Paul26's recent activity
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Comment on Nose dilators in ~health
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Comment on Actual underrated films of the 2020s so far in ~movies
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Comment on Sault - Wildfires (2020) in ~music
Paul26 LinkNice song. I have had it on one of my playlists for a few years. I forget how I came across it, but it’s a good find for sure.Nice song. I have had it on one of my playlists for a few years. I forget how I came across it, but it’s a good find for sure.
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Comment on Revisiting Instagram, and promptly leaving it again in ~tech
Paul26 Link ParentIt's a good thing to keep in mind, of course. It would be great if everyone was this insightful and took the time to challenge their own beliefs. It's always a good exercise to play devil's...It's a good thing to keep in mind, of course. It would be great if everyone was this insightful and took the time to challenge their own beliefs. It's always a good exercise to play devil's advocate, especially with your own pre-conceptions and beliefs. Even if you still disagree after that mental exercise, at least you have the satisfaction of having done your due diligence to at least understand the other side.
For this topic specifically, I do think there is a line that was crossed at some point, and there is little effort to un-cross it. That's when the larger internet companies decided to:- give us "free" services that are in fact just harvesting our data
- capitalize on addictive designs in apps, games, entertainment in general
Is it not weird that Instagram, for example, doesn't offer a paid option to remove ads? Many other apps do. They offer a free version that's full of ads, but then you can choose to subscribe or pay a one time fee and get rid of the ads. The fact that Meta (and others) don't even offer this option tells me that the profit they make off their current model supersedes the profit they would make off subscriptions. Add to this the addictive nature of things like reels and loot boxes in some video games, and it's pretty obvious that the consumer is the product.
I don't think the folks who do use these are somehow bad. I don't even think of them as a different tribe. I think different people have different priorities, but everyone is free to spend their time as they like. For many people, watching a few ads beats paying for a subscription any day. If anything, it's the people concerned with privacy that are the minority. If that were not the case, then these platforms would have had to come up with a different business model a long time ago.
I don't think you would be elitist or missing the bigger picture. If anything you're likely much closer to seeing the bigger picture than many, just based on your points in these comments. Elitism in this context would only apply if these platforms somehow allowed privileged people to get a superior experience (ad-free, extra options, etc.). Or, elitist in the way that those who see these issues are somehow better than those who don't see them? I think seeing these issues just ends up making us more sad about the state of things, not any better than those who fail to see the issues or choose to ignore them because they think it's a fair trade off. -
Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
Paul26 Link ParentI’m in Canada, but thank for sharing. Yeah it sounds ironic. I tried with almond milk, water, soy milk. I find this brand of oat milk and it’s 0% sugar and I kept getting that. Works with anything...I’m in Canada, but thank for sharing.
Yeah it sounds ironic. I tried with almond milk, water, soy milk. I find this brand of oat milk and it’s 0% sugar and I kept getting that. Works with anything really. Tastes a little bland with water tho. My wife sometimes adds maple syrup but that feels like dessert to me. The fruit I add seem to do the trick for something sweet.
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
Paul26 LinkTrailers are too long. I watch a trailer, I watched the whole movie. I can fill in the gaps. I love when they keep the trailers very short. I prefer when they actually show a single scene rather...Trailers are too long. I watch a trailer, I watched the whole movie. I can fill in the gaps.
I love when they keep the trailers very short. I prefer when they actually show a single scene rather than a long mix of many scenes.
Take Marty Supreme for example. Another thread is talking about how well this movie is doing. So I go watch the trailer and it gives so much away that I don’t feel like watching the movie anymore.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Paul26 Link ParentI liked Inquisition, but had little exposure to the other games in the series. Thinking of playing the veilguard eventually.I liked Inquisition, but had little exposure to the other games in the series. Thinking of playing the veilguard eventually.
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Comment on What small thing made a big impact on you? in ~talk
Paul26 Link ParentThanks for sharing the story! As an adult I try not to judge my father too harshly as I know there is no manual for life. Some of the lessons, even though they were received in a harsh way, may...Thanks for sharing the story! As an adult I try not to judge my father too harshly as I know there is no manual for life. Some of the lessons, even though they were received in a harsh way, may have their benefit later. In your case, sure, maybe you lose out on some deals, but likely you gain more overall by sticking to your principles. For me, the lesson ended up influencing how I see loans and money I don’t actually have, which is likely a good thing. I’m very much opposed to taking out a loan unless absolutely necessary, but it can backfire as sometimes you can be strategic and use loans to your advantage as long as you know you can pay them off. All that aside, I do wish the delivery of said lessons was a little smoother. One comment here talks about the grandfather saying “you look nicer in more colorful clothing” rather than “you look awful in dark clothing”. A few words different, a milder tone, and the feedback can be more constructive and less negative on the relationship. I reconciled with my dad, but not until my late 30s, not fully anyway. That’s a long time of a relationship that could have been more positive. Of course it wasn’t just this incident, there were many others.
