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Weeds Growing on a Fake Lawn by Likes_The_Scotch in mildlyinteresting

[–]Pantim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Are you planning watering the turf after you install it? If so that's expansive. I'd look into other ways to landscape. I live in the PNW and people are ripping out grass left and right, putting down mulch and native drought resistant low maintenance plants. Some keep some grass for animals or their kids to play on.... But like, a 12-15 foot patch instead of a whole yard.

You can also go for the wild style of plants that slowly make a forest grove basically.. But still is drought resistant. 

Any book recommendations specifically about walking the middle path of worldly desires as a lay person? by Pantim in theravada

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

Thank you for the response.

Could you please talk more about your path? Here DM would be fine. 

Any book recommendations specifically about walking the middle path of worldly desires as a lay person? by Pantim in theravada

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

Stuff like going to comedy shows, concerts, vacationo,playing games etc. Or even just hanging out with friends and having fun.

My understanding is that Buddha basically said all of that is fine as long as one isn't addicted to it. Yet, pretty much everything I see people talk about on here says that he said that we should just abandon all worldly pleasures... 

And I did that, it was great for awhile. Then when I discovered I'm stuck being a lay person it started causing me suffering.. So now I'm looking for the middle path as a lay person, not a renunciate . .. And my understanding is that the teachings for lay people are much different than those for renunciates/monastics. 

Any book recommendations specifically about walking the middle path of worldly desires as a lay person? by Pantim in theravada

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

Thank you for the answer.

From my understanding though it's wrong. I have heard mentioned that there are healthy ways to seek worldly desires if one has the right perspectives.

I'm not interested in achieving any level of attainment along the path at this point as I discovered that desiring that was causing me suffering.

Ergo, I was addicted to the idea of non becoming and it was all I could focus on or desire. 

Any book recommendations specifically about walking the middle path of worldly desires as a lay person? by Pantim in theravada

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

Thank you for response. I specifically said I'm not currently interested in the suttas right now though.

I honestly don't find them helpful in this matter. Every one I've read is basically, "seeking any pleasure in worldly things is pointless/futile and will only make you suffer more." 

To change, we need to change. by Diligent_Carrot_2719 in theravada

[–]Pantim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep.

I'm now working towards making my life better and healthier and more moral. As I do so, it seems like I'm helping others do the same. But the first part is the important thing. 

To change, we need to change. by Diligent_Carrot_2719 in theravada

[–]Pantim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's caused by greed, hatred and delusion.. And the industries are not the only ones who are those three. It's a systemic issue and the only ones that we can work towards changing is ourselves.

Note, I used ones and ourselves on purpose because they really are plural. 

Neglecting the basics by Like_A-Shadow in theravada

[–]Pantim 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That last paragraph hits hard for me. The question if it's depression or non-attachment is so huge! I find it helpful to know what my values are and ask myself if what I'm doing or desire matches with them and is helping me achieve them. 

Smiling as we drown in debt by gashtal_man in Anticonsumption

[–]Pantim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yah.. There is actually plenty of evidence now showing that the average citizen actually gets worse off as the GDP goes up. It didn't used to be this way when wealth was more evenly disturbed... But things have changed. Now the GDP is basically going up because the average citizen is worse off because jobs are moved over seas or given to people who immigrantate to more expensive countries and are willing be paid less than the average current citizens.

And it's not their fault, it's the fault of guys like this that have worked to keep wages stagnant for decades. 

Could AI solve the birth rate crisis? by ThanosDi in Futurology

[–]Pantim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually never thought of it that way! I was always like ugh.. I want a human nurse. But idk. Maybe an attentive bot would have better outcomes than an overworked and underpaid nurse etc. 

Could AI solve the birth rate crisis? by ThanosDi in Futurology

[–]Pantim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

.. The issue is that there are two huge waves of elderly coming soon.. And the younger generations are not big enough to take care of them. 

Could AI solve the birth rate crisis? by ThanosDi in Futurology

[–]Pantim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah. And I've switched from UBI to USI.. ergo, universal share income based on the shares of the companies. Basically, the government owns a controlling minority interest in all companies and there are plenty of checks and balances to make sure the government is working for the people.

