steezyaspie's recent activity
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Comment on Why do domestic prices rise with tariffs? in ~finance
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Comment on When is pet insurance worth it? in ~life.pets
steezyaspie LinkDidn’t make sense for my dogs - we had it for about a year after adopting them, in theory to cover anything major that popped up. The one thing that did come up wasn’t covered (dental surgery -...Didn’t make sense for my dogs - we had it for about a year after adopting them, in theory to cover anything major that popped up. The one thing that did come up wasn’t covered (dental surgery - pretty expensive). In my experience, you are far better off taking what you would pay in premiums each month and socking it away in a savings account. In our case, we are still well ahead of where we would be with insurance, despite a number of ER and urgent care trips for the dogs over the years (in addition to regular checkups, vaccines, etc.).
If you do get insurance, make sure you read it very carefully and understand exactly what it does/does not cover and what deductibles or coinsurance you’ll be on the hook for. I’d also recommend making a spreadsheet of expected costs, premiums, etc. to make sure it’s the right financial choice for you.
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Comment on Confess your food crimes in ~food
steezyaspie Link ParentMight just be a cultural thing - I’m not from New York and the only time I’d consider a fork and knife for pizza is if it’s deep dish. If you ate pizza that way here, nobody would bother you but...Might just be a cultural thing - I’m not from New York and the only time I’d consider a fork and knife for pizza is if it’s deep dish. If you ate pizza that way here, nobody would bother you but you’d probably get some confused looks.
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Comment on Tips on attending a metal fest in Europe in ~travel
steezyaspie Link ParentYeah as someone who has tinnitus from poor decisions in my 20s, definitely wear earplugs. I can’t emphasize enough how much you don’t want tinnitus.Yeah as someone who has tinnitus from poor decisions in my 20s, definitely wear earplugs. I can’t emphasize enough how much you don’t want tinnitus.
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Comment on Virologists are still bringing dangerous, novel pathogens in from the wild in ~health
steezyaspie Link ParentAbsolutely. There are definitely hardcore folks who would sign up to be sequestered away in some remote lab, but not nearly as many as the number of highly talented people who want to have normal...Absolutely. There are definitely hardcore folks who would sign up to be sequestered away in some remote lab, but not nearly as many as the number of highly talented people who want to have normal lives outside of work. Even those hardcore few would probably only sign on for a short term contract, and would still want the occasional trip to go visit friends and family or do something fun during their term.
If your staff is leaving to spend every weekend in the closest major city anyway, the facility location really isn’t going to make a meaningful difference.
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Comment on Virologists are still bringing dangerous, novel pathogens in from the wild in ~health
steezyaspie (edited )Link ParentThis is a big assumption to make on a public forum. I can tell you I have not built a virology lab, but I have been involved in projects building multiple large facilities that contain labs and...In this case, I think it's just true that none of are experts in what it costs to build, staff, and supply a virology lab and it doesn't seem particularly dismissive. After all, many virologists probably don't know that much about it either, since doing the science isn't the same as building and running the facilities?
This is a big assumption to make on a public forum. I can tell you I have not built a virology lab, but I have been involved in projects building multiple large facilities that contain labs and clean room environments, which are less secure and likely a lower grade clean room than is required in a virology lab. That seems relevant enough for me to ballpark it as, at minimum, comfortably in the high 8 figure to low 9 figure range, likely higher depending on containment measures, security, size, etc.
You’ll likely need to bring in specialized construction crews who are capable of building the facility, which will be marked up due to the travel, etc. - because it’s very unlikely you’ll find anyone who has experience locally. Then you also need to factor that extra cost in when considering preventative or emergency service of specialized equipment (whether HVAC or lab equipment).
On top of all that, the more remote and/or locked down you are, the greater the premium you’re going to have to pay for talent - most of whom will want to be near a city. At some point, it just isn’t financially feasible.
For the record, the scientists/staff who are remotely senior absolutely will have an idea of what it costs to run - at least on an order of magnitude level. Overhead is going to be factored into things like project budgets, which isn’t a complete picture but enough to extrapolate from.
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Comment on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and US influencers bash seed oils, baffling nutrition scientists in ~food
steezyaspie Link ParentFully tax free in my state, along with other essentials like clothes and menstrual productsFully tax free in my state, along with other essentials like clothes and menstrual products
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Comment on Sleeping on the floor in ~life.home_improvement
steezyaspie LinkYou could try a latex hybrid mattress. They’re somewhat expensive but it’s the firmest mattress I’ve had and I love it. Definitely go try it out somewhere first though, they can be pretty polarizing.You could try a latex hybrid mattress. They’re somewhat expensive but it’s the firmest mattress I’ve had and I love it. Definitely go try it out somewhere first though, they can be pretty polarizing.
