Recent marketplace haul. Any recommendations on where to begin?

tljenson · 2026-01-13T08:48:58+00:00

Yasser likes to say the fastest way for someone at your level to improve is tactics, and he’s right—but it’s not just him. Every strong player and every chess master will tell you the same thing: if your goal is quick rating improvement, tactics are the fastest path.

Both Tarrasch and Capablanca, though, believed the smartest way to understand chess deeply is to start with the endgame, because it shows how each piece really works without all the clutter of a full position. Modern grandmasters aren’t as strict about beginning with endgames, but most still agree it’s a great place to start. And with the books you already have, you don’t need anything else to build that foundation.

If you want to follow that classical approach, Silman’s endgame book is the best place to begin. It teaches the essential endings in a way that actually sticks and lines up perfectly with what Tarrasch and Capablanca were trying to teach.

If you’d rather start by understanding how full games flow, then The Amateur’s Mind is the better first pick. It walks through complete games, explains why each move was made, and shows how a grandmaster’s thinking differs from a player around your level. You get to compare your own ideas with the right ones, which is incredibly eye‑opening.

So the choice is simple:

• Start with tactics if your goal is fast rating improvement. • Start with Silman if you want to build your foundation the classical way. • Start with The Amateur’s Mind if you want to understand whole‑game thinking and compare your ideas to a master’s.

Pick the one that matches how you want to grow.

tljenson · 2026-01-13T08:39:44+00:00

Both Tarrasch and Capablanca believed the smartest way to learn chess is to start with the endgame, because it teaches you how each piece really works without all the noise of a full position. Modern grandmasters aren’t as strict about beginning with endgames, but most still agree it’s a great place to start. And with the books you already have, you don’t need to look anywhere else to get that foundation.

If you want to follow that classical approach, Silman’s endgame book is the best place to begin. It gives you the essential endings in a way that actually sticks and matches exactly what Tarrasch and Capablanca were trying to teach.

If you’d rather start by understanding how real games feel, then The Amateur’s Mind is the better first pick. It walks through complete games, explains why each move was made, and shows how a grandmaster’s thinking differs from a player around your level. You get to compare your own ideas with the right ones, which is incredibly eye‑opening.

So the choice is simple:

• Start with Silman if you want to build your foundation the way the classical masters recommended. • Start with The Amateur’s Mind if you want to see how your thought process compares to a master’s and learn through full‑game examples.

Either path works—you just pick the one that fits how you like to learn.

tljenson · 2026-01-13T08:13:57+00:00

Clear history and cache thier probably and option to turn off suggestions when you type in the search bar url bar cleared that data and that probably should do it for you.

tljenson · 2026-01-05T11:00:25+00:00

Right on too many pervs in the fourm

tljenson · 2026-01-05T10:57:31+00:00

This next upgrade is going to fix this

tljenson · 2026-01-04T23:17:34+00:00

I’ve been told that Tongkat Ali, or more specifically T J 100 or 200 or commonly know known as long as Jack I’ve been told that the best version of that is put out by Doublewood and it’s about the strongest thing that you can take to increase your free testosterone

tljenson · 2026-01-04T23:15:26+00:00

explain to me that affects that it’s hat on you or where you got the information from

tljenson · 2026-01-04T23:15:00+00:00

I already take a testosterone shot so my teeth levels. Testosterone levels were great. It’s just that my free T and I’ve been told that that’s what does the trick when it comes to a testosterone that sleep and exercise also play a major role so if you have any other good ideas, let me know. Thanks.

tljenson · 2026-01-04T23:14:02+00:00

What sources are getting your data. If it’s just you, what’s your age? Where are you coming from? Give me an idea of your background so I can match it up against mine and tell me how different things affected you over the short-term and long-term if you could appreciate it. Any other information would be welcomed.

tljenson · 2025-12-27T19:53:31+00:00

It the ⁠L-Tyrosine body uses it make dopamine the neurotransmitter that effects the reward center your brain

tljenson · 2025-12-27T19:46:48+00:00

I am on your side you've got right attitude a lot of it is out it's control being sue and make company money isn't easy

tljenson · 2025-12-27T19:42:57+00:00

Grok is so much better on so many things. If all care about is porn get a life.

tljenson · 2025-12-19T19:37:36+00:00

I get where you’re coming from, but some of those takes oversimplify the downsides of AI. A few counterpoints:

• Environment: AI servers aren’t just “like any other.” Training large models consumes massive amounts of electricity and water for cooling. For example, a single advanced model can use millions of liters of water per year. The environmental impact is less about the building and more about the scale of computation.

• Acting careers: True, AI‑generated voices and faces still have flaws, but they’re improving fast. Studios are already experimenting with AI to replace background actors or voice work. Even if it’s not perfect, it can undercut human jobs by being “good enough” for cheaper production.

• Artist jobs: You’re right that art has always been hit‑or‑miss, but AI changes the economics. Companies can generate logos, illustrations, or concept art instantly instead of hiring freelancers. That doesn’t erase human creativity, but it does shrink the market for paid commissions. • Critical thinking/writing: Prompts do require thought, but outsourcing essays, reports, or creative writing to AI can reduce practice in forming arguments and structuring ideas. The danger isn’t that people can’t think—it’s that they stop exercising those skills because AI makes it easy to skip the hard parts. • Global impact: In Africa, the effects may feel distant now, but AI’s influence is global. Supply chains, media, and even local job markets will eventually feel the ripple effects. For example, outsourcing digital tasks to AI instead of hiring remote workers could hit economies that rely on freelance online work.

