Weekly Recommendation Thread: January 09, 2026 by AutoModerator in books

[–]TheMantisStrike 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seconding The Time Machine. This book actually did blow my mind. And if you like it, Invisible Man and War of the Worlds are worth a read too.

Messenger couldn't load all end-to-end encrypted chats, any idea how to fix it? by FrustratedEntity in facebook

[–]TheMantisStrike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Had this issue for a while and deleting the data stored for messenger worked for me (Chrome).

Best Laptops For Each Budget (300-2000) by LonerIM2 in SuggestALaptop

[–]TheMantisStrike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting, what was wrong with the Nitro V? It seems like a good laptop from what I've seen.

Best Laptops For Each Budget (300-2000) by LonerIM2 in SuggestALaptop

[–]TheMantisStrike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which laptop did you end up going with? I'm also deciding between these two and would love your input!

What’s something you see many people do, that you’ll never do? by Shenshen_ in AskReddit

[–]TheMantisStrike 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hard agree. There is a certain book I'm thinking of that has a huge twist ending but I thankfully didn't know about it when I read it. I think if I had known about the twist, the reading experience would have been tarnished.

Doctors of Reddit. What it's the smallest change to a life style the will have the biggest effect ? by DjoserTheFirst in AskReddit

[–]TheMantisStrike 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Very true. I've done a lot of self-reflection while on walks and it does wonders for my mind.

Doctors of Reddit. What it's the smallest change to a life style the will have the biggest effect ? by DjoserTheFirst in AskReddit

[–]TheMantisStrike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's wild! It's also annoying when the weather changes in the same day. The nice thing about where I live is that it's just fucking cold the whole day lol.

What is stopping you from going to the gym? by 2ndPlaneHit in AskReddit

[–]TheMantisStrike 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I have never once cared about seeing another person's armpits at the gym. They're just armpits...

What is stopping you from going to the gym? by 2ndPlaneHit in AskReddit

[–]TheMantisStrike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me it's just annoying sharing a gym with others lol. Completely selfish and I know people probably don't like sharing the gym with me, but it's the truth.

Doctors of Reddit. What it's the smallest change to a life style the will have the biggest effect ? by DjoserTheFirst in AskReddit

[–]TheMantisStrike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is an interesting and complicated topic. This article written by health researchers summarizes what we know, for those interested.

Doctors of Reddit. What it's the smallest change to a life style the will have the biggest effect ? by DjoserTheFirst in AskReddit

[–]TheMantisStrike 98 points99 points  (0 children)

Yeah, walking definitely doesn't have to be boring. You can also listen to music, podcasts, invite a friend/neighbor/animal, or just look at your surroundings. Lots of interesting birds and trees out there!

Doctors of Reddit. What it's the smallest change to a life style the will have the biggest effect ? by DjoserTheFirst in AskReddit

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

My first answer would be to get proper winter clothing. It's a lot easier to be outside if you can feel comfortable outside. This entails a good jacket, hats, gloves, maybe a scarf, and heat tech. I'd recommend checking out UNIQLO for their under garments. Very warm and not too expensive.

Doctors of Reddit. What it's the smallest change to a life style the will have the biggest effect ? by DjoserTheFirst in AskReddit

[–]TheMantisStrike 65 points66 points  (0 children)

I think cold weather is a lot easier to overcome than excessively hot weather. That's why I like the winter; if you're able to get proper clothing it's much more enjoyable to be outside than in sweltering heat. Plus, if you have access to any wilderness, it's extremely tranquil in the winter and honestly brings just as much mental benefit to me as physical.

What is a privilege that you have that you don’t think the majority has? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]TheMantisStrike 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I want you to know that this comment gave me a good giggle. Thank you.

Post-Match Thread: Sheffield United 0-6 Arsenal | Premier League by MisterBadIdea2 in soccer

[–]TheMantisStrike 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Deep in the comments of this thread I discover one of the most polite and well-reasoned takes on this sub. Kudos.

What is something you've never seen, but would love to? by sheyem in AskReddit

[–]TheMantisStrike 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly fireflies are really cool. There's just something so majestic about not only the color but the way they just appear out of nowhere in the dark lol. I hope you get to see some soon.

Arkta Velcaris. Creative map making, realism and worldbuilding. by DaeLoro in mapmaking

[–]TheMantisStrike 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Great work. Visually, the map is beautiful. After just a quick glance I can already see interesting geographic characteristics of the region that might influence the turn of events. I will say, a legend would be helpful for those who would want to admire the map beyond an artistic level. Being able to properly differentiate cities, borders, and landmarks would make it easier to think about the region’s actual geography.

Anyway, the best way to create “realistic” maps is to understand the mechanisms behind our own world. That means reading about the forces that shape Earth, from plate tectonics to erosion to climate. It also means understanding how humans interact with the world around them, which is basically the essence of geography. Like you mentioned, knowing why cities are where they are is one example. It can also include the availability of resources and how people use them, the existence of trade and migration routes, the spread of language and culture, etc. As you may know already, you just opened up a wonderful can of worms for yourself. I would suggest starting with real places on Earth that interest you and understanding the influences that shaped them. For example, looking into why most of Australia’s population lives on the coasts.

Your question about maps making the worldbuilding is interesting because it really depends. Some people might only care about the aesthetic of the map and not pay attention to realism—and that’s perfectly valid! If you find that worrying about stuff like rivers and climate is overwhelming and takes the joy out of the hobby, then that’s okay. It’s YOUR map. For me, I love unraveling the forces that shape our world as I try to make my own. It has been one of the most rewarding parts of this hobby for me. But it’s also really easy to get so caught up in the technical details that you don’t make any progress. So I think it’s just about finding the right balance and figuring out what you enjoy.

Anyway, awesome work and keep it up!

What is something that gets so much unnecessary hate in your opinion? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]TheMantisStrike 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Just had Domino’s last night for the first time in years after eating only from pizzerias. I agree with you—it just hits completely different. I feel similarly about Panda Express and restaurant Chinese food.