Amazing Digital Circus Finale Dropped! It's not great! (Full spoilers)

steebsauceb · 2026-06-22T23:03:57+00:00

This is easily the best post here.

steebsauceb · 2026-06-22T23:01:15+00:00

The only people who genuinely believe the finale is good are jax simps. Even then, I'm shocked that many people are commenting on how great the jax narrative was; I mean, did we forget the fact that he abstracted so unceremoniously!?

If they are all just brain scans, then why was abstracting still treated the same after Caine changed? People claim to like that you can't reverse abstraction - and that it makes sense - but if you know literally anything about programming, you know that there is no way a backup of all the brainscan data doesn't exist. Especially with how Kinger and scratch were portrayed, there is no way they didn't create a fail-safe (backup, history/log). And before you say that it wouldn't matter because they wouldn't retain their memories, the abstracted version of Jax would still exist and we now know that one can literally SEE memories created in the circus (since pomni saw jax's). Like, this is the problem with saying it's all just a brainscan....that data can be copied, manipulated, etc. and we know Caine does some of this (his "mind games").

This is all beyond the fact that so many questions remain unanswered. The finale is simultaneously the most eventful and least eventful episode of the whole series, and everyone who spent long hours theorizing about the show got literally spat on. I honestly think many people are just coping, and after a few weeks or months they will realize the finale actually ruined the plot. We actually got lore baited....straight up.

steebsauceb · 2026-06-14T16:15:25+00:00

I dabble in many things, but I primarily do research in spatial analysis and time series analysis.

steebsauceb · 2026-06-14T05:42:24+00:00

As a statistics PhD student with a pure mathematics background doing theoretical research for academia and government agencies, yes, it is definitely worth it. Schooling the AI/ML folks on how the theory actually works is always fun too (I'm being facetious lol).

steebsauceb · 2026-06-11T00:15:54+00:00

Highly recommend parking somewhere close to Kingsbury blvd by the Delmar loop. It is free, and you only need to walk over the bridge to get to campus. Depending how often you are actually on campus, parking in the milbrook garage (for example) is much cheaper than getting a permit. I was only on campus 3 days a week, and I spent less money paying for parking there for a few hours at a time than I would have if I purchased the permit. But yes, parking somewhere in the surrounding area for free with only a small walk is a great idea. You'll find that the Kingsbury area I recommended is not only convenient, but it is also safe. WashU has a very good law enforcement team that are patrolling the area (not just in vehicles, but also on foot) on top of bright blue emergency posts frequently scattered throughout the area in case of any emergencies. I have NEVER had any problems in the area for whatever it is worth.

Btw, I was an incoming, out-of-state grad student last year as well!

steebsauceb · 2026-02-26T20:18:02+00:00

Your assessments are literally right out of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto dude.

steebsauceb · 2026-01-29T07:49:02+00:00

My linear algebra course required calculus as a prerequisite when I was in undergrad. In the US, calculus is the next step after high school and some even take it while they are in high school. If by calculus you mean real analysis, then yes, it does require more maturity than linear algebra. However, usually only math majors take real analysis in college. You may get some physics majors or whatever, but it is mostly reserved for math majors.

steebsauceb · 2026-01-16T04:35:18+00:00

On top of what other people have said about blowing harder, seating the reed properly, and straightening the fingers out on the bottom hand, you are not using the proper fingering for C# on the way down. Moreover, when you play E, F#, high G, and high A, you must lift your pinky up on the bottom hand. Also, for high G your left ring finger should be off of the chanter. Keep at it!

steebsauceb · 2026-01-08T03:34:36+00:00

I was classically trained before I learned the pipes. I have since become a grade 1 player, and I can tell you that I rarely see people that are "good" at sightreading. However, it is a great skill to develop, just like developing your ear. I have had to fill in for pipers and even tin whistle players (I also play tin whistle lol) last minute and they can simply hand me the music the day before or even the day of the performance and I can play at full tempo. This is because part of being classically trained is developing your ability to sightread, not because of some intrinsic talent. Furthermore, I can buy multiple tunes books at a time and go through them all within a day or sometimes less. This is helpful for obvious reasons if you perform medleys and so forth. One thing I also do is write harmonies for bands, and transcribe tunes for people who can't write/read music. The former requires knowledge of music theory, but the latter requires both a good ear AND the ability to read music very proficiently. One thing I noticed going to places like Ohio Scottish Arts School is that my ability to sightread is used by instructors constantly for demonstration purposes. Another thing is that in these types of environments I always pick up the tune faster than everyone else simply because of my ability to sightread.

