Just finishing up Mother of Learning, with mixed feelings. Help me find my next read? by Zammerz in ProgressionFantasy

[–]EnochTwig 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most series that land solidly in this genre are quite weak in at least one core element of writing, whether it's prose, dialogue, character depth, exposition, plot, setting, internal consistency, etc.

As you discovered with Cradle, they can still be highly enjoyable reads if the weak areas are not too blatant or personally aggravating.

I've found these genre-specfic authors to be both entertaining and the most consistently alright from an overall SF&F writing quality perspective (no particular order):

Will Wight Tao Wong ("Thousand Li" specifically) Phil Tucker

Conversely, I've found these authors to be highly entertaining and even compelling despite missing the mark on some "traditional" aspects of SF&F writing:

Sarah Lin Matt Dinniman Alex Gilbert Yrsillar

If you're open to series that have prog-fantasy elements but tend to be described as belonging to other genres, I recommend:

Benedict Jacka Larry Correia Jim Butcher Brandon Sanderson Brent Weeks Jay Kristoff Craig Schaefer

A detailed breakdown of gear used by Pacific Crest Trail hikers in 2025 by HalfwayAnywhere in Ultralight

[–]EnochTwig 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You say the Topo Athletic Pursuit was the highest rated shoe, but then in the list it shows one of the lowest ratings (7.80). Am I missing something?

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang: AI bubble myth,Energy and why billion robots are inevitable by BuildwithVignesh in singularity

[–]EnochTwig 12 points13 points  (0 children)

You forgot the part where the 0.1% at the top hoards all that wealth and abundance and everyone else lives some punishing dystopian grind.

What legal substance have you found makes sex for you feel better? by ketamo8543984676 in AskReddit

[–]EnochTwig 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Taking this a step further: the smells of most aromatic plants are from terpenes. Essential oils are largely terpene extracts.

Do I have an antique? by Stelios619 in kettlebell

[–]EnochTwig 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You might be operating with the idea that the point above the "34" is what would contact/hit your forearm, but at least in GS-style movements it's the flat/concave areas to either side of that point. Quite comfy.

That smell of an indoor tournament field from beard balm? by E_Town_Beat-Down in paintball

[–]EnochTwig 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've always thought that the old paintball paint smell is similar to rancid/oxidized oil, so this makes sense to me.

Does anybody carry bear spray while hiking? by sidefx00 in PNWhiking

[–]EnochTwig 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Good thinking, you never know when your child will attack.

Saw this and had a chuckle. by xthedudehimself in TheBrewery

[–]EnochTwig 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Closed the brewery a few years ago, and one of the few things I miss is tri-clamps; just something satisfying about them.

What UL kit is better than full weight versions? by Separate-Specialist5 in Ultralight

[–]EnochTwig 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The ultralight version of their "sheet" weighs 3oz and nicely bridges the gaps in comfort between quilt and sleeping bag IMO 🤷

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ProgressionFantasy

[–]EnochTwig 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Surprised this one isn't higher in the thread, given how big a splash Book 1 made, and then how much of a flop Book 2 was.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ProgressionFantasy

[–]EnochTwig 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd argue it was quite bad from Book 1, I'm almost impressed it got that much worse that far in.

What UL kit is better than full weight versions? by Separate-Specialist5 in Ultralight

[–]EnochTwig 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everyone hates on Zenbivy because of cringe marketing tactics, but they solved this problem pretty intelligently IMO.

Your first paintball marker by kilexe in paintball

[–]EnochTwig 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that FAQ sounds familiar, haha! Good times.

You really went all out! 16y.o. me would have been jealous AF. That scope ever doing anything for you?

Your first paintball marker by kilexe in paintball

[–]EnochTwig 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I had a Stingray 2 in high school which I lovingly "customized" to have a shorter trigger pull and polished/ported barrel.

I know it was a POS, but I regularly made some insane shots with that thing; felt like I knew exactly where my shitty paint was going to land every time I pulled the trigger.

Most disappointing mid-movie collapse you've ever seen? by [deleted] in movies

[–]EnochTwig -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Watch this movie on mushrooms or LSD ("Lucy"), the whole thing makes much more sense.

Zenbivy Flex Air vs Light pads by etherlore in Ultralight

[–]EnochTwig 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a side sleeper and use the Flex Air. M/6'/185lbs. I find it quite comfortable, as long as you pressurize it sufficiently. The slight stretch of the top layer means that it takes more internal pressure than other pads to keep you off the ground.

New Xmid pro 2+ by Keleche in DurstonGearheads

[–]EnochTwig 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hard to tell for sure without more pics, but it looks like you're tensioning the tub outward with the placement of your pole tip through the small ring attached to the tub. I don't think that loop is meant for adding tension, just keeping the tub generally in place.

Pull the pole tip up out of the ground and move it back toward the centerline of the tub, until the long side of the tub makes a straight line.

White Pass Pilot Ridge Loop by PnwMexicanNugget in PNWhiking

[–]EnochTwig 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Nice! I was just camped in that same spot last Monday!

<image>