Sycamore's recent activity

  1. Comment on What self-help / personal development books did you find valuable? in ~books

    Sycamore
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    Oh interesting - thanks for sharing. Looks like its still available secondhand. Did reading this change how you interpreted Drama of the Gifted Child or credibility of Alice Miller?

    Oh interesting - thanks for sharing. Looks like its still available secondhand. Did reading this change how you interpreted Drama of the Gifted Child or credibility of Alice Miller?

    3 votes

  2. Comment on What self-help / personal development books did you find valuable? in ~books

    Sycamore
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    Read Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller almost a decade ago and it provided an interesting framework to understand myself and others. High level its about the dynamic between children who...

    Read Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller almost a decade ago and it provided an interesting framework to understand myself and others. High level its about the dynamic between children who are sensitive to the needs of their parents and support them in some way, but as a result suppress their own needs (leading to depression e.g.). Common in abusive households or parents with mental illnesses.

    Its a psychoanalysis book - so take what you want out of it. But i found the case studies and analysis to feel relatable even for someone who doesn't consider themselves to have been brought up in an abusive household.

    3 votes

  3. Comment on What self-help / personal development books did you find valuable? in ~books

    Sycamore
    Link Parent
    I found Kondo's organizing tips to be helpful in general. The ones i specifically use to this day is folding clothes so that they 'file' not stack in drawers, folding socks instead of using the...

    I found Kondo's organizing tips to be helpful in general. The ones i specifically use to this day is folding clothes so that they 'file' not stack in drawers, folding socks instead of using the elastic to bind them, & nesting bags.

    I still manage to be a slight hoarder.. but try really hard to buy less things because i know i will have trouble throwing things out. Its been almost a decade since I read that tho - so would be one to revisit.

    2 votes

  4. Comment on Why carbon capture can't solve climate change in ~enviro

    Sycamore
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    One major thing they don't cover in the article is the NET carbon they would capture. I'd imagine building all the infrastructure around carbon capture would emit more GHGs than the amount of...

    One major thing they don't cover in the article is the NET carbon they would capture.

    I'd imagine building all the infrastructure around carbon capture would emit more GHGs than the amount of carbon these systems would store.

    Unless they can offset the embodied carbon along the entire process, and yield net negative overall, I don't see how any of these kinds of solutions are valuable/effective compared to simply reducing our use & reliance on fossil fuels.

    4 votes

  5. Comment on Celebrating 30th wedding anniversary - AMA in ~life

    Sycamore
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    At what point did you know you were ready to commit to marriage and lifelong partnership? Have you had moments where your relationship was dangerously strained or breaking down? How have you...

    At what point did you know you were ready to commit to marriage and lifelong partnership?

    Have you had moments where your relationship was dangerously strained or breaking down? How have you overcome them and/or approach those scenarios?

  6. Comment on Caught the cycling bug. Anyone else? in ~hobbies

    Sycamore
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    I hope to get to where you are soon! I've been meaning to bike for leisure and exercise more than just for running quick errands. I'd like to bike more year-round but the weather always...

    I hope to get to where you are soon! I've been meaning to bike for leisure and exercise more than just for running quick errands. I'd like to bike more year-round but the weather always intimidates me :(

    1 vote

  7. Comment on Which Substacks do you subscribe to/follow? in ~tech

    Sycamore
    Link Parent
    Its hard to define what im looking for specifically - i have a lot of hobbies and interested in various things. So kinda open to whatever and willing to explore what folks suggest. I'm not at all...

    Its hard to define what im looking for specifically - i have a lot of hobbies and interested in various things. So kinda open to whatever and willing to explore what folks suggest. I'm not at all familar with the Substack content landscape.

    E.g. I'd be willing to look into Schwartz bc ive been curious about woodworking and wanting to dabble in that too!

    I didn't know about the paywall situation tho...

  8. Comment on Which Substacks do you subscribe to/follow? in ~tech

  10. Comment on Lost in a sea of HVAC in ~life.home_improvement

    Sycamore
    (edited )
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    I was experiencing a similar situation where I had asked for a central system conversion but they proposed mini split heat pumps. I ended up agreeing and ended up going mini split. I accepted the...