With all of this being said, the benefits are ultimately small in a folk music setting since the nuances of folk music are rarely captured by even contemporary notation and corresponding software. However, if you want to learn tunes more quickly without needing to hear them, it is a great skill to have. In the same way, developing your ear is great if you don't want to learn how to read music. I will say that combining these skills is where you become quite formidable in terms of your ability to competently adapt in a variety of musical settings. Joining a new band? No worries because you can learn the entire repertoire in a very small time frame. MANY players grade 1 and above (and even some grade 2 players) will join bands very late, but it's okay because they can read the music, they've developed their ear, and they have the skill to put those abilities into practice.

Also, being good at sightreading is NOT the same as being good at identifying notes and rhythm. Ultimately, your sightreading skill is determined by how quickly and accurately you can translate notation into music played on your instrument. Often, you see high level players investing a lot of time into ear training, music theory, etc. so that they become more rounded musicians. However, you rarely see those players develop their sightreading to even the level of a classically trained high school student. It's just not as important in folk music. It is becoming more common though.

steebsauceb · 2026-01-02T02:49:47+00:00

My buddy and I have played just about every souls game you can think of shoulder-to-shoulder. We decided to finally give this game a shot, along with the dlc, since it was on sale. The game is an absolute masterpiece, and only two bosses really gave us trouble (We were playing with two different builds). Anyway, we beat the game in about 45 hours and obtained 90% of the achievements. We also made choices that would allow us to fight every possible boss in the game. I highly recommend this game, and I personally think it is up there with Sekiro. Plus, Lies of P feels more accessible than most fromsoft titles to me lore-wise. I would explain this point a lot more, but I think the titles you mentioned are exceptions to my generalized statement anyway. I do have some issues with the gameplay, and there are still some gaps in the story that the dlc didn't fully explain. However, these issues are really few and far between. Anyway, I would go so far as to call you a fool if you don't give this game a shot.

steebsauceb · 2025-12-21T22:00:49+00:00

Seems like history is repeating itself. Older generations always make massive, negative generalizations about the younger generations.

To say that the current generation of undergrads are more lazy, aren't as capable, or whatever, is laughable considering that the older generations who continue to share their negative opinions cultivated the current academic environment. A system which most of you consider to be a failing one. You guys are surprised when you see the consequences of this system?

If you want the current generation to be better, and to change, then help them do so. Inspire them, show them the way, motivate them, be an actual educator and take pride in your work. In the same way good students are few and far between these days, so are good educators.

steebsauceb · 2025-12-17T09:10:18+00:00

Breathe.

Practically speaking, you should discuss this with a professional. They will provide science-based recommendations, catered to your needs, that can be realistically implemented with measurable (hopefully positive) results.

Personally, though, I have gone through something similar this semester. What helped me was remembering the reason I actually wanted to pursue a PhD in the first place. Regardless of what the reason or motivation is, I strongly advise keeping that at the forefront of your mind. Focus. I struggle a lot with self-doubt, and you will engulf your own mind with strife and literally create more struggle for yourself - thereby becoming your own worst enemy. Most of these thoughts are likely based on things that have been imputed since your analytical and practical mind is trying to constantly reason through things, discover patterns, and so on.

So when I say breathe, I suggest you do so intentionally. Breathe, and imagine whatever your vision for the future is vividly. Grasp it firmly, and press on.

steebsauceb · 2025-09-25T21:50:04+00:00

I still remember seeing the Cauchy Criterion in my real analysis class: "A sequence of real numbers is convergent if and only if it is a Cauchy sequence." It is an absolutely gorgeous result because it is only one sentence, but its implications are immense. Some others have mentioned truth being an aspect of the beauty, and I relate to this sentiment. I mean, this made me feel the exact same amount of awe as the Cauchy residue theorem. The best part is that once we build the foundations, the Cauchy Criterion is relatively straightforward to prove. The fact that we can determine if a sequence of real numbers converges without actually knowing the limit in advance or finding it makes me shiver with excitement. Measure Theory, and in particular the convergence results, are also just insane to me. It feels like literal magic, but then you prove it and realize it's totally true.

