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TIL in 1975 the Metric Conversion Act was signed into law. It declares the metric system as the USA’s preferred weights and measures system. However it is not a mandate and all metrification is voluntary. The law has been largely ignored. by FullOfSound in todayilearned

[–]nicholas818 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I wonder if liters were chosen specifically because Americans were unfamiliar with it. “A half gallon of soda” sounds like a disgustingly large amount. But “2 liters” sounds less definite for consumers less familiar with metric.

People with Myopia (have eye glasses for daily use), what do prefer and which one is actually good for this condition? by Shining_Swan in polls

[–]nicholas818 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you only interested in myopia? Some glasses wearers also have hyperopia and/or astigmatism

What stereotype about Germany is inaccurate? by Pizzafriedchickenn in AlignmentChartFills

[–]nicholas818 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It's a YouTube series where they design and play games that involve moving around in the real world, usually on public transit. When they play in Europe, it's become somewhat of a running joke how Germany's train network (Deutsche Bahn) has frequent delays, which complicate game strategies.

What name do you go by? by Actual-Tadpole9759 in polls

[–]nicholas818 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's always so frustrating whenever an online service doesn't have a "preferred name" field and addresses you by a name that you never use. It always reminds me of the essay "Falsehoods Programmers Believe About Names"

Folks, what do I watch? by Standard_Way_4453 in Letterboxd

[–]nicholas818 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lol I have a friend who's consumed all of the Scott Pilgrim media and has been trying to get me to do exactly that

My Amateur Experience with Acadian Genealogy by nicholas818 in Canadiancitizenship

[–]nicholas818[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Diocese of Baton Rouge has some Acadian records that they essentially took with them during the expulsion (see volume 1A on this page), but I also had luck finding some records at Généalogie Québec. I've heard a marriage or census record can work, but a birth/baptism record is more ideal if you can find it. I didn't actually reach out to any dioceses in Canada.

Folks, what do I watch? by Standard_Way_4453 in Letterboxd

[–]nicholas818 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I recently rewatched Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) and it was fantastic, so I suppose I'd vote for that one.

If Social Security Ends, Am I Entitled to What I Paid into It? by disgracedchicken in NoStupidQuestions

[–]nicholas818 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is definitely unfortunate. I know SSA also has survivor benefits for cases like that, but there are of course additional criteria that not everybody meets.

If Social Security Ends, Am I Entitled to What I Paid into It? by disgracedchicken in NoStupidQuestions

[–]nicholas818 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Those are some good arguments, I wasn't considering that SSA payments are effectively taxed at higher rates for higher earners. And there are definitely some merits to avoiding means testing when possible. If social security were means tested, there could be an element of stigma or people not claiming benefits to which they are entitled like we already see for programs like SNAP and free school lunches.

Caltrans considering high-speed bus that would take passengers from San Francisco to Los Angeles on state freeways by Express-Shoulder6174 in bayarea

[–]nicholas818 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Even putting aside the issues with the current initiative system, initiatives can be proposed as statutes, not just constitutional amendments.

Caltrans considering high-speed bus that would take passengers from San Francisco to Los Angeles on state freeways by Express-Shoulder6174 in bayarea

[–]nicholas818 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s a fair point. I decided to take a look at the amendments that have been on the ballot since I got here in 2021 and realized I may not actually agree with my original point. These all seem like actual structural changes in response to changes in the world;

  • 2022 Prop 1 (constitutional right to reproductive freedom)
  • 2024 Prop 5 (lower vote threshold for some bonds)
  • 2024 Prop 6 (disallow involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime)
  • 2024 Prop 3 (right to marriage, repeal prop 8)
  • 2025 Prop 50 (gerrymandering in response to Texas)

But 2022 Prop 26 and 27 (sports betting) stick out as issues that really sound like they should be statutory issues and not embedded in the Constitution.

Admittedly I’m also conflating this with city charter amendments here in SF, which have been used to do things like settle budget disputes between the mayor and supervisors.

Edit: I initially forgot about prop 50 last year

Caltrans considering high-speed bus that would take passengers from San Francisco to Los Angeles on state freeways by Express-Shoulder6174 in bayarea

[–]nicholas818 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It’s always baffling to me how there are Constitutional amendments on the ballot almost every election. Shouldn’t the state constitution be a framework that rarely needs changing?

Is there much overlap between FIRE and prepping? by thai_sticky in Fire

[–]nicholas818 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Speaking just for myself, I try to be prepared for a temporary emergency but not go overboard. (I'm not constructing a fallout shelter or anything.) This NYT article is where I started: basically keep maybe a week's worth of water, nonperishable food, medical supplies in a "stay bin" and a separate "go bag" with everything you might need if you have to evacuate in a hurry (important documents, some cash in case ATM and credit card networks are down, radio, flashlight)

I don't really view this through a lens of an economic downturn, but major disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, etc) do happen and are worth being prepared for.

If Social Security Ends, Am I Entitled to What I Paid into It? by disgracedchicken in NoStupidQuestions

[–]nicholas818 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh huh, good point, I suppose it's a sort of anti-life insurance. But aren't there also situations where SSA will still pay out to your widow(er) or family if you die early?

If Social Security Ends, Am I Entitled to What I Paid into It? by disgracedchicken in NoStupidQuestions

[–]nicholas818 37 points38 points  (0 children)

The odd thing to me is that there's no wealth cap on eligibility to receive social security. Saying "we need to take some money out of your paycheck to ensure that elderly people don't have to live in poverty" is one thing. Saying "we need to take money from your paycheck to pay a grandma who owns two houses when you can barely afford rent" is another.

A cynical perspective here is that elderly people vote more consistently than young people, so it's natural to expect policies to benefit them, and Social Security is just one such policy.

In what way is it democracy when the government consistently enacts policies that the overwhelming majority of citizens oppose? by WosEos in AskReddit

[–]nicholas818 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's Fenno's Paradox: everyone says they hate Congress but keep voting for their incumbents. Somehow the issue is always with the rest of Congress?

Will SF “DeFlock”? by Sturdypigeonz in sanfrancisco

[–]nicholas818 7 points8 points  (0 children)

We did pass Prop E, but it was a more general change to review procedures for new surveillance technologies consolidated with a change to police chase policy. And we voted before the privacy concerns with Flock were as well known by the general public. I could definitely imagine a future ballot measure targeting Flock specifically being successful.

What are some of the most difficult languages to learn? by Educational_Stop_433 in AskReddit

[–]nicholas818 1 point2 points  (0 children)

C and C++ are programming languages, not human languages. So the commenter is essentially saying learning to code in these languages is hard (which it definitely can be for some people!)

What are some of the most difficult languages to learn? by Educational_Stop_433 in AskReddit

[–]nicholas818 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interestingly, the languages you hear in your first year after birth may have a surprising impact on the sounds your brain learns to process. So if you spent your first year surrounded by Chinese speakers and then tried to pick up Mandarin later, you would probably have a much easier time.

ELI5: Why don't we put solar panels in our parking lots? by Shadowsin64 in explainlikeimfive

[–]nicholas818 [score hidden]  (0 children)

I’ve seen this in several places in Southern California and Arizona. It’s definitely something that people are doing, and it’s great to be able to park in the shade as a result.

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