mieum's recent activity
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Comment on Group chat solutions for small groups? in ~comp
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Comment on Why computers won’t make themselves smarter - Ted Chiang in ~tech
mieum Link ParentAh okay, I see what you mean. That definitely makes sense! I'll put the rest of my response here to avoid spoiling the story for anyone I think when I read it some years back I read it as a...Ah okay, I see what you mean. That definitely makes sense!
I'll put the rest of my response here to avoid spoiling the story for anyone
I think when I read it some years back I read it as a metaphor for what "knowledge is power" means in the 21st century; whether it is AI, Google & Friends slurping up everyone's "behavioral surplus," or some dude jacked up on smart pills :b The plot revolves around how the protagonist's increased intelligence/knowledge suddenly necessitates their having to immediately spend all their energy trying to gain more knowledge and intelligence as a matter of self-preservation. I can't remember the exact details, but I vaguely remember that the other super-intelligent character is described by the narrator as being less virtuous or righteous because of their wanting to use their powers for good (or something like that) as if the protagonist is trying to not only defend themself but humanity as a whole. But they are both effectively the same kind of hazard to society.
Another thing that stood out to me is the narrator's first-person descriptions of becoming super-intelligent. Maybe because my field is the philosophy of education, I read the story as kind of a speculative commentary on the nature of intelligence and maybe experience more generally. I recall him describing his higher intelligence as basically alogical, describing his learning process as a kind of aesthetic experience. Having not read the story in forever, these sorts of details are what remain most vividly in my memory and apparently made a big impression on me at the time. I'll have to give it another go, if only to enjoy the build up to that awesome ending :)
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Comment on Why computers won’t make themselves smarter - Ted Chiang in ~tech
mieum Link ParentI think that is one of my favorite stories of his. What is surprising to you about its connection to this article? It has been a while since I have read it, but I don’t remember it being written...I think that is one of my favorite stories of his. What is surprising to you about its connection to this article? It has been a while since I have read it, but I don’t remember it being written in a way that suggests how ultraintelligence would be a real possibility. I’ll have to give it a re-read!
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Comment on What’s a point that you think many people missed? in ~talk
mieum Link ParentThat makes sense, but what is curious to me is that it was not required reading when I was in school. There are also lots of other books that were required reading whose protagonists don’t get as...That makes sense, but what is curious to me is that it was not required reading when I was in school. There are also lots of other books that were required reading whose protagonists don’t get as much hate as Holden. Anecdotally, it seems like the internet could have something to do with it.
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Comment on What’s a point that you think many people missed? in ~talk
mieum LinkYou don’t need to like Holden Caufield to like the book. It is almost a meme to rag on A Catcher in the Rye because Holden is not very amicable. But… so what? There are so many books with...You don’t need to like Holden Caufield to like the book. It is almost a meme to rag on A Catcher in the Rye because Holden is not very amicable. But… so what? There are so many books with protagonists who are objectively worse people than the troubled youth Holden is, but the hate for him as a protagonist is so amplified in comparison. I never understood why. Not sure whether it’s the haters who are missing the point or if it is me! :b
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Comment on Who's tried durian? in ~food
mieum LinkI also enjoy it. I think people’s aversion to it has to do with it disagreeing with their concept of how a fruit is supposed to be. It is not very stinky in my opinion. Just think of it like a...I also enjoy it. I think people’s aversion to it has to do with it disagreeing with their concept of how a fruit is supposed to be. It is not very stinky in my opinion. Just think of it like a cheese; something to spread on a cracker :)
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Comment on What are some good influences for kids today, both online and offline? in ~life
mieum LinkThere are a lot of very good podcasts for kids. The one we have listened to the most is called Noodleloaf, which is a "music education podcast" that is very fun and well done. I think when it...There are a lot of very good podcasts for kids. The one we have listened to the most is called Noodleloaf, which is a "music education podcast" that is very fun and well done.
I think when it comes to any kind of media, whether it is good or bad, making it social goes a long way. I mean, just casually binging stuff on a small screen is not great. But we read, watch, and listen to a lot of stuff together. Not all of it is stuff that I would have wanted my kids to watch (not that it is inappropriate but more just... meh), but having an opportunity to communicate about it is important. Not that my opinion is authoritative, but I always call out senselessly sexist content or things like that even just in passing. It is a crazy wild world out there, and surely they will get exposed to weird things in their peer groups. It is good for them to have a sense about what is bueno and what is not.
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Comment on What are some good influences for kids today, both online and offline? in ~life
mieum Link ParentI second this. There are quite a few very good publications for kids. Our kids read and re-read them, and take care of the fragile magazines as well or if not better than their books :bsubscription for a weekly kids newspaper
I second this. There are quite a few very good publications for kids. Our kids read and re-read them, and take care of the fragile magazines as well or if not better than their books :b
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Comment on Travel essentials: eight items to pack for your next trip – and what to leave at home in ~travel
mieum Link ParentI also travel as light as possible, but I have realized that neck pillows can be game changers. I always thought they were dumb, but using one is the only way I can get any sleep on a long...I also travel as light as possible, but I have realized that neck pillows can be game changers. I always thought they were dumb, but using one is the only way I can get any sleep on a long overnight flight. I dislike the bulk, but if I have to fly for 10+ hours and then drive for several hours afterward, it is worth it just for a little nap even.
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Comment on US FBI readies new war on trans people in ~lgbt
mieum Link ParentThirded. In times like these, I like to take Mr. Rogers’ advice and “look for the people helping.”Thirded.
In times like these, I like to take Mr. Rogers’ advice and “look for the people helping.”
