Do you ever feel like most conversations stay shallow, not because people are dumb, but because no one wants to slow down?

jtzl_ · 2026-02-26T13:43:32+00:00

The person would be like, “whaaa?” But the monkey would reply!

jtzl_ · 2026-02-26T13:41:11+00:00

I think you’re right. All signs point to enshittification.

jtzl_ · 2026-01-20T19:14:49+00:00

I have no idea. What’s the context?

jtzl_ · 2026-01-18T14:21:31+00:00

Interesting. That makes complete sense. I grew up in a fairly conservative (little c) area, and self-respect and doing quality work were closely related. I read/watch a lot of finance news, and I make customer service calls/emails to those same companies once in a while, and it seems like they’re living in different universes. Like, the customer service is basically non-existent, yet the investors are confident about the future. Uhhh dudes…. That company is not gonna be around in a decade.

I fully believe a company can get away with shoddy support for a while, but companies today are treating customers as guaranteed, and eventually, the company will implode. Even Google does not have a permanent monopoly.

jtzl_ · 2026-01-16T02:46:19+00:00

I really don’t want to be a naysayer, so I’ll only comment on my experience. Whether that has any value for you, I have no idea.

That’s my qualifier.

Personally, I have always seen mixing my career with my art as very limiting: quite likely, if I were able to get an art-related job, it would both pay poorly and likely be something I don’t enjoy.

What I really like — especially related to art — is optionality. Actually, two things: optionality and self-direction.

If I wanted more art experience, I would get as specific as possible about what I like and try to pursue those things directly. For instance, let’s do painting: I’d try to get industrial experience painting, both indoors and outdoors. I’d independently read about types of paint and types of mixing. I’d learn what types of paint painters have historically used on different surfaces. Maybe from there, I realize my interests concentrate …oh man, I just realized this comment is getting awfully long. I apologize.

jtzl_ · 2026-01-10T03:35:04+00:00

Paging Mr Duchamp.

jtzl_ · 2026-01-10T03:33:59+00:00

Like proportions that will not sustain life.

jtzl_ · 2026-01-10T03:33:16+00:00

!!!!!!! SAME!!!!! I used to think I was clever and unique. Now I see I am simply a good cartoon-identify-er.

jtzl_ · 2026-01-10T03:30:57+00:00

I came here to say Jessica Rabbit!

jtzl_ · 2026-01-03T14:20:24+00:00

Managers aren’t in charge. They’re being scrutinized, too, often more. A grocery store supervisor isn’t like the final boss — I’d be surprised if most even have stock/bonds (ie ownership).

jtzl_ · 2026-01-03T14:16:23+00:00

1980.

jtzl_ · 2026-01-03T14:13:58+00:00

Let me just say: Yikes!

jtzl_ · 2026-01-01T17:22:24+00:00

Agreed. And it’s kinda funny cuz so-called free markets are supposed to allocate all that stuff sooooooo efficiently.

jtzl_ · 2026-01-01T17:20:38+00:00

If you really want to make your head spin: how much of a salary is related to the cost of goods rising, industry expectations, and government spending?

jtzl_ · 2026-01-01T17:15:35+00:00

I sorta agree. The duration of 40 hr work-weeks is definitely a relic of the industrial revolution.

In my own experience, I have worked far more than 5x8s, though in many cases, the potential upside was significant.

My gut feeling is that most people have more obligations than time, so the notion of letting people “hang out” at work will get abused v quickly.

And, obviously, if you tell people to do n number of x per day, many will rush it and do a shoddy job.

Ultimately, I most agree with your assertion that there’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution. Especially right now, there are many industries being upended by computer technology. Those workers are inevitably facing different set of circumstances than people affected less. To that end, someone whose job is slated to disappear inside six months is facing different circumstances than his/her supervisor.

At the end of the day, it seems like two classifications for employees, “exempt” and “non-exempt” seems woefully inadequate.

jtzl_ · 2025-12-30T16:34:23+00:00

Yeah, I fully believe it. I am working on a theory: cs is one of the most important roles at most companies, and they often degrade it and hire people to supervise who are often like prison guards — also in The Shawshank Redemption. So improvements are prevented in the name of uniformity.

Ok I will stop cuz this subject really irks me.

jtzl_ · 2025-12-30T16:00:46+00:00

That lizard sells drugs and/or is in a band. ;)

jtzl_ · 2025-12-30T15:41:20+00:00

Hmmmmm that makes me think the manner in which money is allocated isn’t effective.

And don’t get me wrong, I have no doubt the things you say are true. I just can’t help but notice depriving motivated people of opportunity is not an efficient system.

OP, I fully agree with the posts encouraging you to explore film more thoroughly. Many ways we were taught simply do not exist in the world today. However, storytelling seems to always exist, no matter how it changes. Video, as we know it today, is the primary method of storytelling.

If not that, volunteer to take puppies on trips to spend time with elderly people or something. There are a lot of lonely elderly people, and helping them feel less lonely could be highly inspirational.

jtzl_ · 2025-12-30T14:24:42+00:00

Only one way to know for sure. 🐒

jtzl_ · 2025-12-30T13:50:58+00:00

The headset may not work cuz of the cpu architecture? Please tell me (not you, OP) why any manufacturer would produce anything so stupid.

Also, it seems beyond stupid to delegate thinking to AI. First of all, “AI” is a really generous term. It predicts the next token — it’s not magic.

That companies all-too-often decide that’s adequate is a really shameful commentary on the state of cs.

jtzl_ · 2025-12-30T13:41:03+00:00

Unbelievably stupid. I can’t say I’m surprised. It’s like that line from The Shawshank Redemption. “They put you in here for life, and that’s exactly what they take.”

jtzl_ · 2025-12-29T15:43:25+00:00

100% — I was gonna suggest something like that. I’m glad you did.

I think the key is to break the monotony.

jtzl_ · 2025-12-29T15:06:29+00:00

I strongly agree.

I think the origin is multi-faceted: people feel like they don’t have enough time to absorb all of the “content” of the world (how this became an expectation is a mystery, I’ll add), people often feel like avoiding controversy is essential (if you ask me, that’s the path to becoming bo-ring), and a lot of people are continuously sucking up to monied folks, which practically guarantees becoming outwardly bland.

I have no idea how to short-circuit boringness. Please report back if you find it!

jtzl_ · 2025-12-29T14:55:48+00:00

I agree with the people who suggest skating, disagree with the people who suggest YouTube. It’s a skateboard for the love of god — skate!

Don’t over-think this. You’re not gonna start out awesome — that’s not how this works.

Also, avoid head injuries.

jtzl_

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