mieum's recent activity

  1. Comment on Why joining a club is good for democracy in ~life

    mieum
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    Here in Korea, “clubs” are fairly common. My wife is in at least four or five that she meets with regularly. Many of them began as classes or meetups aver Zoom, and some of them still continue to...

    Here in Korea, “clubs” are fairly common. My wife is in at least four or five that she meets with regularly. Many of them began as classes or meetups aver Zoom, and some of them still continue to meet that way, at least some of the time. I have been a loner for so long, and have been wanting to socialize more. Maybe it’s time to test the waters.

    6 votes
  2. Comment on New guitar - bit of a hiss on the G / B / high D strings? in ~music

    mieum
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    One other thing to check which hasn’t been mentioned yet are the ends of the screws that thread through the saddles. This is a source of buzz on many a Jazzmaster, mine included. If the string is...

    One other thing to check which hasn’t been mentioned yet are the ends of the screws that thread through the saddles. This is a source of buzz on many a Jazzmaster, mine included. If the string is hitting these screws you can file them down.

    Someone else mentioned filing the nut, but be careful. I have seen many a slaughtered nut, which can potentially ruin the intonation.

    The buzzing could be the pickups, but that is a bit much even for single coils. Shielding could help, but it is also likely to be a grounding issue.

    If you do end up going in to have it setup, I hope you are satisfied with the results. It is nice to have a good starting point from which you can make minor adjustments in the future as things loosen up and wear out. Good luck! Jazzmasters are so fun!

    1 vote
  3. Comment on Seoul’s solution to ‘hell train’ commutes? Standing room only subway carriages. in ~transport

    mieum
    Link Parent
    I think the problem of overcrowding is partly a logistics problem and partly a cultural problem. These lines are inundated with long and short fare passengers at rush hour, so a little extra space...

    Is removing seats really going to help, or will it allow for more overcrowding? I feel the solution isn't so much removing seats, but rather controlling the number of riders per car so that it's safe.

    I think the problem of overcrowding is partly a logistics problem and partly a cultural problem. These lines are inundated with long and short fare passengers at rush hour, so a little extra space is a sensible strategy to increase capacity until other routes can be opened etc. When the train gets crowded the space nearest the doors is where the trouble is because people are constantly getting on and off at the same time. On busy trains, I try to stand in the middle of the car where the seating is, because there is not this "through traffic." In my experience, the extra space on seatless trains helps reduce this strain on the doorway areas because it is not as much of a funnel then.

    That being said, people are pushy. When I see that the train is crowded, I wait for the next one, but most people don't! At some stations here, there are people who stand along the platform to make sure people don't cram in, but they don't have any real power or authority, so many people ignore them. Even on uncrowded trains, many people shove their way onto the train before others have exited; which is very obnoxious, but a big part of the crowding problem, I think. In Korea, there is a self-proclaimed stereotype (if we can call it that) of Koreans being pushy and impatient. Almost exactly one year ago there was the incident in Itaewon where a bunch of people died by getting crushed and smothered in a crowded alleyway on a Saturday night. This is a rather extreme example, but I think many people here understand how these are related. I don't know what it would take to get people to settle down.

    2 votes
  4. Comment on Seoul’s solution to ‘hell train’ commutes? Standing room only subway carriages. in ~transport

    mieum
    Link Parent
    I am not sure about line 7, but I believe the headway is maxed out on line 4 at peak hours. If not completely maxed out, then nearly---trains come one after another at rush hour. I don't think...

    Long-term, the solution to subway overcrowding is to run more trains. I am not particularly familiar with Seoul's system but I imagine their headway is already maxed out. In that case the solution is either longer trains, which requires longer platforms; or more lines, which requires more stations.

    I am not sure about line 7, but I believe the headway is maxed out on line 4 at peak hours. If not completely maxed out, then nearly---trains come one after another at rush hour. I don't think extending the platforms for either of these lines is very feasible. They are both older lines with under- and above-ground stations, and with lots of other infrastructure built around them. They both service commuters to and from large cities outside Seoul, and currently there are two major developments that will eventually make commuting easier for people in those regions. Line 7 is being extended to connect it to other routes to and through Incheon. There is another line being built to service Ansan (and Suwon by transfer), which is where all the line 4 commuters are coming/going.

    The way it is now, line 4 is such a massive bottle neck. I used to commute on that line to Ansan every day for years, and I learned how to do it well, but looking back, I am so glad I don't have to do that anymore! Within Seoul, line 4 kind of runs perpendicular to other routes and intersects many other lines, so there is a lot of on-and-off traffic. For this reason there are trains that run only to Sadang (the last Seoul stop on the way to Ansan). But it is the only line that runs directly from Seoul to Ansan (there are technically other routes, but they are not sensible commutes!). This new line will connect Ansan to the west side of Seoul, hopefully alleviating line 4 to some extent, and making it more convenient to get across Seoul.

