thereticent's recent activity
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Comment on Can plants count? Study suggests they can track the number of events they experience. in ~science
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Comment on This eerily accurate ‘LinkedIn Speak’ translation tool will help you sound like an instant thinkfluencer in ~tech
thereticent Link ParentToo efficient. You clearly meant "a lot" as "often," but it went with "many." Still accurate, but not exactly the original intention I'm guessingToo efficient. You clearly meant "a lot" as "often," but it went with "many." Still accurate, but not exactly the original intention I'm guessing
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Comment on Can we talk about rice cookers? in ~food
thereticent Link ParentAgreed. I've tested my cheap Sunbeam rice cooker against a Zojirushi, and it works perfectly. Though it automatically switches off "cook" to "warm," I've found its best to turn it off entirely...Agreed. I've tested my cheap Sunbeam rice cooker against a Zojirushi, and it works perfectly. Though it automatically switches off "cook" to "warm," I've found its best to turn it off entirely soon after, rather than warm too long. Otherwise, it does everything you've mentioned and does have a steaming rack.
Aghh: the Sunbeam doesn't appear to be made anymore and is considered "vintage." I formally protest. Now that I think about it, we did buy it 20 year ago or so. I suppose you could look for this at flea markets, garage sales, or auctions. It was 15-20 USD originally.
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Comment on Air Canada CEO will retire this year after his English-only crash message was criticized in ~transport
thereticent (edited )Link ParentTo be frank about US culture: no FAA chair or airline CEO based in a highly spanish-speaking region (if that even exists), etc., would ever be dragged for not giving bilingual condolences. I'm not...To be frank about US culture: no FAA chair or airline CEO based in a highly spanish-speaking region (if that even exists), etc., would ever be dragged for not giving bilingual condolences. I'm not defending it, just making clear that this is not because it's all private companies. I think it's a distinct difference in expectations of decency between the US and Canadian societies.
Other thought is that cultural and/or violent genocide should be eradicated. Down here in the US we focus almost solely on enslaved Black populations rather than the much older native population. Is that analogous in Canadian society to focusing on francophone people vs. First Nations? (I'm not asking to accuse or start a fight. Just wondering about the cultural positions of those issues in Canada compared to US).
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Comment on What’s something you’re putting up with? in ~talk
thereticent Link ParentI hear you, but I didn't complain about the scanner, specifically, initially. I hate all that shit. And it was a metal detector wand, so you used to be able to just hold a hand over the belt...I hear you, but I didn't complain about the scanner, specifically, initially. I hate all that shit. And it was a metal detector wand, so you used to be able to just hold a hand over the belt buckle. And it doesn't store a contour of your body, which God knows what might be done with that. Again, I was just giving an opinion, a feeling, about how the whole deal after 9/11 felt. Why does anyone want to correct or reeducate me on this? I'm a grumpy, sort of old man whose opinions I admit are probably just stubborn and which affect literally no one because I comply anyway.
Edit: just a quick edit to say that I'm not mad or anything, just trying to clarify. I wanted to lend a little purely subjective experience, not objective assertion, to the topic.
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Comment on I think Tildes moderators and admins may need to make a decision regarding how to handle Harry Potter related posts in ~tildes
thereticent Link ParentYeah, I agree with you. I suppose that wasn't directed specifically at you, despite my response in general being to you. I hope the person above does benefit from it at least.Yeah, I agree with you. I suppose that wasn't directed specifically at you, despite my response in general being to you. I hope the person above does benefit from it at least.
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Comment on I think Tildes moderators and admins may need to make a decision regarding how to handle Harry Potter related posts in ~tildes
thereticent Link ParentIn response to only your first point, I think that it says something lovely about the community here, which is that we want to chime in about how to handle issues like this. A "what kind of...In response to only your first point, I think that it says something lovely about the community here, which is that we want to chime in about how to handle issues like this. A "what kind of community do we want to be" sort of thing. It's like a small town with a lively town hall meeting. :)
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Comment on I think Tildes moderators and admins may need to make a decision regarding how to handle Harry Potter related posts in ~tildes
thereticent Link ParentMy thought is that banning discussion of eugenics would mean that we'd never get the info in NotFae's anti-eugenics folder. Both literally and metaphorically. Open discussion doesn't require...My thought is that banning discussion of eugenics would mean that we'd never get the info in NotFae's anti-eugenics folder. Both literally and metaphorically. Open discussion doesn't require anyone to take a "pro" stance, and it does risk someone taking that stance (even vociferously!). But then we get all the good info that supports the anti-eugenics stance. If they or anyone else open a topic about how awful eugenics is, and here's why, that seems to be allowable. We're not here to muzzle people.
