Wolf_359's recent activity
-
Comment on Mystery drones over New Jersey spark concerns as FBI investigates in ~transport
-
Comment on What does it mean to you to be a human? in ~life
Wolf_359 Link ParentAnimals are capable of awful, awful things. Many mammals will play with their still-living food. I specified mammals because the insect world is a horror show beyond words. We don't call it...Animals are capable of awful, awful things. Many mammals will play with their still-living food. I specified mammals because the insect world is a horror show beyond words. We don't call it cruelty when they do it because they lack the ability to reason. Or perhaps it's because cruelty is a systemic issue in nature and we don't expect anything better.
When humans hurt one another, we feel the pain as if it were our own. We wonder why the perpetrators didn't choose to be kind and merciful instead. More importantly, we don't expect cruelty from another human being because cruelty is the exception, not the rule.
I think our ability to recognize cruelty and compare it to something better is one of the best things about human beings. The very existence of the word says a lot about our best traits.
-
Comment on The best games of 2024, picked by NPR's staff in ~games
Wolf_359 LinkHow in the world did Satisfactory not make this list??? And anyone have any recommendations from this list that they really loved?How in the world did Satisfactory not make this list???
And anyone have any recommendations from this list that they really loved?
-
Comment on Introducing ChatGPT Pro in ~tech
Wolf_359 (edited )Link ParentI think it's feasible for them to double or triple their income in the next several years. The potential use cases really are endless, whether that's good or bad. Microsoft is using GPT, and I...- Exemplary
I think it's feasible for them to double or triple their income in the next several years.
The potential use cases really are endless, whether that's good or bad.
Microsoft is using GPT, and I don't see them just dropping this partnership after they've done so much to bake it into their OS and search platform.
Here is how I use it at work:
My K-12 public school is encouraging teachers to use it (and paying for it) so that we can spend our time more efficiently. They even trained us on appropriate and inappropriate uses.
It's a lifesaver at work. Once I started using it, I noticed how much time I was wasting on tedious little things such as wording something properly. That 1- 2 minutes you spend wordsmithing really adds up when you send 40 emails and grade 100 papers. I bullet point some feedback, GPT gives me a digestible paragraph, I revise it quick. Done. It's my work, I'm more than capable of writing a paragraph, but I used a tool to do it in half the time with no typos. In addition, I noticed I was spending a lot of time searching Google for the perfect image to add to a text for my sped and non-native English speaking students. Now, if Google doesn't have a good image, I just make one. I recently added pictures to every page of a fiction horror story we read for ELA. It helped the kids a lot. I also use it to help generate lesson ideas. I know the content like the back of my hand, but man, gpt spits out some clever lesson ideas I would have never considered.
To be clear, it doesn't do my job for me. A random person couldn't just start teaching properly with AI. But, if you already know what you're doing and review all AI output carefully, it can really streamline things for you in a way that makes an overworked teaching job downright manageable. Those little time savings add up to hours every week.
Okay, now apply this to every profession. I'm not saying it's inherently good or without flaws. In fact, I think it's quite dangerous and I think inappropriate use of this tool can and will destroy lives. One irresponsible doctor or lawyer can absolutely fuck someone by letting AI do their job for them.
However, appropriate use will enhance performance and productivity. It has the potential to be good for workers and shareholders alike.
I honestly don't think it's going anywhere. It'll keep improving, it'll become more lightweight and efficient, and it'll be wonderful and terrible all at once just like the internet has been.
-
Comment on US President Joe Biden pardons son in ~society
Wolf_359 (edited )LinkIt's all so ugly. On one hand, the accounts that I've read seem to agree Biden's son was targeted and pursued in a way that doesn't match what would typically happen in these cases. Biden probably...It's all so ugly.
On one hand, the accounts that I've read seem to agree Biden's son was targeted and pursued in a way that doesn't match what would typically happen in these cases. Biden probably realized that his son wasn't going to get anything resembling fair treatment and decided that the right wasn't going to give him an ounce of credit no matter what he did. Truth be told, they just don't care. The left kept trying to "go high" when Republicans went low, and we kept losing. What's the point in playing by rules they refuse to follow?
