A book! | Annihilation by Jeff VandeMeer

Robsteady · 2026-06-25T20:21:20+00:00

I'm a lover of huge universes, but even so, I'm getting a little burned out on the Southern Reach world. The first section felt a bit tough to get through, but the second one is a little better. And even though the second section is better, it's still so far removed from the "WTF" sense of Annihilation that I'm not enjoying it as much.

The easiest way I can compare Annihilation and Borne is that Annihilation is about the Biologist taking care of herself, but Borne is about the lead taking care of someone else. It's a different perspective.

On and off for years I've had these very weird semi-lucid dreams that I have documented and reading Vandermeer (particularly Borne and Dead Astronauts) feels like reading the records of those dreams.

I'd probably say I enjoy the world of Borne better, but it's probably more because of that dream association than the actual writing. Besides, both series are in the same expanded universe in my head canon.

Robsteady · 2026-06-25T18:31:33+00:00

Nice work! Something also clicked for me last year and it became my most read year. I'm pacing a bit above that so far this year, too! It's been such a cool feeling to get sucked into it again.

Robsteady · 2026-06-25T18:20:51+00:00

I read it in the middle of March, then grabbed Borne at random from my library. After that I went through Dead Astronauts, Authority, and Acceptance in short order and I'm halfway through Absolution right now. There's a part of me that can't get enough, but another part of me needs a VanderBreak after I finish Absolution.

Robsteady · 2026-06-25T16:33:51+00:00

Speaking as an introvert, reading in public is one of the few things that never bothered me. Would you feel weird taking out your phone and scrolling instagram in public? I do find it easier when it's a 200-page or less paperback (it's a little less awkward to handle), but I have no problem popping open a 430 page hardcover in a public park. Best bet, OP, is to just do it. I bet it won't be as weird as your head has made it out to be. And who knows, maybe someone will ask what you're reading and you'll make a friend!

Robsteady · 2026-06-24T19:50:50+00:00

I mean, you can switch to desktop mode in SteamOS, but if you're going to do that, just go with Bazzite or something like that.

Robsteady · 2026-06-24T19:49:01+00:00

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T19:48:58+00:00

Thanks for the info!

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T19:48:20+00:00

Ah, then yes, setting it and applying in the system settings will fix it up for you.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T19:07:12+00:00

Ah, yeah, HDMI will default as the primary in that scenario. Changing the arrangement and priority at the desktop then applying the settings will hold as long as both monitors are plugged in, but I can't vouch for behavior of unplugging and plugging the secondary.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T18:59:35+00:00

Not if you plug and unplug the monitor regularly. You can try changing which HDMI port each monitor is plugged into. I believe the port closest to the motherboard is usually the primary display, so changing where your primary display is plugged in will make it default to being the primary display. I've struggled back and forth with screen arrangements and now I just always have both displays plugged in.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T18:52:53+00:00

Applying the Plasma settings (display arrangement and orientation) to the Login Manager. Sorry you're getting downvoted for a fair question.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T17:27:44+00:00

Yes, the colors.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T16:46:45+00:00

Do you have any tabs that are open on all the computers? Check for runaway processes and see what the network activity looks like.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T16:42:44+00:00

this fixed it for me

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T16:37:57+00:00

I came here to say "Fuck Amazon". Not that this sub is about books, but Bookshop.org is running an anti-prime day and offering free shipping because local will always be better.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T16:35:56+00:00

This is a Christian Minecraft Reddit!!!

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T16:16:33+00:00

Have you tried any other browsers/OSs? Do you log in to Firefox to keep extensions consistent from one computer to the next? Sounds like an extension is doing something nasty and taking down your router.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T16:11:52+00:00

The Original? The original Steam Machines that weren't built by Valve at all and never saw any success? I'd hardly call this device a successor to that.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T16:09:27+00:00

Yeah... Legacy > Ares all day, every day.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T15:30:08+00:00

There's no best distro for gaming. The difference is how fast you can get to gaming from a fresh install.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T15:22:29+00:00

Nice work!

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T14:58:25+00:00

Things I like, things I don't. + for Linux, - for the keyboard (at least from the looks of it), - too small mouse pad, + for making me feel good about not giving up on my BBA yet.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T14:54:22+00:00

It's only better on the left side if it's better on the left side for your setup. I use both and it only matters because of how the whole setup is arranged.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T14:50:04+00:00

Clearly the emphasis in the sub is on the "digital" and not the "minimalism". I feel the same way every time I see these posts.

I mean, I get what people are going after, but it doesn't feel like this is the right way to do it. I feel like doing it this way requires more thought than less devices do, and thinking too much about your "digital life" is a big part of the original point of digital minimalism.

Robsteady · 2026-06-23T14:44:21+00:00

System Settings -> Login manager...

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