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Comment on What are your favorite home remedies or comforts when you're sick? in ~health
Paul26 Link ParentOhhh yeah, now that you mention it, that's it!Ohhh yeah, now that you mention it, that's it!
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Comment on Sony’s TV business is being taken over by TCL in ~tech
Paul26 Link ParentYeah, too bad. I was a big fan while it lasted. I thought the players themselves were really cool-looking too, and compared to CD players or walkmans, they were far more portable and fir in a...Yeah, too bad. I was a big fan while it lasted. I thought the players themselves were really cool-looking too, and compared to CD players or walkmans, they were far more portable and fir in a pocket more easily. The limited space on each disc also made me more thoughtful about what I listened to. Now you just have open access to millions of songs, and some days I want none of it. Times sure change!
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Comment on What are your favorite home remedies or comforts when you're sick? in ~health
Paul26 LinkI can't really say if these are truly effective or just make me feel like I am doing something to help myself, but here we go: eating raw onion and garlic (not like biting out of an apple, more...I can't really say if these are truly effective or just make me feel like I am doing something to help myself, but here we go:
- eating raw onion and garlic (not like biting out of an apple, more like a side to a sandwich or other food)
- Tiger Balm on my chest and up to the collar bone area before bed. Bundle up in warm blankets, maybe add a scarf and beanie on my head. Goal is to sweat it out. I think it helps me if I have a cough. Prepare dry change of clothes next to the bed.
- tea with lemon and/or ginger, lots of tea throughout the day in general
- freshly squeezed lemon juice twice a day (at least half a lemon), mix with a bit of water if too strong
- if meds are a must, I'll take an anti-allergic to help with an extremely runny nose, but I prefer no meds if I can tolerate the symptoms
- eye drops over nose drops; the eyes connect to the sinuses just as much as the nose, so that extra bit of hydration seems to help; I honestly think nose drops do more harm than good; saline solution for the nose.
- one that my parents swear by: oregano oil
- another one from my parents: back rub with medical alcohol (an energetic back rub, akin to a back massage, the goal being creating heat, I guess?) I was never a fan of this when I was little, but they still swear by this. I don't do it.
- and finally a weird one from my grandparents, which I don't resort to, but feel free to test it out: put a garlic clove in your ears (not too deep obviously)
Hope you get well soon!
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Comment on Sony’s TV business is being taken over by TCL in ~tech
Paul26 Link ParentTo add to your list, Sony mini-disc players and MP3 players. I was so happy with their MP3 players. That is also a thing of the past now.To add to your list, Sony mini-disc players and MP3 players. I was so happy with their MP3 players. That is also a thing of the past now.
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Comment on What small thing made a big impact on you? in ~talk
Paul26 (edited )LinkThis is a little long-winded, so bear with me. I was in grade 2 or 3, so maybe 8-9 years old, when the class went on a day trip to a castle/museum. I grew up in Romania until I was about 15, so if...This is a little long-winded, so bear with me. I was in grade 2 or 3, so maybe 8-9 years old, when the class went on a day trip to a castle/museum. I grew up in Romania until I was about 15, so if anyone reading wants the exact location, look up Peles Castle. A popular trip for kids in school at least back then. Would have been the early 90s. I had very little pocket cash. Family was not wealthy. A classmate, Georgiana, was from a wealthier family, and I was friends with her. Many kids were using their pocket cash to buys random crap from the street vendors. I gave what little cash I had to a beggar, an old woman in black. Many kids were buying sunglasses - not sure why, I guess we thought they were cool. So I borrowed some cash from this girl. This is the "small thing" because I was getting a bit of cash when I got a good grade in school, which was pretty often. I told her I'll have the cash pretty soon.
Skip ahead a week or so, and I guess there were no assignments or grades in school, so no cash. She was getting annoyed. One day leaving school, the lady picking her up (relative? Sitter?) approached me and the lady picking me up from school (this was a common thing beucase parents were at work), and explained the situation. My "guardian" paid. It was very little money, again "SMALL THING". Think $5-10. Problem was, my parents didn't know of any of this - until now. So my guardian tells my parents because she needs to get reimbursed. BUSTED!
Ok, so, once again, maybe until now it's still a small thing. My parents maybe should have said "you should have let us know, it's only $5, doesn't matter, just let us know sooner next time and don't hide things like that from us." Nah. Instead, my dad is furious. He asks to see the sunglasses which I was hiding in a drawer. He crushes the cheap plastic sunglasses with his bare hands, and I forget what he actually says to me, but I am guessing some other "punishment" like no cartoons for a week or something. I don't know. I was shocked by his reaction. Felt disproportional, and left a mark. That's how this "small thing" turned into a big impact.