On the other hand, I think this really does give the loonies a bunch of ammo and it's going to be weaponized for years to come. It also points out the stark contrast between the two tiers of our justice system. There are plenty of kids sitting in cells for this exact thing - but sadly for them, their fathers weren't in politics.
I'm feeling pretty down. I've been reading some old Jon Ronson books again. When I first read them years ago, I thought they were fun because the extremists he would write about and interview were way on the fringes. They were nuts and it was obvious to everyone... Right? White Supremacists and fascists would never have popular media outlets or hold political offices in this country again... It was absurd to think otherwise. But Ronson was onto something. I think he saw first-hand how primed America was for these people to take charge. I think he knew they were dangerous and he was watching up close for the last 30 years as they slowly grabbed more and more power, becoming mainstream. It's so sad and scary.
Whether Biden did the right thing or not - as a father or as a president - I think this is at least an indicator that things aren't going well. Another warning of the lows we have reached.
-
Comment on Font size? in ~tildes
Wolf_359 Link ParentYes, tcft was fine. I do use it sometimes but for some reason I'm still in the habit of clicking my chrome shortcut more often than not. Old habits.Yes, tcft was fine. I do use it sometimes but for some reason I'm still in the habit of clicking my chrome shortcut more often than not. Old habits.
-
Comment on Font size? in ~tildes
Wolf_359 Link ParentThis works for now! I set #enable-accessibility-page-zoom to "Enabled with OS adjustment" It's actually not ideal, because now my choices in Android are having text be slightly too big or slightly...This works for now! I set
#enable-accessibility-page-zoom
to
"Enabled with OS adjustment"It's actually not ideal, because now my choices in Android are having text be slightly too big or slightly too small. And it has to be adjusted at the OS level which means it applies to everything and not just Chrome. But at least it's visible and uniform now. My previous choices were way too small and uniform or visible and not uniform.
Thanks!
-
Comment on Font size? in ~tildes
Wolf_359 Link ParentThat's much nicer than what I have going on here lol. Here is what I see on Pixel 9 Pro: https://ibb.co/j3sbjnGThat's much nicer than what I have going on here lol.
Here is what I see on Pixel 9 Pro:
https://ibb.co/j3sbjnG -
Font size?
I recently upgraded to a pixel 9 pro and noticed that the higher resolution resulted in text that was often too small. I went to my settings and increased my font size to 125%. However, I noticed...
I recently upgraded to a pixel 9 pro and noticed that the higher resolution resulted in text that was often too small.
I went to my settings and increased my font size to 125%. However, I noticed that this doesn't seem to apply to titles on Tildes, at least not in a uniform way.
It's hard to say without going back to my old phone, which I can't easily do right now, but I do think I recall title font size varying depending on the length of the title. But perhaps the difference wasn't as drastic on my old phone due to the difference in resolution? Perhaps the titles with smaller font sizes were still easy to see so I didn't really notice? It's just very noticable on this phone. I don't want to increase zoom on Chrome for every website just to solve this issue.
Ideas?
12 votes -
Comment on Great shows with a truly satisfying ending? in ~tv
Wolf_359 Link ParentSeason 2 is the weakest season since it kind of goes off-theme a bit. It's not bad by any stretch. In fact, the final few episodes make it all worthwhile and provide a huge payoff that make it a...Season 2 is the weakest season since it kind of goes off-theme a bit. It's not bad by any stretch. In fact, the final few episodes make it all worthwhile and provide a huge payoff that make it a much more enjoyable season when rewatching.
But regardless, the show gets back to its roots in season 3 and stays there for the rest of the show.
The ending of the wire was so incredible that it made me cry both times I've seen it and put me into a state of deep contemplation for at least a week.
-
Comment on Are we all capable of being slaveowners or nazis? in ~humanities
Wolf_359 Link ParentWell, in our attempts to teach empathy to psychopaths, it actually backfires and teaches them to manipulate better. The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson touches on this. Apparently psychopaths were...Well, in our attempts to teach empathy to psychopaths, it actually backfires and teaches them to manipulate better.
