s-sea's recent activity
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Comment on Does “and” mean “and”? Or “or”? The US Supreme Court will decide. in ~humanities.languages
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Comment on The man who thinks he can live forever in ~health
s-sea Link ParentHoly cow, yes. Sure, having more useful/happy life-hours would be nice, but even though there's evidence to show that living with a calorie deficit can make mice live appreciably longer, I'll be...Holy cow, yes. Sure, having more useful/happy life-hours would be nice, but even though there's evidence to show that living with a calorie deficit can make mice live appreciably longer, I'll be damned if I starve myself for life for it! I don't exactly know what would be the benefit of living longer if it wasn't for the joys and guilty pleasures, etc.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
s-sea LinkJust finished up Translator State by Ann Leckie, and I'm rereading Raven Tower by her right now. She's probably my favorite author, and the Sci-Fi universe that she's built between her Ancillary...Just finished up Translator State by Ann Leckie, and I'm rereading Raven Tower by her right now.
She's probably my favorite author, and the Sci-Fi universe that she's built between her Ancillary Trilogy, Provenance, and now Translator State is incredible. Frankly, it's gotten kind of weird in Provenance and Translator State, but somehow it just works. Technically Provenance and Translator State exist as stand alone books -- you don't need to read the Trilogy to understand what's going on (the events of it are referenced, but kind of the same way the Clone Wars existed in Star Wars -- a big event but outside of the scope of the story), but they both throw readers into the deep end of her worldbuilding, while Ancillary Justice and co. build up to the weirdness.
Raven Tower on the other hand is a great fantasy novel about old gods and new gods and intrigue in whole. I recently read more about it and did not catch how the plot was a retelling of a very famous story - one omitted for the sake of avoiding spoilers, though maybe I was just oblivious to it! Rereading it is enjoyable - I love Leckie's treatment of gods and their magic, and the extra parallels I'm now catching made it worth revisiting, 2-3 years after I first read it.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~talk
s-sea LinkYou know that feeling when both your hands fall asleep and get static-y, and you try to put them together but it feels like they don't touch? That's my aesthetic.You know that feeling when both your hands fall asleep and get static-y, and you try to put them together but it feels like they don't touch? That's my aesthetic.
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Comment on Tildistas, what is your favorite poem? in ~books
s-sea Link"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Sara Teasdale always gets me. There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground, And swallows circling with their shimmering sound; And frogs in the pools..."There Will Come Soft Rains" by Sara Teasdale always gets me.
There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground,
And swallows circling with their shimmering sound;And frogs in the pools singing at night,
And wild plum-trees in tremulous white;Robins will wear their feathery fire
Whistling their whims on a low fence-wire;And not one will know of the war, not one
Will care at last when it is done.Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree
If mankind perished utterly;And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn,
Would scarcely know that we were gone.
I don't particularly know why - it's honestly kind of depressing in my opinion, but it really speaks to a nihilist streak that I guess I have, despite my being a rather optimistic person. Just the kind of sense that ultimately whatever actions I have, whatever actions we have, earth and life and all the things around us will be happy to continue on and sing their own songs.
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Comment on Woke-washing: How brands are cashing in on the culture wars in ~lgbt
s-sea LinkInteresting piece, though what I've always found intriguing about companies "cashing in" on culture is that they've done the math and determined the relative cost (e.g. all the upset folks burning...Interesting piece, though what I've always found intriguing about companies "cashing in" on culture is that they've done the math and determined the relative cost (e.g. all the upset folks burning nike clothing after kaepernick) is outweighed by the gains.
While they're unfortunately still oftentimes hypocritical, I think the companies aren't necessarily "mainstreaming" these ideas so much as they are being weather vanes for society. While companies can and have changed some social norms (e.g. cigarette companies), I think that lgbtq and similar issues are ones that don't have a direct profit attachment with "promoting" them, if that makes sense. So rather than companies paving the way, it's companies seeing the path being made and joining.
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Comment on Uber’s plans include attacking public transit: documents filed for IPO reveal plans to privatize transportation, getting riders off public buses and trains and onto "Uber buses." in ~transport
s-sea Link ParentHoly cow, didn't even realize that this was an issue, but it makes a lot of sense that it is. It poses a rather interesting issue in terms of the ability of Uber/Lyft to continue to operate as...Holy cow, didn't even realize that this was an issue, but it makes a lot of sense that it is.
It poses a rather interesting issue in terms of the ability of Uber/Lyft to continue to operate as they are if they lose the suit (which they prolly will) - taxi and traditional transportation companies will have WAVs available because they own them, but Uber and Lyft rely on their employees to provide vehicles. There's no way that they can ever ensure that there's a WAV driver available for people in wheelchairs, and if they incentivize WAV drivers with higher pay they can't charge more considering they'd then be discriminating on fares.
I wonder what the defense will be from Uber and Lyft though -- seems like if they lose it they're going to lose a lot more money and/or the ability to serve a lot of smaller communities.
