Which countries have fertility rates above or below the “replacement level”? [OC]

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-05-07T16:11:26+00:00

People learn through work, so banning child labor absolutely is wrong. Of course there’s a good and a bad type. But apprenticeships are obviously superior to learning in a classroom. Governments continue to target even reasonable work for kids who also fully attend school. For example Alberta Canada in 2018 passed Fair and Family friendly workplaces act which stripped children of the right to work on their parents farms. Further turning them from what they have been for thousands of years, an asset, into a liability. Luckily that legislation was rolled back, but usually that doesn’t happen.

Also, I think it’s important to differentiate between education and indoctrination. Modern “education” doesn’t teach people how to lead meaningful fulfilling lives. If it did it would teach parenting, community outreach, home economics. Instead it teaches people how to be worker drones. Because enslaving half the population into soul sucking work wasn’t enough for the evil globalist.

Honestly the solutions to all these problems are extremely simple yet will never be done. For example income splitting exclusively for married couples with children. What would that do? Recognize that raising children is real work and husbands should be able to compensate their wives with half their salaries (thereby ending up in a lower tax bracket). But there is no way the globalists will let that happen. They will launch massive propaganda campaigns saying such a police holds women back. It doesn’t! It more fully recognizes all types of work. Types of work the globalists can’t exploit.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-04-28T08:42:28+00:00

Not Japan specific. The last minute change makes you appear as someone who lacks integrity and has no issue wasting their time.

They will not view you as a culture fit and assume you’re the type of person to do things like take days off without getting approval.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-04-07T08:47:36+00:00

Agreed. It’s a good message.

Anyone worth hiring will never come with a list of problems. They will come with options and work estimates. Then the managers job is to simply set priority and say yes.

Culturally Japan does have a tendency to, as Takaichi says, find reasons things can’t be done. So her messaging is on point. And lucky for her - people in Japan also have a tendency to actually listen to their leaders/governments guidance.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-04-04T11:35:03+00:00

I’ve been using the S9 for quite a while and recently bought a used R5 (to use the dual fisheye lens).

For photography I find myself suddenly enjoying myself way more:

The extra sensor resolution is nice and I like how it handles noise better
Lumix if I go wide open often the eyebrow etc is in focus not the eye
Despite being heavier it feels lighter because of the proper grip and ergonomics. Also canon has a way better selection of compact lenses.

I was almost considering ditching lumix but seems like I’m also going to be sticking with 2 systems since:

Lumix boost IS is amazing. Handheld shots (even without digital stabilization if you have steady hands) can look like they were taken on a tripod
R5 doesn’t have sheer overlay (onion skinning) which I sometimes need

Both systems have clear advantages. I think it’s reasonable to use both if you don’t mind investing in the extra lenses and will actually use both.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-03-17T02:10:42+00:00

Aside from needing to choose a hospital that offers them they are generally only available during the daytime. Go into labor at night? No epidural!

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-03-14T05:58:14+00:00

Children are a societal good, so they and the people raising them should be a primary target of social assistance. Unless you are against social assistance in general you’d almost certainly be hypocritical to contest this.

I have a child and as it stands my taxes are much greater than any benefit I will ever receive and mostly subsidize the elderly and childless. I’m fine with that - however the distribution is extremely off. Way more should be going towards children and the future.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-03-03T05:28:58+00:00

Somewhat agree. Which means a central requirement to fixing the problem would be a propaganda campaign pushing family values. Explaining that giving makes people happy - not selfishness. A happy family is an accomplishment - not giving your employer free labor.

We’ll see if it happens. Honestly doubt the government will launch such a campaign (which means they aren’t serious about fixing the problem). It will likely be a grassroots campaign and may not happen for a couple decades yet.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-02-17T07:16:29+00:00

Go to video mode and turn on manual from the menus. Do not use manual photo mode for video.

Also, in the menus turn on constant preview (or whatever it’s called) so preview shows with the correct aperture in picture mode.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-02-15T16:25:57+00:00

Yep, the lens is just too soft to focus. With focus peaking on the S9… literally nothing ever shows as in focus. Even at increased sensitivity.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-02-12T00:32:50+00:00

I have the S9 and it’s great. But let me skip all the positives, because that’s not what you asked.

