WhyCause's recent activity
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Comment on The hidden cost of AI art: Brandon Sanderson's keynote in ~tech
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Comment on D&D campaign recomendation for solo/two people in ~games.tabletop
WhyCause LinkShadowdark (old-school feel with 5e mechanics) has an expansion to the basic rules called Solodark that I've heard good things about (the PDF is even free). You might be able to use the free...Shadowdark (old-school feel with 5e mechanics) has an expansion to the basic rules called Solodark that I've heard good things about (the PDF is even free).
You might be able to use the free Quickstart Set to try out solo play before you buy it.
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Comment on What's a culture shock that you experienced? in ~talk
WhyCause Link ParentI grew up in a US city where a large percentage of the population (historically) are of German decent; I'm used to a little "breathing room" in lines and stores. I now live in New Orleans, and...I grew up in a US city where a large percentage of the population (historically) are of German decent; I'm used to a little "breathing room" in lines and stores.
I now live in New Orleans, and have for some time. I still can't get used to how close strangers stand to me in lines, etc.. They get so close that if I shift my weight from my front foot to the back or just turn my upper body I bump into them. Gimmie some space, man!
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Comment on The "why does this movie exist" scene in ~movies
WhyCause Link ParentI'll describe it briefly: Anaconda Spoilers Our intrepid cast are fleeing through the jungle, from a spider, if I remember correctly, and Jack Black's character gets bitten by it on the leg....I'll describe it briefly:
Anaconda Spoilers
Our intrepid cast are fleeing through the jungle, from a spider, if I remember correctly, and Jack Black's character gets bitten by it on the leg. Laying on the ground, he declares that the only way to cure the poison is for someone to pee on it. Paul Rudd and Thandiwe Newton's characters defer, so Steve Zahn's must step up to the plate. He confesses to being pee-shy, and takes considerable convincing, then shamefully admits he pees sitting down. The end result is that Newton is crouched by Black's head, Rudd is on his hands and knees across Jack Black's torso, Steve Zahn is sitting on Rudd's back, and finally is able to pee on the bite.
The whole scene is ridiculous, extensive (it goes on and on), hilarious, and at an entirely inopportune time (they just got clear of a giant spider and a giant snake is on their tail).
As I sat there watching the scene, I could see someone writing this and figuring out the whole rest of the movie from there (What bit him, a jellyfish? No, a giant spider. Where would four childhood friends from the 'burbs find a giant spider? A jungle. Why the hell are they in a jungle? Remaking the 1997 classic, Anaconda.)
ETA: The movie is genuinely funny. I didn't go in expecting high cinema, nor do I have any nostalgia for the original, but I thought it worth a watch.
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Comment on The "why does this movie exist" scene in ~movies
WhyCause LinkI'm pretty sure the peeing scene (2/3? of the way through) the new Anaconda movie was the genesis for the whole film. I even turned to my wife in the moment and told her, "they wanted to do this...I'm pretty sure the peeing scene (2/3? of the way through) the new Anaconda movie was the genesis for the whole film.
I even turned to my wife in the moment and told her, "they wanted to do this scene, and the rest of it flowed from there." I don't think either of us even noticed the pun.
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Comment on Have you ever had an oddly specific dream come true? in ~talk
WhyCause LinkI have these dreams every now and again, and I've had them ever since I was in grade school. They're odd for a dream; a normal situation in vivid detail, always brief. One consistent thing about...I have these dreams every now and again, and I've had them ever since I was in grade school. They're odd for a dream; a normal situation in vivid detail, always brief. One consistent thing about them is that something always goes wrong, and I have a sense of dread about the outcome. Either I say something dumb or embarrassing, something breaks, someone trips, etc. In the grand scheme of things, they are small problems, not something that should inspire as much dread as I feel. Generally, I forget them within a day or so, until I'm in that specific situation in that specific place at a later date.
At that point, the dream comes rushing back, and I see the wrong looming until... it doesn't turn out that way. I don't know that I consciously change my behavior or avoid using something in the wrong way, but I do always 'foresee' the bad outcome in the moment, and it never really happens that way.
