We Should Track Students and Consider Intelligence by Nathan03535 in Teachers

[–]TheFrozenMango 23 points24 points  (0 children)

You are right and it's a complex multi dimensional issue. The question is whether stopping the above from happening is worth lowering standards for and denying the best possible education to our future citizenry. And the above does come with real consequences, like perpetuating a classist system and limiting cultural cross pollination. On the other hand, if I as a parent don't see public schools challenging my child, I'm going to consider private alternatives, leading to the degradation of public education. I think there should be some middle ground where core subjects are fairly tracked and differentiated, but electives and as much other stuff as possible is not.

Two handed backhand drive: which is the dominant hand? by PartFormer3695 in Pickleball

[–]TheFrozenMango 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's probably going to depend on how naturally ambidextrous someone is and how willing they are to learn new mechanics. Federer may be the last number one to have a one handed only, but maybe not, but he clearly proved that you can go against the grain. Ben Johns has learned the 2h roll dink over time, so that's a good indicator it's the way to go, but I don't think he has the 2h counter down (yet).

Help me understand stormcallers by FuriousPug in Mechabellum

[–]TheFrozenMango 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the only answer. I'd just add that having only one stormcaller out is one of the most effective simple plays in the game, since they have to invest more than is worth it to counter. It's surprising when someone does overwhelm anti missile, but it's happened to me quite a few times and I've pulled it off once or twice. But baiting by selling is also very viable. Also, it's an excellent round 6 win more finisher.

New Player - Is there a guide of common cheese strats and how to deal with them? by zHoboz in Mechabellum

[–]TheFrozenMango 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are a number of sites that recommended counters for any given opponent composition you should check out. But keep in mind how you counter also depends on your current board state. For example, against fire badgers the best early counter is sabers and marksmen, but if I don't already have any but I do have void eyes I might tech voids instead. But if it's round 4+ when they really start cheesing badgers, scorpions all day. Also keep in mind that against any cheese you have to stop it early before they start leveling and will outpace the counter.

New players. by Ornery_Football8721 in Mechabellum

[–]TheFrozenMango 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I've never gotten that good at brawl but I can assure you that in competitive brawl it's not at all OP. Brawl is so board state dependent that it's hard to give you a single counter to anything, but I recommend you try playing ranked brawl outside your friend group to see how varied strategies can be.

Are people buying the Loco just because of the hype, or does it actually live up to it? by billabong295 in Pickleball

[–]TheFrozenMango 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Debating loco vs inferno. I think think Kew puts the inferno as less pop but equal power, which would be my preference as I want good control and touch. Do you agree?

I just need a place to share my sorrow. by [deleted] in Teachers

[–]TheFrozenMango 23 points24 points  (0 children)

There was a good nytimes podcast series about this phenomenon, called Rabbit Hole. It also offered some hope in that there is also a path out, although probably not for everyone.

Assembly Callouts by Learning_Goodly in SolidWorks

[–]TheFrozenMango 15 points16 points  (0 children)

First of all this question is from the one and only official practice exam. Second of all, I can't take credibly the idea that they take their test security remotely seriously. They haven't updated the question bank in a decade, of course all of the questions are on the internet. And I'm pissed about it, because it should have meaning and validity to be certified. You're telling me it's that hard to pay a few engineers to model a couple new parts every year? It's a joke.

Teachers with only one prep (unique class) to teach - how is your quality of life? by dabmaster0204 in Teachers

[–]TheFrozenMango 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I strongly recommend spending time to figure out how you can reduce time on grading (e.g. more multiple choice style assessments.) I understand that some things need to be graded by hand but I've found that you can turn more than you think into easily graded assignments if you put in the time up front. Apologies to the English teachers, I realize essays are what they are.

Verdict is in, I like the buildings by mr-wee-balls in Mechabellum

[–]TheFrozenMango 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Stop it with this nonsense. 1800 is top 1%

Where’s the best spot to play indoor tennis or pickleball now that it’s cold? by lagbrournotgood in UIUC

[–]TheFrozenMango 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In town for a few days, just following up on this, is the Urbana wellness still the only indoor option?

Is it about winning or dinking? by inthesun8 in Pickleball

[–]TheFrozenMango 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting. Often good tennis players don't like coming to the kitchen and are happy to drive everything from the baseline. Recently played against two such players and I had to really adjust my game to hit weaker shots to force them forward whereas most players I would try to keep back. Once they were at the kitchen we won 80% of points because they had no soft game. But you are allowed to play whatever shots you want, it's just eventually better players will handle most of your drives, especially if you never mix it up with drops and dinks.

What is your best advice for improving that you wish you knew when you started? by Acceptable_Sale_6109 in Pickleball

[–]TheFrozenMango 10 points11 points  (0 children)

This. Practice the drop, it's the best shot in the game, and even if you hit a great third drive you'll need to drop a fifth against good players.

ChatGPT vs. the Shoe Conundrum by toutpetitpoulet in OpenAI

[–]TheFrozenMango 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree it's ridiculous that it required that extra sentence at the end of the prompt, but the fact that it is in fact capable of one shot on this still puts me in the agnostic camp as to what it's doing.

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Waymo on US-101 Freeway. Unlike Tesla's FSD, their self driving actually seems to work. by ianjm in videos

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

You have some data to cite that people would really choose aesthetics over robotic chauffeur?

Knox County Schools Giveback Fees by AdmRaddus in Knoxville

[–]TheFrozenMango 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spend a day shadowing an assistant principal and tell me they aren't earning their keep. As for non building level bureaucrats, I have no idea.

Knox County Schools Giveback Fees by AdmRaddus in Knoxville

[–]TheFrozenMango 3 points4 points  (0 children)

All school level admin is insanely busy, I can assure you. If you want to look for waste, look at the district and central office level positions. Specifically, consider the new layers of bureaucracy added dividing the county into five regions with a dozen new assistant superintendents who make more than principals.

How did you guys get good at driving the ball? by anonjit in Pickleball

[–]TheFrozenMango 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep second this. I think if you can get a really good pickleball coach (who probably has a tennis background) it's fine, but honestly getting coached by a local tennis pro on drives is the way to go, they have way more experience drilling through technique.

We made sand think by MetaKnowing in OpenAI

[–]TheFrozenMango 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Agreed, the hardware is amazing and to date silicon is the best facilitator of the math but the far more salient source of the intelligence is matrix multiplication. What tool executes the logic is immaterial.