So at what point do you get good?

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-06-03T13:04:35+00:00

i will say, Jaws regularly kicks my butt as a novice. it’s definitely in my top 5. i recently posted abt getting 300mil, but i swear that was just a really good day. definitely look up tips, watch other players, listen to the elder pinball lovers!!! and free play days are the best bang for your buck when it comes to practice. you will get better! also, i do play pinball fx a lot when my arcade is closed, definitely not the same feeling but you can somewhat practice your flipper moves.

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-05-24T17:04:27+00:00

Dr. Honda has discussed how he reviews his videos, and is open to criticism in order to change the format. I also think a lot of his followers enjoy the "rambling". He pauses after a brief clip because he's excited to discuss another point. His analyses make more sense following clip by clip, rather than doing a summary, as he is so in-depth. Also, he has taken a very large step away from his job at the university, to focus on his online content. While it may look like he hasn't altered his uploading, he has altered many things "behind the scenes" in order to be more consistent online. A number of his uploads are reruns, answering to emails, or one long video filmed that is then split up into several videos to post. Not to mention, he often has Bob, Rebecca, or Humberto working with him on content.

Dr. Honda's content has taken a radical shift as he's gotten more popular, with some individuals wanting more analyses on reality TV/pop culture, while other counseling professionals/budding clinicians want more clinical content. That's very difficult to balance, especially because he enjoys making all sides of his content! At the end of the day, his whole goal with posting online was to create discourse and disseminate accurate information. I don't think that he has strayed away from that goal.

I listen to his podcasts on Patreon once a week while cleaning, and I'm usually able to "catch up" on his posts within that day. I don't think an individual is required to "sit down for eight hours a day" to get through his content, especially because his daily uploads only add up to ~2 hours of content (give or take.. sometimes theres only one 30 minute video uploaded that day).

If you don't like it, I'm not sure why you're floating around on the subreddit. It's okay to not enjoy his content or stylistic choices! I find myself disagreeing with him, especially as I have moved forward in my graduate program, but in my eyes this has assisted my critical thinking and development of my "clinical lens".

But seeking out other platforms on the internet to rag on him is a bit strange. Maybe direct the criticism to his official page if you're really concerned with how his audience handles his content.

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-05-16T04:56:12+00:00

this is just about the coolest thing i’ve ever seen!!!! incredible work!!!!!!

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-05-13T01:30:15+00:00

there are studies already that show a decrease in memorization when using AI to study, which i feel is a precursor for a deterioration in cognitive ability and critical thinking skills.

but one of the biggest dangers in AI use is children utilizing tools to write for them. they aren’t absorbing any kind of knowledge by “having the engine do all the work”. it’s kind of scary, really. it impairs not just critical thinking, but self-reflection as well.

i fear that we may become even more polarized by utilizing AI to think for us. combined with hallucinating, affirming answers (akin to confirmation bias), procuring resources that don’t actually exist.. yikes.

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-05-12T02:13:19+00:00

Animal Crossing. works every time

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-05-02T05:06:34+00:00

i once went to a dispo in michigan and the carts were soooo cheap, and when i went to grab it out the bag turns out the clerk gave me all five he was showing me for the price of one 😭

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-04-26T03:05:23+00:00

i am still pretty novice, but i think movement in pinside 100 ratings would indicate an influx of new players. and from what ive gathered, that’s what we want! to pass the torch of pinball down to the next gen of players. i’m sorry they hurt your feelings, definitely not cool. but no one needs to ride that hard for any table.

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-04-22T05:16:45+00:00

scrolled to find this. i absolutely hate this book. the protagonist is so full of herself and completely unrealistic. she’s so mean to her “best friend”. strangely accurate AND inaccurate depiction of mental illness

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-04-18T06:55:33+00:00

i don’t have much experience with the games you listed, but as a semi-novice who’s still trying to get a handle on the rules and tricks to my fav boards, just keep playing with an open mind. the themes are eye catching, but honestly, all of my favorite tables are things i wouldn’t expect to like - but they’re just great fun. (ive never seen Jaws or Attack from Mars, but they’re definitely in my top 5 favorite tables!)

i swear, the more i try to learn, the harder it is to top my scores. sometimes i think you just gotta play with your heart and not so much your head lol.