    I was experiencing a similar situation where I had asked for a central system conversion but they proposed mini split heat pumps. I ended up agreeing and ended up going mini split. I accepted the fact that aethestics should not have to trump performance, comfort, and control. And i was generally happy with the result. You kinda get used to it hanging on the wall.

    I wasn't upgrading a house tho, just a condo.

    Side note-

    One reason why they avoid converting heating only duct systems into a cooling and heating duct systems is because the existing ductwork would be sized too small for the latter. You need more air to cool the house than to heat it (Primarily bc there's always people or equipment generating heat that you need to cool down vs. something generating cold to heat up).

    So you would need to push more air in the ducts which will cause the fan to work harder and cause more noise than if the ducts were rightly sized.

    3 votes

  11. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    Sycamore
    Link Parent
    Looks like you're correct im outdating myself! Only the Zenphone Ultra is available

    Looks like you're correct im outdating myself! Only the Zenphone Ultra is available

    1 vote

  12. Comment on Smartphone recommendations? in ~tech

    Sycamore
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    3.5years doesn't seem thaat old. I don't have a Sony, but I've had bluetooth issues where audio quality drops around the same spot i walk through during my commute. It was a strange phenomenon but...

    3.5years doesn't seem thaat old.

    I don't have a Sony, but I've had bluetooth issues where audio quality drops around the same spot i walk through during my commute. It was a strange phenomenon but i had to assume there was some kind of interfering signals. Wonder if thats your issue?

    In any case, try the Asus Zenphone - i think it meets all your requirements listed.

  13. Comment on Do you prefer chunky or smooth peanut butter? in ~food

    Sycamore
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    Teddy's 100%. I like both Smooth or Chucky but smooth preferred only cause its easier to spread.

    Teddy's 100%. I like both Smooth or Chucky but smooth preferred only cause its easier to spread.

    3 votes

  14. Comment on US landlords want to be paid for pandemic losses and hope to reach a deal with the Donald Trump administration in ~finance

    Sycamore
    Link Parent
    Thanks for the ping @gary ! A good reminder that real-estate is not risk-free.. (i did somewhat consider investing in real estate thinking it was reasonably safe but not wanting to be a landlord...

    Thanks for the ping @gary ! A good reminder that real-estate is not risk-free.. (i did somewhat consider investing in real estate thinking it was reasonably safe but not wanting to be a landlord was the major reason to avoid... )

    1 vote

  15. Comment on Are there alternative ways to invest savings? in ~finance

    Sycamore
    Link Parent
    What did you end up investing in ?

    What did you end up investing in ?

  16. Comment on Are there alternative ways to invest savings? in ~finance

    Sycamore
    Link Parent
    Not sure but what are some of the higher risk ones you're referring to?

    Not sure but what are some of the higher risk ones you're referring to?

    2 votes

  17. Comment on Are there alternative ways to invest savings? in ~finance

    Sycamore
    Link Parent
    Only up to 250,000 or so typically. Not that I have that much saved right now. But in general I want to have options.

    Only up to 250,000 or so typically. Not that I have that much saved right now. But in general I want to have options.

    1 vote

  18. Comment on Are there alternative ways to invest savings? in ~finance

    Sycamore
    Link Parent
    Yes... I don't want to play this game but I also don't want to lose

    Yes... I don't want to play this game but I also don't want to lose 🫠

    8 votes

  19. Comment on Are there alternative ways to invest savings? in ~finance

    Sycamore
    Link Parent
    Good points. I do try to minimize the amount of funds in a big bank HYSE and more towards a mutual bank CDs that are supporting local businessees. But its also risky to store all my savings in a...

    Good points.

    I do try to minimize the amount of funds in a big bank HYSE and more towards a mutual bank CDs that are supporting local businessees. But its also risky to store all my savings in a local bank.

    Alternatives that are on par with stock market growth may not really exist under capitalsm - but i really wish there is something somewhat comparable.

    3 votes

  20. Comment on Are there alternative ways to invest savings? in ~finance

    Sycamore
    Link Parent
    Hmm interesting idea, but having to manage something like that makes me a bit uncomfortable. Seems like it'll add a weird flavor to a relationship...

    Hmm interesting idea, but having to manage something like that makes me a bit uncomfortable. Seems like it'll add a weird flavor to a relationship...

    4 votes