Same reason why I think we allow the HP/JKR discussion as long as it doesn't devolve into direct attacks. Anti-JKRs (like me, full disclosure) can freely speak up, and HPers can live with the uncomfortable feeling of loving something made by someone extremely hateful and harmful. I find the argument that having to "deal with" (i.e. acknowledge and feel uncomfortable about) the anti-JKR reminders is too exhausting, unfriendly, or whatever else, to be worthy of a welcome-to-the-free-market-of-ideas-and-shrug response.
Anyway, my first paragraph was more important. Sorry for the ramble, but I'm sticking to it.
I'd rather you stick around here too.
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Comment on I think Tildes moderators and admins may need to make a decision regarding how to handle Harry Potter related posts in ~tildes
thereticent Link ParentEvery instance I've seen was exactly that, or at least appeared to me to be.Every instance I've seen was exactly that, or at least appeared to me to be.
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Comment on What’s something you’re putting up with? in ~talk
thereticent Link ParentYeah, no argument from me. I'm talking about feelings, not trying to change anyone's mind. For me, a metal detector wand and a luggage x-ray certainly feels less invasive than removing belts and...Yeah, no argument from me. I'm talking about feelings, not trying to change anyone's mind. For me, a metal detector wand and a luggage x-ray certainly feels less invasive than removing belts and shoes, taking out electronics, getting fully benuded by a scanner, patdowns, etc. I did read your comment below that only the machine has those data, but uh... I don't trust assurances like that at all anymore. More about the dystopian feeling: this all came about around the time of Total Information Awareness, extraordinary rendition, declaring war based on lies about intelligence, being suspicious to most other citizens if you didn't fly the American flag, constant open Islamophobia, warrantless wiretapping, and FISA courts...I won't go on. It was a feeling in the zeitgeist. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I feel all right being annoyed with TSA. (And please note that I didn't say TSA needs to go away or that America in the past or present is better than other countries. None of that was implied.)
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Comment on What’s something you’re putting up with? in ~talk
thereticent Link ParentPersonally, I'd say it's the same reason Flock cameras, or really just endless cameras, everywhere feels dystopian. It's an invasion of privacy under the auspices of security. Unlike Bean, I'm in...Personally, I'd say it's the same reason Flock cameras, or really just endless cameras, everywhere feels dystopian. It's an invasion of privacy under the auspices of security. Unlike Bean, I'm in the US, and unless I've missed new findings, the TSA airport security has not proven particularly effective at preventing airborne security risk.
But then again, I'm (I assume) about Bean's age (middle-), and I remember when all this security theater wasn't required. I can get on a bus or train without a patdown or full-body scan, and that seems to be fine. Not that I make a fuss. Maybe I'm just stubborn, too.
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Comment on Interesting material types for fantasy resources/macguffins other than crystals or metals? in ~creative
thereticent LinkA symbol/configuration, but only where it occurs in nature? Sap? Lymph? A rhythm or melody? A harmony of multiple tones? A memory? A mechanism? Just some thoughts.A symbol/configuration, but only where it occurs in nature?
Sap?
Lymph?
A rhythm or melody?
A harmony of multiple tones?
A memory?
A mechanism?Just some thoughts.
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Comment on Listen to the music... and find the title of the movie in less than sixty seconds in ~movies
thereticent LinkIs the timer supposed to start before the music loads? There is a time bonus, so that seems to matter. Firefox on Android for me.Is the timer supposed to start before the music loads? There is a time bonus, so that seems to matter. Firefox on Android for me.
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Comment on Dentist prank advice in ~life
thereticent Link ParentMy friend had great success with "Billy Bob teeth." Not the best name, but that's what they're sold as.My friend had great success with "Billy Bob teeth." Not the best name, but that's what they're sold as.
