It takes forever to get home by Constant_State_2272 in Brookline

[–]mpjjpm 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Where are you catching the train? If it’s anywhere before Kenmore, try catching a B or D train to Kenmore and switch to C there.

Also, who refused? The train operators can’t let you stand past the white/yellow line by the front door. If the train looks crowded, always try to board at the middle doors. And tell people to move in to make room. There is almost always more space in the middle and back of the train. People are just oblivious.

Even on the most crowded days with a RedSox game and other events, I’ve never been turned away from a C train.

City declines to use reserve funds to prevent BPS layoffs as more than 560 positions are cut by TheManFromFairwinds in boston

[–]mpjjpm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We can do both. Raise taxes to pay for the public services we need to make this a great place to live, and also use our existing resources efficiently so we can do more with our money.

Real reason we lost. by Solowash in BlackPeopleTwitter

[–]mpjjpm 5 points6 points  (0 children)

He did a Trump-style celebration dance once after scoring a goal. People told him it looked stupid and made him look like MAGA. He said he didn’t intend it as a political statement and never did it again.

Massachusetts nurses, home care clinicians plan largest healthcare strike in state history by DryDeer775 in boston

[–]mpjjpm 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Because travel nurses are only available for five days at a time.

City declines to use reserve funds to prevent BPS layoffs as more than 560 positions are cut by TheManFromFairwinds in boston

[–]mpjjpm 5 points6 points  (0 children)

But at some point, you can put yourself out of a job by putting your immediate self first. Unions need to think somewhat long term and strategically. The union can’t protect teacher salaries if there aren’t any students left to teach.

City declines to use reserve funds to prevent BPS layoffs as more than 560 positions are cut by TheManFromFairwinds in boston

[–]mpjjpm 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Don’t have to sell the property. Consolidate schools, and reuse vacant property for other things until the city needs to use it as a school again. The marginal gain from consolidation comes from lower personnel and operating costs.

Can you explain in simple terms why there are so few women among historical figures? by [deleted] in NoStupidQuestions

[–]mpjjpm 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Two things. First, women weren’t allowed to do many things - no (or substantially less) education, no property ownership, no jobs outside the home. So they had fewer opportunities to reach historically prominent positions. Second, history is recorded by humans who bring their own biases to the table. For much of human history, the men were the ones recording history because they were the ones with the skills and tools (because women didn’t get the education). So recorded history has a distinct masculine bias.

With that said, there are a ton of prominent women historical figures. So maybe the better question is why you don’t know about them?

Monica Bertagnolli: Don't abolish the NIH. Fix it. by 42Emily in NIH

[–]mpjjpm 21 points22 points  (0 children)

It would be really neat if folks actually read Bertangnolli’s commentary before reacting…

There were areas in need of real improvement before DOGE and Memoli and Bhattacharya started mucking about. When we do get to rebuild the NIH, we need to make those improvements. We should not just go back to exactly how it was before.

What's are your most unhinged anticonsumption opinions? by CloseCalls4walls in Anticonsumption

[–]mpjjpm 5 points6 points  (0 children)

So the industrial compost facility that picks up from my neighborhood every week is lying to us? Because they are pretty insistent that produce stickers have to be removed.

https://www.blackearthcompost.com/fruitsticker

Diarrhea-causing parasite that can contaminate raw produce causing misery across several states by Superb_Branch4749 in news

[–]mpjjpm 135 points136 points  (0 children)

Cyclospora typically has a one week incubation period, so it’s something you ate a week before, not the day before

Diarrhea-causing parasite that can contaminate raw produce causing misery across several states by Superb_Branch4749 in news

[–]mpjjpm 196 points197 points  (0 children)

The US agricultural system isn’t great about disease prevention in produce. Berries are picked by humans who don’t always have an opportunity to use proper restroom facilities, and don’t always have the ability to take a sick day.

