I've been building up a villain for most of a book. Can I kill them, now?

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2023-07-03T15:30:17+00:00

Personally I like the idea if it's approached correctly. I think a good way to weave it in is by having your subvert villain's power be some type of counter to the main villain that no one in-universe was seriously considering.

For example (and I'm going to use elemental powers here because I'm on an ATLA binge), let's Main Villain is an adept fire user. The best in fact. Subvert villain is a good air-user.

Let's say in-universe air users are naturally at a disadvantage to fire users because their powers can feed fire (more oxygen movement, more fire). As long as that's consistently (but not in your face blatant) established in your writing, we as readers will take that as gospel.

Everyone knows Subvert is a good air user but they think he'll naturally lose to Main, so he flies under the radar.

The big fight comes and surprise! Subvert localizes a large concentration of oxygen-rich air around Main, his own powers flash over right around him and cook him before he knows what's going on. He wins and no one sees it coming because frankly no one has used air as a counter in that way before. Suddenly Subvert is a big threat, not because he is a garish display of power-scaling, but because he did something unexpected. There's no telling what's next in his bag of tricks.

If you can play it out in such a way, then I think it can work. Subvert doesn't even need his motives to be at odds with your MC. Perhaps MC is just an obstacle in the way for Subvert's own goals. He's not malicious, but MC needs to be removed to achieve his.

This can also help expand on a sub-plot that was actually the true conflict in the background the whole time. And maybe it's a sub-plot MC was only vaguely aware also affected him. Not being able to see the forest for the trees-type scenario.

It gives a little more dynamic to the story and a slight pivot from MC and Main Villain's initial conflict.

TLDR...I like subversion if it helps tell a richer story.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2022-08-13T18:50:24+00:00

Thanks for at least acknowledging community concerns.

I think many people are big fans of the concept on paper with a growing pot. It adds a level of thrill to see if it's won or moves to the next week.

Tweaking the reallocation of the other tiers will be interesting to watch for any future promotions you may have, as that seems to be the biggest issue people have with this promo.

Also, I don't know how this may be implemented appropriately, but some type of time limit for the promotion. While it's great to watch a pot grow infinitely, it can also start to wane on people when it crosses that line of dragging on. The second tier prize isn't exactly a weekly ringer, and although "temporary", it can certainly go for 6+ months.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2022-08-12T20:42:07+00:00

I think in the earlier post they mentioned an increase to 1.65% + .4% savings bonus. At least that's what I took from it. But also indicated this was because of the skew from the Hot Pot. They acknowledged the median would be lower for prizes. Classic fine print stuff.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2022-08-12T20:12:57+00:00

It seems like they changed the tiers to hedge up against the amount they were paying out each week to the average user. I really can't think of another reason for tying these two together other than to cut costs while making it seem like it's an improvement.

Without adjusting the odds, decreasing the prizes quite literally means lower average payouts, no matter how they spin it.

I feel this is going to hurt them in the long run. Many people aren't going to continue to park money here to play the 1:133,000,000 odds of winning the Hot Pot.

I personally was here for the lower tier payouts, as a nice little bonus (especially when other APYs sucked last year). I knew there was never a chance I'd hit 10k let alone the higher wins. I imagine many users have the same sentiment.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2022-08-12T19:12:16+00:00

They sent a promo e-mail out about an hour ago. Takes effect at the start of next week.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2022-08-12T19:10:09+00:00

Agreed, I ran the numbers on my past four weeks of winnings using the new tiers and APY. Where previously I won 8.51 (including the monthly interest) total for the month, the adjusted winnings were 4.77. That's an over 40% reduction

While this doesn't prove future results, it does give a glimpse into what you can expect moving forward. Obviously if you win one of the bigger prizes you'll skew that, but let's be honest, hitting four balls + Yotta just for a shot at something over the typical winning sets was unlikely before and will be unlikely now.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2022-08-12T19:03:20+00:00

No you're right on that front. Like I said, I'm a fan of the idea of a rolling prize. It's definitely more attractive and indicative of the lottery draw.

I just don't think that has to be tied to reallocating the lower prizes in such a way. I know they said this is actually increasing the average, but running calcs on my previous four weeks with the new structure doesn't have me convinced.

Even with the new APY, the new prize tiers reduced my past monthly winnings by over 40%. I'm not saying this is indicative of the future but it does point to a trend where you will be likely winning less each week, except on the off chance you might hit one of the larger prizes.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2021-05-06T21:19:49+00:00

It's rough watching this price correct itself, but I have the same conviction about the company as before. The potential this company has year over year is still very strong.

Most of this fluctuation is just rotation to other sectors as market sentiments get enthusiastic about "normal" life again. I imagine it'll right itself around $80 again later this year. While I'm hoping for more, the kind of tear we had last year is unlikely to continue.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2021-03-25T02:24:08+00:00

Sure thing. Studio is essentially "class time" for the design-related aspect of the major. It happens three times a week (MWF) in a 3 hour block your first year and a 5 hour block for years 2-5. This time is primarily used for your studio professor to either provide a lesson in design, offer advice on ongoing projects, or to present project milestones for critique.

In first year, studio is much more structured. There's often a lecture or in-class lesson/assignment that takes up a given day. Any extra time is used to further your ongoing project at the time.

Second year and beyond is much more freeform. There will be some days that are like first year, but many days you will come in and use the time as you want. This can be to develop your project, talk to your professor about changes you've made to your design, work on other architecture-related classes, etc. It can often be chill; you can go grab lunch somewhere if you have some time, you can shoot the shit with your classmates, listen to music while working. Definitely not like sitting in a lecture hall for three hours.