The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson touches on this. Apparently psychopaths were given LSD and it only made them more dangerous because they learned to fake empathy much better.
-
Comment on What are the cons of Google being forced to give up its control of Chrome? in ~tech
Wolf_359 (edited )LinkI genuinely don't understand how the US government decides these things. For decades now, telecom companies have had actual monopolies which they used to price gouge the shit out of customers who...I genuinely don't understand how the US government decides these things.
For decades now, telecom companies have had actual monopolies which they used to price gouge the shit out of customers who literally had no other option. That's fine apparently.
Microsoft Windows is the only viable operating system for most people. Linux may be more accessible now but realistically most businesses and average people are completely locked in to Windows for a million reasons. Not like it's cheap either. This is somehow okay.
Google has an Internet browser that people gladly use for free - one that has some competition and would certainly have a lot more if it started to suck. I don't feel forced to use Chrome. I don't feel stuck. It's just the best there is. Why is this a problem?
-
Comment on China population set for 51 million drop as pro-birth moves fail in ~society
Wolf_359 Link ParentYeah, this actually makes a TON of sense. There was NY Times episode of the Daily recently that talked about the increased expectations placed on parents today and how they may actually be...Yeah, this actually makes a TON of sense.
There was NY Times episode of the Daily recently that talked about the increased expectations placed on parents today and how they may actually be damaging to children and parents. They talked about this pressure to always keep kids busy and engaged 24/7 with enrichment activities. They mentioned how children aren't even allowed to be bored anymore without parents feeling like utter failures.
I know your comment goes much deeper than this and I think your point about money and labor is probably one of the more important factors at play. But I think this kind of goes hand in hand with what you're saying about how children are essentially a resource sink compared to how we used to view them.
-
Comment on China population set for 51 million drop as pro-birth moves fail in ~society
Wolf_359 (edited )Link ParentI have personally always felt that these things are the driving factors behind the plummeting birth rate worldwide. However, I've read some great arguments against it too. The best one I've heard...I have personally always felt that these things are the driving factors behind the plummeting birth rate worldwide.
However, I've read some great arguments against it too.
The best one I've heard recently was one I initially thought was stupid but then made sense after some time to consider.
The idea is basically that kids used to be a status symbol. You climbed the societal ladder my having them and raising them right.
Now, kids are seen as having no effect on your social status at best, and in some instances may even lower your social status.
I have a lot of hypotheses on why this could be happening.
Social media: You hop on insta and the message you'll see portrayed over and over is that people without children are living their best life. Kayaking, traveling, drinking, and spending money.
Climate change: A lot of people just think it's genuinely selfish to have children in today's world. Maybe it makes you look selfish and lowers your social status if you have children.
Change in societal structure: Lack of third places, increased emphasis on individuality, lack of access to the proverbial "village" that it takes to raise a child.
There are more but these seem likely to me as possible contributors.
-
Comment on Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains - Election Song (2005) in ~music
Wolf_359 LinkIf anyone thought this was cool, the full album is here. It's a raw and powerful album from a homeless, drug-addicted teenager. The lyrics are cynical, nihilistic, and full of pain. There was a...If anyone thought this was cool, the full album is here.
It's a raw and powerful album from a homeless, drug-addicted teenager. The lyrics are cynical, nihilistic, and full of pain.
There was a time in my life when this album made complete sense to me and I could take it at face value. Now, after getting clean from opiates and growing into a functioning adult, it's more metaphorical than literal to me.
I listen to it when life gets tough as a way to vent my frustrations and remind myself that I'm not alone in having moments where I feel confused by existence and angry about the human condition.
If you do decide to check out the album, his most popular song is New Mexico Song. Very haunting and nostalgic.
If the world isn't that simple
Maybe this town is at least
And if I'm not marching with them to war,
I'm sure not marching with you for peace.My favorite on the album is probably the song Untitled. Another haunting song in my opinion.
