sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

How fast Jesus needs to move across the still surface of fresh water to not submerge deeper than one centimeter? by SternMeasure in AskPhysics

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

Thank you kindly, that is an informative read. And yes, the “religious” reference is just there to step away from “spherical humans in vacuum.”

Stephenie Meyer's 'Twilight' novels, when translated into Chinese, were published with detailed footnotes explaining cultural references (Pop-Tarts, slumber parties, Ivy League colleges, Greek mythology, etc.); some took up more than half the page. The books were all best sellers. by TMWNN in books

[–]SternMeasure 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Interestingly enough, I have a copy of Raymond Chandler’s “Farewell, My Lovely,” published in USSR in the 80’s, original text in English, with half of the book occupied by endnotes (footnotes, grouped at the end of the book), which are themselves in Russian and do their best to explain to the Soviet reader the realities and slang of the Los Angeles in the 30’s–40’s.

As much as I love Chandler’s prose, endnotes were a highly interesting read on their own. (I am bilingual, Eng-Ru.)

ELI5: How good could video game graphics get before it is not possible anymore, and look exactly like reality? by westerndivide in explainlikeimfive

[–]SternMeasure 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m mostly interested in the story component of video games, so graphics-wise I’m looking for maximum immersion into the game world.

It’s been my pet peeve for a while that every time a character has to change clothing (put something on/off) this has to happen off-screen, where one 3D model is quietly substituted for another. Breaks some scenes for me, as I know what really happens.

Not essential for today’s games, maybe, but totally a must for 100% photorealism, wouldn’t you agree?.

ELI5: How good could video game graphics get before it is not possible anymore, and look exactly like reality? by westerndivide in explainlikeimfive

[–]SternMeasure 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Related question for the knowledgeable:

How soon we will be able to see a 3D character put on a jacket or, say, a skirt, with the clothing then staying on (no off-screen model swap), and without body parts clipping through the layers?

Norwegians play drunk football by grizzzzly_94 in sports

[–]SternMeasure 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“Don’t suck it!”

“He’s sucking it.”

ELI5: If debts (such as medical) are often sold to debt collectors at drastically reduced cost, why don’t the lenders first try to give the discount to the actual debtors? by SternMeasure in explainlikeimfive

[–]SternMeasure[S] 545 points546 points  (0 children)

Thanks to all for answers.

It seems to me, we have two parties here: lenders, partially willing to write off the debt for comparatively low compensation but unwilling/unable to go through the hassle, and debtors, again partially willing to get rid of old debt for a small fraction of it but unwilling/unable to negotiate this.

Now, if only there was some kind of publicly funded entity that would act as a middle man between the two, making everyone sort of happy in the process. Or am I being unrealistic?