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Comment on What words do you recommend? in ~talk
mieum Link ParentIn college, my papers were all fluff and frill. I think it is easy to err on the side of adornment when you are BSing your way through an essay. On the other side, having read such a large volume...In college, my papers were all fluff and frill. I think it is easy to err on the side of adornment when you are BSing your way through an essay. On the other side, having read such a large volume of academic writing, that fluff stands out too much. And if I am being honest, that is one thing that makes it hard for me to get through the works of some influential scholars.
Strunk and White would give you a nod of approval.
They likely would. I have soured on them a bit, though. Their advice about reducing verbiage is sound, but they also make some other confounding claims about grammar @_@
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Comment on Why do some gamers invert their controls? Scientists now have answers, but they’re not what you think. in ~games
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Comment on iOS 26 is here in ~tech
mieum Link ParentI thought I would dislike the Liquid Glass design just based on the promos they put out, but I have been surprised that it isn't all that bad actually. Photos of the UI don't do it justice, I...I thought I would dislike the Liquid Glass design just based on the promos they put out, but I have been surprised that it isn't all that bad actually. Photos of the UI don't do it justice, I think. Without the animations or "live distortions" as you call them, it looks like an early 2000s throwback or something. All in all, even if it might not be my first choice of style, it is not visually distracting to me (which I care about more than eye candy). The actual UI layout feels a little more intuitive and better suited for tapping a screen with fingertips. There are rough edges, as always, but I haven't encountered many. The main one is Reminders misbehaving on Mac, which is actually quite a bad and frustrating bug @_@
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Comment on What's a setting that you'd recommend? in ~tech
mieum Link ParentIf I may piggyback on this: americanos are just better iced. If you want black coffee, brew it, drip it, press it, or just drink the espresso straight. Hot americanos are weirdly flavorless, and...If I may piggyback on this: americanos are just better iced. If you want black coffee, brew it, drip it, press it, or just drink the espresso straight. Hot americanos are weirdly flavorless, and it bothers me. But just drizzle some espresso on some ice and you have <3
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Comment on What words do you recommend? in ~talk
mieum LinkI feel like my writing has improved over the years not by using any words or phrases in particular, but by eliminating the use of awkward ones. If I had to name a few, though, I would say using...I feel like my writing has improved over the years not by using any words or phrases in particular, but by eliminating the use of awkward ones. If I had to name a few, though, I would say using words like inversely/conversely correctly can be helpful in making concise statements or arguments. Somewhat related to this, it's good to avoid common logical fallacies and cognitive biases (unless your narration or dialogue is leveraging these intentionally). Most of what I write is (unfortunately) academic, so maybe I am not the best person to be giving advice :b
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Comment on What "one-hit wonder" do you think has a discography worth exploring? in ~music
mieum Link ParentBobby McFerrin is such an incredible musician. I absolutely love his version of Round Midnight!Bobby McFerrin is such an incredible musician. I absolutely love his version of Round Midnight!
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Comment on What "one-hit wonder" do you think has a discography worth exploring? in ~music
mieum Link ParentI love me some Digital Underground, and Sex Packets is such a great album. My band in high school was also heavily influenced by P-Funk, but we were more funky rock than hip-hop.I love me some Digital Underground, and Sex Packets is such a great album. My band in high school was also heavily influenced by P-Funk, but we were more funky rock than hip-hop.
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Comment on Samsung confirms its $1,800+ fridges will start showing you ads in ~tech
mieum Link ParentTo be honest, I avoid them as well. They are such a shady company owned by shady mobsters. I know they are not unique for doing creepy and annoying things with their products, but they have done...and certainly not any Samsung products in general
To be honest, I avoid them as well. They are such a shady company owned by shady mobsters. I know they are not unique for doing creepy and annoying things with their products, but they have done so many blatantly inhumane things that I have written them off at this point.
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Comment on Why do some gamers invert their controls? Scientists now have answers, but they’re not what you think. in ~games
mieum Link ParentI never once thought about it this way, and instead always assumed it had something to do with this: Actually, I always thought about it in terms of skateboarding. I have always ridden "goofy"...In short, gamers think they are an inverter or a non-inverter because of
I never once thought about it this way, and instead always assumed it had something to do with this:
It’s much more likely that you invert or don’t invert due to how your brain perceives objects in 3D space.
Actually, I always thought about it in terms of skateboarding. I have always ridden "goofy" (right foot forward) and growing up I always inverted my controls. I don't know that there is a correlation, but that was at least consistent in my group of friends (the exception being a friend who rode skateboards "mongo," which is a goofy/regular hybrid in a way).
I have barely played video games at all for the past 20 years, but recently when playing old Zelda games I realized that I could just accept the controls set either way, even if one way feels less intuitive than the other.
I now wonder if my occasional left-handed tendencies are learnt behaviour like I always thought, or the result of something inherent in my cognitive system
I am also curious! I too favor my left hand/foot for certain things even though I am right-handed: talking on the phone, shoulder bag strap placement, carrying babies, etc. Kind of a weird sample of things to mention, but anyway, I am intrigued by the possibility that this is all just a force of habit.
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Comment on The hardest working font in Manhattan in ~design
mieum Link ParentI will definitely check it out! Thanks :)I will definitely check it out! Thanks :)
Self-hosting XMPP (or Matrix for that matter) is not that hard, but it does require attention. I think the bigger issue there is that for anyone using iOS the UX will be uncomfortable enough to dissuade people from using it. This has something to do with iOS’ policies about apps running in the background (I believe), and even though there are ways to mitigate that abrasion it is still there. I currently use Snikket so I can have a phone number back in the US and it is pretty wonky. I hosted a server for years to use with my family, and most of them gave up on it and the ones who stuck with it had a hard time. Which is too bad because XMPP is the full package.