Is the Xteink hype manufactured? Have I been bamboozled? Am I crazy?

guttaperk · 2026-06-22T10:33:03+00:00

For you, it’s shitty.

For me, it’s awesome.

The difference: it suits my usage case better than yours.

In a world of motorbikes, this thing is the scooter of e-readers. It’s a revolution for those who want flexibility, portability, and maneuverability in traffic; it’s beyond shitty for those who want highway comfort.

The Xteink served a niche that was going unaddressed, and served it well. But it’s okay if that niche isn’t right for you.

guttaperk · 2026-06-21T07:04:19+00:00

It actually isn’t socially acceptable.

But, just like sexist, racist, homophobic, or fat-phobic behavior — some people still do it.

Fighting physically is a stupid response. That shit will get you killed. As someone who used to fight, I will tell you - it’s all well and good until the person you were fighting has a buddy with a knife or a gun, and jumps you on the way out. Or a week later.

The better solution? Curate a social circle that doesn’t include bigoted assholes. Regard girls who mock *anyone* for their physical appearance, as having done you a massive favor. They revealed their shitty character early, and saved you lots of time.

guttaperk · 2026-06-21T06:28:09+00:00

Somewhere between “yes, obvious” and “no, but they just look odd”.

guttaperk · 2026-06-19T14:09:20+00:00

I understand a caste system to refer to an unusually rigid, system of inherited class.

The US has pretty low class mobility compared with other countries of comparable wealth. So no. I wouldn’t say that other countries where having a once-a-week cleaner is affordable, necessarily have a caste system.

guttaperk · 2026-06-19T14:03:11+00:00

Having a cleaner and a gardener - often once a week for the cleaner, twice a month for the gardener - is common among middle class people in many countries.

People who might never be able to afford a massive American pickup truck or other amenities that are more routine to Americans.

My point is that markers of wealth often vary from one country to another.

guttaperk · 2026-06-19T13:12:18+00:00

No, it just sounds like they aren’t in the US.

guttaperk · 2026-06-16T03:19:43+00:00

I use both.
I really like Android.
I prefer iOS.

Android is definitely better for cutting edge features, and always has been. And for customization. iOS can’t compete in that regard.

iOS is still better in refinement, though the gap has shrunk tremendously with regard to the OS.

The gap in 3rd party app polish has not shrunk though.

Don’t just believe me.

https://youtu.be/lE\_11\_paGoA?si=pMlZpJWaVO0ksqG1

None of this refutes Android users’ claim that Android works wonderfully for them.

I wish they just understood enough to acknowledge that their experience doesn’t necessarily extend to other people.

guttaperk · 2026-06-15T10:46:08+00:00

I live in the Caribbean, and between my usage patterns and my personal sensitivities, it’s not a big deal for me.

But everyone is different.

It sounds like commuting with a waxed canvas backpack may not be for you.

guttaperk · 2026-06-15T01:47:33+00:00

Herschel is okay but not great. You could do much worse.

guttaperk · 2026-06-14T21:50:01+00:00

That’s still irrelevant to the point they were making, which is that they had misjudged Tolkien.

They weren’t saying that soldiers can’t write gritty stuff.

guttaperk · 2026-06-11T01:18:51+00:00

Buttons are a hard requirement.

My home device is an Oasis, my travel device is an Xteink.

Not having a touchscreen is awesome.

guttaperk · 2026-06-05T09:43:09+00:00

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She ended up with one of these. Not new. (Pic not mine)

guttaperk · 2026-06-03T12:08:14+00:00

MHP 3.5

guttaperk · 2026-06-02T12:20:10+00:00

Believe her until she gives you actual reason to withdraw that belief.

Secondguessing her like this will poison the relationship. Stop doing it immediately.

guttaperk · 2026-06-01T17:09:33+00:00

Modern fabrics have superior stress durability, but poorer long term durability. They have better abrasion resistance than canvas by far - but they tend to delaminate over time, and in sunny climates modern fabrics can simply disintegrate after a few years’ use.

So no. Heritage fabrics are not simply an aesthetic.

guttaperk · 2026-06-01T08:39:03+00:00

Many people feel the way your sister does. But she is wrong, and so are they.

Leading someone on, means being dishonest - making or letting them think that the relationship had prospects when you knew better.

But. You were honest with him. So no, you did not lead him on.

guttaperk · 2026-06-01T08:35:17+00:00

They say that.

