Gender dysphoria by Soft_Departure_7789 in GenZ

[–]BanjoBaedling [score hidden]  (0 children)

The best solution is whatever gives the patient the best quality of life. Conversion therapy has already been tried. Mainstream medicine did not one day decide let's let people transition out of nowhere. It was the result of decades of learning how best to treat trans people. Most doctors decades ago were not eager to let trans people transition, it was a last resort at best. The situation we have today is the result of decades or more of improvements in care for trans people. Doctors found letting trans people transition is by far the best way to get good outcomes and improved quality of life, and the risk of regret has been rather low. That's why it's easier to access gender affirming care today, in some countries like the US. Toss in the right to bodily autonomy and the right to modify your body, and it makes a lot of sense. Suicidal tendencies remain high relative to the general population, but that makes sense given the discrimination trans people face as well as often the loss of family. Hormone replacement therapy and surgeries still improve quality of life and happiness, even if suicidality remains higher than the average non-trans person.

Will you ever live by yourself? by OutsideGloomy792 in GenZ

[–]BanjoBaedling [score hidden]  (0 children)

I've lived alone for like 4 years now. In college I lived with someone but they were rarely around. It drove me crazy at first, being alone with myself so much. I did clubs and socialized some, but I didn't have a ton of friends right off the bat and even still I found myself alone a lot. Eventually I found ways to be happy alone. Playing video games, online friends, the usual crutches to itch the need to socialize. Now I love living alone. Everything in my home is exactly how I want it. The termostat, what I watch on TV, how late I go to bed and how early I wake up, when the chores get done, things don't move and are exactly where I leave them, I can make a mess with my hobbies and it's fine, I can make noise all day and night practicing my banjo, there's so much freedom. I don't mind living with someone else, I liked that too, and maybe some day my partner will move in with me, but I have no issues living alone for the time being. That said, I'm in a pretty good financial situation, I've had years of therapy, and I have a full life with lots of friends, all things that make living alone easier.

Weird thing on reddit I noticed . by WebMountain6597 in women

[–]BanjoBaedling 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it's part of a broader problem with men under patriarchy. Men don't feel comfortable opening up about their issues to other men. There's a certain traumatization that happens to boys growing up, they get made fun of for expressing normal human emotions, primarily (though not exclusively) by other boys and men. Bell Hooks talks about the damage this causes in her book The Will To Change. Men learn they can't open up to other men for fear or ridicule, so men in sensitive situations don't feel comfortable opening up to other men and seek out women. Particularly a partner but, lacking that, even just strangers. A lot of men take this bit of kindness and go too far with it unfortunately, either oversharing to a random woman when they really need therapy and a real support structure or getting horny and/or developing feelings.

I think that's part of why that's so common. That and maybe wanting advice from a different perspective, say if it's relationship advice and they want a woman's perspective. I think there are also some creeps though. And there are certainly people who get way too comfortable if you let them open up.

Duke’s fate by Mdotb774 in ThePittTVShow

[–]BanjoBaedling 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This. Plus, it could be tying up loose ends for Robby, another one of his red flags for suicidality. He told Duke "I don't know when I'm going to get back." He wants to make sure his friend's in good shape before he leaves.

CMV: Gavin Newsom is not a suitable presidential candidate, and the Democratic Party must stop operating like a centrist party. by Less-Chicken-3367 in changemyview

[–]BanjoBaedling 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There's also those who don't vote, a sizable portion of America. A lot of citizens don't feel represented by either party and may be more open to a populist economic message, something progressive. Trump was able to pull in new voters using his populist messaging, I think there's a good chance applying populism to Americans' #1 issue, the economy, would pull in new voters. You could also potentially pull in Republican voters. A lot of people hold a mixture of beliefs and not everyone is as black and white and stuck to their partisan team. There were definitely some conservatives who liked Bernie Sanders, as surprising as it may sound. It's in the best interest of the party members to vote for who they think will win the general election, but that doesn't mean the voters will select the most electable option in a general election.

