Melvincible's recent activity
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Comment on US to require automatic emergency braking on new vehicles in five years in ~transport
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Comment on Tildes Book Club second nominations thread in ~books
Melvincible LinkI mostly read nonfiction these days. DMT the Spirit Molecule, by Rick Strassman is one I love to recommend to people because it's just so fun to talk about. It's definitely an intersection of...I mostly read nonfiction these days. DMT the Spirit Molecule, by Rick Strassman is one I love to recommend to people because it's just so fun to talk about. It's definitely an intersection of science and spirituality.
On my list of books I haven't read yet:
How to Tame a Fox by Lee Dugatkin and Lyudmila Trut. Some russian scientists attempt to create a breed of fox that is like a dog.
An Immense World by Ed Yong. Cool animal facts.
Sabriel by Garth Nix. This is fiction, dark and lush young adult fantasy. Very magical.
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Comment on UK asylum seekers will be deported to Rwanda in ~news
Melvincible Link ParentYour comment seems to imply that they are doing this for a higher quality of life, but that the issues they will claim will likely be false. Is it your opinion that their human rights are not...Your comment seems to imply that they are doing this for a higher quality of life, but that the issues they will claim will likely be false. Is it your opinion that their human rights are not being violated where they are from, generally? It's not actually dangerous enough there to warrant refugee status? Is there an option for them that doesn't include border jumping, and if so, what is prohibiting people from doing that instead?
I'm from the US and know absolutely nothing about refugees in other places. I know the main reason that people illegally enter the US from the south is that a legal alternative is not available to them. Many visas get denied from the poorest countries. And it's difficult here to renew them, unless you are a student or you marry a citizen. I guess if it's bad enough for you, it's worth the risks. To me, the fact that someone is willing to risk their life to cross dangerously lends credibility to a claim that life is worth much less where they are coming from. Whether it's a human rights violation status I can't really say.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Melvincible Link ParentYou are so right. Wizards of the coast has had several notable fuckups in the last couple years. For me the hardest part of dnd is memorizing what the spells do, and what is a bonus action vs a...You are so right. Wizards of the coast has had several notable fuckups in the last couple years.
For me the hardest part of dnd is memorizing what the spells do, and what is a bonus action vs a full action, and what I need to roll/what I add to my roll. This is my first campaign since like 2003. Without a visual reference it just feels very abstract. But once I have the visual, it is cemented in my mind. I'm also playing a githyanki in my current campaign, and Lae'zel's character helped me see how I have really not been maximizing my potential....
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Melvincible Link ParentI've been save scumming mostly because I want to try different dialogue options or fight the same battle different ways just to see what's possible. I'm so used to games where you just smash into...I've been save scumming mostly because I want to try different dialogue options or fight the same battle different ways just to see what's possible. I'm so used to games where you just smash into battle and stomp on people. Realizing how much I can customize my battle style with the environment and character abilities has been so fun... I was getting super fucked up by some little guys in Act 2, and it occured to me that I could wear a different amulet, hide on a roof, and not be affected by their garotting move. I have never played a game quite like this. I think it might also be making me better at regular dnd because I understand the world more. Maybe my imagination sucks!!
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Comment on Fellow hardline materialists, how do you "enchant" the world? in ~talk
Melvincible Link ParentI loved reading this comment, I want you to recommend me books :0I loved reading this comment, I want you to recommend me books :0
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Comment on Fellow hardline materialists, how do you "enchant" the world? in ~talk
Melvincible LinkI shift my thinking, what I consider "zooming in/out". Whatever I am thinking about, I selectively add or remove context. That baby bunny with it's mom is precious and warm and their snuggling for...I shift my thinking, what I consider "zooming in/out". Whatever I am thinking about, I selectively add or remove context. That baby bunny with it's mom is precious and warm and their snuggling for a little bit of time is all that exists. All context removed, it's actually super important, and special to those bunnies, and will never be experienced again. And for a short time I can let myself feel that it's a mysterious world I don't have access to, just a glimpse here and there. Yesterday I saw a dead baby scrub jay near my compost, and I spent a few minutes looking at it and wondered if it was that scrub jay mom's first baby. And if she had the capacity to look forward to milestones, and felt grief and loss at having to wait another year to try again. Or if that would make her a worse mom, more harsh, for future babies because now she knows that sometimes they just die. From this zoomed in perspective, the fact that organisms have these unique moments in their life feels pretty magical. "Does it matter?" is hard to answer because obviously no, it doesn't matter if you are zoomed out. But if you zoom way in, it matters so much! I try to hang out in the zoom in zone. Like.. One day our sun will explode and all these atoms will be something else, like what??? I can not dwell on that. It does not serve me to zoomed out that far.
