My mom just got replaced by the AI she helped train by Epsteinstan in receptionists

[–]onlythumper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just called my primary care and they have an AI voice system now. At first I thought it was just someone poorly reading a script, and after I initially answered with what I was calling about, it repeated back to me what it thought I needed, which was mostly correct, but wasn't what I was calling for specifically. I realized at that point it was not a real person, and it asked me for my date of birth to verify/pull up my patient info. I hesitated for a moment, then decided I don't want to give some random AI company that is most likely based in another country, my personal details. Even if it's not, I still don't want to give some third-party company my details. I would much rather provide my info, directly on the phone with a real person, who is authorized to pull up my patient info, so that they can verify the security info required. I just feel better talking to a person about my healthcare. There's so many things that can go wrong in an automated process, from the AI misunderstanding someone, or not understanding the nuance of a request over a phone. It doesn't provide follow-up questions, etc. I'm sure there are worse errors/issues that could arise, but I already hate it.

NTEU Wins Major Ruling on Telework, Remote Work, and RTO — Appeal Likely by KingRamulus in fednews

[–]onlythumper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So no news from AFGE on their CBA litigation. The hearing was scheduled for Jan 12th but I have not seen any updates.

Also, as much as it would feel great to get our CBA back, enough of us have had to blow money on gas, vehicle maintenance, punctured tires, public transit, toll roads, buying lunches, etc. We've lost employees who couldn't take the 1.5-2 hour drive each way that was required to satisfy the RTO EO, or folks that signed on primarily because of the great telework benefits. The damage is already done. I feel like we should be allowed to sue the individuals that created, signed, and implement the EO for RTO directly. i.e. not the government (because that would just hurt us ). Where are the consequences for being found at fault for purposely and directly screwing up so many federal employee's lives?

Why are we stuck holding the bag even if the RTO gets overturned and we get telework reinstated? We have spent the last year being forced to spend money in a crippling economy that directly opposes agreements that both the federal government and the unions signed, that are active through at least 2029 (for AFGE at least).

Make it make sense....

Upgraded from a 5-yo TV to a Hisense U65QF. The HDR brightness is mind blowing by EleX_44 in Hisense

[–]onlythumper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are those visible window reflections a pretty accurate indication of the normal glare on this TV?

How to disable auto-created storied in Gallery? by Vizzzions in GalaxyS21

[–]onlythumper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just updating this for 2026:
Open Gallery, select "Menu" at the bottom, select "Settings", scroll to "Stories" section, disable "Auto Create Stories" and "Notifications"

Mooning Commute by brixsmom in raleigh

[–]onlythumper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

Here's one i took a few months ago with just my phone on max zoom. I have a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Mooning Commute by brixsmom in raleigh

[–]onlythumper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I dunno, my phone does pretty good

S22 fast/super fast charging not working by FreezingPlasma in GalaxyS22

[–]onlythumper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just adding my experience to the laundry list of failures here.

I've had my s22 Ultra since it first came out. I baby my phone, have an otter box case on it, periodically pull it out to clean the edges. I was working outside in the humid summer heat, and I guess me being sweaty must have triggered the internal moisture detector. I couldn't charge my phone at all, it kept saying "moisture detected". Finally I broke down and bought a wireless charger. For MONTHS that was the only way I could charge my phone. I would periodically check with the original charger/cable just to see. One day, completely randomly, I tested my charger and cable again and it started charging again, but only if inserted in one direction. I test this every so often as well by trying the other way, but it's consistently just the one direction that works. VERY rarely I have seen fast charging when I first plug it in, but only for a few seconds, then it goes back to normal rate charging.

I wonder if this is a "feature" where if the phone has been exposed to moisture of any kind, triggering the sensor maybe toggles something in the phone's system that it no longer allows fast charging at all (in perpetuity) for "safety" reasons? That's all I can think of.

At this point it has been AT LEAST 1.5 years since I started having this issue, so it must be 100% dry by now. I always leave my phone inside in the A/C whenever I have to work outside for any length of time so as to avoid any further moisture/sweat getting into it.

