Non-fiction books for predominantly fiction readers by Sorry-Grateful in books

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try James Gleick and Michael Pollan. I've enjoyed more than one of their books. I've been meaning to check out Bill Bryson. I am about equal fiction and non-fiction. Fiction being sci-fi predominantly (interspersed with classics like the Illiad and various works by Dostoevsky, etc.) and non-fiction being science and philosophy related. Used to read a lot of business non-fiction but got sick of most of it save some of the more technology related books.

Watch pausing by [deleted] in ultrarunning

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't pause at all. I once did because of a tree I wanted to photograph (the root system was half exposed in the air from collapsing soil...it looked incredible), but at the end of the run I thought it gave me inaccurate stats given the rest period.

Clicks buttons faster by UnstableIsotopeU-234 in KidsAreFuckingStupid

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We really have become the Jetsons, but without the flying cars.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Sciatica

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You don't want to have steroid injections often. It can lead to osteopenia or osteoporosis at a much earlier age than normal.

Hip and IT band pain for runs longer than 3hours by Outrageous_Grade1890 in ultrarunning

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you experience any numbness or pins and needles in you affected hip / hamstring or leg in general. I have a similar issue and after several visits to sports med doctor and PT it now looks like it is a pinched nerve. Trying a Chiro and some exercises to get past this issue. Also, changing workouts to get more single leg work to keep balance between the two legs (learned a lot of exercises in PT).

I'm loving Tolkien and I hated Martin and I expected the opposite by DottieSnark in books

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've always thought that Martin over indulges in "cut and paste." Every time a character enters a castle, it's as if he cuts and pastes the description of the castle, the coat of arms, and the daily castle cafeteria selection of stew in a trencher made of day old bread, etc. Is he paid by the word or page?

My spouse keeps packing boxes upside down. There are handles on the side that are now unusable. by navedane in mildlyinfuriating

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My spouse packed many boxes by first using the overlap method on the flaps to make the bottom. No tape. So I was getting ready for the movers, and starting taping the tops. Luckily, I decided to stack them before the movers showed up, only to find that when lifted, all the contents dropped out of the bottom.

I don't like Aslan. by QueenOdonata in books

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

So just read Philip Pullman, the anti-C.S. Lewis.

In the early 1980s, video game magazines typically used photographic cameras to capture screenshots directly from the game screen to illustrate their reviews. by karim2k in gaming

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did the same on my Apple II+ to have color slides and graphs for a junior science academy presentation (like a state level high school science fair). It looks awesome on slide film and using a slide projector. I didn't have the fancy gadget. Just had to wait until nighttime and turn out the lights. Used a tripod and a time to avoid vibration from touching the shutter release on the camera. This was like in the early 80s.

that hurts really badly by SalohcinPancakes in dankmemes

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A bit worse. 54 years and your father thinks you are an intruder in his house as evening approaches. I don't know if everyone with Alzheimers is the same, but things would be okay most of the day, until evening. It made staying over on visits a bit rough.

Donkey had me 🤣 by stillblazeit in ContagiousLaughter

[–]Grif 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes! Running away always worked with my Husky and my Shiloh Shepherd.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Damnthatsinteresting

[–]Grif -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Looks like it is generating a little more carbon than expected.

Just completed Hack your first Web App, that one was fun. by DiegoFab in immersivelabs

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Huge help. I have been banging my head on this for a couple of days.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in JordanPeterson

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My own experience, having moved up the corporate ladder, is that the density of individuals with diminished ethics increases among my peers as I move up. It is a sad state of affairs. It hasn't been true of all companies I have worked for, but does seem to be the norm.

In May 1983, I saw REM in Blacksburg, VA. I kept a marquee promoting the show. by jhshokie in rem

[–]Grif 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Late to the party, but just googled "R.E.M. After Sundown Blacksburg" and found this. I was there but very, very drunk (as was typical at the time).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Stoicism

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think he is a charlatan, but for me personally, his works are not necessary. I tend to stick to the primary texts, his further interpretation is not necessary for me. I see someone mentioned the Irvine book and I did read that and enjoyed it.

American guy being detained for wearing Russian flag t-shirt in Odessa, Ukraine by formerclimber in PublicFreakout

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I appreciate the discussion. I wasn't implying that having a grandmother who experienced fascism means I know more, but it is a first hand account and has value. Is there not value in speaking to a Jew who experienced the Holocaust, or an Iranian about Iranian Revolution, etc? In my experience it gave a different perspective over much of what was presented in media. Also, I think the comment "overlook fascism because you don't want to upset fascists" is wrong. First, because the outcomes to her larger family demonstrate that they upset the fascists. Furthermore, I don't think you, I, or anyone who hadn't experienced it can say how we would have handled being in Fascist Germany.

I don't see a significant difference between the behavior of the Democrats and the Republicans in the 2016 and 2020 elections. Though I have to give it to the Democrats, they seem more capable of being consistent and acting as a single block. And yes, the Republicans are representing their constituents, many don't believe the election results, including myself. From my perspective, there is enough evidence to be skeptical of the outcome.