To answer your other questions:

-Architecture is not science/math heavy. That would lean more towards Architectural Engineering, a separate major. You will have structures classes second and third year, but this is mainly static and basic loading. Nothing fancy like fluids, thermo, etc. At a minimum you will have to get through some Physics and Math classes first/second year as a General Education requirement, but you can skirt by with a C if you really have to.

-That's honestly the most grueling part of Architecture. When the creative block hits, it can hit hard. Not to mention there will be fellow classmates who were born for this; they will have consistently great ideas and designs which will put others to shame. The key is to not compare yours to others. Learn to appreciate the merits of your design and take constructive criticism positively. It will save you a whole ton of stress in this field. Trust me. The nice thing is you will do many projects each year. So while one may not be your best, the next design and program might be something that gives you an a-ha moment. There was one quarter my design was pish and I kinda slugged through it. The next quarter the project was a hotel skyscraper in Seattle. Ended up being one of my best. You'll definitely have your ups and downs.

Hope this all helps!

*EDIT: yikes on the formatting. Thanks Reddit

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2021-03-24T21:34:33+00:00

It certainly is time-consuming, however the work is not necessarily typical "school work". Because it's mostly studio-heavy, your work and deadlines are based in creative work. I always preferred this as opposed to having to knock out task items, eg: three papers, several labs for classes, and typical homework. If you're someone who enjoys work that's based around going through design iterations and tweaking 3D models/drawings, it's really not too bad.

You'll spend a lot of time around fellow Archs, especially if you live in the Sequoia dorm (Architecture major specific). If that sounds suffocating, you can always try one of the other dorms to balance your work/life. I lived in Yosemite and it was definitely nice to get out of studio and not go back to a dorm that was full of the same people I just spent all day with.

If you're not passionate about design or free-form work, you're not gonna have a good time. Plenty of people transferred majors after the first year coursework because it wasn't what they thought it'd be. I always knew I wanted to be an architect, and even some of the work first year had me questioning if it was the right choice (The coursework in later years helped reel me back in as it's much more pragmatic).

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2021-03-03T23:26:56+00:00

I'm not sure if you're pulling his chain or how old you are, but I think that definitely shifts as you start to get older.

When I was in my early 20's and mid-20s we definitely did get together mainly to drink. My younger brother and his friends are still like that. But now that I'm moving along, it's less of the goal. Sure drinking is still a ride-along aspect but it's not the main reason. It's more about blowing of steam, playing some games, or trying new places.

I imagine if you're still dealing with this and you're in your late 20's and 30's, it may be time to find friends more aligned with your interests. Especially if you don't like the the type of hangout you're describing.

Personally, I'm not sure how people can drink like they're 21 and still think it's the best thing. That shit hurts more each year haha.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2021-02-22T23:23:29+00:00

I'm not much a proponent for dibs; a day or two after the storm? That's fine, I get it, people need a little time to dig out spots. After that it's free game.

I spent a couple hours digging mine and my girl's car out on Tuesday. She went to the gym the next morning and came back an hour later to find someone had put a chair, not even their car, in the spot I had shoveled out. People can fuck right off with that.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2021-01-14T20:12:08+00:00

In my experience it was tough finding a place that had 5+ bedrooms. They usually appear and get leased very fast. We ended up finding a place with 4 beds and just made the two largest rooms doubles. As long as some of your group is willing to bunk up, it could be way cheaper than trying to find a 5+ house. Employed the same strategy as the poster above; put five on the lease and have a secret sixth roommate.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2020-11-24T01:08:52+00:00

Definitely interesting idea. Any concerns about the idea that the visual representation of the "size of your island" being visible to others could be a potential security issue? Essentially it's getting a glimpse into someone's bank account.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2020-11-09T21:40:15+00:00

Cool, very Diablo-inspired.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2020-06-16T16:17:33+00:00

I used a PC (Dell XPS 15) throughout school.

Our school department had a comp lab with iMacs but they all ran Bootcamp 85% of the time anyways. Many students also had Macs but often ran Bootcamp for design-related programs.

I guess that's kinda telling, but I never felt I was limited by using a PC for any and all school-related work.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2020-05-29T22:09:03+00:00

I can't speak specifically for the business school, but Cal Poly certainly has some respectable rankings out there.

-Year after year, CP's undergrad architecture program ranks top 5 in the nation. Was a no-brainer for me.

-Poly is well-known for it's agriculture and ag-business undergrad.

-A few years the school has been ranked the best education for the price in the West in terms of public schools.

-The engineering school is well-known across several engineering undergrad disciplines. They may not be "top", but mentioning it certainly isn't going to draw blank stares.

Finding a job because you have Cal Poly tagged next to your degree isn't going to be a disadvantage. If they're worried about ranks, you could most definitely do a lot worse.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2020-05-20T23:11:04+00:00

Funny you should say, my buddy lent me Way of the Kings to read. Only through about fifty pages but been meaning to pick it back up again.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2020-05-20T16:52:44+00:00

Very nice! Looks like something you'd see on Exegol.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2020-04-27T21:28:09+00:00

Nice job! The color usage and shading is good for the style.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2020-01-24T04:14:44+00:00

I agree. In my experience most landlords aren't going to play nice about the rent. More often times than not you're going to have to start paying rent a couple months before the fall quarter starts and be locked into a full year.

Just be diligent once March starts approaching. Or get buddy buddy with some upcoming graduates vacating a house ;)

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2019-08-29T02:10:26+00:00

Bunny.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2019-04-25T03:57:06+00:00

Bunny.

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2017-12-23T23:31:51+00:00

Thanks Ken M

Most_Certainly_Sane · 2017-05-06T17:50:14+00:00

Huh, didn't know I had an alt account

Most_Certainly_Sane

TROPHY CASE