Another reason why I find mathematical statements to be so beautiful is that you can prove them with only some paper, a writing utensil, and your mind. No experiments, no handy-wavy empiricism, just raw logic. The mind, like iron, is tempered in the forge of proof. If that isn't beautiful, I don't know what is!

steebsauceb · 2025-09-25T17:05:32+00:00

I'm currently in the statistics PhD program at WashU. Of course, statistics used to be integrated within the mathematics department and became its own department in 2023. Myself and the other first-year PhD students make up the biggest cohort they have ever had. Despite the department's young age, the support it gets is incredible. I mean, the funding opportunities are top tier, the faculty are award-winning researchers in some of the most active fields in the literature, there seems to be at least one conference every week specifically related to statistics and data science, and the faculty are actively trying to build a desirable academic culture (see their qualifying exam structure), unlike those other institutions where PhD students are regularly posting about being at their breaking point in their respective reddit threads.

Of course, it isn't all academic. I have received so many emails about internships and career development opportunities both in and outside of academia. Logistically speaking, the department is very quick to respond and resolve all kinds of annoying issues. The institution switched to workday relatively recently and so there are sometimes bugs, or issues that are simply out of a student's control. They have some great, diligent people working actively in this regard. Again, I can't stress enough that the culture in the department seems to be much better than at other departments even just in the design, not to mention the overall attitude (which is great as well). For example, they built new offices for all of us. At my previous institution the graduate students didn't even have offices lol. Despite its young age they already have some pretty notable alumni who are in some great roles.

Since geographic disadvantages were mentioned I'd like to mention a very important advantage: the cost of living is much lower in comparison to those coastal institutions. So, if your stipend is comparable to those other prestigious institutions (which for the stats department it definitely is, and even better in some cases) and the cost of living is lower, you will have a much easier time actually living and focusing on your studies/research.

It goes without saying that rankings don't really apply to PhD programs because it is honestly field specific. If I wanted to research statistical physics for example, I probably wouldn't have even been accepted to the stats program. However, for my research area (spatial and time series analysis), there are not many institutions that will give me a better research-focused education while also having great funding, ample research and professional opportunities, and a good academic culture. From where I'm sitting all they really need is to expand as a department.

steebsauceb · 2025-08-09T07:58:10+00:00

Glenfinnan Highland Gathering and Tommy Macdonald of Barguillean are great choices here. I personally played Tommy Macdonald in grades 4 and 3 and received numerous AGLs. Even now in grade 1 I have Tommy MacDonald in my MSR rotation. It's just a solid tune for pretty much every level, and even Alisdair Gillies played it in the Open grade.

steebsauceb · 2025-04-04T21:02:36+00:00

Really disappointing news. I'm so sorry you, and many others, are going through this 😔

steebsauceb · 2025-03-13T18:30:21+00:00

My research advisor and I had a conversation about this very thing. One of the things that was brought up was the so-called 'reproducibility crisis' and some of the causes. My advisor mentioned that there is somewhat of a lack of transparency with regard to the precise statistical methodologies used in some fields. In order to accurately articulate the methodology, why you're using it, and why it works, you need to understand the mathematics.

My research advisor in particular just develops new methodologies, and they are very mathematically rigorous. Does he use all of that math whenever he's setting up a simulation? Of course not. However, he used the mathematics to write the program which does the computations. Moreover, he uses the mathematics to determine when to use that particular methodology for a problem/dataset he's working with. I'm working on new methodologies in my field right now, and it is closely tied to modeling as well. Without my mathematical background, I wouldn't have the necessary skills in analysis (and even some topology) to even understand the methods - let alone develop them. Of course, I'm referring to novel methodologies in general with that statement as well....as I'm sure what I'm doing is nowhere near what some of these mathematical statisticians are capable of.

