lyam23's recent activity
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Comment on What if we discover the answers of the Universe, eliminate cancer, halt aging. What's next? in ~humanities
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Comment on With Vids, Google thinks it has the next big productivity tool for work in ~tech
lyam23 Link ParentI actually work in HR, :D Well, I do IT in HR, but still.I actually work in HR, :D
Well, I do IT in HR, but still.
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Comment on With Vids, Google thinks it has the next big productivity tool for work in ~tech
lyam23 Link ParentI'm pretty NT and TBH, communicating via email/chat/txt is fine. I don't need those non-verbal cues to get my work done. Regardless, it's Google. It'll either fail or be killed off in a year or...I'm pretty NT and TBH, communicating via email/chat/txt is fine. I don't need those non-verbal cues to get my work done. Regardless, it's Google. It'll either fail or be killed off in a year or so. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
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Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
lyam23 Link ParentI agree (after the fact!) and in fact I can make the route more difficult if I desire. As I get closer to work the greenway ends and I enter a densely housed neighborhood with a network of roads...I agree (after the fact!) and in fact I can make the route more difficult if I desire. As I get closer to work the greenway ends and I enter a densely housed neighborhood with a network of roads with varying degrees of elevation. I've only been at it 4 days but my watch tells me my avg hr trend seems to show that I'm adapting. I was already reasonably fit, but it does seem to be noticeably easier on the fourth day (today).
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Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
lyam23 LinkI've started bicycle commuting to work. It's 5.25 miles and I happen to live near a greenway that takes me nearly all the way to work. Most of it is paved, however some is gravel and occasionally...I've started bicycle commuting to work. It's 5.25 miles and I happen to live near a greenway that takes me nearly all the way to work. Most of it is paved, however some is gravel and occasionally involves some sketchy road crossings as it's not fully complete, however it's a remarkably easy commute with only a few tough hills (particularly on the ride home). On a good day it take me 30 minutes to get there and 35-40 to get home. I've really been enjoying it, just me, the birds, and my bike shaped object cruising through a nice, safe path through the city.
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Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
lyam23 Link ParentThat was also recommended so I'll be watching that as well.That was also recommended so I'll be watching that as well.
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Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
lyam23 LinkI've really been enjoying FLCL. The first season was surreal, manic, and beautiful (and quite funny). I've started the second season which was produced quite a bit after and it's not quite as...I've really been enjoying FLCL. The first season was surreal, manic, and beautiful (and quite funny). I've started the second season which was produced quite a bit after and it's not quite as beautiful, but the characters are great. Hoping it holds up.
A friend recommended Kill La Kill and it's... something else. Fanservice, the Anime. It's fun to watch but... yeah.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
lyam23 Link ParentYou're on the same path I was on. And honestly I didn't get much farther than Player of Games. Which I really did enjoy and I think it's worth sticking around to finish up. I failed at completing...You're on the same path I was on. And honestly I didn't get much farther than Player of Games. Which I really did enjoy and I think it's worth sticking around to finish up. I failed at completing Use of Weapons which seems to be a really popular one. I just keep bouncing off of it. I've tried three times.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
lyam23 Link2 current: Elder Race by Tchaikovsky, Adrian A novella that tells the story of an encounter between two technologically and culturally distinct groups of human descended peoples, one being the...2 current:
Elder Race by Tchaikovsky, Adrian
A novella that tells the story of an encounter between two technologically and culturally distinct groups of human descended peoples, one being the technically primitive society resulting from an ancient human galaxy wide diaspora and the other a modern, anthropological outpost studying that culture. Very "prime-directive" tropey. The first I've read from Tchaikovsky and I'm enjoying their style.
Chan Buddhsim by Peter D. Hershock
An academic work that is nevertheless suited for Chan/Zen practitioners that investigates the history and cultural context that led to Chan as we know it today (in contrast to the traditions received historical origins). I'm enjoying this analysis which is similar in scope and approach to John McRae's Seeing through Zen: Encounter, Transformation, and Genealogy in Chinese Chan Buddhism.
And 1 just completed:
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology
An excellent anthology of "dark fiction" by indigenous authors, Never Whistle at Night collects 27 short stories ranging from supernatural to man-made horrors. Whether it's Wendigos and poltergeists, or racism and other remnants of colonial oppression; horror fans of all stripes will find something here to keep them up at night and looking over their shoulder. Just don't soothe yourself by whistling if you find yourself alone in the dark. And remember, sometimes dead is better...
I really liked so many of the stories in this anthology. Quite a lot of variety in subject matter, writing style, and depth. Recommended.
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Comment on A Max password-sharing crackdown is coming in ~tv
lyam23 Link ParentStrange New Worlds and Lower Decks are both great new additions, IMO.Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks are both great new additions, IMO.