I also play a lot of dungeons and dragons thsese days.
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Comment on Generation Z is unprecedentedly rich in ~finance
Melvincible Link ParentI did make inferences from your statement about increasing housing costs being a natural consequence of increasing incomes, sorry for jumping to a conclusion. It's difficult for me to understand...I did make inferences from your statement about increasing housing costs being a natural consequence of increasing incomes, sorry for jumping to a conclusion. It's difficult for me to understand the relationships between some of these data points. Your comment made me do some additional research so thanks for that! I have a better understanding now I think.
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Comment on Generation Z is unprecedentedly rich in ~finance
Melvincible Link ParentPeople are starting to demand smaller homes though. The average size peaked in 2015 and has been decreasing since then. The number of adults living with one or more roommates has also increased....People are starting to demand smaller homes though. The average size peaked in 2015 and has been decreasing since then. The number of adults living with one or more roommates has also increased. What leads you to think the opposite is true?
My understanding of inflation adjusted prices is that if my house price goes up, and my income doesn't, then essentially my income has decreased because a higher percent of it goes to the price increase. Wages are increasing right now, but cost of rent/buying a house has increased at a greater rate. Inflation adjustments are not the only thing to look at, but I disagree that they are "not meaningful". Just search home price to income ratio, you might be really unpleasantly surprised at the last few years.
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Comment on USA, 101 Freeway: Major Los Angeles highway to undergo weeks of closures for wildlife crossing construction in ~enviro
Melvincible LinkI'm so glad this is happening, I can't wait to drive past it!! I hope they won't allow any human hiking over it.I'm so glad this is happening, I can't wait to drive past it!! I hope they won't allow any human hiking over it.
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Comment on What's the best way to avoid scams when being paid by strangers on the internet? in ~finance
Melvincible LinkThe only way that a cashier check from a stranger is safe is to have your bank completely verify the deposit, which may take a few days, before shipping the item to the buyer. The common scam for...The only way that a cashier check from a stranger is safe is to have your bank completely verify the deposit, which may take a few days, before shipping the item to the buyer. The common scam for that is to send you a cashiers check that is fake, take the product, disappear. Another is to send you one, accidentally "overpay", and then ask for a refund for the overpaid amount. I would avoid this method. I feel like there is almost no reason to pay in this manner, unless the purchaser just straight up doesn't have a bank account, which in itself is a red flag.
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
Melvincible LinkI took my goose to a vet because she was acting weird. So I learned a lot about goose health. She is a toulouse goose, from a hatchery, and my first goose. I wrongly thought that she would lay...I took my goose to a vet because she was acting weird. So I learned a lot about goose health. She is a toulouse goose, from a hatchery, and my first goose. I wrongly thought that she would lay eggs regularly, as the ducks do, but it turns out that they lay in cycles. A few months at a time then a long break. I think the last egg of her first laying cycle got stuck because it was small, and there was nothing behind it to help it along. Gave her some pain meds and added a calcium supplement to her diet. An expensive lesson! But glad to find out she is a very healthy lady :) Since nursing her through that rough patch, she has become VERY sweet to me, which is awesome because I never imagined a goose could be friendly until I got one myself. 10/10 recommend goose ownership.
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Comment on How do you feel about student loan forgiveness? in ~life
Melvincible Link ParentI read the article, it doesn't say anything about helping borrowers having a negative impact on any sector. It does say that debt being this high has resulted in lower consumer spending, fewer new...I read the article, it doesn't say anything about helping borrowers having a negative impact on any sector. It does say that debt being this high has resulted in lower consumer spending, fewer new businesses being started, and increases in other types of debt. There is also an entire section about my cohort, those graduating into the recession, being worse off than others. I'm not sure what looking at a national average from 2022 proves other than some people are less fucked than some other people who are more fucked. Your argument that helping people would hurt other people remains flimsy. Having fewer people be fucked would be a net positive, regardless of which category they are in. Loan forgiveness would stimulate the economy.
