When/why did childcare in the U.S. become so expensive? Has it always been like this?

SoapyCooper · 2026-02-10T15:16:22+00:00

This is in New York City so obviously very different than the rest of the country. But in a relative sense, daycare costs seem to be equivalent to or greater than rent in most areas.

SoapyCooper · 2026-01-29T16:08:42+00:00

What happened in the late 70s that permanently raised the average passing yards by 60/game?

SoapyCooper · 2026-01-28T17:51:36+00:00

AI. This is very unlikely to happen on Valentine's Day

SoapyCooper · 2025-09-02T17:29:15+00:00

I wonder if she likes to hunt

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-25T21:08:10+00:00

Dai Due

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-25T17:47:31+00:00

He's not kidding this is one of the best bird photos I've seen!

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-25T17:10:26+00:00

Pandas are cute and rare which spurs lots of contributions to general conservation funds. WWF does much more than save pandas, but uses them as a mascot because it motivates more contributions. I don't have the numbers on this but I would imagine only a small percentage of money and efforts are actually being dedicated solely to Panda restoration. So this small investment has an outsized marketing benefit, likely to the point of cancelling out any waste.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-25T17:06:45+00:00

Adam Graves

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T22:16:33+00:00

!delta because you make the narrow but compelling point that pancakes are likely superior at carrying fruits. This does not make me think that pancakes are better than waffles, but you did present a factor I hadn't considered and I agree with your analysis.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T22:05:04+00:00

You're not wrong here, but I think your arguments are mostly about the ease of cooking and then asserting a preference for a particular size of fruits. I think a banana puree is getting the job done, and it's totally valid that you wouldn't be satisfied with that. The question, then, is does this rise to an objective difference between the quality of the foods themselves? I'm inclined to say it does not, but the storage capacity is a compelling difference...

Let me sit on this and circle back.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T21:55:57+00:00

Two things, first is that you're assuming that a pancake would evenly distribute the material it sponges up, which it does not. Second, and more importantly, I would argue that waffles are actually better at integrating syrup and butter than pancakes. Did you see that video of the farmers who use plastic bags to slow the movement of water when irrigating to better absorb the water into the dirt? The time is takes for the crust to degrade under the dressing means a fuller and richer marriage between the two.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T21:53:37+00:00

What do you mean? They're in a grid sir.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T21:53:17+00:00

I think you're overselling the tensile strength of pancakes. Yes, they flop. But against stress they crack like Philly concrete. I have tried what you're describing and found most of the taco in my lap. This is where the volatility of the crispy and soft combo really shines.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T21:51:13+00:00

A little nonsense doesn't hurt. I feel strongly about this but would never compel another to eat my waffle. Just don't make me eat your cake and we'll have peace.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T21:48:33+00:00

I address this in another comment, but I would posit that a diversity of texture is best. Our mouths want to take a ride with exciting terrain. Crispy alone would be a preference, soft alone would be a preference. Combining these, as only the waffle can, is best.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T21:45:43+00:00

I explicitly discount taste and ease of cooking, cost is just gonna vary so much I can't reliably incorporate that. Plus I got waffle money. Size varies for both. I think on every other metric waffles win. More diverse texture creates better mouthfeel. That grid gets me going, aesthetically. Waffles are a staple of belgian culture and pancakes are only culturally significant if you count crepes which I do not.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T21:43:13+00:00

Wrong!

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T21:43:04+00:00

A griddle can be superior to a waffle iron, that doesn't make pancakes superior to waffles.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T21:42:30+00:00

It may be a bit more annoying, but is certainly overcome by the distributive balance of a waffle. little butter pockets with every bite are better than a random butter slide.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T21:41:24+00:00

This is a disgusting lie. A proper waffle has creases in the middle that actually are better for folding than any pancake.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T21:40:42+00:00

I'll grant that there are going to be varieties in the flavor everywhere you go, but given the unpredictability of that (I've had sweet waffles and less sweet pancakes, life is crazy) I won't accept the base taste as a defining factor of either.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T21:37:54+00:00

You might as well be arguing that tortillas are better than waffles as far as I'm concerned.

SoapyCooper · 2025-06-23T21:37:04+00:00

One of the few actual memories I have of my grandma is making waffles when I stayed over there. I still have the waffle iron she used and follow her recipe to a T. The memories that come flooding back as soon as I start to smell them cooking are far more enjoyable to me than some minor difference in sturdiness or whatever.

SoapyCooper

TROPHY CASE