quarkw's recent activity
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Comment on US President Joe Biden announces that he will not run for re-election in ~news
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Comment on US President Joe Biden announces that he will not run for re-election in ~news
quarkw Link ParentNot the original commenter, but I thought generally identity politics refers to immutable characteristics, whereas being a middle American, while arguably an identity, is mutable.Not the original commenter, but I thought generally identity politics refers to immutable characteristics, whereas being a middle American, while arguably an identity, is mutable.
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Comment on The roads to replacing Joe Biden in ~misc
quarkw Link ParentBiden just got Covid too, so I'm sure that'll be relevant for the next few weeks at least.Biden just got Covid too, so I'm sure that'll be relevant for the next few weeks at least.
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Comment on What's next for Kagi? in ~tech
quarkw (edited )Link ParentFYI their webkit-based browser, Orion, has been available on iOS for a while. It's unclear if the announced cross-platform Kagi mobile apps will include a wrapper around Orion, but they may be...FYI their webkit-based browser, Orion, has been available on iOS for a while.
It's unclear if the announced cross-platform Kagi mobile apps will include a wrapper around Orion, but they may be search-only
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Comment on Apple Music's 100 best albums list in ~music
quarkw Link ParentI'm glad you're enjoying my mini reviews! I'll definitely keep it going, but I may take some breaks here and there. And Billie Eilish's new album just dropped so I'll need to check that out before...I'm glad you're enjoying my mini reviews! I'll definitely keep it going, but I may take some breaks here and there. And Billie Eilish's new album just dropped so I'll need to check that out before I continue the list!
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Comment on Apple Music's 100 best albums list in ~music
quarkw (edited )Link ParentThose are tracks that I added to my library after listening, or were already in my library. Oh, I thought you were replying to my top-level. The Fame Monster Deluxe Edition, which they listed is...Those are tracks that I added to my library after listening, or were already in my library.
Oh, I thought you were replying to my top-level. The Fame Monster Deluxe Edition, which they listed is actually two albums in one: The Fame Monster (2010), with The Fame (2008) added as Disk 2
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Comment on Apple Music's 100 best albums list in ~music
quarkw Link ParentI personally don’t think there’s anything wrong with having a very pop/single-oriented album in a best of list. If they’re avoiding artist duplicates I feel like this choice makes sense. IMO there...I personally don’t think there’s anything wrong with having a very pop/single-oriented album in a best of list. If they’re avoiding artist duplicates I feel like this choice makes sense. IMO there are enough noteworthy songs in The Fame to include it through the Deluxe Edition, if they’re trying to avoid taking up an unnecessary slot
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Comment on Apple Music's 100 best albums list in ~music
quarkw (edited )Link ParentThe “special events” experience for Apple Music are frustrating on iOS too. There’s no great way to browse the top list in the music app on iOS. It just takes you to the webpage linked, which is...The “special events” experience for Apple Music are frustrating on iOS too. There’s no great way to browse the top list in the music app on iOS. It just takes you to the webpage linked, which is what I’ve used
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Comment on Apple Music's 100 best albums list in ~music
quarkw (edited )LinkI'm going to be updating this comment with my thoughts as I work through the list. I decided to just review every album. We'll see if my ADD brain can actually follow through 😅 I'm definitely not...- Exemplary
I'm going to be updating this comment with my thoughts as I work through the list. I decided to just review every album. We'll see if my ADD brain can actually follow through 😅
I'm definitely not going to maintain a 10 album/day pace, but I'll still try and keep my list updated
Rank Album Artist Thoughts # Tracks Added to Library # Tracks In Album Percent Added 100 Body Talk Robyn A few bangers early on but most of this album didn't really resonate with me. I actually think I skipped the last few songs so I'll have to go back to listen to those 5 16 31 99 Hotel California Eagles Classic rock. What more can I say? 7 9 78 98 ASTROWORLD Travis Scott Didn't like much on this album but maybe I have to give it another listen. Funny enough, I liked Sick Mode ft Drake the most, even though I'm not really a Drake fan. I also liked Coffee Bean 4 17 24 97 Rage Against The Machine Rage Against The Machine Liked most of the album, but it's.. a lot to listen to all at once and I got fatigued of their sound. I'll probably revisit the songs that I didn't add 7 10 70 96 Pure Heroine Lorde It's interesting hearing the influence that Lorde had on pop music. The Apple Music blurb specifically calls out Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo and those the influence on those two seems pretty clear 9 10 90 My thoughts on each album in the list (continued)
