patience_limited's recent activity
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Comment on What's your favorite action scene? in ~talk
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Comment on Historic voter turnout powered US Democrats’ blue wave in ~society
patience_limited Link ParentConsidering that everyone who's had a state-issued photo ID at any time is probably in a facial recognition database (e.g. TSA/CLEAR for air travel), I'd think a polling place face scan could...Considering that everyone who's had a state-issued photo ID at any time is probably in a facial recognition database (e.g. TSA/CLEAR for air travel), I'd think a polling place face scan could provide adequate validation whether you have a card with you or not.
BTW, I don't love that there's face recognition in the first place, but could see instances where it can be used for good...
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Comment on Historic voter turnout powered US Democrats’ blue wave in ~society
patience_limited Link ParentOn a side note, signature comparison is disability-unfriendly (I've had weeks when I can't manage a normal pen grip, so my writing varies significantly) and generally open to abuse. I can't find...On a side note, signature comparison is disability-unfriendly (I've had weeks when I can't manage a normal pen grip, so my writing varies significantly) and generally open to abuse.
I can't find statistics on what proportion of voters are successfully contacted to cure rejected ballots, or the time period allowed for action. There are states which can reject discrepant signatures without allowing ballot curing at all, and can easily discard significant numbers of ballots.
This is part of why setting aside ballots for questioned citizenship was so egregious in California - it's an additional obstacle of unknown but likely serious impact on the franchise.
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Comment on House Kintsugi in ~life.home_improvement
patience_limited (edited )LinkYou could try gold leaf over the filled crack instead of aiming to get a similar effect with mixed gold paint and grout. My experience with gold-colored paint as a mix-in with other materials is...You could try gold leaf over the filled crack instead of aiming to get a similar effect with mixed gold paint and grout. My experience with gold-colored paint as a mix-in with other materials is that the metallic flakes can react with acid or alkali in the base compound and turn greenish. Just leave the grouted crack a little underfilled so you can see the outline, then do the standard gum arabic and leaf over it, then buff.
If it's a big area that would be too expensive to leaf, Culture Hustle has a couple of very good gold paints that might suit the purpose.
Quick note: Paint may not adhere well to porous or slightly damp grout. Kintsugi with real urushi lacquer needs humidity to cure and might work better, but it's toxic as heck and probably not suited to large seams.
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Comment on Historic voter turnout powered US Democrats’ blue wave in ~society
patience_limited (edited )LinkThere is substantial evidence for the sentiment "the economy is rigged", and both major U.S. political parties are implicated to the extent that the U.S. Congress polls worse than Trump. It's my...There is substantial evidence for the sentiment "the economy is rigged", and both major U.S. political parties are implicated to the extent that the U.S. Congress polls worse than Trump.
It's my theory that promises to attack corruption and money in politics prompted primary selection for progressive Democrats and greater turnout. Voters increasingly recognized the impacts of billionaire and corporate political spending/media control, lucrative revolving door positions after elective or regulatory office (see Mike Rogers' history, for example), corrupt government contract awards and other graft.
Blatant attempts to disenfranchise voters played a part as well. This analysis suggests that the dilution of the Voting Rights Act prompted substantially higher Black voter turnout than would have been expected otherwise.
It's insane to me that Americans age 18 - 29 still had only 27% turnout in this election. Maybe the propaganda that voting doesn't matter has its greatest effect here. Other problems, like transportation, poor civics education, low-wage/long hours "starter" jobs, frequent address changes, child care, deliberate disqualification of student IDs as voter identification, etc. probably contribute.
Edit: Primary election turnout is also kind of depressing - around 23% of registered voters. Some states with more contentious primaries hit 30%, but that's still awful. 50% of the voting population choosing candidates selected by 23% of the population is pretty dysfunctional and a recipe for extremism.
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Comment on Timasomo 2026: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
patience_limited Link ParentA dedicated pair of heavy scissors for spatchcocking poultry is actually a win. Beautiful work even if it's not exactly what you set out to make.A dedicated pair of heavy scissors for spatchcocking poultry is actually a win. Beautiful work even if it's not exactly what you set out to make.
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Comment on Amazon Grocery introduces a Thanksgiving meal for $25 in ~food
patience_limited Link ParentWild rice with pecans and dried cranberries! Super easy to scale, not horribly unhealthy, and a nice texture contrast to other Thanksgiving sides. Basically, make the wild rice with the same...Wild rice with pecans and dried cranberries! Super easy to scale, not horribly unhealthy, and a nice texture contrast to other Thanksgiving sides.
Basically, make the wild rice with the same liquid proportions as brown rice, preferably using poultry or vegetable stock, plus about 1 T butter or neutral oil per cup of dry rice. Add 1/2 tsp. anise seeds per cup of dry rice if you like that flavor. An Instant Pot or rice cooker with the brown rice setting works well for this.
