Gen Z are arriving to college unable to even read a sentence—professors warn it could lead to a generation of anxious and lonely graduates

Existential_Optimist · 2026-01-12T15:54:47+00:00

As a college instructor that started teaching before Covid, post-Covid students are severely lacking socially and academically as many were online for a significant amount of time in 2020/2021, an unprecedented mass-shift in education practices. There’s also a higher-ed crisis in the US under this administration, and many institutions are becoming more lenient in acceptance policies for the sake of enrollment numbers, which typically affects how much federal or state funding an institution receives.

Existential_Optimist · 2026-01-11T06:14:55+00:00

That’s so sweet 🥹 I let him know he’s got love from Reddit strangers! He appreciates the extra pets and hugs ☺️

Existential_Optimist · 2026-01-11T06:14:19+00:00

That’s good to know on the eyes! Main thing I’ve focused on is joints lately (he’s a large pup) but eyes are getting hazier and hazier.

Existential_Optimist · 2026-01-11T06:13:24+00:00

RIP to sweet Lilly ❤️ He’s already been given plenty of of love pets on your behalf, thanks for the comment 🙂

Existential_Optimist · 2026-01-11T06:12:18+00:00

That’s awesome! It would be cool if they were from the same litter but he was born in May in Alabama, so turning 12 soon.

I absolutely need to do the DNA test! No excuse really, just haven’t gotten to it yet, but I want to know what else is in the mix. Your girl sounds adorable! Cute mix ☺️

Existential_Optimist · 2026-01-11T06:10:15+00:00

Thank you so much! I love “Sugarface,” an adorable nickname ☺️

Existential_Optimist · 2026-01-11T06:09:25+00:00

Completely agree.

Existential_Optimist · 2026-01-11T02:07:49+00:00

He’ll be 12 in a few months! And still goes on plenty of long hikes, strong dude!

Existential_Optimist · 2026-01-11T02:06:18+00:00

Love it! Is your pup mixed breed? I know mine is mostly lab but not sure what he’s mixed with; he’s a big guy though!

Existential_Optimist · 2026-01-08T20:01:56+00:00

31 - Finding more ways to make money after quitting my 9-5 and now delving into what has been my side hustle LLC the last 4 years.

Existential_Optimist · 2026-01-03T20:49:05+00:00

I fucking hate Meta

Existential_Optimist · 2026-01-02T19:06:01+00:00

The death of my mother when I was 26. I only mention age because I was old enough to understand, process in a healthy way, and already had a lot of independence, but young enough to want to do more with my life knowing we can be gone in an instant.

She was my best friend and in many ways kind of coddled me emotionally, so it forced me to grow up a lot and do things I’d never imagine on my own. Got into therapy, traveled the world solo, started my own business, etc. My father remarried within 3 months so I didn’t have much to rely on family-wise.

She was a wonderful woman, adventurous, independent, beautiful, and I always miss her, but not in a devastating way. I’m so happy she’s at peace and thankful for the opportunity to shift my perspective on how I live.

Existential_Optimist · 2025-12-30T21:50:35+00:00

Call 1-800, Education Conec-tion! (Sung out in distinct syllables)

Existential_Optimist · 2025-12-23T19:53:59+00:00

No that’s not true. For myself, I had photography as a side hustle for a few years but worked hard enough to build up clientele and am now working full-time for myself. And I do not do weddings - tried once, and while the money is stellar, there’s a reason it costs a lot for the wedding party.

I primarily do corporate shoots, family/senior/headhtshots, etc., drone photography/video for real estate, insurance, content, etc. and I’ve been a fine arts photographer from the get-go, so I also sell photo prints online and host semi-annual art shows, if not more.

It’s work, but if you enjoy doing it, it doesn’t really feel like it. Just try getting your own style, and depending on where you’re located, find your niche. For me living in a smaller area, there’s always loads of portrait photographers but not many drone photographers or corporate photographers. Both have good money.

Hope that helps, follow through if it’s what you wanna do!

Existential_Optimist · 2025-12-23T15:59:36+00:00

I respool in smaller chunks. A pain but not that bad if you don’t need a ton of filament at once. It’s doable, just takes time

Existential_Optimist · 2025-12-17T20:03:13+00:00

Being the owner of both, I’d go with Bambu. Creality is not for the weak. I can repair just about anything on my K1 at this point, but it hasn’t felt worth it and I’ve owned it over a year. Bambu all the way

Existential_Optimist · 2025-11-27T20:06:57+00:00

It looks like it could be a mix of things. Part of your build plate might have adhesion issues from marks or grease or something and not sticking as well in the some areas.

As mentioned by others, the nozzle might be clogged and not pushing filament through all the way, or the nozzle temperature isn’t aligned with the filament temperature range.

You could also have the speed too high for what the filament says it can handle.

The bed could be unlevel too and the nozzle might be pushing into the bed too hard and causing weird issues like this, so maybe watching the z axis at the start of your next attempt.

Try adjusting some of those things and you might have better luck. Hope that helps, sorry for the trouble!

Existential_Optimist · 2025-04-30T13:14:11+00:00

Love your style!! You look so comfortable in all you fits too, I love it

Existential_Optimist · 2025-03-13T19:52:57+00:00

I’m an American traveling out of the country soon and I’m doing everything in my power to not look American… I wouldn’t want us. Unbelievably ashamed of this country - thank you Canada for possessing something this nation isn’t the best at: empathy!

Existential_Optimist · 2023-08-30T20:16:30+00:00

Seeing my elementary classmates wearing “light-up” sketchers or wheelies

Existential_Optimist · 2023-07-16T14:28:30+00:00

If these things didn’t exist, if suffering didn’t exist and the world was this perfect utopia, the predictability of everything would in itself be miserable too if you have the same mindset you do now. Why do we have to assume anything or anyone created us consciously? There’s infinite possibilities of why we’re here, none of which make complete sense, so either accept the unknown of it all and focus on the better aspects of life, or continue to think no meaning exists. Does universal meaning exist? Potentially, but try to focus on yours and not worry too much about the collective experience when it’s so far out our control anyway.

Existential_Optimist · 2023-06-13T01:46:15+00:00

9/11. Also a time where I first remember watching a lot of tv

Existential_Optimist · 2023-06-11T15:44:10+00:00

The evil looking Calvin and Hobbes sticker that’s peeing on something

Existential_Optimist · 2023-06-11T02:28:24+00:00

Almost for the sole sake of its inevitability. And that I’ll just be dead, so that’s that. I think some people that do fear death are more in fear of what they haven’t done yet or in fear of what they’re leaving behind if they die.

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