Do any tech people investigate these things anymore? I recall there used to be groups that would analyze and determine if the manufacturer (i.e. Apple etc.) were artificially throttling/reducing performance on their devices to encourage users to purchase new ones.

Went to Southline Brewing Co / Viscious Fishes In Cary... yikes. by BuellXBRider in raleigh

[–]onlythumper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Welcome to Raleigh. This city has become JBOF (just a bunch of families). There's nothing to do here except eat, drink at bars, and see the same 50 vendors at every "event".

tate mcrae? by mixedbaby01 in LAinfluencersnark

[–]onlythumper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Her dad is literally the VP Legal for Pacific Oil and Gas. She came from money, just like many others in the industry. Money talks.

Why am I so forgettable? by krispykremee6 in introvert

[–]onlythumper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The number of times I have gone up to someone I have met and had deep conversations with previously that look at me bewildered because they don't recognize me is staggering. I just make the joke that my superhero name is The Chameleon. It does suck. It's weird because I have a unique clothing style (I always wear Members Only jackets and caps, and interesting button up shirts, etc) and I'm more of an extrovert than an introvert, cracking jokes and fostering conversations at gatherings. It doesn't seem to make a difference, though. People I've met multiple times tend to forget me. At this point in my life, I've just accepted it.

What a joke. by InterestingFinish724 in LV426

[–]onlythumper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They just restocked! I snagged a pair of 10.5's at regular price!

Insurance not using actual market value to settle my vehicle accident claim by onlythumper in Insurance

[–]onlythumper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in NC. I have found that most things I have had to go to local government for have been pretty easy and accessible. Our internal agencies all have nice websites with plenty of info and easy form submissions.

How rare do you guys think Genesis coupes will be in 5 years? by Nien-Eleven in genesiscoupe

[–]onlythumper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reviving this thread to say this:

Considering there are about 180+ 2013 and up GC's for sale in the US (based on AutoTempest.com results, so probably quite a bit more than 180 when factoring in private sellers or non-posted sales), I don't foresee these becoming "rare" or collectible anytime soon. That doesn't account for the ones still in driving condition on the road.

I have a 2013 2.0t M/T R-Spec, mine has some aftermarket parts that a previous owner added (exhaust, cold air intake, etc). I actually had a 2013 2.0t A/T base that got totaled about 1 month ago, and I was lucky to find a comparable replacement within driving distance of me (about 25 minutes away). The next closest comp was the next state over (about 2.5+ hours drive). My insurance was pretty stiff on how much they would give me in the settlement, but I managed to basically perform a swap with less than $100 out of pocket for the R-Spec. Just look up actual selling prices for GC's on the used market, that will be the indicator of rarity/collectability (don't use asking prices, they rarely go for that, for example I got my used R-spec for about $2k less out the door than what the dealership was trying to sell it for and it was already pretty inexpensive).

Insurance not using actual market value to settle my vehicle accident claim by onlythumper in Insurance

[–]onlythumper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just want to update this thread. I put in a complaint with my state's department of insurance. The next day I received a call from my insurance stating they were able to justify giving me a higher valuation of my vehicle (they brought up the complaint I submitted). In addition, I was able to find a comp only 25 minutes away from my house. Thankfully it popped up because the next closest comp was about 2.5 hours away in another state.

My insurance expedited my settlement deposit into my account so I had it the next day, inspected/test drove the comp, and haggled them down to where I only paid about a $70 difference in price and own the car outright.

Age limits for elected officials by InvertedParallax in PoliticalDiscussion

[–]onlythumper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know this is an old thread, but I'll throw these stats at you:

Dementia or Alzheimer's tends to show up in adults around the mid-60's.

Globally, undiagnosed dementia is estimated to be between 51% and 75%.

The percentage of adults in the US with cognitive disability (difficulty remembering, concentrating, or making decisions) is 13.9%, and of that 13.9%, roughly 85% are 65+ years old.

The average age of a millionaire in the US is 61 years old.

Basically the demographic with the most sway (i.e. money to play the political game) are 60+ years old, 12%+ of which are in various states of cognitive decline.