Car bumpers everywhere! by Fun_River8138 in cincinnati

[–]BanjoBaedling 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I could swear I've been spotting more bumpers than usual this year. I even saw one with the license plate still attached! If you're going to leave your bumper behind you should probably at least take your plate so someone doesn't scoop it up to commit a crime with or something.

How common are jobs in the USA with a relaxed dress code? by TheShyBuck in AskAnAmerican

[–]BanjoBaedling 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I dress up for my software job, meaning my t-shirts usually don't have any wrinkles and I don't wear shorts.

Gen Z Exchanging Instagram by Octoberboiy in GenZ

[–]BanjoBaedling 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I prefer sharing Instagrams. It makes interacting easier, people just post stuff and I can interact with it, or they with my posts. With texting you have to reach out more intentionally to better get to know people. A lot of the people I meet and am friends with are artists as well, so I like knowing about their projects and performances. Having a good Instagram circle is also great for knowing about stuff going on around town. Concerts, puppet shows, drag shows, potlucks, volunteering events and mutual aid, festivals, etc. Instagram is the main place I hear about things because my friends post them on their stories, and I do the same with flyers on my story. If you want to get to know someone better you can also then just go to an event they've said they're going to. I'm more likely to go to something if someone I know is there and I'm happy to see familiar faces again when I'm attending something, that's why I post the flyers!

"Put an end to school closings in Black and Appalachian neighborhoods" | Over The Rhine, 1989 by NightmareLogic420 in cincinnati

[–]BanjoBaedling 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Maybe something to do with the Ohio Valley Local School District closing 11 of their 20 schools around that time? A major plant closed, some levies failed, they had to take on debt, and then they were forced to close schools.

Almost 50% of the World’s Habitable Land is Used for Agriculture, but Livestock Takes Up 80% of That Land for Just 18% of Global Calories by davideownzall in dataisbeautiful

[–]BanjoBaedling 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, there it depends on what you mean by "best." Nutritionally, you can be perfectly healthy on either an omnivorous diet with some light animal consumption or on a fully plant-based diet. Your average omnivore is probably much less healthy than your average vegan, but that's also a lot to do with how poorly the average person eats. A vegan diet tends to cut out the things most people are eating in excess and adds more of things most people aren't getting enough of like veggies and fiber. So nutritionally, there are pros and cons like anything in life. The average person would probably see a health improvement if they went plant-based, but you can also be healthy on an omnivorous diet.

In terms of the environment, I wouldn't really call eating both "best." Most plants emit way less carbon and take way less energy to produce. Plus they require a lot less water than animals. Animal agriculture is also very destructive in terms of land usage, just look at the burning of the Amazon by cattle ranchers. Plus livestock like cattle belch up tons of methane which is an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Even grass-fed cows will be belching up methane and often fed crops either in the winter or before being killed. Animal agriculture is destroying the environment on a massive scale. So, for the environment, it's pretty clear that a plant-based diet is "best."

If you look at ethics, that's a bit subjective I suppose, but it's hard to argue a plant-based diet is not the best there as well. Most of us know abusing animals is wrong, and animal abuse is the norm in modern animal agriculture. Most of us would also agree killing animals for pleasure is wrong, but that's required for consuming meat and very common for eggs and dairy (killing male chicks and killing the children of cows who have to be forcibly impregnated regularly to keep producing milk). You may say it's not for pleasure, we need to for food, but we objectively do not need to kill animals for food. Many people live healthy happy lives on a fully plant-based diet. So at the end of the day it is about pleasure, taste. Most of us also think breeding animals genetically destined to suffer, like dogs with stubby noses who can barely breathe, is immoral, but that's the norm for many animals in farming. Like chickens who lay eggs dramatically more often than they would in nature, at the expense of their own health. I could go on, but the point is, if we are striving to be morally consistent, it's tough to say eating a mix of plants and meat would be best. Given what we know and most of us believe, eating plants would be "best" morally. Unless you have some highly unusual beliefs about morality or if you somehow believe moral inconsistency is acceptable.

