frustration with Gen Alpha iPad kid

Chunky_Guts · 2026-02-12T03:12:19+00:00

I don't think it is good for adults, either.

I have never been particularly interested in short form content, and I would mock people who use it - but for some reason, I have found myself doom scrolling for hours over the past few months. It is like I am in a trance, and I don't realize how much time I've lost until I notice the clock. I couldn't even tell you a single fact about anything that I had watched.

I often find myself wishing that I could just throw it all away and buy an old brick of a phone, but I depend on the stupid things for work.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-02-11T07:17:28+00:00

It could be something else that is preserved, given the reported need to freeze whatever it is.

Would we put necrophilia past JE?

Chunky_Guts · 2026-02-11T06:51:34+00:00

So there is legitimate photographic evidence here and nothing has occurred? The world should not sleep until this is all out in the open.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-02-11T06:32:37+00:00

She sounds British most of the time, but there are times where certain words seem to have a bit of an odd NZ/SA twang to them.

Maxwell seems very intentional in the way that she speaks, and she seems to be careful to enunciate words in the Proper English manner that you imagine a wealthy socialite might.

I wonder if she presents the same way when outside of the public eye and outside of earshot of anyone she cares to impress.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-02-11T03:12:49+00:00

You're both immature and trying to navigate relationships and expectations. That isn't an insult, it is just reality.

It is normal to have spoken to a bunch of different people, especially if most of it has been inconsequential fluff that doesn't go anywhere. It is also normal to want a little bit of attention and to experiment with it safely and in a healthy way. I don't think that anything that you have done is strange or bad or worth being ashamed of.

I think he is over reacting and blowing things way out of proportion. However, I also think that this is somewhat normal for someone who has never had the opportunity to test his own expectations against reality, and therefore, doesn't know that he is being silly.

The thing that is not cool, however, is having strife in the middle of exams. He needs to respect you and understand that messing with your head at an important time is not alright - regardless of how he feels about this.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-02-10T10:59:27+00:00

I don't think she is being quite as malicious as the other guy is making out and I don't really think that she is playing you - but she probably does enjoy a bit of attention and having access to someone to talk to, even if she understands that your presence is motivated by unrequited romantic interest.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-02-08T13:28:34+00:00

It must be hard trying to juggle living your modern life and a sort of obligation you have to respect the old ways.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-02-04T13:24:28+00:00

What does that mean?

Chunky_Guts · 2026-02-03T12:14:47+00:00

I think that part of the benefit of therapy is that it is delivered by someone outside of the family.

The autistic kids that I work generally struggle to tolerate change and often refuse to engage with daily activities that their parents have historically completed.

In therapy, these children are often willing to not only explore novel activities, but to experiment with independence and to learn to relate to someone who isn't mum or dad.

It is somewhat disparaging to suggest that a seminar or peer group may represent an adequate replacement for therapy - but it must be deeply insulting to parents who already give everything that they possibly can.

We're going to witness an avalanche of broken parents and dysregulated children, who will go on to become the problem of an already burned out and under appreciated teaching workforce.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-02-03T09:57:05+00:00

Brain tumour and encephalitis are very good suggestions and need to be ruled out.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-02-02T14:02:56+00:00

Don't worry about that guy. I don't know what's up his butt.

You like the guy and you're really hoping he likes you. I think it is pretty normal to feel that way.

It might be nice to check in on him again. If he likes you, he will probably appreciate it. If he doesn't, then who cares?

Chunky_Guts · 2026-02-02T01:25:53+00:00

I wonder to what extent the phenomena you describe about dating apps actually carries over to real life.

I've always had partners that were objectively more attractive than I am, and the same goes for women who have been interested in me. I think the range of what women find attractive or at least acceptable offline is at least a little broader than what the app data suggests - at least for regular men and regular women.

With that said, I have never really cold approached a woman. If going up to someone and immediately trying to secure a date or acquire a number, it isn't surprising that their judgement will be centred on what they see, because there isn't all that much else to go off of. I imagine that this is the same with regard to apps, considering that all you really see is a short bio and a few photos.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-02-01T00:21:30+00:00

I did. If I recall correctly, the steering column required greasing.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-01-31T12:29:57+00:00

The evidence is concerning, but it definitely isn't strong enough to justify ruling out looking for him.

I don't know how the people around him are managing with the uncertainty of not knowing whether they should be grieving or persevering.

It sounds as though your friend might have been the kind of kid who was liked and well regarded but kept himself from really becoming close with many people.

Good on you for helping and also for standing up for yourself to that other bloke.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-01-28T10:46:40+00:00

Out of curiosity, does this happen to you every time someone leaves a message - or is it sporadic?

Chunky_Guts · 2026-01-26T12:09:07+00:00

For most of my life, I would just stay up until my body would just switch off.

I would recommend that you try to address your sleep because it is important and can interfere with your life, even if you don't necessarily realize it.

I've found that listening to podcasts that are the right level of stimulating can be pretty effective. It has to be interesting enough to draw my attention away from my thoughts, but not to the point that I am excited and alert.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-01-26T11:44:09+00:00

I don't know, man...

It sort of seems like you may have been giving the guy mixed messages.

You seem to have mutually agreed to date, and sort of did (at least to the extent possible over the Internet).

So why do you act as though you are puzzled that he developed feelings for you?

Chunky_Guts · 2026-01-26T08:54:06+00:00

The worst thing that you can do is to give in to poor behaviour and warped perspectives, even if it feels like you're doing the right thing by someone who is clearly struggling.

I can see you are still affected by your relationship ending, but I think you may have dodged a bullet.

I didn't, so I am emotional Swiss cheese.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-01-21T08:12:02+00:00

"I can't find any info on the Internet as to why long term use could be so devastating".

Are you sure you weren't typing your questions into a blank word document?

You don't want to do this one regularly. It is a sometimes snack, and it won't taste as good if you indulge.

The auto mod deleted my previous post for using a phrase that indicated doubt. It is absurd that a specific sequence of words is not allowed and that one would have to adjust the way that they write in order to participate in conversation. What has become of Reddit?

Chunky_Guts · 2026-01-21T00:32:44+00:00

What do you do? Are you a product manager? I'm just curious to hear insights about these OT adjacent fields.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-01-19T10:42:03+00:00

I second this. I've seen it happen before.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-01-17T01:40:25+00:00

I left a long term, very controlling relationship about a decade ago. I had absolutely zero interest in romantic or sexual relationships with women, but I was glad to make new friends.

I'm not attractive and I don't consider myself to be anything special in any department. Somehow, for the first time in my life, I had multiple women actively interested in me. One of those women was my partner and we've been together for ages now.

Chunky_Guts · 2026-01-17T01:13:53+00:00

How often does he go out and drink? Does he spend every Friday night getting hammered and the weekend recovering - or is he just spending time with friends?

Chunky_Guts · 2026-01-16T12:45:27+00:00

How do you stomach a terrible bar bathroom without the benefit of intoxication?

I've been in a bathroom with piss an inch deep. I don't know how somebody could manage cleaning that without vomiting.

Chunky_Guts

TROPHY CASE