scojjac's recent activity
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Comment on America's dumbest crop: grass in ~enviro
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
scojjac LinkI had enough of my small, sterile, disorganized bedroom office. I improved it with: full length wall mirror decorative runner on top of dresser hanging wall art (might move this and put a guitar...I had enough of my small, sterile, disorganized bedroom office. I improved it with:
- full length wall mirror
- decorative runner on top of dresser
- hanging wall art (might move this and put a guitar there)
- replacing an end table with shelves
- adding a third plant
- rearranging some lighting
Still need a rug and maybe some floating shelves over the standing desk. I also worked on the patio, re-hanging the string lights, rinsing the outdoor rug, etc. I need some new cushions.
Also went to the library and picked up a new novel by Cory Doctorow that I need to finish quickly.
Have been in a bit of a work slump because of stress around other things. Trying to get past it with the decorating, going for a run yesterday, and getting to the gym a few times a week. I love working remotely, but I find I have to make sure to have a variety of scenery and activity in my life.
Oh and I finally made it to the beach for the first time this year.
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Comment on Should I take a job to work on something I don’t believe in? in ~life
scojjac LinkThere are some things that you might find morally or ethically reprehensible; avoid those. Otherwise, I think it's a trap to expect to align with your employer or job completely. Let the work to...There are some things that you might find morally or ethically reprehensible; avoid those.
Otherwise, I think it's a trap to expect to align with your employer or job completely. Let the work to be a paycheck that supports meaningful interests and activities irl.
After compensation and remote work, I would say the most important things are direct supervisor and whoever you will most frequently work with. To me it sounds like you need a ranking system for what matters most to you in a job. Mission to me is more of a nice-to-have, but it might be more important to you (though it doesn't seem to be most important).
Regarding prospects, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Employers are incredibly indecisive and skittish right now, so if you find one that is decisive and committed to moving forward, that's gold.
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Comment on What's your go-to hot sauce? in ~food
scojjac LinkLike @0x29a, Cholula is my fav basic hot sauce. Have a friend that swears by Marie Sharp's, which has nice heat and flavor. It's habanero-based, and "Belizean Heat" is the extra hot version. Good...Like @0x29a, Cholula is my fav basic hot sauce.
Have a friend that swears by Marie Sharp's, which has nice heat and flavor. It's habanero-based, and "Belizean Heat" is the extra hot version. Good stuff. When Walmart was carrying the minis I bought quite a few of them. Haven't had much luck finding regular bottles in stores; it's more of an online purchase.
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Comment on The evidence that AI is destroying jobs for young people just got stronger in ~tech
scojjac (edited )LinkThere were other challenges that young people faced as they started seeking work after the pandemic. However, I doubt that these issues disproportionately affected the types of jobs in question....There were other challenges that young people faced as they started seeking work after the pandemic. However, I doubt that these issues disproportionately affected the types of jobs in question.
- They lack in-person or face-to-face social skills.
- Employers perceive them as having unreasonable wage expectations for entry-level roles. (me, angrily gesturing at graph of US productivity vs. wages since the 1970s)
- Use of AI and keyword-based analysis tends to negatively impact applicants with less experience, or whose experience does not perfectly align with the preferred keywords. Edit to add: Although companies use AI to evaluate applicants, they seem to have negative opinion of applicants that use AI to cope with the ridiculously convoluted (and terribly indecisive) hiring processes they've rigged together.
I suspect AI, or executive perception of its abilities, is harming junior roles and that this will have long-lasting repercussions. Junior roles are where we gain knowledge and experience for more senior roles. Employers may not be worried about that if they expect that genx and millennials want or need to stay in jobs as long as boomers did.
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Comment on Which directors have a flawless filmography? in ~movies
scojjac Link ParentYeah I share a similar view — Johnson did a stellar job and I think he produced a great Star Wars flick. Disney mismanaging their properties is a separate issue. But I'm the kind of guy that says,...Yeah I share a similar view — Johnson did a stellar job and I think he produced a great Star Wars flick. Disney mismanaging their properties is a separate issue. But I'm the kind of guy that says, "I love Star Wars! I hate how the red shirts always die", just to mess with hardcore fans.
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Comment on Which directors have a flawless filmography? in ~movies
scojjac LinkFirstly, I haven't seen everything by anyone. Spielberg is prolific and considered one of the greatest living filmmakers. He came to my mind because of The Post, of all things, but he certainly...Firstly, I haven't seen everything by anyone.
Spielberg is prolific and considered one of the greatest living filmmakers. He came to my mind because of The Post, of all things, but he certainly has many other high quality works.
Rian Johnson's filmography is comparatively limited, but I love his mysteries and I enjoyed his approach to Last Jedi — I probably give him extra credit because of the reaction from the fandom.
Conversely, Nolan tops my list of least favorite directors by a long shot.
