. I read the comment several times and was like "Wait, what are they saying?"
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Comment on San Francisco parents are letting teens ride in Waymos without an adult in ~transport
JCPhoenix Link ParentWould you mind expanding on this? What's the danger that's still so high that parents shouldn't be letting their teens use Waymo? The article hit at one of the things I immediately thought...Would you mind expanding on this? What's the danger that's still so high that parents shouldn't be letting their teens use Waymo?
The article hit at one of the things I immediately thought would/could be more dangerous: having their teen friends who can drive, drive them around. But that's pretty normalized, even with various laws restricting the ability of new teen drivers to have passengers (that's how it was in my state). There were definitely times I had more passengers than I was legally allowed.
And less than a bicycle? In this country? I mean, biking is probably fine around the neighborhood. As a kid/younger teen, I definitely biked around a bunch. But never anywhere that far. And in the suburbs, anything that's worth going to is far if you don't have a vehicle taking you there. It'd be incredibly dangerous via a bike, with our apparent love of stroads and US highways and state routes that often double as major shopping/entertainment areas.
But, maybe there's something I'm not considering. Been a long time since I've been a teen (sigh), and I don't have kids.
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Comment on "Tax us more". Nearly 400 millionaires and billionaires call for higher taxes on super-rich. in ~society
JCPhoenix Link ParentThis is the same argument that some libertarians and conservatives use when talking about government welfare and getting rid of it. Why should the government provide assistance? That should be...This is the same argument that some libertarians and conservatives use when talking about government welfare and getting rid of it. Why should the government provide assistance? That should be within the purview of charities and churches and such. If people want to donate, that's their choice.
When the goings are good, maybe that's possible, though I strongly doubt it charities are total substitutions for government assistance. But when the economy is bad, we know people pull back from donating to charities and such. Because they need to watch out for themselves and their families. So you get a situation where the lives of those who are in need are totally dependent on the temporal benevolence of people. That's not really a good situation to be in. People in need often need stability, in addition to material resources, so they can potentially get back on their feet.
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2026 IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona - Jan 24-25
Thought I'd share, especially while many of us are still waiting for Formula 1. Schedule, starting grid, and other info. Starts today at 1:40p EST (18:40 UTC). Literally just started as of this...
Thought I'd share, especially while many of us are still waiting for Formula 1.
Schedule, starting grid, and other info.
Starts today at 1:40p EST (18:40 UTC). Literally just started as of this post.
In the US, I think it's on Peacock and NBC. Internationally (or with a VPN...) it can be viewed on YouTube.
I don't watch a lot of endurance racing, but I do try to watch the 24hr races like Spa and Le Mans. I've yet to stay up a whole 24hrs, and I doubt this year's Rolex 24 will be different for me, but it's a fun little challenge!
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Comment on Massive winter storm expected to dump snow and ice across United States in ~enviro
JCPhoenix Link ParentI wonder if there's worry of a repeat of February 2021 in Texas. Maybe that's why there was a focus there. I was still living in Kansas City, MO the day that happened. And we were also dealing...I wonder if there's worry of a repeat of February 2021 in Texas. Maybe that's why there was a focus there.
I was still living in Kansas City, MO the day that happened. And we were also dealing with insanely cold temps for the region and heavy electricity usage due to heating. Enough that rolling blackouts were instituted that morning in the metro to ensure grid stability. But being more north than Texas, we were also more prepared for that kind of event. Because even though it was crazy cold, KC is used to cold and snowy/icy winters every year.
Yesterday, I went out to dinner with a coworker and his wife. Given that we still have tons of snow and ice piled up everywhere after a snowstorm last weekend, I opted not to drive. I wasn't sure if I'd find parking, since the restaurant is in a more residential area. Plus, I was planning to have a few cocktails since my coworker said they were excellent. Which was true!
Anyway, since the restaurant was only a few miles away, I was planning to take public transit. But my timing was off. Or maybe Google Maps' was; not sure. When I looked at Google Maps again before I was about to leave, it all of sudden said I'd get there like 15-20min late. So ended up taking an Uber.
It wasn't super expensive -- about a $10 fare + tip -- but it was still more than the <$3.00 it'd have been had I taken public transit. Oh well.