lackofaname's recent activity
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Comment on Academic publishers face class action over ‘peer review’ pay, other restrictions in ~science
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Comment on Academic publishers face class action over ‘peer review’ pay, other restrictions in ~science
lackofaname LinkGood. I have no background in law and can't speak to the merit of this, but I sure as heck hope publishers get taken to the cleaners on this classaction, and this can pave the way for reform....Good.
I have no background in law and can't speak to the merit of this, but I sure as heck hope publishers get taken to the cleaners on this classaction, and this can pave the way for reform.
There are a lot of ways the academic publishing system can be critiqued, but from a purely monetary perspective, where does all the money go?
Want to publish? Pay the publishing fee. Want to read? Pay the access fee. And still, peer reviewers are asked to sacrifice their time for free?
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
lackofaname Link ParentI made a custom character! I just generally enjoy character creation, even though I'm sure I didn't make the most efficient choices when it comes to character strength. I know from other games,...I made a custom character! I just generally enjoy character creation, even though I'm sure I didn't make the most efficient choices when it comes to character strength.
I know from other games, like skyrim, that I tend to enjoy magic so that guided me toward one of the magic classes (sorcery), and from there I I kind of winged it based on what seemed interesting to me at the time.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
lackofaname Link ParentThis is an interesting perspective to me. Is there a story line you want to be caught up on, or is it moreso from a feeling of completion? There's absolutely zero chance I could force myself...This is an interesting perspective to me. Is there a story line you want to be caught up on, or is it moreso from a feeling of completion?
There's absolutely zero chance I could force myself through anything I consider as a fun leasure activity if I wasn't enjoying it. Personally, I've watched let's-plays of games I was curious about but didn't actually want to play, or of earlier games in series to catch up on a current game I wanted to play.
Well.. good luck, I hope it's over soon :)
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
lackofaname LinkFinally picked up Baldurs Gate 3, and just getting started. Having a lot of fun so far! It's been on my radar for a while, but I wanted to wait until I'd taken care of various life stuff before...Finally picked up Baldurs Gate 3, and just getting started. Having a lot of fun so far!
It's been on my radar for a while, but I wanted to wait until I'd taken care of various life stuff before buying it. I received a copy of .. maybe.. BG 1 way back when I got my first computer, and remember really enjoying the exploration (even though I never finished the story). Really liking the world and exploration in this one, too.
I don't play d&d, so I dont have a deep understanding of the game mechanics, but Im having fun bumbling my way through in easy mode. I like that the game seems quite forgiving in letting players change their settings and characters after initial creation.
I'm trying to roll with my failures somewhat and not savescum (much), but I'm also giving myself the grace to experiment in battles and then go back to last save to try somethibg different. It's helping learn the game mechanics and tactics better.
My only real gripe is, on pc at least, I'm finding the camera controls in particular to be a bit clunky. To be fair, Im still learning and haven't played around with changing the defaults, but but controls/ interactions dont feel as intuitive off the top as they maybe could.
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Comment on Bean recipes? in ~food
lackofaname Link ParentHuh, well this quells any fomo I might have had over not ordering it when i had the chance :)Huh, well this quells any fomo I might have had over not ordering it when i had the chance :)
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Comment on Bean recipes? in ~food
lackofaname Link ParentLimited experience, but I feel like I've seen either literally korean and mexican foods intermingled on menus, or korean flavours in taco form. In the spirit of the topic, I can see that being...Limited experience, but I feel like I've seen either literally korean and mexican foods intermingled on menus, or korean flavours in taco form. In the spirit of the topic, I can see that being easily veggied by doing a mushroom+bean 'bulgogi' taco, with whatever toppings sound good.
The more I think about it, i can think of a few korean dishes that could probably be adapted to more mexican/texmex flavours by swapping the sauces/spices and some veggies, like japchae or bibimbap.
On the topic of fusion foods.. I've seen (but not had the chance to try) birria ramen, which sounds decadent.
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Comment on The rise of DIY, pirated medicine: Four Thieves Vinegar Collective has made DIY medicine cheaper and more accessible to the masses in ~health
lackofaname Link ParentBoth drstone and your perspectives feel like reasonable perspectives to me. I think the thing I'd like to see, to mitigate the potential for bad drug reactions, is info/resources provided along...Both drstone and your perspectives feel like reasonable perspectives to me.
I think the thing I'd like to see, to mitigate the potential for bad drug reactions, is info/resources provided along with the kit and medication recipes about pharmacology. To help people make more informed decisions, like precautions, contraindications, side effects (and understanding of thr underlying pharm concepts).
Realistically, this lab kit is niche enough that anyone going out of their way to create one is already going to learn a lot about the medications they're making. But also, the description of the inventor's cavalier attitude when presenting on stage (popping a pill, tossing out random medications to attendees) rubs me the wrong way a little. I assume he's wanting to convey that the lab and recipes are safe to use. But it could also convey the message that the medications are inherently (always) safe (for everyone). This could give someone, especially someone sick and desperate and afraid, the wrong impression.