Today the dropouts were smarter than the PhDs
As they took off with everyone's cars without the keys
Today I bled failure all the way into the sky
And I grin hopelessly
As I sit down to die -
Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains - Election Song (2005)
6 votes -
Comment on Follow up on the username thread: What Tildes users do you recognize when browsing and, without being rude or inflammatory, what is your impression of them? in ~tildes
Wolf_359 Link ParentI was procrastinating some work I had to do, so I had all the motivation in the world to give an in-depth response and milk the topic for all it was worth. But also, being a contrarian (or a...I was procrastinating some work I had to do, so I had all the motivation in the world to give an in-depth response and milk the topic for all it was worth.
But also, being a contrarian (or a Devil's advocate, as I mentioned), is the sweet nectar of participating in an online community.
-
Comment on Follow up on the username thread: What Tildes users do you recognize when browsing and, without being rude or inflammatory, what is your impression of them? in ~tildes
Wolf_359 (edited )Link Parent@DefinitelyNotAFae is probably right that it's not in the spirit of this thread but I wanted to respond anyway. On one hand, you make a good point. The internet brings out the contrarian in all of...@DefinitelyNotAFae is probably right that it's not in the spirit of this thread but I wanted to respond anyway.
On one hand, you make a good point. The internet brings out the contrarian in all of us to some extent. There are obvious downsides to this. Big ones. You're also right that a lot of people defend the status quo and they often do so for issues that are a real problem.
On the other hand - wait, am I being a contrarian right now? Ah well. On the other hand, one man's contrarian is another man's devil's advocate, which is an important component in any productive discussion. At the very least, opposing views force us to consider our positions more deeply. Sometimes they strengthen our beliefs, while other times opposition can change our entire worldview. It may not always happen in an instant while you are debating somebody online. However, I have often found that days or even years later, I will come to understand something that was once said to me which I did not agree with or understand at the time.
As for defending the status quo, sometimes the status quo is the best we have come up with. This is obviously not true for everything - what's normal at any given time can often be quite appalling.
There is another part of this issue that I think is worth noting. I think that defending the status quo kind of goes hand in hand with playing devil's advocate (or even being contrarian at times). When people hear ideas that go against the status quo, I think the first instinct is to start explaining why things currently are the way they are and then trying to poke holes in alternative suggestions. This can be counterproductive, sure, but it can also be a very important step in the process of testing whether or not these alternative solutions will actually be better than what we have now.
Here is a very easy example from my own life. I'm not trying to start a discussion on this, but it's the one big change I've had lately that comes to mind.
The current status quo for student loans is disgusting. When people, including myself, suggest that we should make major changes up to and including forgiving student debt, I think it is a natural response to start asking about the consequences of taking this avenue and asking pointed questions about how we got here in the first place.
I am a very progressive person with a lot of student loan debt. I used to think that the government should just pay for college outright. It was my very conservative uncle who played devil's advocate and changed my view a bit. I still think we need to have debt forgiveness, but I no longer think the government should pay for college. My uncle successfully argued that government funding for loans, which was arguably more or less unlimited, is what got us here in the first place when colleges realized they could ask for pretty much any amount of money. The first colleges to do this started building extravagance buildings and adding luxury amenities. They attracted a ton of students and forced the other colleges to do the same thing in order to compete for students AKA customers.
Anyway, I digress. I guess my point is that it's really important for people to defend the status quo and take the devil's advocate position in order to weed out bad ideas. As I've gotten older, I've realized that slow and stable progress is kind of inherent to a free and fair democracy. You have to convince people to want change and unfortunately it's really hard. The alternative to this is a system in which good people with good ideas can make rapid and sweeping changes, which sounds really good until you realize that the power to do this will inevitably end up in the wrong hands at some point. Case in point: both of America's political parties have been giving more and more power to the executive branch for decades. They do this when they are in power because they want to make rapid and sweeping changes. We are now in a position where someone who I personally believe to be wildly irresponsible and completely undeserving of power has a lot of it. Both parties are to blame for this to some extent since both pushed to make changes before there was an actual majority consensus among citizens. The reactions are intense and the pendulum just swings further in response when the tides change.
This was much longer than I intended it to be, so I'll stop there. I hope I got my point across.