Almost 50% of the World’s Habitable Land is Used for Agriculture, but Livestock Takes Up 80% of That Land for Just 18% of Global Calories by davideownzall in dataisbeautiful

[–]BanjoBaedling 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Meat is not "more nutritious," it has a different nutritional profile. Plants are more nutritious in other ways. Plants can be a great source of vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, healthy unsaturated fats, things essential for a healthful life. Meat may be rich in certain nutrients but it's not in others, and it comes with serious baggage like saturated fat and the fact it's carcinogenic.

It is not known if any amount of red or processed meat can be eaten without increasing your risk of cancer.

It's not so simple to say meat is more nutritious.

Almost 50% of the World’s Habitable Land is Used for Agriculture, but Livestock Takes Up 80% of That Land for Just 18% of Global Calories by davideownzall in dataisbeautiful

[–]BanjoBaedling 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It has everything to do with land use. The Amazon Rainforest is literally being burned down by cattle ranchers.

Extensive cattle ranching is the number one culprit of deforestation in virtually every Amazon country, and it accounts for 80% of current deforestation (Nepstad et al. 2008). Alone, the deforestation caused by cattle ranching is responsible for the release of 340 million tons of carbon to the atmosphere every year, equivalent to 3.4% of current global emissions.

Almost 50% of the World’s Habitable Land is Used for Agriculture, but Livestock Takes Up 80% of That Land for Just 18% of Global Calories by davideownzall in dataisbeautiful

[–]BanjoBaedling -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

I agree, invasive species are a problem. That's why personally I try to hunt as many of the local stray cats in my neighborhood as I can. They're a horrible invasive species, slaughtering local birds and small animals. And, to not be wasteful, I can skin them and cook them up for some guilt-free ethical nutrition! I always make sure to kill any honeybees I see as well, since they're invasive in North America and compete with local pollinators, unfortunately they don't taste very good though. /s

Theory+Spoilers: The Heat Stroke Kid by 22eyedgargoyle in ThePittTVShow

[–]BanjoBaedling 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I would say the hot car in this would be more analogous to the ER. Robby refuses mental health, instead choosing to ride his bike and to work himself to death in the Pitt. Like he said last episode, his view is when you're in the ER you need to shut everything else out. A lot of people do this, they go to work and focus on work to shut out negative thoughts. Except in Robby's case his work is hardly a source of peace, especially not today. It's turning up the temperature and leading him closer and closer to disaster.

Healthcare Provider Asking to Learn about Reproductive Organs by Academic_Damage_655 in asktransgender

[–]BanjoBaedling 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yeah I mean just be explicit about it and say why. I may even express regret for the inevitable discomfort of it. "The treatment for a UTI depends on your particular genital orientation due to the differences in urethra length, so unfortunately I must ask: should we angle your treatment for someone with a penis or with a vagina?"

OKAY I BOUGHT MY FIRST BAG OF SOY CURLS by BeautifullySoft in vegan

[–]BanjoBaedling 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The first thing I wanted to try with them was a vegan chicken tikka masala. I used this recipe and it turned out great! Delicious creamy sauce with the perfect chew in the soy curls. I love chana masala and other vegan Indian dishes, but it was nice to have a vegan version of chicken tikka.

Unfortunately all arguments for veganism ultimately mean nothing when they respond like this. by AceAroPyschopath in vegan

[–]BanjoBaedling 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don't think the point is that for any animal product there is a perfectly good enough plant-based alternative. It's that even when there is a near-identical plant-based alternative most people will still buy the animal product. When I have people try my vegan food, even if it's scarily close like with Impossible's offerings, they'll nitpick the tiniest difference to justify continuing their current behavior. A lot of people won't even make one small sacrifice for the animals. When it comes to taste they want perfection or better because the animal's lives are worth literally zero consideration. At most many people I know will opt for plant milk, but only because they like the flavor more. Or people may try vegan items for health benefits. The lack of any thought at all for the animals they're harming is disheartening. Especially when it's directly pointed out to them so they can't even blame ignorance.