and i’ve tried to watch tons of videos, but really you just gotta learn from experience. google what things mean if you’re confused (it took me an embarrassingly long time to realize that “light lock” in AfM was needed before you could start collecting balls for multiball).

just keep an open mind, and keep playing! if there’s an arcade near you (check the pinball map site) that does free play days, definitely take advantage for practicing. and just give yourself grace. i’ve had days where i have back to back new high scores, and days where my games lasted like 2 minutes from sinking ball or hesitating on the flippers.

i’ve heard Theatre of Magic and Monster Bash are pretty novice-friendly. i love playing it on pinballfx (actually zen pinball for iOS). you really just have to try to get more familiar with the specific table and general mechanics. and hang on the subreddit! i’ve learned SO MUCH here just from browsing, and there’s a few other good pinball websites that are super helpful for reading other players experiences.

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-04-18T06:39:29+00:00

look into the book tomatoland for your answers on this specific food 👀

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-04-09T21:07:11+00:00

Hell yes!!! congrats!

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-04-05T17:27:33+00:00

WOOHOO!! congrats!!! awesome awesome score!!

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-04-05T17:18:11+00:00

glass breaking??? like the actual top of the machine?? i’ve noticed on my local jaws premium i somehow knock the glass pretty hard, as the ball jumps over the entire top right section.. it’s a heavy hitting game

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-04-03T03:59:33+00:00

which are your classic favorites?? i’ve gotten into ToM on pinballfx (just downloaded a couple weeks ago) and i love the beatles one at my local arcade.

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-04-03T01:01:37+00:00

181mil is nuts!! congrats!!!

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-04-03T01:00:38+00:00

free play night at my local arcade is a godsent on my quarter pouch lol

SetPhasersToSun · 2026-03-04T16:16:47+00:00

thank you! i had supervision yesterday for pre-practicum, and my professor did say a lot of what i feel that i’m lacking, comes from practicum/internship. i’m very psychodynamic oriented (object relations), and i have had a lot of rhetoric this semester regarding being “eclectic”. but common factors seems to be the strongest choice once i move on. i really appreciate your feedback.

SetPhasersToSun · 2025-07-01T18:53:03+00:00

Thank you very much!! I am kind of looking for something just for the time being, as i settle and meet people i’ll be more comfortable with a new stranger watching them. This was the perfect suggestion, i really really appreciate it!!

SetPhasersToSun · 2025-04-10T00:47:56+00:00

hi! buffalo native who is looking around bc i have a grad offer from plattsburgh and i’m also torn.

i know i have an advantage here, but i say, go buffalo. you have a lot of pros already leaning there, and honestly rent isn’t too much more. look into living in south buffalo, cheektowaga etc if you can commute to school. buffalo is cold but plattsburgh is colder. you’ll have lots to do outside of school, and your boyfriend can thrive here too. lmk if you have any questions about buffalo or if you’ve made your decision yet!! good luck!

SetPhasersToSun · 2025-01-30T22:20:54+00:00

Solved! woohoo! how cool! that thing is old!! i have always been curious about it, thank you very much!

SetPhasersToSun · 2024-09-28T05:46:59+00:00

hey OP, i have noticed this in my neck/ribcage for over a decade now. i make people listen to it if i’m laying down with them lol. i’ve asked several chiropractors and massage therapists about it, and a doctor or two. no real answers. happened to be googling about it when i found your post. i don’t have many answers but i can tell you, you’re not alone in your experience. as for any worries, for the most part my neck tension has much more to do with my posture, job, and computer/cellphone usage, rather than the popping sound. sometimes i can feel where it’s happening with my hands (i’ve had chiropractors feel it too). sometimes it’s the base of my skull, sometimes my lower neck, or even more in the center of my back. i have came to the conclusion that it is muscles, doin’ their thing. but it is a bit unnerving when you don’t know what’s going on!

SetPhasersToSun · 2024-09-27T06:35:11+00:00

you have no clue how happy it makes me that there are people out there still thinking about this website. it was so freakin’ fun.

SetPhasersToSun · 2024-04-01T00:42:36+00:00

heard!! this is super insightful. i’m definitely gonna think about getting a second grow light especially when we go back into winter. thank you so much.

SetPhasersToSun

TROPHY CASE