clem's recent activity
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Comment on How often do you replace your phone? in ~tech
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Comment on The hardest working font in Manhattan in ~design
clem It was interesting just randomly. I thought I had no interest in any of this stuff, but, well, maybe I do. Or maybe it's just that well-written articles from enthusiasts can be universally...It was interesting just randomly. I thought I had no interest in any of this stuff, but, well, maybe I do. Or maybe it's just that well-written articles from enthusiasts can be universally interesting.
I also wanted to note how much of a pleasure this page's design was. If only the rest of the internet was like this--all of the benefits of modern design without any of the annoyances.
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Comment on Google Maps now shows the 'Gulf of America' for US users in ~tech
clem Exactly, I should be able to rename it "Gulf of Freedom Fries" for the next four years if I want to.Exactly, I should be able to rename it "Gulf of Freedom Fries" for the next four years if I want to.
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Comment on Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency agents access sensitive US personnel data, alarming security officials in ~society
clem Agreed! It's pretty terrible right now, and the few people I know who voted for Trump and have expressed their current thoughts publicly indeed think they're happy about what's going on (despite...Agreed! It's pretty terrible right now, and the few people I know who voted for Trump and have expressed their current thoughts publicly indeed think they're happy about what's going on (despite how hypocritical that makes them). I just wanted to offer some resistance to pure cynicism. People are trying, it's just hard!
I do think that most people will push back against Trump/Musk, I just hope it's not too late. Part of me thinks we need to see the country destroyed to wake people up, but I do not want that to happen.
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Comment on Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency agents access sensitive US personnel data, alarming security officials in ~society
clem I have to disagree that there's no real pushback. I've been impressed with some of the Democratic response: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3hvyqUw2r4. Further, there were quite a lot of protests...I have to disagree that there's no real pushback. I've been impressed with some of the Democratic response: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3hvyqUw2r4. Further, there were quite a lot of protests yesterday: https://www.reddit.com/r/50501/. This coalition is doing what they can, too: https://www.facebook.com/AltUSNationalParkService (or here). There's pushback; unfortunately it simply doesn't have the power yet to be strong enough. I think that until Republican voters finally realize how absurd this is and demand their congresspeople fight back, too, it's going to be a tough fight.
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Comment on How would you rate adulthood? in ~life
clem Haha, no... But maybe when my son's old enough to handle a total change in my personality. I almost tried LSD about 15 years ago and wonder what I'd be like if I had. But at the moment, drugs...Haha, no... But maybe when my son's old enough to handle a total change in my personality. I almost tried LSD about 15 years ago and wonder what I'd be like if I had. But at the moment, drugs other than coffee and alcohol do not suit my lifestyle!
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Comment on Happy New Years, Tildes! 新年快樂! in ~talk
clem Happy New Year! I used to think that new year makes more sense in spring, but I've been re-thinking that a bit. I like to think of it as a transition between the death of one year and the birth of...Happy New Year! I used to think that new year makes more sense in spring, but I've been re-thinking that a bit. I like to think of it as a transition between the death of one year and the birth of another, and it does make sense for that to be in the midst of the stillest part of the year. Instead of spring being the beginning, it is instead the youthful, fast-moving period. January 1st doesn't seem great, but for me, today does. I'm through the darkest period of winter and seemingly through my personal darkest part of it (not that it was dark for me; this has actually been my most positive winter I can remember), and I feel like I'm starting the new year rather than just finishing off the last one or preparing for a new one. I hope you're feeling similarly positive!
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
clem As another suggestion, I've been eating peanut butter toast as my standard breakfast for, like...the past decade, at least. I toast the bread (a mild sourdough), sprinkle cinnamon on top, add...As another suggestion, I've been eating peanut butter toast as my standard breakfast for, like...the past decade, at least. I toast the bread (a mild sourdough), sprinkle cinnamon on top, add honey, and then cover generously with peanut butter. It keeps me plenty full until lunch. With coffee, to me, it's the perfect breakfast. A nice sweet (but not too sweet) treat that fills me up. I look forward to it every day and never get sick of it.
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Comment on How would you rate adulthood? in ~life
clem Yeah, I have no problem with any of the ideas behind it and like that specifying it acknowledges trans people. But stopping short of calling myself what sounds like "sissy"? Not gonna happen. Even...Yeah, I have no problem with any of the ideas behind it and like that specifying it acknowledges trans people. But stopping short of calling myself what sounds like "sissy"? Not gonna happen. Even if it sometimes might be accurate!
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Comment on How would you rate adulthood? in ~life
clem I miss the ability to so easily feel wonder at pretty much anything. And I miss that my imagination could take me to all sorts of magical places. But I don't miss the way adults, in general, treat...I miss the ability to so easily feel wonder at pretty much anything. And I miss that my imagination could take me to all sorts of magical places. But I don't miss the way adults, in general, treat kids by default. To most adults, kids are lesser people rather than just younger ones, and being subject to that felt awful.
