ali's recent activity
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Comment on Reddit overtakes TikTok in UK thanks to search algorithms and gen Z in ~tech
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Comment on Advice on avoiding the hedonic treadmill of endless content? in ~life
ali Link ParentIt does have a lifetime purchase option. The price has increased significantly since I bought it though... I'm still torn on subscriptions, since I understand that constant updates cost time, and...It does have a lifetime purchase option. The price has increased significantly since I bought it though...
I'm still torn on subscriptions, since I understand that constant updates cost time, and unless your market can grow very large, you'll get to a point where you would either work for free or abandon the product -
Comment on Advice on avoiding the hedonic treadmill of endless content? in ~life
ali LinkSorry I don't have any advice on kids, but for myself, I use the app https://one-sec.app/ which interrupts the automatic opening, and the endless scrolling. It's the best way that helped me with...Sorry I don't have any advice on kids, but for myself, I use the app https://one-sec.app/ which interrupts the automatic opening, and the endless scrolling.
It's the best way that helped me with my screentime reduction -
Comment on Reddit overtakes TikTok in UK thanks to search algorithms and gen Z in ~tech
ali Link ParentI feel the opposite. Hiding users post/comment history basically turned a ton of posts into ads. I see an insane amount of “I found this tool” ChatGPT generated comments by people who are clearly...Reddit has done a really good job navigating the post-AI landscape IMO. The API change in combination with the deals with Google for data were incredibly savy
I feel the opposite. Hiding users post/comment history basically turned a ton of posts into ads. I see an insane amount of “I found this tool” ChatGPT generated comments by people who are clearly affiliated with the company, and the fact that Reddit makes it hard to see the history now means that I have to google the username to verify.
Add to that the people that claim that things aren’t Ai generated, when they clearly are, and you have a recipe for disaster.
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Comment on Weekly thread for casual chat and photos of pets in ~life.pets
ali Linkhttps://imgur.com/a/7wey289 Since I move around constantly, I can't currently have pets, however, I befriend animals everywhere we go. So here's my list of our little friends in Cape Town: Luna -...Since I move around constantly, I can't currently have pets, however, I befriend animals everywhere we go.
So here's my list of our little friends in Cape Town:Luna - A very sweet cat that just decided to come visit us whenever she likes. Which the other Animals don't enjoy. But shes incredibly sweet, so we're always super happy to have her around. It's also really funny she just walks in here and goes wherever she likes without a care in the world. Sometimes as early as 7AM, sometimes 8PM
Cheeky Chop and Little Mrs. - Two Redwinged Starlings that come by to eat mealworms and Raisins. They always came by to feed their babies, one of them fell out of the nest (little Rockstar) - we've fed him for a couple of days and then brought him to a bird rescue.
Cheeky and Little Mrs. barely come around since Luna started to make herself at home (even though Luna only comes by once every couple of days)
Both of them come and sit on our fence, cheeky sometimes sings to get my attention to bring him some raisins. They got new hatchlings this week again, second time this season.And then there's Lola (which I think is actually male): A pigeon that comes by regularly and waits for some seeds. And when other pigeons come to eat scraps, Lola is very bossy.
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Comment on What's the coolest thrift store find you've ever scored? in ~talk
ali LinkI once bought a vintage polaroid for like $2 and I bought a Canon Vintage Lens - 35mm SSC from the 70s. Got it in Bangkok for a fair price and I love filming with itI once bought a vintage polaroid for like $2 and I bought a Canon Vintage Lens - 35mm SSC from the 70s.
Got it in Bangkok for a fair price and I love filming with it
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Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative
ali LinkSome of you might remember my collaborative art platform I have posted last year. I've worked on it's performance a bit and gave myself some nice features (so that I can approve stuff) because I...Some of you might remember my collaborative art platform I have posted last year. I've worked on it's performance a bit and gave myself some nice features (so that I can approve stuff) because I wanted the website to be live again. I had turned it off at some point to save performacnce on my vps. But I want that to stay available. submission welcome, no signup required
And I have built a space simulator, which was some of the most fun I've had in a long time.
