Nsutdwa's recent activity
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Comment on Of course viewers are giving up on Netflix shows in ~tv
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Comment on I'm looking for an adage or "law" (like Conway's law), but for dealing with AI slop in ~tech
Nsutdwa Link ParentMy workplace had the whole company go through a "AI journey" and "Data management journey" a few months ago, which were both almost entirely useless (unskippable videos galore, along with "finish...My workplace had the whole company go through a "AI journey" and "Data management journey" a few months ago, which were both almost entirely useless (unskippable videos galore, along with "finish now" buttons at the end of each section that would fade into existence infuriatingly slowly and be unclickable until the animation had finished, hahaha). Recently we all came into the office to find an official-looking envelope on our desk. Inside was a letter with little "data astronaut" and "AI journeyer" stickers... Seriously, about 4 stickers in cartoon style for each of these stupid courses, and a letter saying "here's a small gift to celebrate blah blah blah". The stickers were quite cute, if only I had some child to give it to. But for some reason my employer thinks preparing and handing out wee stickers is a worthwhile use of resources/time.
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Comment on EU introduces €3 customs charge on small parcels to curb cheap Chinese imports in ~society
Nsutdwa Link ParentThere's got to be something like that. I was surprised because I could easily read people's names and addresses on the packages and there were no obvious signs of them having been (even carefully)...There's got to be something like that. I was surprised because I could easily read people's names and addresses on the packages and there were no obvious signs of them having been (even carefully) opened and then resealed. I saw addresses from central and southern Europe, nothing from the UK or beyond. But there must be some way of sorting the value - there's no way anyone's opening one of these envelopes and finding a mini PC or something, I'm very sure.
Edit to add:
I found it super sad, because being cynical (realistic, lol), we know there's no value there. But a couple times I've walked past groups of kids excitedly saying that they've got €5 for a "mystery package", and I just wanted to say "don't waste your money on this!"... The closest I got to these loot boxes and mystery packages that kids deal with now was the lucky dip at the school Christmas party, which was generally little cars hidden in packing peanuts! -
Comment on Do you cook with cast iron? Is it the hassle everyone says it is? in ~food
Nsutdwa (edited )Link ParentHa, yes that makes sense. And at the risk of sounding pedantic, you also mean sunflower oil when you say vegetable oil? Is that a US thing? Because when I hear vegetable oil, I'd think of...Ha, yes that makes sense. And at the risk of sounding pedantic, you also mean sunflower oil when you say vegetable oil? Is that a US thing? Because when I hear vegetable oil, I'd think of sunflower, maybe corn. I don't know if olive oil is also a vegetable oil (don't come at me with something about olives being a fruit and start calling it a "fruit oil"!)?
*Edit: I did a quick google and it looks like "vegetable oil" can refer to a whole bunch of things - is "vegetable oil" sold under that name in supermarkets where you are? I've always wondered, tbh. Because I often read recipes in English, which are, of course, often US, and there's often the odd ingredient that's either difficult or impossible to get (not saying that it can't be subbed, of course, but when something like "coffee creamer" or "50/50" (I think it's called that, it was some dairy product, I think) comes up, I'll often have to sit down and think "fine, but what does my local supermarket call this?".
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Comment on EU introduces €3 customs charge on small parcels to curb cheap Chinese imports in ~society
Nsutdwa Link ParentI'm really torn on this one. I'm like the poster you're talking to, mostly ordering little circuit boards, sensors, switches, but I have ordered other household things that are much cheaper on...I'm really torn on this one. I'm like the poster you're talking to, mostly ordering little circuit boards, sensors, switches, but I have ordered other household things that are much cheaper on aliexpress etc. It is ludicrous to be able to pay a couple euros and get a small padded envelope with a product sent from China. I agree that that package probably costs more than a couple euros in terms of all the customs and logistics infrastructure that I do want to exist, so I'm fine paying for that. I never was one to order a tonne of clothes in small batches (or big batches) a la shein, so I'm unaffected by that aspect of it.