Adulthood is overall better. I've made some poor choices, but even so, I've largely had control over my life. I'm sure it helps that I'm a straight, white, always-been-male (sorry, but I hate the term "cis"), educated man who came from a middle-class childhood. But having the mental faculties to handle my emotions just makes everything better. That maturity was hard-fought through some rough times, and I appreciate how that has made me fairly level-headed and understanding of myself.
It'd be a lot better with more money, though. Being able to afford all of my needs other than home repairs is pretty good, but having to neglect the care of my home has been stressful. I'm learning to do most of it myself, but it's a slow process with all the other things I have to do. All things considered, though, I enjoy life as an adult. There's lots I would change, but my days of contemplating suicide are long over. I love being a father; I love planet Earth, particularly my little space on it; and I love the feeling of existence, especially when I try to focus only on it. Those things make it totally worthwhile.
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Comment on An update from Nintendo (Nintendo Switch 2 announcement) in ~games
clem It also sets us up for at least the possibility of normal naming and consoles from here on out! Nintendo can of course always change their mind and do something gimmicky, but the possibility now...It also sets us up for at least the possibility of normal naming and consoles from here on out! Nintendo can of course always change their mind and do something gimmicky, but the possibility now of a Switch 3, 4, 5, etc. is hopeful. I liked some Wii games, and gimmicks can be fun as accessories, but I like normal games. I hated swinging the controller around when my fingers could do the same thing easily.
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Comment on A vast swathe of varied topics, and the conversations built around them, were just lost from Tildes – what to do when users leave with their posts in ~tildes
clem Makes sense, and I'm happy to defer to Deimos, since he clearly knows more about moderation than I do, even if I don't get it. Thanks for the replies. Also, thanks again to the two people who PMed...Makes sense, and I'm happy to defer to Deimos, since he clearly knows more about moderation than I do, even if I don't get it. Thanks for the replies.
Also, thanks again to the two people who PMed me with the user's name.
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Comment on A vast swathe of varied topics, and the conversations built around them, were just lost from Tildes – what to do when users leave with their posts in ~tildes
clem So I've read or skimmed most of the discussion here, and I get that the meta-topic is interesting and all, but why is no one willing to mention the name of the person who removed themselves from...So I've read or skimmed most of the discussion here, and I get that the meta-topic is interesting and all, but why is no one willing to mention the name of the person who removed themselves from Tildes? This whole post feels like "Someone died, but we won't tell you who! Can you guess?"
I can't guess. I know it's not as serious as death, but from my perspective it might end up seeming like it. I'm relieved to see that @cfabbro and @lou are still here, and I've seen people comment on this post whom I'm relieved to see remain. I don't talk enough here to be friends with anyone, but I still do like many people here even if I can't remember their user names. So, anyone want to throw me a bone? Who left? And why should it be taboo to mention their name publicly? Just because they decided to vanish doesn't mean we can't remember them and appreciate that they used to spend time here.
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Comment on Pope Francis has named the first woman to head a major Vatican office in ~humanities
clem Yeah, I wasn't concerned about it; they just asked where they sounded discriminatory, and that bit seemed obvious. Thanks for the clarification!Yeah, I wasn't concerned about it; they just asked where they sounded discriminatory, and that bit seemed obvious. Thanks for the clarification!
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Comment on Pope Francis has named the first woman to head a major Vatican office in ~humanities
clem I can't speak for /u/unkz, but this part seems discriminatory against men: I'd guess that you mean something different that relates more to the context of your wider idea, but it's not clear (to...I can't speak for /u/unkz, but this part seems discriminatory against men:
make mothers the head of decision making for households who then answer to the church leadership
I'd guess that you mean something different that relates more to the context of your wider idea, but it's not clear (to me at least) what that would be.
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
clem I've thought about this for a while and couldn't think of anything until I realized that structures I've built can count as possessions. I'm very proud of the 15'x20' half chicken coop/half shed...I've thought about this for a while and couldn't think of anything until I realized that structures I've built can count as possessions. I'm very proud of the 15'x20' half chicken coop/half shed that I spent about a year building: https://i.imgur.com/YYJLnm7.jpeg. I'm also proud of and happy with the greenhouse I just finished building (https://imgur.com/a/eWfBANO) so my chickens can enjoy playing with my compost in a slightly warmer space over winter (also check out a video discussing it here if you want: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewC1qoUi3Tc).
