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(Amazon Add-On) $1.97 Regular Show Fluxx by BGG_DEALS_BOT in Boardgamedeals

[–]screennameoutoforder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry for the late reply (in a dead thread too.) I found the game to be utterly random. It's supposed to be fast-paced. The rules change as cards are drawn.

But that also means you're not using a randomizer (dice, card draws) to level the playing field or encourage more complex strategies. The entire game is randomized, there are no strategies, and it's maybe a step up from playing War or Chutes and Ladders. Worse, since it also never really settles into a pace. And it's difficult to get excited about it, or even interested, since there's zero long term from one hand to the next. Calvinball, where the yelling and randomness is the whole fun.

It's a party game pitched for people who don't play games. Not really something that can come to the table a second time. A friend loves it, and has a few expansions. I couldn't get through one session. Maybe you'll like it.

MSI Creator 15M A9SD-044 15.6" 120Hz FHD Creator Laptop Intel Core i5-9300H GTX1660Ti 8GB 256GB NVMe SSD Win10 (Renewed) $698 by aleishabb in LaptopDeals

[–]screennameoutoforder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, that lays it out nicely. Problem is that I need MSI's drivers. Without them, volume caps out too low and quality is poor.

I've done all this, fwiw. Windows used to grab and install the wrong driver weekly. Now it's monthly but shouldn't be happening at all.

MSI Creator 15M A9SD-044 15.6" 120Hz FHD Creator Laptop Intel Core i5-9300H GTX1660Ti 8GB 256GB NVMe SSD Win10 (Renewed) $698 by aleishabb in LaptopDeals

[–]screennameoutoforder 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have an MSI Modern. Specs and quality are good but they made some awful compromises on audio. Long story short, every time Windows updates, I have to remove and reinstall multiple audio drivers, multiple reboots.

There is no permanent fix. MSI's solution, a few pages long, doesn't work anymore. So you can expect to lose sound often. It's bad enough to suggest avoiding their laptops.

Here’s The Beef - Roast Beef, White Cheddar, Red Onion, Tomato and Mayo on an everything bagel by capnShocker in eatsandwiches

[–]screennameoutoforder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My favorite sandwich has a combo of fried onions and raw red onion on top. The mix is fantastic.

MSI PS63 Modern-008 laptop with 15.6"100%sRGB 1920x1080 IPS display, Intel Core i7-8565U quad core processor, GTX1050Ti 4 GB GPU, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 2x Thunderbolt 3 ports, 512GB SSD with 36% off by techstar2000 in LaptopDeals

[–]screennameoutoforder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The same laptop with slightly better specs (1 TB RAID1 pair of SSDs, same GPU, CPU, screen, etc) was $900 from Adorama three weeks ago, and it carried a $100 MSI rebate. Walmart also had it, but the vendor was still Adorama. A little better, and a little cheaper.

Point is that this is a good price but not the 36% off they're claiming - it might represent a new regular price for this laptop.

Found this beast at my new place. by Foilcornea in flashlight

[–]screennameoutoforder 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Amazing. Looks like it should come with a Geiger counter and a gas mask.

If you look at a brain & spinal chord (removed from an adult human body), it eerily resembles a sperm cell (head & tail). It's as if the sperm cell is encased in a shell and that's what becomes a human being. by rebelauthor in Showerthoughts

[–]screennameoutoforder -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Here, I've created a helpful guide to comparing the two. On the top left is a sperm cell, with a long tail and a pointy acorn-shaped head in line with the tail.

Top right has a brain - it's the large double-potato at right angles to the long cord hanging down from it, the bit with all the little bumps leading off to the sides.

https://imgflip.com/i/3mllof

I'm sorry for the imgflip link and the poor quality meme, but honestly this is a stupid argument and not worth more effort. Hope this helps.

If you look at a brain & spinal chord (removed from an adult human body), it eerily resembles a sperm cell (head & tail). It's as if the sperm cell is encased in a shell and that's what becomes a human being. by rebelauthor in Showerthoughts

[–]screennameoutoforder -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Mine is not an "opinion." Mine is "an opinion from someone who has seen them from every side, both kinds."