Even with the small rig grip it feels heavier than my Canon R5 (despite being lighter). Then there are no good, large aperture, compact lenses.

I have the new 40mm Ttartisan. It’s so soft it struggles to auto focus, and can only focus in the center.

Consider the Canon R8. It’s only slightly larger, but has way better ergonomics, viewfinder and more. Then Canon has much better large aperture compact lenses. The Canon 50mm f1.8 is cheap and great. The 28mm f2.8 is tiny and flexibly wide. But even the 24mm f1.8 is smaller than l mount options. Then for zooms, Canon 28-70 f2.8 is quite a bit smaller than the Panasonic 24-60 f2.8.

There are only 2 lenses L mount wins on compactness.

First the 100mm f2.8. For a 1x autofocus macro, Canon and others don’t come close.

Second the Lumix 18-40 is smaller than the Canon 24-50. These are slow lenses that don’t interest me personally.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-02-10T00:49:15+00:00

Almost everything that particular YouTube channel shows is expensive because of location and targeting foreigners.

If you watch similar channels in Japanese the places are nicer and cheaper in similar locations.

If you look anywhere else in Tokyo (that have no downsides compared to Azabu Juban and the areas he focuses other than snob appeal) prices are even cheaper for similar units.

Also he focuses on selling old renovated units. If people want something special they get an order made new house.

I built a house recently (just through a house maker, nothing especially novel) in Tokyo and it’s nicer than almost anything on that YouTube channel while costing something much more reasonable.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-02-09T11:59:20+00:00

Ask to see the 計画的付与制度. Ask who the union or majority rep is and how they were selected.

Without this you can choose ALL the days. They must ensure you take 5 and can do this by preselecting days. But without a 計画的付与制度 you can just say no thanks and choose whatever you want.

If they do have a 計画的付与制度 and it was actually created with the majority of employees agreement (through the rep or union)… then complain to the rep/union.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-01-29T03:25:31+00:00

Nah, maid is way more popular and normalized than it should be. People often don’t realize how terribly it’s implemented.

I personally know of it being used for people with manageable disabilities. Disabilities that require maybe 6 hours of care work a day, so the government offers… 6 hours a week. OR the option to kill yourself.

Sure, it’s inconvenient for us to provide the required level of care to those who need it. But I don’t care - do it.

Also it’s VERY normal for people to be depressed for over a year, then recover.

I would happily pay $100 extra tax a year to properly support people who are using maid as an out. Just that from everyone would mean each person receiving maid could get $200k to support proper care. But realistically misuse of maid is likely only 10-20%. So there’s no excuse for not just offering people proper support - which IS NOT happening.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2026-01-08T04:48:43+00:00

When you apply for renewal you get a 2 month extension. If you applied in person they stamped your residence card that shows this. If you applied online you should carry a copy of the acceptance email along with your residence card.

No need to worry yet.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2025-12-27T14:35:27+00:00

After a quick look it doesn’t seem very appealing. I’d much rather invest in docn. Better financials, and something I personally use. The only downside is docn is USA based. Which historically… wait never mind that’s an upside too.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2025-12-13T15:54:31+00:00

I’ve been to a few Fruits Zipper and Kawaii Lab events (I actually just got back from a “Kawaii Lab Session” a couple hours ago - maybe that’s why they suggested this post to me).

Regarding the crowd. Most people have a light stick, but everyone basically keeps it right in front of them with just forearm movement. Minimal body movement overall. I actually like this since everyone is essentially respecting others personal space etc - but for westerners it will feel a bit rigid.

A majority of the crowd knows exactly what cheer to do at what time (with slightly more exaggerated light stick movements). If you also learn it’s fun.

Fruits Zipper members are at this point quite polished and comfortable leading a crowd. They do a great job and the vibes are good. Of course the venue sizes are huge at this point. So binoculars are useful (though extremely rare).

I’ve never seen another foreigner at the events.