Wes Anderson films are usually not my cup of tea though I admire his distinct style and how carefully each shot is crafted. I thoroughly enjoyed Phoenician Scheme.
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Comment on Spotify is adding direct messaging to their music streaming app in ~tech
scojjac Link ParentI suppose that could be true. I'm in my 30s. One reason I'm on Spotify is that more of my friends are — but they also do not care for the existing social features like Blend or Jam (which sorta...I suppose that could be true. I'm in my 30s. One reason I'm on Spotify is that more of my friends are — but they also do not care for the existing social features like Blend or Jam (which sorta bums me out), so I don't think DMs will take off in my circle, either. Most just want you to send links to where they already check messages.
Aside: I wish I could permanently turn off audiobooks and podcasts in Spotify. I never ever ever want to see or listen to them.
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Comment on Thinking about my next (career) move in ~life
scojjac (edited )LinkI bookmarked this post so I could come back to it and give a more complete response. I'm currently a technical content writer (self-employed) and during some recent job angst, Gemini told me to...I bookmarked this post so I could come back to it and give a more complete response. I'm currently a technical content writer (self-employed) and during some recent job angst, Gemini told me to upskill and look into UX writing. Like you, I get the itch pretty regularly. I'll share my perspective on the first two of your questions.
Any overall life advice or thoughts on that 'something new' itch? Maybe I shouldn't equate it with my career alone?
My overall life and work advice is to work a job that makes you the most money in the least amount of time so that you can use the time for more important things. I'm feeling the pinch of rising prices, but I am looking for a way to increase my income without significantly impacting my schedule.
Because of this priority, I stay in roles longer than I think a lot of people my age do. This probably hurts my earnings; I'm just not so inclined to jump to the next shiny new thing in the context of job hopping.
I do think it's important to keep life fresh and interesting. There are other healthy ways to scratch that itch, though. Learning information, developing skills, and seeking out new places and experiences are all ways to do this.
(Side point: Not too long ago, I came across the idea that some people procrastinate because their life is so monotonous that they try to inject some interestingness by leaving tasks to the last minute. What resonated is that it's healthy to want novelty and variety, but how we fulfill that need matters.)
Do you have general guidance/anecdotes on how to meaningfully explore job/career desires or options?
Every job I've had has been the result of someone coming to me with an opportunity because they thought I would be a good fit. The prerequisite to this is talking with people, aka networking. Talk with acquaintances about work and related interests. Try to have interesting conversations with people.
I also try to keep my LinkedIn updated with skills and experience. From time to time, I look for interesting topics or people to follow there. If a post is particularly insightful or funny, I make a point to comment. Sometimes it surfaces ideas or options that are new to me.
It's not installed on my phone, and I don't put very much time into it at all. It feels gross to suggest putting time into LinkedIn, but it has played a part in discovery and getting at least two roles.
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Comment on Humble Bundle: Martha Wells’ Murderbot and more in ~books
scojjac LinkThank you for posting this! A friend that has been listening to the audiobooks recently recommended the series but they are all tied up at my local library. This is a good deal I'm willing to take...Thank you for posting this! A friend that has been listening to the audiobooks recently recommended the series but they are all tied up at my local library. This is a good deal I'm willing to take a risk on.
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Comment on What happened to your first car? in ~transport
scojjac LinkThe car I learned to drive in needed a new transmission around 200k miles, and my parent decided to junk it. (I was bummed out because it was manual and I would've loved that. They bought a 2008...The car I learned to drive in needed a new transmission around 200k miles, and my parent decided to junk it. (I was bummed out because it was manual and I would've loved that. They bought a 2008 Civic which, brand new, was more of a piece of junk than the car they got rid of — particularly issues with motor mounts.)
The first car I owned, I wrecked but repaired and around 175k miles I decided to sell it because I kept having issues and was ready for something more fun. I saw it around town for at least 5 years after that.
Kept a sport sedan for a few years and it was fun—except for repairs, which led me to sell it in favor of a very boring, reliable, inexpensive-to-maintain CR-V. That's going strong at 192k miles and I want to get it over 300k.
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Comment on Always invest in good tires in ~transport
scojjac Link ParentAbsolutely. I bought nice tires for my Bimmer, and I continue to buy nice tires for the CR-V that replaced it. It feels better, performs better, and is safer than a cheap tire. And considering...Absolutely. I bought nice tires for my Bimmer, and I continue to buy nice tires for the CR-V that replaced it. It feels better, performs better, and is safer than a cheap tire. And considering that I sort of still drive like I'm in a sport sedan, I need all the grip I can get. Zoom zoom.
I started recording fuel economy with the V and it has helped me be more aware of the car and potential issues.
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Comment on So was there no song of the summer this year? in ~music
scojjac Link Parentbbno$ scratches an itch in my brain, there are a few of his songs I just dig. "edamame" was the intro, but "help herself" and "i remember" were very pleasant surprises.bbno$ scratches an itch in my brain, there are a few of his songs I just dig. "edamame" was the intro, but "help herself" and "i remember" were very pleasant surprises.