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Comment on Without looking, do you have a vague idea of your coordinates? in ~talk
WhyCause Link ParentI also work in GIS, and I know my house's coordinates within a tenth, but that's because New Orleans' coordinates are easy (30N 90W). I met an older guy at the ESRI UC one year who had made a...I also work in GIS, and I know my house's coordinates within a tenth, but that's because New Orleans' coordinates are easy (30N 90W).
I met an older guy at the ESRI UC one year who had made a "pilgrimage" to 30N 90W, and had written ahead to get permission, etc. (the actual spot is on private property); I'm nerdy about a lot of things, but that's pro-level nerdy.
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Comment on What are your AI-generated guilty pleasures? in ~tech
WhyCause Link ParentI believe (based on output alone; 13 albums released so far this year on Apple Music), that The Luna Lounge is LLM-generated. Which is too bad, because it's great lo-fi background music. I'm...I believe (based on output alone; 13 albums released so far this year on Apple Music), that The Luna Lounge is LLM-generated.
Which is too bad, because it's great lo-fi background music. I'm pretty anti-LLM use, but I might have trouble not turning on one of the albums when I just need something on in the background.
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Comment on What are your AI-generated guilty pleasures? in ~tech
WhyCause Link ParentOne of my fellow players generated an image of a Bread Golem that was pretty awesome. I've tried to generate some images a couple of times, but it never turns out right.One of my fellow players generated an image of a Bread Golem that was pretty awesome. I've tried to generate some images a couple of times, but it never turns out right.
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Comment on How did you ruin a game for yourself? in ~games
WhyCause Link ParentEventually, I'll give up on a puzzle when playing now. I'll look at a guide, and more than half the time, I'll say, "that's stupid; how was I supposed to figure that out?" I'm generally pretty...Eventually, I'll give up on a puzzle when playing now. I'll look at a guide, and more than half the time, I'll say, "that's stupid; how was I supposed to figure that out?" I'm generally pretty good at puzzles, so if I'm truly stumped, its generally, genuinely, a stupid puzzle. The rest of the time, I'll get mad at myself for not realizing the solution.
I did have to quit playing Myst (the original version that came on a CD-ROM with a soundcard I'd bought) at one point; in the spaceship, where you have to set the 5 notes on the sliders to exactly match the notes played on the piano. I guess I'm pretty tone-deaf, and I just could not get those notes right. Since the sliders could only be moved by the mouse, I couldn't even brute-force it by getting close and adjusting with the arrow keys. Once I realized I'd never get it, I just stopped playing. I've still never completed Myst.
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Comment on How did you ruin a game for yourself? in ~games
WhyCause LinkThe old LucasArts adventure game Full Throttle (the original 1995 version). I'd asked for it for Christmas; the copy I received came with the walk-through book. Once I got a little stuck and...The old LucasArts adventure game Full Throttle (the original 1995 version).
I'd asked for it for Christmas; the copy I received came with the walk-through book. Once I got a little stuck and referred to the book, it snowballed, and I started referring to the book every time I got stuck, even just a little.
It turned what had been an enjoyable game into a visual novel, which was not what I wanted. I try very hard to avoid puzzle solutions for games now.
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Comment on 1940s New York City streetview in ~design
WhyCause LinkI built something similar for the New Orleans French Quarter. Click on a building, and you get a list view of scanned photos and slides the City has for each of the properties (grouped by year)....I built something similar for the New Orleans French Quarter.
Click on a building, and you get a list view of scanned photos and slides the City has for each of the properties (grouped by year). The color code indicates how historic the building is (click the ? icon to see the legend). The dictionary (book icon) has definitions of the specific architectural terms used when describing the building. The "More Details" link takes you to the Historic New Orleans Collection's page about the property, and includes chain of title information, often going back to the original land grants.
One of my favorite ones is Jackson Square; the earliest images are pictures of the models that were built to show what it was going to look like when the (proposed) interstate was going to be built between the French Quarter and the river.