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Comment on How do you feel about student loan forgiveness? in ~life
Melvincible Link ParentI can sort of follow your logic here but I don't think it's backed up by anything real. Student loan forgiveness driving up housing costs seems like a stretch. I also can't speak for others, but...I can sort of follow your logic here but I don't think it's backed up by anything real. Student loan forgiveness driving up housing costs seems like a stretch. I also can't speak for others, but in my little cohort, undergraduate loans were closer to 70k. Since graduating into a recession, in a state with a 7.25 minimum wage, finding a job that earned more than my high school educated peers was not happening. I have since paid about 72k, and still owe 24k, due to interest. My case is not an exceptional one. I also think that if more people could afford to get a mortgage, that is a net positive for our country. Not a bad thing. So while I kind of follow you, on paper, it just doesn't match anything I have seen in my actual life.
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Comment on How do you feel about student loan forgiveness? in ~life
Melvincible LinkI think it needs to happen and the arguments against it don't really hold up. A government should support its citizens and it's crazy to me that this is seen as so controversial. Usually the...I think it needs to happen and the arguments against it don't really hold up. A government should support its citizens and it's crazy to me that this is seen as so controversial. Usually the people who are against it say things that boil down to "what about me though" and are completely unable to see how something that doesn't benefit them on a personal level can still be worth doing.
I also think it's going to continue to be a problem indefinitely until we do something to lower the cost of education. It just should not be that expensive. Our taxes should be providing us with education and health care, but I am afraid our elected officials will never stop funding weapons manufacturers and oil companies :/ Loan forgiveness is a really needed relief, but it is a band aid that doesn't address the root cause.
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Comment on What is your "can't miss" movie that you will not pass up if showing in theaters? in ~movies
Melvincible LinkMoulin Rouge. So beautiful... really meant to be enjoyed in the largest format possible.Moulin Rouge. So beautiful... really meant to be enjoyed in the largest format possible.
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Comment on What's something you've been mulling over recently? in ~talk
Melvincible LinkHow much time is it appropriate to let myself play Baldur's gate 3? I just got it. I usually don't buy games like this because I KNOW they will consume me. And here I am finding myself getting...How much time is it appropriate to let myself play Baldur's gate 3? I just got it. I usually don't buy games like this because I KNOW they will consume me. And here I am finding myself getting consumed. I am loving every minute of this game. I actually think it's going to make me enjoy my in person d&d campaign even more. But like.... I have not picked up a single other project since downloading this game. I wonder if I should set boundaries for myself or just say fuck it and do what I want... why is there guilt attached to this hobby? Because I am not creating anything? Do I have to productive to feel like my time isn't being wasted? Is immersing myself in fantasy an unworthy hobby? Anyone, 10/10 best game in a long time, highly recommend.
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Comment on What are some of your favorite PlayStation 1 games? Any odd or unique ones worth playing? in ~games
Melvincible LinkCastlevania symphony of the night is still one of my all time favorites. Someone else mentioned Tomba and I second that!! What a weird cute game. Spyro the dragon definitely.Castlevania symphony of the night is still one of my all time favorites. Someone else mentioned Tomba and I second that!! What a weird cute game. Spyro the dragon definitely.
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Comment on State Farm shedding 72,000 home insurance policies in California in ~finance
Melvincible Link ParentDamage from wildfires was high in 2020, but the last two years were lowest they've been since the 90s. We keep having wet winters which correlates to less fire risk. What are the odds this is just...Damage from wildfires was high in 2020, but the last two years were lowest they've been since the 90s. We keep having wet winters which correlates to less fire risk. What are the odds this is just an insurance company being greedy and trying to hold people hostage to have more control over which regulations they have to follow? I can see the CA state government allowing them to increase rates to an absurd level if they agree not to leave the state. But I am pretty cynical. Seems like if the law requires you to insure your home, the insurers should be required to insure. Homeowners don't have the choice to opt out.
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Comment on 100,000 years and counting – how do we tell future generations about highly radioactive nuclear waste repositories? in ~enviro
Melvincible Link ParentMy favorite is the Ray Cat idea. Making cats change color in the presence of nuclear waste, and using basically cat based fables and fairy tales to keep the information from generation to...My favorite is the Ray Cat idea. Making cats change color in the presence of nuclear waste, and using basically cat based fables and fairy tales to keep the information from generation to generation. It assumes there will never be a time where humanity doesn't live alongside cats :3
It would disrupt labor if people can't drive to work, it would lower revenue from car sales, and it would lead to regulating an industry that doesn't want to be regulated. They spend many tens of millions a year on lobbying.