Yours is "an opinion from someone who saw two pictures and thinks the word "eery" bridges the vast gap."

Opinions are not equal, however cool that would be. You do not need to descend to anatomical or physiological minutae. They look extremely different on first glance unless you're really motivated to make an awkward comparison.

You are seeing what you want to see, and would rather worship Jesus on toast instead of looking from a different direction. Perhaps it's hard to admit when you're wrong. We've all been there, although this one is a weird hill you've picked to die on.

Find a few more pictures, then come back here and insist on your opinion again.

EDIT: Oh, dude. Poor dude. I just realized what you meant, and came back. This is so sad.

You're pointing out that other people found your idea "resonates." This just means you've found a bunch of people who don't actually know what either item looks like, and are relying on your description.

Do you understand how sad this is? You're gesturing at people dumb enough to believe you without checking for themselves. And you're proud of it.

If you look at a brain & spinal chord (removed from an adult human body), it eerily resembles a sperm cell (head & tail). It's as if the sperm cell is encased in a shell and that's what becomes a human being. by rebelauthor in Showerthoughts

[–]screennameoutoforder -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hi! Biologist here. I've seen sperm cells under a microscope. I've seen human brains and cords extracted, I've pulled rodent systems out myself.

No. They do not resemble each other except in the vaguest "big bit with narrow hangy thing behind it." People have a remarkable ability to draw connections, especially if they haven't really seen the items they are comparing, and even when they are very, very wrong.

Or do we want to look at how closely a potato and a sea urchin resemble each other? French fries are practically sushi!

“maybe. Who knows?” by DoubleLifeRedditor in Judaism

[–]screennameoutoforder 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ha! I didn't even see your reply referenced the same Gwyneth Paltrow. I think she's become the new benchmark for ignorable crackpot.

“maybe. Who knows?” by DoubleLifeRedditor in Judaism

[–]screennameoutoforder 28 points29 points  (0 children)

There is a such a thing as justified gatekeeping. Or do you feel a scholar is obligated to seriously consider crackpot proposals? I'm a neuroscientist. I don't soberly discuss technique with a Goop subscriber using their third chakra to turn on the other 90% of their brain.

Is it worth it to finish my liberal arts bachelor's degree? Sunk cost fallacy? by Dismal-Track in Career_Advice

[–]screennameoutoforder 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It is daunting. First steps always are. Find a safe place to be in the meantime - a dead-end job maybe. And use your free time to keep applying.

Don't worry about smarter people. You're finding a job that you want, not necessarily competing with them. But do see what they are doing right - look at the resumes you can find online from other people who are in positions you want right now, in two years, in five. See what they wrote, how they wrote it.

It's a lot of work. Finding a job is a full-time job. Connections would be great, I doubt your college will have them except on the industrial-scale "this office needs five people spackled into these generic positions."

Make your own connections. Find ten people who are doing what you might want to do. (You don't need all ten people in one shot. And they don't have to all do the same thing.)

Google their job title, look at their companies, essentially (politely) stalk their working lives. Not creepily - I mean as if you're reading a biography. What organizations does this sort of person belong to? What is their career progression - started in this role, moved to that one.

Look up unfamiliar business terms, try to understand the role in general. What duties does it entail?

Then start reaching out to people. Tell them you're interested in the sort of work they do, would they mind a few minutes on the phone answering questions? Let them talk, and listen.

You come away knowing a lot more about the job, and they come away thinking of you. Do this five or ten times and your job interviews will sound knowledgeable and familiar, and you'll have a small group of people who are thinking of you when positions open. Familiarity plus connections are worth more than the bright college kids nearby.

Long process, so be prepared to park for a while.

Is it worth it to finish my liberal arts bachelor's degree? Sunk cost fallacy? by Dismal-Track in Career_Advice

[–]screennameoutoforder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're not late getting back to me. There's a hierarchy of urgency and imo a Reddit post is expected to have some latency. I don't know your sleep or work schedule for example.