    In my opinion, the seat-free cars are helpful. Line 4 has had cars that are partially seat-free for a long time. Some trains will have cars without seats on the far end so that people can bring their bikes on and secure them while in transit. It is kind of a half-baked design, especially considering bikes are only allowed on during the weekend, but when I was doing my line 4 commute for all those years, it was much more comfortable when I was lucky enough to catch one of these cars. The trouble with those, however, is because they are intended for bikes, there weren't enough handles to grab onto etc.

    5 votes
  5. Comment on Have you learned a foreign language as an adult? What did you find effective? in ~humanities.languages

    mieum
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    After about 6 or 7 months living in Korea and studying it fairly seriously, I found I was able to understand much of what my friends would talk about. Immersion is great, but it is not necessarily...

    After about 6 or 7 months living in Korea and studying it fairly seriously, I found I was able to understand much of what my friends would talk about. Immersion is great, but it is not necessarily sufficient in itself (and not always feasible). Reading a variety of materials and writing and talking about them will help build your vocabulary and sense in the language (I'm sure there are more technical terms used for this). I think this is especially helpful for native speakers of Indo-European languages learning Korean since it is kind of in its own linguistic universe. Learning the language and internalizing its logic requires some degree of acculturation, I think.

  6. Comment on What are your "must-read" books? in ~books

    mieum
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    Since no one has suggested books of poems so far, I will drop a few here: Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman Tulsa Kid by Ron Padgett Spring and All by William Carlos Williams Howl by Alan Ginsberg

    Since no one has suggested books of poems so far, I will drop a few here:

    • Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
    • Tulsa Kid by Ron Padgett
    • Spring and All by William Carlos Williams
    • Howl by Alan Ginsberg
    6 votes
  7. Comment on What everyday things can you replace with a higher-quality alternative? in ~life

    mieum
    Link Parent
    I didn't know about this site, so thanks for the link! haha My personal preference is not a well-examined one. I have tried a few other cartridges but I am generally ignorant about what is out...

    I didn't know about this site, so thanks for the link! haha

    My personal preference is not a well-examined one. I have tried a few other cartridges but I am generally ignorant about what is out there. I think i would enjoy fountain pens too if I could use one consistently for a while.

  8. Comment on What everyday things can you replace with a higher-quality alternative? in ~life

    mieum
    Link Parent
    People get up to some crazy stuff with them!

    Bic pens are really beloved in artist communities!

    People get up to some crazy stuff with them!

    1 vote
  9. Comment on Do you know any other good online communities? in ~tech

    mieum
    Link Parent
    I guess you could say that, but I have always seen it the other way around. *nix systems are social by design, and the early pubnices (and the ones still in existence like sdf.org) can be seen as...

    does that mean it is essentially just a free web hosting service with a small community around it as a bonus?

    I guess you could say that, but I have always seen it the other way around. *nix systems are social by design, and the early pubnices (and the ones still in existence like sdf.org) can be seen as a natural outgrowth of that. At base, you interact with others via the shell, and modern systems have tons of games and utilities that facilitate this. Usually there is some form of bulletin board, email, chat, etc. In some places people get up to generative art, ascii art, programatic music creation, creative writing, zines, and all kinds of stuff. Historically they were a great way to learn about unix systems and/or programming. I think that still applies! Actually, for me they were the gateway drug into programming :b They are also great places to hang out if you are into self-hosting because you can see first-hand how another system is confgured and operated (plus you can benefit from the vast knowledge of all the other users).

    2 votes
  10. Comment on What everyday things can you replace with a higher-quality alternative? in ~life

    mieum
    Link Parent
    I'm not sure what I mostly use is "really good" or not. The cartridge is a Schmidt Easyflow, and it's pretty nice. However, when I was younger I used to draw with cheap BIC pens all the time. Even...

    I've heard there are some really good ballpoint pens out there, but most people's experiences are with cheap ballpoints

    I'm not sure what I mostly use is "really good" or not. The cartridge is a Schmidt Easyflow, and it's pretty nice. However, when I was younger I used to draw with cheap BIC pens all the time. Even though they are blotchy and inconsistent (compared to other ballpoints or fountain pens etc.), they have an interesting feel that I have always liked.

    Also, I prefer fine tip pens

    How fine of a tip? For years I used something similar to the Signo, and loved the sharp bite, but I stopped using them because I broke them frequently enough that it became a problem :b I have since "repaired" my handwriting, so maybe it wouldn't be an issue anymore.