Coarsely chop 1/4 c. pecans per cup of dry rice. You can toast the pecans in a skillet until aromatic if desired.
Stir chopped pecans and dried cranberries (1/8 - 1/4 c. per cup of dry rice depending on your sweetness tolerance) into the cooked wild rice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Comment on 2026 United States midterm elections megathread in ~society
patience_limited Link ParentWhich is why it's important to vote in indisputable numbers.Which is why it's important to vote in indisputable numbers.
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Comment on 2026 United States midterm elections megathread in ~society
patience_limited (edited )Link ParentGiven the shortage of polling places in Blue cities and the dismaying prospect of long lines for people who can't take time off work or have other impediments, I'd say vote absentee/early in...Given the shortage of polling places in Blue cities and the dismaying prospect of long lines for people who can't take time off work or have other impediments, I'd say vote absentee/early in future if you can.
With the U.S. Postal Service shenanigans, I got my absentee ballot (Michigan allows registration for permanent absentee ballot requests, highly recommended) on September 27 and dropped it off in the county clerk's ballot box on September 28. Michigan had something like 60% early vote returns, and few reported long lines.
[Early voting also short-circuits "October Surprise" tactics and last-minute social media bullshit.]
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Comment on 2026 United States midterm elections megathread in ~society
patience_limited (edited )LinkSo glad that Abdul El Sayed weathered the tiny tempest of his former opponent's party defection and beat Mike Rogers for the Michigan Senate seat. I'm disappointed but totally unsurprised that...So glad that Abdul El Sayed weathered the tiny tempest of his former opponent's party defection and beat Mike Rogers for the Michigan Senate seat.
I'm disappointed but totally unsurprised that Rep. Jack Bergman survived in my district. It's mostly rural, yet Callie Barr came within shouting distance of winning where there's usually a 70% Republican electorate.
Governor, Attorney General, and other state-wide offices remained in Democratic control. Democrats now control both chambers of the state legislature, which is a big improvement over the prior stalemate with one party controlling each of the House and Senate.
The ballot proposal for a state constitutional convention (largely about repealing the abortion rights constitutional amendment) went down in flames, and the "money out of politics" proposal won, so we'll see where we go from here.
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Comment on 2026 United States midterm elections distractions topic in ~talk
patience_limited LinkI was delighted to discover everything i ever needed to know about British electricity pylons today, including detailed 3-D models.I was delighted to discover everything i ever needed to know about British electricity pylons today, including detailed 3-D models.
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Comment on Federal agency emails praising US President Donald Trump may violate ethics laws, experts say in ~society
patience_limited Link ParentThere are real penalties prescribed by the Hatch Act, i.e. removal from the position or suspension of 30 days without pay. But their imposition is based on subjective evaluation of the seriousness...There are real penalties prescribed by the Hatch Act, i.e. removal from the position or suspension of 30 days without pay. But their imposition is based on subjective evaluation of the seriousness of the violation, and the Merit Systems Protection Board can choose to levy no penalty at all. For Cabinet and senior officials, the President has the review and penalty power. Since the current board is composed mostly of GOP operatives and the President is who he is, the story tells itself.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of October 26 in ~society
patience_limited Link ParentHere's the same thread on Bluesky for those who don't use Instagram or don't want to sign in to read it. The included OpEd that Stevens refused to sign tells you something about who Mike Rogers...Here's the same thread on Bluesky for those who don't use Instagram or don't want to sign in to read it. The included OpEd that Stevens refused to sign tells you something about who Mike Rogers is, if you haven't followed the campaign, and how durable Haley Stevens' principles are.
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Comment on Federal agency emails praising US President Donald Trump may violate ethics laws, experts say in ~society
patience_limited LinkI also was nauseated to discover the SSA message in my inbox yesterday. And guess what Hatch Act enforcement is like these days? See also.I also was nauseated to discover the SSA message in my inbox yesterday. And guess what Hatch Act enforcement is like these days? See also.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of October 26 in ~society
patience_limited (edited )Link ParentStevens is just saying the soft parts that were her primary campaign points out loud. She's always been both pro-corporate (member of the New Democrat Coaltition) and pro-Israel, to the extent...Stevens is just saying the soft parts that were her primary campaign points out loud.
She's always been both pro-corporate (member of the New Democrat Coaltition) and pro-Israel, to the extent that she primaried another (actually Jewish, pro-labor, pro-human rights*) Democratic Congressman out of his seat with AIPAC funding in 2022, after Michigan lost a seat in the 2020 census.
Stephens came from wealth, and has been a not-very-effective party insider for so long that she clearly felt entitled to win. She's taking her hurt feelings out on everyone. May she sink into well-earned obscurity.
