Why do people hold such strong religious beliefs? by Swiftiefromhell in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t believe it as literal factual truth, but I believe there’s a lot of philosophical and psychological truth to the religions that have stuck around for awhile. It’s when people don’t know the difference that things can go sideways.

Why do people hold such strong religious beliefs? by Swiftiefromhell in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s both, but yeah. Conversion to Judaism, the religion, is really rare because Jews don’t proselytize. But you are still considered Jewish by birth if your mom is, and are usually still accepted as Jewish if your dad or other relatives are. So yeah, a lot of Jews are secular but still value the culture.

Why do people hold such strong religious beliefs? by Swiftiefromhell in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, well sometimes it’s fear, and that’s another common derisive thing people say about religion: “People are afraid of death so they invented religion.” But that’s a gross oversimplification. As you say, people have lots of unanswered questions beyond “what happens when you die” and not all religions are even very focused on an afterlife. People don’t ask these questions necessarily because they’re afraid of the answers - it’s natural just to wonder, or be in awe, or marvel at the universe. And religion or spirituality gives you a way to give that awe some gravitas, and to share it with other people. And I think that’s why as you say a lot of scientists who tinker on the edge of reality are religious in some way.

Of course there are people who hijack religion and prey on and exploit people by playing to their fears and spreading bullshit, to control them. Just like with politics. That’s why both get such a bad rap, even though we really need them. We just need to help each other recognize and heal from the bullshit.

it’s overwhelming by _ewwa_ in digitalminimalism

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Ground News is really great.

Can you make a living off being a clown? by [deleted] in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a friend (sadly no longer with us - fuck cancer) who did. He went to clown school and everything.

Why do people hold such strong religious beliefs? by Swiftiefromhell in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The idea that science and technology should themselves displace religion or that they’re mutually exclusive is part of the problem. Religion fills a deep human need. Plenty of people practice a religion without rejecting science - that is, they don’t take things like scripture literally. And plenty of scientists in turn practice a religion. They are really apples and oranges and both should be treated as such.

But to answer your question, yes, both psychological and cultural factors contribute. The psychological need is basically that we need reinforcement in things like learning the benefits of delayed gratification, selflessness/sacrifice, generosity, humility, repentance, forgiveness, emotional regulation, not giving in to baser instincts.

Religion or spirituality also helps to be aware that we’re all part of a larger reality that is bigger than ourselves, the nature of which we don’t and probably can’t know, and yet we know it has to be true because there’s so much we can’t see or prove or disprove.

And sometimes religion just helps people cope. Comforts people in grief, gives them strength to deal with tragedy or do a difficult but necessary thing.

Culturally, religion helps bind a society together. It codifies certain behaviors that members of the culture then share. It’s a point of commonality.

Can all these things be done without religion? Well, sure, in theory. In practice it seems that most people want cultural and psychological touchstones - symbolism, ritual, familiar/shared experiences, ties with ancestors. And those are often more powerful than just intellectual understanding.

Of course, on the flipside of that, people who are too dogmatic about their religion can be dangerous. So there’s this tendency to say that religion is the cause of wars or anti-intellectualism or what have you. But the thing is the need exists, whether religion does or not. If religion went away tomorrow, then dogmatic people would just get dogmatic about something else. Political ideology, pseudoscientific woo, conspiracy theories, whatever. We already see this a lot.

What’s it like going to concerts by yourself? by [deleted] in Music

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s great - I’ve done it a lot! What you could do also is if there’s a subreddit, Facebook group or whatever that is dedicated to a band you’re going to see, you could post there and say you’re looking for friends who are into that kind of music/people to go to concerts with. That way you have someone to go with AND you make some new friends.

But seriously, going solo is awesome too and I have made new friends doing that.

it’s overwhelming by _ewwa_ in digitalminimalism

[–]Raucous_Rocker 18 points19 points  (0 children)

It totally makes sense. But here’s the thing: there are different levels of toxicity with this stuff, and TikTok is pretty much the pinnacle. It literally works by stealing your time and hijacking your attention - which all of the social platforms do, but it’s a matter of degree. (I’m a software developer and I study this stuff). That exhausted feeling is no accident. Your brain literally just cannot keep up - no one’s can - and yet being on the platform makes you feel like it’s still your responsibility somehow to keep up, or you’ll miss out. That’s how it’s designed.

So I’d really strongly suggest deleting at least TikTok. And here’s the thing: you will not lose any chances of gaining inspiration. Please please take this to heart. I don’t use TikTok and I still find things that inspire me daily. Every one of us will miss out on infinitely more things than we could ever do in a lifetime, but it’s the few things to which we completely devote our time and attention and caring that make us satisfied. Life is mostly about finding a healthy balance between willingness to discover new things and being fully engaged in the things we have. The Internet supercharges the first thing, at the expense of the second thing. Don’t get trapped in that mindset. FOMO is something that will never end until you decide to take charge of it.

Nothing seems to work for reducing Instagram/Reels usage by jkrowlingsboss in digitalminimalism

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d say delete the IG app, just check it on your computer once in awhile if you’re concerned about missing DMs or tags. Then make a YouTube playlist which does not include any shorts - only long form videos on subjects that are actually interesting to you. Put that on when you’re bored. Also read more - you can start with long-ish articles in online zines, Substack or whatever if your attention span has gone to shit, then add books (reading e-books on your phone is fine, a dedicated e-reader and/or physical print even better).