I don't know - there's a shop opened up that I can walk past that sells "mystery boxes", which are just undelivered/lost aliexpress/temu/shein/amazon packages. They charge round numbers depending on the size, but have a lot of visible stock as well. And it's all crap. It's incredible. I walked around it with my partner when it opened (so you'd assume relatively un-picked over) and it was dire. Boxes were ripped open, so pieces were (probably, but no way of knowing) missing - things like a kitchen mixer tap, but the o-rings and screws and fittings were all just loose in a box with an open lid. I've never walked out of a shop with the feeling that, even if it were free, I wouldn't want to bring anything in there home. It was almost fascinating, really. It's all crappy furniture that will break with a month of use or chintzy bullshit or just random junk (an opened box of straws, with just a few missing).
All that to say, I do think there's a problem with having cheap crap so available and these things are so cheap they're available to a huge amount of people. I just don't think there's any real winners anywhere along the chain, barring a literal handful of owners in China (and I guess the landlord/landlady of the shop premises over here).
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Comment on ‘Citizen Vigilante’ and the rise of basedsploitation in ~movies
Nsutdwa Link ParentYes, I reckon so. I'm not going to waste any time on it either. I've seen a few astonishingly obviously botty comments (something like "no wonder people are going to see Citizen Vigilante", lol)...Yes, I reckon so. I'm not going to waste any time on it either. I've seen a few astonishingly obviously botty comments (something like "no wonder people are going to see Citizen Vigilante", lol) and absolutely zero other mention, so yea, not hopeful. It's a shame about Hammer, he was good in the few roles I saw him in before he drove his career off a cliff.
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Comment on ‘Supergirl’ fall to earth with $68m worldwide opening in ~movies
Nsutdwa Link ParentAh, that's a shame, I was hoping for it to be fun. I like the lead actress, I think she can be fun to watch, so it's a shame if the rest of the film isn't holding up.Ah, that's a shame, I was hoping for it to be fun. I like the lead actress, I think she can be fun to watch, so it's a shame if the rest of the film isn't holding up.
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Comment on Do you cook with cast iron? Is it the hassle everyone says it is? in ~food
Nsutdwa Link ParentInteresting, thanks for that. I'm not sure I can buy some of those oils from the supermarkets around me though, haha! I think sunflower and olive oils are the most normal around me, with coconut...Interesting, thanks for that. I'm not sure I can buy some of those oils from the supermarkets around me though, haha! I think sunflower and olive oils are the most normal around me, with coconut oil being the exotic new addition. The shops didn't know where to put it for a while, the same recipient would show up in the makeup section and then in the cooking oils section (this was a few years ago, to be fair, they've now sorted out a plastic tub for the makeup stuff and a more utilitarian container for the cooking one).
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Comment on Do you cook with cast iron? Is it the hassle everyone says it is? in ~food
Nsutdwa Link ParentI get the smoke point mattering, but does the healthiness of the seasoning oil matter? Isn't the point of the seasoning that it forms a sort of non-stick layer? Or is it a sacrificial thing,...I get the smoke point mattering, but does the healthiness of the seasoning oil matter? Isn't the point of the seasoning that it forms a sort of non-stick layer? Or is it a sacrificial thing, releasing into the food gradually but protecting the pan?
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Comment on Do you cook with cast iron? Is it the hassle everyone says it is? in ~food
Nsutdwa Link ParentAssume that I'm a total noob - what is neutral oil? Is that an oil with no strong taste, like sunflower oil? If not sunflower oil, what oil is good for this?Assume that I'm a total noob - what is neutral oil? Is that an oil with no strong taste, like sunflower oil? If not sunflower oil, what oil is good for this?