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Comment on For those with an alcohol problem, are non-alcoholic beverages a wise choice? in ~health
lyam23 Link ParentIn my experience, even the best NA beer I've had is perceptibly different tasting than full alcohol beer. In the same way that even a high quality decaf tastes different than caffeinated coffee.In my experience, even the best NA beer I've had is perceptibly different tasting than full alcohol beer. In the same way that even a high quality decaf tastes different than caffeinated coffee.
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
lyam23 Link ParentA full day at the university? That sounds intense. Are you interviewing for an upper level academic administration position? I hope it went well and I wish you luck!A full day at the university? That sounds intense. Are you interviewing for an upper level academic administration position? I hope it went well and I wish you luck!
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Comment on For those with an alcohol problem, are non-alcoholic beverages a wise choice? in ~health
lyam23 Link ParentI think it's good to be wary. I quit drinking just because I have trouble sleeping when I drink and when I go out with friends I'll sometimes have a non-alcoholic beer. And while it scratches a...I think it's good to be wary. I quit drinking just because I have trouble sleeping when I drink and when I go out with friends I'll sometimes have a non-alcoholic beer. And while it scratches a certain itch that seltzer doesn't, it is very clearly not beer and in some ways makes the itch worse.
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Comment on For those with an alcohol problem, are non-alcoholic beverages a wise choice? in ~health
lyam23 Link ParentI'd be interested in any research you have found connecting seltzer water and a negative effect on tooth enamel. Back when I was drinking a lot more seltzer than I am today I had heard the same...I'd be interested in any research you have found connecting seltzer water and a negative effect on tooth enamel. Back when I was drinking a lot more seltzer than I am today I had heard the same thing. However, every article I found said that while seltzer water is slightly more acidic than regular water, its effect on enamel was very negligible.
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Comment on What are your favorite series that are not from the US or UK and also not popular anime? in ~tv
lyam23 Link ParentSeconding DARK. Incredibly atmospheric, clever, and strategically written with mind boggling good casting. The 3 season run is tightly plotted with little to no cruft. It may take a while to catch...Seconding DARK. Incredibly atmospheric, clever, and strategically written with mind boggling good casting. The 3 season run is tightly plotted with little to no cruft. It may take a while to catch on to what's going on but there's no shame in supplementing with online explainers. Just don't spoil anything for yourself. Encountering the various twists and turns in the plot is so good here.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
lyam23 LinkI've recently finished William Gibson's The Peripheral which is the first Gibson I've read since Idoru back in 1999. I've heard that many people have been disappointed in Gibson's turn toward less...I've recently finished William Gibson's The Peripheral which is the first Gibson I've read since Idoru back in 1999. I've heard that many people have been disappointed in Gibson's turn toward less sci-fi fare and I haven't read much of his work in that vein, but I can say that I really had a good time with The Peripheral. Once you get past Gibson's 'in media res' blast of neologisms, it became a fun adventure with interesting characters that get further enmeshed into the Gibsonian weirdness (which I couldn't say too much about without spoiling the fun).
Now I'm reading Nick Harkaway's Titanium Noir and it's quite a departure from the only other work I've read, Gnomon. The latter being a densely plotted, sci-fi conspiracy/mystery taking place over multiple overlapping time periods, while the former seems to be (so far) a pretty straightforward blend of hard-boiled noir a la Raymond Chandler and near future sci-fi. It's also been fun so far, and now I'm really curious about his other novels to see where they land on the Harkaway spectrum.
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Comment on Side projects that were actually good? in ~music
lyam23 LinkTool is pretty great, and most are familiar with A Perfect Circle, but I'm more interested in Puscifer. Their musical style ranges a fair bit and there are plenty of misses mixed with their hits,...Tool is pretty great, and most are familiar with A Perfect Circle, but I'm more interested in Puscifer. Their musical style ranges a fair bit and there are plenty of misses mixed with their hits, but even their misses are interesting.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
lyam23 Link ParentI just finished it and I think I see what you mean regarding affectation. At the very least there were quite a few 'precious' word choices that may not have been all that necessary. That said, I...I just finished it and I think I see what you mean regarding affectation. At the very least there were quite a few 'precious' word choices that may not have been all that necessary. That said, I found it to be quite good, overall. The setting was fantastic and the ideas were well thought out and interesting. The pacing could have been a little better perhaps, as the first three quarters of the book were slow, methodical, and atmospheric while the last act sprinted until the end.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
lyam23 Link ParentKraken was pretty good. I really enjoyed Embassytown, though.Kraken was pretty good. I really enjoyed Embassytown, though.
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Comment on Most bingeable book series? in ~books
lyam23 Link ParentDifferent strokes, I guess. Player of Games was the most accessible of The Culture series I've read so far. I keep bouncing off Use of Weapons which is apparently everyone's favorite.Different strokes, I guess. Player of Games was the most accessible of The Culture series I've read so far. I keep bouncing off Use of Weapons which is apparently everyone's favorite.
That sums it up well. Personally I believe there are also metaphysical implications and constraints on 'halting aging/death' but the practical upshot is eternal feudalism with a never dying uberclass at the top of the heap getting richer and more deranged while everything around them is picked clean.