writingsolo's recent activity

  1. Comment on Is it OK to like the work of bad people? in ~arts

    writingsolo
    Link Parent
    It feels cheap to say this, but perhaps the punishment must fit the crime.

    It feels cheap to say this, but perhaps the punishment must fit the crime.

  2. Comment on Is it OK to like the work of bad people? in ~arts

    writingsolo
    Link Parent
    I have to respond to your comment because while I do see your point, I think your example is terrible. He raped and murdered at least hundreds of children and ran child prostitution rings. You...

    I have to respond to your comment because while I do see your point, I think your example is terrible. He raped and murdered at least hundreds of children and ran child prostitution rings. You can't balance that against raising money for charity. You can't call that a "very good deed". A "very good deed" might have been castrating himself after committing these terrible crimes.

    2 votes

  3. Comment on Not having downvotes is a godsend in ~tildes

    writingsolo
    Link Parent
    Would you mind elaborating on why you disagree that the downvote shouldn't be used as a disagree button?

    Would you mind elaborating on why you disagree that the downvote shouldn't be used as a disagree button?

    2 votes

  4. Comment on Experimenting with some changes to information that's displayed on topics, and some other tweaks in ~tildes.official

    writingsolo
    Link Parent
    Given that everyone reads at different paces, I think the word count would be much more useful. Just using the site for a day and noticing word counts as you read would give you some sense of how...

    Given that everyone reads at different paces, I think the word count would be much more useful. Just using the site for a day and noticing word counts as you read would give you some sense of how much time you're investing. The more you read and the more you pay attention, the more you'll get this down to an art.

    5 votes

  5. How do you make yourself appear more approachable?

    ~talk Ask (advice)
    My face is slightly asymmetrical, and one side of my lip points up, so it looks like I am smirking at people. At least, this is my theory as to why people feel uncomfortable around me without...

    My face is slightly asymmetrical, and one side of my lip points up, so it looks like I am smirking at people. At least, this is my theory as to why people feel uncomfortable around me without getting to know me first. But maybe it's something else entirely, or a combination. How can I make myself more approachable / likable? My work is in a field where I need to communicate with others often.

    The idea of faking smiles and acting overly friendly pains me, but if it's the only way I'll do it.

    26 votes

  6. Comment on New Japanese law lets government hack IOT devices and warn owners they're vulnerable in ~tech

    writingsolo
    Link
    What are your thoughts about the government playing this role? I think the article clearly outlines why the government is stepping in - neither the buyer nor the seller care enough. So then my...

    What are your thoughts about the government playing this role?

    I think the article clearly outlines why the government is stepping in - neither the buyer nor the seller care enough. So then my question, since I don't fully understand it myself, is why does it matter if nobody cares? The article likened it to pollution - how is it like pollution?

    5 votes

  7. Comment on What are some books you've bought ages ago, but never have gotten around to? in ~books

    writingsolo
    Link
    I've had a copy of David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest on my bookshelf for over a decade now. I read the first few pages when I was in high school, thought, "this is too much for me," and put it...

    I've had a copy of David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest on my bookshelf for over a decade now. I read the first few pages when I was in high school, thought, "this is too much for me," and put it aside. Read his short stories, his essays. Devoured them. But this book, it makes me feel like I'm trying to read Finnegans Wake by Joyce. I think it's about time to give it another shot. Either that, or put it on the communal bookshelf.

    I also have several Best American Short Stories collections that I mean to read, but those don't always measure up to my expectations, so I'm generally hesitant to read them. I absolutely hate reading books with writing styles that strike me as pat or expected. I want to feel like the author has read a lot of literature, and not just page turners.

  8. Comment on 'She means thirty books per room, right?' Bibliophiles voice their horror over claims tidying guru Marie Kondo tells people to severely restrict the reading material they keep in their home. in ~books

    writingsolo
    Link
    Given the fact I've moved on a roughly yearly basis for the past 10 years, I've had to pare down my library considerably. I used to collect all my books and would enjoy organizing them for fun. I...

    Given the fact I've moved on a roughly yearly basis for the past 10 years, I've had to pare down my library considerably. I used to collect all my books and would enjoy organizing them for fun. I keep a small group of them now.

    It can be incredibly grounding to have books around, for those who find themselves with the tendency to lose touch with reality in our increasingly digital world. The tactile feel of a book in my hands, running my finger under a line I want to focus on, feeling the friction of my fingertip against the paper, and the wear and tear on it to remind me that I've used it well.

    But I no longer keep a book I do not truly love. For some reason, saying a book I love "sparks joy" cheapens the effect for me, so I do not want to say they spark joy for me. But I believe that is the basic premise. Typically, I'll buy a book for $1 at the local $1 book sale and once I finish, pass it on.

    3 votes

  9. Comment on your ways of staying healthy? in ~health

    writingsolo
    Link
    I want to gently point out that at the beginning of your post you wrote "signs of sedentary life, not being active and overconsuming certain stuff is showing...", which I believe is the problem...

    I want to gently point out that at the beginning of your post you wrote "signs of sedentary life, not being active and overconsuming certain stuff is showing...", which I believe is the problem and the implied solution. These signs are an issue for you, so in that case you should be more active and not over consume "certain stuff", whichever stuff it is that you over consume.

    If you're asking for tips on how to do that, it's different for different people. Some people do very well with a routine of exercise. Others like going out and doing things to be more active.

    Re: over consuming food, try to find some healthy foods you love. I mean truly love. Make sure you always have those around, so when you want to consume something bad for you, remind yourself that you have this healthy thing that you love, and consume that instead. I've had to cut out sugar completely. It is an addictive chemical (aka a drug), and here is a source supporting that statement.

    2 votes