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Comment on Goodbye, old friend in ~life.men
WhyCause Link ParentI... don't agree. There are likely many things going on in the ex-friend's life that are getting in the way and we don't know any of them. While the he appears to be handling it in a pretty rude...I... don't agree.
There are likely many things going on in the ex-friend's life that are getting in the way and we don't know any of them. While the he appears to be handling it in a pretty rude way now, that doesn't make it okay for OP to be a jerk back. I doubt the ex-friend is so callous as to be thinking that since OP has nothing left to give, that he should be discarded (I choose to think better of humanity), rather, I believe it's more likely he doesn't realize quite how his actions are being interpreted or he's embarrassed about all the times he's been rude up to this point and doesn't want to face the music. Withholding friendship to 'get back at' the ex-friend simply continues the transactionalism that OP disdains and makes the world worse; an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.
There may very well be a time, as OP stated, when the ex-friend gets back in touch, which may (or may not) include recognition of how poorly he treated OP in the present; in the end, it doesn't matter. Being a friend means being there. It seems that OP wants to still be a friend, and I say, good for him.
The question at hand, though, is what about now? It does hurt when a friend moves on, and there's no way to make it not hurt except by talking about it and giving it time. Ex-friend is acting like a jerk whether he means to or not, but I was always told, "living well is the best revenge," and while 'revenge' may not be quite the right word in this instance, the meaning holds; OP should keep doing what he loves, keep mentoring younger professionals, and keep taking pride in making your profession better by doing so.
Ex-friend may never acknowledge the friendship again, OP, which would be sad, but not worth making your life miserable over by dwelling on it. If ex-friend does try to restart the friendship only to be spurned by you, the only thing you'll accomplish is making two people hurt and you still won't have him as a friend. Welcome him back (even if warily) and you'll have a better chance at truly healing.
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Comment on Do you have games that you play (almost) exclusively? in ~games
WhyCause Link ParentI've been playing FTL almost every day since its release in 2012... Sheesh, I've been playing it almost 13 years. I've completed everything -- all achievements, beat it with all ships on hard,...I've been playing FTL almost every day since its release in 2012...
Sheesh, I've been playing it almost 13 years. I've completed everything -- all achievements, beat it with all ships on hard, collected all the ships the hard way (via quests) -- but I still play all the time. It's gotten to the point where it's almost like playing solitaire; something I can do while only using half my concentration.
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Comment on If you had to buy a car today, what would you buy? in ~transport
WhyCause Link ParentNot slower, but ahead of the curve. I believe it was for the 2021 model year (may have been the 2020) that Mazda got rid of the touchscreen. They'd always had the dial, but, according to the lady...Mazda has been much slower to embrace the “touchscreen all the things” school of design.
Not slower, but ahead of the curve.
I believe it was for the 2021 model year (may have been the 2020) that Mazda got rid of the touchscreen. They'd always had the dial, but, according to the lady who sold us our 2021 CX-5, they had so many complaints about fingerprints on the screen that Mazda just got rid of touch controls. With my elbow on the armrest, my hand naturally fell on the dial, and the volume knob was just to the left. Environmental controls were all knobs and buttons as well (but kind of hard to read in some light conditions).
Our CX-5 just got totaled, and we're debating whether to get a different car, or just get another CX-5.
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Comment on Is the Cybertruck really that bad? in ~transport
WhyCause Link ParentI think you answered your own question there; you see them all the time because they are so different from all the other cars on the road. You may, in fact, be noticing the same one or two...Anecdotally it seems to have sold quite well - I see them all the time. The design is definitely visually interesting, although polarizing.
I think you answered your own question there; you see them all the time because they are so different from all the other cars on the road. You may, in fact, be noticing the same one or two repeatedly.
My wife and I bought a Mazda CX-5 during the pandemic. We had to put down a deposit and wait a month or so to pick it up. In that month, I noticed so many CX-5s on the road (I swear, they make up 50% of the vehicle traffic around here) only because I was looking for them; prior to that they blended in and I paid them no attention whatsoever.