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Comment on So was there no song of the summer this year? in ~music
scojjac Link"Mystical Magical" by Benson Boone is my nomination."Mystical Magical" by Benson Boone is my nomination.
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Comment on Europa Universalis V release date announced (Nov 4th) and prepurchase now available in ~games
scojjac LinkI always got overwhelmed by EU4 but latched onto Stellaris pretty well. I always think someday I'll give EU4 another fair shake. And now you're telling me they're releasing a new one!? I think...I always got overwhelmed by EU4 but latched onto Stellaris pretty well. I always think someday I'll give EU4 another fair shake. And now you're telling me they're releasing a new one!? I think I'll still get a lot of mileage out of 4. ;)
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Comment on You can't outrun a bad diet in ~food
scojjac Link ParentI'm very much a fan of ground/minced turkey, well seasoned. In addition to traditional spices, I will sometimes use beef bouillon with it. I made picadillo with it last night and it turned out...I'm very much a fan of ground/minced turkey, well seasoned. In addition to traditional spices, I will sometimes use beef bouillon with it. I made picadillo with it last night and it turned out quite well. But I realize it's not to everyone's liking.
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Comment on US will begin charging some tourists a $250 ‘visa integrity fee’ in ~travel
scojjac Link ParentFrom the article: Also: It reads like 1) a deterrent to potential visitors and 2) a security deposit to make sure visitors leave on time. There are many unknowns, but "may potentially reimburse...From the article:
Travelers from visa waiver countries who are visiting the US for a reason that requires a special visa will also be required to pay the fee. The fees will apply to all student visas, work visas, and other special visas, including: F-1 and F-2 student visas; J-1 and J-2 exchange visas; H1-b and H-4 temporary work visas, and other employment and visitor categories.
What’s more: the $250 payment will be charged in addition to other visa fees. That means visitors will need to pay it along with any other reciprocity fees, anti-fraud fees, and “machine-readable visa” (MRV) application fees, the amounts of which can vary by visa type.
Also:
According to Envoy Global, the Department of Homeland Security may potentially reimburse visitors if they fully comply with the terms of their visa by departing the US promptly when their visa authorization period ends, extending their nonimmigrant status, or changing their status to lawful permanent resident.
It reads like 1) a deterrent to potential visitors and 2) a security deposit to make sure visitors leave on time. There are many unknowns, but "may potentially reimburse visitors" implies there very well may be no reimbursement. Additionally, DHS is given latitude to increase the fee.
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Comment on Google AI search shift leaves website makers feeling “betrayed” in ~tech
scojjac Link ParentI write articles for a regional MSP. We generally don't put a lot of effort into optimizing for Google. Mostly, we try to write articles that answer customer questions. Even so, we were capturing...I write articles for a regional MSP. We generally don't put a lot of effort into optimizing for Google. Mostly, we try to write articles that answer customer questions. Even so, we were capturing the Google snippet and have gotten qualified leads from AI searches. For a company of 20 employees, we're pretty happy with the results. At the same time, that feels like an exception and I'm always wondering what my next move needs to be to stay employed.
Optimization has become a loathsome word for me. And the way that these media companies — which I think generative AI falls under — continue to blur fact and fiction is unconscionable.
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Comment on Meta wins emergency arbitration ruling on tell-all book, Careless People by former employee Sarah Wynn-Williams - book promotion to be limited in ~books
scojjac Link ParentGood catch, have been using the phone in Spanish and sometimes forget about that detail. Updated my post.Good catch, have been using the phone in Spanish and sometimes forget about that detail. Updated my post.
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Comment on Meta wins emergency arbitration ruling on tell-all book, Careless People by former employee Sarah Wynn-Williams - book promotion to be limited in ~books
scojjac (edited )Link ParentAvailable from Kobo as an ebook or audiobook. Available from Bookshop.org in hardback. Let your friends know! Post it on your blog!Available from Kobo as an ebook or audiobook. Available from Bookshop.org in hardback.
Let your friends know! Post it on your blog!
From the southwest to the east coast I've always lived in neighborhoods with these ridiculous expanses of grass that serve no purpose. (My family and I have verrry different preferences in where to live, but being near them has been important to me. I've about had it with living in the middle of a field, though.)
American lawns are more barren than our deserts — which are full of life — and they're more resource intensive. We're renting in a "nice" neighborhood (that I personally hate) that has these stupid lawns. The neighbors mow every week, sometimes every couple of days, and keep their lawns so short there are brown spots. Totally soul-sucking homogeneity.
I very rarely see properties in my county where people 'just let nature take over' their yard without any effort at all. (Here, if they do it, there are trees growing out of abandoned houses.)
Suburbia creates a LOT of problems that are rooted in poor resource allocation, and its lawns are a perfect symbol.