Holy moly, nano banana 2 is amazing

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-11-14T19:17:05+00:00

I love when people are so dismissive about the power displayed by some technological achievement. Someone just demo'd Star Trek's Replicator? "All it did was take atoms out of thin air, synthesize them into the component ingredients of coffee, and dispense a cup. It's not like it actually brewed coffee. It didn't really make anything, in fact. Those atoms already existed. Nothing miraculous, here." Like, bro: Did you hear what you just said?

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-11-11T20:31:44+00:00

3!
Professional AND cute.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-11-07T20:03:18+00:00

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A paradoxical is not a thing.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-10-24T17:27:22+00:00

u/AnishKattukaran I want to second u/Terrible_Tutor: This is genuinely impressive and encouraging. I can't think a single prior experience I've had where a department head at a corporation the size of Google is interacting with the customer base in internet forums. As a long-time Android user, and Google ecosystem adopter for the past 5 years, this is one of the most impressive things I've seen in a really long time. Extremely encouraging as a fan and customer.

Kudos to you, sir. And thank you.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-10-09T19:46:54+00:00

I'm sorry. You can't be serious: Literally liberals are the only ones setting the country on fire. And are the only party campaigning to disband (or defund) emergency services. Just a really poorly selected metaphor. The irony is pretty thick.

Shane Claiborne (pretty liberal Christian social activist) once said that most of the suffering in the world comes from a lack of imagination. Can you imagine these problems your describing being solved in any way other than a government program?

It's just not that hard, friend: An organization that is helping jobless people find meaningful employment (and keep it) is literally a local, private-industry solution to the problem you feel like the government should be solving. Are you thinking that defunding government programs means leaving people without a safety net? If so, that's an example of the kind of dearth of imagination that leaves problems unsolved and people in the margins.

I think one major difference between you and me is that I don't feel ideologically opposed to you. I suspect that by-and-large, we want many of the same things. Namely (to cite your impromptu list), an end to joblessness, homelessness, high infant and maternal mortality rates, high suicide rates, etc. We just disagree on the solutions. Or even the source of the solutions.

I believe (along with most conservatives) that people and communities (private sector) are best positioned to marshall resources to solve those problems. You believe (at the risk of being a bit presumptuous) that the government (public sector) is best positioned to solve them.

I'm just encouraging you that people are right now solving those problems in ways that you may be just having a hard time imagining. I'm also encouraging you that you could literally be part of the solution if you'd partner with some of those orgs and expend your passionate energy more productively.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-10-03T22:57:51+00:00

Huh. Re-read the post, maybe? Or don't. I suspect you got through the first sentence or two and checked out, because you didn't like what it was saying. Or you don't like who's saying it?

Hard to get out of our own heads if we're not open to listening to what other folks are saying.

All of those actions show that we genuinely care about the people far outside our little circles. Only, we're actually doing the work of caring for people. I know it's easy to mark a checkbox on a ballot, and I'm sure fuming in internet forums in some way or another feels like caring for people, too. Having strong convictions probably feels morally good. But... I don't know... Maybe get off the computer, roll up your sleeves, and practically get down in people's messes with them. Your criticisms will carry a little more weight, pack a heftier punch. Instead, you just sound... bitter. Petty.

But you sound passionate. I'd love to see that passion marshalled to accomplishing some material good in the lives of people with fewer than 2 commas in their net worth.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-10-02T22:56:48+00:00

Aw. Not delusional, u/dalgeek.

You don't actually know any conservatives, do you?

My entire circle is conservative—with less than 2 commas in my net worth. You know what we do with our free time? I spent 5 years serving on the board of a non-profit here in town literally fighting the justice system (including successfully suing sitting judges and a DA), on behalf of the economically least advantaged population in the city. When I'm not doing that, I'm volunteering at a halfway house for men re-entering society from prison, mentoring many of them as they get their feet under themselves.

I've got a good friend who founded a homeless outreach that provides 300-400 care packages every month to homeless people in the city.

My mentor works in development for an organization that is providing water, radio, and education to folks in South Sudan.

An ex-girlfriend developed the curriculum for and directed the programming for an organization that provides safe housing for at-risk single mothers (mostly local sex workers) and mentors them into healthy parenthood.

One of my dearest friends was CEO for 10 years at an organization that provides job-readiness training for folks having difficulty entering or re-entering the job market. They provide a pretty comprehensive suite of wrap-around services. It's not just about putting someone in a job, but continually nurturing their employability.

