clem's recent activity
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Comment on The end of reading is here in ~books
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Comment on The end of reading is here in ~books
clem Link ParentI felt exactly this when I noticed I had glossed over this bit: I chuckled then forced myself to read it.I felt exactly this when I noticed I had glossed over this bit:
Doctor Zhivago was the best-selling novel of the year, according to Publishers Weekly. Pasternak writes in long, complex sentences: “On that warm gray morning in the mountains, Zhivago felt sorry for the Tsar, was disturbed at the thought that such diffident reserve and shyness could be the essential characteristics of an oppressor, that a man so weak could imprison, hang, or pardon.”
I chuckled then forced myself to read it.
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Comment on The end of reading is here in ~books
clem LinkIt's pretty interesting to see this conclusion based on this question. I'll also add that the illiterate peasants were more critical, as they refused to take Luria at his word that "In the Far...[Neuropsychologist Alexander] Luria met his subjects at teahouses, in field camps, and around evening fires. There, he posed a number of questions designed to elucidate differences in how illiterate and literate peasants thought. Luria told the peasants: “In the Far North, all bears are white. Novaya Zemlya is in the Far North.” He then asked them the color of bears in Novaya Zemlya. The literate peasants were able to complete the syllogism. But the illiterate ones refused to try, explaining that they had never been to the north and thus couldn’t answer. Achieving literacy seemed to have conveyed an ability to think logically and abstractly, not simply to read words.
It's pretty interesting to see this conclusion based on this question. I'll also add that the illiterate peasants were more critical, as they refused to take Luria at his word that "In the Far North, all bears are white." I'd have to see more about this study to feel confident in this conclusion, but to me it seems smarter to refuse to try, "explaining that they had never been to the north and thus couldn’t answer." I don't think this takes much away from the article's overall point (though I admit I've run out of time to read it and need to finish later), but it's worth thinking about. There's always value in staying grounded and not getting carried away from that by complex thought.
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Comment on The Atlantic republishes JD Vance article about Donald Trump from 2016 in ~society
clem Link ParentFor someone so ingrained in the Trump empire, it's interesting to see how deeply he's against him. This to me is just another example of how these people are all using each other in such obvious...For someone so ingrained in the Trump empire, it's interesting to see how deeply he's against him. This to me is just another example of how these people are all using each other in such obvious ways. Trump at the top using his power for little but personal gain, but all these others using his favor for their own priorities. Their own personal gain or fighting for their hate-filled visions of the world. Tit for tat to the ultimate extreme.
Thanks for sharing both articles. I've never had particularly strong feelings about today's holiday, I'm sure stemming from my lack of patriotism. I've always admired the ideals of my country but have never really seen them at its core. Just capitalism and greed: that's what America has represented to me for as long as I've had the capacity to think about it. But I suppose this is a good nightcap after a day of mostly ignoring the occasion. A reminder of the extreme hypocrisy. I'll try to be hopeful about it, as this kind of dysfunction doesn't last forever.
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Comment on Reddit will require you to be logged in to use old.reddit.com in ~tech
clem Link ParentI hate my phone. I mean, I look at stuff on my phone despite hating it, but it's not how I participate in forums. I especially hate typing on it, which means my replies would be far shorter than...I hate my phone. I mean, I look at stuff on my phone despite hating it, but it's not how I participate in forums. I especially hate typing on it, which means my replies would be far shorter than I'd like them to be, and I would never want to have any kind of meaningful conversation that way.
But thank you! I'm sure if there were something like that on desktop it'd be useful to me.
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Comment on Reddit will require you to be logged in to use old.reddit.com in ~tech
clem Link ParentI'll be ready, but I'll miss it. The main subreddit I care about has already declined quite a bit, going through phases where people only care about low-effort jokes. But it's still a helpful and...I'll be ready, but I'll miss it. The main subreddit I care about has already declined quite a bit, going through phases where people only care about low-effort jokes. But it's still a helpful and informative place most of the time. So if reddit kicks me out by removing the only layout I can stand to use, it'll be sad.