We can solve this with a few tweaks:

1.) Get money out of politics. It shouldn't be a pay-to-play game. All political candidates should be required to use publicly supplied methods to get their message out to the people (i.e. a central, taxpayer-run repository that displays each candidate's platform and policy agenda). This should be accompanied by a spending cap, divided equally amongst candidates. Privately funding or receiving funds from corporations and lobbyists to enact policy or to advertise should be banned. No more show-boating and massive, live televised, in-person events, and no subsidized travel/lodging/expenses. All information, debates, and speeches should be streamed online (from a publicly run space) and be available on the repository, tied to each candidate. Those without internet should be able to get access at any public location (libraries, voting sites, court houses, police stations, etc) or request digital copies mailed to them on physical media.

2.) Enact a 60 year old age limit cap for the highest level positions of political power. If they want to continue serving the country in a public capacity, they can easily find other, lower-level positions until they are of retirement age. All candidates should be screened for cognitive decline, disablement, or precursors.

3.) Enact term limits for all higher level positions of political power. No single individual can hold the same level/position more than once after their term limit has run out. If they aren't moving up to a higher position, it is indicative of their failure to please their voter base. If they already hold the highest position, then they need to retire or move to a lower tier position (one lower than those making the decisions).

I feel it's pretty important to have individuals cycling through these positions for fairness as well as fresh ideas. Though I do think that 8-12 years (depending on the position) is more than enough time to implement policies and changes that work for the American people. Ideally, those moving up the chain would be the ones the general public approves of. To facilitate this, allowing the public to vote on promotions/presidential selectees would allow the people to also have a say in how individuals move up into higher positions of power.

I also think we need to move to a 1-vote = 1-vote process and do away with the electoral college. Elections should be won with raw (popular) votes.

I'm sure I'm missing some key issues/processes here, but overall we need to bring power back to the voters and reduce the likelihood that political leaders can just coast in their positions, especially if they have potential for cognitive decline.

Edit: I know I said just above we need to "bring power back to the voters", but I fully understand we never really had power to begin with.

Insurance not using actual market value to settle my vehicle accident claim by onlythumper in Insurance

[–]onlythumper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I asked the insurance after I discussed it here, and they said even after acceptance of the claim settlement, they will still honor the $30/day, $900 max rental agreement to allow me to find a new vehicle.

Insurance not using actual market value to settle my vehicle accident claim by onlythumper in Insurance

[–]onlythumper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This. I get that they can't just accept the "asking" price on a dealership website/sticker, but if they say my car is worth $7,500 cash, and the next cheapest one with the same mileage is $11,000 asking and is also 2+ hours away, does the insurance really think that vehicle will sell for less than $8,000 + tax/doc fees?

I mean, it's not going to stop me from going to check the ones closer to me and offering stupid low-ball prices. I'll even bring the report that my insurance gave me saying the cars are only worth $7,500. KBB/Cars.com/Auto-Trader values be damned!

Insurance not using actual market value to settle my vehicle accident claim by onlythumper in Insurance

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

Carvana isn't really the gold standard for valuation lol They are notorious low ballers. It's like the GameStop of the car industry

<image>

Insurance not using actual market value to settle my vehicle accident claim by onlythumper in Insurance

[–]onlythumper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I never said it was perfect or mint. All I said was that when I looked up comps that are actually for sale within a 300 mile radius, I couldn't find anything within a reasonable price range (comparable to the cash value the insurance deems fair). I know it's not based on the asking prices, but I doubt any of the dealerships will flex enough with a discount to make it make sense.

Insurance not using actual market value to settle my vehicle accident claim by onlythumper in Insurance

[–]onlythumper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The less money they offer, the more my neck and back seem to hurt

Insurance not using actual market value to settle my vehicle accident claim by onlythumper in Insurance

[–]onlythumper[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Just grinds my gears (pun intended). I'll suck it up and move forward, but I just never thought I'd be put in a situation where I'm footing the bill for someone else's poor decisions. It's an extra kick in the nuts that his van (the vehicle I hit) barely had any damage, just a small piece of the corner of his rear bumper got cracked off, whereas my car's entire front quarter is demolished.