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Comment on Is Google doing its darndest to squeeze out Firefox or other browsers? in ~tech
lackofaname Link ParentSimilar, I typically use firefox fine, but one of my banks had a bug that messed up the UI in firefox for a good while, so I had to switch to chrome until they fixed it. One of the main banks in...Similar, I typically use firefox fine, but one of my banks had a bug that messed up the UI in firefox for a good while, so I had to switch to chrome until they fixed it. One of the main banks in my country, too. From the little Ive seen of testing where Ive worked, I figured they just hadnt tested as thoroughly in firefox.
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Comment on Man accused of enlisting strangers to rape drugged wife goes on trial in France in ~news
lackofaname LinkAttrocious. My initial reaction was to set another tag filter. Before I do, I thought it may be helpful to share a gentle reminder that this feature exists with other users who may not wish to see...Attrocious. My initial reaction was to set another tag filter. Before I do, I thought it may be helpful to share a gentle reminder that this feature exists with other users who may not wish to see certain subjects in their Tildes feed.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club discussion - Small Gods by Terry Pratchett in ~books
lackofaname Link ParentI've tried pratchett before (mort, I think?) and couldnt quite get into it, even though his stories theoretically sound like something I'd enjoy. I gave this bookclub read a miss because of that,...I've tried pratchett before (mort, I think?) and couldnt quite get into it, even though his stories theoretically sound like something I'd enjoy.
I gave this bookclub read a miss because of that, but I thought I'd pop in to read what others here have to say. Sometimes others positive perspectives can bring a new appreciation :)
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Comment on Help me decorate a difficult interior space? in ~life.home_improvement
lackofaname Link ParentWow, you did such a good job tying individual elements together with that distinct palette to build a cohesive look, especially considering it's make-do decorating. One of the limitations I feel I...Wow, you did such a good job tying individual elements together with that distinct palette to build a cohesive look, especially considering it's make-do decorating.
One of the limitations I feel I have when it comes to decorating is I tend to gravitate toward neutrals because they feel like a safer bet to match with other items as I buy/find/adopt furnature over time. But then I just have a room full of neutrals (a little hyperbolic, some of my 'find/adopt' items have brought in colour).
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Comment on Office retreat gone awry: Worker rescued after allegedly left stranded on Colorado mountain by colleagues in ~life
lackofaname Link ParentHe did lose cellphone signal after his first contact and long before being report missing. His last ping at 4pm but not being reported missing until 9pm? Shockingly irresponsible behavior by his..."Shortly after that message, a strong storm passed through the area with freezing rain and high winds, and he again became disoriented, losing his cell phone signal as well," rescue officials said.
He did lose cellphone signal after his first contact and long before being report missing. His last ping at 4pm but not being reported missing until 9pm?
Shockingly irresponsible behavior by his coworkers, and what a scary situation to find oneself in.
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Comment on When a department self-destructs in ~life
lackofaname Link ParentLike... he just took them for the sake of messing up admin? That is so petty. :'D I don't understand where people find the energy to stir up so much shit, life's tiring enough as it is.fled with a bunch of records.
Like... he just took them for the sake of messing up admin? That is so petty. :'D
I don't understand where people find the energy to stir up so much shit, life's tiring enough as it is.
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Comment on Ok seriously what the fuck do I do in ~life
lackofaname Link ParentSome sound advice here. I might add, maybe, to expand your potential sphere of mental health practitioners if you're in a region where healthcare/mental healthcare is strained and finding a...Some sound advice here.
I would highly suggest making an appointment ASAP. Try a psychiatrist.
I might add, maybe, to expand your potential sphere of mental health practitioners if you're in a region where healthcare/mental healthcare is strained and finding a psychiatrist involves very long wait times.
At least speaking from my experience in Canada, psychologists and social workers can also offer therapy, and may have experience navigating the system to guide you to additional resources for formal diagnoses/medication. If you have access to a family doctor/gp, they may also be able to help on these points.
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Comment on Against Netflix in ~tv
lackofaname Link ParentIve started to wonder whether the perception of reading (fiction) as passtime = good vs videogames/tv = bad boils down to classism. Caveats: laypersons musings, focus on fiction for simplicity,...Ive started to wonder whether the perception of reading (fiction) as passtime = good vs videogames/tv = bad boils down to classism.
Caveats: laypersons musings, focus on fiction for simplicity, and from my own western context.
But, my thought process is reading wasnt a skill associated with "lowerclass" manual labour type jobs, whereas reading = educated = more "desirable" jobs or upper class. So even today with an extremely high literacy rate, there still seems to be a residual perception that reading stories is a valuable use of time, while watching or playing stories isn't.