I sure wish there was an alternative. There were plenty of choices back when reddit killed the 3rd party mobile apps, but none of them seemed to have what I wanted. Beehaw was the best one I could find, but the layout is ugly in the same way the new reddit layouts have been. So much white space and big ugly thumbnails. I just want well-organized, dense text; is that too much to ask?
Clearly not. Tildes has a great layout and lots of friendly, helpful people. But it does not have enough users to have tons of nature/gardening/Permaculture/composting content.
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Comment on I need more hilariously awful pick up lines to make my wife roll her eyes at me in ~talk
clem Link ParentIf that doesn't work you can always try Cousin Merle's coveralls. Also, I have an alternate title for this thread: Untitled Goose Game.If that doesn't work you can always try Cousin Merle's coveralls.
Also, I have an alternate title for this thread: Untitled Goose Game.
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Comment on Jamie Hyneman on MythBusters fame and why he and Adam Savage never socialized in ~tv
clem (edited )Link ParentAgreed; for pretty much any external content, I look to the comments first to see if it's worth leaving the lovely, pleasant layout of Tildes for the nasty wider internet with its many megabytes...- Exemplary
Agreed; for pretty much any external content, I look to the comments first to see if it's worth leaving the lovely, pleasant layout of Tildes for the nasty wider internet with its many megabytes of scripts, tracking, and ads "required" to view a bit of text and maybe some images. This is even more true of videos. I know what I'm getting with YouTube--probably a video ad and then something that will disturb the quiet, requiring me to listen rather than just read at my own pace, and at an unknown length--but this is usually even worse than what I fear from the random internet.
But I don't think it should be required. I want to know why the person posted it, because without that, I'm probably not sold on it. But requiring that is a bit much.
Also, another side-meta discussion: I really dislike the way people have used the "Exemplary" tag lately. It should never be used as a super-upvote, and that's obviously what happened here. Nothing against your comment, but you clearly did not put any extra effort into it. It's just a normal comment expressing an opinion. There's no reason to call it "Exemplary" other than to express that someone really, really agrees with you. And that kind of use of it has started making me grouchy immediately when I see the tag. I think, "Look out, here comes something that might be controversial" rather than "Ooh, this comment is well put-together and/or says something insightful, I better read it!"
I see two solutions to this. First of all, we should stop using the tag this way. Second, super-users (the almost-mods of Tildes) should be able to remove these tags when appropriate.
Edit: I always appreciate a smartass, so thanks for that!
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Comment on Tildes Survey #10: How often do you visit/read Tildes? (Results) in ~talk
clem Link ParentAha--thanks to you both. And maybe I remember that now. But the site's been around for eight years, so wow--it's hard to remember stuff I read back when it started. Enjoy your vacation!Aha--thanks to you both. And maybe I remember that now. But the site's been around for eight years, so wow--it's hard to remember stuff I read back when it started. Enjoy your vacation!
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Comment on Tildes Survey #10: How often do you visit/read Tildes? (Results) in ~talk
clem LinkI didn't realize Deimos's location and/or to location of the Tildes server was public knowledge. Just out of curiosity, where is this? ...if this is none of my business/not actually public...go on a vacation during the end of July, to the Tildes homeland
I didn't realize Deimos's location and/or to location of the Tildes server was public knowledge. Just out of curiosity, where is this?
...if this is none of my business/not actually public knowledge, please ignore my question!
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Comment on The 2026 Steam Summer Sale is live (runs June 25 - July 9) in ~games
clem Link ParentThanks for this suggestion; I picked up the Sim City games mostly so my son can check them out. He's 8, so right around the age I was when I played the first Sim City. I'm pretty curious to see...Thanks for this suggestion; I picked up the Sim City games mostly so my son can check them out. He's 8, so right around the age I was when I played the first Sim City. I'm pretty curious to see how he reacts to them, especially since I can't quite remember how I reacted to them.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
clem Link ParentThanks for that note about Bond apologizing--that's the small detail that turned me off to GTA5 immediately. I'd accidentally bump into someone, but instead of apologizing, my character would be...Thanks for that note about Bond apologizing--that's the small detail that turned me off to GTA5 immediately. I'd accidentally bump into someone, but instead of apologizing, my character would be antagonistic and people would react similarly. "I'm walkin' here!" (or whatever they said; it's been many years.) That completely ruined my immersion in the game. I would never behave like that and I would never want to pretend to be someone who did. I'm still put off by this game's price without getting to try it first, but I've only heard good things about it. I hope I get to try it.