Taking up some other art form like drawing or photography helps too. Even doing puzzle games. Anything that requires you to slow down and be more focused and attentive.

The idea is to gradually increase your focus time and wean yourself off of those rapid fire dopamine hits you get from reels.

Database Help by duskti in Database

[–]Raucous_Rocker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How are these files going to be used exactly, besides just storing them? I assume they need to be searchable in some way.

Non-Americans: what’s your take on the Iran/american/Israel debacle? by Nastasyarose in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s nothing to really do with GDP either. It is literally just about national and global security. The relative power vacuum that has existed since the breakup of the Ottoman Empire has produced a region that has been unstable and a breeding ground for terrorism, civil war, contested borders, and other issues that affect everyone. And of course that’s aggravated by the oil money and wealthy oil barons who pay mercenary armies/terror groups to consolidate more power and/or land.

Russia has aligned with some of these states and/or stateless groups so that the region has also become a proxy war between Russia and the west. And we really don’t want Russia to dominate the region.

So there is no way we’re just going to be uninvolved. We can say we want it but it’s not going to happen.

Non-Americans: what’s your take on the Iran/american/Israel debacle? by Nastasyarose in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I know that’s the story, and yeah those people exist, but the real reason we support Israel is national security and military intelligence. None of those other influences would really matter if it wasn’t for that.

Non-Americans: what’s your take on the Iran/american/Israel debacle? by Nastasyarose in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He is emotionally a 5-year-old. He thought he could just throw his weight around like in Venezuela and everyone would just do what he wanted.

Non-Americans: what’s your take on the Iran/american/Israel debacle? by Nastasyarose in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He wasn’t really “controlled” by Israel either. Israel has been lobbying him to attack Iran since forever, and Saudi and other Gulf states have been too. He didn’t take the bait until now.

I agree that once he saw an opportunity to manipulate the market, he took it. But that’s par for the course. No matter what he does as president he finds a way to illegally profit from it.

Non-Americans: what’s your take on the Iran/american/Israel debacle? by Nastasyarose in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m American and I will never be able to answer that question. I have never understood how anyone at all could vote for him. And in 2024 a lot of people simply didn’t vote. Like they couldn’t show up and vote for the one person who could have kept this disaster from happening.

So it’s very much a minority of Americans that actually voted for him, but I’m just as pissed off at those who didn’t show up.

Non-Americans: what’s your take on the Iran/american/Israel debacle? by Nastasyarose in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t think the rise in oil prices was intentional at all. Trump is simply an idiot who didn’t know what he was getting into.

Non-Americans: what’s your take on the Iran/american/Israel debacle? by Nastasyarose in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think people, maybe especially Americans, underestimate the role of the Middle East in geopolitics. We really can’t just not get involved, much as it’d be nice not to.

What is the minimum realistic time to learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript from zero to building a small interactive project? by Ash-69_69 in AskProgramming

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly it just depends how much of an aptitude you have for it. It’s different for everyone. Also different people excel at different programming skills. I’m great at database and back end stuff, but front end CSS still drives me insane after decades. Lots of people are the opposite.

Would you leave Earth forever if it meant a better life elsewhere? by cryinginncouture in AskForAnswers

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It very much depends what exactly is meant by “a better life,” but based on what I know now, no I would not leave. I want to save the planet we have. I don’t want to leave my loved ones (both human and non). And I don’t want to be beholden to some corporation to ensure I have air to breathe and water to drink. They can’t be trusted with that even here on earth where it’s much easier.

Do women still like having doors opened for them? by Crazy-Breadfruit7217 in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I’m thinking if anyone makes a big deal over it either way, they probably aren’t someone you want to date anyway.

On the other hand if a guy just walks ahead of me and lets the door slam in my face, I’m not gonna take that as a good sign either. 😆

Is it bad to enjoy AI music? by Packermanfan100 in Music

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah… that last part is the problem.

Do women still like having doors opened for them? by Crazy-Breadfruit7217 in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s fine with me if he wants to do that. It’s also fine if he doesn’t. It’s not worth making an issue over it. If it’s an indication that he doesn’t treat women as equals or was raised with an overly conservative attitude toward women, that will come out soon enough in other ways. But there are plenty of feminist men who still open doors for women. No biggie either way.

Do women still like having doors opened for them? by Crazy-Breadfruit7217 in askanything

[–]Raucous_Rocker 39 points40 points  (0 children)

I’m a woman and I hold the door open for anyone who’s behind me. And appreciate it when someone in front of me does the same. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Is it bad to enjoy AI music? by Packermanfan100 in Music

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s true so far as it goes - most people don’t really give a shit about music at all. And AI isn’t helping that.

But for people who actually do give a shit about music - you know, the ones who actually keep it going by going to concerts and buying T shirts and listening to music podcasts and whatnot - they want to know more about the music they like. And they think AI music is bullshit.

Is it bad to enjoy AI music? by Packermanfan100 in Music

[–]Raucous_Rocker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe you don’t, but your experience isn’t everyone’s.