I don't doubt there are different parts of the brain activated among each and other nuances, but at the end of the day, we simply have more ways to be told stories today, and they are all perfectly valid means of leasure.
Edit - maybe this is a blatantly obvious thought process, but I was raised by family who drilled the importance and value of reading/being a bookworm.
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Comment on Microplastics are infiltrating brain tissue, studies show in ~health
lackofaname Link ParentApologies if I'm misinterpreting tone - but they're pretty teeny pieces of plastic. While original manuscript doesn't specify the size range of particles their technique can measure, authors do...let alone visible chunks of plastic
Apologies if I'm misinterpreting tone - but they're pretty teeny pieces of plastic.
While original manuscript doesn't specify the size range of particles their technique can measure, authors do provide general definition (in intro) of micro- and nanoplastic particles as 1 nanometer to 500 micrometers from the literature; sure the upper end of that range is visible by eye, but a whole lot isn't.
The authors "suspected that much of the MNPs measured were actually in the nanoscale range". Using a type of microscopy, they found "innumerable particulates with shard-like appearance, often less than 200 nm in length."
There's lots of research on health impacts of particulate matter in general (e.g., PM10, PM2.5, PM1, where number = max size in micrometers); seems smaller sizes can get more places and are worse, so on the surface this would seem reasonable.
Not really sure how to end this, just wanted to give a little context.
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Comment on Y2K | Official trailer in ~movies
lackofaname Link Parent"Y2K" fashion is very much a thing right now, so the theme makes a lot of sense for trying to capture a younger audience.it kinda looks like it is aimed at teenagers today. Which is fine, but then a Y2K theme seems odd.
"Y2K" fashion is very much a thing right now, so the theme makes a lot of sense for trying to capture a younger audience.
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Comment on The history of coloring margarine in ~food
lackofaname LinkThis reminded me of hearing about Quebec having white margarine when i was a kid. Found an article that gives a Canadian perspective. Interesting to see the parallels and differences between the...This reminded me of hearing about Quebec having white margarine when i was a kid. Found an article that gives a Canadian perspective.
Interesting to see the parallels and differences between the two countries' histories.
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Comment on How do you respond to sentimental gifts or requests from aging loved ones? in ~life
lackofaname Link ParentThis sounds like such a lovely and thoughtful approach to simultaneously building and sharing memories with your grandchildren, while commemorating your mother. I think I'm with you - at the end...This sounds like such a lovely and thoughtful approach to simultaneously building and sharing memories with your grandchildren, while commemorating your mother. I think I'm with you - at the end of the day, the mementos don't particularly matter to me, but I see that the act of sharing them is from a place of love.
Shoot, I deleted my explanation of the publishing process before posting. Ill try to summarize; I got kinda long winded so maybe for the best.
Publishing academic research is kind of the cornerstone of the sciences. In theory it's more than just pay-us-and-get-published, it's the very system, particularly the unpaid peer review portion, that (ideally) vets the quality of research and upholds academic rigour, while disseminating knowledge. I say ideally because it's a system that can and has been manipulated by bad-faith actors (whether it's shitty researchers faking results, or shitty predatory publishers who will publish any old piece of sh#t for a fee), but it was designed with a good purpose, I suppose.
Essentially a researcher:
-asks a question, gets funding*, does the research
-get results**
-collates into manuscript
-submits to a relevant journal in field for publication (balancing a journal's calibur vs. likelihood of getting accepted)
After submission:
-journal editorial board may reject outright
-otherwise, they'll send it for peer review***
-peer reviewers are other academics in related field, and they do this for free, basically to help maintain the system and aforementioned rigour
-peer reviewers may recommend or not recommend for publication. They often give substantiative feedback: on the article's quality, soundness of arguments/discussion, or even as far as recommending more experiments/research
-the researchers respond to the peer reviewers critiques and often make revisions, before hopefully being accepted for publication
Originally it was all print publishing. Researchers these days access articles digitally, though I really have zero insight into how many journals do print in addition to digital.
Notes and caveats:
-My knowledge is from my time doing my masters a good number of years ago, and helping others submit their research. Im not in academia, and may be a little out of date. Also, my perspective is from biology/sciences. Other domains might operate a little differently.
*Funding is often public, from government grants. I add this because paying to access articles is expensive, even when we've paid for the research through taxes.
**Better get sexy (positive) results if you want a good chance at being published! Publishers often look down (reject) for negative (ie, lack of findings) results, even if that could theoretically mean something.
***During submission, you're often asked to name a couple people in your field with knowledge on the topic and who would not have conflicts of interest, this is often how the journal's know who to ask to volunteer for peer reviews.
Edit, Im not sure I directly answered your question, but I hope I conveyed the idea that, at least to my understanding, it's not just a simple means of storing and sharing info, there's a fundamental need to apply an additional layer of academic rigour.