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Comment on CGA-2026-01 🕹️⛵🛡️ INSERT CARTRIDGE 🟢 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker in ~games
ali Link ParentDragon Roost Island and one from later fight are two of my favoritesDragon Roost Island and one from later fight
are two of my favorites
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Comment on CGA-2026-01 🕹️⛵🛡️ INSERT CARTRIDGE 🟢 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker in ~games
ali LinkThis game is definitely one of my favorites of all time. I still blame it for my current pursuit to live on a boat. I’ve been thinking of getting a wind walker tattoo probably for over 10 years by...This game is definitely one of my favorites of all time. I still blame it for my current pursuit to live on a boat. I’ve been thinking of getting a wind walker tattoo probably for over 10 years by now.
I remember when it came out, people kept complaining about the art style being too childish. But looking at it now you can tell how well it aged.
If you’re playing it for the first time: enjoy. Especially the music.
I actually replayed this on my GameCube during covid, but I didn’t finish it
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Comment on Not-so-humble brag: What are you proud of that you don't normally get to talk about? in ~talk
ali Link ParentI also had some bad headaches initially, but the last couple of times it was fine, so I really enjoyed it actually. My main problem is that I love coffee too, so I have this dilemma occasionally -...I also had some bad headaches initially, but the last couple of times it was fine, so I really enjoyed it actually. My main problem is that I love coffee too, so I have this dilemma occasionally - coffee or methylphenidate.
I am also traveling full time which would make it pretty tough for me to actually take it every day - like I'm going to Thailand soon and I'm only allowed to bring 30 days worth of the medication.
And I fully agree that it's much better to take meds every day than be emotionally drained. I hate the stigma around it. It's especially easy for neurotypical people to claim that you should "just do" shit
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
ali Link Parentcurious how you'll find it. I'm quite a big fan of claude code myself. Haven't tried it with extensions thoughcurious how you'll find it. I'm quite a big fan of claude code myself.
Haven't tried it with extensions though
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
ali LinkMy space simulator turned out super nice, and is one of the few things I have shared, and immediately saw a lot of resonance. It was at the top of /r/internetisbeautiful yesterday and it feels...My space simulator turned out super nice, and is one of the few things I have shared, and immediately saw a lot of resonance. It was at the top of /r/internetisbeautiful yesterday and it feels super nice to see others enjoy it too.
It's a free web app sort of like universe sandbox (but much much simpler since it needs to run in the browser)I added a way to turn the planets into sounds, which I think is something I'll continue working on in other projects. I have like multiple Pis at home, and microcontrollers, but I might just buy a new one here, so I can buidl stuff on the road. I'm also looking into how feasible it is to travel with a 3D printer
So that's something that got me super excited. Then, I also created a site to give me and friends a daily quest (I started reading solo leveling last week)
hereMy moodboard is being used by my girlfriend and I, and I am super happy with it. And next I think I'll build a page to showcase all of the stuff I work on :D Since I want to share more stuff. It's super thrilling to see people enjoy what you're making, even if it's just stuff you built for fun for yourself. But I think if you enjoy using what you build, you're building something that's pretty good
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Comment on Not-so-humble brag: What are you proud of that you don't normally get to talk about? in ~talk
ali Link ParentI do have medication. I’m still figuring out how to best use it. I don’t take it daily, but I use it to help me especially with organization. But the impact emotionally is one of the wildest...I do have medication. I’m still figuring out how to best use it. I don’t take it daily, but I use it to help me especially with organization. But the impact emotionally is one of the wildest things. You can be upset about a topic, your methylphenidate starts working, all of a sudden you’re like:
Hold on, I actually don’t give a shit, why am I so upset?
