aisneto's recent activity
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Comment on Refund fraud schemes promoted on TikTok, Telegram are costing Amazon and other retailers billions of dollars in ~tech
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Comment on The costs of a phone-based childhood in ~tech
aisneto LinkGrowing up during this period, my struggle with self-control on social media was glaringly apparent. Back when I was 15 or 16, I found myself endlessly scrolling through the 9gag timeline, seeking...Growing up during this period, my struggle with self-control on social media was glaringly apparent. Back when I was 15 or 16, I found myself endlessly scrolling through the 9gag timeline, seeking out memes, often checking it multiple times a day until I reached the last meme I remembered seeing. Even though I had a smartphone, I still preferred using my computer for browsing, as the app experience wasn't as optimized back then.
I feels like everything is 9gag now. Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, Twitter — everything has a linear feed, and worse, everything has an infinite linear feed. Everything suggests infinite entertainment suited for your specific niche, and worst of all, it is all accessible at all times. Managing my consumption was a challenge in my teens, but it escalated into a serious problem in adulthood.
To regain control, I had to take drastic measures. For instance, to curb my YouTube addiction, I disabled history tracking. Twitter, being the least relevant to my real-life connections, had to be axed altogether. Yet, some platforms aren't as easy to disconnect from. Instagram, for instance, used to be a source of healthy interaction for me. But when they introduced algorithmic suggestions and live feeds, I found myself endlessly scrolling, oblivious to the passage of time. Unfortunately, Instagram doesn't offer the option to disable these features, and it's a vital tool for staying connected with certain friends.
Thankfully, I've found a middle ground recently by using blockers like LeechBlockNG. They allow me to access these platforms at appropriate times, without constantly being at their mercy. I do wish there was more control over which features we engage with, like the option to disable search history on Google. But ultimately, failing to resisting the allure of social media is still a personal failure, and I wish I could overcome that without having to resort to drastic measures. If Google deleted that option overnight, for example, I think I pretty much would had to quit Youtube too, with is a shame, since my relationship with Youtube is very healthy as of now, since I can manually choose what content I want to see on my timeline, through subscriptions.
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Comment on What's something about your lived experience you wished people understood, but rarely do? in ~talk
aisneto (edited )Link ParentThat is such an interesting perspective you've presented. I often find myself pondering the morality of individuals like psychopaths. It leads me to consider whether all toxic behaviors,...That is such an interesting perspective you've presented. I often find myself pondering the morality of individuals like psychopaths. It leads me to consider whether all toxic behaviors, regardless of whether they are actually mentally-ill, can be rationalized and perhaps even empathized with. For instance, if someone with a favorable upbringing still displays negative traits as an adult, could it be attributed to genetic predispositions influencing egotism, narcissism, or underlying psychiatric disorders? Conversely, if someone possesses genes conducive to kindness and exhibits toxic traits, might it be due to a challenging upbringing or past traumas?
This is all speculative, as I believe science hasn't definitively answered these questions. While there are correlations between certain gene expressions and behavioral traits, such as egotism, I recognize the limitations in drawing concrete conclusions. Nevertheless, I do believe in the potential for us to influence our behaviors to some extent through our own free will. This realization would come upon us through academic study in fields like behavioral genetics and philosophy, or through personal experiences and insights. Sadly, even the capability of recognizing this pattern would be something also related to genetics or circumstance.
I think true liberation from societal, natural, and chance-driven constraints only comes when we accept this realization, albeit partially. However, I acknowledge that my belief in free will could be a protective mechanism to preserve my own sense of autonomy.
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Comment on What's something about your lived experience you wished people understood, but rarely do? in ~talk
aisneto Link ParentEven the ability to "wake up and take life into your own hands" is a skill that is, partially, predetermined by genetic background and circumstances. The capability of simply being aware of your...Even the ability to "wake up and take life into your own hands" is a skill that is, partially, predetermined by genetic background and circumstances. The capability of simply being aware of your own condition, recognizing what is in your control and what is not, recognizing what you can change and what you cannot, is already something that requires some level of emotional intelligence. This can come naturally to some people due to genetics or be achieved through exposure to that kind of knowledge, whether through a professional, books, or other means.
I don't see why that is sad and depressing. In my view, this is a quintessential cornerstone of the human experience, and it has been much "worse" since the inception of mankind. If anything, we are in the easiest era to take responsibility into our own hands, given the ease of access to information. I mean no offense at all by this, please believe me, but if you think that is a depressing way of putting things, maybe consider the possibility that you lack contact with realities other than yours.
