scojjac's recent activity
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Comment on Mattel execs on next Hollywood moves: ‘Barney,’ ‘Polly Pocket’ and ‘Barbie’ sequels in ~movies
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Comment on What upcoming books are you looking forward to? in ~books
scojjac LinkOoh, I'm also looking forward to Light Bringer! I was trying to get the first three books re-read so that I can binge the second set together. But I've been a tad busy.Ooh, I'm also looking forward to Light Bringer! I was trying to get the first three books re-read so that I can binge the second set together. But I've been a tad busy.
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Comment on Sound enthusiasts - share your system in ~hobbies
scojjac LinkUff, I am a sound enthusiast but my setup isn’t spectacular. I have a Yamaha RX-V677 receiver hooked up to two Klipsch R-41M bookshelf speakers and a Sony 100W active subwoofer. I have some old...Uff, I am a sound enthusiast but my setup isn’t spectacular.
I have a Yamaha RX-V677 receiver hooked up to two Klipsch R-41M bookshelf speakers and a Sony 100W active subwoofer. I have some old Kenwood center and rears from my parents’ setup but not space to put them currently. Would love to add a decent turntable and space out the speakers more. I mostly play music from Spotify on this setup.
Gotta say that the sound production on my M1 MacBook Pro is phenomenal — sitting in front of it feels like being in a studio.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~life.men
scojjac Link“Onions have layers. Ogres have layers.“—Shrek“Onions have layers. Ogres have layers.“—Shrek
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Comment on More than 1,500 US fossil fuel lobbyists serve as “double agents” in ~enviro
scojjac LinkTL;DR: Cities, companies, universities known for being progressive and environmentally conscious work with lobbyists that also represent fossil fuel interests. Also: What do you think: problem or...TL;DR: Cities, companies, universities known for being progressive and environmentally conscious work with lobbyists that also represent fossil fuel interests.
Cities, companies, universities and green groups that use fossil fuel-linked lobbyists said this work didn’t conflict with their own climate goals and in some cases was even beneficial. “It is common for lobbyists to work for a variety of clients,” said a spokesperson for the University of Washington.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Defense Fund said that working for big oil is “not, in itself, an automatic disqualification. In some cases it can actually help us find productive alignment in unexpected places.”
Also:
A spokesperson for the Environmental Defense Fund said that working for big oil is “not, in itself, an automatic disqualification. In some cases it can actually help us find productive alignment in unexpected places.”
What do you think: problem or non-issue?
P.S.—First saw this on Threads 😅
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More than 1,500 US fossil fuel lobbyists serve as “double agents”
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Comment on Affirmative action and its role in your life in ~life
scojjac LinkMy thoughts are a bit all over the place on this. The original executive order required government contractors to take "affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that...My thoughts are a bit all over the place on this. The original executive order required government contractors to take "affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin.” Color-blindness seems noble but tends to erase a significant contributor to a person’s life experiences.
I’m reminded of the “equality vs. equity” illustration that highlights how giving someone an equal opportunity does not necessarily set them up for the same success if they are already disadvantaged.
I also think about the college experience. University in America is different from daily life. You can walk from place to place on campus; there are places to hang out for free; and the diverse composition of your peers, a reflection of the country’s demographics instead of just the area you’re from, is something that you may never get again.
Sure, you can focus on income instead: blacks are 3x as likely to live in poverty as whites — but as an absolute number there are more poor whites. It’s not equivalent to
considering race as one factor.AA was probably imperfect, but it at least sought to correct some of the disadvantages placed on certain groups. If Americans disapprove of it at large, I’d say that has to do more with the hyper-individualistic culture: people being offended that someone other than them, or different than them, might be afforded just one opportunity they didn’t get.
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Comment on Does the "inflation due to wage growth" narrative hold water? in ~finance
scojjac LinkPeople can get caught up on what is or is not causing inflation right now. At the end of the day: US wages have been stagnant since the 1970s, but productivity (and the resulting wealth) has...People can get caught up on what is or is not causing inflation right now. At the end of the day:
US wages have been stagnant since the 1970s, but productivity (and the resulting wealth) has continued to increase. Then, from pandemic onward, we are seeing record profits in tandem with inflation.
Inflation is an increase in price and reduction in purchasing power. Why are corporate profits higher than ever? Because companies have increased price — you pay more dollars for the same or less product.
