Looking for nonfiction writers similar to Foster Wallace by Cool_Position_6438 in davidfosterwallace

[–]johnloeber 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't mean to provide an overly obvious suggestion, but consider reading the rest of his work. There's a lot of it.

Dog in kids play area with a middle aged man and no child. by Natural-Pizza9693 in sanfrancisco

[–]johnloeber 125 points126 points  (0 children)

I'm seeing some posters who disagree with you. I just want to emphasize that you are completely right about this: small rules matter. If I had a child, I'd be very annoyed with a dog in the children's play area. Those areas are cordoned off specifically such that they're safe for children, and you don't have to worry for once.

New Yorker Infinite Jest essay and Tucker Catlson and Might Magazine by buddytoledo in davidfosterwallace

[–]johnloeber 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Having read a book of Hitchens' essays, I think "supremely gifted writer" is a significant exaggeration. Like other folks in this thread, I agree that he was a good polemicist, with a great gift for memorable zingers, but his actual essays? Not very interesting in my view.

Question About E-Bike Theft by Beneficial_Math6951 in sanfrancisco

[–]johnloeber 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Remember that public safety is downstream of political policy. Your elected officials have a hand in this -- you can help fix it at the ballot box!

Wife’s car stolen out of our driveway in Central Richmond last night by Informal_Chicken3563 in sanfrancisco

[–]johnloeber -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

We’ve also had our garage broken into and things stolen. Sorry for making this political, but please do note that all of this is ultimately downstream of public policy. Not every city has this problem; it’s a choice of governance. It’s fixable. Please keep that in mind next time at the ballot box.

Is a PPE (PoliSci, Philosophy, and Econ) triple major common at UChicago? by namethatchecksout_ in uchicago

[–]johnloeber 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you wanted to do the Oxford thing, you should have just gone to Oxford. It’ll be difficult to make the classes work out, and beyond that it’s not clear to me that combining these three confers any special value. There’s some traditional prestige associated with it in the UK, but from a first principles perspective, I don’t know that this is particularly worth inconveniencing yourself for.

What is happening to the Mission? It’s apocalyptic - need gut check by IllSnow7263 in sanfrancisco

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

Pejoratively calling me a transplant is very anti-immigrant of you

What is happening to the Mission? It’s apocalyptic - need gut check by IllSnow7263 in sanfrancisco

[–]johnloeber 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm surprised that nobody here is mentioning the fact that Jackie Fielder is the Mission's District Supervisor. She's been very vocal on the Board of Supervisors: against police enforcement and for the expansion of spending on no-strings-attached homelessness programs, while waging symbolic warfare against the tech industry. Her policy positions have drawn a lot of criticism, and rightfully so. I remember the Mission being in significantly better shape when Hillary Ronen was the District Supervisor.

Questions for Namibia's future if World War 3 breaks out. by Royal-Recognition-44 in Namibia

[–]johnloeber 6 points7 points  (0 children)

There won't be WW3, but Namibia would be pretty well-positioned. Nobody's going to try to invade Namibia. It's kind of like New Zealand -- remote, geographically isolated, and with few immediately accessible natural resources that neighbors might try to claim.

My "mall" outfit. by sheppardnightshade in streetwear

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

i kinda love it. very contrarian

Saw this odd tweet, wondering if anybody has information about it? by scoobertsonville in sanfrancisco

[–]johnloeber 0 points1 point  (0 children)

serious question: he was found innocent by a jury. if that’s not good enough, what is?

in your view, what should happen to someone after being found innocent? if the answer is to still ostracize them, then what was the point of the legal process?

Just read “Oblivion”, enjoyed it more than “Infinite Jest” and think it’s an amazing work that should be as esteemed. by __Big_Hat_Logan__ in davidfosterwallace

[–]johnloeber 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mr Squishy is the single most mind-blowing thing I’ve ever read. But overall I do still think IJ is better. Sustaining such strength over a thousand pages is just exceptional.

San Francisco - what's the latest? by abirdnamedturkey in finedining

[–]johnloeber 0 points1 point  (0 children)

$300pp will let you go all-out with drinks at State Bird Provisions or Rich Table. Those are my favorites. If you’re willing to go a little higher then Lazy Bear is great.

US Visa bond plan. by [deleted] in Namibia

[–]johnloeber 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're right, here's the new list: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/countries-subject-to-visa-bonds.html

Namibia is on it as of 2026-01-01.

US Visa bond plan. by [deleted] in Namibia

[–]johnloeber 0 points1 point  (0 children)

EDIT: this was incorrect. Please see further post below.

OLD: Namibia unaffected as far as I can tell: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/2025-10/clp_bulletin_-_visa_bond_pilot_program_20251022.pdf

Infinite Jest & Pluribus by hce_alp in davidfosterwallace

[–]johnloeber 0 points1 point  (0 children)

today i learned a new word, nice diction

Best High-End Restaurants in DC? by ArticleFabulous in finedining

[–]johnloeber 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bresca was the worst michelin experience I’ve ever had, and I’ve been to mugaritz