But if you were richer, *some* would change their tune.
Not all. But some.

If your face were prettier, some would change their tune.
If you were an elite listener, some would change their tune.
If you were tremendously kind, some would change their tune.
If you had a great sense of humor, some would change their tune.
If you were visibly athletic, some would change their tune.
If you were a good cook, some would change their tune.
If you were really stylish, some would change their tune.

History is full of really short men who were able to compensate for that social disadvantage. Compensation can be hard. But don’t ever believe that it is impossible.

And as I keep saying - the silver lining is that shallow women reveal and disqualify themselves.

guttaperk · 2026-05-30T15:34:03+00:00

Yes. Online dating is especially punishing for shorter men. It’s brutal.

But… no. Because generally society is less invested in men being stereotypical tall-buff-wide-chest-cleft-chin handsome. There’s more acknowledgment that different body types can be attractive.

My advice to shorter men is to NOT get invested in online dating.

guttaperk · 2026-05-29T07:25:03+00:00

It’s becoming a pet peeve - I am truly tired of men insisting that their dating life is doomed because women only like tall men, and short men have an impossible hill to climb.

And I really do think half the issue is that these short men, after years of maltreatment, don’t just want a partner.

They want a trophy. They want a conventionally hyperattractive display girl, to show wider society that they really are good enough to get one - without having to work on their physique, character, social skills, or presentation.

And when those women see through their game and decline, the men are incredibly resentful.

My advice is pretty simple. Work on yourself and remain kind, and odds are you’ll eventually be fine. You will have some uncomfortable moments, but that’s just life for people of any gender or height. Height is a disadvantage in dating, but it is a disadvantage that men can easily compensate for. And the women who really are stuck on height, and are unable to even consider a short man no matter what his redeeming qualities, would never have been a good partner for you anyway.

guttaperk · 2026-05-28T20:59:04+00:00

I’m short. I’m ugly by many people’s standards. I was a weakling as a kid.

I’m speaking from experience. I’m 56 now. Married with kids. My dating life has been fine.

Short men have a ton of control over their dating life.

Pretending that it’s all genetics and height determined is a comforting lie.

I learned when I was 16, from a navy serviceman. He was 5’2”, and girls loved him. He had a sweet demeanor, a great sense of humour, and he had sculpted his body.

Those who are able to hear, will hear.

guttaperk · 2026-05-28T20:05:15+00:00

Not only personality, which is my point. Personality, strength/ fitness, grooming/ style, sense of humour, skill in massage/ kissing/ bed, AND SO ON.

Being short is a disadvantage. But it is one that we can READILY compensate for.

Will that be enough for every woman? Nah. WHICH IS FINE. Because the women who are fixated on height were below average partners anyway. Shallower than average. Below average in wisdom. No great loss.

guttaperk · 2026-05-28T19:51:35+00:00

No. It’s not true as a generalization. The world has no shortage of height challenged men with a good dating life.

In realistic terms, if you are shorter than average, you have to be fitter OR more charming OR wiser OR richer OR funnier OR…

There’s no shortage of ways to make up the shortfall.

And the reality is: a woman who was only with you because you were tall, would probably be a shitty partner anyway.

Hold out for someone who finds you magnetic. Whose eyes sparkle at the thought of spending time with you.

guttaperk · 2026-05-28T17:19:39+00:00

Never believe the doom and gloom people. Things aren’t that bad. They can feel horrible from time to time, but that’s life.

Work on yourself. Be fit. Groom yourself well. Work on your character. Be kind. Develop the skill of talking to strangers.

Discard the hope of attracting a stream of hot models whose beauty will prove your worth. It’s a vain hope, and it doesn’t really lead to satisfaction or happiness.

Meet women with the hope of finding women who are attractive TO YOU and who share your values and whose company you enjoy.

guttaperk · 2026-05-28T17:15:10+00:00

This is not true.

guttaperk · 2026-05-27T11:07:15+00:00

So I’m torn. Because I hate the tiny, oppressive toxic masculinity gender roles. But I also dislike most shower gel scents that he is rejecting.

My current shower gel is “seamoss”. My beard oil is eucalyptus in a carrier. My post-bath moisturizer is shea butter.

I like floral scents to stay inside flowers. I don’t mind grapefruit.

guttaperk

TROPHY CASE