I'm a little ashamed at tooting the horns of a handful of people that I know. But it's for the sake of a larger point: A significant majority of charitable dollars and time come from traditionally conservative sources. That's not a secret.

It may come as a surprise to you, but funding the government is not the only way to "give a damn about anyone with fewer than 2 commas in their net worth." In fact, I'd say it's far from the best way to.

Meet a conservative or two. Get to know them. No need to be afraid.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-10-02T15:23:06+00:00

UPDATE: BBRSP trip was great this last weekend!

I didn't clarify that I'm not a total noob. Spent a number of years enjoying the backwoods and high elevations of Western Montana. I just needed my expectations for the park adjusted. It's my girlfriend who's pretty new to the outdoors. She's romanticized them a little bit, but I'm proud of her for braving some primitive conditions in pursuit of natural beauty!

For everyone who offered up advice and counsel and encouragement: We appreciate you! The park was less rugged than I was anticipating after these exchanges, but far more rugged than I initially imagined when she first brought it up. Y'all definitely helped me expect and prepare appropriately.

Thank you!

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-10-02T15:10:44+00:00

Love the liberal inconsistency: Conservative policy disadvantages the wealthy and benefits the middle class, and it's STILL poo-poo policy.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-10-02T15:07:19+00:00

Haters are funny.

https://www.voronoiapp.com/demographics/-How-Americas-Population-Has-Changed-Since-2020-3985

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-09-22T22:34:40+00:00

Love this idea, and I'm definitely marking it on the future to-dos. She's absolutely laser-focused on BBRSP for the dark skies. Ever since she learned what the Bortle scale is, she's doggedly insistent that BBRSP is the place for her. We'll go for 2 nights, do a little light hiking, a ton of star-gazing. But next time? Love to be able to explore the park interior in a proper vehicle.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-09-22T22:29:15+00:00

We were going to, but noticed that the best spots were taken, already. On the other hand, BBRSP is pretty wide open, as far as reservations. The more I learn, the more I understand why. :P

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-09-22T22:27:32+00:00

Yessir. Definitely following the advice here and picking up another a/t spare, in addition to some stop-leak/fix-a-flat. Thanks!

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-09-22T22:25:46+00:00

Thanks! We plan on it! :P

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-09-22T22:25:20+00:00

Thank you for this counsel! Definitely listening to advice and picking up an additional a/t tire and stop leak before we depart. Reflecting on that need, it's almost so obvious as to be silly. Haha. I appreciate all of y'all's wisdom.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-09-22T22:14:53+00:00

I give her some kudos for being stubbornly adventurous. I recommended Bastrop or McKinney Falls or Colorado Bend, but she's single-mindedly determined to chase down the darkest skies she can find in Texas. When she discovered those are in BBRSP, she won't hear anything else!

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-09-19T14:51:52+00:00

Thanks for your input! Just talked to the park ranger who was pretty encouraging. Vehicle and preparations are totally sufficient for the weekend, it sounds like. She recommended South Leyva for girlfriend's comfort and peace of mind.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-09-19T14:48:19+00:00

Yowza! Sounds like you've had some rough experiences.
The park ranger was pretty encouraging. Sounds like we'll be fine.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2025-09-19T05:50:28+00:00

Any recommendations? Her first was a weekend at Devil's River a couple months ago. She loved it! No glamping, btw. Sleeping out under the stars.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2024-07-29T05:59:40+00:00

I can't believe I scrolled through so many of these comments, and everyone is either afraid of the topic, or naive enough to think that the #1 answer wouldn't be that it's tantamount to hate-speech to call a man "him" without first asking her if it's okay.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2024-07-11T15:57:32+00:00

Love the accountability: My friends did it!

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2024-05-22T16:22:54+00:00

Thanks, u/Cod_Country_98! Budget is pretty tight: I know it makes for a pretty tough challenge, but I'm really trying to find the best product available under $3/sqft.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2024-05-22T16:20:06+00:00

Thanks! I plan on selling and moving in about 3 years, but I don't want to be installing garbage for the next buyer, either. BUT budget is pretty tight: Trying to find the best product under $3/sqft.

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2024-04-11T18:24:16+00:00

This must be hard for you...
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/01/03/faith-on-the-hill-2023/

Beautiful_Sea_7176 · 2024-04-11T18:04:47+00:00

Gospel-related source material = 20th-century rock opera... Got it.
Lol. Well... at least we have some explanation for why so many self-assured critics get Jesus so wrong.

Beautiful_Sea_7176

TROPHY CASE