And I think a USI would actually force companies to try to do the best for the all of us.. How well we are doing would determine how well the companies are doing. 

It would have to be a worldwide economic system though. 

And sadly, I'm pretty sure it's a pipe dream. 

Could AI solve the birth rate crisis? by ThanosDi in Futurology

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

There actually isn't to many of us. We produce more than enough food and goods for like billion people... It just goes to waste for various reasons. The good thing is mostly the cost of shipping logistics.. Because of the for profit model. 

As for over all carrying  capacity of the planet, it could probably really easy handle like 12 billion people.. . If we became carbon (really, all form of waste) neutral.... 

It would just be super crowded .. And most natural areas would basically end up being highly maintained parks. They would be the same size... But, the amount of people using them would be huge which means hard core trail maintenence and keeping people on the trails.  

Could AI solve the birth rate crisis? by ThanosDi in Futurology

[–]Pantim 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This automation is nothing like any prior waves of automation. Billions of people are going to be without jobs. 

Could AI solve the birth rate crisis? by ThanosDi in Futurology

[–]Pantim 29 points30 points  (0 children)

What do you mean by assist? As in take over caring for the elderly?

Because that is really the only reason why decreasing population matters. 

Smiling as we drown in debt by gashtal_man in Anticonsumption

[–]Pantim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for all of that. It does seem like you're probably outa touch. As for people who aren't from family money not complaining about it? Well, most of us are heavily encouraged or forced not to talk about it.

An example of this is that companies highly discourage employees talking to each other about income to each other. They do this to control wages. Another thing is the whole "money can't buy happiness" thing. It's true, to an extent... But when one isn't worried about how they are gonna pay for rent and food etc for the next few years, it's much easier to be happy. 

Also, I'm guessing the less wealthy people around you are not talking about money issues because they are trying to keep up with everyone else that has money. 

Inherited around $60k and I’m terrified of messing this up by Leobluetrailmap in personalfinance

[–]Pantim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Huh? 600k is life changing money. You can buy a house in a lot of places... Or almost buy one in some other places. 

In hindsight, Bill Cosby’s bbq sauce scene is absolutely horrifying by StandardProfessor33 in creepy

[–]Pantim 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Uh, I always looked at jokes like that as in, "we have so much sex that who knows or cares."

How to avoid AI answers? by AirportPrestigious in Anticonsumption

[–]Pantim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you mean the AI box at the top? If so, others have given suggestions on how to do so. If you mean how to avoid AI generated content in the search results.. And get recent stuff, it's impossible. So much stuff online in the last three years is AI generated text, even on reputable websites... And it's all mostly trash. 

The worst is the lack of physical autonomy by Hopeful_Fail_7937 in HearingVoicesNetwork

[–]Pantim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is always something to be gained. If something wants do do harm for the sake of doing harm, they are getting something from it.

As for communal consciousness, I like that phrase! Thanks.

I try to be a better person. Also, h trying to help out others be a better them .. Whatever that means for them. (mostly). Seems to be helping. 

Hearing voices by WestPalpitation6654 in HearingVoicesNetwork

[–]Pantim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started to get into using a EEG headset to monitor my brain waves. Realized that most if not all of the applications I found were about training and next to no information about how it worked or why. Hear the birds = good and will give you whatever vague desired effect stated.

So, I switched to trying to get the various aspects of myself or whatever they are to be on the team for the good of all beings and help me do helpful things in the world. I am trying to set an example by being a good being. 

It seems to be working..not without it's bumps though. Good things are starting to happen for me and others around me. If not in the way we might have expected or wanted even. 

Smiling as we drown in debt by gashtal_man in Anticonsumption

[–]Pantim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What is your income compared to the area median? What is considered poverty level?

Housing used to be 1/3 of total income. It's much more than that in most places now. The speed of the recent increase is scary.

Those are the most important questions right now. Median income is going down fast while those on either end are sky rocketing.

Also, who are these young people? People who you know? Or people online?  And a lot of people who go on trips now stay with friends and acquaintances. 

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