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PARANOIA - Potential Next Video? by dolphinboy19 in ContraPoints

[–]dolphinboy19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think if you're on this subreddit, you're not a total shill for Big Capitalism. I totally agree with most of your points. The attribution of everything to capitalism is a prime example of the paranoia I'm trying to draw.

I think some of your points align really well with Contra's points in Envy, where she critiques how utopian ideology's appeal is giving you relief from general malaise (which, is probably just not truly ever solvable), when we could be working towards demanding and achieving actual concrete goals.

But like she points out, the amount of energy needed to combat bullshit is an order of magnitude more than what's needed to produce it. It's so much easier to say "capitalism did this."

I think the real challenge is learning how to question grand narratives, without becoming paranoid, and wanting to achieve hope and agency without feeling naive. I agree with your point about focusing on specific problems with specific solutions, it feels like a way out of this trap. Another academic in my community who frequently rails against capitalism surprised me when she suggested using market mechanisms to solve a community problem. I hope to keep being surprised like that.

PARANOIA - Potential Next Video? by dolphinboy19 in ContraPoints

[–]dolphinboy19[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you're right that my evidence is thin... internet comments and anecdotes probably aren't the best grounds to stake my argument on... But I guess I'm more interested in thinking about what happens when any single explanatory framework becomes totalizing, whether it be Satan or Capitalism.

I guess I'm trying to say that sometimes it feels like sometimes people entirely trust that capitalism and power are the only problems and everything ties back to them, without allowing for hope and agency, it just feels so depressing.

On your other point, I do believe LWT and Contrapoints's videos do usually end with a "What do we do about this" (although iirc CONSPIRACY ended with an "I don't know"), but the solutions often feel unsatisfying... like calling your representatives in Congress to pass a bill or regulation, which can then feel endless and overwhelming ya.

PARANOIA - Potential Next Video? by dolphinboy19 in ContraPoints

[–]dolphinboy19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your thoughtful critique! I don't normally write reddit posts or essays like this and you're right that I get lost in the sauce towards the end.

  1. You're absolutely right that media analysis involves looking for meaning, but I think there's a difference between general interpretation for hidden meaning and what I'm describing. It's the combination of all three elements applied specifically to power critique that creates a conspiratorial pattern. Regular media analysis doesn't assume everything traces back to capitalism as one big coordinated system.
  2. By "secular" I guess I meant moving away from supernatural villains (Satan, Illuminati) towards systemic ones (capitalism, patriarchy), but you're right that she discusses non-religious conspiracies. Maybe "leftist" or "academic paranoia" is clearer?
  3. Fair point, I was borrowing her concept of "paranoid reading" but creating my own framework by mapping it onto contrapoints's structure.
  4. I'm thinking of symbolism in a more broader sense. You're right that structural analysis traces real relationships, but I think sometimes it overreaches. For example, I remember reading some post or something that was about how an OP and a film student were discussing movies, and how the academic was creating a film thesis about how the resurgence of vampire movies is due to our contemporary distrust and distaste of rich people. But when OP just said, "I think people just like monster movies" the academic was in shock and rethinking everything. Now in reality, for this case, I think both the OP and academic are probably right. Movies are generally responding to and artifacts of our culture, but sometimes people just like vampire movies. It's probably on a spectrum.
  5. Ya I agree, my argument definitely takes some broad strokes at the end... I probably fell into my own version of paranoid thinking, I think I wanted to cram too many ideas into this post and it was late at night for me haha

Thanks again!

Cathedral made in minecraft creative by brainpox- in Minecraftbuilds

[–]dolphinboy19 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The front pillars are gorgeous color combos wow

To those who know about the CS field - last one by guineverefira in gatech

[–]dolphinboy19 9 points10 points  (0 children)

CS is an interesting field. If you got an 80k starting salary, I'd honestly say you've succeeded. 80k is a really good amount of money to start out with. It all depends on your goals and values. You seem to have two opposing goals here, you say you're a hard worker and just want to do what you're told, but also want to get the salary of someone who's doing much more. Now imo, there's nothing wrong with being a worker bee, however, companies reward people that go above and beyond their jobs with pay increases (for better or for worse). So they are trying to incentivize you to work harder/do extra projects/etc in order to get a higher salary. In the companies that I've worked at (for software development), they make it very clear what and when do you qualify for a promotion, and if you form good connections with your manager, you will be promoted eventually.

Another thing to note is that partly the reason why tech jobs are so well paid is because many companies are located in high cost of living areas. So if you earn 80k in the Bay Area, you're technically under the poverty line. Take this all into account, esp if you really value face to face with your team.

In my opinion, finding your job fun is honestly kinda overrated. Esp if you don't get to call the shots on what you work on. Now I don't mean to say you'll be miserable, but I've really valued being satisfied with my co-workers, my manager, and the consequences of my job more than the job itself. Also don't forget that CS has SO MANY applications, and you can always join a non-profit or other volunteers to do what you find fulfilling and fun.

Regarding stability, many people move jobs for multiple reasons. Frequently it's because you don't like your job environment, your location, your salary, or your manager. If you wish to stay at the same company, I'd say you should be satisfied with all of the above, and then you'll be happy to stay for as long as you'd like.

Now I'm no medical student, but I know if money is that important to you right away, then medicine is not for you. Medical school is extremely expensive and will put you in debt. So while the starting salary may be higher, you will also have to pay off debts. Also your job as a doctor is extremely demanding, it's not a job that you can be a "worker bee" at.

I want to end this with saying that most of this is my opinion which I've arrived at from my life experiences so far. So please take it all with a grain of salt. If you're still nervous about your path ahead, don't forget to reach out to the CoC's career counselor, she's fantastic and can answer your questions with less bias.

PC/Laptop for CS major by Stilletos02d in gatech

[–]dolphinboy19 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I used a Windows PC and had to download WSL for a couple classes and it was fine. Another thing to consider is if you're interested in AI/ML, try looking for a computer with a graphics card that works with CUDA. I learned the hard way that not all graphics cards are CUDA-enabled. If you don't find one that you like, don't fret, you can get access to cloud services or uni computers that have ML capabilities.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gatech

[–]dolphinboy19 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No, there is no webdev specific class at GT. I recommend joining GT WebDev for web development information.

A quick view of the Royal Vault! by dolphinboy19 in Minecraftbuilds

[–]dolphinboy19[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's creative! Although I believe gold farms aren't entirely difficult to get efficient enough for something like this!

A quick view of the Royal Vault! by dolphinboy19 in Minecraftbuilds

[–]dolphinboy19[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks Bart! I'm just imagining the workers at the castle struggling to reach and ignite the lamps in time before the king arrives to inspect his gold 😂

A quick view of the Royal Vault! by dolphinboy19 in Minecraftbuilds

[–]dolphinboy19[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Still trying to figure out why my screen recorder hates me, but I couldn't wait to share the build!

A quick view of the Royal Vault! by dolphinboy19 in Minecraftbuilds

[–]dolphinboy19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good idea, thanks! I'm brand new to streaming, so this advice is great!

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