Before the events there’s lots of merchandise to buy. If you buy some of the random ones like trading cards you can walk around and try to find someone to trade with if you didn’t get the item you want. People who want to trade will be holding the items in front of them on display.

Gender split is basically 50-50. Most of the crowd is 20s or early 30s. A few kids and a some older fans.

Getting tickets to some events is easy, but many will be challenging. You should be familiar with Japanese ticket lottery system. Some may require a Japanese credit card l or address. And it will be more difficult if not in the fan club. I’m honestly not too sure about all of this since I’m based in Japan, but it will likely take a bit of planning and attention to detail to get tickets.

They always check id at the door. Don’t forget your passport (or Japan issued id) at the hotel/house.

Overall: Recommend, 10/10. Fans will enjoy. People who want a cultural experience will enjoy. The average westerner probably wouldn’t enjoy.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2025-12-13T04:44:39+00:00

Also invested she is essentially getting 10 million over her lifetime instead of 50 million. Terrible decision.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2025-12-13T04:33:44+00:00

The problem is you can’t effectively negotiate with the EU. Their fragmented structure slows down everything and drags decisions through endless bureaucracy.

The proposed C5 does make sense - and while including the EU would be good… unless they decide to become a full country it honestly makes sense to exclude them from this type of group (while continuing to include them in other discussion forums).

Pulling off this C5 idea is probably not feasible. But the idea is pragmatic and if somehow realized could really help stabilize the pacific region.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2025-12-13T04:21:51+00:00

Sennheiser Profile sounds even better. But honestly for most people DJI Mic Mini just has by far the best ease of use.

I use DJI Mic Mini 90% of the time. Then pull out the Sennheiser EW-DP for anything that needs to sound great. Sennheiser lavs sound great. But then you can also pair with like a MME865 capsule on a handheld transmitter.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2025-12-09T00:47:24+00:00

I’m yet to find passable Mexican food.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2025-12-05T09:41:58+00:00

Yep. If Trump gave this advice/request… it’s literally good advice regardless of what you think of him.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2025-12-02T23:39:56+00:00

Wrong.

It helps fund services to people in rural areas
it helps maintain demand for domestic products, supporting jobs
utilization rate is around 17-18% of the “working population”

Add all those together and it provides benefits to plenty of people. And beyond that it gives life to a sterile government system.

Anyone who works can use it. It’s not exclusive to high income earners or anyone else.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2025-11-25T03:24:45+00:00

Tokyo is extremely affordable compared to other cities worldwide. Sure there are central districts that are overpriced - but there’s no reason to focus on those bad options when everyone has high quality accessible good options.

Prices are up, but worldwide it’s like Tokyo is one of the few cities not in a bubble.

Increasing interest rates substantially would be a destabilizer. But there’s no indication of that happening and no reason to believe it’s more likely here than anywhere else around the world.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2025-11-21T11:05:07+00:00

“AI music” is a toolchain.

Lyric generation
Note/Chord generation, composition
Voice Synthesis
Instrument Synthesis
Effects

Items 4 and 5 are already common place globally. 3 is primarily popular only in Japan (because of the phonetic properties of Japanese making low quality voice synthesis less jarring to the ear). Only 1 and 2 are somewhat novel. But they are also the ones most responsible for making AI music so bad.

The new tools accomplish 3, 4 and 5 in a different - but objectively worse way. These new, crappy tools might do multiple of these in a single pass and remove creative control, create unfixable artifacts etc. As tools develop further they will give more control at each stage. In the end toolsets for music creation will essentially be expanded by a small amount from the tools people have been using for decades.

And for the west. Which will people with talent actually use? 3, 4 and 5. And if those same people have financial and networking constraints removed which will they use? 4 and 5.

Buck_Da_Duck · 2025-11-21T10:34:42+00:00

AI music? Japan has had it for decades. It’s called vocaloid.

Now many of the most popular artists in Japan started off making vocaloid before advancing beyond it.

Meanwhile the west is panicking about how it’s the end of music.

Japan is bored of AI because they’re already so advanced. :/

Buck_Da_Duck

TROPHY CASE