Rank Album Artist Thoughts # Tracks Added to Library # Tracks In Album Percent Added 95 Confessions Usher Some classic R&B. I actually only made it half way through, but only because I was worried about falling behind on my list. I'll definitely come back and update this later 8 10/21 80/?? 94 Untrue Burial I would have to say this is my least favorite so far. I do have one song by Burial already in my library that I really enjoy, Come Down To Us, so maybe I just have to give this album another listen down the road. 3 13 23 93 A Seat at the Table Solange Start of day 2. I'm a little behind. My first no-skip album of the list. I'm a sucker for seamless albums; and funky R&B 21 21 100 92 Flower Boy Tyler the Creator Haven't really listened to much of his music, but really enjoyed this album an all the features 11 14 79 91 Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1 George Michael The first song, Praying for Time had super washed out vocals which made it hard to enjoy. Otherwise this probably would've been a 9/10 add. I'm a sucker for catchy pop melodies 8 10 80 90 Back in Black AC/DC More classic rock 8 10 80 89 The Fame Monster (Deluxe) Lady Gaga kfwyre pointed out this is actually two albums combined (well an EP and an Album), so I'm separating them out. The Fame Monster was released later but comes first in this Deluxe edition. 20 24 83 89a The Fame Monster Lady Gaga The second no-skip album. 9 9 100 89b The Monster Lady Gaga I still enjoyed a lot of this album a lot 11 15 73 88 I Put a Spell On You Nina Sione It was nice to explore more of her work outside of her most well-known hits 11 12 92 87 Blue Lines Massive Attack Very different from any of their other work I've listened to. Loved the reggae influence 9 9 100 86 My Life Mary J Blige I got a similar kind of fatigue from this album that I did for RATM. The songs kind of started blending together. I'll have to revisit it later 7 17 41 85 Golden Hour Kacey Musgraves I've been wanting to listen to more country. I've heard a few songs from this album, and I loved this whole album, including the disco influences while still staying country. Can't go wrong with a good funky bass line 13 13 100 84 Doggystyle Snoop Dogg Not sure if this counts as a seamless album, but I really enjoyed Snoop's flow, and the flow of the album itself 13 13 100 83 Horses Patti Smith I don't know if I've actually heard anything by her before. Her singing style reminded me of Nina's 8 8 100 82 Get Rich or Die Tryin' 50 Cent So many hard hitters on this album. I can't believe this is my first time listening to it 19 19 100 81 After the Gold Rush Neil Young I love the lo-fi, homegrown, sound of this album. Most likely if this album had been made today, the character in Young's vocals would've been tuned out by a producer 11 11 100 80 The Marshall Mathers LP Eminem I've never listened to this full album, and wow, I never realized how graphic and disturbing Eminem's songs can be. A note on skits and interludes. If most of the album is in my library I'll add them for the album-listening experience. But I'll set them so they don't play in library when I shuffle, so that I don't have graphic blowjob sounds randomly blaring in my car while I'm listening to music. 18 18 100 79 Norma F*****g Rockwell Lana Del Rey I'm not sure why, but Venice Bitch was a huge miss for me. I'll probably give it a second chance later. This album overall has an impressive breadth for a pop album. And similar to Lorde, no doubt Lana Del Rey has had a huge impact on pop. 13 14 93
Anyone following this? I know most people are probably on Spotify but the list is publicly viewable, and you can just pull up the albums on whatever streaming service you prefer.
They released the first 10 albums (or is 91-100 the last 10), and are releasing 10 albums every day.
I'm trying to give each album a full listen, as I always feel like I have a long list of classic albums/artists (and TV shows and Movies, but that's a different story) that I've been meaning to listen to, and this seemed like a fun and digestible way to get through some of my backlog.
But I only managed to get through about half yesterday. We'll see if I can catch up but Lady Gaga's Fame is a whopping hour and a half! At least there'll be a good chunk of those songs that I'm already familiar with and can skip.
So far I'm pleasantly surprised by the variety of genres. I'm currently on #94: Untrue, by Burial. I would have to say this is my least favorite so far. I do have one song by Burial already in my library that I really enjoy, Come Down To Us, so maybe I just have to give this album another listen down the road.