And yes, I agree with the superpowers. I finally understand how I work now.
Thinking back on my life, I’m like: how did I make it to a masters degree. Like, it’s genuinely wild that there was a time where I didn’t know this about me
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Comment on Not-so-humble brag: What are you proud of that you don't normally get to talk about? in ~talk
ali Link2025 was a wild year for me. I think the things i am proud of are: realizing I have ADHD and being able to work with it, and overcoming my decision paralysis and building things and sharing them....2025 was a wild year for me. I think the things i am proud of are: realizing I have ADHD and being able to work with it, and overcoming my decision paralysis and building things and sharing them. I've seen that other people enjoy what I build too.
I will dedicate 2026 to more of that, and especially a bigger focus on my health. I still ran almost every week this year, but I want to also incorporate more strength training into my day-to-day.
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Comment on Why Namibia exceeded all our expectations | First days driving across Africa’s emptiest country in ~hobbies
ali Link ParentI've done windsurfing for a couple of days, but my instructor wasn't great, and i never really finished. I don't know how good the instructors in Thailand are, I bet they're good here though. It's...I've done windsurfing for a couple of days, but my instructor wasn't great, and i never really finished. I don't know how good the instructors in Thailand are, I bet they're good here though. It's just that the water is ice cold. In Koh Phangan you can kitesurf with nice 28 ºC, Calm waters :D So I assume the crashes don't feel as scary. I found it pretty tough to focus on so many things at once, and then losing control of the kite smacks you around again, losing your board (because you're not attached to it) And moving WAY TOO FAST. Like I went 30km/h at some point.
I think cape towns Winds are also very unpredictable due to the mountains. When we went sailing last, we had gusts of 50 knots. Crazy times.
I'm still thinking of going somewhere like the philippines or indonesia for warmer water and ease of access to surfing (as in wave riding) :D We shall see. Probably gonna spend quite a bit of time in asia next year, too.
Also, if there's any specific topics you (or anyone else) is curious about in Bangkok or Thailand, I would love to include that because we're worried about finding ideas :D
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
ali Link ParentI've added some super fun new feature now. Random solar system generation. It's really fun to see how it plays out. And adding rings to stars and watching them fly away is also really fun. Not to...I've added some super fun new feature now. Random solar system generation. It's really fun to see how it plays out. And adding rings to stars and watching them fly away is also really fun. Not to toot my own horn, but this is the most fun I've had building anything, so I just want to share the joy :D
It's built in a way that lets you go super detailed with simulations, I've added some basic atmosphere's and ideas for habitability, but I'm not sure how much deeper I'll pursue this particular project. But yeah it was great fun. Been thinking of giving the planets some mountains and whatever, but I feel like maybe it's better suited as it's own exploration "minigame"
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
ali Link ParentIf you like, I can send you a link to my moodboard platform- it's free anyways, and I'd love your feedback. I would keep it free for as long as I can (and if the cost of hosting it would be too...If you like, I can send you a link to my moodboard platform- it's free anyways, and I'd love your feedback. I would keep it free for as long as I can (and if the cost of hosting it would be too much, I was thinking of either just open sourcing it if there's no market for paid users anyways)
I've also been using Pinterest before but the AI-Art-slop kind of ruined it for me. I have built this site now to basically brainstorm creative ideas for myself for my next trips. It's been 2 weeks and I have barely built my own moodboards yet - but I'm pretty happy with it so far.
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Comment on Why Namibia exceeded all our expectations | First days driving across Africa’s emptiest country in ~hobbies
ali Link Parent:D the ladies collapsing were hilarious. I loved how dramatic it was hahaha They took a longer break and then met us up at the top :D As for Cape Town, we’re experimenting a bit. It’s definitely...:D the ladies collapsing were hilarious. I loved how dramatic it was hahaha
They took a longer break and then met us up at the top :D
As for Cape Town, we’re experimenting a bit. It’s definitely less safe, which means we mostly walk around with our phones, and not with the camera. We’ve had some sailing classes which sadly didn’t go as planned. - and that was actually the main reason why we went here...