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Comment on My father died suddenly in ~life.men
clem LinkI have one bit of wisdom to add: you're closer now to your father than you'll ever be. By which I mean, your memories are fresher and your knowledge of him is more tangible. I'm not saying that...I have one bit of wisdom to add: you're closer now to your father than you'll ever be. By which I mean, your memories are fresher and your knowledge of him is more tangible. I'm not saying that you won't come to a different relationship with him in the future as you sort through memories, but he'll be further and further away. I'm not sure I've ever said this to anyone, as it's a partially depressing realization, and I don't know that it's especially comforting. But I do partially mean it as comfort. Enjoy the fresh memories of your father. Enjoy remembering him directly. If you can, enjoy the physical objects that he left behind. Maybe there are even things that still smell like him. You're running out of time to enjoy those.
When my dad died in '09, my pain was agony for quite a while. I felt that hole in my heart almost physically. But I came to look with a kind of longing on that fresh pain because he hadn't been gone long. Part of me felt like he was still around, or like I'd just missed him. I'm not saying I'd like to go back to that pain, but don't shy away from it. I'm not saying enjoy the pain, but do enjoy the freshness of your memories, even if that brings you pain. You might even write down some of your memories, especially if you have a terrible memory like I do. I wish I'd done that. I've forgotten so much of my dad.
Regarding your mother: everyone processes this differently. My mom never especially wanted anything from the four of us other than to continue to be around. She didn't express her grief to us in particular; she dealt with it in her own way. My mother-in-law was the same way. But that's kind of between you and your step-brothers and your mom. I say just be in her life and help when you can unless she seems like there's something more she wants from you. I'm sure anything you can do to honor your dad would be great.
Sorry for your loss. I at least had some warning that my dad would be gone, even if I ignored most of the warning in favor of denial. I can't imagine what it'd feel like for it to be sudden.
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Comment on What is your eleventh favorite video game? in ~games
clem LinkWhat the hey, I'll try to come up with a list of my top 11 games if I can do it without too much trouble. t-1. Tears of the Kingdom t-1. Breath of the Wild (Frankly, these seem like two parts of...What the hey, I'll try to come up with a list of my top 11 games if I can do it without too much trouble.
t-1. Tears of the Kingdom
t-1. Breath of the Wild (Frankly, these seem like two parts of the same game)
3. Valheim
4. Super Smash Bros. Melee
5. Deus Ex
6. Mario 3
7. Wind Waker
8. Super Mario World
9. Skyrim
10. Super Metroid
11. Civ 5And then some honorable mentions in no particular order (or I guess the order I'm able to remember them in):
Spelunky
Hollow Knight
NHL 95
Mario RPG
Advance Wars
Unreal Tournament (1999)
Celeste
OblivionIt's tough ranking games, since it's all based on nostalgia and hazy memories and feelings, but Civ 5 in the 11th position sounds about right to me. If we're going on play time, it's actually near the top, since I used to be play it while I worked. Do some work, play a turn in Civ 5, work while all the other civilizations were taking their turns, etc. But I've had great fun with the game even forgetting that convenient situation I used to have. I used to use Giant Multiplayer Robot to play asynchronous games with friends and randoms, and played plenty against the PC, too. I was super proud of my first top-level victory (Deity level, I think?) after many, many attempted matches. It was a science victory by just one or two turns if I remember right.
I gave the sequel lots of time to win me over but it never did. I tried Civ 7 for about an hour but it just didn't click. Not that fun. Neither has scratched the "one more turn" itch for me since Civ 5. Unfortunately I don't see myself going back to it just because I feel like I've done pretty much everything there is to do with it. But it holds a nice place in my gaming heart. Hopefully Civ 8 will be just as fun?