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Comment on Getting tired of Firefox in ~tech
aisneto Link ParentThat also happened to me all the time, with each firefox update. I was using a flatpak version of Firefox, which I think was the culprit.That also happened to me all the time, with each firefox update. I was using a flatpak version of Firefox, which I think was the culprit.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
aisneto LinkI'm reading King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore. This was recommended by a friend, and what prompted me to read it was some discussions I've come across on Tildes about masculinity. The...I'm reading King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore. This was recommended by a friend, and what prompted me to read it was some discussions I've come across on Tildes about masculinity. The author employs a Jungian approach, using archetypes, to define certain "roles" associated with the typical perception of masculinity.
I began my reading somewhat skeptically, knowing little about the reputation of Jungian psychology (often dismissed as 'mumbo jumbo'). Initially, there are elements of that, but the first chapters start off quite solidly, albeit with a bit too many anecdotes, analogies, and cherry-picked historical excerpts to justify some of the author's points. Nevertheless, I've dismissed some of those, as I've found that some points stand well enough on their own, notwithstanding any demagogy.
However, my opinion shifted when I reached the chapter titled "The Magician," where the aforementioned 'mumbo jumbo' seemed to intensify. An excerpt from the chapter exemplifies this:
There are indications that Jung thought of himself as a Magician. When asked once if he believed in God, he replied, in true Gnostic fashion, “I don’t believe in God; I know.” Some of his earliest followers have said that he imparted secrets to them that they could not reveal except to those initiated into the highest, or deepest, levels of psychic awareness.
This isn’t mumbo jumbo. Every analyst knows that he or she must be careful how much to reveal to an analysand at any given time. The power of the unconscious energies is so great that if they are not controlled, contained, and channeled, if they are not accessed at just the right moment and in just the right dose, they may blow the Ego structure to bits. Too much power without the proper “transformers” and the right amount of “insulation” to contain it will overload the analysand’s circuits and destroy him. The revelation of secret information must be measured out, because there are reasons for its having been hidden from the Ego in the first place.It's ironic that the author begins a paragraph full of 'mumbo jumbo' with the assertion "This is not mumbo-jumbo."
Nevertheless, despite this, I've appreciated some of the insights regarding typical masculine personas. Setting aside esoteric nonsense, I've chosen to interpret these "archetypes" simply as patterns that may or may not have naturally evolved within a symbolic, anthropological context. The author presents both the "full" versions of these archetypes as symbols of virtuous facets inherent to masculinity, and the "shadow" versions, which represent corrupted manifestations associated mainly with aggressiveness, narcissism, or passivity. Interestingly, one manifestation of this "shadow magician" seems directly related to my previous quote:
The active pole of the Shadow Magician is, in a special sense, a “power Shadow.” A man under this Shadow doesn’t guide others, as a Magician does; he directs them in ways they cannot see. His interest is not in initiating others by graduated degrees—degrees that they can integrate and handle—into better, happier, and more fulfilled lives. Rather, the Manipulator maneuvers people by withholding from them information they may need for their own well-being. He charges heavily for the little information he does give, which is usually just enough to demonstrate his superiority and his great learning. The Shadow Magician is not only detached, he is also cruel.
I suppose the irony was lost on the author. Despite this, it was an interesting enough read, challenging me to discern between substance and nonsense when reading non-fiction. Typically, I would abandon a book at the first sign of a mistake by the author, but lately, I've been contemplating whether even the ramblings of madmen can hold some value. Since it's a short book with just one more chapter left, I intend to finish it. Moreover, this book has sparked my interest in anthropological symbolism, and I plan to explore more from scientifically sound sources. Additionally, the insights about masculinity, particularly the patterns leading to the classification of these roles, have prompted me to reflect on some of my own actions and those of others around me.
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Comment on What watch do you wear daily? in ~hobbies
aisneto Link ParentI'm also interested in your impressions on this device, once you feel you had enough experience for a proper review! Please keep us updated!I'm also interested in your impressions on this device, once you feel you had enough experience for a proper review! Please keep us updated!
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Comment on What watch do you wear daily? in ~hobbies
aisneto Link ParentI see your A168WA and raise the A168WEMB-1B, the most elegant model for the classic Casio digital watch, in my opinion. Unfortunately, it is expensive and does not have more functionalities than...I see your A168WA and raise the A168WEMB-1B, the most elegant model for the classic Casio digital watch, in my opinion.