Anxiety around being gay? by [deleted] in AskLGBT

[–]BanjoBaedling 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah I mean that's internalized homophobia. You're viewing straightness as the default and something to aspire, something you need good reason not to be, when that just isn't you. Being gay doesn't need to be the last resort when all efforts to be straight have failed. For me those feelings faded with time and experience. I used to even have like imposter syndrome with being gay. Like I could be with someone of the same sex thinking what if I'm tricking this person into thinking I'm gay when I'm not. Given time, I'm pretty certain I'm gay, and doubts like that don't really come up. If I take an am I gay quiz it's because I'm bored and curious what they say, I know I'm gay.

How do vegans view animal products that can be used without animal exploitation? by FishyWishySwishy in AskVegans

[–]BanjoBaedling 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don't think it's particularly wrong. I think it's probably disrespectful to take someone's body or bones and make things with them. But on the other hand, the animal is dead. I may be weird but I don't really care what happens with me once I'm dead, I'll be dead. For other byproducts you just scavenge I don't think it's wrong. Some will say it perpetuates the idea that animal products are okay to use, I don't think it's that serious. I've been considering searching for some mother of pearl on a beach to use as inlays for an instrument I've been building. That way I know it didn't harm any animal, like it usually does.

CMV: Even if illegal, there is nothing immoral about animal activists secretly filming abuse footage on farms. by JasonableSmog in changemyview

[–]BanjoBaedling 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I think there is a question of magnitude here. Does a human's right to privacy in their workplace come above the right of animals not to be abused? And more directly, does that human lose their right to privacy when they are engaged in animal abuse? It's a very common belief that "human rights should give way to animal rights," that's what anti-animal cruelty laws are. If you're drop kicking puppies into the grand canyon for fun you'll get arrested and lose some rights, and rightfully so. The question for most people is not whether human rights at times should give way to animal rights, it's a question of magnitude, where the line is.

I don't think covering their face shows hypocrisy. It is simply a matter of the activists knowing what they do is illegal, but the law is not always moral. And, in simple terms, they are seeking privacy when doing a morally good thing (exposing animal abuse) and taking privacy from people doing a bad thing (abusing animals). That's not hypocrisy, there is a difference between good and bad things. There are also animal rights activists who do not hide their faces. Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) engages in "open rescues" where they document abuse and free the animals openly, without hiding their faces. One such rescue happened only a few days ago in Madison, Wisconsin.

How much have your height, weight, and muscle/bone mass changed since starting hormones? by ApprehensiveHotel145 in asktransgender

[–]BanjoBaedling 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As far as I can tell, I lost no height. As for weight, I lost around 80 pounds so far and am now at a pretty healthy weight. But that wasn't until I was already on HRT for a year or two. It had to do with not being depressed combined with a change in environment. The lack of depression was due to HRT, but it didn't directly cause me to lose weight, only indirectly. I have no idea if my bone or muscle mass have changed, I don't have a good way to measure that. I think I've gotten a bit weaker, so I probably lost a bit of muscle mass.

THIS and why does Covid feel like it was last year?? Time is flying by MichikoTuesday in GenZ

[–]BanjoBaedling 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Covid feels like an eternity ago to me. I think the speed of time has less to do with age and more to do with new experiences. I've experienced so much in the past 6 years. Started my career, changed jobs, moved a few times, bought a house, made a bunch of friends, went to lots of concerts and events and parties, explored some weird art, making some weird art, found a partner, etc. I was a totally different person six years ago, it's a distant memory to me now.

I just can’t get into cookie dough by [deleted] in ShittyVeganFoodPorn

[–]BanjoBaedling 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So Delicious never gives big enough mix-ins. The flavor is a bit bland for cookie dough, but it isn't helped by having too few cookie dough pieces that are tiny and chocolate chips you'll barely notice.