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Comment on Tildes Survey #8: What is your favorite video game? (Results) in ~talk
clem Link ParentNo, this is correct; I didn't really expect you to let me vote for both games at the same time. I don't need to force my opinion that they are different parts of the same game.No, this is correct; I didn't really expect you to let me vote for both games at the same time. I don't need to force my opinion that they are different parts of the same game.
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Comment on Tildes Survey #8: What is your favorite video game? (Results) in ~talk
clem LinkJust curious how you handled my vote: did you give me two votes for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, or did you just go with the latter for me? Edit: nevermind! Looked through the data...Just curious how you handled my vote: did you give me two votes for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, or did you just go with the latter for me?
Edit: nevermind! Looked through the data and saw two votes for BotW and mine for TotK. A reasonable choice. Not totally representative of what I meant, but more more representative of reality. The first game blew me away far more than the second, but the second just has so much more content.
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Comment on We're so back in ~tildes
clem Link ParentI always cheer when I see the "You broke Reddit" screen, hoping that it's permanent. No such luck yet. But I'd be sad if I thought I'd permanently broken Tildes.I always cheer when I see the "You broke Reddit" screen, hoping that it's permanent. No such luck yet. But I'd be sad if I thought I'd permanently broken Tildes.
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Comment on What do you think is the best sandwich? in ~food
clem LinkI like this question and need to mull it over. I like the whole Colbert Questionnairet. It's been fun hearing people's answers. I'm afraid it's been a long time since I've had a really good...I like this question and need to mull it over. I like the whole Colbert Questionnairet. It's been fun hearing people's answers. I'm afraid it's been a long time since I've had a really good sandwich, so I can't come up with anything good. For now my answer is a ham, egg, and cheese sandwich on a croissant. I'm not saying this is a bad sandwich--it's excellent, as a matter of fact--but it's not really what comes to mind when I think of a sandwich. I'm looking for a traditional lunchtime kind of thing, not a breakfast one.
I'll say that I usually get something with turkey and probably with avocado, but the last few sandwiches I've gotten like that have been so mediocre. Boo to mediocre restaurants. I've also had a barbecue chicken sandwich semi-recently, but again--mediocre.
I guess this is a new goal for the summer: have a great sandwich. Wish I could go back here. 😭
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Comment on ‘Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ passes $1bn worldwide, the first picture to do so in 2026 in ~movies
clem LinkKind of a pointless comment, but: this movie got me to take the family to the theater for the first time since the previous Mario movie. In the interim we tried to go to Despicable Me 4, but the...Kind of a pointless comment, but: this movie got me to take the family to the theater for the first time since the previous Mario movie. In the interim we tried to go to Despicable Me 4, but the seating chart was the opposite of what I'm used to, so I mis-read it and picked seats in the front rather than the back row. Oops. Can't say I loved the experience with Mario Galaxy. I ended up sitting on the armrest between two seats because the headrest on the uncomfortable chair started giving me a stiff neck. Luckily this weird-looking seating arrangement worked out okay.
Not sure what would get me to enjoy theaters nowadays. I think I'll always prefer my couch and easily-paused TV at home.
Okay, back to yelling at clouds...
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Comment on Has anyone else seen a LOT of dead birds on the side of the road this year? in ~enviro
clem LinkThere's been a dead duck and a dead hawk on the side of a road that I frequent, but other than that, nothing out of the ordinary. Oh, and one of the pileated woodpeckers that lives around my...There's been a dead duck and a dead hawk on the side of a road that I frequent, but other than that, nothing out of the ordinary. Oh, and one of the pileated woodpeckers that lives around my property got hit by a car last year.
Where am I? Not in Bhutan.
Yep. I wonder if it was an intentional "gotcha": the author knew it didn't matter, that it was an overly verbose sentence, and that it would make readers feel bad the way I did (just enough to think of it as ironic).