Unfortunately, it is expensive and does not have more functionalities than the F91W (that I'm aware of).
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Comment on What watch do you wear daily? in ~hobbies
aisneto LinkA Casio F91WG (the orange one). A timeless classic, useful and (in my opinion) elegant. I've been missing some functions lately, though, such as multiple alarms and a countdown timer. Thinking...A Casio F91WG (the orange one). A timeless classic, useful and (in my opinion) elegant. I've been missing some functions lately, though, such as multiple alarms and a countdown timer. Thinking about upgrading it to a G-Shock in the future.
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Comment on Why you should consider a smaller keyboard in ~comp
aisneto LinkThis was such an interesting read. My first experience with smaller keyboards was with a generic Chinese 60% mechanical keyboard. The loss of the numpad was already a big jump for me! But after...This was such an interesting read. My first experience with smaller keyboards was with a generic Chinese 60% mechanical keyboard. The loss of the numpad was already a big jump for me! But after using it for years, typing on it became natural, and I would never go back to a bigger keyboard.
Currently, I'm using an MX Keys Mini, and I absolutely love it. There is a little detail for non-English users, though: accented characters. My mother tongue relies pretty heavily on them. I found a way around this problem by teaching myself to type on the international layout, which has a dedicated accent key (right after ";", which is right after "L"), and surprisingly, this sped up my typing after some time! I was expecting the opposite.
Also, the MX Mini has a dedicated row for the function keys, which is absolutely an improvement over the 60% layout for me. Mainly because one of the accent keys ("~") would be merged with "Esc", so to type it, I would have to press three keys simultaneously.
So these two keys are pretty essential to me, and some of the keyboards you've recommended do not seem to have them at all. Another thing is that after changing your typing habits, typing on a regular keyboard can be pretty tough. That should not be a problem for you, however, as you carry your own keyboards.
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Comment on Are there any affordable digital compact cameras out there with a zoom lens? in ~tech
aisneto Link ParentI have the Panasonic ZS200D and I absolutely recommend it. It is not as cheap as the ZS70 though. My camera has a optic zoom of 360mm. If I'm not mistaken, the ZS70's zoom is double that, even as...I have the Panasonic ZS200D and I absolutely recommend it. It is not as cheap as the ZS70 though.
My camera has a optic zoom of 360mm. If I'm not mistaken, the ZS70's zoom is double that, even as a cheaper model.
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Comment on MangaLove, a series sharing thread: February 2024 in ~anime
aisneto Link"Katekyō Hitman Reborn," by Akira Amano, follows the life of Tsuna Sawada, a timid teenager who discovers he is the heir to the Vongola Mafia family. A hitman is sent to groom him into a proper..."Katekyō Hitman Reborn," by Akira Amano, follows the life of Tsuna Sawada, a timid teenager who discovers he is the heir to the Vongola Mafia family. A hitman is sent to groom him into a proper leader, with a catch – the hitman is a baby! As the story unfolds, characters with ties to the Italian Mafia are introduced in the most peculiar ways.
The series begins as a comedic slice-of-life manga but later transforms into a battle shonen. What I appreciate about Reborn is its ability to reinvent itself multiple times throughout its span. Although some iterations may feel a little uninspired (looking at you, animal weapons that are pokemon-ripoffs), in my opinion, they are successful every time, renewing interest in the series with each arc.
Moreover, there's solid character development for the main group throughout the series, with each character dealing with their own challenges in their mini-arcs. The characters are fun and well-written (and I swear Levi from Attack on Titan is a ripped-off version of Hibari).
I'm bringing up this series because it's relatively old now, and I rarely see it mentioned. If you're seeking a fun battle shonen with an original plot and some beloved generic gimmicks, look no further!
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Comment on In search of approachable, readable philosophy (or philosophy-adjacent) books to help me navigate the world in ~books
aisneto LinkI'm afraid I don't have many recommendations on this topic for you, and they might only scratch the surface of what you're looking for! The first one is "Socrates" by Paul Johnson. It's a...I'm afraid I don't have many recommendations on this topic for you, and they might only scratch the surface of what you're looking for!
