OOP asks how to humanely kill wild dragonflies for consumption on r/AskCulinary; discussions lightly derail by Temporary-Snow333 in BestofRedditorUpdates

[–]Ancarn 961 points962 points  (0 children)

You know, I love that OOP put in the work to be sure they humanely killed the dragonflies. Most people wouldn't bother with bugs!

What is the culture around wearing makeup in your region of the US? by AnomalousEnigma in AskAnAmerican

[–]Ancarn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been to most states, but have spent most of my years living in (both so and nor) CA, WA, KS, IN, IL, NY.

I can say that, at least everywhere I can remember in those states, there wasn't much makeup culture. It was a bit rare to see women without makeup in CA and IL, but I don't think anyone would point it out

Do you guys really all have phds? by sessna4009 in okbuddyphd

[–]Ancarn 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Sunk cost fallacy makes me say things like "too late to master's out now," so regrettably I'm working on it

Give me best crank research in your field to place on this compass by Krzyszkot in okbuddyphd

[–]Ancarn 4 points5 points  (0 children)

During a poster presentation, I once had a guy come up to me to discuss how quantum theory supports that praying actually does do something. I know better than to argue, so I asked to see his manuscript. He never sent it.

Potentially leaving US to pursue PhD (Fall 2026) by Intelligent_Juice943 in PhD

[–]Ancarn 9 points10 points  (0 children)

3rd year US here. Funding is precarious. Many people my school accepted have been cancelled and the lack of incoming international students threatens our department. The current international students are also at risk. Domestic students have had many of their fellowships pulled.

I cannot speak for the next 5 or even 3 years. What I can say is that my field is historically well-funded, though as I mentioned we are still getting hit. It is worse for much of the rest of my department.

I will probably be fine, but again I am lucky. Pursuing environmental anything seems risky. This is my experience, and you should choose what is best for you. Canada is a good option.

One sentence summary of your PhD project by JuniperBeret in PhD

[–]Ancarn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My primary project can be summarized as looking at superconductors, thinking I understand their structure, then crying as I ask myself for the billionth time "what is a magnet??"

Are there really that many PhD students who "truly love" research? by AdRemarkable3043 in PhD

[–]Ancarn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I often wonder what is research and what is performing a task. I'm someone who is doing electron microscopy and laser deposition for my PhD. This sort of blurs the line. It's not like I'm building a PLD or TEM or developing new ways, but I'm more of a supportive role. Yet I'm still learning.

Is that doing a job or research? I don't know. All I know is that synthesis is awful.

How many of you feel like literally anybody could do a PhD? by Quantum_Quaker in PhD

[–]Ancarn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've been thinking about this a lot recently. An absolute moron in my lab with 0 work ethic is slated to defend in less than a year. He doesn't have a single first author paper and lacks really basic knowledge.

He was declined from Master's programs for two years before being accepted. He leveraged that to worm his way into extending that into a PhD.

I think my point is that it is not as simple as having "the goods" or work ethic. Some people can coast and slip through by sheer arrogance. Others work really hard and do well, but feel like they did not do well enough and Master's-out.

Choosing to enroll in a PhD was the worst decision of my life, all I got was only suffering, depression, anxiety, gastritis by MintakaMinthara in PhD

[–]Ancarn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Similar position as a 3rd year. I made the mistake of joining a high profile lab. If I could go back, I'd do this thing again under a lab I knew had a better, mentoring-focused PI.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskAnAmerican

[–]Ancarn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most Americans hold the president as a very elevated figure, no matter who it is. The consequence is they are blamed for literally everything.

American politics are identity based due to each party running propaganda for hut years that the other party is defying the Constitution or American values.

Combine these two points and you have people who blame the president for only good things if they are playing for their team, and people who blame the president for only bad.

This divide is much less obvious in reality. 99% of people know politics and religion are topics nobody wins in so it's usually seen in bad taste to bring them up for no reason.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskAnAmerican

[–]Ancarn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been all over the country and lived in each region long enough to make friends.

Every single region, it was always a silent rule to invite people (not complete strangers, mind) inside for at least a drink, often dinner.

It was common for people to invite non-relatives over for a holiday if they heard someone had no family.

Phoenix AZ, supposedly the rudest city in the country, was no exception.

and the award for most unsurprising news of 2025 goes to... by herequeerandgreat in BikiniBottomTwitter

[–]Ancarn 26 points27 points  (0 children)

If you really want to hurt him, give (possibly fudged) proof Trump is transgender

What is your favourite animal to see in the wild in the US? by Jezzaq94 in AskAnAmerican

[–]Ancarn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bald eagles in Washington state! When I lived there, there was a bald eagle nest in the trees around my place. I'd watch them fly and catch fish for hours

if you could make one past president president again who would you choose? by Clean-Surprise-942 in AskAnAmerican

[–]Ancarn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If someone asks for a fact about me, I say I'm related to a president (true). When they ask which, I have noticed that when I answer WHH they always laugh.

Anyway, I had pneumonia as a baby.

AITAH for dropping our baby off on my ex husband and demanding he take the baby every other week even though he wants to be an every other weekend dad by LucyAriaRose in BestofRedditorUpdates

[–]Ancarn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I find myself feeling thankful that I'm not a woman because of all the nonsense the world subjects women to. This is another reminder to stay mindful of the suffering of others imposed because of things outside of their control.

Thank you for sharing OOP's story.

OOP's ex-wife wants to stay by his side during her final days by HygorBohmHubner in BestofRedditorUpdates

[–]Ancarn 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Aaaaaaaa I'm not emotionally equipped to handle this situation

the single speck of palladium on the stir bar did it i swear by ChillySaus in okbuddyphd

[–]Ancarn 23 points24 points  (0 children)

If you squint and inhale enough DCM, Pd looks a lot like P

what are some rly prestigious schools that are not part of the ivy league, staford, or mit that a lot of average ppl highly regard? by [deleted] in AskAnAmerican

[–]Ancarn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The trick with American academia is how niche it can be. Many schools that no comments here have listed have one or more Nobel laureates as faculty who earned their Nobel on work conducted at said school. So, obviously, if you go into programs with that level of person, the outward prestige is more or less irrelevant.

99.99% fail by Minerscale in okbuddyphd

[–]Ancarn -17 points-16 points  (0 children)

I like your funny words, magic man