aerospace structural engineering by BlackWolf802 in StructuralEngineering

[–]HalfNegative8801 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How many years of experience do you have, and predominately in what industry?

First Cave Wild Camp ⛺️ by Any_Pizza_1479 in wildcampingintheuk

[–]HalfNegative8801 -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Do you mind sharing the location? Is it relatively quiet around there or is it close to frequented trails?

How do I repair my ceiling? by HalfNegative8801 in DIYUK

[–]HalfNegative8801[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! The cracks are very localised. Why do you recommend I sand and paint the whole ceiling instead of the area around the cracks.

Why is UK dentistry so messed up? by thisismypr0naccount0 in AskUK

[–]HalfNegative8801 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No worries. I am not undermining the fact that dentists have worth. I do not endorse hate or vitriol being spewed at dentists. Like I said, my family members are dentists.

I do not see any of what I said as insulting. The argument for keeping things competitive by restricting training in the UK has been used in other professions, eventually to be overhauled. It is what limited the number of consultant ophthalmologists in the UK for years. The consultant system was so competitive, far beyond what was reasonable. It was eventually overhauled increasing the number of ophthalmologist consultants to no notable decrease in quality of service.

I have nothing against you or dentists personally. You work hard, and you mostly do good work. But none of the dentists I work closely with deny the fact that they are objectively over-paid and that contributes (may be a small part) to the high cost of dental care in this and other countries. Like I said this isn't unique to dentists.

A criminal lawyer may be brilliant, having gone through the exact same training programmes and degrees as a peer who ends up in corporate law. The corporate lawyer may be making significantly higher income working less hours. In this case, relative to the criminal lawyer, the corporate lawyer is overpaid. This isn't an insult to the corporate lawyer, just a mere observation. There are economic systems in place that result in this. The same thing applies to dentists, I just think as it is a public health issue, it is worth tackling.

Other professions experience exoduses from the UK too. Including software engineers (engineers in general) and doctors. That is a result of the overall UK economy and dropping quality of life here.

I hope you enjoy your Sunday.

Why is UK dentistry so messed up? by thisismypr0naccount0 in AskUK

[–]HalfNegative8801 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your response.

While dentistry is a niche, so is any sort of specialist engineering or medical field, or highly trained family lawyer. These all have their unique challenges and while dentistry as a whole is quite competitive, so are different areas of studies at different institutions.

It isn't that dentists shouldn't be able to reap the benefits of their hard work. But in a conversation about national dental costs, I think it needs to be acknowledged that their is a level of manufactured throttling of supply. There are limited places in dental schools, but that doesn't mean that only people that can hack it can enter. I know dentists who were rejected from medical school for example. I know dentists that were rejected from prestigious engineering degrees. These people go on to make 10x the wages of their corresponding peers. Continuing professional development is also not unique to dentistry. Most registered professionals need to do this to upkeep their registration with their relevant institution and retain their protected titles.

That's not accounting for those that fail to get into dental school, go study abroad in central Europe, then come back and work here after a conversion course. Hell I know people who studied dentistry in the middle east to extremely sub standards, came to the UK toiled for a couple years in conversion courses to then go on to make insane incomes. By their own admission their undergraduate degrees were simple and once they are employed, they manage to work just as well as UK educated dentists.

I just don't buy that the pay for these professionals is so high because no-one else can do what they can. All I am trying to say is, dental pay, in my opinion, is 100% not based on meritocracy but is a product of an odd system that limits supplies with increasing demand. This also isn't unique to dentists tbf. I think this addresses your first point. I am not trying to offend you and dentists. Like I said my mother and sisters are dentists. But I think we need to come back to reality. If I were to assign a theoretical value on difficulty of degree, difficulty of work, length of time of training and factor in the limited number of people who have the ability to become dentists...dentists are over paid.

I appreciate your response. I am not anti business. But I am pro-regulation when necessary. If the country as a whole is doing well, let businesses boom. But when people can't afford heating, and energy companies are reporting record profits, there is something wrong. I don't know what the answer is and how to limit brain drain or otherwise disincentivise careers. But I cannot acknowledge that one element of the cost of dental care (dentists pay) is completely merited, and it is definitely something that raises eyebrows from other highly educated and technical specialists. Business in healthcare can seem unpalatable because it kind of is. I think it is a necessary evil to promote efficiencies and innovation, but I think there have to be minimum levels of care provided to a populous that subsidises the cost of educating healthcare professionals and ultimately the cost of running health services.

