• 2 Posts
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Joined 1 month ago
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Cake day: September 22nd, 2024

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  • Some people in the complaints believed they were talking directly with Musk, a sadly common story that has popped up in news reports before.

    I remember when I thought I was talking directly to a celebrity online… when I was 13. It didn’t take long to realize how stupid that idea was. To be a grown adult and still think there’s a chance a celebrity is sending messages to random people is mind-boggling.

    I cringe at the memories now, but at least I can take comfort in having learned about catfishing long before I had money to lose from it.


  • I feel this in my soul. I set up to four alarms (for weekday mornings.) The first alarm is in case I wake up feeling sick (since I’d need to tell work at least 2 hours in advance.) The next is to wake me in case I went back to sleep after the first alarm. Then I have a third alarm, which is my “last chance to shower” alarm. Finally, the fourth alarm is for when it’s time to actually go out the door.

    Ideally, I turn them all off before they start, because I’m having a good morning and manage to be on top of everything. But I can’t count on that happening every day and, like you, I feel absolutely crushed and useless if I fail to arrive somewhere on time.

    Now, keeping track of time when at work is a whole ‘nother beast. We don’t even have clocks on our walls…





  • Unfortunately, that argument doesn’t fit with one of the primary aspects of The Trolley Problem - it involves a runaway trolley. The obviously-preferred solution to “stop the trolley” isn’t an option, because stopping the trolley isn’t possible.

    Edit: Can’t tell what about this comment deserved so many downvotes? I imagine we all agree that “stopping” the Trolley would be best, but the real life “Trolley” (ie the current genocide) is just as unstoppable (between now and election day) as the metaphorical one. It’s horrible, I agree, but protest-voting third party (or arguing to just “stop the Trolley”) isn’t a solution.







  • The important thing is, you’re compelling people to examine their pre-existing beliefs. They won’t change their beliefs during your conversation, because deprogramming takes time. But the more seeds of doubt you plant, the better the chances are that some will germinate.

    I find that the most effective way to encourage people to question themselves is to discuss things calmly and in good faith, through in-person conversations. Challenging people to “convert me” has been surprisingly fruitful - after all, I honestly would love to believe that a benevolent deity is looking out for us all. (As well, tons of believers would equally love to be the one who “shows [you or me] the light.”) I want them to provide compelling evidence that can change my mind.

    Approaching the conversation in this fashion not only challenges the “missionary” types to think harder, but it also shifts the onus onto them to convince you. If they’ve never thought critically about their message, this kind of conversation may introduce questions that stick with them long after it’s over.




  • This idea the parents take most of the responsibility for the achievements of their children is absurd.

    There’s also the flip-side of that attitude. It sure must feel nice for parents to be able to congratulate themselves when their kid excels, but what about when their kid has a disability or a developmental impairment? Who is responsible then?

    It’s easy to be a parent when your kid acts and responds the way you want them to. Parents of neurodivergent kids can go above and beyond for their children, yet despite that they’ll still be given dirty looks and treated like pariahs when their overstimulated child has a public meltdown.

    Kids aren’t raw lumps of clay that parents can mold to perfect shape. The best any parent can do is guide them toward success.