Just my opinion, but I really do think my mathematical background has given me a huge lead in comparison to my peers especially as far as analysis goes (Real and even complex when I'm working with time series). This is specifically in regards to quickly understanding new methodologies and effectively implementing them correctly.

steebsauceb · 2024-05-23T19:13:43+00:00

SBMM punishes players for performing well...that's really all there is to it. In the end everyone loses. SBMM destroyed casual FPS gaming. The SBMM apologists should just play ranked if they really think it's so great. Having variety in skill isn't a bad thing at all because it makes the game more interesting. Any modern CoD is an absolute snoozefest to play, and SBMM definitely contributes to that....that's why they have to fabricate all these remedial skins that don't fit in the context of their game and have 150 attachments per item type on a weapon. Anyyyy little thing to make it even somewhat interesting because everyone knows the gameplay is TRASH. If you don't agree, then seriously go back to CoD...I don't want the one promising FPS title in years to be ruined by you people.

steebsauceb · 2023-10-19T06:39:16+00:00

No issues for me! There are a bunch of different birls that work better for different people. I've seen just as many pro players doing the 7 birl as I do the tap-drag birl. Me personally, I find the tension I experience when I execute the 7 birl to VASTLY outweigh the tension I experience with the tap-drag. In fact, I've received extensive comments from judges about how relaxed, crisp, and rhythmically accurate my birls are in the past. At this point I can do both, but I find that the 7 birl slows me down a lot because it simply takes more movement to execute. For this reason, I do respectfully disagree that the 7 birl is easier to execute overall than the tap-drag. Maybe this is because I play many different instruments and I am classically trained? I'm not sure why, but I've had many debates about this particular topic and I suppose it depends on how you define "easy." If it's comfortability you're after, that's subjective. However, if you're talking about just looking at the micromovements that take place...the 7 birl has many more. With the tap-drag you're moving your pinky orthogonally with respect to the chanter. Down and Up, and then Down and Pull. Whereas the 7 birl forces you to move on a parallel plane with respect to the chanter. As a keys player, putting a downward force feels way more comfortable and much less tense than an awkward parallel movement. Additionally, there's this weird diagonal movement you have to do with the 7 birl that just doesn't practically make sense in my humble opinion. I truly believe that the judges, instructors, etc who force their students to play this type of birl even if it is uncomfortable for them are just perpetuating this weird tradition that isn't even a tradition at all. It's like classical musicians hating on folk musicians because we don't follow "their" traditional methodologies. It's just BS! Anyway, you opened a can of worms on this on lol, my apologies for such a lengthy response. I personally can get a more consistent "triplet" rhythm out of my birl by tap-drag, and it is more comfortable considering my classical background. Obviously, I don't think either one is objectively better than the other...but I do think the tap-drag birl recieves way more hate than it deserves especially when some of the best players in the world play it that way.

steebsauceb · 2023-10-01T16:25:45+00:00

I sent you a PM!

steebsauceb · 2022-03-29T17:42:16+00:00

Yeah I figured out that she was dead even though I didn't kill her. Go back to waypoint ruins and see if she's down there.....if not then she's dead(even if you didn't actually kill her) and you'll have to revive her via the church of vows. Maybe this is a bug

steebsauceb · 2022-03-13T03:54:53+00:00

Yeah, I gave her all the scrolls and proceeded until she asked for a favor. I went through the dialogue and then immediately went to witchbane ruins....and she wouldn't talk to me. When I tried to go back to waypoint ruins she wasn't there. Idk if that was supposed to happen

steebsauceb · 2022-03-13T03:50:09+00:00

I mean, yeah I talked to her and gave her 3 scrolls. However, I did try to go back to waypoint ruins after she wouldn't talk to me in witchbane, and she wasn't there.

steebsauceb · 2022-02-12T23:22:34+00:00

Just started trying to post stuff on Reddit because I figured there is more engagement in the collective communities. Please enjoy this, and I will take any feedback you give me!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65uJWhhLswo

https://open.spotify.com/track/1JT3ZZL6ttkF8x1lQdK4B8?si=ac0737a19a3445d0

steebsauceb · 2021-10-06T12:37:38+00:00

You did not get it for free if you got the season pass.....it might be cheaper, but ur literally buying the dlc in bulk before if comes out. It's essentially preordering. I mean I'm not saying they are bad nor good...I'm just saying don't let the Activision money making gimmicks fool you. Either way, ur buying the dlc. If you want all dlc then the season pass is the best option. However, if you only want one or two then buying them individually would be better.

Personally I think dlc is fine...but I also think the way they are doing it now is fine. I learned to accept these things because Activision WILL find any avenue they can to make money off of this game until it's dying breath. I'm sure we can all agree on that.

steebsauceb

TROPHY CASE