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Comment on Inheriting is becoming nearly as important as working in ~finance
steezyaspie Link ParentJust because it would be life changing for you doesn’t mean there would be a meaningful impact on anyone else, were you to inherit $280k. What would happen if you inherited that money? Would you...Just because it would be life changing for you doesn’t mean there would be a meaningful impact on anyone else, were you to inherit $280k.
What would happen if you inherited that money? Would you buy a house? Maybe payoff some debt and/or stick it in savings for the future? It’s not enough to retire on, on its own.
How exactly would you doing those things negatively impact the people in your community?
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Comment on Inheriting is becoming nearly as important as working in ~finance
steezyaspie Link Parent280k is not enough to “purchase homes for them and their children”, it might be enough to purchase a home, in a relatively LCOL area, maybe with some money left over for maintenance if you’re...280k is not enough to “purchase homes for them and their children”, it might be enough to purchase a home, in a relatively LCOL area, maybe with some money left over for maintenance if you’re lucky. Then they’re going to pay tax on that home and it’s upkeep every year, even if they didn’t on the initial transfer.
I find it very questionable to fault average people for retiring as a principle. The fact that you seemingly feel you can’t retire is unfortunate, but them doing so does not make them bad people and is not a societal harm. If anything, it’s good - people holding on to their positions instead of retiring makes it more challenging for others to grow in their careers.
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Comment on Inheriting is becoming nearly as important as working in ~finance
steezyaspie (edited )Link ParentYou seem to really be struggling with the idea that what constitutes “a lot” of money is completely relative to where you live. The people who are inheriting $280k in the article are not going to...You seem to really be struggling with the idea that what constitutes “a lot” of money is completely relative to where you live. The people who are inheriting $280k in the article are not going to up and move to a non-western country where that money goes further, and therefore their inheritance has precisely 0 impact on you, personally. If it had an impact on anyone it would be to those in their immediate local area, but it doesn’t because that money really doesn’t go far in a place with high COL.
It sounds like you’re in a tough situation, and I understand it’s not easy to hear, but that amount of money just doesn’t move the needle appreciably in the countries being discussed.
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Comment on Inheriting is becoming nearly as important as working in ~finance
steezyaspie Link ParentYou’re on a very small Canadian-based forum, and you’re surprised that most people are approaching this through the lens of Canada and the US? The article is about inheritance in the UK, as well,...You’re on a very small Canadian-based forum, and you’re surprised that most people are approaching this through the lens of Canada and the US? The article is about inheritance in the UK, as well, which is equivalent enough to the US/Canada for an order of magnitude level conversation.
Of course, if you live in a country that is less wealthy than the US/Canada/UK then $X will go further than it does in those places. That doesn’t mean it’s a lot of money in the context of the broader global economy, it’s just a lot of money relative to your situation. It’s roughly equivalent in impact to inheriting a modest family home wherever you live. Definitely nice, but you’re still going to have to go to work the next day like everyone else.
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Comment on Inheriting is becoming nearly as important as working in ~finance
steezyaspie Link ParentLike it or not, it is a minor amount of money in the US, Canada, and much of Western Europe. For your average person, it will be extremely helpful and maybe even life changing by getting you out...Like it or not, it is a minor amount of money in the US, Canada, and much of Western Europe. For your average person, it will be extremely helpful and maybe even life changing by getting you out of debt or closer to that, but it isn’t going to allow you to go live a life of luxury or retire or anything.
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Comment on Inheriting is becoming nearly as important as working in ~finance
steezyaspie (edited )Link ParentReceiving a one-time lump sum inheritance of $280k does not put you remotely in the 1%. In the US, even making $280k/year doesn’t put you within sniffing distance of the top 1%, which starts...Receiving a one-time lump sum inheritance of $280k does not put you remotely in the 1%.
In the US, even making $280k/year doesn’t put you within sniffing distance of the top 1%, which starts around 500k in the poorest states and around $1MM in the wealthiest states.
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Comment on Piglets will be left to starve in a controversial art exhibit in Denmark – Marco Evaristti aims to raise awareness of the suffering caused by modern pig production in ~arts
steezyaspie Link ParentStrongly disagree. I believe he is fully aware that it serves no greater purpose than to get his name in some papers.surely we can agree that this man has a noble intent.