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Comment on SpaceX stock tumbles 23% from its high as average investor sees gains wiped out in ~finance
Nsutdwa Link ParentI think there's definitely a cohort of investors who are essentially gamblers. The ones who expect that their career will never be anything other than poorly compensated drudgery with an...I think there's definitely a cohort of investors who are essentially gamblers. The ones who expect that their career will never be anything other than poorly compensated drudgery with an insufficient pension in their 70s, if at all. At that point, hard word and discipline will get you a smidgen less drudgery and an iota more pension. So why not "chuck it all on black" (i.e. bitcoin, or spacex, or whatever meme stock is being hyped in that telegram or instagram or whatever this week)? Also, a lot of young people have grown up seeing only a fairly insane bullrun by world, and particularly US, markets. I've lost count of the number of times I've read threads by people in their 20s planning an early retirement on the assumption of 8%-10% annual gains on their savings.
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Comment on SpaceX stock tumbles 23% from its high as average investor sees gains wiped out in ~finance
Nsutdwa Link ParentI think there are limits on selling for insiders, i.e. those who have been awarded stocks as part of their compensation package. Retail investors that were allocated stock for the IPO might face...I think there are limits on selling for insiders, i.e. those who have been awarded stocks as part of their compensation package. Retail investors that were allocated stock for the IPO might face guideline restrictions (but generally not actual legal blocks) on selling. See this Reddit thread where the Fidelity rep says:
"As with any investment, you are free to sell the securities obtained during an IPO whenever you determine it is appropriate for you. However, if you have been allocated shares of SpaceX and you sell within the first 15 calendar days from the start of trading in the secondary market, it will affect your ability to participate in future new issue equity public offerings through Fidelity for a defined period of time. The first day clients can sell without being labeled a flipper is the 16th calendar day after the stock trades on the secondary market. The defined period is as follows:
First Flip – Blocked for Six Months
Second Flip – Blocked for One Year
Third Flip – Permanently banned by your SSN" -
Comment on SpaceX stock tumbles 23% from its high as average investor sees gains wiped out in ~finance
Nsutdwa Link Parent(I'm not the OP you're replying to) When these entities borrow, do they immediately borrow the money or sort of establish a credit line and just draw it down as and when they need it. It feels...(I'm not the OP you're replying to) When these entities borrow, do they immediately borrow the money or sort of establish a credit line and just draw it down as and when they need it. It feels like having a credit facility that you draw down and then immediately spend would alleviate that problem (somewhat? maybe?). I'm glad I'm not architecting these deals, they must be fiendishly complicated with so much on the line.
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Comment on Not so empty nesters: record-high number of US adults under 35 live at home, new data says in ~life
Nsutdwa Link ParentI saw a report from the Spanish central bank, which gave figures for how much of their net income two people (two people moving out and forming a household) would have to allocate to rent, and the...I saw a report from the Spanish central bank, which gave figures for how much of their net income two people (two people moving out and forming a household) would have to allocate to rent, and the numbers are crazy. They take the example of two 18-35 year olds, take their net income right now, get a percentage for how much of TWO PEOPLE'S net income would be needed to pay rent, and the numbers are really shocking (not surprising). 46.8% in Seville. 43.5% in Barcelona. 41.3% in Madrid (PDF warning). Anything over 30% is deemed financially irresponsible - but there's just no option if you want to live where most of the well-paid jobs are (which clearly aren't paid enough!).
It's the same all over the western world at the moment, if you want to move out, become independent, many many people have to9 effectively financially ruin themselves. And those years, in your 20s and 30s, are when savings are most important. Savings stashed away and invested in your 20s and 30s will likely give great returns in your old age. So it's a double blow, not only are they suffocated right now, they're also sacrificing their future financial security. Absolute insanity.
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Comment on I almost got hit by a car in ~life
Nsutdwa Link ParentDriving a beater is a low-key superpower on the roads. I often get pushed around (and generally just let it happen, because eh, why bother) by fancy BMWs and Mercedes, but sometimes I just don't...Driving a beater is a low-key superpower on the roads. I often get pushed around (and generally just let it happen, because eh, why bother) by fancy BMWs and Mercedes, but sometimes I just don't bother helping them fix a problem (like they've not seen the bus slowing in their lane ahead and are now trying to escape by barging into the next lane, and no I will not stamp on my brakes to create a space for them) that they've not helped mitigate, because respraying one panel on their car is worth more than my whole car, so who's going to be the real loser here? Another scratch on my car now is no biggie, like battle scars. It's going to hurt when I have to get a new car, at least for the first few years until it's worn in.