While there can be, and no doubt are, other contributing factors — like the inanity of perpetually low interest rates — this issue of wages being out of line with productivity is severely exacerbating the effects of inflation.
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Comment on What webhost and software do you use for your personal website? in ~tech
scojjac Link ParentIs “toffee” a euphemism here? If so that’s amazing because I hate toffee. hahaIs “toffee” a euphemism here? If so that’s amazing because I hate toffee. haha
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What webhost and software do you use for your personal website?
In the 2000s, I had Blogger or a subdomain on some random free host. I even tried Ning at some point. Since 2012, I’ve had a personal site at a custom domain, on Squarespace, then WordPress who...
In the 2000s, I had Blogger or a subdomain on some random free host. I even tried Ning at some point.
Since 2012, I’ve had a personal site at a custom domain, on Squarespace, then WordPress who knows where, then Tumblr, then WordPress on Linode, now a combo Bear Blog and GitHub Pages.
I dislike WordPress for how clunky it is, Squarespace for how expensive it is, Tumblr for how obviously Tumblr it is (I could say the same about Squarespace and many WordPress sites), GitHub Pages for making me use git to post. Basically, I’m not happy with anything.
So I thought I’d ask los Tildeños—do you have a personal site? What web host and tech stack are you using for it? What do you like/dislike about it? What else have you tried?
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Comment on Reclaiming real American patriotism in ~misc
scojjac (edited )LinkI don’t think there’s use in distinguishing between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism, at best, is simply a step on the road to nationalism. One is devotion to and vigorous support of, one is...I don’t think there’s use in distinguishing between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism, at best, is simply a step on the road to nationalism. One is devotion to and vigorous support of, one is identification with and support of its interests, especially (but not only) to the exclusion of others.
In practice, American patriotism is nationalism. The idea of “American exceptionalism” is nationalism. Saying a pledge of allegiance in school is nationalism.
The American obsession with flying the flag outside of one’s home is wild if you have traveled. I don’t think any country’s citizens are as likely to fly their flag as Americans are. But the growing reticence to fly the flag seems to reflect Germany’s complicated relationship to its national symbols. They’ve already been co-opted and tainted, and the only thing exceptional is how impossible it is to get that stain out.
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Comment on I would really appreciate some help. Looking for moving, thoughtful or observant or interesting songs that aren't metal or rap/hiphop in ~music
scojjac LinkIt’s possible I’ve completely misunderstood the assignment. But here are some suggestions. I Love You But You’re Making Me Sad - Dolores Forever I hate love - Kelly Clarkson Strawberry Sunscreen -...It’s possible I’ve completely misunderstood the assignment. But here are some suggestions.
I Love You But You’re Making Me Sad - Dolores Forever
I hate love - Kelly Clarkson
Strawberry Sunscreen - lostboycrow
No Roots - Alice Merton (I also like Why So Serious by her.)
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Comment on Psychologists at the University of Cambridge developed a Misinformation Susceptibility Tests. What's your MIST score? in ~science
scojjac LinkMIST score: 18/20 100% ability to detect fake news, but 80% ability to detect real news. “A bit skeptical.” I’ll take it.MIST score: 18/20
100% ability to detect fake news, but 80% ability to detect real news. “A bit skeptical.” I’ll take it.
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Comment on Drug cartel violence flares in western Mexico after vigilante leader’s killing in ~news
scojjac Link ParentMexican President AMLO has previously expressed unwillingness to allow the US to conduct military operations against cartels inside Mexico. And though it is early, other candidates in the same...Mexican President AMLO has previously expressed unwillingness to allow the US to conduct military operations against cartels inside Mexico. And though it is early, other candidates in the same party seem to be favored.
US operations have a history of allegedly supporting cartels, intentionally or not — Operation Fast and Furious, CIA drug trafficking among them. Regardless of good intentions, the US would be seen as a destabilizing influence, since that is largely the tack it has taken in Mexico and South America.
Some Mexicans would prefer that the US do something about its mental health and addiction problems. That probably means improving healthcare and financial well-being of US residents — but it’s easy to see how eager the US is to take that approach.
