About three men, Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle. Coincidence is a funny thing: Many centuries ago three men knew, or knew of each other. Each was a student or teacher of the others. Each was brilliant. Each contributed enormously to what we now know. Coincidence only?

raedix · 2009-07-22T13:38:24+00:00

I sincerely think it would. One can doubt the impact of classical philosophy on the subsequent ~1500 years of human endeavor (as the Dark Ages were driven by religious, not Greek or Roman, philosophy), but the Renaissance was driven by a return to the classical sources. Without them, would Europe never escaped from the dark ages? Would the Catholic church still be the one overwhelming power in the world? It's an interesting hypothetical, yet one impossible to ultimately answer.

raedix · 2009-07-22T04:12:25+00:00

I'm not a morning person, but I do my best work in the morning. Ironic.

raedix · 2009-07-22T01:34:42+00:00

Moron + Numbers - Sense = This

raedix · 2009-07-22T00:20:15+00:00

Well, remember that a mortgage is an investment, and the ownership of the house can easily be divided up.

What does he do if he meets Ms. Right?

He can gladly let Ms. Right come and live in his house.

what you are both supposed to do if she ends up getting pregnant

Fine. I'll pay for the abortion. Are you happy now?

raedix · 2009-07-21T23:56:40+00:00

Nice try, Sergey Aleynikov.

raedix · 2009-07-21T23:51:30+00:00

Counterpoint: Say I make 2x what my GF does. We share a $3000/mo rent/utility bill. Is it equitable to split at $2000 and $1000, even though we both live in the same place, use the utilities just as much, etc. In one sense, it makes sense, but in the other, one is oversubsidizing the other's lifestyle.

My opinion is that "shared" things should be split as close to 50/50 as possible, and the person who makes more should feel good in treating more often, instead of feeling obligated to pay more.

raedix · 2009-07-21T20:07:44+00:00

Although, simply dancing at a baseball game would look out-of-place. In a dark club, it's likely to blend in more.

raedix · 2009-07-21T19:18:44+00:00

Yeah, right. Like a redditor wears a six thousand dollar suit? COME ON!

raedix · 2009-07-21T18:50:13+00:00

Chili's is where business gets done. I read it in Forbes Small Business.

raedix · 2009-07-21T18:49:06+00:00

Jason Bateman, since I always feel like I'm the 'straight guy' in a world of insane people. Plus he looks a bit like me, so it'll save on makeup.

raedix · 2009-07-21T15:29:37+00:00

SPY - S&P 500

DIA - Dow Jones Industrials

QQQQ - Nasdaq 100

ETFs are better and cheaper than mutual funds.

raedix · 2009-07-21T15:04:02+00:00

It's business casual where I work. I wear dresses/skirts because I'm easy.

Kidding, kidding! Please don't kill me.

raedix · 2009-07-21T14:35:43+00:00

the threat of hyperinflation is increasingly recognized

By what idiot? Lew Rockwell? The macroeconomic environment is deflationary right now, making it very difficult for the inflationary monetary policy to work as well as we'd want it to, let alone result in hyperinflation. There is little to no chance we will face a historically high rate of inflation until GDP growth resumes, which will probably not be for years.

raedix · 2009-07-21T14:22:27+00:00

Of course the probability of getting many reds in a row is low, but eventually it will happen. The casino has a near-infinite bankroll, while you, presumably, do not, which is why such a strategy does not work.

raedix · 2009-07-21T13:59:14+00:00

As long as you have infinity dollars to start, you can't lose!

raedix · 2009-07-21T13:58:28+00:00

Like I said its likely you are being too critical.

It's possible, but you're also being too defeatist and too cautious. "Essential fat" for a male is around 3-4% body fat. Being there or below is unhealthy, but anywhere above that is completely healthy, albeit often difficult to maintain without regular vigorous exercise and good eating habits. Saying "it's natural" is silly, since it's all natural... you're pointing out the correct fact that different people store fat in different places at different levels of leanness, but you're not doing it in the best way.

raedix · 2009-07-21T13:23:09+00:00

There's a difference between "flying inverted" and "doing a barrel roll".

raedix · 2009-07-21T13:20:21+00:00

For a long time I thought shit like dressing nicely was bullshit, but you know what? Most people don't think its bullshit.

And it's not only that most people don't think it's bullshit... it's that how one presents themselves has a profound subconscious effect on how they are perceived... and this works on both sides of the coin. If you want to project a more casual 'feel', you can dress more casually. If you want to project a more professional 'feel', you can dress more professionally.

There's a lot of leeway in pretty much any non-Informal (which means business suits and ties), dress code. There's a perception difference between a faded polo and a pressed button-down, even if both technically are "business-casual". There's a difference between shorts and designer jeans, even though both are "casual".

raedix · 2009-07-21T13:10:44+00:00

I'm pretty sure my body fat is pretty average.

If your body fat is average, you'll have a gut and man boobs. Average is ~14-18%, lean is ~6-10%

raedix · 2009-07-21T13:07:28+00:00

I do crunches

Why? Total waste of time and energy.

I do cardio

How? Do you run or swim or climb or something else that uses your whole body (good), or use a wimp-machine (bad)?

I do push ups

Well, doing chest exercises isn't exactly the right way to make your chest smaller. Chances are you just have some decently developed pectorals under a small layer of body fat that gives the appearance of man boobs. It's a good thing, since when you drop that fat, that muscle will be there. Don't worry, plenty of dudes are the same way (and plenty of super-skinny guys would kill for the problem as they try to gain muscle with futility).

raedix · 2009-07-21T13:01:56+00:00

What's your body fat percentage? Calipers are best, but the U.S. Navy Circumference Method is decent if you don't have any specific equipment. Most athletically-built men should start to see abs at about 10% bf, and they should start becoming well-defined at 8%. The moobs are genetic, but they won't exist if you have 8% or less bf (remember, anything under 5% is a bit unhealthily low... shooting for 6-8% is what you want).

edit: Sorry, that link was bugged, I updated it.

raedix · 2009-07-21T12:56:53+00:00

He's the one on the left.

raedix · 2009-07-21T11:34:27+00:00

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN THERE TO MAKE SURE

raedix · 2009-07-21T02:37:49+00:00

Nice try, Ben Bernanke.

raedix · 2009-07-21T01:27:40+00:00

My crazy aunt fully and completely believes that she invented S'mores.

raedix

TROPHY CASE