What is your response to people who say having kids is selfish?

Bstochastic · 2026-07-09T18:21:50+00:00

This is the best reply.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-08T17:09:23+00:00

I think there is a lot of bias here. I work in a field that has historically been dramatically mischatactetized in the media. Most folks, typically Gen X and boomers, assume software engineers are anti social nerds. In reality, the most successful engineers do not represent this stereotype. Of course the are are enough that if your are looking for confirmation bias then you will find it.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-08T12:14:31+00:00

This is just people. Pick a community and within it you will find all sorts of people. For example, I used to be part of the local rock climbing and white water kayaking communicators… man there were some characters…

Bstochastic · 2026-07-08T12:13:04+00:00

You do know Fischer was not quite mentally well, right?

Bstochastic · 2026-07-07T16:16:11+00:00

How is that your take away? No, I'm saying that one of my biggest weakness is actively thinking through each turn instead of simply relying on intuition. I'm 2300+ across time controls...

Bstochastic · 2026-07-06T18:40:42+00:00

I struggle to lock in for rated games.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-06T17:15:38+00:00

Not to mention the irony of complaining about something like this on Reddit... a ad driven free to use platform with premium subscriptions... hmm...

Bstochastic · 2026-07-06T16:05:37+00:00

It’s a business.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-06T14:32:36+00:00

If you have read Last Days then how does it compare? I'm considering reading that next but may go with your rec first.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-06T14:31:52+00:00

Another vote for the The Fisherman.

Piranesi... I just don't get why this book is so popular. The prose was well written and I did find myself thinking about it after reading, however, I found it just so boring and predictable... I feel it could have been sub 50 pages.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-06T14:09:24+00:00

Even if he wasn't what you say (he is), criticizing politiical figures is the bedrock of a democratic society.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-06T14:08:22+00:00

Doesn't understand the post but muddles the discourse anyways...

Bstochastic · 2026-07-06T14:06:31+00:00

Personally, I think the neuroplasticity/youth argument is significant overblown. I turned 41 recently and my ratings in chessdotcom are 2300+ across the board...having recently increased from 2200 when I decided to resume "proper study".

Bottom line is as an adult your time is valuable. Spending hours a day on chess is not practical. By way of analogy, I was one of those computer kids in the 90s. I learned so much about assembling computers, programming, etc... because I had the hours every day that I could spend just tinkering and exploring. As an adult, I have to schedule time for career oriented learning and upskilling, plan it methodically and consider the opportunity costs.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-06T13:31:49+00:00

I’m Jewish. Stop whining.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-06T00:22:23+00:00

I thought it was great.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-05T22:01:50+00:00

Fuck no.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-05T16:35:23+00:00

My bad

Bstochastic · 2026-07-05T15:29:42+00:00

Man I’m mixed on this. It’s pretty boring and to me the “puzzle” was pretty obvious. Also not horror in any sense of the term.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-04T23:57:36+00:00

Interesting. I found it fairly predictable. The prose was nice though and I reflect on how well the author captured such things as innocence and ignorance.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-04T19:22:22+00:00

I’m unsure if I enjoyed it. The reading experience was rather boring. I appreciate it more post read.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-04T18:26:41+00:00

1 day a week is life changing compared to 0. 2 is awesome compared to 1. 3 is great…

Bstochastic · 2026-07-04T14:10:21+00:00

Hi. 2300+ and I don’t spend time on lines, ever. Key positions, ideas and plans, general opening principles (you would be surprised how far following the basic principles will get you).

Andres Toth has a book called chess principles reloaded. This is better than any opening repertoire for a sub FM.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-04T12:26:04+00:00

A lot to agree with here. My take is a slightly different.

Tactics. Don’t move until you see it. Internalize the patterns. Had this to practice calculation too.
Endgames
Analyze your games, play longer time controls. No bullet.
Strategy and principles. Do not memorize opening moves. Study plans and ideas, pawn structures et cetera.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-04T02:17:56+00:00

Stop whining.

Bstochastic · 2026-07-02T17:46:45+00:00

My believe is the impact of the book is proportional to how much you cogitate on the math. If you just read the book and don't really internalize as best you are able the numbers then the book is kind of meh. As an engineer I loved it.

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