These delight me because they're exactly what I envisioned and nearly exactly what I wanted from them. I confess I do see the mistakes I've made when building the coop, but those are starting to fade in favor of just seeing a useful building that my chickens appreciate (and on another related note, I'm enjoying my chickens more than I expected I would. They are goofy, skittish, cute animals, and they delight me whenever I'm out with them. Plus they give me someone to talk to when I'd normally be outside alone!).
And to sorta fit the spirit of the question better: some good coffee in my French press delights me twice a day (or sometimes three on a weekend). I still appreciate good coffee every single time. And we've been getting that particular coffee since 2015!
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Comment on A new rallying cry for the irony-poisoned right. It took less than twenty-four hours after Trump’s re-election for young men to take up a slogan that could define the coming era of gendered regression in ~society
clem Yikes, I never saw that! I use old.reddit.com, so images don't load for me. If they ever force that new layout on me, I will leave. Sorry 'bout that! Just changed the link to my version of Reddit.Yikes, I never saw that! I use old.reddit.com, so images don't load for me. If they ever force that new layout on me, I will leave. Sorry 'bout that! Just changed the link to my version of Reddit.
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Comment on A new rallying cry for the irony-poisoned right. It took less than twenty-four hours after Trump’s re-election for young men to take up a slogan that could define the coming era of gendered regression in ~society
clem Me, too! My thoughts have not been remotely sober. I am terrified. I hope that cooler heads prevail.Me, too! My thoughts have not been remotely sober. I am terrified. I hope that cooler heads prevail.
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Comment on A new rallying cry for the irony-poisoned right. It took less than twenty-four hours after Trump’s re-election for young men to take up a slogan that could define the coming era of gendered regression in ~society
clem (edited )Link ParentAgreed. I made my point badly, if I even had one; the reason I was interested in reading this article was because I'd seen this "Your body, my choice" story before and I'd wondered how much was...Agreed. I made my point badly, if I even had one; the reason I was interested in reading this article was because I'd seen this "Your body, my choice" story before and I'd wondered how much was actual people echoing this and how much was bot activity amplifying some people who chose to seek attention by being disgusting. Although I'd like more rigorous research on it, the article still convinced me that too many people think this way.
I've been wanting to be extra careful about stuff like this especially recently after I saw a reddit post totally misinterpreting what "the left" as a collective is for. I've been thinking about how liberals are supposedly for "defunding the police" and the "great transworld" as in that absurd post I just shared and thinking about how both sides amplify the loudest people on their rivals' side. I want to be careful about doing this. I want to know that the things that shape my opinions are based on reality. It's hard to do that. There's so much noise.
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Comment on A new rallying cry for the irony-poisoned right. It took less than twenty-four hours after Trump’s re-election for young men to take up a slogan that could define the coming era of gendered regression in ~society
clem I wish the article said more about the author's research into the topic. Most of the references are vague, like "Right-wing men are compiling these tearful videos into supercuts. People on the...I wish the article said more about the author's research into the topic. Most of the references are vague, like "Right-wing men are compiling these tearful videos into supercuts. People on the left are posting vengeful rape fantasies involving Fuentes."
I did appreciate this bit: "The Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a think tank focussed [sic] on extremism, found, within a twenty-four-hour period, a '4,600% increase in mentions of the terms ‘your body, my choice’ and ‘get back in the kitchen’ on X'." This does a lot to convince me that this is a significant problem among a large group of people, even if most of that 4,600% increase was from bots.
I like to think that most men don't actually think this way, but with that much of that disgusting noise, I can't help but agree with the author's conclusion here: "On the one hand, we should be wary of reducing the world to what people are posting on social media. On the other hand, posting now creates political reality." How much of this poison is seeping into our culture? Is this what it's always been for some men to 'be men', and it's just now coming out? I don't get it. But I haven't stopped feeling disgusted since November 6th.
The only things that have been reassuring me are posts from Heather Cox Richardson like this one with reminders that the country's institutions are at least slowing Trump down and potentially standing in his way.
Frankly, I go as long as possible. My first was the Moto G 2nd gen in 2015 (you read that right--before that I had a landline or used my PC as a phone via Google Voice; yes, people thought it was weird), and that lasted only two years until I upgraded to the Moto G Plus 5th Gen in 2017. If I remember right, I was forced to upgrade both of those: my first upgrade was required for work, and my second was because the battery could not hold a charge and because all of the 3G towers in my area were discontinued. That second upgrade happened at the start of last year, when I upgraded to the Moto G Power 5G. All were ~$200.
But I'm pretty unusual. I like having a little computer in my pocket that has a lot of handy functions when I need them, but in general, I hate the phone form factor and always prefer my PC. I don't like the tiny screen and I don't like the stripped-down, ultra-convenient (but less powerful) apps. So I don't think I use the thing as much as a lot of people do.