    2 votes
  11. Comment on Do you know any other good online communities? in ~tech

    mieum
    (edited )
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    For the past few years my favorite places on the internet have been pubnices and tildes (such as those of the tildeverse).

    For the past few years my favorite places on the internet have been pubnices and tildes (such as those of the tildeverse).

    2 votes
  12. Comment on What everyday things can you replace with a higher-quality alternative? in ~life

    mieum
    Link
    I think they are just different with their own pros and cons. I prefer ballpoint pens for their feel and versatility. I would recommend finding a cartridge and actual pen that is comfortable to...

    Ballpoint pens -> Fountain pens

    I think they are just different with their own pros and cons. I prefer ballpoint pens for their feel and versatility. I would recommend finding a cartridge and actual pen that is comfortable to use.

    I will second what others have said about clothing. I have been wearing a lot of the same shirts, coats, etc. for years, and they are still in great condition and are generally "easy" to repair. In line with that is finding what is comfortable to you, especially shoes!

    22 votes
  13. Comment on How AI art reduces the world to stereotypes in ~arts

    mieum
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    I teach university classes about education, and I am astonished at how many of my students believe that we can replace teachers, schools, and education with ChatGPT. Last year I brought up ChatGPT...

    What is particularly disturbing is that a large proportion of the general public is starting to voice opinions like "maybe we should defund subsidies for art and culture now, since AI can take over"

    I teach university classes about education, and I am astonished at how many of my students believe that we can replace teachers, schools, and education with ChatGPT. Last year I brought up ChatGPT in my classes and not a single person knew what it was. Now I am suddenly surrounded by experts.

    14 votes
  14. Comment on What are your favorite break up songs? Or my lover left me songs? in ~music

    mieum
    (edited )
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    Sam Cooke's Bring it on Home And kind of a different "lover left me" song, Gin Soaked Boy by Tom Waits. Okay, here's a bonus Tom Waits song: Tell it to Me.
  15. Comment on What are your favorite break up songs? Or my lover left me songs? in ~music

    mieum
    Link Parent
    Every time I hear this song I become so envious of Prince's range and virtuosity of expression, which is really showcased in this album as a whole.

    Every time I hear this song I become so envious of Prince's range and virtuosity of expression, which is really showcased in this album as a whole.

    1 vote
  16. Comment on I’m a microbiologist and here is what (and where) I never eat in ~food

    mieum
    Link Parent
    We also do this regularly too. I think more sensitive groups may affected by it, though.

    We also do this regularly too. I think more sensitive groups may affected by it, though.

    2 votes
  17. Comment on Brewing your own rice wine (makgeolli, doburoku, chojiu, etc...) in ~food

    mieum
    Link Parent
    I used to make lots of mak, but haven't for a few years. I agree that it is really enjoyable, plus the high alcohol content is interesting. The stuff in the stores is usuall 5 or 6% (and usually...

    I used to make lots of mak, but haven't for a few years. I agree that it is really enjoyable, plus the high alcohol content is interesting. The stuff in the stores is usuall 5 or 6% (and usually adds aspartame and sweeteners). When I first started making it, people didn't quite like it because the flavor was strong and it was not sweet. The funny thing is that now there are brands selling this style of mak as a premium "traditional" variety! haha

    3 votes
  18. Comment on As the Halloween season begins, what are your favorite spooky reads? in ~books

    mieum
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    I usually end up reading Poe with my kids, especially The Fall of the House of Usher, The Tell-tale Heart, and The Black Cat. The Dream Quest of Randolph Carter by Lovecraft is fun too. Oh, and...

    I usually end up reading Poe with my kids, especially The Fall of the House of Usher, The Tell-tale Heart, and The Black Cat. The Dream Quest of Randolph Carter by Lovecraft is fun too. Oh, and Something Wicked this way Comes by Bradbury!

    6 votes
  19. Comment on Why most men don’t carry a purse in ~life.men

    mieum
    Link Parent
    What I use is basically a "messenger bag" but smaller and made of light nylon. Like others have already said, there are times when less is more.

    What I use is basically a "messenger bag" but smaller and made of light nylon. Like others have already said, there are times when less is more.

  20. Comment on Why most men don’t carry a purse in ~life.men

    mieum
    Link Parent
    I also sometimes use a "purse" for this same reason. They are common among men where I live, and they are not fancy neccessarily (mine isn't, and actually came with a backpack a relative bought...

    I also sometimes use a "purse" for this same reason. They are common among men where I live, and they are not fancy neccessarily (mine isn't, and actually came with a backpack a relative bought years and years ago). I would not use a bag that must be carried in my hands, though.

    The other reason I will add is that a shoulder bag is much more comfortable in hot and humid weather. This is especially true if you are commuting by bike!

    5 votes