I’m having a bit of a throat ache at the moment, but I’m hoping to try surfing and especially kitesurfing again. But honestly, the water here is so cold :D I'm used to Thailands 27ºC water. So I'm not sure if I can handle how scary Kitesurfing is (to me) with the cold water exposure.Other than that, I’m incredibly excited for Bangkok, and Thailand in general, which we’ve booked these days. I just really enjoy low light filming, especially with nice street lights. But here I basically never walk outside past sunset, and we’ve had some uncomfortable encounters here even during broad daylight.
I've been scratching the creative itch with other projects I've been working on (see the programming thread :D)
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Comment on Why Namibia exceeded all our expectations | First days driving across Africa’s emptiest country in ~hobbies
ali Link ParentYes, we were really surrounded by wildlife :D That oryx just chilling right next to us was also beautiful. Climbing that dune was also just so much fun, our guide and the ladies we climbed up with...Yes, we were really surrounded by wildlife :D That oryx just chilling right next to us was also beautiful.
Climbing that dune was also just so much fun, our guide and the ladies we climbed up with were also great.
This was really an adventure packed week :D Thanks for sharing this again, it really made me cheer up.
We're currently planning our next trip - back to Asia for now. Cape Town has been fun, but I crave the comfort and safety of Thailand. I barely have taken my camera out here in South Africa, so I'm super excited for Bangkok. No idea where we'll go afterwards though.
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
ali Link ParentNo I totally get it, and I'm wondering the same. I am right now just building something that I feel like works for me. Which is basically just the right amount of features that I need. Since I...No I totally get it, and I'm wondering the same. I am right now just building something that I feel like works for me. Which is basically just the right amount of features that I need. Since I don't like friction when I wanna do something.
And I'm just learning with the tool too. So I don't really expect anyone to use it anyways, but I want to polish it, to see how I can build good products.
I learned a lot while building it, so it was worth it in that regard.
that's a real bummer too. I was talking about text, which sadly is a weird medium to catch.
In the end, there are many tells.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Signs_of_AI_writing
The biggest tell that makes me stop and double-check is the em dash, of course. Which is kind of tragic—because it’s now shared by two very different groups: people who write beautifully, and people who copy-paste AI output without understanding it.
But if the rest of the post history of someone is a person writing on a third grade level, and all of a sudden it's more like this
Is this AI generated?
I just stumbled across luna.watermelonson.com, and it immediately caught me off guard—in a good way.At first glance, it feels calm, almost minimal, but the longer you sit with it, the more intentional it feels. Luna isn’t trying to overwhelm you with features or explain itself to death. Instead, it invites you in gently and lets you explore at your own pace. There’s a strong sense that this was built by someone who cares deeply about how things feel to use, not just what they do.
As a user, what stood out to me most is the restraint. Everything feels deliberate: the pacing, the visuals, the interaction. It doesn’t beg for attention—it earns it. There’s something refreshing about a product that trusts the user enough to leave space for curiosity.
Luna feels like one of those projects you bookmark, not because you fully understand it right away, but because you want to come back to it later. It’s thoughtful, a little mysterious, and clearly crafted with intention rather than hype.
I didn't even need to check whether there was an em-dash :D
But for me it's many more things, and reading output all the time (I work with generative AI, and did my masters in it before anyone called it that) makes me extremely weary.
Lists used as a default structure, even when they don’t really add clarity
Random bolding mid-sentence to emphasize things that don’t necessarily need emphasis
The “it’s not just X, it’s a fundamental Y” framing that tries to elevate a simple point
Overly confident structural patterns that feel more generated than intentional
Emphasis patterns that signal importance instead of letting meaning emerge naturally
(Randomly adding ChatGPT output to this to prove my point is very meta)