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Comment on Hold the line - The short history of women switchboard operators in ~humanities.history
scojjac Link ParentThat’s an interesting comparison. The Wikipedia article for switchboard operators says this about an operator job in the 1920s: Operators today still exist but are far less common. They’re...That’s an interesting comparison. The Wikipedia article for switchboard operators says this about an operator job in the 1920s:
The role demanded quick decision-making, meticulous attention to detail, a very good memory for names, and the ability to handle criticism. Switchboard technology was a physically demanding task, involving numerous plugs, keys, lights, connecting cords, and complicated protocols for establishing connections. The full-time operators were on duty 56 hours per week, and while they often grumbled about being overworked by a harsh boss, they were reasonably compensated at $50 a month.
Operators today still exist but are far less common. They’re immensely useful in helping customers reach the right department or person in complex agencies.
This story made me think of the story of Dorothy Vaughan — she saw that the human computer jobs at NASA were coming to an end, learned a programming language, taught it to others, and gunned for that job for herself and others. (Yes, Hidden Figures.)
The lesson is not that we all have to become programmers — but we have to look for jobs that few are doing, want to do, or know how to do it, and demand the value of that work.*
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Comment on This feels dumb to ask, but how do you get your news? in ~news
scojjac Link ParentWhen I used to live in El Paso, I would use the local ABC website as well as an independent website called El Paso Matters. I haven’t found out if Raleigh has anything similar.When I used to live in El Paso, I would use the local ABC website as well as an independent website called El Paso Matters. I haven’t found out if Raleigh has anything similar.
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Comment on This feels dumb to ask, but how do you get your news? in ~news
scojjac LinkI skim apnews.com and reuters.com and call it a day.I skim apnews.com and reuters.com and call it a day.
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Comment on Tips for finding a good landlord? in ~life
scojjac LinkMy suggestion is to look for locally owned property management companies and read their Google reviews. We've been renting since late 2019 and our experiences with property managers are reflected...My suggestion is to look for locally owned property management companies and read their Google reviews. We've been renting since late 2019 and our experiences with property managers are reflected in the reviews.
The first company we went through has 3 stars on Google — almost a straight split of 1-star and 5-star reviews; many of the 1-star reviews are from tenants. Although the house was nice, our experiences with them were not (and the owner was a creep to top it off).
The company we rent through now has 3.9 stars, with far more 5-star than 1-star reviews. Even more important, the good reviews are from both tenants and owners. In our experience, this property manager has been attentive to maintenance requests but otherwise hands-off in the best way. Also, when the house we were in was sold, they worked with the owner to buy us some time and helped us get into another place that was just becoming available.
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Comment on How the ‘Barbie’ vs ‘Oppenheimer’ online discourse is helping both films: It’s no longer a case of “Either/or” that it first appeared to be but rather “Which one first?” in ~movies
scojjac LinkPretty cool to have two big blockbusters this summer. I’ve seen memes about Oppenheimer advertising being plastered everywhere but hadn’t actually seen any real info about it until now (finally...Pretty cool to have two big blockbusters this summer.
I’ve seen memes about Oppenheimer advertising being plastered everywhere but hadn’t actually seen any real info about it until now (finally made myself watch the trailer). Normally I’d be all over a movie like this — but I really dislike Nolan’s films. Definitely not sitting through a 3 hour long one.
Super stoked for Barbie, though.
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Comment on Plex lays off more than 20% of staff in ~comp
scojjac LinkPlex doubled down on free ad-supported streaming but that's not generating enough revenue. I feel like the easiest thing for them would be a modest yearly subscription for the software. Who is...Plex doubled down on free ad-supported streaming but that's not generating enough revenue. I feel like the easiest thing for them would be a modest yearly subscription for the software.
Who is using the free ad-supported stuff? If you installed Plex to stream your own library, you probably avoid that section of the app. I doubt very many people installed the Plex TV app just for free stuff when there are already apps like Tubi and Pluto.
I've seen the argument that "Plex customers are pirates and pirates don't pay for software" but that's not a valid argument, IMO. People who turn to pirating usually do so if the cost is exorbitant or the method of access is cumbersome or restrictive. Plex can easily avoid those problems.
I have some movies and TV shows on Plex, and I even started rebuilding my music library (and a small audiobook library) on it. I want to see it be profitable, but by leaning on its core utility.
What are your thoughts on Plex's features and business model? Some of the Verge comments mentioned Jellyfin (one even said it's 'eating Plex's lunch' which was humorous because I'd never even heard of the app before).
Honestly! That was exactly my thought. Those trains could be pretty brutal to each other and get in some sticky situations; the memes show the way forward.