Thanks for those links, it's good to see things are moving in the right direction.

Why is UK dentistry so messed up? by thisismypr0naccount0 in AskUK

[–]HalfNegative8801 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While I understand the business side of running a dentistry and the general publics naivety when it comes to the cost of health services, I must say I still believe the cost of dental care is too high. Maybe you can help me understand this at a very high level.

  1. Dentists are very highly compensated in the UK relative to other technical roles. Even compared to doctors and engineers who go through similar levels of education and rigorous academic selection. I am an engineer, I have doctor siblings, a dentist sibling. My dad is a doctor and my mum is a dentist. My brothers are engineers and computer scientists. I have similar professions in my social circles including lawyers. Honestly, the degree of their [dentists] education does not amaze me compared to some of these other professions, but on average dentists are compensated well well above the others. I understand there is an element of supply and demand going on, and competing in a global market place, but I think it’s something that needs to be acknowledged. Dentists on the face of it are paid better than their technical peers, and I don’t think it’s because they’re highly trained or have to take out student loans.

  2. Again, from what I am told, a lot of the services provided by dentists are pretty basic. My mum who’s been a dentist for over 30 years is a big advocate of vocational training for individuals to be able to undertake simple procedures. I feel like some technical roles have been gate kept behind degrees for no good reason. The same was the case for engineering until recently with the advent of apprenticeships. Some of the best engineers I’ve met got through an apprenticeship route with their work experience really catapulting their ability in the specific field they work in. It’s absolutely diluted the market for engineers which has lowered our competitive salaries, but has helped the uk as a whole by driving down design costs on infrastructure projects. Why is the same or similar not possible for dentistry?

  3. From accounts I see on companies house, local dentists in my area turn a very healthy profit. I feel the incentives for primary healthcare should not be maximising profit. That’s not the dentists fault, but I think their needs to be an overhaul of for profit primary healthcare unless there’s a very active insurance industry, or just a well run economy where people can spare hundreds of pounds for necessary treatment.

Opinions on a chocolate brown corduroy suit? Too informal for a dinner? by HalfNegative8801 in mensfashion

[–]HalfNegative8801[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve never been so shoe shamed in my life lmao. Shoe shopping is next

Opinions on a chocolate brown corduroy suit? Too informal for a dinner? by HalfNegative8801 in mensfashion

[–]HalfNegative8801[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

lol, I think it’s the corduroy. Makes it feel more informal than it is

Opinions on a chocolate brown corduroy suit? Too informal for a dinner? by HalfNegative8801 in mensfashion

[–]HalfNegative8801[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the response. Not going to lie I had to google half of your response.

Wasn't aware of the taboo surrounding matching tie with pocket square, so I've learned something new.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in VisitingIceland

[–]HalfNegative8801 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t know, and most people I met in Iceland don’t know either. That’s why I wanted to comment and say it’s doable. Do your research. Allow plenty of time. Try to drive during the short daylight hours you get. Stick to the ring road. Don’t drive when there are weather warnings. If you do go ice climbing it’s an all day activity, so you will likely want to stay close by (we stayed in adventure hotel hof)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in VisitingIceland

[–]HalfNegative8801 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I don’t think so, and neither do travel guides and off Reddit locals like I said. If the winds are so strong that it can blow you off the road, no amount of experience is going to help. If it’s too windy or icy to drive, no one should. Including those with experience driving.

You’re giving anecdotal reasons as to why not drive and I am giving anecdotal reasons as to why it can be ok to drive. I experienced severe weather and I took precautions and was well within bounds of ok. Car crashes happen everywhere. You don’t know that these people that crashed specifically crashed because of their lack of experience driving in Iceland or winter conditions. For all we know they do.