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Comment on Favorite quick play tabletop game recommendations in ~games.tabletop
WhyCause LinkI played Gelatinous over Thanksgiving with my (mostly non-gaming) family, and it was a hit. It's for 3-5 players, the rules are dirt-simple, and it plays very quickly. There's no thinking here,...I played Gelatinous over Thanksgiving with my (mostly non-gaming) family, and it was a hit.
It's for 3-5 players, the rules are dirt-simple, and it plays very quickly. There's no thinking here, only luck, so it's best as a filler or last-one-of-the-night game. If you buy a second set, you can play with up to 10 people.
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Comment on Churchil Solitaire - The game that turned me off from buying mobile games in ~games
WhyCause Link ParentI second the recommendation for DSD6. It generally takes about 7-10 minutes per play, and I play it several times a day. It's based on the Print-n-Play version of Tau Leader Games physical dice game....check out the free Deep Space D6
I second the recommendation for DSD6. It generally takes about 7-10 minutes per play, and I play it several times a day.
It's based on the Print-n-Play version of Tau Leader Games physical dice game.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~tildes
WhyCause Link ParentOh, man; I thought I was the only one! I get so many death announcements, receipts, verification emails, etc. that I can't believe there are that many people with my last name out there (it is...As an amusing aside, I did manage to get my real name as a gmail address...
Oh, man; I thought I was the only one! I get so many death announcements, receipts, verification emails, etc. that I can't believe there are that many people with my last name out there (it is decidedly uncommon). I can only assume it's the same three people handing out my email address as theirs.
I used to reply to the (human) senders, letting them know that they had the wrong contact info, but one time I replied (nicely) to someone who sent me staff salary information for a church, and they got real snarky. At that point, I just started deleting and / or unsubscribing as they came in.
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Comment on Looking for slim wallet recommendations in ~life.style
WhyCause Link ParentI use their Daily Wallet to hold about 8 cards and cash. I think I stretch it out more than it's designed to hold. I keep cash folded twice and two debit/credit cards on the elastic side, and the...I use their Daily Wallet to hold about 8 cards and cash. I think I stretch it out more than it's designed to hold.
I keep cash folded twice and two debit/credit cards on the elastic side, and the remaining cards on the other. I have two IDs in the front pocket on the non-elastic side, and the remaining cards in the back one. That said, most of the cards in the back pocket are insurance-style cards (basically laminated paper), and they are sometimes difficult to pull out.
It's worked reasonably well for me, but I'm not a huge fan of the style of it. Of course, practicality won out (it was $5 on clearance at Academy Sports).
Think back to third grade and multiplication tables. We drilled those multiplication tables over and over and over, with 5-minute quizzes to test our memorization. Eventually, we got good enough that we could do those problems in our head, and could quickly do two and three-digit multiplication problems on paper.
If we had been told to "just use your calculator" in third grade, the step to algebra in eighth grade or freshman year would have been impossible; we just wouldn't have had the knowledge or practice of manipulating numbers to the extent that we could abstract it to working with symbols.
LLMs steal that opportunity to grow from you. You can't learn to twist language to your needs in a story or poem if you haven't already written crappy versions several times. You can't learn to make that final image match exactly what's in your head if you don't practice with the pencil, brush, or line tool over, and over, and over. You'll never wrench that perfect tune from your muse's grasp without getting guitar-string calluses on your fingers or chipping your teeth on your trumpet's mouthpiece.
If you only ever do basic arithmetic with a calculator, you will never get good at math; you'll only be good at pressing buttons. If you only ever use an LLM to write, draw, or make music, you will never get good at those things; you'll only be good at asking a computer to make something for you based on what has come before. Using an LLM robs you, and all of us, of that growth. Depending on an LLM for those outputs chains you to the profit-desperate companies that are trying to convince us all that there is no other way, and that will be $200 a month, please. Only using an LLM for these and other artistic endeavors leads to an eventual "heat-death" of culture, where everything is at the same, average, temperature, color, volume, and level of surprise.
LLMs lead to greige, not growth.
ETA: the final two words.