The first one is "Socrates" by Paul Johnson. It's a relatively short biography that delves into the man himself. This book helped me internalize some key concepts from philosophy and understand the spirit of that era by humanizing Socrates as a thinker, teacher, and rebel. It might not be the definitive biography, but its brevity makes it worth a read.
The second recommendation is "The Gay Science" by Nietzsche. Nietzsche's books are often dense and challenging, but I find this one particularly approachable. It's considered a great starting point for delving into Nietzsche's philosophy. On a similar note of "true" philosophy, I also recommend "The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius." I personally love this book, and its journal format helps explain the motivations and beliefs behind Stoicism.
The third recommendation is a book I haven't read yet (shame on me!): "Ariadne's Clue" by Anthony Stevens. Lately, I've been exploring topics related to personas and archetypes in the human mind. This book, though I haven't read it yet, seems to approach the subject from a more scientific perspective. It discusses symbology surrounding mankind from a Darwinian viewpoint, exploring their supposed evolutionary origins. I've always been intrigued by how similar beliefs, taboos, and imagery emerge in different civilizations without any means of contact, and this book appears to shed some light on that.
I wish I could have provided more help! By the way, I'm borrowing some of your recommendations to read later! :]
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Comment on Can a chef turn KFC into a completely different dish? in ~food
aisneto Link ParentIt seems like you're ranting more about current entertainment trends than addressing the content of this video itself, which is fine, I guess... but it might be considered somewhat off-topic for a...It seems like you're ranting more about current entertainment trends than addressing the content of this video itself, which is fine, I guess... but it might be considered somewhat off-topic for a thread specifically discussing this video. Perhaps you could initiate a separate thread to delve into this topic more broadly and engage in a more meaningful discussion.
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Comment on Palworld could be a delight if it wasn't so invested in being awful in ~games
aisneto Link ParentI believe that Palword fails to be funny precisely because it makes an effort to do so. In games like Pokemon or Minecraft, set in a PG-rated world, it is the juxtaposition between childlike...I believe that Palword fails to be funny precisely because it makes an effort to do so. In games like Pokemon or Minecraft, set in a PG-rated world, it is the juxtaposition between childlike elements and brutal scenarios that creates humor when drawing comparisons to dark themes like slavery and industrialism. For instance, when you capture a group of villagers, construct a fortress around them, and coerce them to breed, it's the absurdity of the entire situation – the fact that a game allows such actions and even rewards you for them (though not explicitly acknowledging it as a planned concept) – that makes it shocking, thus laughable.
This stands in stark contrast to dark themes being intended as both a conceptual level and gameplay mechanics. The latter, at best, offers a very edgy portrayal and, at worst, feels tacky, uninspired, and generic – precisely the sentiment I get when looking at this game.
There exists a significant distinction between capturing a Zigzagoon, loading it with HMs to carry it throughout the entire game, and naming it "HM slave," and a game actually acknowledging HM slavery as a mechanic, making players interact with it. The former is tongue-in-cheek organic self humor, while the latter falls into the category of "edgy dark humor" aimed at teenagers (which might be the target audience for this game after all).
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Comment on Learning and studying things without taking notes in ~talk
aisneto LinkI don't find that taking notes is particularly useful for learning new things and knowledge retention overall. The thing is, taking notes usually gets you engaged with the content, forcing you to...I don't find that taking notes is particularly useful for learning new things and knowledge retention overall. The thing is, taking notes usually gets you engaged with the content, forcing you to actively interact with it. However, highlighting also puts you in a similar mental state and takes considerably less time.
For knowledge retention, I would say that the key is spaced repetition, inevitably. Active recalling and passive reviewing of the content are what will make it stay in your memory long term. A routine involving active recalling (via flashcards, quizes or similar tools) and content reading/highlighting will be superior to a routine of taking notes on a given topic, in my experience.
Of course, note-taking has the advantage of creating a physical (or digital!) copy of the content, made with your own bias on how that knowledge presents itself, adding a personal layer to that information that could help with recalling and learning, aside from being useful for future references. So I'm not saying that method is completely useless.
I think I've read a study (I don't have it right now, but I could find it if someone is interested) comparing the performance of groups where they just read a content and highlight, and one where they actively took notes on the content. The overall finding was that the second group felt as if they fixed the knowledge better, but by taking tests, the performance of both was not significantly different. And if I'm remembering right, long-term retention of the content for both groups was also identical. The overall conclusion I took from this was that, in general, given that the results of both are similar, reading and highlighting should have superior performance, given that it takes less time."