The impact was that the occurrence, the experience with my dad, his reaction to it, made me decide I need to be independent. I cannot depend on others and take chances. Can't borrow money if I don't have the money to pay up right away. Can't trust my dad to be on my side either. Can only trust myself and don't leave myself exposed or open to being caught. If I lie or hide something, do it perfectly and forever. Maybe it was a good lesson to learn early? Maybe it contributed to a poor relationship with my dad for many years to come? Hard to say. Either way, there you go, what to me was a small $5 non-problem turned to be an impactful experience.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Paul26 Link ParentI don’t get too far in cyberpunk. Yes, aiming for a stealth build. Might have to revisit this one later when I’m over E33. Good to know about P5! Sounds like a good option. Thanks.I don’t get too far in cyberpunk. Yes, aiming for a stealth build. Might have to revisit this one later when I’m over E33.
Good to know about P5! Sounds like a good option. Thanks.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Paul26 Link ParentThank you, I have not played that before. I'll look it up!Thank you, I have not played that before. I'll look it up!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Paul26 Link ParentThanks for the recommendation! FF7 has been on my list for a while as I missed the original back in the day / I was not into RPGs back then, nor did I have a platform to play it on.Thanks for the recommendation! FF7 has been on my list for a while as I missed the original back in the day / I was not into RPGs back then, nor did I have a platform to play it on.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Paul26 Link ParentWhile I played, I knew I'd leave some things for NG+, but now that I finished the story, I don't know if I want to do it all over again. Maybe after some time.While I played, I knew I'd leave some things for NG+, but now that I finished the story, I don't know if I want to do it all over again. Maybe after some time.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Paul26 LinkI finished Expedition 33, I loved it, and now I don't want to play anything anymore forever. I was playing some Call of Duty before. After E33, COD seems ugly, gross, and noisy. I was playing some...I finished Expedition 33, I loved it, and now I don't want to play anything anymore forever.
I was playing some Call of Duty before. After E33, COD seems ugly, gross, and noisy.
I was playing some Dead Cells. Maybe I'll go back, but the motivation is lacking right now and I'd just be grinding to get better and unlock boss cell 4, then 5, and I find 3 to already be very punishing for my skill level.
I tried Cyberpunk 2077 this weekend. I found it overwhelming and too combat-oriented. I was hoping for a more stealthy slower paced game (think Deus Ex).
Should I maybe try a Final Fantasy game? I have not played one since FF 13 on the PS3. Maybe a Persona game? Last one I tried was P3 on PS3.
Any other suggestions are welcomed.
On the other hand, a break from any games is never a bad idea. I am reading a book I quite like so far, and it would just mean more reading and less gaming. -
Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
Paul26 LinkBeen pretty good and consistent in packing my lunch for the office instead of buying junk food at the food court. My go-to has been: pita, hummus, and fresh veggies. Two of the smaller pita breads...Been pretty good and consistent in packing my lunch for the office instead of buying junk food at the food court. My go-to has been: pita, hummus, and fresh veggies. Two of the smaller pita breads (wholewheat) seem enough for me. I buy the thin ones, not the fluffy ones. A small container of hummus from the store goes straight into my lunch bag, and I'll eat maybe half of it for lunch. The box of veggies includes: 1-2 cucumbers (the small ones, not the giant one), a handful of cherry tomatoes or 1 regular tomato, carrots (a handful of "baby" carrots - or equivalent regular carrot, cut), some olives, and if I have it, a 2-4 slices of smoked tofu (this is a new discovery, but limited availability at the regular stores; may need to check some of the Asian supermarkets for better options). This has proven to be a decent enough lunch that does not even need heating up, and since it is free of meat and dairy, it feels light and doesn't make me sleepy or too full.
I've also been quite consistent with my breakfast for a while. It's overnight oats, using oat milk with zero sugar (preferably). I add a couple of spoons of a seed mix I make myself: chia, hemp, flax, and pollen granules (if I can find them - I can only find this at the farmers market usually, and frankly it's VERY expensive, so I do not have this all the time). Maybe I should look online to see if I can find any sellers that sell this for a more reasonable price. I don't mind supporting the local businesses of course, but this item in particular seems very very expensive given the quantity you get. In the morning, I add some fresh fruit to it and some walnuts. My favorite fruit to add: apple, blueberries, or banana.
Still waiting for mine. Thanks for the update! I tried a lot of these. I try not to get too excited, but if it works well it will be a nice surprise. Nostrils crossed… err I mean fingers crossed! ;-)