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Apple Music's 100 best albums list
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Comment on Cold brew coffee in three minutes using acoustic cavitation in ~food
quarkw Link ParentEveryone has their preferences. Using a different method for brewing coffee is going to have different results. You may prefer the V60 over ice, and others might prefer the quick cold-brew. And...Everyone has their preferences. Using a different method for brewing coffee is going to have different results.
You may prefer the V60 over ice, and others might prefer the quick cold-brew. And some might prefer a more traditional cold-brew over either. That's why I put "improves" in quotes in my other comment.
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Comment on Cold brew coffee in three minutes using acoustic cavitation in ~food
quarkw Link ParentYeah. Admittedly one of the main perks of cold brew is it's dead simple to do. But supposedly cutting down on the brewing time "improves" the flavorYeah. Admittedly one of the main perks of cold brew is it's dead simple to do. But supposedly cutting down on the brewing time "improves" the flavor
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Comment on Cold brew coffee in three minutes using acoustic cavitation in ~food
quarkw Link ParentFrom the article, it sounds like they want to use the tech to make (at least on the consumer side of things) a keurig-like machine. If you don't want to wait a few years for the technology to...From the article, it sounds like they want to use the tech to make (at least on the consumer side of things) a keurig-like machine.
If you don't want to wait a few years for the technology to mature, you can get faster cold brew today using sous vide or a vacuum chamber
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Comment on Microsoft readies new AI model to compete with Google, OpenAI in ~tech
quarkw Link ParentMS doesn't own OpenAI. I think it would be foolish of them, from a long-term perspective, to not pursue their own in-house models.MS doesn't own OpenAI. I think it would be foolish of them, from a long-term perspective, to not pursue their own in-house models.
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Comment on Scientists at Purdue have created a white paint that, when applied, can reduce the surface temperature on a roof and cool the building beneath it in ~science
quarkw Link ParentDid you read the section on Nocturnal surface cooling from that Wikipedia page on radiative cooling? Admittedly, I’m no expert but to me the principles for that phenomenon explains how cooling...Did you read the section on Nocturnal surface cooling from that Wikipedia page on radiative cooling?
Admittedly, I’m no expert but to me the principles for that phenomenon explains how cooling from this highly reflective paint work.
Unintuitive, sure. But not a wild claim on the level of perpetual motion.
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Comment on Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness. in ~life.men
quarkw Link ParentI was trying to generalize. It’s almost always in the context of talking about some politically charged topic that caters to identity politics. Usually something like “<reasonable political take>,...I was trying to generalize. It’s almost always in the context of talking about some politically charged topic that caters to identity politics. Usually something like “<reasonable political take>, but I’m a stupid white man so take my opinion with a grain of salt”
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Comment on What impact, if any, did being raised as a woman have on you? in ~life.women
quarkw Link ParentThank you for sharing this! I recently convinced my partner to negotiate hard for a raise. Thankfully they got it but it’s disappointing to learn how deep the misogyny runs. Having been the hiring...Thank you for sharing this! I recently convinced my partner to negotiate hard for a raise. Thankfully they got it but it’s disappointing to learn how deep the misogyny runs.
Having been the hiring manager on my team for a while, the thought of rejecting a candidate that we extended an offer to because they had the “gall” to negotiate is unfathomable to me!
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Comment on Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness. in ~life.men
quarkw Link ParentThat’s a lot of ellipses, but you’re totally right! A lapse in reading comprehension on my part. I’m sure there are other parts where I misconstrued examples as the author’s opinionThat’s a lot of ellipses, but you’re totally right! A lapse in reading comprehension on my part.
I’m sure there are other parts where I misconstrued examples as the author’s opinion
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Comment on Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness. in ~life.men
quarkw Link ParentHaha, I’m actually a career lurker on Reddit. I was talking about my real-life circles. That’s another thing that bothers me that I think puts you further in the territory of being accused of...Haha, I’m actually a career lurker on Reddit. I was talking about my real-life circles.
That’s another thing that bothers me that I think puts you further in the territory of being accused of right-wingism, racism, or bigotry:
As a single-minority (non-white) male, it really bothers me when my no-minority male friends say stuff like “I’m a white heterosexual male and I’m sorry.”