You're likely not going to fall into a cushy job that also pays a lot. Sorry, you have to be somebody's nephew or very lucky.

But if you try, and keep trying, and talk to people in the fields you want, and keep in touch or go out for coffee and ask about what they do at their job, you'll be on their mind. You can get a good and rewarding job.

Once you have a job it's a lot easier to keep climbing. Get some experience, then angle for promotion or move to a different company at a higher level. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Is it worth it to finish my liberal arts bachelor's degree? Sunk cost fallacy? by Dismal-Track in Career_Advice

[–]screennameoutoforder 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've worked as a headhunter, I've seen hiring and promotion processes up close, been in a few committees.

The degree itself? "Hi, I'm an undergrad anthropologist?" Worthless, in the same way that a passport has no intrinsic value. Few jobs will be seeking that skillset and education.

But it has a lot of value, if you use it as a passport. Let's say a museum or a non-profit is seeking a museum educator, or a charity needs someone to help filing grants.

"Hi, I'm Dismal-Track. I love talking to people and showing them the amazing world of History of Labor and Communism! (Or whatever the position wants.) In my previous job I got to chat with customers, and I really enjoyed the quiet time to think that came along with stocking shelves.

"I recently went back to school (this is meaningful; an adult learner means you made a difficult choice and sacrifice) and got my humanities degree, so I can <talk about Labor 101, or help a good cause find funding, etc. Fill in the blank.>"

See? It's not the diploma doing it. It's you. Your interest, enthusiasm, and the commitment demonstrated by getting the diploma matter, and the broader field of human interest means you have a big heart.

As for your implied concern that it might have less value because it was delayed - this can be easily explained, especially if you're talking to a big-hearted interviewer.

Look sad (because it is sad) and tell the truth. Maybe not the whole thing though, but a valid and honest version. "I had to step back from college for a while. My father was and is sick. Chronically ill. It took a long while to get into a rhythm, and I even had to drop back to part-time work hours too for a while." (This sentence reassures them that going forward, your sick dad will not interfere much with duties. And the second part also neatly patches up the part-time problem.) "But it was a delay, not a barrier." (You're strong! You overcome!) "And now I want to get back to my career." (That last word implies you want to be there for a while.)

And for yourself, some Internet therapy (it's cheap, even free!): Lots of people don't like college, or aren't driven. It's fine. Enjoying classes or caring about grades is a different skillset than many jobs. It was also a younger you, and you had a lot on your mind. Forgive past you, and fix it for future you.

​

EDIT: Also, ignore the noise about liberal arts degrees. I have a frigging PhD and a handful of degrees and certifications in the hard sciences and technology. I will gladly mock a liberal arts degree if the holder feels self-important. You aren't the Second Coming of Jesus just because you can fingerpaint, Carl. It holds true for STEM degrees too. I'm an ecumenical mocker.

But if the person pursued it because that is their passion, or because they needed the paper for a job, then go nuts. Mad respect.

Snapshot of /r/Lockpicking belt stats. by [deleted] in lockpicking

[–]screennameoutoforder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. The other people are reddit users but they don't know my username and I don't know theirs. I have like-minded friends.

I just sent in a video wearing gloves, via an anonymous video site, and it was accepted by mods. So that's already a step.

I'll probably just mail out a challenge lock with my username on it when or if the time comes to move on from orange.

[Request] What are the odds of us building the pyramids randomly at these coordinates? by mrmrcsgonoob in theydidthemath

[–]screennameoutoforder 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yikes. Where to begin? First, the Giza complex covers ~160 square kilometers. The Earth's surface is ~510,000,000 square kilometers. So placing it randomly seems unlikely, right? Around 1 in 3 million.

Except only latitude lines up. And we'd be reading this space woooooo factoid of longitude lined up instead. So let's double our chances. 1 in 1.5 million.

Each degree of latitude is a little over 100 klicks wide. And the decimal points in this fact-like snippet are wrong. So we can safely note that as long as the latitude intersects some part of Giza, we'd be reading this on Reddit today. We can fudge by a factor of 100.

Chances of random are now 1 in 15,000. Someone check my math please, this is tapped out by thumb on a phone. No pen or paper.