-
Comment on <deleted topic> in ~society
Wolf_359 (edited )Link ParentI think if you're not in the US it might be hard to understand. Donald Trump is proud to be cruel, gross, and selfish. Even if you don't think he will do all of the things he says he will do, and...I think if you're not in the US it might be hard to understand.
Donald Trump is proud to be cruel, gross, and selfish.
Even if you don't think he will do all of the things he says he will do, and even if you personally are not afraid of the people he is putting in charge, there is another element that feels very ominous.
Namely, watching the people around you, including your family, neighbors, and friends start supporting a man who is shameless about being a really shitty person. These people who you loved and respected, who you trusted to babysit your kids or who babysat you when you were younger, they are putting angry and hateful signs in their yard and walking around with red hats on.
They start spewing venom anytime somebody mentions the words "liberal," "gay," "democrat," etc. It's scary no matter what, but it's even more unsettling If one of their trigger words is something that describes you personally.
Yesterday, a Trumper told me that Democrats need to step aside and say, "Yes sir, thank you sir," while the Republicans fix the country. That's pretty fucking frightening to hear from a person I know in real life.
At the school where I teach, the middle schoolers were in the cafeteria chanting, "TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP!" in unison. This kind of relationship with politics is not healthy and the fact that it's happening with middle schoolers should be concerning to anyone. Middle schoolers don't give a shit about politics when things are going well. Trust me on that, I'm with them every day.
On good days, I feel that these people are misinformed victims of propaganda campaigns. I see them as vulnerable and in need of support. I see how the Democrats failed to reach them and allowed them to be taken in by wolves and sheep's clothing.
On bad days, I see hateful stupidity and doubt that humankind will ever move on from our violent and selfish urges. I feel lonely like only 30 to 50% of people have empathy and critical thinking skills. I wonder if perhaps this nastiness existed in them all along and all they needed was permission to let it out.
-
Follow up on the username thread: What Tildes users do you recognize when browsing and, without being rude or inflammatory, what is your impression of them?
It only now just occurred to me after reading the username thread that people actually recognize each other on Tildes by username. I certainly recognize a few of the "big" usernames but otherwise...
It only now just occurred to me after reading the username thread that people actually recognize each other on Tildes by username. I certainly recognize a few of the "big" usernames but otherwise I kind of have username blindness. I was absolutely shocked to see someone tag me and more shocked to see that someone remembered even a single thing I had ever posted.
I'll start:
@cfabbro is pretty on top of things around here. Super knowledgeable about various topics and a stickler for the rules in a really positive way that demonstrates their love for the community and their desire to keep it special. One of the most important Tilderinos (or Tildos, which is my personal favorite that someone suggested a while back). Thanks for all that you do, and if you're the one who has to go though and fix my god-awful tags then a double thanks and a sincere apology.
@boxer_dogs_dance, like cfabbro has a very wide range of interests and is quick to share interesting tidbits of information that a lot of people may not know. I think I have disagreed cordially with boxerdogs a few times maybe? But I have a good impression of them overall.
@deimos is a bit like God, which I think works on multiple levels. The highest power, behind-the-scenes, hard to prove his existence. I have a conspiracy theory that he uses alt accounts to participate anonymously, which I think would be a really smart thing to do. Joking aside, I think Tildes' resiliency and ability to maintain its small town vibe while being quite large is due mostly to his political/philosophical genius. The guiding principles for this site and moderation style have made this a pretty awesome place to be. Case in point: The few times I saw people complain about Tildes' moderation on other websites, I was able to immediately see why that person wasn't a good fit here. They were people who didn't even understand that they were being antisocial or were playing coy when they knew exactly what they were doing. Keeping Tildes more or less free of that stuff is one of the greatest internet achievements I've ever seen.
61 votes
Gotta be US military, regardless of what the Pentagon says, or possibly commercial testing of some sort. Maybe Elon's newest company.
Could also just be hysteria over regular planes.
If it were anything else, there wouldn't be any secrecy or denial. Our leaders and media would literally be shooting from the rooftops if it were a foreign adversary or actual UFOs.