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Comment on Trump Administration to LGBT couples: Your 'out of wedlock' kids aren't citizens in ~lgbt
s-sea Link ParentThe issue is about wedlock - the policy by the State Department wants a "clear sign of parentage," which is wielded to exclude folks in non-het relationships who have kids. While the kids can...The issue is about wedlock - the policy by the State Department wants a "clear sign of parentage," which is wielded to exclude folks in non-het relationships who have kids. While the kids can still get citizenship, the legal paperwork needed is far more extensive.
Definitely obfuscation and clusterfuckery as a malicious feature.
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Comment on Andrew Yang's campaign and supporters struggle to push away US extremists, leaked chats show in ~news
s-sea Link ParentLooking at Alexa - Yang is in first with 2,614 rank; Bernie in second with 3,663; Pete in third with 6,063; Harris with 13,750 Someone had the data for visit duration and page clicks but I can't...Looking at Alexa - Yang is in first with 2,614 rank; Bernie in second with 3,663; Pete in third with 6,063; Harris with 13,750
Someone had the data for visit duration and page clicks but I can't find it right now.
Also, the circumcision thing - please. The dude made one comment on an interview that's been blown out of proportion and if you search the entirety of his site for "circumcision" it doesn't make a single appearance. It's not a policy of his, it was an off-hand thought he had.
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Comment on Andrew Yang's campaign and supporters struggle to push away US extremists, leaked chats show in ~news
s-sea Link ParentI'm inclined to disagree at least on the first point - While Yang certainly started as a meme-y candidate, I think he's outgrown most of it at the point that he has interviews and articles now...I'm inclined to disagree at least on the first point - While Yang certainly started as a meme-y candidate, I think he's outgrown most of it at the point that he has interviews and articles now written about him. Sure, the memes are still there, but they're not driving the push - instead he's getting more people latched onto his policy (outlandish or not) and they're looking at that. IIRC, he's got more average page views and more unique visits per day on his site than any other presidential candidate right now, and that counts for something.
While I think some of his policies are a bit out there, I don't think they're 'geared' towards virality - they're common sense ideas that might not make sense in policy (empower mma fighters, pay ncaa athletes) but are just good things to have a stance on. And I think that's really important - he's got policies across the board rather than stacking onto ideology.
As for the appearance on shows -- I agree with hamstergeddon - I don't think this is an issue of "target[ing] the Angry White Male On the Internet." He's trying to convince people to change their views, and I think he's succeeded in some regard. I also think a lot of it has been to maintain and boost his visibility -- if it weren't for showing up on these shows, he'd be one of these dozen other candidates that have declared like gilibrand or kickenlooper who don't have much of anything to show for it.
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Comment on Move back to your dying hometown. Unless you can’t. in ~life
s-sea LinkThis a great foil to this article someone posted a bit back. I guess the narratives that jive with me are far different than the writer, but the lines I thought were going to be followed up more...This a great foil to this article someone posted a bit back.
I guess the narratives that jive with me are far different than the writer, but the lines
Where I live in Iowa, the land seems expansive. But the openness is a deception. I know that the places before me are filled with crops, commerce, fear, and expectation.
I thought were going to be followed up more on the questions of Corporate Farming and the concentration of community values vis-a-vis a loss of younger folks and a lack of diversity.
That being said, I kind of get it? I don't agree necessarily - certainly some towns would be more distrustful/discriminatory though I don't think most are - but I see why someone would feel that. From my experience in towns like York and Hebron, folks are kind and trusting. Even if you're different (whatever that might mean), there's not a lot of sense of xenophobia. Then again, small sample size and anecdotal - just a few towns in Nebraska.
Obviously could be different in other states and regions, but that's where I agree with the other posters - it's overgeneralizing small towns and ignores how it's an issue in cities as well.
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Comment on Why there's so little left of the early internet. in ~tech
s-sea LinkWhat strikes me as well is how much of the internet that even though we have some archives, the vast majority has been lost - chat rooms, for instance. We have the bare minimum, the chatboxes or...What strikes me as well is how much of the internet that even though we have some archives, the vast majority has been lost - chat rooms, for instance. We have the bare minimum, the chatboxes or whatever, but not the actual communications that these people had had.
Add to that what has already been lost - like I was born in '00 and how much internet have I already missed/ has disappeared? - it's practically unfathomable the amount of human interaction that's dissipated into the aether.
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Comment on Behold the beefless ‘Impossible Whopper’ in ~food
s-sea LinkI've always kind of known that being vegetarian is healthier but jesus - same protein with 90% less cholesterol? That's pretty impressive. If it actually keeps up steam I'd imagine that becoming...I've always kind of known that being vegetarian is healthier but jesus - same protein with 90% less cholesterol? That's pretty impressive.
