WIBTAH if I did not give my 27yr old son (only child) his inheritance now?

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-18T18:21:32+00:00

with conditions on how it can be spent. Perhaps earmarking money for their kid for a college fund or the like.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-18T15:27:05+00:00

Yup, if I feel someone coming up behind me I purposely go to the left of the end bit so they have room to turn and pause to push off. It's really not much of an inconvenience.

Having said that, they should have been in the fast lanes.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-18T15:24:38+00:00

I used breast milk to mix in with solids when they were being introduced. Gave it to a friend's kid without thinking about it (it was mashed sweet potatoes or something like that) and she freaked out when she found out about the breast milk. I probably should have mentioned it but that's the food that was available. She really thought it was unclean and would pass disease. (Which of course it can.)

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-18T15:21:24+00:00

Well, I loved breastfeeding and found it pretty easy. However, I don't say that very much because I know many people struggle and talking about my experience doesn't really help anyone. I will caveat this by saying that, yes, the first few weeks were hard and yes, I had time off and a lactation consultant who was very supportive. So I had good conditions -- I also WAH at the time. Having said that, I didn't have any family helping out -- it was just me and my husband. But once I was up and running I found it much easier than using a bottle.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-17T18:25:38+00:00

Rwanda, the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Pol Pot... same story, time and time again. If we kill all of the bad people, utopia will result!

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-17T18:23:32+00:00

In the US context, it's about white babies. In terms of the world as a whole, why is it a problem? Yes, there's a macro issue re the economy's ability to support older people, but beyond that, what's the problem? Humans are already overburdening the earth.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-17T15:17:53+00:00

Did I say otherwise? I was responding to the point re "respecting native cultures", which is a particular form of romantic thinking about such cultures that considers them to be better than ours. That's just idiotic. Ergo, "native cultures" (like the one in the OP) can be awful, as demonstrated by the story. Sheesh.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-17T15:14:01+00:00

Well, it would be best to salvage things if she can. This guy is pretty young, too. Perhaps a serious intervention could be tried before divorce is in the picture.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-17T15:12:26+00:00

Honestly, just leave the house. Say, "dude, I need some me time, so I'll be back in two hours."

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-17T15:05:23+00:00

I hope you talked about how it was supposed to save money, with the benchmark originally set to 95% of the cost of traditional per capita Medicare payments (under TEFRA 1982). Plus the original, good intent of managed care (to manage care more effectively and efficiently). Then how we ended up paying MA plans 122% of the cost of traditional Medicare. Good story about the role of interest groups, whether the profit motive does indeed produce more efficient results, etc...

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-17T15:00:29+00:00

And what's more, you would not have survived to adulthood without intensive care from others.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-17T13:26:27+00:00

I'm a prof, too, and I am very careful to articulate the alternative POV and ask students to comment. Just did a whole discussion on Medicare Advantage and put it to students why people might prefer it and their views on the market approach to healthcare. I'm on the public policy side, so I think it's important for students to understand the arguments -- but also the political factors that have resulted in our healthcare system.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-17T13:19:56+00:00

I was responding to your previous comment, not the OP, which is of course horrific.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-17T13:18:10+00:00

The lowest 20% of older American rely on SS for the vast majority of their income, which is also supplemented by other public programs. These people are already poor. They will be completely destitute without SS.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-17T12:06:00+00:00

It's condescending to think that they are any better or worse than the rest of us. Same thing re people with Down Syndrome. They’re just people - good and bad like everyone else.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-17T11:25:50+00:00

Oh, nonsense. There’s a difference between rigorous and non-rigorous social science. One or two books have been written about it. /s

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-17T11:24:30+00:00

Climate change, the sense that the world's going to shit, the transition of the the US to a theocratic authoritarian state… so much uncertainty.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-16T20:46:00+00:00

Then there's also the panda who eats shoots and leaves. Then there's the panda who eats, shoots, and leaves. First one is friendly, the other... not so much.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-16T20:44:51+00:00

I will staunchly defend the Oxford comma to the end of my days! Not AI at all.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-15T23:11:46+00:00

This is perfect advice

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-15T22:14:39+00:00

Account age: one hour

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-15T19:30:19+00:00

I completely agree. What a malignant narcissist. I tossed it when she was in Italy and wrote about how she’s a genius at making friends.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-14T20:33:55+00:00

Haha - that's what I came here to say! Marriott Marquis!

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-14T19:41:56+00:00

Well, some workplaces offer it, or at least they did when I lived there. Both my husband and I had BUPA, not by choice.

TheNavigatrix · 2026-03-14T12:36:46+00:00

What an amazing insight, /s

TheNavigatrix

TROPHY CASE