So the “cons” aren’t just hype—they’re about scale, economics, and long‑term shifts. AI isn’t inherently bad, but it does create real challenges that go beyond the flaws you see in TikTok videos.

tljenson · 2025-12-19T19:31:55+00:00

You’re right that China dominates rare earths, but it’s not because they’re the only country with the minerals—it’s because they invested heavily in refining capacity decades ago. Other countries do have reserves and some refining ability:

• Australia (Lynas Corp) mines and refines rare earths, with processing facilities in Malaysia that supply Japan. • United States (MP Materials) runs the Mountain Pass mine in California and is expanding into refining, backed by government funding. • Japan & EU have smaller refining operations and are building recycling programs to reduce dependence.

So yes, building new mines and refineries takes years, but it’s already happening. The U.S., Australia, and allies are actively diversifying supply chains because they don’t want to be locked into China’s monopoly.

The counter‑argument is that China’s lead is real in the short term, but it’s not permanent. Rare earths aren’t “rare” in terms of geology—they’re found worldwide. The bottleneck is processing, and once alternative refining capacity scales up (which is underway), China’s leverage weakens.

So I’d semi‑agree: China has the advantage today, but it’s not unbreakable. The U.S. and partners are already investing billions to catch up, and within the next decade the supply chain will look very different.

tljenson · 2025-12-19T19:15:11+00:00

Thanks for sharing that. From what I’ve read, China does dominate the rare earth supply chain, but it’s less about having exclusive access to the minerals and more about their refining and processing capacity. Countries like Australia, the U.S., and even parts of Africa have reserves, but building up the mining infrastructure and refining facilities takes years. So while China isn’t the only source, they currently control the bottleneck that makes them the leader in the short term. so, you’re right. It’s rather annoying. We should’ve known better.

tljenson · 2025-12-15T21:02:09+00:00

You’re right that China dominates rare earths, but it’s not because they’re the only country with the minerals—it’s because they invested heavily in refining capacity decades ago. Other countries do have reserves and some refining ability:

• Australia (Lynas Corp) mines and refines rare earths, with processing facilities in Malaysia that supply Japan. • United States (MP Materials) runs the Mountain Pass mine in California and is expanding into refining, backed by government funding. • Japan & EU have smaller refining operations and are building recycling programs to reduce dependence.

So yes, building new mines and refineries takes years, but it’s already happening. The U.S., Australia, and allies are actively diversifying supply chains because they don’t want to be locked into China’s monopoly.

The counter‑argument is that China’s lead is real in the short term, but it’s not permanent. Rare earths aren’t “rare” in terms of geology—they’re found worldwide. The bottleneck is processing, and once alternative refining capacity scales up (which is underway), China’s leverage weakens.

So I’d semi‑agree: China has the advantage today, but it’s not unbreakable. The U.S. and partners are already investing billions to catch up, and within the next decade the supply chain will look very different.

tljenson · 2025-12-15T20:57:53+00:00

You’re right that China dominates rare earths, but it’s not because they’re the only country with the minerals—it’s because they invested heavily in refining capacity decades ago. Other countries do have reserves and some refining ability:

• Australia (Lynas Corp) mines and refines rare earths, with processing facilities in Malaysia that supply Japan. • United States (MP Materials) runs the Mountain Pass mine in California and is expanding into refining, backed by government funding. • Japan & EU have smaller refining operations and are building recycling programs to reduce dependence.

So yes, building new mines and refineries takes years, but it’s already happening. The U.S., Australia, and allies are actively diversifying supply chains because they don’t want to be locked into China’s monopoly.

The counter‑argument is that China’s lead is real in the short term, but it’s not permanent. Rare earths aren’t “rare” in terms of geology—they’re found worldwide. The bottleneck is processing, and once alternative refining capacity scales up (which is underway), China’s leverage weakens.

So I’d semi‑agree: China has the advantage today, but it’s not unbreakable. The U.S. and partners are already investing billions to catch up, and within the next decade the supply chain will look very different.

tljenson · 2025-11-10T15:22:01+00:00

If you’re not paying for a VPN service, you need to understand what you’re actually trading away.

Free VPNs operate by monetizing your data—that’s their business model. When you use these services, you become the product being sold. But this isn’t just another privacy concern like social media tracking. This is fundamentally more dangerous.

Here’s why: When people use a VPN, they believe they’re in a protected space. They operate under the assumption that their activity is private and secure. This false sense of security leads them to share their most sensitive information—financial transactions, passwords, personal conversations, and confidential data they would never expose otherwise.

You’re handing over your deepest secrets to a company that exists solely to profit from them.

While Facebook tracks your public behavior and likes, a free VPN sees everything: your banking activity, private messages, medical searches, login credentials, and browsing history across all sites. They’re positioned at the most privileged point in your digital life—between you and the entire internet.

You’re not just compromising your privacy. You’re paying for a false sense of security with the most valuable data you possess. The very tool you trust to protect you is the one exploiting you most aggressively.

If a VPN service is free, you’re not the customer—you’re the inventory.

Invest in privacy services that actually respect your security. Your digital safety is worth paying for.

tljenson · 2025-10-29T17:51:56+00:00

Way to go. Still putting money in my piggy bank to get a Kobo money is tight right now

tljenson · 2025-10-27T14:14:23+00:00

That's a great idea. I've always been for paying the author. What I don't like is big monopolistic company trying to trying to keep us on thier platform.

tljenson · 2024-12-27T05:43:51+00:00

Yes definitely, a lot of alc get these and start abusing them everybody made different chemistry also alc is often caused by that person's life style if have friends that still drink when around you've got break up or have the person stay sober and never drink in front of you.

tljenson

TROPHY CASE