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Comment on What are some seemingly silly things in your life that have practical purposes? in ~life
Nsutdwa Link ParentRunning heavy cat6 cables through my walls was one of the toughest jobs I ever did. It was accomplished with lots of cable lube, two people, one shoving (which works better than you'd expect, I...Running heavy cat6 cables through my walls was one of the toughest jobs I ever did. It was accomplished with lots of cable lube, two people, one shoving (which works better than you'd expect, I suppose because of that stiffness) and one yanking, and lots of swearing and sweating. Not sure I'd do it again, but I do have good internet now, so who knows.
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Comment on US battery industry cuts losses, shifts to new ventures amid electric vehicle bust in ~transport
Nsutdwa Link ParentThat's surely a function of the far inferior energy density of batteries to petrol/diesel though. The fact is, a combustion engine can, in the same volume, pack in way more energy, meaning that...That's surely a function of the far inferior energy density of batteries to petrol/diesel though. The fact is, a combustion engine can, in the same volume, pack in way more energy, meaning that aerodynamics can come second to aesthetics more often. With an EV, they're doing everything they can to eke out as many km as possible out of each kWh in that battery and paying a heavy price in terms of volume and weight for each kWh they choose to equip it with, so the priority naturally shifts waaaay towards a low drag coefficient. If that means it looks like a smeared normal car, fine. Grills get the gaps filled in, wheels get hub cabs that are as wide and flat as possible, wheel diameter is squeezed down, wingmirrors get smushed if possible, etc. etc. They look like bars of soap because designers wish they were as slippery as bars of soap!
I'm very much NOT a car person, though, that said. I would be quite happy to drive round in a generic oval or teardrop or whatever the physics sim says will let me go further. I can appreciate the aesthetics of a cool car, but I wouldn't pay a penny for it.
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Comment on Formula 1 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
Nsutdwa Link ParentRosberg and Hamilton have been forced into this kind of position a few times since Rosberg's retirement, and there's always a bit of an edge to it, I feel. I listened to a fairly long interview of...Rosberg and Hamilton have been forced into this kind of position a few times since Rosberg's retirement, and there's always a bit of an edge to it, I feel. I listened to a fairly long interview of Rosberg on a podcast (maybe "high performance something", with an ex-BBC F1 presenter. It was fascinating, he is remarkably self aware. The mental fortitude and attitude that he built up and protected in his championship fight, and how he made that such a priority, is genuinely fascinating. I think he acknowledges that his friendship with Hamilton was irreparably damaged by those years in the same team, that both are more prepared to just let the whole thing stay in the past at this point. He is a remarkable person, very clever, even sometimes humble (but normally not too humble!).
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Comment on Elon Musk net worth estimated at $1.1 trillion in ~finance
Nsutdwa Link ParentThis is not true. Perhaps you meant to talk about a particular country in Europe? There's huge differences in the financial instruments available in different European countries and their fiscal...It's actually not possible to take loans against your portfolio in Europe, for reasons related to this.
This is not true. Perhaps you meant to talk about a particular country in Europe? There's huge differences in the financial instruments available in different European countries and their fiscal treatment, but I know for a fact of several countries where pledging assets is a perfectly acceptable mechanism to gain access to loans at favourable interest rates.
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Comment on Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
Nsutdwa Link ParentThis is almost certainly the only way to enjoy this race, unless you're actually there being wined and dined (and shroomed?), I suppose.This is almost certainly the only way to enjoy this race, unless you're actually there being wined and dined (and shroomed?), I suppose.
Finding a good recap is hard, too. There's a lot of low-effort AI ones that just don't do a good job of summarising it. Just dross. Someone's out there doing good ones, but I haven't found them yet.