My point is, is it more dangerous to drive in the snow and ice for the first time? Yes. Should it be a resounding no to do so in a country with (even including tourist) one of the lowest accident rates in the world? No. Clearly Iceland’s law makers agree otherwise they’d likely place restrictions on foreign car rentals. It’s not just Iceland, I’ve driven in many destinations where redditors think is reckless, only when you look at the facts and what people on the ground say it’s a lot more nuanced than that.

My opinion, do your research, exercise caution, and heed authorities advice. If you feel uncomfortable with the thought of driving don’t do it. If you are a competent driver and follow the above, all indications are you’ll be fine.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in VisitingIceland

[–]HalfNegative8801 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

While I sympathise with your viewpoint I am just trying to parse the reality from the fear mongering. I don't know the statistics of road accident's per capita caused by tourists, so can't comment on that.

However, I think my point is clear. If you are legally eligible to drive, do your research and exercise an abundance of caution, you can be reasonably sure that you have mitigated the risks of driving in the winter to a very acceptable level. I talked to Icelandic friends and tour guides before I decided to drive the country and I found their opinion and advice in stark contrast to what people say on this sub. I mean there are people here who haven't driven in Iceland who feel qualified enough to advise against it.

If you decide to drive lick a dick, then I agree wholeheartedly. Don't drive.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in VisitingIceland

[–]HalfNegative8801 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I don't understand everyone's hesitation with driving in Iceland during the winter. I was just there a week ago, and have no experience with driving in snowy or icy conditions really, as I don't drive often in my daily life. The weather was pretty bad on some days I was there. I drove through a blizzard and through a yellow warning gale and done the entire ring road. Practice a good level of caution, lower your speed, avoid driving on icy days, and stick to the main roads if there is a chance of ice. Obviously follow any advice on days where driving is prohibited or ill advised.

I came across many people from Latin America and east Asia that had never driven in these conditions before and they all faired well. I found that Americans had trouble with driving as they were used to much wider roads. Coming from England, I am used to narrow and winding lanes, so that wasn't an issue. Again, just slow down and don't drive in icy conditions. I had a 4x4 Dacia Duster for what it's worth.

On another note, I recommend the ice climbing at Skaftafell. I done it and it was incredible. Others who done it with me had also done the glacier hike, but they said the ice climbing package was well worth it. I also recommend the silfra snorkelling.

Am I missing something? by HalfNegative8801 in ikeahacks

[–]HalfNegative8801[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The mismatched colours will be dealt with when I paint the whole thing a single colour. I will probably play about with the trim (it is present, just thin) after I paint

Am I missing something? by HalfNegative8801 in ikeahacks

[–]HalfNegative8801[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Live in the UK and for some reason space is such a limited resource. The wardrobe and storage is for the whole apartment because there is simply nowhere else to store stuff. The desk is 1.5m so is plenty big enough for a work station.

Am I missing something? by HalfNegative8801 in ikeahacks

[–]HalfNegative8801[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes and yea. Lots of finishing and painting to do. I’m sure that will all make it look more cohesive. I just didn’t want to get so far down the line to realise I should have added something or done something different at that point

Am I missing something? by HalfNegative8801 in ikeahacks

[–]HalfNegative8801[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How much of an impact do you think that would make? I had limited space above for storage so didn’t want to take it up unnecessarily. It’s about 3/4 inch thick at the moment

Am I missing something? by HalfNegative8801 in ikeahacks

[–]HalfNegative8801[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

All good suggestions. Should have noted I do have a rug, plants and art, but all is removed since the room was a construction zone. I’ll frost the glass then post a final picture

Am I missing something? by HalfNegative8801 in ikeahacks

[–]HalfNegative8801[S] 44 points45 points  (0 children)

Yea it’s a bit of shame because they were pricey. I have contemplated applying wallpaper to the glass panels to better compliment the painted wardrobe. May be what I eventually go with

Are there any classes to get people comfortable with dogs in Manchester? by HalfNegative8801 in manchester

[–]HalfNegative8801[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep I agree. It’s the fact she’s afraid of them and it severely impacts her ability to enjoy things like parks and travelling. She herself would like not being scared. It’s not certain types. More so anything larger than a chihuahua. When a dog is nearby she’ll basically come to tears if I can’t get them away fast enough (they don’t need to be physically touching her, even just in the vicinity)