That’s so weird to me. Being a white heterosexual male isn’t bad or evil. It doesn’t make your opinions worthless. Of course that doesn’t mean crowd out minority voices (these friends don’t need to be told that), and nipping any dog whistling in the bud right now. I’m supremely anti white-supremacist, but the anti-white-male meme in leftist circles needs to die.
That messaging only gets in the way of electing progressive politicians who would put out legislation that would benefit minorities, by ostracizing the largest voting block in the US. They would rather have the dopamine rush from “punching up” and being bigoted towards a group (that does have real privileges in society).
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Comment on Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness. in ~life.men
quarkw (edited )LinkEdit: prefacing this comment with what I think could help with this “crisis of masculinity,” or whatever you want to call it. It would be a huge boon if social skills especially around dating,...Edit: prefacing this comment with what I think could help with this “crisis of masculinity,” or whatever you want to call it. It would be a huge boon if social skills especially around dating, navigating sex, consent, etc was taught. Also some instruction on what is considered “attractive”. It doesn’t have to be coded as masculine or feminine. There are plenty of gender agnostic traits that are fairly universally attractive. Good hygiene, physical fitness, being nice (but not being a pushover), good posture, being funny, etc. All of this instruction would ideally be pretty gender agnostic or have groups flip the script. Girls could benefit from learning how difficult it can be to be expected to lead and make the “first”move.
As a side note, the reason that male-improvement has skewed right is because the left has actively disparaged masculinity, and not provided any positive “alternative” for boys and young men
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A pretty good read, and yet I feel like throughout the author reiterates that they don’t really get it. At least they seem to be curious and open to learning
The left has made it pretty clear that putting any resources towards helping boys and men is.. well not evil, but definitely not welcome. Any resources that goes towards helping males is taking away resources from women or actively pushing them down.
With this hostility towards male improvement, it’s no wonder the characters that rise up in that space are more likely to go against the grain and in many ways be abhorrent or despicable.
the web of misogynistic communities known as the “manosphere.”
There is a lot of misogyny in the manosphere, but the author defining it as a web of misogynistic communities shows that they’re unable to see a pro-male community as a good thing.
Also, any group of advocacy that grows large enough is going to have issues of bigotry. See TERFs, and the presence of misandry in the popular feminism movement.
Are we really worrying that men feel a little emasculated because their female classmates are doing well?
Thanks to @Protected for pointing out to me that the author was using this to demonstrate the backwardness of the leftist zeitgeist, contrasting from their current position.
There may be other instances of me confusing example of the zeitgeist for the author’s thought. Even with just this one misinterpretation, it raises my view of what was frankly already a good article even if my misinterpretation had been true.
No, but we should be worried about the earlier cited statistics about men making up about a 7:10 ratio of all bachelor degrees, and responsible for over 2/3s of the drop in college enrollmentThis also evokes the trope of the left of gaslighting men into thinking that they couldn’t possibly have any issues that aren’t linked to their own faults or the patriarchy. Are men doing worse in classrooms because their needs have been neglected? Of course not! It’s their fragile masculinity causing a rouseA mainstream reluctance to define or speak up for men
Nail on the head here. And that reluctance is slathered throughout the article by the author.
But if trying to smash the patriarchy has left a vacuum in our ideal of masculinity
A bit of a rant on the word
patriarchyhere. To me that word has been overused and overloaded that it’s almost lost all meaning.That, and also phrases like this (smash the patriarchy) I think are actively harmful towards gender equality and progress. This message reads as anti-male, even if that’s not the intent. What a great way to build an intersectional movement /s
It is harder to be a man today, and in many ways, that is a good thing: Finally, the freer sex is being held to a higher standard.
Again, circling back to the idea that nothing pro-male could possibly be good. It’s a zero-sum game, where making men’s lives harder is good for women, and making men’s lives easier is bad for women.
Sorry this post is a bit cynical. It’s a bit venty as it’s stuff I’m not really comfortable voicing in person for fear of being seen as a right-wing lunatic
P.S. I’m not intending to attack the author. In fact I’m glad they wrote this article because these issues do need more of a spotlight. The blind spots that the author has are common in the left and progressive circles. Hopefully progressive circles can evolve to serve the needs of everyone, and not see everything as a zero-sum game.
I think Raistlin put it more eloquently than I could ever, and I think we're all in agreement. I personally don't consider religion (FWIW I'm atheist) to be covered by identity politics. But I think it's valid to consider that it is. Like you said, it's vibes based.