*Full disclosure: The Levins, multiple generations, were friends of my family. Dynastic politics don't thrill me, but Andy Levin was the real progressive deal throughout his time in Congress. I've had negative sentiments towards Stevens since that time for pushing out a much better person and Representative, and supporting Mike Rogers is a complete betrayal of Michigan and the country.
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Comment on Manifestos, fear, and ‘loser thinking’: inside Proton’s AI reckoning in ~tech
patience_limited LinkThe announcement of the Thundermail beta can't possibly be a coincidence.The announcement of the Thundermail beta can't possibly be a coincidence.
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Comment on The journey of donating a body to science in ~science
patience_limited (edited )Link ParentHand dominance affects nearly everything over a lifetime of adaptations - the thickness of nerves in the brachial plexus, spinal column processes, bone growth at the skeletal muscle attachments,...Hand dominance affects nearly everything over a lifetime of adaptations - the thickness of nerves in the brachial plexus, spinal column processes, bone growth at the skeletal muscle attachments, cartilage wear on most joints on the dominant side, even sizes of fingers and ipsilateral brain anatomy. Dexterity requires a lot of neural processing, and it makes evolutionary sense not to duplicate its maximum capacity on both sides. It's a more dramatic differentiation than you'd suspect given that there's only about 10% difference in gross strength between the dominant and non-dominant sides.
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Comment on Weekly thread for casual chat and photos of pets in ~life.pets
patience_limited (edited )Link ParentCat temperament can change substantially over time. Patience is essential, though I can't even imagine the demands of toddler + cat! Our female cat came from a hoarder house, was barely tamed to...Cat temperament can change substantially over time. Patience is essential, though I can't even imagine the demands of toddler + cat! Our female cat came from a hoarder house, was barely tamed to humans as a kitten, and the rescue was afraid she wouldn't be adoptable. It took most of a month before she stopped hiding from any person in the same room. After six years, she's demanding attention and pets from the familiar humans multiple times a day (still not a lap cat, but will occasionally cuddle and sleeps on my feet). She even showed up to investigate the guest we had staying with us this past week.
Also, if you haven't already, get Buckley accustomed to regular brushing. My wayward children don't shed as much as long-haired cats, but they (and my housekeeping) still benefit from a few minutes of grooming with a slicker brush a couple of times a week to keep hairballs in check. Long-haired cats can also develop painful mats and skin irritation during shedding season if they're not groomed, which can lead to more behavior problems.
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Comment on Weekly thread for casual chat and photos of pets in ~life.pets
patience_limited (edited )Link ParentHe's still a kitten! Male cats generally don't reach their full adult size until about 3 years of age, so he might yet grow into those whiskers. He'll also tend to settle down and play less...He's still a kitten! Male cats generally don't reach their full adult size until about 3 years of age, so he might yet grow into those whiskers. He'll also tend to settle down and play less aggressively as he matures. I had similar biting concerns with my male cat, but he's turned into a lap rug at age four. Don't touch the belly, though - cats will show it as a sign of relaxation and trust, but some cats will give you a violent warning-off.
I'm not seeing the ear tip tufts that would suggest Maine Coon heritage (check for very long hairs between the toes, though), or the Siamese-type blue eyes and body color dilution of a Snowshoe; he's likely a gorgeous Domestic Longhair.
Mixed breed is generally good news from a health and longevity standpoint. If Buckley does have another Maine Coon trait (the huge bottle brush tail is one), ask your vet about genetic testing to detect proneness to breed-specific problems like cardiomyopathy or polycystic kidney disease that can be managed if caught early.
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Comment on How do you handle being around other people? in ~talk
patience_limited Link ParentI'm actually not good at conventional small talk with strangers. I don't follow sports, watch much TV, and mostly read a lot or pursue somewhat esoteric hobbies. I generally invite people to share...I'm actually not good at conventional small talk with strangers. I don't follow sports, watch much TV, and mostly read a lot or pursue somewhat esoteric hobbies.
I generally invite people to share something interesting about themselves, like "What did you think about this presentation", or "How did you enter this profession", or "Where did you find that jacket", with a sincere desire to learn.
While I don't love action movies for their own sake, I'm a huge fan of well-choreographed Asian martial arts fight scenes. There have been some great recs so far.
I'm a little surprised that no one has mentioned the oil slick battle from the 2002 movie, The Transporter. It's a glorious homage to what made Jackie Chan's work great. Every object in the setting gets creatively and violently integrated into the scene's action.
Kung Fu Hustle is Steven Chow's canonical love letter to the Hong Kong martial arts movies that preceeded it. Every fight scene is astonishingly over the top and often hysterically funny. But the Axe Gang Battle showcases fighting styles and tropes in a way that sets the stage for the climactic big comeback of the underdog heroes (this is not a spoiler, it's the narrative arc of the vast majority of Hong Kong martial arts movies).