Strongly disagree. I believe he is fully aware that it serves no greater purpose than to get his name in some papers.
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Comment on Piglets will be left to starve in a controversial art exhibit in Denmark – Marco Evaristti aims to raise awareness of the suffering caused by modern pig production in ~arts
steezyaspie Link ParentThis is condescending drivel. Given the artist’s history of art that seems largely driven by shock value, it is a perfectly valid critique to say that this exhibit seems intended primarily to...You need to own your feelings.
This is condescending drivel. Given the artist’s history of art that seems largely driven by shock value, it is a perfectly valid critique to say that this exhibit seems intended primarily to inflate the ego of the artist and his supporters rather than to make a meaningful difference.
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Comment on Piglets will be left to starve in a controversial art exhibit in Denmark – Marco Evaristti aims to raise awareness of the suffering caused by modern pig production in ~arts
steezyaspie Link ParentYou might imagine that, but it doesn’t make it true without real data to back it up. This is just as inhumane and utilitarian a point of view as those who engage in factory farming.I can't find numbers about organic and free range pigs, but I imagine it's a lot lot lot lower.
You might imagine that, but it doesn’t make it true without real data to back it up.
if it changes the minds or habits of just a dozen or a hundred consumers, then that is worth it in my view.
This is just as inhumane and utilitarian a point of view as those who engage in factory farming.
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Comment on Piglets will be left to starve in a controversial art exhibit in Denmark – Marco Evaristti aims to raise awareness of the suffering caused by modern pig production in ~arts
steezyaspie Link ParentIntent matters. Why do you think those 27,000 odd piglets die? It’s not for fun or to make some statement - it’s a byproduct of food production. It can be debated whether or not eating meat is...Intent matters. Why do you think those 27,000 odd piglets die? It’s not for fun or to make some statement - it’s a byproduct of food production.
It can be debated whether or not eating meat is ethical, farming methods are ethical, etc. but the fact of the matter is that there is a tangible societal purpose being served by raising those pigs. Anytime you raise livestock, you will lose animals for a number of reasons - often before they’re fully grown. You might be able to reduce the number, but it will never be 0.
This guy is killing otherwise healthy piglets in an excruciatingly slow and painful way, as “art”, to make a point which is already common knowledge. The intent seems to be cruelty for cruelty’s sake, and it seems uncontroversial to state that that is morally repugnant.
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Comment on Piglets will be left to starve in a controversial art exhibit in Denmark – Marco Evaristti aims to raise awareness of the suffering caused by modern pig production in ~arts
steezyaspie Link ParentNo, neither gets a pass. The difference is that this is actively illegal animal abuse (at least in most places), and that farming isn’t. If you know of a farm where animals are intentionally being...No, neither gets a pass. The difference is that this is actively illegal animal abuse (at least in most places), and that farming isn’t. If you know of a farm where animals are intentionally being starved and left to die, you should absolutely be reporting that to the relevant authorities.
If you think that the currently accepted practices are immoral, cruel, etc. then work to outlaw them or to change public perception by documenting and exposing the actual things being done. Starving piglets will win no sympathy from the people who most need convincing. All they see is a smug “artist” doing something awful in the name of attention seeking, which makes them less receptive to the underlying message.
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Comment on Piglets will be left to starve in a controversial art exhibit in Denmark – Marco Evaristti aims to raise awareness of the suffering caused by modern pig production in ~arts
steezyaspie Link ParentDid you not read my comment? I fully understand that stance, I just simply do not agree with it. Art is not blanket permission to commit acts of abject cruelty, even if you’re trying to make...Did you not read my comment? I fully understand that stance, I just simply do not agree with it. Art is not blanket permission to commit acts of abject cruelty, even if you’re trying to make broader point that is valid.
This has the same feeling to me as YouTubers who act exceedingly obnoxious and try to cover themselves with a veil of legitimacy by saying it’s a “social experiment” or a “prank” when people point out that they’re just being an asshole. The premise is not nearly as clever nor is the point as well made as the artist thinks.
I’m not a fan of the tariffs, but Korea quite famously did shelter their automobile industry incredibly heavily for a long time to incentivize the creation of a domestic car manufacturing capacity. They (obviously) loosened up over time and Korean companies have had to become more competitive, but they arguably wouldn’t exist at all without those earlier policies.