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Comment on Most bingeable book series? in ~books
aisneto Link ParentI've never encountered anything quite like Harrow the Ninth in terms of its second-person written style. Initially, the unfamiliarity of this style almost led me to abandon the book after the...I've never encountered anything quite like Harrow the Ninth in terms of its second-person written style. Initially, the unfamiliarity of this style almost led me to abandon the book after the first few chapters. However, as I progressed through the story, I became completely engaged. The choice of this unique style blends so well with the narrative in the second book that makes me wonder why I found it strange initially.
Harrow stands out as one of my favorite characters in fiction.
Click to expand spoiler.
... and I truly hope to see more of her. While Nona was okay, and I appreciated the development of the other characters, it felt like a transitional book leading up to the conclusion. At this point, I firmly believe that Harrow has become the main character of the series, overshadowing Gideon.
The final chapters of the first book, where Gideon and Harrow fight together, are exceptionally well-written, and I recall the details of that battle to this day. The author seemed exceptionally inspired while crafting this scene, delivering a description so vivid and fluid that it successfully kept me on edge throughout the whole end of the book. It was a truly fantastic experience. Overall, I find that the rest of the first book kind of pales in comparison to the finale. Not that it is not a good book, it is just that Harrow does the mystery and revelation stuff better
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Comment on Most bingeable book series? in ~books
aisneto LinkThe Locked Tomb series (starting with "Gideon the Ninth"): Every book in the series so far has been exceptionally good and engaging. Personally, I find that the series improves even more with from...-
The Locked Tomb series (starting with "Gideon the Ninth"): Every book in the series so far has been exceptionally good and engaging. Personally, I find that the series improves even more with from second book (my favorite), although the first one is already very good on its own. As of now, the series has not been finished, but I'm eagerly anticipating the release of the last book, which is expected to come out this year.
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The Expanse series (beginning with "Leviathan Wakes"): Remarkably, this series spans nine books, tracing a single crew's journey over approximately 80 years. Each book is engaging in its own right, although some may stand out more than others.
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The Dark Profit Saga (commencing with "Orkonomics"): The final book in the series was released last year, and all three books stand out as some of the best satires I've ever read.
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Mistborn Saga (starting with "The Final Empire"): With two eras explored and a third on the horizon, I can't get enough of this world's intricate building and its amazing power system. It's a series that keeps me eagerly awaiting each new installment.
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Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
aisneto Link ParentReally? I started reading Boruto pretty much like you. God, I even hated the character designs — something about merging two old characters' designs as their offspring was really not done well. I...Really? I started reading Boruto pretty much like you. God, I even hated the character designs — something about merging two old characters' designs as their offspring was really not done well. I even found Boruto himself really ugly.
However, I feel that Part 2 brings some interesting plot developments. Although I think they kinda jumped the shark with the whole collective genjutsu shenanigan, this, at the same time, fixed some issues I had with the series (such as Boruto being a spoiled, shitty brat) and brought some intriguing plot developments.
Overall, I still feel that the series has some major issues, such as power creep, the diminishing relevance of ninjutsu (to be fair, that seems to be a problem that started at the end of Naruto), Kawaki being a boring character, and the sakurization of Sarada. But these plot developments really got me hooked, and I feel that I'm reading it more out of curiosity than nostalgia for Naruto.
And I really liked the new designs! Even Boruto is cool now!
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Comment on Any good PC games that are inherently slow or cooldown-based? in ~games
aisneto Link Parent+1 for Melvor. Picked it up during Steam Sale and it is a loving game to play out when doing tasks or working. Plus, it can be really complex depending on your goals. You can really sink some time...+1 for Melvor. Picked it up during Steam Sale and it is a loving game to play out when doing tasks or working. Plus, it can be really complex depending on your goals. You can really sink some time on it when you have some free time.
Where do you draw the line between exploiting a loophole and benefiting from someone's conscious incompetence? Do you view them both as morally equivalent?
I apologize for simplifying this discussion with an analogy, but morally, I cannot see taking advantage of a neighbor leaving their door open to steal their TV as the same as the neighbor leaving the TV on the porch despite repeated warnings that it could be stolen, and responding with, 'I don't really care if it's stolen or not, to be honest,' only for you to take it the next day.
The guy even informed their superior about the situation. How is this corruption? Is every act of taking advantage of a situation a type of corruption?