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Wordle on first guess?
Has anyone solved the Wordle at wordleunlimited.org today? I just got the answer on my first try, which seems unlikely to say the least. I think it could be a malfunction. Would anyone mind...
Has anyone solved the Wordle at wordleunlimited.org today? I just got the answer on my first try, which seems unlikely to say the least. I think it could be a malfunction. Would anyone mind posting the answer under a spoiler box so I can check? Thanks!
Update: Thanks, folks! It seems like the site uses a different word for each person. It also seems like it's working fine. So, go me! Or it was a one-off problem. My word was AUDIT, btw.
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Comment on Google has a secret reference desk. Here's how to use it. (Lots of search tips) in ~tech
thereticent (edited )Link ParentThere was a time (which I assumed includes now) when the quotes for verbatim strategy was completely ignored. Then the double quotes for verbatim. It's hard to trust shifting sands.There was a time (which I assumed includes now) when the quotes for verbatim strategy was completely ignored. Then the double quotes for verbatim. It's hard to trust shifting sands.
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Comment on Reuters reveals Banksy's identity in a long investigation in ~arts
thereticent Link ParentI get it now! What's funny is that for me, there was really no whimsy left. I just hoped there was for others, but I really have no reason to think so. More importantly: Bullshit! You'll never...I get it now! What's funny is that for me, there was really no whimsy left. I just hoped there was for others, but I really have no reason to think so.
More importantly:
After all, I'm here occasionally roleplaying as someone desperately trying to convince everyone they're not one of the Fair Folk.... And obviously I'm just a human like everyone else.
Bullshit! You'll never convince me.
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Comment on Reuters reveals Banksy's identity in a long investigation in ~arts
thereticent Link ParentFor my part, the whimsy is "not knowing" who the real Banksy is. Sure, he's been unmasked before, and people moved on in denial, as you put it. They're not seeking out this information, maybe...For my part, the whimsy is "not knowing" who the real Banksy is. Sure, he's been unmasked before, and people moved on in denial, as you put it. They're not seeking out this information, maybe because it's inspiring to have an anonymous or at least questionably identified artist out taking shots at those in power. Do you not understand or do you disagree? I'm having trouble nailing down your viewpoint. (Not an insult. I respect you).
Edit: My biggest issue is the intentional announcement of revealing this despite his, his management's, and especially his fans' requests not to. But it's "of interest" to the readers, so...take that? Maybe my position is that it feels gross. I'm okay with that.
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Comment on Reuters reveals Banksy's identity in a long investigation in ~arts
thereticent (edited )LinkI get the blasé reaction to this, but I find it (the "exposure") fucked up. Yes, the 2008 exposé was right, I was there too, but the evidence wasn't firm enough to make a splash that stuck. But...I get the blasé reaction to this, but I find it (the "exposure") fucked up. Yes, the 2008 exposé was right, I was there too, but the evidence wasn't firm enough to make a splash that stuck. But here we are doing it to build cache with readers of one of the largest news services in the world. Whatever. I'm not attached to Banksy, but taking some whimsy out of the world just for the cred makes me want to vomit.
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Comment on YouTube lays claim to another crown: the world’s largest media company in ~finance
thereticent LinkWeird writing: I assume the firm is MoffatNathanson, but I doubt the author meant to write it this wayWeird writing:
The firm, which declared YouTube the “new king of all media” last year, is now valued at between $500 billion-$560 billion, far above any traditional media competitors. The closest would be Netflix, which has a market cap of about $409 billion as of writing.
I assume the firm is MoffatNathanson, but I doubt the author meant to write it this way
And, for humans anyway, on the environment and its demands. See Cognitive Development by Alexander Luria (and the work of his mentor Lev Vygotsky). I would be willing to bet that plant decisions are similarly affected by environment, especially during development.
Interestingly, the neural theory of cognition/intelligence is starting to give way to a more whole-organism understanding of cognition. See Looking for Spinoza by Antonio Damasio on embodied emotional processing. And a growing literature on glial cells performing information processing rather than just the traditionally acknowledged "support cell" role.
Thank you so much for posting this! My whole career has been in neuropsychology. We might need to change that to neurogliopsychology, or corpopsychology, or....