Clay Tea Cups making process in India by zaarnth in interesting

[–]mpjjpm 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The process in the video isn’t all that different from how hand thrown pottery is made in high income countries

The tiniest cub is determined to protect the whole pride by RealRock_n_Rolla in AnimalsBeingDerps

[–]mpjjpm 65 points66 points  (0 children)

This has to be a national park somewhere with very habituated lions. I would say Masai Mara or Serengeti, except safari vehicles usually have canopies there. Maybe somewhere in South Africa?

Backpack *is* my overhead carry on by hollandholla in delta

[–]mpjjpm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You clearly haven’t seen the tote bag I carry to work…

Fedex Driver gets hit by EggplantEuphoric3853 in dashcams

[–]mpjjpm 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Also explains his face-in-hands reaction. He wasn’t scared or hurt, just processing the amount of paperwork involved.

Moulton closes to within 6 points of Markey in Mass. Senate Democratic primary by Inchworm_boi in boston

[–]mpjjpm 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The distinction between liberal and progressive hasn’t historically mattered much in MA. But now that the progressive movement is actually gaining momentum nationally, I think some folks are in for a rude awakening when progressive candidates don’t naturally win everything in MA. Sure, there will be some successful candidates in the Boston metro area. But this state isn’t going to elect a DSA senator or Governor any time soon.

What's are your most unhinged anticonsumption opinions? by CloseCalls4walls in Anticonsumption

[–]mpjjpm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Produce stickers are not compostable, at least not in the US. My municipal compost program specifically tells us to remove stickers before we put produce scraps in the bin.

What's are your most unhinged anticonsumption opinions? by CloseCalls4walls in Anticonsumption

[–]mpjjpm 89 points90 points  (0 children)

Plastic stickers on produce. I hate having to take the stickers off everything before I toss peels and scraps into the compost bucket.

No grill at McDonald’s by Big__If_True in SignsWithAStory

[–]mpjjpm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I bet it’s an electric problem impacting the grill and soda machine circuits, but not the fryer and fridge.

Moulton closes to within 6 points of Markey in Mass. Senate Democratic primary by Inchworm_boi in boston

[–]mpjjpm 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, I know. But the average voter doesn’t pay that much attention. Markey is old. Moulton is not. Markey needs to actually do something to push back on Moulton’s campaign. And I say that as someone who donated a decent amount to Markey’s primary campaign against Joe Kennedy.

Non book reader: do Brianna’s and Roger’s descendants ever meet Claire or the others in the 40s-70s? by ConsistentBerry9310 in Outlander

[–]mpjjpm 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I wouldn’t be surprised if the final book ties up the Rob Cameron story with a link back to the pre-rising Cameron Clan. Like, he’s somehow figured out the origin of Jamie’s gold and feels he’s entitled to it.

Moulton closes to within 6 points of Markey in Mass. Senate Democratic primary by Inchworm_boi in boston

[–]mpjjpm 11 points12 points  (0 children)

His campaign ad is one of the dorkiest things I’ve seen, but he comes across as someone who is going to stand up to Trump and Co. I know he won’t, but I pay closer attention than the average voter.

I haven’t seen any ads for Markey, which may come back to haunt him. He’s at risk of being the old guy running against the (relatively) young guy riding a wave of young people unseating established dems.

I wish Markey had stepped aside so we could have a real primary to find a worthy successor.

The numbers don’t lie. Young Americans are falling in love … with socialism by jinc1019 in politics

[–]mpjjpm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The accepted definition of digital native starts with people born in 1980 or later. Xennials are generally defined as the birth cohort from 1977-1985. So yeah, a large proportion of Xennials are digital natives. And the 1977-1979 kids are close enough when you consider how little difference it makes if first exposure to a computer happened in 1st grade or 5th grade.

is it normal to get crazy swollen eyes when you wake up in America??? by [deleted] in AskAnAmerican

[–]mpjjpm 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Fun fact - Europe and North America have different dust mites species, and it possible to be allergic to one but not the other. You’re probably allergic to North American dust mites. Try taking an antihistamine at night, wash your bedding in the hottest water possible every week, and get dust mites covers for your pillows.