If it actually keeps up steam I'd imagine that becoming vegetarian would actually be easy/convenient enough that it will no longer be one of these "I would if it was easier" kind of issues.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? #16 in ~books
s-sea LinkReading The Left Hand of Darkness right now - seems like I'm getting addicted to sci-fi. (Which, if any of y'all have any suggestions, please tell me!) I feel like maybe we should have some kind...Reading The Left Hand of Darkness right now - seems like I'm getting addicted to sci-fi. (Which, if any of y'all have any suggestions, please tell me!)
I feel like maybe we should have some kind of best-of vote for best books in a given month/year? Throwing the idea out there
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Comment on We Talked to Muslims in the LGBTQ Community About Standing Up for Queer Youth in ~lgbt
s-sea LinkThese kinds of protests I can never understand. How does teaching kids about lgbtq rights and relationships lead to "kids not being kids"? Especially unfortunate when it's coming from an...These kinds of protests I can never understand. How does teaching kids about lgbtq rights and relationships lead to "kids not being kids"? Especially unfortunate when it's coming from an already-discriminated against minority.
Good article, of course - Bae's observation is rather poignant on the kind of dichotomy where queer rights are only supported when it's convenient for the populace.
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Comment on So, Tilderinos, how do we feel about people who drive slowly in the passing lane? in ~life
s-sea LinkPeople who drive slowly in the passing lane are annoying, especially when they are moving faster but only by 2-3mph. They're not scary though, unlike the people who zip past going 30+ over the...People who drive slowly in the passing lane are annoying, especially when they are moving faster but only by 2-3mph.
They're not scary though, unlike the people who zip past going 30+ over the speed limit. Those people are terrifying.
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Comment on What are you playing this week? in ~games
s-sea Link ParentEthiopia has to be by far my favorite to play -- I love how smoothly the difficulty curve ramps up relative to other nations. You can conquer and vassalize a lot of nearby minors, but then you...Ethiopia has to be by far my favorite to play -- I love how smoothly the difficulty curve ramps up relative to other nations. You can conquer and vassalize a lot of nearby minors, but then you have to deal with the Mamluks and Ajuuraan, and then (of course) the Ottomans, and it's a really enjoyable challenge.
I've created a custom nation but I've never really managed to play a long time with them - they're just not as fun? I don't quite know.
Don't have Stellaris, really want it though! Looks like a great game.
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Comment on What are you playing this week? in ~games
s-sea LinkI've been playing a lot of Europa Universalis 4. I've always enjoyed the Grand Strategy genre and EU4 has to be the top of the top for me. My only issue is Paradox has some terrible DLC policies,...I've been playing a lot of Europa Universalis 4. I've always enjoyed the Grand Strategy genre and EU4 has to be the top of the top for me. My only issue is Paradox has some terrible DLC policies, and since I haven't played the game for about a year up until this last week, if I wanted to play an up-to-date and full version I'd have to shell out like $80, if not more, and I'm really not down to do that.
Also have played a bit of FTL: Faster Than Light. It's a bit repetitive after a while but I appreciate the sci-fi and it's one of the better roguelikes I've played.
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Comment on La Pampa: The illegal mining city Peru wants wiped out in ~news
s-sea LinkHonestly highlights a really interesting issue in terms of conservation efforts. Do we prioritize more the people (of which at least 6,000 were specifically miners making a livelihood that caused...Honestly highlights a really interesting issue in terms of conservation efforts. Do we prioritize more the people (of which at least 6,000 were specifically miners making a livelihood that caused environmental degradation) or do we prioritize the nature itself? Cause there's no way that all 25k people being moved are going to end up properly integrated into society and as sufficient for themselves as they currently are.
I lean towards saying that La Pampa should have been brought into the formal economy in terms of trying to help these people, but I realize that sets up a whole slew of issues of how you protect the environment at that point since it would set a precedent for continuing to do the same in the future, not to mention prevent the restoration of the destroyed land.
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Comment on United Airlines announced it will be the first airline to offer nonbinary gender options for customers to book flights in ~lgbt
s-sea Link ParentHoly crap, this is always something I've felt but never been able to properly articulate it. This is exactly it. The slight improvements companies make are almost always in reaction to something...Holy crap, this is always something I've felt but never been able to properly articulate it. This is exactly it. The slight improvements companies make are almost always in reaction to something else as a quick-fix and never really made unless they view it as a necessity.
That's an issue of how the court is supposed to decide law, AKA judicial philosophies. There's all sorts of debate there. Should judges look at the plain meaning of the text? If they do use context, what's valid? The 19th century meanings? The intent of the legislators? It gets messy fast.
Take, for instance, the 7th Amendment. It grants the right to a jury trial if and only if the amount in controversy is greater than... $20. If we were to take the meaning then, then maybe we would look to inflation - so, well over $500 in today's money. If we were to take intent, maybe we raise the bar even higher, as even the cost of making suit can rival $500.
But this is all digression. The Court won't ask the legislators directly. It may be that they can't (truthfully, don't know there - I hazard a guess no), but the closest they'll get might be soliciting amicus briefs (basically, arguments or information from 3rd parties). The Court would look at the minutes of the legislative session, the preamble of the Act, the stated intent from the authors if published, etc.