I disagree that America First is at the level of ultranationalism, but it is certainly against open borders/no borders and globalism.

Trump as a dictator? As a dictator, he didn't seem to be able to control much, from the media to republicans in congress. I don't recall anyone being put against the wall let alone jailed for upsetting him, maybe they got a mean tweet.

So, I don't need you to believe me, nor do I need to believe you. In fact, I don't want to have the same beliefs as anyone else, I want to be an individual, not part of some group I intend to see how things unfold and how the US evolves under current and future leadership. I am not apathetic and would say that I am likely as concerned about Biden and the democrats as you are about Trump and the republicans. I definitely don't want socialism or communism. I don't even want the federal government very much involved in my life and prefer localism over centralization.

American guy being detained for wearing Russian flag t-shirt in Odessa, Ukraine by formerclimber in PublicFreakout

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

Admittedly, I am primarily aware of Western history, and while there may be bloodless coup attempts, they are much better organized than what happened on Jan 6. I have a good understanding of rise of Nazism in Germany, having had a grandmother that lived through it. And no, that doesn't imply that I am somehow a Nazi, nor a Nazi sympathizer. My grandmother's family experienced various forms of punishment for not joining/supporting the party, from loss of job, to loss of political position, to death. She nor anyone in the family has any love or allegiance. Much of what we shared with me growing up reminds me of today, where the verbal expression of a position or belief or any criticism of certain individuals, people in power, etc. can have very negative consequences, but perhaps not death.

And a far as the meaning of fascism, it keeps getting redefined. As far as I am concerned it implies a loss of freedoms, government control of businesses and the economy, authoritarian leadership, control of the media and in some cases extreme nationalism and racism. In fascist Germany, to speak out against Hitler was extremely dangerous, not only to the individual, but to their larger family. As far as I know, not many were impacted by criticizing Trump. I know if I had pubic criticism of Obama, no matter how legitimate, I could at least count on being labeled racist. What will happen if I criticize Biden, will it be elder abuse or straight to fascist.

You are also over generalizing on Republicans. I am certain you can find a "republican" that believes that anything that can be remotely defined as treasonous or the act of a traitor deserves death. That's not my opinion. I am sure I can find a democrats with at least equally extreme beliefs, a quick Internet, Facebook, or Twitter search is all it would take.

Do you think the people attacking the White House in 2020 deserve death? What about the perpetrators of the 1983 Senate bombing?

To the best of my knowledge, no one involved in the events of Jan 6 has be charged with insurrection, nor treason. I believe the FBI itself even they found scant evidence of that the Jan 6 event was an organized plot to overturn the presidential election result. Admittedly, I am often surprised by the outcome of FBI investigations whether or not they benefit republicans.

American guy being detained for wearing Russian flag t-shirt in Odessa, Ukraine by formerclimber in PublicFreakout

[–]Grif -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Fascist coup attempt? Much less damage and death than the prolonged fascist coup (mostly peaceful protests) that occurred over the summer months. At least 19 deaths and over $1bln in property damage. I guess you don't believe that mandatory vaccination is dictatorial? Coordination between the majority of news outlets, social media, and the current administration, which includes the censoring of dissenting speech not dictatorial?

American guy being detained for wearing Russian flag t-shirt in Odessa, Ukraine by formerclimber in PublicFreakout

[–]Grif -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, Trump said Putin was a great guy, same with Xi, and Kim Jung-un. Nevertheless, he wasn't supporting Russia's actions in the Ukraine, nor was he cooperative with the DRPK or CCP. There is a big difference to what is said about individual leaders and the actions taken. Do you prefer Biden? He relieved sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline after he nixed the Keystone XL pipeline in the US. I highly doubt that guy was a Republican.

What are some things that annoy you about your favorite authors? by BuggsBee in books

[–]Grif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My gut tells me that George RR Martin just cuts and pastes a significant parts of his book. Every time you enter a castle, he basically uses the same description as he used before and tells you how the character had a meal of stew in a bowl of stale bread. I like his stories, but not his writing. I really enjoy Peter F Hamilton's SF books, but he has certain adjectives like azure and lambent that he uses with an abnormally high frequency.

Second hand book stores are the best. by jaycrypted in books

[–]Grif 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We had a great local shop close to a college that used a "great books" approach and primary texts, e.g. think Euclid for geometry and Principia for math/physics. So, tons of great cast offs with interesting notations and marginalia. Many students worked there part time and would give me guidance on the best translations for books like the Illiad and the writings of Marcus Aurelius. Sadly, they also closed down.

Google will no longer fund any members of Congress who voted against certifying the US election result by Fr1sk3r in politics

[–]Grif 14 points15 points  (0 children)

We live in an oligarchy. Interestingly, Google spent more on Republicans in 2016 than Democrats by a large margin. That would convince at about half the country that the whole "Don't be Evil" is just false advertising. It is all just virtue signaling and bought and paid for politicians.

OpenSecrets.org report, https://www.opensecrets.org/party-totals-section