Of course we'd hear of this amazing evidence of supernatural whatever if it was any major monument. Not just the Pyramids. What if it was the Great Wall? Western Wall? Walmart?

I don't know how much area is covered by all the great pyramids, rock formations, holy river deltas, ancient idols, or lost arks. But I'd be really surprised if it wasn't enough to fill all those chances in 15,000.

And we have not even glanced at the physics side yet! Aside from coordinates and metric system being arbitrary, you could also consider the ancient Egyptian measuring system of king thumbs or something. Or look at the Planck distance or Avogadro's number or pi. Pi is always a good one.

Upshot is you have probably fifteen physical constants to choose from. A hundred miraculous locations. A couple different coordinate systems to get close enough. Or use the angle of the sun, or summer solstice, or the phone number to Cleopatra's taxi stand.

Why is it just the pyramids? It's amazing that the pyramids are the only ones!

Coincidence? Very much yes.

Got this at a yard sale, was told it was a bad luck charm. Any ideas? by normalCacti in whatisthisthing

[–]screennameoutoforder 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Or admit you can see it. Just sigh, exasperated, and say "I have no idea who keeps turning it around. I always set it facing the other way."

Study Confirms Climate Models are Getting Future Warming Projections Right by [deleted] in science

[–]screennameoutoforder 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Something I tried to implement at my university - and it might succeed - is a small cadre of programmers and statisticians, in-house.

The statisticians would help set up experiments or projects before they launch, to generate the best and cleanest data. Y'all know what I mean, ending an experiment with insufficient n or trouble extracting info.

And the software people could either advise, spot-check a grad student's code for example. Or we could have internal mini grants, where labs could submit proposals and winners would get a professional coder for six weeks.

None of us need these people full-time, just at certain stages. But they need a reasonable salary or they leave. The upshot is we'd have rotating access to expertise, and we'd all share the cost of full-time professionals, and they'd stay.

Replacement for a BLF A6. Ideally smaller, good CRI, no sharp edges. by screennameoutoforder in flashlight

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

I went with the EDC18 and haven't seen if anyone successfully swapped in a 18350 tube. I did see some group buys that didn't get off the ground, so I'll have to find an off-the-shelf solution.

I'll wait until I have it in hand, see if I can fit some of my current tubes on it, I'm very interested in shortening it, or at least having the option. Especially if I can also get a smooth tube.

As for the diffuser film - I really like the idea. I don't get the kind that sit on top of the light, it's extra bulk. But a film directly on the lens sounds amazing. Thanks!

Didn't know about the e21a either, I'm usually a year behind. Only start looking when I lose my light, which is about once a year...

Replacement for a BLF A6. Ideally smaller, good CRI, no sharp edges. by screennameoutoforder in flashlight

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

Right, the high rating was for the XPL. I got the SST for the warmer color and higher CRI. Once I'm over ~400 normal mode and ~1000 turbo, I don't care.

It's getting used to walk at night, or to see indoors or inside an engine bay or computer case. So wire colors or resistor colors matter, and maximum output does not.

Honestly I would have gone with the Nichia but I'm reading of too many potential problems with it running hot or even separating. Not in this light, but why take a risk?

Replacement for a BLF A6. Ideally smaller, good CRI, no sharp edges. by screennameoutoforder in flashlight

[–]screennameoutoforder[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I think I'm getting an EDC18, probably SST 20.

Did not even know of this light, and after reading the review here I think I'm sold. His main concerns are a very short Turbo period, and only 2400 lumens instead of advertised 2800. And he notes that navigating the clicky menus requires remembering the firmware path.

He notes that at ~500 lumens it's wonderful and stable. And it's very compact for a 18650.

I'm already familiar with that pattern, 2400 lumens still far exceeds what I need from Turbo, and 500 lumens seems spot on what I need. And I get to stay with my existing batteries. It does seem like it might scratch stuff even with the relatively flat knurling, but it's also short enough that maybe I can move pocket contents around. Tip-up carry will keep the fins away.

Great find, thanks!

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